Table of Contents

Volume 1, Issue 1

  July/August/September 2010

View covers archive

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Open Access Article

Influenza, swine flu and multiple myeloma: A brief comment

Viroj Wiwanitkit
Abstract | PDF

Multiple myeloma is an important kind of hematological malignancy. In this specific brief article, the author hereby discusses on the interrelationship between influenza and multiple myeloma. Also, special focus on the present emerging swine flu will be included in this brief paper.




REVIEW

Open Access Article

The genetic signature of acute leukemia in infancy

Christophe Chantrain and Hélène A. Poirel
Abstract | PDF

Infant leukemia is a rare malignant disease with clinical and biological features distinct from older children. It is characterized by a high incidence of mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) gene rearrangement and a poor outcome despite intensive chemotherapy. Recent genetic studies argue in favor of a unique biology of infant acute leukemia. This review describes the specific genetic signature of infant leukemia. It discusses the important insights it provides into the understanding of leukemogenesis and reviews the influence of genetics on the prognosis and the treatment of leukemia during infancy.




CASE REPORT

Open Access Article

Late occurrence of T-cell Primary Cutaneous Anaplastic large Cell Lymphoma in a renal transplant recipient

Siobhan V. Glavey, Donal N. Reddan, Charles E. Connolly and Michael E. O'Dwyer
PDF




RESEARCH PAPERS

Open Access Article

An investigation for the reference values of complete blood count in the caucasian population

Nilüfer Alpay, Abdullah Şumnu, Metban Güzel, Metin Kanıtez and Reyhan Diz Küçükkaya
Abstract | PDF

Background: Reference values for blood parameters change because of age, sex, genetic and envorimental variations. The aim of this study is to establish standard values of blood count parameters of healthy women and men living in Istanbul which is the biggest city of Turkey. Methods: 688 individuals living in İstanbul between the ages of 18-65 (with average of 33.8 ± 8.4 years) were included to the study. Parameters of complete blood count were measured in the blood samples.
Results: The mean values were WBC: 7828 /ml (CR: 5400 - 10400), Hgb: 14.7 g/dl (CR: 12.2 - 16.5), HTC: %42 (CR: 36 - 48), PLT: 252731 /ml (CR: 170000 - 342900). There was a significant negative correlation between age and Hgb, HTC for male groups (p < 0.05). Positive correlation was found between age and lymphocyte count (p < 0.01). On the other hand, for female group, only positive correlation was found between age and RDW, MPV (p < 0.05). RBC, Hgb, HTC, eosinophil count, MPV levels were lower in females (p < 0.01). However RDW, PLT and PCT levels were lower in males (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: We had the hematologic reference values of Turkish population and had an opportunity to compare these values with the other studies from the other ethnic groups and geographical locations of our country.
Key words: Blood counts, reference values, caucasian population

Open Access Article

Acute promyelocytic leukemia with complex translocation involving chromosome 20

Zámečníkova Adriana and Soad Al Bahar
Abstract | PDF

Acute promyelocytic leukemia is a distinct clinical entity associated with characteristic pathological features and beneficial response to retinoids. The diagnostic hallmark of the disease is a reciprocal chromosome translocation t(15;17)(q24;q21) leading to the formation of the PML-RARA fusion gene, usually on chromosome 15. Only individual cases with cryptic or variant translocation t(15;17) have been described and their biologic features are less well characterized. We describe a case of acute promyelocytic leukemia diagnosed in a female in her early pregnancy with complex variant translocation involving chromosomes 15, 17 and 20 leading to the formation of three derivative chromosomes der(15)t(15;17), der(17)t(17;15;20) and der(20)t(15;20) confirmed by karyotyping, fluorescence in situ hybridization and molecular techniques. Our case illustrate the challenge of recognizing a complex pattern of chromosomal aberrations that occur with complex chromosome translocation t(15;17) and may add further information on alternative ways of rearrangements of two key oncogenes PML and RARA in leukemogenesis.