Iraqi Journal of Cancer and Medical Genetics

This study was conducted to detect the ability of an alkaloid extracted from Equisetum arvense to induce apoptosis
on MCF7 cancer cells. The IC50 concentration was employed in these experiments (325 μg/ml at 24hr), it was obtained from studying the effect of the alkaloid extract on the growth inhibition of cancer cells after 24 hours of exposure. genes involved in apoptosis (P53, BAX, Caspase8, and Caspase9) were assessed on the mRNA level. besides that, a study for the cells morphological changes that occurred via apoptosis was carried out by staining with a mixture of two fluorescence dyes acridine orange and propidium iodide. Mitochondrial membrane potential was also assessed. The results showed that the expression level of apoptosis genes was elevated. Apoptosis like morphological changes was noticed in cellular membranes and nucleus. Apoptosis characterization of the mitochondria membrane was detected as well. These results revealed the capability of this alkaloid extract to induce apoptosis in this breast cancer cell line. This study confirmed the substantial cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic activity of Equisetum arvense alkaloid extract toward the studied cell line, which indicates the utility of this substance in anticancer therapy.

Thalassemia major is quite prevalent in Iraq with about 15000 patients. Thalassemia is big health issue that have very big burden on health services. In Iraq 19 thalassemia center that reflects the importance of disease. Premarital testing for thalassemia is of prime importance of awareness of couples about the risk of getting the disease to their offspring and the complications of the disease. Education program is also important using mass media leaflets and posters about the importance of prevention of the disease

Background: Thalassemia is a chronic hemolytic anemia due to a partial or complete deficiency in the synthesis of α-globin chains or β-globin chains that compose of the major adult hemoglobin (α 2β 2). Protein C is a vitamin K-dependent serine protease and naturally occurring anticoagulant that plays a role in the regulation of hemostasis by inactivating factors Va and VIIIa in the coagulation cascade.Protein S is a non-enzymatic cofactor for activated protein C–mediated inactivation of factor VIIIa and Va. In addition, protein S may have activated protein C–independent anticoagulant activity. Aim of study:To evaluate protein S&C levels in thalassemic patients &its relation to blood transfusion . Methods: the study included 80 subjects divided into two groups: Case group included 60 patients who were a known cases of
transfusion dependent B-thalassemia and control group included 20 participants who were healthy and matched in age and gender with case group. Patients with other forms of hemolytic anemia like sickle thalassemia, who suffering from severe hepatic or cardiac dysfunction, those with other hemoglobinopathies, were excluded from the study. Plasma protein S and C Ag were calculated in both patient groups and in control group by ELISA. Results: Plasma protein C was significantly lower in patients with splenectomy in comparison with patients without splenectomy. Protein C and S were significantly lower in patients with non-frequent than in patients with frequent blood transfusion. There was significant positive correlation between plasma protein C and protein S levels. Conclusion: Patients with thalassemia major have lower level of protein C and protein S than non-thalassemic patient. Frequency of blood transfusion can affect level of protein C & protein S. Splenoctomized patients have lower levels of protein C and S than non-splenoctomized.

The medical, engineering, and technological fields witnessed a great leap in the development and improvement of the properties of various materials to use them in the best applications and benefit from them, especially in the medical fields. Materials have evolved through the introduction and development of various production methods to improve the quality of materials, and one of these methods is the method of producing nanomaterial’s that gave a quantum leap in the properties of materials compared to ordinary materials because of their distinctive effect on (engineering, medical and technological applications). Among the most important applications of nanotechnology in cancer treatment, the effect of this technology has been observed to treat and reduce cancer. There are multiple ways to manufacture nanomaterials, but one of the most important methods is the Sol-Gel method, So we will address the fundamentals of this process, its most important applications because This method has proven its economic and efficient to manufacture various nanomaterials in different shapes and is considered simple compared to other methods. This review deals with methods of manufacturing nanoparticles in general and the treatment of cancer.

BACKGROUND: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most common form of cancer (25–30%) and predominant subtype of leukemia (75–80%) in children. However, childhood ALL has considerable phenotypic and genotypic heterogeneity, which is of diagnostic and prognostic importance. CD304 is a transmembrane glycoprotein C-type lectin found on plasmacytoid dendritic cells, It acts as a receptor for class III semaphorins mediating neuronal guidance and axonal growth. Aim of the study: to study expression of CD304 in de novo newly diagnosed pediatric B- lineage ALL patients and to evaluate its association with hematological and clinical parameters. Patients and methods: This cross sectional study was conducted on 30 pediatric patients with de novo newly diagnosed BALL randomly selected in relation to sex included (16 males and 14females) with their age ranging 1-14 year. RESULTS: This study revealed that CD304 was detected in (56.67%) of newly diagnosed B-ALL patients and (43.33%) of them were negative for CD304 expression. It was detected that CD304 was not associated with age, gender, clinical presentations, other prognostic hematological parameters (Hb, WBC count, platelate count), blast percentage, NCI risk, B-ALL subtype, positive PAS and response to induction therapy. CONCLUSIONS: CD304 expression was independent on the hematological and physical characteristics of patients, since the majority of positive CD304B-ALL cases were in high risk groups of NCI criteria and 60% of non- responder were positive CD304. PAS stain was detected in standard risk groups of NCI criteria, common B ALL subtype and response to induction therapy.