GSTM1 null genotype increases the risk of pre-eclampsia. Combined GSTT1 and GSTM1 null genotype, the risk was even higher.

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and beta-thalassemia trait (BTT) are the common causesof microcytic hypochromic anaemia. Several discrimination indices have beenintroduced to discriminate quickly these similar entities via parameters obtained fromautomated cell counter. The purpose of the study was to compare the value of twodiscrimination indices, red cell distribution width index (RDWI) and red cell distributionwidth (RDW) in differentiation of BTT and IDA. This study consists of 57 cases ofBTT and 72 cases of IDA. Severe anaemia (<7.0 gm/dl) had been excluded becausethese cases are not confused with BTT cases in practice. Sensitivity, specificity,positive and negative predictive values and Youden’s index of both indices indifferentiation of BTT and IDA had been calculated. RDWI appears to be reliable anduseful index for differentiation of iron deficiency anaemia and beta thalassaemia trait.Again RDWI is better than RDW in differentiating BTT from IDA.Key words: Microcytic hypochromic anemia; discrimination indices.DOI: 10.3329/bjch.v33i3.5690Bangladesh Journal of Child Health 2009; Vol.33(3): 100-103

Key words: Beta thalassaemia; discrimination indicesDOI: 10.3329/bjpath.v25i1.4126Bangladesh J Pathol 25(1): 14-17

Worldwide, pre‐eclampsia (PE) ranks as a major obstetric problem leading to substantial maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, especially in developing countries. Clinically it appears as a maternal syndrome, including hypertension and proteinuria after second half of pregnancy. PE affected by genetic trait, is associated with oxidative stress due to imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species and the ability of antioxidant process. The glutathione S‐transferases (GST) are a group of enzymes which are involved in protecting cells from oxidative stress. In our study, we evaluated the risk of developing preeclampsia related to GSTT1 and GSTM1 genotypes. 104 patients having preeclampsia and 200 healthy controls having no history of preeclampsia were recruited for the study after getting written consent from them. DNA was extracted from the blood and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method was used to identify genotypes of GSTT1 and GSTM1 in study subjects. We used odds ratio to calculate the risk between cases and controls using SPSS 17. Genotype frequency of GSTM1 nul genotype showed significant difference between case and control group (p<0.001). Combined null genotype for GSTT1 and GSTM1 showed significant difference between two groups when compared to combined present genotype for GSTT1 and GSTM1 (p<0.001). There was significant association for GSTM1 null genotype with the development of preeclampsia (p<0.001) and the odds ratio was significantly higher in patients compared to control subjects (OR=4.75; 95% CI=2.17–10.39). For GSTT null genotype, there was increased risk for developing preeclampsia but the association was not significant (OR=1.22; 95% CI=0.58–2.57).In case of GSTT1 and GSTM1 combined genotype, patients having both null genotypes for GSTT1 and GSTM1 showed significance (p<0.001) and higher risk of developing preeclampsia when compared to control subjects (OR=7.64; 95% CI=2.38–24.60). We found a significant association between GSTM1 null genotype and the risk of developing preeclampsia in Bangladeshi population. No risk was found for GSTT1 null genotype and preeclampsia. For combined null genotype of GSTT1 and GSTM1, the risk was even higher relative to the risk of either GSTT1 null or GSTM1 null genotype alone.Support or Funding InformationDear colleague, I hereby, would like to express my motivation with this letter to attend the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at San Diego, USA from 21–25 April 2018.The conference topics are relevant to my professional skills, and therefore I would welcome the opportunity to attend this conference having researchers from different countries of the world. I am working as an program coordinator at RHSTEP and at the same working as a predatory PhD student at Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Dhaka University.As a unique added value of this event, I will find a chance for networking with other scientists from different countries, which is an excellent opportunity for horizontal exchange of knowledge and experience. This networking will expand my opportunities for planning collaborative research projects in future.I have completed my MBBS from Moulana Bhasani Medical College and MPH from American International University, Bangladesh. In case of all three degrees, the medium of instruction was English.Unfortunately I do not have fund to attend this conference and I will apply for a travel grant.My attendance at this training will be very helpful for my carrier development and I would highly appreciate to be one of the selected participants.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Background: Neonatal sepsis is a life-threatening condition with high mortality and morbidity throughout the world. Objective: This study evaluated the diagnostic role of serum procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in the early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among neonates admitted to the special baby care unit (SCABU) of BIRDEM General Hospital, Dhaka, from November 2018 to April 2019. According to selection criteria, 90 clinically suspected cases of neonatal sepsis were selected and categorised into confirmed, probable, and no sepsis groups based on CRP, white cell count, platelet count, and blood culture results. Serum PCT, IL-6, and tumor  necrosis factor (TNF-a) were estimated in all cases by standard laboratory methods. Results: Serum PCT, IL-6, CRP, and TNF-awere significantly higher in confirmed and probable sepsis groups in comparison to no sepsis group. Among the studied biomarkers, serum PCT was found most sensitive (95% sensitivity), and serum IL-6 was found most specific biomarkers (65.7% specificity) than CRP and TNF-a for the diagnosis of neonatal septicaemia. Though the accuracy of both PCT and IL-6 was found equal (70%), but the positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of serum PCT were higher than IL-6. Conclusion: Both serum PCT and IL-6 are more sensitive and specific markers than CRP and TNF-a in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. Moreover, serum PCT is more useful than IL-6. Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2020; 46(2): 83-89