These results show that very few miRNAs alone would be good candidates for CML diagnosis independently of conflicting results, but together could be an additional tool for CML diagnosis. Moreover, miRNAs might be good candidates for prognosis prediction and CML therapy.

Graphical abstract

The JAK2 V617F mutation has been described as a frequent genetic event among a majority of patients with polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, and myelofibrosis. In this research, we evaluated the prevalence of the JAK2 mutation and its clinical and laboratory correlation in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms. Materials and methods:A total of 615 patients with suspected myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) were analyzed for the JAK2 V617F mutation. After DNA extraction, detection of the mutation was done using allele-specific PCR. Positive samples were subsequently analyzed with PCR-RFLP by the restriction endonuclease BsaXI. The patients were also analyzed for hematological indices.Results: Of 615 patients, 175 (28.4%) patients were positive for the JAK2 V617F mutation, whereas 440 (71.6%) patients were negative. The positive group included 79 (45.1%) patients with essential thrombocythemia, 62 (35.4%) patients with polycythemia vera, 27 (15.4%) patients with primary myelofibrosis, and 7 (4%) patients with unclassified MPNs. Conclusion:The frequency of the JAK2 mutation in our study is compatible with previous reports. JAK2 V617F mutation screening can be incorporated in the initial evaluation of patients suspected of having MPNs. The relationship between the JAK2 mutation and hematological indices can be used in new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

BackgroundAcute respiratory infection plays an important role in hospitalization of children in developing countries; detection of viral causes in such infections is very important. The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common etiological agent of viral lower respiratory tract infection in children, and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is associated with both upper and lower respiratory tract infections among infants and children.ObjectivesThis study evaluated the frequency and seasonal prevalence of hMPV and RSV in hospitalized children under the age of five, who were admitted to Aliasghar children’s hospital of Iran University of Medical Sciences from March 2010 until March 2013.Patients and MethodsNasopharyngeal or throat swabs from 158 hospitalized children with fever and respiratory distress were evaluated for RSV and hMPV RNA by the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method.ResultsAmong the 158 children evaluated in this study, 49 individuals (31.1%) had RSV infection while nine individuals (5.7%) had hMPV infection. Five (55.5%) of the hMPV-infected children were male while four (44.5%) were female and 27 (55.2%) of the RSV-infected patients were females and 22 (44.8%) were males. The RSV infections were detected in mainly < one year old children and hMPV infections were detected mainly in > one year old children. Both RSV and hMPV infections had occurred mainly during winter and spring seasons.ConclusionsRespiratory syncytial virus was the major cause of acute respiratory infection in children under one-year of age while human metapneumovirus had a low prevalence in this group. The seasonal occurrence of both viruses was the same.