This study can be a useful guide to neonatologists, hematopoietic stem cells transplant hematologists and future analysis.

Introduction Human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA-B27) is strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Hence, HLA-B27 testing is routinely used in the diagnosis of AS. Objectives We aimed to establish the frequency of HLA-B27 in AS patients by flow cytometry and relate the differences between B27+ and B27-cases to the serum concentrations of rheumatoid arthritis factor (RA), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP). Methods The study population included a total of 210 patients who visited the tertiary health care center. The peripheral blood samples obtained from AS patients were subjected to a qualitative two-color direct immunofluorescence method using the HLA-B27/CD3 antibody for the rapid detection of HLA-B27 antigen expression in erythrocyte-lysed whole blood in FACSCalibur flow cytometer (Becton Dickinson, USA). Results Out of 210 AS patients, the distribution of HLA-B27 positivity was observed only in 46 (22%) patients. The remaining 164 patients (78.1%) were negative for HLA-B27. Of the 46 HLA positive patients, 39 (25.34%) were males and only seven (12.5%) were females. In both sexes, HLA-B27 frequency was significantly higher in the age group 21-30 years, followed by 41-50 years. The current study also revealed a significant association between sex and age of onset of HLA-B27 detection in patients with suspected AS. Disease activity was not significantly correlated with RA, ESR, and CRP. Conclusions The detection of HLA-B27 by flow cytometry proved to be a reliable test in the screening of AS in the Indian population.

BackgroundMatrix-metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is expressed by a wide range of cells and plays a significant role in the regulation of the tumor microenvironment of various cancers including gastric cancer. This study aims at the correlation of MMP-9 expression in gastric cancer with existing prognostic factors. MethodsThe MMP-9 expression in gastric cancer was identified by immunohistochemistry using a monoclonal antibody in paraffin-embedded sections, correlated with various clinicopathological parameters, and statistically analyzed. ResultsMMP-9 expression in gastric cancer was significantly correlated with the grade, depth of invasion, and TNM stage (p-value = 0.003, 0.019, and 0.025, respectively). A significant difference in expression between tumor tissue and adjacent gastric mucosa (p-value = 0.000) was also observed. 100% negative expression was found in well-differentiated tumors and early gastric carcinoma (T1). ConclusionThe study results suggest that MMP-9 expression could be a potential biomarker of aggressive gastric cancer and candidates for the possible diagnostic and prognostic tool.

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Introduction and Aim:HaemophagocyticLymphohistiocytic Syndrome (HLH) is a fatal disease with characteristic proliferation of histiocytes in the organs including bone marrow, liver, spleen, kidney, csf, meninges, lymph nodes and subcutaneous tissue which phagocytes the blood cells. In all unexplained cases of cytopenias, organomegaly and pyrexia of unknown origin the HLH should be thought off. Though there are established criteria to diagnose, early diagnosis can reduce the mortality rate due to HLH. Documenting the haemophagocytes in the biopsy can sometimes be very helpful in arriving at the diagnosis.   Materials and Methods:We identified patients who were diagnosed with or suspected to have HLH by bone marrow aspiration or biopsy admitted to Sri Ramachandra Medical College Hospital and Research Institution from January 2010 to June 2017.We retrospectively reviewed patients’ medical records that have haemophagocytes in bone marrow aspirations and collected complete clinical history and laboratory findings. Those history included fever, cytopenias, and organomegaly. Their triglyceride levels, ferritin, ESR or any other abnormal elevated lab values were also noted down. If they had any established diagnosis then that was also noted.   Results:This is a descriptive study and the details of the data like clinical history, clinical features, laboratory investigations and abnormal values are represented using tabular column, Pie chart and bar diagrams.   Conclusion:From pathological point of view, documenting each case presenting with Haemophagocytes and looking into the factors like age, significant laboratory values along with clinical features can be a valuable tool to come to a provisional diagnosis and might help the clinician to proceed with the treatment for alife-threatening disease without much delay.