Hematological parameters in newborn umbilical cord blood samples (n = 476), collected at the Hospital Provincial del Centenario, Rosario, were studied. They were divided into 3 groups: (I) full term newborns with weight according to gestational age; (II) low weight and normal gestational age; (III) preterm newborns. The results were as follows: group (I) Hb: 15.5 +/- 1.1 g/dl; RBC; 4.66 +/- 0.3...

Hemoglobin (Hb) E is one of the world's most common and important mutations. It results in a heterogeneous group of disorders whose phenotype range from asymptomatic to severe. Hb E trait and Hb EE are mild disorders. The combination of Hb E and Hb S (Hb SE) results in a sickle cell disease syndrome similar to sickle beta(+) thalassemia. It is important to distinguish Hb E disorders diagnostica...

Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) has been shown to stimulate the growth of a variety of cells in an autocrine or paracrine manner. Although HB-EGF is widely expressed in tumors compared with normal tissue, its contribution to tumorigenicity is unknown. HB-EGF can be produced as a membrane-anchored form (pro-HB-EGF) and later processed to a soluble form (s-HB-E...

The haematological findings in 50 Bahrainis with sickle cell disease are reported. This establishes the existence of the Hb S gene in Bahrain. The mean Hb F level in the Bahraini patients was 13.8%, a value lower than that encountered in sickle cell homozygotes from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

Hepatoblastoma (HB) is the most common malignant hepatic tumor in children and complete surgical resection offers the highest possibility for cure in this disease. Tumor metastasis is the principle obstacle to the development of efficient treatments for patients with HB. The present study aimed to measure the expression levels of thymosin β4 (Tβ4) in liver samples from patients with HB and to i...

Unstable hemoglobins (Hbs) are variants of adult Hbs that tend to precipitate and form insoluble inclusions (Heinz bodies) within the red blood cell (RBC) or RBC precursor. They induce a broad spectrum of manifestations from asymptomatic to severe hemolytic anemia and dyserythropoiesis. In case of severe hemolysis, treatment is not codified because of the rarity and diversity of molecular varia...

In a group of disease states that includes sickle cell anemia (SS disease), two fetal erythrocyte markers, Hb F and i antigen, persist into adulthood. Using the technique of single-cell immunofluorescence, we determined the expression of l-i antigens and the presence of Hb F within populations of erythrocytes. Subjects tested included normal adults, normal newborns, patients with SS disease, an...

We previously described a population of regulatory macrophages that produced high levels of IL-10 and low levels of IL-12/23. We now describe and characterize the expression of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like growth factor (HB-EGF) by these macrophages. HB-EGF has previously been associated with a number of physiological and pathological conditions, including tumor growth and...

An intimate discourse between the blastocyst and uterus is essential for successful implantation. However, the molecular basis of this interaction is not clearly understood. Exploiting genomic Hbegf mutant mice, we show here that maternal deficiency of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) defers on-time implantation, leading to compromised pregnancy outcome. We also demonstrate that ...

Potential of Family Health Strategy Against Cardiovascular Disease Gilberto Andrade Tavares1 and José Augusto Soares Barreto-Filho2,3,4 Núcleo de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde da Universidade Federal de Sergipe (UFS),1 São Cristóvão, SE; Núcleo de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Universidade Federal de Sergipe;2 Divisão de Cardiologia Hospital Universitário;3 Clínica e Hospital São Lucas,4 Araca...