Scientific Journal of

  Abstract

 Background and Objectives

 Major β-thalassemia is one of the most problematic diseases both for patients and their families as well as for health services. The number of major thalassemia cases born in 1988 was reported to be 1200 which reduced to 250 in 2007. In spite of the success of the screening program, we still experience some new cases of β-thalassemia. This study aimed to investigate the causes of occurrence of new affected infants to help the prevention program.

 Materials and Methods

 In this descriptive analytic study, the parents of β-thalassemia patients having referred were investigated. EDTA blood samples were used for CBC, electrophoresis, and Hb A2 measurment. Simultaneously, the participants were asked to fill out the prepared questionnaire for the causes of occurrence to be evaluated. CBC was performed by sysmex XS800i, electrophoresis by cellulose acetate, and Hb A2 by column chromatography.

 Results

 Sixty eight couples, as the parents of 78 patients with major thalassemia, participated in the project. Out of the total number of patients, 20 (25.6%) were under 13 years of age out of whom 7 , 2 and 11 were addressed by the first, second, and third strategies, respectively. Four patients were born due to being left undiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to error in screening and pre-natal tests.

 Conclusions

 In order to minimize the occurrence of new cases, we should promote the education and awareness in underdeveloped and non-urban communities. The couples should be identified and directed. The financial support and the possibility of on time testing could be helpful.

  Abstract

 Background and Objectives

 Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a neoplastic disorder and a common malignancy in children. Apoptosis is a normal physiological process which occurs during the maintenance of tissue hemostasis. The defect in this process leads to the development of cancer. It can be induced by a variety of treatments, such as cytotoxic chemotherapy. Hesperetin, a flavonoid isolated from the red fruits, has been examined with regard to the inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis in pancreatic cells. Hesperetin also activates NOTCH-1 and tumor suppressor in carcinoid tumor.

 Materials and Methods

 In this fundamental-applied research, the cell lines of C121 (Jurkat cell) were cultured in RPMI supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and Penicilin/streptomycin. The growth and survival of cells with various concentrations of hesperetin was evaluated by MTS kit. The amount of cell death by trypan blue staining and flow cytometry as well as by apoptosis kit (Partec) was examined.

 Results

 Lymphoblastic cell lines (C121) in exposure to different concentrations of hesperetin were affected and ΜM 200 drug concentration at 48 hours was reported as inhibitory concentration or IC50. The mode of cell death induced by hesperetin was found to be apoptosis, as judged by the morphologic alteration of the cells and by Anexin v conjugated with FITC and flow cytometric analysis.

 Conclusions

 Since hesperetin can induce apoptosis and reduce cell activity, it seems appropriate to be able to inhibit the growth of tumor cells.