Low platelet counts in pregnancy: an alarm signal for abruption!

Background: Thrombocytopenia, defined as a platelet count less than 150 million/mm3, affects 6% to 10% of all pregnant women and other than anemia is the most common hematologic disorder in pregnancy.Methods: We studied all patients with thrombocytopenia in pregnancy from June 2012 to May 2013. There were 86 patients recruited into the study. Pregnant women with preeclampsia and suspected connective tissue disorder were also screened for thrombocytopenia. All women with platelet count of <1.50,000/µl during the study period were included.Results: Patients were grouped in to mild thrombocytopenia (platelet 100,000-149,999/µl), moderate thrombocytopenia (platelet 50,000-99,999/µl) and severe thrombocytopenia (platelet <49,999/µl. Pregnancy specific cause of thrombocytopenia was in 63 (73.2%) women and non-pregnancy specific were in 23(26.7%) patients.Conclusions: Preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome is more common cause of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy. Abruption can occur in patients with severe thrombocytopenia. Though platelet count is not routinely done in pregnancy it is advisable to do so as it may help in detecting gestational thrombocytopenia or other immune related condition

Carbon turnover in the water-soluble protein of the adult human lens.

PurposeHuman eye lenses contain cells that persist from embryonic development. These unique, highly specialized fiber cells located at the core (nucleus) of the lens undergo pseudo-apoptosis to become devoid of cell nuclei and most organelles. Ostensibly lacking in protein transcriptional capabilities, it is currently believed that these nuclear fiber cells owe their extreme longevity to the perseverance of highly stable and densely packed crystallin proteins. Maintaining the structural and functional integrity of lenticular proteins is necessary to sustain cellular transparency and proper vision, yet the means by which the lens actually copes with a lifetime of oxidative stress, seemingly without any capacity for protein turnover and repair, is not completely understood. Although many years of research have been predicated upon the assumption that there is no protein turnover or renewal in nuclear fiber cells, we investigated whether or not different protein fractions possess protein of different ages by using the (14)C bomb pulse.MethodsAdult human lenses were concentrically dissected by gently removing the cell layers in water or shaving to the nucleus with a curved micrometer-controlled blade. The cells were lysed, and the proteins were separated into water-soluble and water-insoluble fractions. The small molecules were removed using 3 kDa spin filters. The (14)C/C was measured in paired protein fractions by accelerator mass spectrometry, and an average age for the material within the sample was assigned using the (14)C bomb pulse.ResultsThe water-insoluble fractions possessed (14)C/C ratios consistent with the age of the cells. In all cases, the water-soluble fractions contained carbon that was younger than the paired water-insoluble fraction.ConclusionsAs the first direct evidence of carbon turnover in protein from adult human nuclear fiber cells, this discovery supports the emerging view of the lens nucleus as a dynamic system capable of maintaining homeostasis in part due to intricate protein transport mechanisms and possibly protein repair. This finding implies that the lens plays an active role in the aversion of age-related nuclear (ARN) cataract

Spleen Tyrosine Kinase (Syk) Regulates Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) T Cell Signaling

Engagement of the CD3/T cell receptor complex in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) T cells involves Syk rather than the zeta-associated protein. Because Syk is being considered as a therapeutic target we asked whether Syk is central to the multiple aberrantly modulated molecules in SLE T cells. Using a gene expression array, we demonstrate that forced expression of Syk in normal T cells reproduces most of the aberrantly expressed molecules whereas silencing of Syk in SLE T cells normalizes the expression of most abnormally expressed molecules. Protein along with gene expression modulation for select molecules was confirmed. Specifically, levels of cytokine IL-21, cell surface receptor CD44, and intracellular molecules PP2A and OAS2 increased following Syk overexpression in normal T cells and decreased after Syk silencing in SLE T cells. Our results demonstrate that levels of Syk affect the expression of a number of enzymes, cytokines and receptors that play a key role in the development of disease pathogenesis in SLE and provide support for therapeutic targeting in SLE patients

Low platelet counts in pregnancy: an alarm signal for abruption!

Background: Thrombocytopenia, defined as a platelet count less than 150 million/mm3, affects 6% to 10% of all pregnant women and other than anemia is the most common hematologic disorder in pregnancy.Methods: We studied all patients with thrombocytopenia in pregnancy from June 2012 to May 2013. There were 86 patients recruited into the study. Pregnant women with preeclampsia and suspected connective tissue disorder were also screened for thrombocytopenia. All women with platelet count of &lt;1.50,000/µl during the study period were included.Results: Patients were grouped in to mild thrombocytopenia (platelet 100,000-149,999/µl), moderate thrombocytopenia (platelet 50,000-99,999/µl) and severe thrombocytopenia (platelet &lt;49,999/µl. Pregnancy specific cause of thrombocytopenia was in 63 (73.2%) women and non-pregnancy specific were in 23(26.7%) patients.Conclusions: Preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome is more common cause of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy. Abruption can occur in patients with severe thrombocytopenia. Though platelet count is not routinely done in pregnancy it is advisable to do so as it may help in detecting gestational thrombocytopenia or other immune related condition