Research Profile - College of Medicine and Health Science - United ...

Department of Pathology
In addition, a second project studied the
differences of the distribution pattern of NHL
between native UAE cases and a similar number
of cases diagnosed in expatriates living in the
UAE. No differences are found between the two
population groups suggesting that
environmental factors may play a role in the
developing of NHL in the UAE.
The results of some of this work have already
been published in peer-reviewed journals and
presented in International pathology and
oncology conferences.
The expression of EBV in Hodgkin lymphoma
among UAE nationals was studied in
collaboration with Dr. Suhail Al-Salam (PI), by
immunohistochemistry for the latent membrane
protein- I and in situ hybridization for EBV
encoded RNA (EBER). EBV was seen in 17 of 45
(38%) cases of HL and was predominately seen
in the MC subtype followed by NS, LD and LR
subtypes, respectively.
Clinical chemistry: (Prof. Mukesh M. Agarwal)
In the UAE, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus
(DM) is the second highest in the world. This
remains a major epidemiological challenge for
the country. Multiple studies agree that
aggressive life-style changes (after delivery) in
women with gestational diabetes (GDM) can
delay and even prevent the onset of Type 2 DM.
Much of our research efforts are directed to
GDM. How to screen a large population in a
cost-effective manner We are continually
studying the value of various simple screening
tests for GDM, which have a high degree of
sensitivity. Ultimately, not missing any pregnant
woman with GDM will help us to start prevention
for DM, after childbirth. This will help our main
objective: to decrease the epidemic of Type 2 DM
in the UAE.
Histopathology/lymph node and bone
marrow pathology: (Dr. S. M. Chong)
The incidence of malignant lymphomas is
increasing worldwide. Curiously, however, there
are pronounced differences in the incidence of
the different types of lymphoma in different
parts of the world.
A pilot study has been performed of the
differences between lymphoma in the UAE and
in Singapore and the findings presented at the
23rd World Congress of Pathology and
Laboratory Medicine in Istanbul in May 2005.
Figure: above, classic binucleated Reed-Sternberg cell in a
case of Hodgkin’s disease (arrow) (H & E x 40), below,
immunohistochemistry with CD30 antibodies highlights the
Reed-Sternberg cells (dark brown color).
In collaboration with Dr. Suhail Al-Salam from
the Department and Dr YC Lim of the
Department of Pathology of the National
University of Singapore, I am studying the role
of leukotriene B4 in malignant lymphoma
growth and survival; the role of lipid mediators,
LTB4 and LXA4 as inflammatory and immune
modulators in Hodgkin lymphoma; and the
expression of CD137 on Hodgkin and Non-
Hodgkin lymphoma Cells. Dr. Lim and I are also
continuing our previous studies on lymphoma
cell interactions with endothelial adhesion
molecules under flow.
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