AB0 blood groups,inv serum groups,and serum proteins in leprosy patients from West Bengal (India)

Summary The associations between ABO blood groups and prevalence as well as type and severity of the leprosy infection were examined in 1034 Indians from West Bengal (leprosy patients and normal controls). There are no associations in the present series; combined analysis of 41 series from the literature (ours included) gives a slightly, but significantly higher frequency of groups A and AB as compared to B and 0 in leprosy patients. Groups A, B, and AB are also somewhat more frequent in lepromatous as compared with nonlepromatous leprosy.A lower level of ₂-globulins in the serum of leprosy patients of groups A and AB as compared with patients of groups B and 0, which had been described earlier in 683 leprosy patients from Thailand, was confirmed in the present series.In the Thai series of patients, a significant association between the AB0 blood groups and the Inv serum groups was observed: Persons having blood group A and AB as well as the Inv (1) type were significantly more frequent than expected. This association, however, was not confirmed in the Indian material.

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Zusammenfassung Die Beziehungen zwischen AB0-Blutgruppen sowie Häufigkeit, Typ und Verlauf der Lepraerkrankung wurden an 1034 Indern aus West-Bengalen (Lepra-Patienten und normalen Kontrollen) untersucht. In dieser Serie fanden sich keine Beziehungen. Eine kombinierte Analyse von 41 Serien aus der Literatur (unsere eingeschlossen) gibt eine gering, aber signifikant erhöhte Häufigkeit der Gruppen A und AB im Vergleich zu B und 0 bei Lepra-Patienten. Die Gruppen A, B und AB sind im Gesamtmaterial ebenfalls etwas häufiger bei lepromatöser im Vergleich zu nichtlepromatöser Lepra.Bei 683 Lepra-Patienten aus Thailand hatten wir zuvor eine Verminderung der ₂-globuline bei Gruppen A und AB im Vergleich zu B und 0 beschrieben. Dieser Befund wurde an dem indischen Material bestätigt.Bei den thailändischen Patienten fanden sich auch Hinweise für eine Beziehung zwischen AB0- und Serum Inv-Gruppen: Personen, die sowohl A oder AB als auch den Typ Inv (1) aufwiesen, waren signifikant häufiger als erwartet. Dieser Befund konnte jedoch in dem indischen Material nicht bestätigt werden.

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This study was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Zur Verbreitung der ABO-Blutgruppen in der Bevölkerung Nordthailands

2048 subjects in North Thailand were examined for AB0 blood groups. A control group representative of the population of the provinces of Chiengmai and Lampun was formed of 382 examinees and 3403 blood donors.The distribution of AB0 groups in this population is similar to that of Central Thailand. Some ethnic groups show significant deviations: The Miao tribe, originating in South China, has a much higher frequency of B. There was a significant reduction in gene A and B in the younger generation of this tribe. The Thai Yong, people who migrated to North Thailand from Yunnan in the 19th century, show an AB0 distribution similar to Chinese in Yunnan. They differ significantly from the Northern Thai. There is also a difference in the distribution of -thalassaemia and hemoglobin E between these two groups.Male leprosy patients showed an excess of group A which was not present in female patients. The percentage of severely ill patients was much higher in the males. Differentiation into lepromatous and tuberculid forms is not available. Among 108 people who had suffered from smallpox approximately 20 years ago there was an excess of groups 0 an B in comparison to the control group.

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Mit Unterstützung durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

New Species and New Records of Eriophyoid Mites (Acari: Eriophyoidea) from West Bengal,India

Two new species viz., Acaricalus indicus n. sp. from Fern (indet) and Neooxycenus dilleniae n. sp. from Dillenia pentagyna Roxb. (Dilleniaceae) are described from West Bengal. Four species viz., Acaphyllisa araucuriae Flechtmann (2000), Aculops pretoriensis Smith Meyer and Ueckermann (1990), Tetra tyrohylae Smith Meyer (1992) and Tetra visci Smith Meyer (1992) are recorded for the first time from India. Besides, 23 other species are reported for the first time from West Bengal. An eriophyoid species is recorded for the first time from a species of Fern in India.     

Breast cancer incidence in Greek women in relation to ABO blood groups and Rh factor

Aim

To investigate the correlation between breast cancer in Greek women and ABO blood groups.

Material-methods

In 166 female patients with breast cancer factors such as blood group, histological type, family history, presence or absence of nodal and/or distant metastases were examined. These patients had similar demographic, clinical, surgical, immunohistochemical, laboratory, and follow-up data and this group is representative of general population of women in Greece.

Results

The ductal type of breast cancer was differentially distributed in blood groups Rh (+) (P ≤ 0.001). In patients with A (+) blood group the ductal type of breast cancer was present in 49.6% of cases, in relation to the other blood groups and in AB blood group the same type occurred rarely (3.6%). Rh (+) women with positive family history were more often found in A blood group. The relative risk of metastasis in Rh (-) patients was 4.2 times higher than that in Rh (+) patients. Among Rh (+) patients, the relative risk of metastasis was 1.29 times higher in A blood group than in other blood groups.

Conclusion

Blood group A is often associated with ductal breast cancer (49.6%), in contrast to the other blood groups and particularly to blood group AB (3.6%). Blood group A and, particularly, A (-) has the worst prognosis of all.

     

Ergänzende Blutgruppen-Selektionsmodelle

The mathematical consequences of two additional modes of natural selection in the AB0 blood group system are discussed, recurrent equations are given, and conditions of genetic equilibria are examined:

1. 1.
   Equal or different selection pressures against all AB,- BO- and AO-children from incompatible mother-child-combinations.     
   
   

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Spathebothrium vivekanandai</Emphasis> sp.n. (Platyhelminthes: Cestoidea) from a Freshwater Fish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Channa striatus</Emphasis> from West Bengal,India

The monotypic genus Spathebothrium Linton, 1922 contains the only known species Spathebothrium simplex Linton, 1922. In this paper Spathebothrium vivekanandai sp.n. is described and illustrated. The specimen was obtained from the intestine of a freshwater fish Channa striatus which was collected from Basirhat, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India. The species is characterized by a small scolex, rounded anteriorly; presence of neck; genital pores irregularly or regularly alternate and U-shaped ovary. In addition to these characters, absence of vaginal sphincter and absence of seminal receptacle differentiates the present species from the earlier described one. The genus Spathebothrium Linton, 1922 is being reported for the first time from West Bengal, India.     

AB0 blood groups and the type of leprosy in an Indian population

In 931 leprosy patients from Bankura, West Bengal, India, the relationship between the AB0 blood group and the immunological type of leprosy (lepromatous vs. nonlepromatous) was examined. Among the 472 lepromatous patients, there was a slight excess of blood group A (and also AB and B) as compared with the nonlepromatous group. This excess was not significant statistically in our material. However, combination of the data with those published by Beiguelman (1964) from Brazil and Yankah (1965) from Ghana renders a significantly higher incidence of group A (and probably B and AB) in lepromatous patients.The examinations were supported by WHO (Grant No. G 3/181/15), by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and by the Indian Statistical Institute.     

Interaction between haptoglobin subtypes and AB0 blood groups in a Bengalee population

Blood samples from 621 individuals of a Caste Hindu Population from West Bengal (India) were investigated in an attempt to find out an association between the AB0 blood groups and Haptoglobin (HP) subtypes. AB0 blood grouping was done on the basis of the agglutination test with standard anti-sera. Haptoglobin subtyping only for the HP*1 allele was done by Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (PAGE). A significant association was found with a significantly lower HP*1S allele frequency in blood group 0 versus other AB0 blood groups. A comparatively higher allele frequency of HP*1S was found in this population sample. An inverse relationship between HP*1S and HP*2 has been revealed in each blood group. It appears that the major portion of HP*1 alleles in the A, B, and AB blood groups belongs to the HP*1S allele compared to that of the 0 blood group.     

Nesting Behaviour of the Giant Honeybees <Emphasis Type="Italic">Apis</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">dorsata</Emphasis> Occurring in Jhargram,West Bengal,India

The giant honeybees Apis dorsata are habituated to construct combs in trees, houses, caves as well as in overhead water reservoir occurring in their nesting localities. To verify their preference for nesting sites if any, surveys were conducted in recent years (2013–16), during nesting seasons of these bees in Jhargram area of West Bengal, India. It is revealed that A. dorsata construct their combs in big, tall, aged simul (Bombax ceiba), bot (Ficus benghalensis) trees mostly, irrespective of localities. Also they were seen to construct nest at the underside of the overhead water reservoir ignoring nesting potential trees occurring nearby. Of course, nesting in the houses, and on the walls of culvert is not uncommon. As the bees constructed more than 100–200 nests at the same nesting site e.g., a tree or/and an overhead water reservoir, depending upon the availability of space for construction of nest it is concluded that these insects prefer colonial nesting.     

Transient increase in CSF GAP-43 concentration after ischemic stroke

Background

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers reflect ongoing processes in the brain. Growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43) is highly upregulated in brain tissue shortly after experimental ischemia suggesting the CSF GAP-43 concentration may be altered in ischemic brain disorders. CSF GAP-43 concentration is elevated in Alzheimer’s disease patients; however, patients suffering from stroke have not been studied previously.

Methods

The concentration of GAP-43 was measured in longitudinal CSF samples from 28 stroke patients prospectively collected on days 0–1, 2–4, 7–9, 3?weeks, and 3–5?months after ischemia and cross-sectionally in 19 controls. The stroke patients were clinically evaluated using a stroke severity score system. The extent of the brain lesion, including injury size and degrees of white matter lesions and atrophy were evaluated by CT and magnetic resonance imaging.

Results

Increased GAP-43 concentration was detected from day 7–9 to 3?weeks after stroke, compared to day 1–4 and to levels in the control group (P?=?0.02 and P?=?0.007). At 3–5?months after stroke GAP-43 returned to admission levels. The initial increase in GAP-43 during the nine first days was associated to stroke severity, the degree of white matter lesions and atrophy and correlated positively with infarct size (r_s?=?0.65, P?=?0.001).

Conclusions

The transient increase of CSF GAP-43 is important to take into account when used as a biomarker for other neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Furthermore, GAP-43 may be a marker of neuronal responses after stroke and additional studies confirming the potential of CSF GAP-43 to reflect severity and outcome of stroke in larger cohorts are warranted.

     

The Daghestan gene pool: Interethnic and intraethnic differentiation of eight aboriginal ethnic groups: Analysis based on data on the AB0 erythrocyte antigen systems

Analysis of the genetic variation of eight aboriginal Daghestan ethnic groups based on data on the AB0 and Rhesus blood groups has been carried out in a total sample of 18348 subjects. The degree of genetic differentiation (G _ST) and the levels of intraethnic (H _S) and interethnic (H _T) variations of Daghestan ethnic groups have been estimated at two hierarchical levels of the population system. Prevalence of intraethnic diversity over interethnic one has been found in Daghestan populations. The parameters of subdivision of Daghestan populations were compared with those for the populations of all other regions of the Caucasus and the Pamir. The population subdivision of ethnic groups of Daghestan and other regions of the Caucasus is lower than that of Pamir ethnic groups.     

ABO and Rhesus (D) blood group distribution among blood donors in rural south western Uganda: a retrospective study

Background

In Uganda, geographical distribution of blood groups and Rhesus (D) factor varies across the country. The aim of this study was to examine the distribution of these groups among voluntary blood donors in rural southwestern Uganda.

Results

Twenty-three thousand five hundred four (23,504) blood donors were included in the study. The donors had a mean age of 21 years (SD ± 5.7) and were mainly male (73%). The distribution of ABO blood group was; blood group O (50.3%); blood group A (24.6%); blood group B (20.7%) and blood group AB (4.5%). The proportions of Rhesus (D) positive and Rhesus (D) negative were 98 and 2% respectively. The proportion of non-adult donors (<18 years) was significantly higher among the female than the male donors (p value <0.001). A significantly higher proportion of males than females were Rhesus (D) negative (p-value <0.001). No significant relationship was found between age and blood group distribution.

Conclusion

The sequence of ABO distribution among the rural population in southwestern Uganda is; O > A > B > AB, with males as the predominant donors. The frequency of Rhesus (D) negative is very low in rural southwestern Ugandan and is mainly among males. The blood bank services in southwestern Uganda need to develop innovative strategies targeting female donors who are more likely to boost blood stocks in the region.

     

Peak plasma interleukin-6 and other peripheral markers of inflammation in the first week of ischaemic stroke correlate with brain infarct volume, stroke severity and long-term outcome

Background

Cerebral ischaemia initiates an inflammatory response in the brain and periphery. We assessed the relationship between peak values of plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the first week after ischaemic stroke, with measures of stroke severity and outcome.

Methods

Thirty-seven patients with ischaemic stroke were prospectively recruited. Plasma IL-6, and other markers of peripheral inflammation, were measured at pre-determined timepoints in the first week after stroke onset. Primary analyses were the association between peak plasma IL-6 concentration with both modified Rankin score (mRS) at 3 months and computed tomography (CT) brain infarct volume.

Results

Peak plasma IL-6 concentration correlated significantly (p < 0.001) with CT brain infarct volume (r = 0.75) and mRS at 3 months (r = 0.72). It correlated similarly with clinical outcome at 12 months or stroke severity. Strong associations were also noted between either peak plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration or white blood cell (WBC) count, and all outcome measures.

Conclusions

These data provide evidence that the magnitude of the peripheral inflammatory response is related to the severity of acute ischaemic stroke, and clinical outcome.     

ABO blood groups,leprosy, and serum proteins

Summary In 683 leprosy patients from Chiang Mai, Thailand, the associations between ABO blood groups, type and clinical features of leprosy, and electrophoretically identifiable serumprotein fractions (albumins: ₁-, ₂-, - and -globulins) were examined. Besides, the blood group frequencies in 388 leprosy patients were compared with suitable controls. Blood groups A and AB turned out to be somewhat more frequent in patients than in controls. Combined analysis with 31 series from literature reports gave X=1.0776; ²=1)=12.232. In comparisons within our group of patients which contained almost exclusively lepromatous and dimorphous patients a certain tendency towards more severe involvement of blood group A was observed within the lepromatous group and a higher frequency of eye involvement in group A was (weakly) significant (²=1)=6.188).As to serum proteins ₁- and ₂-globulins were decreased (weakly) significantly in blood group A patients who were at least 40 years old. Furthermore, a number of relationships of serum protein fractions with age, sex, and state of the infection, most of which are known from the literature, could be confirmed.     

Taxonomy of Soldier Flies (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) of Sunderban Biosphere Reserve,India

The present communication deals with recording of nine species of soldier flies (Insecta: Diptera: Stratiomyidae) from Sunderban Biosphere Reserve of India, of which, Tinda indica (Walker, 1851), Hermetia illucens (Linnaeus, 1758), Odontomyia kashmirensis Brunetti, 1920, Odontomyia viridana (Wiedemann, 1824), Prosopochrysa vitripennis (Doleschall, 1856) are being reported for the first time from this unique and globally acclaimed mangrove ecosystem. Odontomyia kashmirensis Brunetti, 1920 is reported for the first time from the state of West Bengal. A key to identify these species is provided with taxonomic notes.     

A “new” low incidence red cell antigen,NFLD

Summary A new low incidence red cell antigen, NFLD, is described. It was found in a Caucasian family and is inherited as an autosomal dominant. The antigen is not part of the AB0, MNSs, Duffy, Kidd, or Yt blood group systems and probably does not belong to the Rh or Kell blood group systems.     

The Status of the Marine Fisheries of West Bengal Coast of the Northern Bay of Bengal and Its Management Options: A Review

Marine fishery is one of the most important sectors for both economic and social development of the country. The whole coast of West Bengal was surveyed from July 2010 to August 2012 for acquiring data on marine fishing. The secondary data were also collected from various government departments and non-government organizations. After compiling all the data a clear picture of marine fisheries in the coastal region of West Bengal was emerged. Arius spp. has the height percentage (15.16) and Yellow Fin Tuna has the lowest percentage (0.06) of landing in West Bengal coast during 2006–2012. Bombay duck and Hairtail Ribbon fish landing shows a decreasing tendency in these 7 years. As the number of mechanically powered boats are increasing in recent years, the total marine fish landing from West Bengal coast is remained more or less static. Therefore, the catch per unit effort has declined significantly in recent years (r = 0.77). So, immediate remedial measures should be taken to manage sustainably, the marine fishery sector of West Bengal.     

Distractor Detection and Suppression Have a Beneficial Effect on Attentional Blink

Background

Attentional blink (AB) is a phenomenon that describes the difficulty individuals have in reporting the second of two masked targets if the second target (T2) arrives 200–500 ms after the first target (T1). Recent studies explain the AB from cognitive resources limitation to distractors interference. For example, the temporary loss of control (TLC) hypothesis suggests that the AB is conduced by distractors disrupting the input filter for target processing. The inhibition models suggest that the T1+1 distractor triggers a suppression mechanism which could be beneficial for T1 processing but would suppress T2 at short T1–T2 lags. These models consider that the AB is caused by the appearance of distractors. However, in the present study, two methods were taken to help individuals to detect the distractors more effectively. An attenuated AB deficit was found when the distractors could be excluded or suppressed in time. We consider that under an appropriate condition the distractors detection and suppression have a beneficial effect on attentional blink.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Two methods were employed to help individuals to detect the distractors more effectively: enlarging the low-level-physical characteristic difference between targets and distractors (Experiment 1) and restricting the sets of distractors (Experiment 2). Attenuated AB deficits were found as using the above manipulations.

Conclusions/Significance

The present study found when the distractors are detected or identified quickly, they could be effectively suppressed, in order to reduce the interference from the targets and result in a smaller AB deficit. We suggest that the suppression mechanism for distractors have a beneficial effect on AB.     

Genetic Markers and Psoriasis in Three Ethnic Populations of Dagestan

Analysis of clinical material obtained from the individuals (49 psoriasis patients and 357 individuals without this disease) representing three ethnic populations of Dagestan (Avars, Dargins, and Kumyks) was performed. Polymorphism of the blood group loci AB0, Rhesus (RH), Kell, P, and Lewis, as well as of the protein-encoding loci for haptoglobin (HP), transferrin (TF), the third complement component (C′3), group-specific component (GC), and the enzymes, including glycosylase (GLO1), esterase D (ESD), 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (6PDG), and acid phosphatase (ACP), was studied. It was demonstrated that in the pooled sample of Avars and Kumyks the Lewis system phenotype Le(a-b-) and the phenotype ee of the Rhesus system were statistically significantly more frequent among the psoriasis patients (P = 0.0488 and P = 0.0166, respectively), than among healthy controls of the same ethnic groups. It was suggested that for the pooled sample of Avars and Kumyks, homozygosity for the recessive ee (RH) in combination with the Le(a-b-) phenotype, representing homozygosity for recessive allele le, was the risk factor for the development of psoriasis.     

A study of diabetes in relation to blood groups and cholesterol levels

Summary Four hundred and sixteen patients suffering from diabetes were studied for AB0 Rhesus blood groups, to find out whether there is any association between blood group and diabetes. Though the relative incidence was found to be higher in blood group 0 and B, the difference was not statistically significant. This study confirms the earlier findings of high cholesterol levels in diabetes, particularly in patients with blood groups A and AB, and the overall mean cholesterol level as 253 mg/100 ml. This study also shows that diabetes with a cholesterol level of more than 300 mg/100 ml is a coronary risk factor.

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Zusammenfassung 416 Patienten mit Diabetes wurden nach AB0 und Rh untersucht, um Assoziationen zwischen Blutgruppe und Diabetes zu finden. Es fand sich ein leichtes, nicht signifikantes Überwiegen von 0 und B. Ein besonders hoher Serum-Cholesteral-Spiegel fand sich beim Diabetes insbesondere bei Patienten der Gruppen A und AB. Die Studie zeigt auch, daß ein Cholesteral-Spiegel von mehr als 300 mg% ein Risikofaktor für Coronarerkrankungen ist.