Season dependent transferrin polymorphism in varanus bengalensis

Seasonal variations in the composition of plasma iron-binding protein of Varanus bengalensis is reported with the help of gel filtration and cellulose acetate membrane electro-phoresis followed by autoradiography. Two types of plasma transferrins were recorded in winter whereas only one was present in early summer

Hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin and thalassemia trait incidence in our population [a study of 300 adult subjects]

A prospective study of 300 adult subjects of either sex was conducted to evaluate the existence of hereditary persistence of foetal haemoglobin [HPFH] in our population. The majority of the subjects [98%] were found to have H[b]F values less than 2% with a mean SD of 0.73 +/- 0.54% and showed H[b]A2 levels as 2.67 +/- 0.66%. Only six subjects [2%] had moderate elevation of H[b]F [2% and above] and they all showed associated increase of H[b]A2 levels above the normal. Increased H[b]A2 levels in conjuction with elevation of H[b]F indicated the presence of heterozygous beta thalassaemia trait among this group. The incidence of thalassaemia trait in the 300 subjects studied was found to be 1.6%. The distribution of H[b]F in the erythrocytes was found to be heterocellular. Moderate rise of H[b]F in the individuals with uneven distribution, ruled out the existence of pancellular form of HPFH while the associated elevation of H[b]A2 was not consistent with heterocellular form of HPFH. Thus the existence of gene for HPFH among these subjects could not be proved