Study of ABO Blood Groups and Subgroups A1, A2, A1B and A2B in Blood Donors and Recipients

Blood transfusion in modern era is possible only due to the knowledge of exact blood groups and sub blood groups. Over 700 erythrocyte antigens have been reported and are organized into 35 blood group systems by International Society of Blood Transfusion. These antigens may be proteins, glycoproteins or glycolipids and are controlled by single or more gene locus. Some antigens are specific to red cells; whereas, others are found on other cells throughout the body. The ABO blood group was the first human blood group to be discovered by Landsteiner in 1900 and it served the beginning of Blood Banking and Transfusion Medicine. Numerous mutations are found in A, B and O genes, but the most common mutation is A2. The A2 gene has two nucleotides different from the A1 gene which results in diminished enzymatic activity and consequently, weakened antigen expression. Distinction between A1 & A2 made by testing red cells with the lectin from Dolichos biflorus. Prospective study on 2000 cases to find the frequency of ABO and sub blood groups to reduce the blood transfusion related reactions. Methods: The present study included 2000 blood sample collected in the Department of Blood Banking, Govt. Medical College and Hospital, Amritsar and in voluntary blood donation camps organized by the department. 4 ml of venous blood sample collected. 2ml of blood put into ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) vial and remaining 2ml transferred to test tube and allowed to clot. The EDTA sample used for forward grouping and serum used for reverse grouping. Results: In our study the frequency of blood group B was the highest 37.8%, blood group O was 31.8%, blood group A was 21.2% and group AB was the least common with 9.2%age. In case of sub groups, A1 was 20.10% (highest in sub groups) and A2B was 0.85% (Lowest). The Rh +ve blood group was 94.1% and Rh –ve was 5.9%. Conclusion: The study is concluded with the suggestion that, as already being carried out, ABO, Rh blood grouping and sub grouping should be done in each and every case to reduce the blood transfusion related complications. More work should be carried out in different parts of state to know the distribution pattern of ABO, Rh blood groups and sub groups. This will also help the Blood Banks to estimate the requirement of different blood groups and sub groups.

Effect of Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa on alloxan induced early stage diabetic nephropathy in rats.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) has a complex pathogenesis and poor prognosis due to the lack of therapeutic interventions. The present study investigates the effect of A. marmelos leaf extract (AME) on early alloxan induced DN. The treatment with AME was found to significantly decrease the fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, blood urea, creatinine and renal TBARS and increased the levels of renal reduced glutathione and catalase significantly as compared to the diabetic control group. The maximum dose-dependent protection was observed at a dose of 200 mg kg-1. Histological examination revealed marked reversal of the morphological derangements with AME treatment as indicated by a decrease in glomerular expansion, tubular dilatation and inflammatory cells. The present results conclude that AME treatment has a significant ameliorative effect on early changes induced in the kidneys by alloxan and improves the outcome of DN.

Karyotypic findings in chronic myeloid leukemia cases undergoing treatment.

BACKGROUND: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a clonal myeloproliferative expansion of primitive hematopoietic progenitor cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, CML samples were collected from various hospitals in Amritsar, Jalandhar and Ludhiana. RESULTS: Chromosomal alterations seen in peripheral blood lymphocytes of these treated and untreated cases of CML were satellite associations, double minutes, random loss, gain of C group chromosomes and presence of marker chromosome. No aberrations were observed in control samples. Karyotypic abnormalities have also been noted in the Ph-negative cells of some patients in disease remission. CONCLUSION: This is a novel phenomenon whose prognostic implications require thorough and systematic evaluation.

Awareness of emergency contraception among female college students in Chandigarh, India.

SUMMARY: Adolescents and young women are at the greatest risk of unintended pregnancy because they are unlikely to see a family planning provider before or immediately after the sexual activity. Therefore, preventing unintended pregnancy among them is the important concern. Sexually active young women are clients with special needs for contraception. They are eligible to use a variety of the available contraceptives. Introduction of emergency contraception (EC) in the recent past can help them avoid such unintended pregnancies. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the awareness of emergency contraception in female college students. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted among college-going undergraduate and graduate female students of Punjab University, Chandigarh. Systematic random sampling was used to select the respondents. RESULTS: Of the 1,017 college students included in the study, 507 (49.9%) knew about different contraceptive methods. Maximum awareness was regarding oral contraceptive pills (239, 47.1%). Only 74 (7.3%) had knowledge about emergency contraceptive pills (ECP). Of them, 10 (14.7%) students knew the correct time for use of ECP and the side effects of ECP were known to 48 (88.9%) respondents. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness about ECP was very low among female college students of Chandigarh, especially regarding correct timing of its use and its side effects. Appropriate awareness programs on EC are needed for them.

Uptake of newer vaccines in Chandigarh.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the uptake of newer vaccines in Chandigarh. METHODS: Uptake of newer vaccines was ascertained in under five children through house to house survey during Jan 2004-Sep 2005 in sector 44 of Chandigarh. RESULTS: Of 1031 children of the total urban population, More than 40% got immunized with newer vaccines. Maximum coverage was seen for Hepatitis B 461 (44.7%) for 3 doses followed by immunization against Hib 287(27.8%). MMR vaccine coverage was 285 (27.6%). For typhoid and varicella coverage was less. More than 50% children got immunization from private sector. CONCLUSION: The newer vaccines are available in the market and being used by the people especially being catered by the private sector.

Modulatory effect of diclofenac on antispasmodic effect of pitofenone in cholinergic spasm.

Biliary, ureteric and intestinal colic are extremely common clinical conditions associated with smooth muscle spasm. In the present study, antispasmodic activity was carried out against acetylcholine (10-640 ng/ml)-induced contractions on guinea pig ileum. Acetylcholine (10-640 ng/ml) induced concentration-dependent contraction of smooth muscle. Diclofenac, in varying concentration (9.4 x 10(-5) mol/l and 14.1 x 10(-5) mol/l) shifted the concentration response curve of acetylcholine to the right without suppressing the maximal response. However, in higher concentration diclofenac (18.9 x 10(-5) mol/l) blocked the response in an unsurmountable fashion. Further, analgin (11.09 x 10(-5), 16.63 x 10(-5) and 22.18 x 10(-5) mol/l) in equimolar concentrations did not alter the concentration response curve of acetylcholine, but in higher concentration analgin (44.36 x 10(-5) mol/l) also blocked the response in an unsurmountable fashion. Pitofenone (2.5 x 10(-6) mol/l) also, shifted the concentration response curve of acetylcholine to right in a parallel fashion with no change in maximal response. The present study confirms the potent antispasmodic activity of diclofenac-pitofenone combination in comparison to analgin-pitofenone in molar equivalent concentration (in comparison to diclofenac) against acetylcholine-induced contractions of guinea pig ileum.