Is the d an allelic gene of D in the Rh blood group system? A quantitative study using 99mtechnetium-pyrophosphate-labelled antibody (TcLA) method

This article reports on studies of Rh antigens, such as D, Du and d, using uranyl-labelled antibody (ULA) and TcLA (99mTc-pyrophosphate-labelled antibody) methods for the first time for this purpose. TcLA method proved to be simple in labelling and very sensitive (20--100 times more so than the indirect Coombs test) in the detection of Rh antigen-antibody binding. Results of this quantitative study demonstrate convincingly that the d is not an allelic gene of D but rather the weakest of the series D less than Du less than d. Although the evidence from this study demonstrates clearly that differences between D and d are only quantitative, the authors do not think that the Rh nomenclature should be changed but they do think that the present evidence should be used in regard to the understanding of the allelism in the Rh blood group system. The c is an allelic gene of C as the e is an allelic gene of E; specific test sera detecting every one of these antigens exist and the family studies verify these statements. However, the d is not a distinct antigen as c and e are, even if the pattern of inheritance from family studies, using the existent anti-D serum, would suggest the allelism as probability. That is why in the past the anti-Du and anti-d specific test sera never incidentally found or artificially produced.     

The haematological and biochemical pattern in occupational organic solvent poisoning and exposure

Summary A haematological and biochemical investigation was undertaken in 122 consecutive male patients with suspected organic solvent poisoning due to exposure to a mixture of organic solvents such as turpentine, toluene and xylene. Sixty-four healthy solvent exposed and 91 healthy non-exposed male volunteers were used as controls. The only statistically significant differences were that in the patients (B)-leucocytes and S-creatinine were lower than in the controls. (B)-monocytes were higher in all exposed groups than in the controls. S-creatine kinase was higher in patients actually exposed at the examination time, than in all other groups. B-hemoglobin, B-erythrocytes, (B)-Erc-reticulocytes, (B)hematocrit, (B)-MCHC, (B)-MCV, (B)-Lkcs-differential count except monocytes, (B)-thrombocytes, B-Sedementation rate, P-orosomucoid, P-immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA and IgM), S-alanine amino transferase, S-urate, U-glucose, U-albumine and U-hemoglobin were unchanged.It is concluded that there was no characteristic haematological and biochemical pattern that could be of value in the individual diagnosis of organic solvent poisoning.The patients and the controls were seen as out-patients. In all groups studied, more than 10% of the results of reticulocytes, leucocytes, sedimentation rate, orosomucoid and creatine kinase exceeded the upper level of the reference interval, which is based on in-patients. New reference intervals for these 5 analyses, valid for ambulantly examined subjects, should be worked out.Supported by the Arbejdsmiljefond, Jr. nr. 1980-6     

A simple radioactive binding assay for the detection of rheumatoid factor in serum

A simple radioactive binding assay for the detection of rheumatoid factor (RF-RBA) is described. Test sera are complement inactivated by incubation in 0.13 M ethylene diaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) at 37°C and then incubated with ¹²⁵I-labelled heat-aggregated with 2.5% (w/v) polyethylene glycol 6000. Sera from 78 patients and 24 controls were tested in the RF-RBA assay and the results compared with those obtained by the rheumatoid latex test and the rheumaton test. 37 sera were positive and 59 sera were negative for rheumatoid factor by the 3 methods used. A positive correlation (r = 0.56, P < 0.01) was observed between the rheumaton titre and the RF-RIA result.     

氟康唑在恶性血液病化疗后粒细胞减少期预防真菌感染的应用

目的：评价氟康唑预防血液病患者化疗后粒细胞减少期并发真菌感染的疗效.方法：采用随机对照试验方法,把60例化疗后中性粒细胞减少的血液病患者分为真菌感染预防用药组和对照组.其中预防用药组患者预防性的服用氟康唑,而对照组患者未接受任何预防性抗真菌药物治疗.观察并比较2组患者真菌感染的发生率和严重程度.结果：用药组30例服用氟康唑口服液患者中.发生真菌感染的仅2例.真菌感染率为6.7%.而对照组30例中.并发真菌感染7例,包括3例深部真菌感染.真菌感染率为23.3%.明显高于预防用药组（P〈0.01）.结论：在血液病患者中性粒细胞减少期及早给予氟康唑进行预防,能有效降低真菌感染的发生率.     

Antidiabetic and haematological effect of aqueous extract of stem bark of Afzelia africana (Smith) on streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats

Objective

To investigate the antidiabetic properties of aqueous extract of stem bark of Afzelia africana (A. africana) and its beneficial effect on haematological parameters in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

Methods

A total of 30 rats including 24 diabetic and 6 normal rats were used for this study. Diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. After being confirmed diabetic, animals were orally treated with distilled water or extracts at 100 or 200 mg/kg body weight daily for 10 days. The haematological parameters including red blood and white blood cells and their functional indices were evaluated in diabetic treated groups compared with the controls.

Results

The extract significantly reduced the blood glucose levels while the best result was obtained at 200 mg/kg body weight. The feed and water intake in diabetic rats were significantly reduced while weight loss was minimized at both dosages. Similarly, the levels of red blood, white blood cells and their functional indices were significantly improved after extract administration at both doses.

Conclusions

It can be concluded that the aqueous extract of bark of A. africana possesses antihyperglycemic properties. In addition, the extract can prevent various complications of diabetes and improve some haematological parameters. Further experimental investigation is needed to exploit its relevant therapeutic effect to substantiate its ethnomedicinal usage.     

Normal haematology of free-living green sea turtles ( Chelonia mydas ) from the United Arab Emirates

A comprehensive health assessment was conducted in May 1997 on free-living green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) occurring off the coast of Ras Al-Khaima, United Arab Emirates. As an integral part of this assessment, blood samples were obtained from a total of 72 clinically normal individuals, including 25 adult females, 20 adult males, 14 subadults and 13 juvenile turtles to establish normal haematology reference values for free-living green sea turtles.