Structural polymorphism of glycophorins demonstrated by immunoblotting techniques

We have explored the polymorphism of the glycophorin system in the human erythrocyte membrane using the immunoblotting techniques and examining 52 individuals selected without prior bias as to their serologic state and ten documented serologic variants of M, N, S, s blood group system. Polyclonal antisera to alpha glycophorin and to alpha glycophorin CNBr carboxyl terminal fragment C (residues 82-131) and M and N specific monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) were used. The first two reagents detect specific regions of the alpha glycophorin molecule and all electrophoretically resolved species of glycophorins immunologically related to alpha and delta glycophorins (delta glycophorin, [alpha-delta] hybrids and other glycophorins with an alteration in the carboxyl terminal segment); the M and N MoAbs identified the glycophorin species containing or lacking the M or N determinant in the amino terminal octapeptide structures. We find that immunoblotting confirmed in all cases the serologically determined phenotype; we also find that polymorphic forms of the glycophorin system are relatively infrequent; immunoblotting, independent from serologic testing, was capable of detecting five mutants, two most likely S-s-U-phenotypes; a new glycophorin species was detected in normal red cells with both antiglycophorin and antipeptide C sera, which is not evident with MoAbs; immunoblots of known glycophorin variants (En(a-), U-, Mg, Mi I, II, III, V, and Sta) confirmed but also extended our knowledge of the abnormal glycophorins involved; and the He+ and Wrb(-) cells showed normal patterns.     

The association of health literacy with illness perceptions,medication beliefs,and medication adherence among individuals with type 2 diabetes

Background

Beliefs in medications and illness perceptions is associated with medication adherence among individuals with diabetes and several adherence interventions focus on patients' beliefs in medicines and illnesses. Though health literacy is important in medication adherence, the relationship between health literacy and medication adherence remains inconclusive; thus raising the question as to whether health literacy has an amplifying or reducing effect on the relationship between beliefs and adherence.

An anti-EnaTS detected in the serum of an MiI homozygote

The serum of EH reacted with all red cells (RBCs) except her own, ficin- or trypsin-treated red cells, and En(a-) red cells. This reactivity defined an anti-EnaTS specificity. The red cells of the proposita typed as M-N+S-S+, Vw+Mur-Hil-Hut-Anek-Lane-, Wr(a-b+), EnaKT+. Red cells of five relatives were Vw+ and positive with her serum. Titration studies suggest that EH is genetically an MiI homozygote and that her Vw+ relatives are MiI heterozygotes. There is no history of consanguinity. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting studies have agreed with the serologic observations. A variant sialoglycoprotein of faster mobility than normal glycoprotein A, but no normal glycoprotein A, was detected on her red cells. Treatment with N-glycanase did not alter the mobility, which indicated that there was no N-glycosylation of residue 26. These findings are in agreement with the reported properties of the Mi.I-specific glycoprotein A. The relatives' Vw+ red cells showed the variant sialoglycoprotein and normal glycoprotein A. EH appears to be the first reported MiI homozygote.     

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria - an emerging public health problem

The discovery and eventual introduction of anti-microbial agents to clinical medicine was one of the greatest medical triumphs of the twentieth century that revolutionized the treatment of bacterial diseases. However, the gradual emergence of populations of antibiotic-resistant bacteria resulting from use, misuse and outright abuse of antibiotics has today become a major public health problem of global proportions. This review paper examines the origins and molecular epidemiology of resistance genes, global picture of antibacterial resistance, factors that favour its spread, strategies for its control, problems of control and the consequences of failure to contain antibiotic resistance in bacteria.     

Variation in patients' and pharmacists' attribution of symptoms and the relationship to patients' concern beliefs in medications

BackgroundThe process by which symptoms are identified and characterized is related to adverse drug event reporting. Patient and pharmacist symptom attribution may differ and be related to certain patient characteristics.Objectives(1) To compare attribution of symptoms to a cause for patients and pharmacists; (2) to quantify the association between patients' concern beliefs and patient-pharmacist agreement on patients' symptom attribution to medications; and (3) to identify any associations between patients' propensity to agree with pharmacists' assessments of symptom attribution with various clinical and/or sociodemographic characteristics.MethodsAn Internet survey of Medicare beneficiaries was administered by Harris Interactive^®. The survey elicited information on health symptoms that subjects experienced and to whom they reported these symptoms. If subjects did not experience symptoms and did not report them, the reasons for not reporting were elicited. A clinical expert panel reported ratings about respondents' (1) likelihood of the symptom experienced being attributed to a medication and (2) probability of the symptom being attributed to the reason the patient stated. Frequencies of unreported symptoms for each reason/category were examined. Chi-square and Fisher's exact test analyses examined the variations between patients' and pharmacists' ratings of symptom attribution to medications and associations between attribution and patient sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, such as the number of medications used. Independent sample t tests examined how attributions were related to concern beliefs.ResultsMost patients thought their symptom(s) were the result of their disease, something other than medications or age. There was no statistically significant difference between patients' and pharmacists' symptom attribution (χ² = 1.376, P = .24). Individuals whose symptom attributions differed from pharmacists were likely to have stronger concern beliefs in medication (t = ?3.03, P < .01).ConclusionsPatients' concern about their medications may be related to their symptom attributions. Older adults may not consider these concerns when asked about their symptom attributions.