Chemo-sensory loss and FUT2 gene in COVID-19 infected Iraqi dentists.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To find any association between specific ABO blood groups and FUT2 secretory status and COVID-19 in a sample of Iraqi dentists. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: For each participant, a questionnaire including demography, COVID-19 status, blood grouping, and RH factor, with chemo-sensitive symptoms was recorded. The saliva samples were collected and DNA was extracted from leukocytes. Sequencing of molecular detection of the FUT2 gene by real-time PCR and the data was done, whilst drawing the phylogenetic tree. RESULTS: Results: Out of 133, most of the dentists were female 61%, most were just under 35 years of age. The most participants in this study were predominantly with blood group O (40%), followed by B, A, and AB, with (90%) of them were RH+. All blood grouping and RH factor were high significantly associated with COVID-19 infection and its frequency (p<0.001). A significant association between smell dysfunction and infected blood group A and RH+ (p =0.044, 0.038) while taste dysfunction was negatively and significantly correlated with AB group (r=-0.73; p=0.008). The FUT2 secretor showed a significant association with COVID-19 infection and frequency. The majority of COVID-19-infected participants experienced a significant loss of both smell and taste with fast recovery within 2 weeks. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The COVID-19 infection susceptibility and reinfection are associated with FUT2 secretory status and greatly associated to olfactory and gustatory sense loss.

Hepatitis C Virus Infection and ABO Blood Group Assessment: Tertiary Hospital Study in India.

People with certain blood groups and Rh positive are more prone to infections transmitted by blood transfusion. The aim of this research was to survey the accompaniment of ABO Blood Group System and Rh type with infection to hepatitis C virus in India. This was a retrospective study in patients during October 2019-March2022 in India. The population of blood donors was tested for blood borne infections, including HCV. Logistic regression was used and collected data were analyzed using SPSS v.16.A total number of 901 people referred to the organization for donating blood during aforementioned years. Of these, 224 people had a history of hepatitis C disease, including 189 unmarried persons and the rest were married. 167 individuals were males and 57individuals were females. People who had viral diseases were comprised of 76 persons with negative Rh and 148positive persons with Rh.Future aims should include studies into blood groups and Rh types, according to the results of this study, in order to avoid the spread of blood-borne infections. Furthermore, further study is needed to establish the particular blood kinds that provide an elevated danger for classified donors.

Association between Human Blood Proteome and the Risk of Myocardial Infarction.

Background: The objective of this study is to estimate the causal relationship between plasma proteins and myocardial infarction (MI) through Mendelian randomization (MR), predict potential target-mediated side effects associated with protein interventions, and ensure a comprehensive assessment of clinical safety. Methods: From 3 proteome genome-wide association studies (GWASs) involving 9775 European participants, 331 unique blood proteins were screened and chosed. The summary data related to MI were derived from a GWAS meta-analysis, incorporating approximately 61,000 cases and 577,000 controls. The assessment of associations between blood proteins and MI was conducted through MR analyses. A phenome-wide MR (Phe-MR) analysis was subsequently employed to determine the potential on-target side effects of protein interventions. Results: Causal mediators for MI were identified, encompassing cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) (odds ratio [OR] per SD increase: 1.16; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13-1.18; p = 1.29 × 10 - 31 ), Selenoprotein S (SELENOS) (OR: 1.16; 95% CI: 1.13-1.20; p = 4.73 × 10 - 24 ), killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor 2DS2 (KIR2DS2) (OR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.90-0.96; p = 1.08 × 10 - 5 ), vacuolar protein sorting-associated protein 29 (VPS29) (OR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.90-0.94; p = 8.05 × 10 - 13 ), and histo-blood group ABO system transferase (NAGAT) (OR: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.03-1.07; p = 1.41 × 10 - 5 ). In the Phe-MR analysis, memory loss risk was mediated by CT-1, VPS29 exhibited favorable effects on the risk of 5 diseases, and KIR2DS2 showed no predicted detrimental side effects. Conclusions: Elevated genetic predictions of KIR2DS2 and VPS29 appear to be linked to a reduced risk of MI, whereas an increased risk is associated with CT-1, SELENOS, and NAGAT. The characterization of side effect profiles aids in the prioritization of drug targets. Notably, KIR2DS2 emerges as a potentially promising target for preventing and treating MI, devoid of predicted detrimental side effects.

Chemical Resolution of an Epitope Recognized by Blood Group Antibodies Capable of Binding Both A and B Red Blood Cells.

The high specificity of human antibodies to blood group A and B antigens is impressive, especially when considering the structural difference between these antigens (tetrasaccharides) is a NHAc versus a hydroxyl group on the terminal monosaccharide residue. It is well established that in addition to anti-A and anti-B there is a third antibody, anti-A,B capable of recognizing both A and B antigens. To analyze this AB specificity, we synthesized a tetrasaccharide, where the NHAc of the A antigen was replaced with an NH2. This NH2 group was then used to attach the glycan to an affinity resin, creating an AB epitope (ABep) adsorbent where the critical site for recognition by A and B antibodies was not accessible, while the rest of the (conformationally compact) tetrasaccharide remained accessible. Anti-ABep antibodies were then isolated from blood group O donors and found to have expected A,B specificity against immobilized and red cell bound synthetic antigens, including ABep, and were able to agglutinate both A and B red cells. The amount of these anti-ABep (anti-A,B) antibodies found in the blood of group O donors was comparable to levels of anti-A and anti-B found in group B and A individuals. Using STD-NMR the location for the AB epitope on the tetrasaccharide was found.

Frecuencia de grupos sanguíneos ABO y RhD, en universitarios de El Alto ­ Bolivia / Frequency of ABO and RhD blood groups in university students in El Alto - Bolivia

INTRODUCCIÓN: los sistemas sanguíneos continúan siendo de gran importancia en múltiples disciplinas como la medicina transfusional, genética poblacional, medicina forense, trasplante de órganos entre otras, estas se basan en la determinación de los grupos sanguíneos ABO y Rh. El siguiente trabajo analiza la fenotipificación eritrocitaria en un grupo de estudiantes de la carrera de Bioquímica y Farmacia de 5to, 6to y 7mo semestre, Universidad Franz Tamayo (UNIFRANZ) sede El Alto - Bolivia. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: se realizó un estudio descriptivo de serie de casos, determinando los sistemas ABO y RhD, para las pruebas directa e indirecta a fin de evitar discrepancias; utilizando como soporte la técnica de microplaca, regida a controles de calidad en Inmunohematología. RESULTADOS: los resultados mostraron que el 86% eran mujeres, el grupo etario dominante esta entre 18 a 25 años de edad. El sistema ABO determinó el mayor porcentaje al grupo O con un 93%, destacando que no se encontró el grupo AB en el grupo de estudio. El sistema RhD, tuvo 100% de positivos, no encontrándose fenotipos RhD negativo ni variantes ni parciales. CONCLUSIÓN: la fenotipificación de grupos sanguíneos tanto directa e indirecta, a través de la plataforma de microplaca ayuda a evitar errores y discrepancias, tal como lo recomienda el Manual de Inmunohematología en servicios de sangre en Bolivia.

INTRODUCTION Blood systems continue to be of great importance in multiple disciplines such as transfusion medicine, population genetics, forensic medicine and organ transplantation, which are based on the determination of ABO and Rh blood groups. The following work analyzes the erythrocyte phenotyping in a group of students of Biochemistry and Pharmacy of 5th, 6th and 7th semesters, UNIFRANZ, El Alto. MATERIALS AND METHODS A descriptive case series study was carried out, determining the ABO and RhD systems for direct and indirect tests in order to avoid discrepancies; using the microplate technique as support, according to quality controls in Immunohematology. RESULTS The results showed that 86% were women, the dominant age group was between 18 and 25 years of age. The ABO system determined the highest percentage of group O with 93%, highlighting that the AB group was not found in the study group. The RhD system was 100% positive, with no RhD negative phenotypes, neither variant nor partial. CONCLUSION The phenotyping of blood groups, both direct and indirect, through the microplate platform helps to avoid errors and discrepancies, as recommended by the Manual of Immunohematology in blood services in Bolivia.

Red blood cell blood group A antigen level affects the ability of heparin and PfEMP1 antibodies to disrupt Plasmodium falciparum rosettes.

BACKGROUND: The histo-blood group ABO system has been associated with adverse outcomes in COVID-19, thromboembolic diseases and Plasmodium falciparum malaria. An integral part of the severe malaria pathogenesis is rosetting, the adherence of parasite infected red blood cells (RBCs) to uninfected RBCs. Rosetting is influenced by the host's ABO blood group (Bg) and rosettes formed in BgA have previously been shown to be more resilient to disruption by heparin and shield the parasite derived surface antigens from antibodies. However, data on rosetting in weak BgA subgroups is scarce and based on investigations of relatively few donors. METHODS: An improved high-throughput flow cytometric assay was employed to investigate rosetting characteristics in an extensive panel of RBC donor samples of all four major ABO Bgs, as well as low BgA expressing samples. RESULTS: All non-O Bgs shield the parasite surface antigens from strain-specific antibodies towards P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1). A positive correlation between A-antigen levels on RBCs and rosette tightness was observed, protecting the rosettes from heparin- and antibody-mediated disruption. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide new insights into how the ABO Bg system affects the disease outcome and cautions against interpreting the results from the heterogeneous BgA phenotype as a single group in epidemiological and experimental studies.

Estudio de la relación entre el grupo sanguíneo eritrocitario ABO con los niveles del factor von Willebrand en pacientes diagnosticados con la enfermedad / Study of the relationship between the ABO erythrocyte blood group with the von Willebrand factor levels in patients diagnosed with the disease

Resumen La presencia o ausencia de los antígenos del sistema ABO entre otros factores se han relacionado con los niveles plasmáticos del factor von Willebrand (VWF) debido a su influencia en la proteólisis por la ADAMTS 13; la actividad de este sistema eritrocitario puede incidir en eventos trombóticos o hemorrágicos. El propósito de este estudio fue determinar si los pacientes diagnosticados con la enfermedad de von Willebrand pertenecían al grupo sanguíneo O y si los niveles de VWF y FVIII eran más bajos que los de los grupos no-O. El grupo sanguíneo fue identificado por un método directo en tubo y el VWF y FVIII se midieron mediante ensayos de coagulación. Se analizó un total de 64 pacientes, el 29,4% eran mayores de 40 años, el 100% presentaron valores más bajos del VWF que los grupos no-O, el 64% de los pacientes presentaron una concentración del FVIII de 6-49% inferior al rango normal establecido y el 78,51% fueron tipificados como del grupo sanguíneo O. El análisis estadístico demostró una relación estadísticamente significativa entre los niveles de VWF y el grupo sanguíneo. Se determinó que existe una relación entre el sistema ABO y el VWF-FVIII (p<0,05); sin embargo, esto no significa que sea la única causa de la existencia de un nivel bajo del factor. Estos datos indican la necesidad de mayores estudios en la población de pacientes con la enfermedad y la necesidad de determinar los tipos de von Willebrand y su relación con el grupo sanguíneo.

Abstract The presence or absence of antigens of the ABO system, among other factors, have been related to plasma levels of von Willebrand factor (VWF) due to its influence on proteolysis by ADAMTS 13. The activity of this erythrocyte system may influence on thrombotic or hemorrhagic events. The purpose of this study was to determine if the patients diagnosed with von Willebrand disease belonged to the O blood group and the VWF and FVIII levels were lower than those of the other blood groups. The blood group was identified by direct tube method and the VWF and FVIII were measured by coagulation tests. A total of 64 patients were analised, 29.4% were older than 40, 100% presented lower values of VWF than the non-O groups. A total of 64% of the patients presented a lower concentration of 6-49% in FVIII at the established normal range and 78.51% were typified as blood group O. Statistical analysis showed a statistically significant relationship between VWF levels and blood group. It was determined that there is a relationship between the ABO system and the VWF-FVIII (p<0.05). However, this does not mean that is the only cause of the existence of a low level of these factors. These data indicate the need for further studies in the population of patients with von Willebrand disease in order to determine the von Willebrand types and their relationship with the blood group.

Resumo A presença ou ausência dos antígenos do sistema ABO, entre outros fatores, tem sido relacionada aos níveis plasmáticos do fator de von Willebrand (VWF) devido à sua influência na proteólise pelo ADAMTS 13; a atividade desse sistema eritrocitário pode afetar eventos trombóticos ou hemorrágicos. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar se os pacientes com diagnóstico de doença de von Willebrand pertenciam ao grupo sanguíneo O e se os níveis de VWF e FVIII eram inferiores aos dos grupos não-0. O grupo sanguíneo foi identificado por um método direto em tubo e o VWF e o FVIII foram medidos por testes de coagulação. Foram analisados 64 pacientes, 29,4% tinham idade superior a 40 anos, 100% apresentaram valores mais baixos do VWF que os grupos não-O e 64% dos pacientes apresentaram concentração de FVIII 6-49% menor à faixa normal estabelecida, e 78,51% foram tipificados como do grupo sanguíneo O. A análise estatística mostrou uma relação estatisticamente significativa entre os níveis de VWF e o grupo sanguíneo. Foi determinado que existe uma relação entre o sistema ABO e o VWF-FVIII (p<0,05), no entanto, isso não significa que seja a única causa da existência de um baixo nível do fator. Esses dados indicam a necessidade de novos estudos na população de pacientes com a doença e a necessidade de determinar os tipos de von Willebrand e sua relação com o grupo sanguíneo.

Hemolysis tendency of anticancer nanoparticles changes with type of blood group antigen: An insight into blood nanoparticle interactions.

Different blood groups of ABO system have specific antigen which bestows them with different biochemical properties and hence they can show different hemolytic activity. In this report, hemolytic activity of thiol-functionalized Fe3O4-Au nanoparticles were studied in presence and absence of doxorubicin and the effect of various thiol coatings were correlated towards their hemolysis tendency. The nanoparticles were functionalized with four different amino thiols, cysteamine (CEA), cystamine (CA), cysteine (Cys) and cystine (Cyt) to form Fe3O4-Au CEA, Fe3O4-Au CA, Fe3O4-Au Cys and Fe3O4-Au Cyt nanoparticles which were loaded with anticancer drug, doxorubicin. The functionalization was characterized using ATR-FTIR, HR-TEM, XPS and other spectroscopic methods. Maximum drug encapsulation efficiency of 83% was observed with Fe3O4-Au CA nanoparticles. In-vitro experiments were performed on HeLa cells to check the cellular uptake and cytotoxicity using MTT assay. Hemolytic activity was then analyzed with all the blood groups (positive and negative). The amino acid functionalized, Fe3O4-Au Cys and Fe3O4-Au Cyt nanoparticles, shows lesser hemolysis compared to amino thiol functionalized Fe3O4-Au CEA, and Fe3O4-Au CA nanoparticles. In positive blood groups, the Fe3O4-Au CA nanoparticles shows the highest rate of hemolysis followed by Fe3O4-Au CEA, while the lowest hemolysis rate was observed for Fe3O4-Au Cyt nanoparticles. For negative blood groups, the thiol coated nanoparticles show more abrupt hemolysis rate depending upon the type of antigen.

[Frequency and titration of hemolytic activity of anti-A and anti-B antibodies in mothers of children with jaundice in Yaoundé, Cameroon]. / Fréquence et titrage des hémolysines anti-A et anti-B chez les mères d'enfants ictériques à Yaoundé, Cameroun.

INTRODUCTION: The alloimmunization of the ABO blood group system is involved in neonatal jaundice with a considerable overall prevalence. The role of ABO incompatibility is relatively little known. The purpose of this study was to investigate neonatal jaundice due to feto-maternal ABO incompatibilities and to determine the link between the hemolysins value in the mother and the degree of jaundice observed in the infant. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study from June to November 2015. The study population was exclusively composed of moms who were blood type O with children who were a different blood type hospitalized in the Department of Neonatology at the Reference Hospital in the city of Yaoundé. Statistical analyses were performed using the GraphPadPrism 6 software with a confidence interval of 95%. RESULTS: Hemolysins frequency was of 20.58% (7/34) and anti-A hemolysin was the most common type (85.7%; 6/7). The new-born who had blood type B had a greater concentration of bilirubin levels compared to those of the AB group (p = 0.01). Multiparity was not associated with the presence of hemolysin (p = 0.8) as well as blood type of the infant was not associated with the occurrence of the hemolysins in the mother (p = 0.5). CONCLUSION: Early neonatal jaundice or protracted neonatal jaundice are also caused by hemolysins anti-A and anti-B derived from the allo-ABO immunization. A study on a larger sample is recommended for better assessment.

Structural diversity and biological importance of ABO, H, Lewis and secretor histo-blood group carbohydrates

ABSTRACT ABO, H, secretor and Lewis histo-blood system genes control the expression of part of the carbohydrate repertoire present in areas of the body occupied by microorganisms. These carbohydrates, besides having great structural diversity, act as potential receptors for pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms influencing susceptibility and resistance to infection and illness. Despite the knowledge of some structural variability of these carbohydrate antigens and their polymorphic levels of expression in tissue and exocrine secretions, little is known about their biological importance and potential applications in medicine. This review highlights the structural diversity, the biological importance and potential applications of ABO, H, Lewis and secretor histo-blood carbohydrates.

Structural diversity and biological importance of ABO, H, Lewis and secretor histo-blood group carbohydrates.

ABO, H, secretor and Lewis histo-blood system genes control the expression of part of the carbohydrate repertoire present in areas of the body occupied by microorganisms. These carbohydrates, besides having great structural diversity, act as potential receptors for pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms influencing susceptibility and resistance to infection and illness. Despite the knowledge of some structural variability of these carbohydrate antigens and their polymorphic levels of expression in tissue and exocrine secretions, little is known about their biological importance and potential applications in medicine. This review highlights the structural diversity, the biological importance and potential applications of ABO, H, Lewis and secretor histo-blood carbohydrates.