Histo-blood group ABO system transferase (Fucosylglycoprotein 3-alpha-galactosyltransferase) (Fucosylglycoprotein alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase) (Glycoprotein-fucosylgalactoside alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase) (EC 2.4.1.40) (Glycoprotein-fucosylgalactoside alpha-galactosyltransferase) (EC 2.4.1.37) (Histo-blood group A transferase) (A transferase) (Histo-blood group B transferase) (B transferase) (NAGAT) [Contains: Fucosylglycoprotein alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase soluble form]

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Allelic distribution of [i]ABO[/i] gene in Chinese centenarians.

Human ABO blood groups are determined by the alleles [i]A[/i], [i]B[/i], and [i]O[/i] ([i]O01[/i] and [i]O02[/i]) of the [i]ABO[/i] gene and have been linked to the risks for cardiovascular diseases and cancers that affect lifespan.We examined the genetic associations of the [i]ABO[/i] gene and blood groups with longevity. We inspected the frequencies of the [i]A[/i], [i]B[/i], [i]O[/i], and [i]O02[/i] alleles in a large Chinese centenarian population (n = 2201) and in middle-aged controls (n = 2330). The single nucleotide polymorphisms were selected as allele [i]A[/i] (rs507666), [i]B[/i] (rs8176743, rs8176746, and rs8176749), [i]O[/i] (rs687289), and [i]O02[/i] (rs688976, rs549446, and rs512770). Supported by allelic and genotypic association studies, the frequencies of blood types A, B, O, and AB in centenarian versus control participants were not statistically different: 0.2821 versus 0.2781 (χ  = 0.09, [i]P[/i] = 0.76), 0.2867 versus 0.3060 (χ  = 2.03, [i]P[/i] = 0.15), 0.3380 versus 0.3159 (χ  = 2.52, [i]P[/i] = 0.11), and 0.0859 versus 0.0910 (χ  = 0.37, [i]P[/i] = 0.54), respectively. Sex had little effect on these distributions. Integrated with other previous reports, we conclude from this large Chinese cohort that genetic variants of the [i]ABO[/i] gene and blood groups are not associated with longevity.


Keywords

  • ABO gene
  • centenarian
  • longevity
  • single nucleotide polymorphisms


Genetically Determined ABO Blood Group and its Associations With Health and Disease.

To determine the spectrum of phenotypes linked to the ABO blood group system, using genetic determinants of the ABO blood group system. Approach and Results: We assessed the risk of 41 health and disease outcomes, and 36 linear traits associated with the ABO blood group system in the UK Biobank cohort. A total of 406 755 unrelated individuals were included in this study. Blood groups A, B, and O were determined based on allele combinations of previously established single-nucleotide polymorphisms rs8176746, rs8176719 in the ABO gene. Group AB was excluded because of its relative small sample size. Overall, 187 387 (46%) were male with a mean (SD) age of 57±8.1 years and a median total exposure of 64 person-years (interquartile range, 57-70). Of 406 755 individuals, 182 621 (44.9%) participants had blood group O, 182 786 (44.9%) had blood group A, and 41 348 (10.2%) had blood group B. ABO blood groups were associated with 11 health and disease outcomes ([i]P[/i]<2.19×10 ). ABO blood groups were primarily associated with cardiovascular outcomes. Compared with individuals with blood group O, blood groups A and B were associated with increased odds of up to 1.56 (95% CI, 1.43-1.69) for thromboembolic events and decreased odds for hypertension (0.94 [95% CI, 0.92-0.97]). The ABO blood group system is associated with several parameters of healthy aging and disease development. Knowledge of ABO blood groups might be of interest for more personalized approaches towards health maintenance and the prevention of diseases.

MeSH Terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Cardiovascular Diseases
  • Female
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Health Status
  • Healthy Aging
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Phenotype
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • United Kingdom

Keywords

  • ABO
  • aging
  • blood
  • genetics
  • hypertension
  • phenotype


Plasma proteomic and autoantibody profiles reveal the proteomic characteristics involved in longevity families in Bama, China.

Chinese Bama Yao Autonomous County is a well-known longevity region in the world. In the past 30 years, population and genome studies were undertaken to investigate the secret of longevity and showed that longevity is the result of a combination of multiple factors, such as genetic, environmental and other causes. In this study, characteristics of the blood plasma proteomic and autoantibody profiles of people from Bama longevity family were investigated. Sixty-six plasma donors from Chinese Bama longevity area were recruited in this study. Thirty-three offsprings of longevous families were selected as case studies (Longevous group) and 33 ABO (blood type), age, and gender-matched subjects from non-longevous families were selected as controls (Normal group). Each group contains 3 biological replicates. Tandem mass tag-based proteomic technique was used to investigate the differentially expressed plasma proteins between the two groups. The auto-reactive IgG antibody profiles of the 3 pooled samples in each group were revealed by human proteome microarrays with 17,000 recombinant human proteins. Firstly, 525 plasma proteins were quantified and 12 proteins were discovered differentially expressed between the two groups. Secondly, more than 500 proteins were recognized by plasma antibodies, 14 proteins ware differentially reacted with the autoantibodies in the two groups. Bioinformatics analysis showed some of the differential proteins and targeted autoantigens were involved in cancer, cardiovascular disease and immunity. Proteomic and autoantibody profiles varied between the offspring of longevous and normal families which are from the same area and shared the same environmental factors. The identified differences were reported to be involved in several physiological and pathological pathways. The identified proteins will contribute to a better understanding of the proteomic characteristics of people from Bama longevous area and a revelation of the molecular mechanisms of longevity.


Keywords

  • Autoantibody profiles
  • Bama longevity area
  • Human proteome microarray
  • Plasma proteomics
  • Tandem mass tag


Recipients with blood group A associated with longer survival rates in cardiac valvular bioprostheses.

Pigs/bovines share with humans some of the antigens present on cardiac valves. Two such antigens are: the major xenogenic Ag, "Gal" present in all pig/bovine very close to human B-antigen of ABO-blood-group system; the minor Ag, pig histo-blood-group AH-antigen identical to human AH-antigen and present by some animals. We hypothesize that these antigens may modify the immunogenicity of the bioprosthesis and also its longevity. ABO distribution may vary between patients with low (<6 years) and high (≥15 years) bioprostheses longevity. Single-centre registry study (Paris, France) including all degenerative porcine bioprostheses (mostly Carpentier-Edwards 2nd/3rd generation heart valves) explanted between 1985 and 1998 and some bovine bioprostheses. For period 1998-2014, all porcine bioprostheses with longevity ≥13 years (follow-up ≥29 years). Important predictive factors for bioprosthesis longevity: number, site of implantation, age were collected. Blood group and other variables were entered into an ordinal logistic regression analysis model predicting valve longevity, categorized as low (<6 years), medium (6-14.9 years), and high (≥15 years). Longevity and ABO-blood group were obtained for 483 explanted porcine bioprostheses. Mean longevity was 10.2 ± 3.9 years [0-28] and significantly higher for A-patients than others (P = 0.009). Using multivariate analysis, group A was a strong predictive factor of longevity (OR 2.09; P < 0.001). For the 64 explanted bovine bioprosthesis with low/medium longevity, the association, with A-group was even more significant. Patients of A-group but not B have a higher longevity of their bioprostheses. Future graft-host phenotyping and matching may give rise to a new generation of long-lasting bioprosthesis for implantation in humans, especially for the younger population. FUND: None.

MeSH Terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Child
  • Female
  • France
  • Health Surveys
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation
  • Humans
  • Longevity
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Prognosis
  • Registries
  • Survival Rate
  • Swine
  • Transplant Recipients
  • Young Adult


ABO blood group polymorphism has an impact on prostate, kidney and bladder cancer in association with longevity.

The aim of the present study was to assess the ABO blood group polymorphism association with prostate, bladder and kidney cancer, and longevity. The following data groups were analyzed: Prostate cancer (n=2,200), bladder cancer (n=1,530), renal cell cancer (n=2,650), oldest-old (n=166) and blood donors (n=994) groups. The data on the ABO blood type frequency and odds ratio in prostate cancer patients revealed a significantly higher blood group B frequency (P<0.05); the pooled men and women, separate men bladder cancer risk was significantly associated with the blood group B (P<0.04); however, no such association was identified in the female patients. The blood group O was observed to have a significantly decreased risk of bladder cancer for females (P<0.05). No significance for the ABO blood group type in the studied kidney cancer patients was identified. A comparison of the oldest-old and blood donor groups revealed that blood group A was significantly more frequent and blood type B was significantly rarer in the oldest-olds (P<0.05). The results of the present study indicated that blood type B was associated with the risk of prostate and bladder cancer, and could be evaluated as a determinant in the negative assocation with longevity. Blood types O and A may be positive factors for increasing the oldest-old age likelihood. The clustering analysis by the ABO type frequency demonstrated that the oldest-olds comprised a separate cluster of the studied groups.


Keywords

  • ABO blood group
  • bladder cancer
  • kidney cancer
  • longevity
  • prostate cancer


Aging and ABO blood type influence von Willebrand factor and factor VIII levels through interrelated mechanisms.

Essentials von Willebrand factor (VWF) and factor VIII (FVIII) levels are modulated by age and ABO status. The effect of aging and ABO blood type on VWF and FVIII was assessed in 207 normal individuals. Aging and ABO blood type showed combined and bidirectional influences on VWF and FVIII levels. Aging and ABO blood type influence VWF levels through both secretion and clearance mechanisms. Background The effect of aging and ABO blood type on plasma levels of von Willebrand factor (VWF) and factor VIII (FVIII) have been widely reported; however, a comprehensive analysis of their combined effect has not been performed and the mechanisms responsible for the age-related changes have not been determined. Objectives To assess the influence of aging and ABO blood type on VWF and FVIII levels, and to evaluate the contribution of VWF secretion and clearance to the age-related changes. Methods A cross-sectional observational study was performed in a cohort of 207 normal individuals, whose levels of VWF, FVIII, VWF propeptide (VWFpp), VWFpp/VWF:Ag ratio and blood type A antigen content on VWF (A-VWF) were quantified. Results Aging and ABO blood type exerted interrelated effects on VWF and FVIII plasma levels, because the age-related increase in both proteins was significantly higher in type non-O individuals (β = 0.011 vs. 0.005). This increase with age in non-O subjects drove the differences between blood types in VWF levels, as the mean difference increased from 0.13 U/mL in the young to 0.57 U/mL in the old. Moreover, A-VWF was associated with both VWF antigen (β = 0.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.09, 0.50) and VWF clearance (β = -0.15; 95% CI, -0.25, -0.06). We also documented an effect of ABO blood type on VWF secretion with aging, as old individuals with blood type non-O showed higher levels of VWFpp (mean difference 0.29 U/mL). Conclusions Aging and ABO blood type have an interrelated effect on VWF and FVIII levels, where the effect of one is significantly influenced by the presence of the other.

MeSH Terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging
  • Blood Grouping and Crossmatching
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Factor VIII
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • von Willebrand Factor

Keywords

  • ABO blood group system
  • aging
  • metabolic clearance rate
  • secretion
  • von Willebrand factor


Genome-Wide Scan Informed by Age-Related Disease Identifies Loci for Exceptional Human Longevity.

We developed a new statistical framework to find genetic variants associated with extreme longevity. The method, informed GWAS (iGWAS), takes advantage of knowledge from large studies of age-related disease in order to narrow the search for SNPs associated with longevity. To gain support for our approach, we first show there is an overlap between loci involved in disease and loci associated with extreme longevity. These results indicate that several disease variants may be depleted in centenarians versus the general population. Next, we used iGWAS to harness information from 14 meta-analyses of disease and trait GWAS to identify longevity loci in two studies of long-lived humans. In a standard GWAS analysis, only one locus in these studies is significant (APOE/TOMM40) when controlling the false discovery rate (FDR) at 10%. With iGWAS, we identify eight genetic loci to associate significantly with exceptional human longevity at FDR < 10%. We followed up the eight lead SNPs in independent cohorts, and found replication evidence of four loci and suggestive evidence for one more with exceptional longevity. The loci that replicated (FDR < 5%) included APOE/TOMM40 (associated with Alzheimer's disease), CDKN2B/ANRIL (implicated in the regulation of cellular senescence), ABO (tags the O blood group), and SH2B3/ATXN2 (a signaling gene that extends lifespan in Drosophila and a gene involved in neurological disease). Our results implicate new loci in longevity and reveal a genetic overlap between longevity and age-related diseases and traits, including coronary artery disease and Alzheimer's disease. iGWAS provides a new analytical strategy for uncovering SNPs that influence extreme longevity, and can be applied more broadly to boost power in other studies of complex phenotypes.

MeSH Terms

  • Aging
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Genome-Wide Association Study
  • Humans
  • Longevity
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide


Evolutionary aspects of ABO blood group in humans.

The antigens of the ABO blood group system (A, B and H determinants) are complex carbohydrate molecules expressed on red blood cells and on a variety of other cell lines and tissues. Growing evidence is accumulating that ABO antigens, beyond their key role in transfusion medicine, may interplay with the pathogenesis of many human disorders, including infectious, cardiovascular and neoplastic diseases. In this narrative review, after succinct description of the current knowledge on the association between ABO blood groups and the most severe diseases, we aim to elucidate the particularly intriguing issue of the possible role of ABO system in successful aging. In particular, focus will be placed on studies evaluating the ABO phenotype in centenarians, the best human model of longevity.

MeSH Terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Biological Evolution
  • Disease
  • Humans
  • Longevity

Keywords

  • ABO blood group
  • Cancers
  • Cardiovascular diseases
  • Infections
  • Longevity


Possible role of ABO system in age-related diseases and longevity: a narrative review.

ABO blood group antigens are expressed either on the surface of red blood cells either on a variety of other cells. Based on the available knowledge of the genes involved in their biosynthesis and their tissue distribution, their polymorphism has been suggested to provide intraspecies diversity allowing to cope with diverse and rapidly evolving pathogens. Accordingly, the different prevalence of ABO group genotypes among the populations has been demonstrated to be driven by malaria selection. In the similar manner, a particular ABO blood group may contribute to favour life-extension via biological mechanisms important for surviving or eluding serious disease. In this review, we will suggest the possible association of ABO group with age-related diseases and longevity taking into account the biological role of the ABO glycosyltransferases on some inflammatory mediators as adhesion molecules.


Keywords

  • ABO
  • Cancer
  • Cardiovascular diseases
  • Inflammation
  • Longevity


Poly-LacNAc as an age-specific ligand for rotavirus P[11] in neonates and infants.

Rotavirus (RV) P[11] is an unique genotype that infects neonates. The mechanism of such age-specific host restriction remains unknown. In this study, we explored host mucosal glycans as a potential age-specific factor for attachment of P[11] RVs. Using in vitro binding assays, we demonstrated that VP8* of a P[11] RV (N155) could bind saliva of infants (60.3%, N = 151) but not of adults (0%, N = 48), with a significantly negative correlation between binding of VP8* and ages of infants (P<0.01). Recognition to the infant saliva did not correlate with the ABO, secretor and Lewis histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) but with the binding of the lectin Lycopersicon esculentum (LEA) that is known to recognize the oligomers of N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc), a precursor of human HBGAs. Direct evidence of LacNAc involvement in P[11] binding was obtained from specific binding of VP8* with homopolymers of LacNAc in variable lengths through a glycan array analysis of 611 glycans. These results were confirmed by strong binding of VP8* to the Lec2 cell line that expresses LacNAc oligomers but not to the Lec8 cell line lacking the LacNAc. In addition, N155 VP8* and authentic P[11] RVs (human 116E and bovine B223) hemagglutinated human red blood cells that are known to express poly-LacNAc. The potential role of poly-LacNAc in host attachment and infection of RVs has been obtained by abrogation of 116E replication by the PAA-conjugated poly-LacNAc, human milk, and LEA positive infant saliva. Overall, our results suggested that the poly-LacNAc could serve as an age-specific receptor for P[11] RVs and well explained the epidemiology that P[11] RVs mainly infect neonates and young children.

MeSH Terms

  • Adult
  • Aging
  • Amino Sugars
  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Cell Line
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Rotavirus
  • Rotavirus Infections
  • Saliva
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins
  • Virus Attachment


Factors potentially affecting the function of kidney grafts.

Donor and recipient risk factors on graft function have been well characterized. The contribution of demographic factors, such as age, gender, and other potential factors of donor and recipient at the time of transplantation on the function of a graft is much less well understood. In this study, we analyzed the effects of factors such as age, gender, etc., on the short-term and long-term graft function in kidney transplant recipients from living donor. A total of 335 living donors and their recipients, who had kidney transplantation in our center from May 2004 to December 2009, were included. Serum creatinine level was used as the assessment criterion (serum creatinine level lower than 115 mmol/L is normal). Factors related to graft function such as age, gender, blood relation by consanguinity, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatch, ABO type, etc., were analyzed separately. Donor age is the key factor affecting both the short-term and long-term function of a grafted kidney from a living donor. The group with donors younger than 48 years showed the best kidney function post transplantation. Match of gender and age is another important factor that influences the function of grafted kidney from a living donor. The older donor to younger recipient group had the worst outcome after kidney transplantation. After 36 months post transplantation, female donor to male recipient group had worse kidney function compared to other groups. We also found that calcinerin inhibitor used in the maintenance period may influence the function of a grafted kidney. No significant statistical differences were found in consanguinity, blood type, and mismatch of HLA. Donor age is an important factor affecting the function of a grafted kidney from a living donor. We also recommend taking nephron, immunology factor, infection, and demographic information all into consideration when assessing the outcome of kidney transplantation.

MeSH Terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aging
  • Child
  • Female
  • Histocompatibility Testing
  • Humans
  • Kidney
  • Kidney Transplantation
  • Living Donors
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged


A genome-wide association study for venous thromboembolism: the extended cohorts for heart and aging research in genomic epidemiology (CHARGE) consortium.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common, heritable disease resulting in high rates of hospitalization and mortality. Yet few associations between VTE and genetic variants, all in the coagulation pathway, have been established. To identify additional genetic determinants of VTE, we conducted a two-stage genome-wide association study (GWAS) among individuals of European ancestry in the extended cohorts for heart and aging research in genomic epidemiology (CHARGE) VTE consortium. The discovery GWAS comprised 1,618 incident VTE cases out of 44,499 participants from six community-based studies. Genotypes for genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were imputed to approximately 2.5 million SNPs in HapMap and association with VTE assessed using study-design appropriate regression methods. Meta-analysis of these results identified two known loci, in F5 and ABO. Top 1,047 tag SNPs (P ≤ 0.0016) from the discovery GWAS were tested for association in an additional 3,231 cases and 3,536 controls from three case-control studies. In the combined data from these two stages, additional genome-wide significant associations were observed on 4q35 at F11 (top SNP rs4253399, intronic to F11) and on 4q28 at FGG (rs6536024, 9.7 kb from FGG; P < 5.0 × 10(-13) for both). The associations at the FGG locus were not completely explained by previously reported variants. Loci at or near SUSD1 and OTUD7A showed borderline yet novel associations (P < 5.0 × 10(-6) ) and constitute new candidate genes. In conclusion, this large GWAS replicated key genetic associations in F5 and ABO, and confirmed the importance of F11 and FGG loci for VTE. Future studies are warranted to better characterize the associations with F11 and FGG and to replicate the new candidate associations.

MeSH Terms

  • Aged
  • Aging
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Genome-Wide Association Study
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Meta-Analysis as Topic
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Regression Analysis
  • Risk Factors
  • Venous Thromboembolism


Non-ABO blood group systems phenotyping in non-human primates for blood banking laboratory and xenotransplantation.

Some biomedical research procedures, such as organ xenotransplantation, usually require intensive hemotherapy. Knowledge of the whole phenotype of blood donor and graft could be useful in the field of xenotransplantation. Human and simian-type categories of blood groups have been established and they can be tested by standard methods used for human blood grouping. The aim of this work was to study the incidence of non-ABO blood group systems in different species of non-human primates, which are employed in biomedical research. The phenotype of Rh, Lewis, Kidd, Kell, MNSs, Lutheran, P and Duffy antigens was investigated in olive baboon (n = 48), chacma baboon (n = 9), Guinea baboon (n = 14), Rhesus macaque (n = 38) and squirrel monkey (n = 30) by using commercial microtyping cards. Kell, Lutheran, Kidd and Duffy antigens have been detected in all species, Rh in squirrel monkey, MNSs in rhesus macaque and squirrel monkey, and Lewis in baboon and rhesus macaque. There were differences in frequency and haemagglutination scores between species regardless of their gender and age. The main differences were found in squirrel monkey when compared with baboons and macaques. This typing system provides a tool to assess the presence of antigens in animals used for experimental procedures, such as xenotransplantation and xenotransfusion.

MeSH Terms

  • Aging
  • Animals
  • Blood Banks
  • Blood Group Antigens
  • Blood Grouping and Crossmatching
  • Cercopithecidae
  • Erythrocytes
  • Female
  • Hemagglutination Tests
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Male
  • Phenotype
  • Saimiri
  • Sex Characteristics
  • Species Specificity
  • Transplantation, Heterologous


Blood group does not appear to affect longevity a pilot study in centenarians from Western Sicily.

Centenarians are the best example of extreme human longevity, and they represent a selected population in which the appearance of major age-related diseases, such as cancer, and cardiovascular diseases among others, has been consistently delayed or escaped. The study of the long-lived individual genetic profile has the purpose to possibly identify the genes and the allelic variations influencing extended life expectancy, hence considering them as biomarkers of age-related diseases onset and development. The present study shows no significant differences between allelic variations of ABO blood groups among a group of centenarians from Western Sicily.

MeSH Terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Longevity
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sicily


ABO blood type and longevity.

To assess the observation that blood type B might be a marker for longevity, we reviewed the records and determined the ABO blood types of all patients who died in our hospital in 2004. Age was stratified by decade of death, and linear regressions were calculated by ABO percentage. ABO survival curves were compared. In 2004, 906 patients died; 35 were excluded (stillborn infants). Of the remaining 871 patients, ABO types were available for 772 (88.6%). The percentage of patients with group B blood declined with age (P < .01). None of the other blood type percentages had a statistically significant increase or decrease. The group B survival curve was statistically worse than non-B groups (P ≤ .01); there were no differences in survival among groups A, O, and AB (P =.47). In our patient population, the percentage of patients with group B blood declines with age. The survival curve in group B was worse than that in groups A, O, and AB. These findings suggest that in our patient population, blood group B is not a marker for longevity but may be a marker for earlier death.

MeSH Terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Longevity
  • Middle Aged
  • Young Adult


Biogerontologic study of population in some districts of Ajara Autonomous Republic.

The study of genetic markers of aging is of current importance in gerontology. Data of long-liver residents of Ajara Autonomous Republic have been investigated with the aim of establishing genetic markers associated with longevity. 10 blood antigens - A, B, C, c, D, E, e, K, M, N of ABO, Rh-Hr, K, MN blood group systems have been investigated. The investigation made it possible to single out group erythrocyte pheno- and genotypic variants being in correlative relation with longevity. In particular O(I), A(II), K , M belong to such phenotypic groups. Distribution of blood groups among different age groups was analysed. Rh antigens C, D, E were found to be associated with longevity.

MeSH Terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging
  • Blood Group Antigens
  • Female
  • Genetic Markers
  • Georgia (Republic)
  • Humans
  • Longevity
  • Male
  • Population


Changes in cardiac output during swimming and aquatic hypoxia in the air-breathing Pacific tarpon.

Pacific tarpon (Megalops cyprinoides) use a modified gas bladder as an air-breathing organ (ABO). We examined changes in cardiac output (V(b)) associated with increases in air-breathing that accompany exercise and aquatic hypoxia. Juvenile (0.49 kg) and adult (1.21 kg) tarpon were allowed to recover in a swim flume at 27 degrees C after being instrumented with a Doppler flow probe around the ventral aorta to monitor V(b) and with a fibre-optic oxygen sensor in the ABO to monitor air-breathing frequency. Under normoxic conditions and in both juveniles and adults, routine air-breathing frequency was 0.03 breaths min(-1) and V(b) was about 15 mL min(-1) kg(-1). Normoxic exercise (swimming at about 1.1 body lengths s(-1)) increased air-breathing frequency by 8-fold in both groups (reaching 0.23 breaths min(-1)) and increased V(b) by 3-fold for juveniles and 2-fold for adults. Hypoxic exposure (2 kPa O2) at rest increased air-breathing frequency 19-fold (to around 0.53 breaths min(-1)) in both groups, and while V(b) again increased 3-fold in resting juvenile fish, V(b) was unchanged in resting adult fish. Exercise in hypoxia increased air-breathing frequency 35-fold (to 0.95 breaths min(-1)) in comparison with resting normoxic fish. While juvenile fish increased V(b) nearly 2-fold with exercise in hypoxia, adult fish maintained the same V(b) irrespective of exercise state and became agitated in comparison. These results imply that air-breathing during exercise and hypoxia can benefit oxygen delivery, but to differing degrees in juvenile and adult tarpon. We discuss this difference in the context of myocardial oxygen supply.

MeSH Terms

  • Aging
  • Air Sacs
  • Animals
  • Cardiac Output
  • Fishes
  • Heart Rate
  • Hypoxia
  • Northern Territory
  • Oxygen
  • Physical Exertion
  • Respiratory Mechanics
  • Stroke Volume
  • Swimming
  • Time Factors


Incidence and risk factors for the development of prolonged and severe intrahepatic cholestasis after liver transplantation.

Predictive factors for intrahepatic cholestasis after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) have not yet been established. We sought to identify the incidence and risk factors associated with prolonged severe intrahepatic cholestasis (PSIC) after OLT. We assessed 428 consecutive patients undergoing their first OLT. PSIC was diagnosed if a serum bilirubin concentration was greater than 100 micromol/L and/or a 3-fold increase of alkaline phosphatase occurred within the first month after OLT and was sustained for at least 1 week in the absence of biliary complications. Multivariable logistic regression identified factors independently associated with PSIC. PSIC developed in 107 patients (25%). Independent risk factors by multivariable analysis were intraoperative transfusion of cryoprecipitate and platelets; nonidentical blood group status; suboptimal organ appearance; inpatient status before transplantation; and bacteraemia in the first month after transplantation. In contrast, acute liver failure, older age, and higher levels of serum sodium and serum potassium were all associated with a reduced likelihood of developing PSIC in the first month. There were 47 deaths in the PSIC group (44%) as opposed to 65 deaths in the non-PSIC group (20%) after OLT. A poor preoperative clinical status in conjunction with a suboptimal graft was associated with PSIC after OLT. Avoidance of suboptimal livers and ABO nonidentical grafts for young patients with poor synthetic function and for pretransplant inpatients may lessen this complication and reduce the associated early mortality.

MeSH Terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aging
  • Bacteremia
  • Blood Group Incompatibility
  • Child
  • Cholestasis, Intrahepatic
  • Chronic Disease
  • Factor VIII
  • Female
  • Fibrinogen
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Intraoperative Care
  • Liver Failure
  • Liver Transplantation
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Platelet Transfusion
  • Potassium
  • Risk Factors
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Sodium
  • Time Factors


Association of haptoglobin levels with age, parasite density, and haptoglobin genotype in a malaria-endemic area of Gabon.

Haptoglobin (Hp) levels were investigated in relation to host genotype in a malaria-endemic area in Gabon. A cross-sectional study of 1-12-year-old children was conducted in the rainy season, a period of high malaria transmission, to examine this relationship. Variables that influenced Hp levels were Hp genotype, location, and age interacting with parasite density. At low parasite densities, there was a negative correlation between Hp levels and age. At higher densities, there was a positive correlation with age. This suggests that in the presence of greater parasite-induced hemolysis, older children are capable of increased production of Hp. Sickle cell trait and ABO blood group was not associated with Hp levels in this population.

MeSH Terms

  • Aging
  • Animals
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Gabon
  • Genotype
  • Haptoglobins
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Malaria
  • Male
  • Parasitemia
  • Plasmodium falciparum
  • Plasmodium malariae
  • Sickle Cell Trait


Blood type B might imply longevity.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between blood groups and life expectancy. We compared frequencies of ABO blood group in 269 centenarians (persons over 100 years) living in Tokyo and those in regionally matched controls (n=7153). Frequencies of blood types A, O, B, and AB in centenarians were 34.2, 28.3, 29.4, and 8.2%, respectively, while those in controls were 38.6, 30.1, 21.9, and 9.4%, respectively. Blood type B was observed more frequently in centenarians than in controls (chi(2)=8.41, P=0.04). This tendency also was true in comparison between centenarians and 118 elderly old individuals of the 7153. Approximate one-third of the centenarians were free from serious diseases such as malignancy. However, blood types were not associated with such medical records. Our findings suggest that blood type B might be associated with exceptional longevity. Responsible mechanisms need to be investigated.

MeSH Terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cardiovascular Diseases
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Longevity
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms


Impact of recipient age on outcome of ABO-incompatible living-donor liver transplantation.

Transplantation of hepatic grafts from ABO-incompatible donors is controversial because of the risk of hyperacute rejection mediated by preformed anti-ABO antibodies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the outcome of liver transplants performed with ABO-incompatible living-donor livers and to detect risk factors for development of complications. From June 1990 to February 2000, 66 patients, 10 months to 55 years old (median, 2 years old), received 68 ABO-incompatible living-donor liver grafts. The antibody titer and clinical course were followed prospectively during a period ranging from 3 to 11 years. The 5-year patient survival was 59%, 76%, and 80% for ABO-incompatible, ABO-compatible, and ABO-identical grafts, respectively (P<0.01). In patients <1 year old, > or =1 to <8, > or =8 to <16, and and > or =16 years old, 5-year survival was 76%, 68%, 53%, and 22%, respectively. The incidence of intrahepatic biliary complications and hepatic necrosis in ABO-incompatible living-related grafts (18% and 8%, respectively) was significantly (P<0.0001) greater than in ABO-compatible and ABO-identical grafts (both 0.6% and 0%, respectively). Predictive risk factors for increased mortality and morbidity were age greater than 1 year and elevated anti-ABO titers before transplantation. ABO-incompatible liver transplantation was carried out with relative safety in infants <1 year old but was not satisfactory in children >1 year in long-term follow-up. Patients aged >8 years remain at considerable risk of early fatal outcome because of hepatic necrosis, and new strategies to prevent antibody-mediated rejection are required.

MeSH Terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aging
  • Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic
  • Biliary Tract Diseases
  • Blood Group Incompatibility
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Graft Survival
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Isoantibodies
  • Liver
  • Liver Transplantation
  • Living Donors
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Necrosis
  • Survival Analysis


[Coronary atherosclerosis and blood groups of ABO system in women (own data and review)].

Earlier we have shown significantly more frequent B blood group and a significantly more rare O blood group of ABO blood group system in men aged under 45 years suffering from coronary atherosclerosis compared with these frequencies in the population of Lithuania. The aim of the study was to investigate the frequency of blood groups of ABO system in women with coronary atherosclerosis. The frequency of the ABO blood groups was examined in 441 women, suffering from coronary atherosclerosis, divided into two groups: I group - 109 women till 60 years old (mean age 55.1 /-4.8) and II group - 332 women aged over 60 years (mean age 68.1 /-5.0). For all patients coronary atherosclerosis was diagnosed by coronary angiography and confirmed during coronary bypass surgery. The frequency of the ABO blood group in the studied pts was compared with the frequency of the blood group in the control group of healthy blood donors (n=595). To evaluate the significance of data, we compared the frequency of ABO blood groups with the data in women long-livers (n=75, mean age 94.1 /-3.8). Earlier our studies showed that long-livers are an important antiatherosclerotic control group for evaluation of the genetic markers of atherosclerosis. The O blood group was found significantly more rarely in the women group I as compared to that of healthy donors group (28.4% vs 38.2%, p<0.04). The B blood group was significantly more often in group II (22.9% vs 15.0%, p<0.04) compared with the frequency of the B blood group in the healthy donors' group. In the long-livers' group the frequency of the B group was significantly more rare than in healthy donors (6.7% vs 15%, p<0.01) as well as in the groups of tested pts (20.2% and 22.9% respectively, p<0.01). We did not find any significant changes in the frequency of AB blood group in women with coronary atherosclerosis. The B blood group can be related with coronary atherosclerosis in women. The O blood group can possibly serve as a protective antiatherogenic factor in women. The A blood group is not a risk factor for atherosclerosis in women in Lithuanian population. Long-livers are an important antiatherogenic control group for evaluation of atherogenetic markers of coronary atherosclerosis.

MeSH Terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Blood Donors
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Coronary Angiography
  • Coronary Artery Bypass
  • Coronary Artery Disease
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lithuania
  • Longevity
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Sex Factors


Development of non-ABO RBC alloantibodies in patients undergoing allogeneic HPC transplantation. Is ABO incompatibility a predisposing factor?

Data from the appearance of RBC antibodies other than ABO in patients undergoing HPC transplantation are limited. The incidence and specificity of non-ABO RBC alloantibodies are described in a series of 217 patients undergoing allogeneic HPC transplantation because of various hematologic malignancies. Eight patients (3.7%) developed 10 antibodies after transplant. None of these patients had previously been immunized. Seven patients had one RBC antibody and one patient had three RBC antibodies. Antibody specificity were anti-Jk(b) (2 patients), -Kell (2), -M (2), -Le(b) (1), and -D (1). Finally, two patients had a panagglutinin. The mean time between transplant and antibody detection was 23 days (range, 16-672). The source of the HPCs, the conditioning regimen administered, and the type of GVHD prophylaxis administered did not influence the rate of antibody formation. On multivariate analysis, ABO blood group incompatibility (p = 0.005) and patient's age (p = 0.02) were the only two variables significantly associated with the development of RBC alloantibodies. Patients undergoing allogeneic HPC transplantation are at risk of developing RBC-specific antibodies despite the immunosuppressive therapy administered. Antibody formation was more frequently observed in ABO-mismatched cases, which suggests a potential role of this incompatibility in facilitating antibody production.

MeSH Terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aging
  • Antibody Specificity
  • Blood Group Antigens
  • Blood Group Incompatibility
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Erythrocytes
  • Female
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Humans
  • Isoantibodies
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Transplantation, Homologous


[Problem-solving in immunohematology: interpretation of ABO typing and its difficulties].

Practice in immunohematology is replete with complex problems that require practitioners' problem-solving performance. In immunohematology, the acquisition of the reasoning process and necessary skills for making clinical decisions is based on teaching problem-solving strategies which potentially reduce errors and improve patient outcome. We discuss the recognition and resolution of the common causes of discrepancies in ABO typing results using problem-solving strategies.

MeSH Terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aging
  • Algorithms
  • Artifacts
  • Blood Group Incompatibility
  • Blood Grouping and Crossmatching
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation
  • False Negative Reactions
  • False Positive Reactions
  • Female
  • Fetofetal Transfusion
  • Fetomaternal Transfusion
  • Humans
  • Immunization
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Neoplasms
  • Pregnancy
  • Problem Solving
  • Transfusion Reaction
  • Twins, Dizygotic


Genetic and life-style determinants of peptic ulcer. A study of 3387 men aged 54 to 74 years: The Copenhagen Male Study.

In the Copenhagen Male Study men with the Lewis blood group phenotype Le(a b-), non-secretors of ABH antigen, and men with the O or the A phenotype in the ABO blood group have been found to have a significantly higher lifetime prevalence of peptic ulcer than others. We investigated the importance of the association of these genetic markers, life-style factors, and social class with lifetime risk of peptic ulcer, testing specifically the hypothesis that the strength of the association of risk factors with peptic ulcer depends on genetic susceptibility. Three thousand three hundred and forty-six white men 55-74 years old were included for study. From a questionnaire validated during an interview information was obtained about life-style factors and peptic ulcer history (gastric or duodenal). Potential non-genetic risk factors examined were smoking history, alcohol consumption, physical activity level, consumption of tea and coffee, and use of sugar in tea or coffee. Three hundred and eighty-four men (11.5%) had a history of peptic ulcer; 120 (3.6%) had had an operation due to peptic ulcer. Non-genetic peptic ulcer risk factors identified were ever having been a smoker, use of sugar in tea or coffee, abstention from tea consumption, and low social class. On the basis of these and the genetic factors, it was possible to identify a low-risk group (n = 142) with a lifetime prevalence of 4.2%, several intermediate-risk groups, and a high-risk group (n = 55) with a prevalence of 29%; the odds ratio with 95% confidence limits (OR) was 9.3 (3.4-25.3). Corresponding values with regard to operation were 1.4% and 20.0%; OR = 17.5 (3.7-82.0). Several significant interactions were found; for example, the use of sugar was associated with peptic ulcer risk only when interacting with genetic risk groups. Considering the role of Helicobacter pylori, it is interesting that the factors identified in this study were able to identify groups with extremely different lifetime risks. This finding and also the finding of strong interactions between genetic and life-style factors and between genetic factors and social class for the risk of peptic ulcer may have both public-health and clinical implications.

MeSH Terms

  • Aged
  • Aging
  • Blood Group Antigens
  • Cohort Studies
  • Denmark
  • Dietary Sucrose
  • Humans
  • Life Style
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Odds Ratio
  • Peptic Ulcer
  • Prevalence
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Smoking
  • Social Class
  • Tea


Factors affecting survival after orthotopic liver transplantation in infants.

The technical and medical management of small infants requiring orthotopic liver transplantation remains a challenge. The present study examined 117 orthotopic liver transplantations performed in 101 infants from <1 to 23 months of age between March 1988 and February 1995 to determine factors that influence patient and graft outcome. Factors analyzed included etiology of liver disease, recipient and donor age and weight, United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) status, retransplantation, ABO-compatibility, full-size (FS) versus reduced-size grafts, vascular thrombosis (VT), including hepatic artery and portal vein (PVT), and the presence of lymphoproliferative disease (LPD). UNOS status 1, fulminant hepatic failure, and the development of Epstein-Barr virus-associated LPD were each associated with 10-20% lower patient and graft survival rates. Of 101 infants, 11 (11%) developed LPD with an associated 36% mortality. VT occurred in 10 (9 hepatic artery and 1 portal vein) of 117 orthotopic liver transplantations (9%), all less than 1 year of age, and was associated with significantly poorer 1-year (50% vs. 85% no VT, P<0.01) and 5-year patient survival rates (50% vs. 83% no VT, P<0.01). One-year graft survival rates for FS grafts in recipients <12 months versus 12-23 months were 67% vs. 94% (P<0.01); the patient survival rate was also significantly lower in FS graft recipients <12 months (76% vs. 100%, P<0.05). Recipients <5 months of age had the worst survival rates: 1-year and 5-year patient survival rates were 65% and 46% for recipients 0-4 months (n=17) versus 82% and 82% for recipients 5-11 months (n=56), and 93% and 93% for recipients age 12-23 months (n=28; P<0.05). In summary, factors associated with reduced survival rates include recipient age <5 months, recipient age <12 months who received FS grafts, development of VT and donor weight <6 kg. There was a trend for UNOS status 1, fulminant hepatic failure, and presence of LPD to be associated with reduced survival rates.

MeSH Terms

  • Aging
  • Antilymphocyte Serum
  • Cause of Death
  • Cyclosporine
  • Graft Rejection
  • Graft Survival
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Liver Transplantation
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders
  • Portal Vein
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Survival Rate
  • Thrombosis


Rhesus isoimmunization: increased hemolysis during early infancy.

The objective of the present study was to determine whether whole blood carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) and plasma bilirubin, two indicators of hemolysis, are elevated in infants with severe Rh isoimmune hemolytic disease during the first months of life. Beginning at 2 wk of age and continuing monthly for 3 mo, serial blood samples were obtained for COHb, plasma bilirubin, Hb, reticulocyte count, plasma erythropoietin, plasma enzymes, and plasma iron. Because control infants (n = 13) and infants with ABO hemolytic disease (n = 5) did not differ from one another in any of the study parameters, these two groups were combined and compared with infants with the Rh isoimmunization. Infants with severe Rh isoimmune hemolytic disease (n = 13) were found to have significantly lower Hb and significantly higher bilirubin, the COHb fraction divided by the Hb concentration (COHb/Hb), and plasma erythropoietin levels at 2 and 6 wk of age, and reticulocyte counts at 6 wk. The remaining parameters were not different between the control-ABO group and Rh-isoimmune group at any of the study intervals. The study's two primary indicators of hemolysis, plasma bilirubin and COHb/Hb, were significantly correlated with one another in the Rh-immunized group (r = 0.66, p < 0.0001), but not in the combined control-ABO group. Serial Rh antibody concentrations measured in the serum of four neonates with Rh isoimmunization demonstrated a mean half-life of 14.3 d. We speculate that, among infants with severe Rh isoimmune hemolytic disease, elevated total bilirubin levels and COHb/Hb ratios identified in the early weeks of life indicate continuing hemolysis due to persistence of maternal Rh antibodies.

MeSH Terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Aging
  • Bilirubin
  • Blood Transfusion
  • Carboxyhemoglobin
  • Erythropoiesis
  • Hemoglobins
  • Hemolysis
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Isoantibodies
  • Reference Values
  • Rh Isoimmunization
  • Rh-Hr Blood-Group System
  • Time Factors


Variation of correlation coefficient among aging and certain biological variables in man.

Researches concerning the variation of correlation coefficient (r) in man in relation to four sets of variables were carried out, namely: a set of ten fundamental variables (in which the dependent variable is represented by aging), a set of variational variables (variation ranks of the r), a set of reference variables (r, age, blood pressure, sex and ABO genetic system) and a set of relational variables (relations). This research contributes to the study of multidimensional variational network of the human gerontogenesis (G. Acĭlugăritei, 1993-1995).

MeSH Terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Age Distribution
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging
  • Alpha-Globulins
  • Blood Chemical Analysis
  • Blood Glucose
  • Blood Pressure
  • Cholesterol
  • Female
  • Hematocrit
  • Hemoglobins
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Reference Values
  • Serum Albumin
  • Sex Distribution


Contribution to the study of the multidimensional variational network of the human gerontogenesis.

The present paper makes a contribution to the study of the multidimensional variational network of the human gerontogenesis (G. Acălugăritei, 1993-1995). In this respect was rendered evident the variation of the multiple regression coefficient (R) in relation to four sets of variables, as follows: a set of fundamental variables, a set of variational variables (variation ranks of the R), a set of reference variables (R, aging, blood pressure, sex and ABO genetic system) and a set of relational variables (relations).

MeSH Terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Age Distribution
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging
  • Alpha-Globulins
  • Blood Chemical Analysis
  • Blood Glucose
  • Blood Pressure
  • Cholesterol
  • Female
  • Hematocrit
  • Hemoglobins
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Reference Values
  • Regression Analysis
  • Serum Albumin
  • Sex Distribution


The effect of age on the level of human ABO blood group antibodies.

It is generally assumed that cellular and humoral immunity decline in aging humans. Although there have been reports that the naturally-occurring ABO antibodies also decline with age, some of the data are incomplete and others contradictory. Our study involved only healthy women of various ages and included assays of anti-A and anti-B titers in A, B, and O subjects. Statistical analyses of the data showed that while the antibody titers decreased with age, the amount of change was very small relative to the amount of variability among individuals and the variability attributable to blood type and season of the year. Comparisons with a previous study (1) from our laboratory showed that the changes due to aging were also small relative to the variability in titer scores within an individual over the course of a year. Based on this study, we conclude that the decrease in antibody titers with age is of doubtful clinical significance.

MeSH Terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Isoantibodies
  • Regression Analysis


Age dependency of ABO histo-blood group antibodies: reexamination of an old dogma.

Current textbooks for transfusion medicine state that anti-A and/or anti-B (anti-A/B) agglutination titers--and thus the respective antibody concentrations--reach their maximum in individuals 5 to 10 years old and then gradually decline with the increasing age of the individual. This statement is largely based on a study by Thomsen and Kettel that dates to 1929. In the present article, ABO antibodies in sera of 175 healthy persons aged 61 to 97 years, as well as sera of 170 newborn infants and children aged 0 to 17 years, were analyzed. Microhemagglutination tests were performed with all sera and complemented by ABO enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to measure the immunoglobulin class (IgM, IgG, and IgA) of the anti-A/B. As in a previous study using sera of persons aged 20 to 67 years, individual differences exceeded age-related changes for all variables. Median values of IgG and IgA anti-A/B were elevated in elderly persons of blood group O, whereas no significant changes were observed in other variables. In particular, the decrease in agglutination titers with the increasing age of the individuals was far less pronounced than previously described; even in sera of persons aged 90 to 97 years, median agglutination titers of 128 were found. Results in the sera of children confirm previously reported data that agglutination titers and IgM anti-A/B reached adult levels at the age of 5 to 10 years.

MeSH Terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging
  • Autoantibodies
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Hemagglutination Tests
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Reference Values


Protein C, antithrombin III and plasminogen: effect of age, sex and blood group.

We conducted a cross-sectional study of antithrombin III (ATIII), protein C (PC) and plasminogen (Plg) concentrations in a population of healthy plasma donors in the Trent Region. The distribution of values for protein C was log normal whereas for ATIII and Plg the distributions were positively skewed and differed significantly from normal and log normal. Males had higher antithrombin III concentrations (mean 1.10 iu/ml, range 0.72-1.65) than females (mean 1.07 iu/ml, range 0.75-1.69) (P = 0.001) and levels increased with age in women. Younger women aged 25-34 had significantly lower plasma concentrations of ATIII compared to males of similar age. For protein C, concentrations were higher in males (mean 1.07 u/ml, range 0.37-2.11) than in females (mean 1.01 u/ml, range 0.59-1.61) (P < 0.001) and levels increased with age in both sexes P < 0.001). In women, a novel difference in protein C concentration between ABO blood groups was noted. There was no significant difference in plasminogen concentration between males and females, and in women plasminogen decreased with age (r = -0.205, P < 0.001). We conclude that these variations in ATIII and protein C with age and sex are important considerations in the determination of reference ranges for these proteins.

MeSH Terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Adult
  • Aging
  • Antithrombin III
  • Blood Donors
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Plasminogen
  • Protein C
  • Reference Values
  • Sex Characteristics


[The ABO blood groups-dependent reference intervals for serum alkaline phosphatase isozymes and total activity in individuals 20-39 years of age].

Reference intervals of the activity of serum alkaline phosphatase isozymes (AP-IZ: high molecular-, liver-, bone- and intestinal-types) were determined according to the ABO (blood type) system in 200 healthy subjects aged 20-39 years. AP activity was determined according to the JSCC method. AP-IZ was stained by the formazan method after isolation by TITANIII-Lipo plate electrophoresis. For the electrophoresis, treated serum with neuraminidase and untreated one were concomitantly used for detecting liver AP and bone AP respectively. As a result of comparison of mean AP-IZ activity among the groups divided according to the ABO system, total AP, intestinal AP and liver AP activities in the type B and O persons were significantly higher than in the type A and AB persons. It is well known that the activities of total AP and intestinal AP in type B and O persons are higher than in type A and AB persons, but there have been no reports showing that the activity of liver AP in type B and O persons is higher than in type A and AB persons. Furthermore, in the type B and O persons there was a low correlation (r = 0.195, p < 0.05) between the activities of liver AP and intestinal AP. The present assessment included subjects in the age group (20-39 years) considered not to show fluctuations in the activity of bone AP, which is influenced by age. The above findings should be investigated in regard to other age groups.

MeSH Terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Adult
  • Aging
  • Alkaline Phosphatase
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Isoenzymes
  • Male
  • Reference Values


Effect of donor age and sex on the outcome of liver transplantation.

We correlated donor and recipient factors with graft outcome in 436 adult patients who underwent 462 liver transplants. Donor variables analyzed were age, gender, ABO blood group, cause of death, length of stay in the intensive care unit, use of pressors or pitressin, need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, terminal serum transaminases, and ischemia time. Recipient variables analyzed were age, gender, primary diagnosis, history of previous liver transplant, ABO blood group, cytotoxic antibody crossmatch, United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) status, and waiting time (except for the cross-match results, they were all known at the time of the operation). The endpoint of the analysis was graft failure, defined as patient death or retransplantation. Using multivariate analysis, graft failure was significantly associated with donor age, donor gender, previous liver transplantation, and UNOS 4 status of the recipient. The effect of donor age became evident only when they were older than 45 years. Livers from female donors yielded significantly poorer results, with 2-year graft survival of female to male 55% (95% CI, 45% to 67%); female to female, 64% (95% CI, 54% to 77%); male to male, 72% (95% CI, 66% to 78%); and male to female, 78% (95% CI, 70% to 88%). The only donors identified as questionable for liver procurement were old (> or = 60 years) women in whom the adverse age and gender factors were at least additive. However, rather than discard even these livers, in the face of an organ shortage crisis, their individualized use is suggested with case reporting in a special category.

MeSH Terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aging
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Female
  • Graft Rejection
  • Graft Survival
  • Humans
  • Liver Transplantation
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Probability
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Characteristics
  • Time Factors
  • Tissue Donors
  • Treatment Outcome


[Preconditions for attaining advanced old age (author's transl)].

Generally speaking, we can say that the incidence of certain diseases in the various blood groups of the ABO system do not demonstrate a direct connection which might be used for the assessment of life expectancy, but that exogenic and genetic factors form a genetically determined functional unity in the development of certain characteristic features and of diseases. Innumerable influences of various types can cause diseases, primarily the high incidence of certain tumours in old age, climatic influences, overeating and malnutrition, furthermore abuse of coffee, tea, tobacco and alcohol, medicines and insufficient movement. It can be assumed that wherever blood group A is prevailing the genes of blood group A constitute a factor in the respective polygenic system. The impact of the blood group genes varies as a function of the underlying disease, the effectiveness of the exogenic factors and the general constitution of the individual patient.

MeSH Terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Longevity
  • Male
  • Morbidity
  • Physical Exertion
  • Sex Factors
  • Smoking Prevention


[Ratio of the phenotype frequencies of ABO blood groups in Nivkhi in various age groups].

The different degree of the select stress over the blood groups ABO is expressed by the change of their ratio in the eldest generations and by the differential fertility. These two factors support constant ratio of the phenotypes in the total population of nivkhes of the Lower Amur and Sakhalin.

MeSH Terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aging
  • Asian Continental Ancestry Group
  • Child
  • Female
  • Fertility
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genetics, Population
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Phenotype
  • Siberia


[Blood group isoagglutinins and immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM) in old age].

Titres of blood-group isoagglutinins and the serum concentration of immunoglobulins M and G were investigated in 388 inmates (89.7% females) of an old-age home, ranging in age from 78 to 99 years [mean ( /- s) = 85.7 years /- 4.1 years]. Concentrations of isoagglutinins were positively correlated to the concentrations of IgM (total concentration of IgM corr. to IgM anti-B (group A): p less than 0.0005, corr. to IgM anti-A (group B): p less than 0.01, corr. to IgM anti-B (group 0): p less than 0.025), but not to the concentration of IgG. The blood group A IgG red cell alloantibodies (IgG anti-B) indicated, in the low titre range, a positive correlation (p = 0.025) to the IgM isohaemagglutinins (IgM anti-B); the red cell alloantibodies (IgG, IgM) of the other blood groups did not correlate in this way. There was no age-dependent reduction or increase in isohaemagglutinin titres and/or total immunoglobulin levels. From these date we conclude that the lack of red cell alloantibodies in the serum of elderly patients in case of routine ABO blood grouping should not be accepted any more. There has to be an internal diagnosis available or, if missing, coinciding diagnostic tests should be performed.

MeSH Terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Aged
  • Aging
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunodiffusion
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Isoantibodies
  • Male
  • Statistics as Topic


Risk factors for micro- and macroangiopathic complications in type 2 diabetes: lack of association with acetylator phenotype, chlorpropamide alcohol flush and ABO and Rh blood groups.

Genetic markers would be useful to study the transmission of type 2 diabetes and to identify patients with enhanced risk of development of late diabetic complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of selected possible genetic markers on the development of diabetic complications. One hundred and eighty patients with type 2 diabetes (79 males, 101 females) were therefore studied with respect to ABO and Rh blood grouping and chlorpropamide alcohol flush (CPAF) and acetylator phenotype status, in addition to life style (smoking, dietary, alcohol and drug taking habits) and metabolic indexes (HbA1, M-value, serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides), with regard to late complications coronary heart disease (CHD), arterial hypertension (AH), peripheral vascular disorders (PVD), retinopathy and nephropathy. None of the genetic markers considered appeared to be associated with diabetic complications. Multiple logistic analysis identified different risk-factors for each complication: AH and age for CHD; hyperlipidaemia for AH; age of patients for PVD; duration of diabetes for retinopathy; AH for nephropathy. It is concluded that the possible genetic markers evaluated in this study do not identify a higher or lower risk for late complications. On the contrary, most of the risk factors identified support previous studies. Active correction of these risk-factors might improve the overall prognosis of patients with type 2 diabetes.

MeSH Terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Aging
  • Chlorpropamide
  • Cholesterol
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
  • Diabetic Nephropathies
  • Diabetic Retinopathy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Phenotype
  • Rh-Hr Blood-Group System
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Characteristics


[Frequency of phenotypes and genes of the polymorphic blood systems in a population as dependent on the age factor].

The frequency of blood groups ABO, Rh, MNS, P, haptoglobin as well as distribution of phenotypic combinations of two different loci are compared in groups of children and adults. The frequency of phenotype O, Rh-negative and P-positive people is revealed to increase in adults, that testifies to the influence of the age factor on the distribution of the human polymorphic blood systems.

MeSH Terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aging
  • Blood Group Antigens
  • Child
  • Gene Frequency
  • Haptoglobins
  • Humans
  • MNSs Blood-Group System
  • P Blood-Group System
  • Phenotype
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Rh-Hr Blood-Group System


Antibodies to histo-blood group substances A and B: agglutination titers, Ig class, and IgG subclasses in healthy persons of different age categories.

Isotypes and IgG subclasses of ABO antibodies from sera of 235 healthy blood donors were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Synthetic A and B trisaccharide-bovine serum albumin glycoconjugates were used for coating and monoclonal antibodies for the detection of heavy chain isotypes. Hemagglutination titers were determined in addition. Blood donors were between 20 and 67 years old, and at least 10 sera per 10-year age category and ABO blood group were included in this study. Antibody concentrations were expressed as a percentage of an internal standard, and sera with subclass-restricted anti-A and/or anti-B (anti-A/B) responses were used to normalize the ELISA values of IgG subclasses. A good correlation between the sum of the four subclasses and the total anti-A/B IgG values (rs = 0.81 for anti-A and 0.84 for anti-B) was obtained. IgG1 and IgG2 were the most predominant subclasses, but were found in various proportions in different individuals. Donor-to-donor variation exceeded age-related changes for all measured parameters. The correlation of anti-A IgM, IgG, IgA, and their sum with the agglutination titers was significant and revealed rs values of 0.70, 0.65, 0.65, and 0.80, respectively. For anti-B as well, the correlation of ELISA values with the agglutination titer was best when all three isotypes were added. We conclude that anti-A/B IgA, together with IgM and IgG, substantially contributes to the agglutination reaction. Potentially autoreactive antibodies were detected in sera of blood groups A, B, and AB.

MeSH Terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aging
  • Autoantibodies
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Hemagglutination Tests
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin Isotypes
  • Isoantibodies
  • Middle Aged


Life cycle patterns and their genetic control: an attempt to reconcile evolutionary and mechanistic speculation.

A model is proposed which implicates molecular recognition systems as the major controlling factors in life cycle expression. It is envisaged that such systems are important in immune functioning and catabolic, metabolic molecule recognition at both inter- and intra-cellular level. These recognition systems have the following characteristics: 1) Specific recognition molecules (recognisers), e.g. vertebrate antibodies, invertebrate agglutinins and plant agglutinins may recognise specific substances, e.g. antigens, catabolic and metabolic molecules. 2) The range of possible recognisable substances is very wide and variable. 3) The recognisers may themselves be recognised by other recognisers. 4) Recognisers are usually produced in large amounts only on presentation of the appropriate recognisable molecule. 5) The progressive introduction of new recognisable molecules increases the recogniser interaction, this interaction causing depression of some recogniser types (immune depression) and facilitation of other types among which may be recognisers specific for self components (e.g. auto-immunity). 6) Low juvenile viability is associated with a restricted range of available recognisers, high adult viability with increasing recogniser range and some auto-immunity/immune depression, senescence with a wide range of available recognisers and extensive auto-immunity/immune depression. Life cycle patterns and their control are discussed. It is suggested control mechanisms may include: 1) Dietary restriction and in some periods complete nutritional abstinence. 2) Specific recogniser depression, genes implicated here are the various antigens (species and polymorphic) found on cell surfaces, in the serum and in various body fluids of vertebrates, e.g. ABO, MNSs, P, Rh, Le and other blood groups, the ABO and Le secretor antigens and the HL-A antigens. In addition the immune response and mixed lymphocyte culture loci are implicated. Finally life cycle control is discussed with relation to sexual selection.

MeSH Terms

  • Aging
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic
  • Autoantibodies
  • Autoantigens
  • Autoimmune Diseases
  • Biological Evolution
  • Diet
  • Genes
  • Growth
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance
  • Immunoglobulin A, Secretory
  • Isoantigens
  • Life Expectancy
  • Lymphocytes
  • Models, Biological
  • Morphogenesis
  • Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Sex


A study of paired necro kidney grafts.

The comparison of the fate of kidney pairs originating from the same donor offers an opportunity to control variability in primary kidney graft survival due to characteristics of the donor. The present study on 1,303 pairs was made possible by combining the information in the Scandiatransplant registry and the EDTA follow-up file. The analysis showed that, contrary to expectation, the main variability in kidney graft survival is not donor dependent but rather due to post-nephrectomy factors. By the present approach it was possible to demonstrate a significant effect of presensitisation, HLA-A,B matching and recipient age. In contrast, transportation, and differences in sex and ABO blood group combinations seem to be of no importance for kidney graft survival.

MeSH Terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Actuarial Analysis
  • Aging
  • Antibodies
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Graft Survival
  • HLA Antigens
  • Humans
  • Kidney Transplantation
  • Male
  • Nephrectomy