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Biomedical subjects

G W Bird

Publications and source records attributed to G W Bird.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Lectins from Loasaceae.

Extracts of Caiophora coronata or Loasa vulcanica seeds contain a strong lectin for T, Tn, Cad 1, and papain-treated erythrocytes.

Erythrocytes↗
PubMed1984

Azapropazone-associated antibodies.

2 patients on the drug azapropazone developed positive antiglobulin tests. Their sera were each found to contain two distinct antibodies. One was an IgG antibody, probably a drug-dependent autoantibody of the alpha-methyldopa type, but could have been related to the disease. The other was certainly a drug-dependent antibody of the penicillin type.

Aged↗
PubMed1982

An inherited RBC characteristic, NOR, resulting in erythrocyte polyagglutination.

This report describes a new inheritable red blood cell characteristic, termed NOR, that is associated with polyagglutination. The NOR factor was shown to be inherited in an apparent dominant manner by 5 members of a two-generation family. NOR was clearly demonstrated to be a unique form of polyagglutination distinguishable from previously reported forms by serological tests using seed lectins, snail agglutinins, enzymes and absorption techniques. The NOR factor was characterized by the lack of reactivity with various seed and snail lectins, enhanced serum agglutinability after RBC proteolytic enzyme treatment, and the ability of hydatid cyst fluid to inhibit the serum hemagglutination reaction.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMed1982

Another example of haemopoietic (twin) chimaerism in a subject unaware of being a twin.

A fourth human blood group chimaera studies in Birmingham is an example of haemopoietic (twin) chimaerism in which the subject was unaware of being a twin. Chimaerism was discovered during routine antenatal serological investigation in which it was shown that the proposita has two red cell populations, one of the rhesus genotype rr, and the other R1r. Further studies showed that she has two populations of lymphocytes, one with the female karyotype, 46XX, and the other with the male karyotype, 46XY. Skin fibroblasts were all 46XX.

Chimera↗
PubMed1981

Pediatric surgical patients with severe anaerobic infection: report of 16 T-antigen positive cases and possible hazards of blood transfusion.

Red blood cells become polyagglutinable when the normally latent T-antigens of the red blood cell membrane are exposed. Unmasking of T-antigens results from removal of N-acetyl-neuraminic acid by neuraminidase, an enzyme commonly produced by a variety of bacteria. Red blood cells altered in this way are said to be T-activated. T-activated red blood cells can be agglutinated by anti-T, an antibody normally present in human serum, so that severe transfusion reactions may occur and have occurred, if T-antigen positive patients are transfused with normal whole blood or plasma. This can be avoided by transfusing only packed or washed red blood cells. From October 1978 to October 1980 we found T-activation in 16 pediatric surgical patients aged 3 days to 14 yr with severe anaerobic infections. This included patients with necrotizing enterocolitis, perforated appendicitis, megacolon, infected anal atresia and gas gangrene. The isolate neuraminidase-producing bacteria were Clostridium perfringens and Bacteroides fragilis. Clinical data of these 16 patients are briefly reviewed and the importance of T-antigen positivity for their management is discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

A human dispermic chimaera first suspected from analyses of the blood group gene-specified glycosyltransferases.

The red cells of a normal male blood donor, K.S., were first grouped as B but he was found to lack anti-A in his serum. Closer investigation revealed that his red cells had very weak A activity, demonstrable only by absorption and elution of anti-A. He is a non-secretor of ABH and a secretor of Lea. Blood group A-, B and H-gene specified glycosyltransferases were detected in his serum. In contrast to the finding of a B antigen of normal strength on his red cells, the B transferase in his serum was only about 30% of the normal level and, despite the very weak A activity of K.S's red cells, the A transferase level was about 50% of that found in the serum of group A individuals with normal strength of A antigen. Moreover, the A transferase on the basis of its pH optimum, Km values for donor and acceptor substrates, activation by divalent cations, isoelectric focusing profile and capacity to convert O to A-active cells, was characterized as the product of an A1 gene. A family study showed that K.S's wife is group A2 and that they have two sons, one group A2 and the other group B. The group B son is assumed to have inherited a B gene from the propositus but the level of B transferase in the son's serum is three times as high as that in his father's serum. The wife of the propositus and his group A2 son have normal A2 transferases in keeping with their A2 red cell status. The A2 son therefore appears to have inherited an A2 gene from his mother but neither the A1 nor the B gene shown to be carried by his father. The distribution of transferase activities in K.S's red cells differs from that in his serum. A level of B transferase within the normal range was found in his red cell membranes but a very low level of A transferase was detected. The discrepancies between the serum transferases and ABO red cell group, together with the pattern of inheritance within the family, led to a suspicion of chimaerism. This was confirmed by the finding of fibroblasts with the female 46XX karyotype in cultures of the propositus' skin. These results suggest that K.S. is a dispermic chimaera with two different cell lines of the genotypes BO and A1O or A1A1. The group A2 son is assumed to have inherited an O gene from his father. It seems probable that K.S.'s bone marrow and reproductive organs are comprised predominantly of the XY cell line which carried the blood group BO genotype whereas his skin and other tissues which contribute the A1 transferase to his plasma, are partly made up of the XX cell line which carries the blood group A1O or A1A1 genotype.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMed1981

Automation of laboratory data for hospital patients.

Computer schemes for a large automated serology service and for tissue typing and organ transplantation which are in operation in Birmingham, England, are described. Each scheme is self-contained and compact, and has been in successful operation for several years.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMed1980

Another example of haemopoietic chimaerism in dizygotic twins.

Another example of haemopoietic chimaerism in dizygotic twins is described. Each twin had two distinct blood cell populations. The red cell populations differed in three blood group systems and in other genetic characters, and the white cell population in HLA types and in XX/XY karyotypes. The biological significance of these findings is discussed with special reference to the relative proportions of the two red and white cell populations, the ABH blood group gene-specified glycosyltransferase levels, and the HLA types.

Blood Cells↗