An unusual variant of blood group A

A blood specimen from a forensic science case appeared to violate Landsteiner's Rule. The red cells failed to react with anti-A, anti-B, or O serum while reacting strongly with Ulex europaeus lectin but not other anti-A lectins. The saliva from the person involved was found to contain both A and H blood group substances in a ratio of 4:1. The blood group was determined to be type Am.     

A Bayesian approach to the group versus individual prediction controversy in actuarial risk assessment

Recent attempts to indict the use of actuarial risk assessment instruments have relied on confidence intervals to demonstrate that risk estimates derived at the group level do not necessarily apply to any specific individual within that group. This article contends that frequentist confidence intervals are inapposite to the current debate. Instead, Bayesian credible intervals are necessary-in principle-to accomplish what commentators are concerned about: describing the precision of an actuarial risk estimate. After illustrating both the calculation and interpretation of credible intervals, this article shows how such intervals can be used to characterize the precision of actuarial risk estimates. It then explores the legal implications of wide and overlapping intervals. Contrary to what detractors claim, the fact that risk estimate intervals overlap is not a germane to legal (logical) relevance, and therefore actuarial risk estimates cannot be per se "inadmissible" on this basis.     

Determination of the blood group properties of bones subjected to the decay process

The aim of the present study was to make generalizations concerning the results of serological examinations of bones subjected to the process of decay. The specimens examined were taken from the femur. Some of the specimens had been subjected to decay for a period of some years, after which they were examined using the absorption-elution method in accordance with classical principles. Finally, successive dilutions of eluted antibodies were performed with a view to establishing the "antigenic force" of the material under examination. It was found that, owing to the process of bone decay, there is a decrease in the original "antigenic force", which is accompanied by the appearance (in a weak form) of non-specific serological reactions, which are much weaker in strength than specific ones. It was concluded that for the interpretation of the actual blood group of decayed bones the term "diagnostic" can only be applied to a range of dilutions not exceeding that of non-specific agglutinations.     

Analytical approach to determine ticlopidine in post-mortem blood

A new and sensitive method to determine ticlopidine in whole human blood using proadifen as the internal standard (IS) is described. The analyte and IS were extracted by solid-phase extraction using Oasis HLB cartridges, and the extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography-electron impact ionisation-mass spectrometry (GC/EI-MS). Calibration curves were established daily in spiked blood samples using a non-linear calibration model, between 0.01 and 4.5 microg/mL. The correlation coefficients were higher than 0.995. Precision and accuracy fulfilled the internationally accepted criteria (coefficients of variation were less than 9%, and the measured concentrations were within +/-7% of the true value). Limits of detection and quantitation were respectively, 3 and 10 ng/mL. No interfering substances were detected by analysis of 10 blank blood samples of different origin. Mean recovery, calculated at three concentration levels, was 71%. Because of its simplicity and speed, the proposed method can be applied in the determination of this inhibitor of platelet aggregation in whole blood samples, and is suitable for application in toxicology routine analysis.     

Immunochemical studies on blood group A substance from human hair

Blood group A-active substance was extracted from urea-treated human hair uith methanol-ethyl ether 1:1, v/v) or chloroform-methanol (1:1, v/v). The serological activity of blood group A substance in the hair was destroyed by A-decomposing enzyme from Clostridium tertium with concomitant development of blood group H activity. It is concluded therefore that the extract from the hair of group A contained blood group A-active glycolipid with N-acetylgalactosamine as the non-reducing sugar.     

A1 and A2 blood group substances: are there structural differences?

Blood group substances were extracted from erythrocytes of blood groups A1 and A2 and separated using HPTLC. Identification of blood group A was carried out on the chromatogramm using the PAP-technique. The specific demonstration of the serologically active glycosphingolipids allowed a comparison of the A1 and A2 blood group substance bands. The difference between the A1 and A2 Substances appears to be only a quantitative one.     

Rh血型系统的分子生物学研究进展

Rh血型是极复杂的人类红细胞血型系统之一,至少包括45种独立的血型抗原。过去的10年间,Rh血型的研究取得了极大的进展,得到了大量分子生物学的研究资料,如Rh血型的遗传方式、RH基因及其进化过程、Rh复合体的结构与功能、红细胞外Rh相似蛋白的表达,Rh基因分型技术也进一步得到发展与改进。本文综述了Rh血型分子生物学的研究进展,以服务于法医学实践。     

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for A and B water soluble blood group substances

The conditions affecting an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for salivary blood group substances were investigated. It was found that A, B, and O secretor saliva samples would each bind both anti-A and anti-B typing reagents. The conditions that affected the assay response were optimized for maximum sensitivity and to give the highest resolution possible between the result for an antiserum binding to homologous antigen and the response for heterologous antigen-antibody combinations. Monoclonal antibodies eliminated the heterologous binding indicating that this binding was due to a lack of specificity of the routine typing reagents. A sensitive assay using the monoclonal antibodies to distinguish between samples of A and B secretor saliva is described.     

A transactional approach to the Hague Securities Convention

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below. Key points

• Transactions involving intermediated securities –ie securities that are held in an account with a broker, bank,clearing agency or other intermediary – demand a highdegree of ex ante legal certainty. However, for intermediatedsecurities accounts and transactions that reach across bordersas is increasingly prevalent, the traditional conflicts of lawrules for many of the most important commercial law issues failto provide this certainty.
• The Hague Securities Conventionprovides a modern and practical approach for determining theapplicable law. In most cases, the express terms of the agreementbetween the applicable account holder and its intermediary willbe determinative, including as against third parties, providedthat at the time of the agreement the intermediary is engagedin the business of maintaining securities accounts in the specifiedjurisdiction. The Convention is expected to be ratified in somenations fairly soon.
• Once the Convention becomes effective,it . . . [Full Text of this Article]