Immunoradiometric analysis has made it possible to measure ferritin reliably in serum. The determination is a sensitive means of assessing body iron because concentrations of ferritin closely parallel the body's reticuloendothelial iron stores. The information provided is similar to that obtained from bone-marrow aspirates or biopsies stained for iron with Prussian Blue. Comparative studies ind...

To examine the relationship between erythrocyte membrane protein 7. 2b deficiency and the hemolytic anemia of human hereditary stomatocytosis, we created 7.2b knock-out mice by standard gene targeting approaches. Immunoblots showed that homozygous knock-out mice completely lacked erythrocyte protein 7.2b. Despite the absence of protein 7.2b, there was no hemolytic anemia and mouse red blood cel...

Rhesus-positive and Rhesus-negative persons differ in the presence-absence of highly immunogenic RhD protein on the erythrocyte membrane. The biological function of the RhD molecule is unknown. Its structure suggests that the molecular complex with RhD protein transports NH3 or CO2 molecules across the erythrocyte cell membrane. Some data indicate that RhD positive and RhD negative subjects dif...

During several weeks riboflavin supplementation of lactating African women, which reduced their mean activation coefficient of erythrocyte glutathione reductase (EGRAC) from 1.65 to 1.21 and initiated an improvement in clinical deficiency signs, measurements were made of physiological functions which may be connected with riboflavin status. No specific response to the supplement could be detect...

The difference in Erythrocyte Osmotic Fragility (EOF) and haematologic parameters among two pure (Marshal and Ross) and a Hubbard-Anak cross breeds of 9-week-old broiler chickens were evaluated in this study. There was a statistically significant (P<0.05) decrease in EOF in Marshall breed at NaCl concentrations of 0.5% when compared to other breeds. However, Ross breed had the highest EOF at th...

The role of vitamin E in human nutrition was studied by investigation of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and associated pancreatic insufficiency. Vitamin E status was assessed by measurement of the plasma concentration of the principal circulating isomer, alpha-tocopherol. Results of such determinations in 52 CF patients with pancreatogenic steatorrhea revealed that all were deficient in the...

Osmotic fragility (OF) test was conducted in Nigerian human black male erythrocytes stored for Oh, 12h, 24h and 48h. Storage of these human erythrocytes for up to 24h failed to alter significantly their membrane characteristics. A leftward shift in osmotic fragiligrams was noted suggestive of storage-time (age) dependent erythrocyte stability. Mean corpuscular fragility (MCF) diminished with an...

A 31-yr-old female with congenital hypoplastic anemia (Diamond-Blackfan syndrome) whose long course terminated in acute myelogenous leukemia is described. In contrast to Fanconi anemia, malignant transformation rarely occurs in congenital hypoplastic anemia. This patient's diagnosis of congenital hypoplastic anemia is supported by her clinical course, absence of renal abnormalities, a negative ...

The erythrocyte osmotic fragility and other erythrocyte indices in fowls of two different age groups (7-9 week-old and 49 week-old) were studied using Nera Black strain usually raised commercially for egg production in Nigeria. Erythrocytes in the 49 week-old birds were more fragile than those in the 7-9 week-old at sodium chloride (NaCl) concentrations of 0.2% (p<0.05), 0.7% (p<0.05), 0.8% (p<...

The present study explored the utility of erythrocyte aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) as a peripheral marker in alcoholism. The ALDH levels in aocoholics, their first degree nonalcholic relative and controls were compared. ALDH was found to be significantly lower in alcoholics (3.38±1.70 mU p< 0.001) and their first degree relatives (4.04±1.55 mU p< 0.05) compared to controls (5.06±1 55mU). Low A...