AB Group Research Articles

ABO-Rh Blood Types and Clinical Consequences of COVID-19 Infection.

Because of there is no sufficient evidence showing a relationship between blood types and severity of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, this study was planned to investigate the effects of ABO blood group on the clinical outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The data of the patients were examined retrospectively. The patients who were hospitalized in wards or intensive care unit, constituted the study group. The patients who presented to the hospital because of other causes and whose blood type examinations were performed, were included in the control group. The study group consisted of 406 six patients were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Control group consisted of 38079 patients whose blood group was determined for any reason in the same period. The rate of Rh negativity was significantly higher in the patient group (p = 0,01). Hospitalization duration in intensive care was significantly longer in the blood type A and AB groups compared to the blood type O group (p = 0,03). Our results are in agreement with other studies suggesting that blood group O individuals are somewhat more resistant to clinically overt infection with SARS-CoV-2 than other blood groups. In addition, Rh negativity may also be an individual risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Is Antibiotic Therapy Necessary after Emergency Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Acute Calculous Cholecystitis?

Background: While preoperative antibiotic therapy is standard to prevent surgical site infections in acute calculous cholecystitis, prescribing antibiotics after discharge is controversial. This study aimed to investigate the effect of antibiotic administration in discharge prescription on surgical site infections.
 Methods: Data from patients who underwent emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute calculous cholecystitis between January 2018 and February 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Those with a decompensated systemic disease, those who were converted to open cholecystectomy, those with stage 3 disease, and those who underwent open cholecystectomy and cholecystostomy were excluded. Ampicillin-sulbactam 1 g was administered parenterally three times a day before and after surgery.
 The patients were divided into two groups according to their discharge prescriptions: those who were given antibiotics (AB group) and those who were not given antibiotics (NA group). The primary outcome was the development of surgical site infections.
 Results: 107 patients in the AB group and 109 in the NA group. Surgical site infection developed in 29 (13.4%) patients, 11 (10.3%) in the AB group, and 18 (16.5%) in the NA group. No significant difference was found between the two groups regarding surgical site infection rate (p>0.05). In logistic regression analysis, obesity was a risk factor for surgical site infections.
 Conclusions: Failure to prescribe ampicillin-sulbactam to acute calculous cholecystitis patients discharged after laparoscopic surgery does not increase surgical site infections. However, prescribing ampicillin-sulbactam to obese patients may reduce surgical site infections.
 Keywords: Surgical site infections, acute calculous cholecystitis, emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy, obesity

CCL24/CCR3 axis plays a central role in angiotensin II-induced heart failure by stimulating M2 macrophage polarization and fibroblast activation.

We aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of pleiotropic chemokine CCL24 in heart failure. Compared with normal donators,the expression of CCL24 and number of cardiac M2 macrophages in heart were higher in heart failure patients, the same as plasma CCL24.Treatment with CCL24 antibody hindered Ang II (1500ng/kg/min)-induced cardiac adverse remodeling through preventing cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. RNA-seq showed that CCL24/CCR3 axis was involved in immune and inflammatory responses. Single-cell analysis of cytometry by time of flight (CyTOF) revealed that CCL24 antibody decreased the M2 macrophage and monocyte polarization during Ang II stimulation. Immunofluorescence co-localization analysis confirmed the expression of CCR3 in macrophage and fibroblasts. Then, in vitro experiments confirmed that CCL24/CCR3 axis was also involved in cardiac primary fibroblast activation through its G protein-coupled receptor function. CCL24/CCR3 axis plays a crucial part in cardiac remodeling by stimulating M2 macrophage polarization and cardiac fibroblast activation. Cardiac M2 macrophages, CCL24 and circulation CCL24 increased in heart failure patients. Treatment with CCL24 Ab hindered Ang II induced cardiac structural dysfunction and electrical remodeling. In CCL24 Ab group RNA-seq found that it was related to immune responses and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, CytoF revealed M2 macrophages and monocytes decreased obviously. In vitro,CCL24 promoted activation and migration of cardiac fibroblast.

Reconstructive treatment of peri-implant defects-Results after three and five years.

The aim of this study was to assess the long-term efficacy of reconstructive treatment of peri-implantitis intraosseous defects. Peri-implant intraosseous defects were augmented using either an autogenous bone graft (AB) or a bovine-derived xenograft (BDX) in combination with a collagen membrane. Maintenance was provided every third month. In the AB group, 16 patients with 25 implants remained at year five. In the BDX group, 23 patients with 38 implants remained. Between baseline and year 5, bleeding on probing (BOP) and probing pocket depth (PPD) scores were reduced in both groups (p< .001). In the AB and BDX groups, mean PPD between baseline and year five was reduced by 1.7 and 2.8 mm, respectively. The difference between groups was significant (p< .001). In the AB group, the mean bone level change at implant level between baseline and years three and five was-0,2 and -0.7 mm, respectively. In the BDX group, the mean bone level change at implant level between baseline and years three and five was 1.6 and 1.6 mm, respectively. The difference between the groups was significant (p< .001). Successful treatment(no bone loss, no probing pocket depth (PPD) > 5 mm, no suppuration, maximum one implant surface with bleeding on probing (BOP) at year five) was obtained in 9/25 implants (36%) in the AB group and in 29/37 implants (78.3%) in the BDX group. Reconstructive surgical treatment of peri-implant defects using BDX resulted in more predictable outcomes than using autogenous bone over 5 years.

The frequency and prognostic significance of ABO/Rh blood groups in male breast cancer patients: A multicenter study.

The study evaluated the distributions and prognostic significance of ABO and rhesus (D) groups in male breast cancer (MBC) patients. The data of 137 patients were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical, histopathological data and ABO/Rh blood groups of the patients were recorded. The ABO/Rh blood group distributions were compared to the healthy men control group (n = 120,160) by the chi-square test. Overall distributions of ABO blood groups were different between the patients (17.5% AB, 38% A, 19% B, and 25.5% O) and control group (7.88% AB, 42.06% A, 15.22% B, and 34.84% O) (P < .001). There were significant differences between the patients and control group with respect to AB vs non-AB blood group distributions (P < .001, odds ratio: 2.43, 95% CI) and O vs non-O blood group distributions (P = .016, odds ratio: 0.62, 95% CI). However, A vs non-A and B vs non-B blood group distributions were not significantly different. The distribution of the Rh factor was similar between patients and the control group (P = .93). In univariate analysis, ABO/Rh blood groups were not a prognostic factor on OS (P = .29). The frequency of the AB blood group in MBC patients is increased than in the healthy control group. AB blood group may be a risk factor for MBC, whereas O blood group may be a protective factor.

Investigation of ABO and Rh Blood Group Frequencies in Southern Kazakhstan and North Eastern Anatolian Populations

This study was carried out to compare the phenotypic distributions of ABO and Rh blood groups of individuals living in North East Anatolia versus in Southern Kazakhstan. A total of 232 samples from individuals living in North East Anatolia and a total of 324 samples from Southern Kazakhstan were collected. Antisera of collected samples were analyzed using an ELISA technique. Our findings, the A blood group was the highest (42.4%), followed by the B blood group (28%). The O blood group (24.2%) and the AB blood group (5.4%) were for North East Anatolia population. As for Rh phenotypic frequency, 85.6% of the population was Rh (+) and 14.4% of them were Rh (-) for the same population. As for the population living in Southern Kazakhstan, 38.5% of the population had the A blood group, 22.2% the B group, 33.9% the O blood group, and 5.4% of the population had the AB group. For the same population, the rate of Rh (+) was 93% and Rh (-) was 7%. we summarize that the A type and B were higher in North East Anatolia population than the Southern Kazakhstan population. On the other hand, the phenotypic distribution of the O type was higher in Southern Kazakhstan than in North East Anatolia. The AB blood group was similar in both populations The phenotypic frequency of the Rh (+) in North East Anatolia was lower than that of Southern Kazakhstan, and Rh (-) distribution in the North East Anatolia was found to be higher than in Southern Kazakhstan

Blood group O is associated with post-COVID-19 syndrome in outpatients with a low comorbidity index

Background ABO blood group system modulates the inflammatory response and has been implicated in COVID-19. Group O protects against SARS-CoV-2 infection, but there are no data regarding post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS). Our aim was to assess this possible association. Methods Case–control study in a community setting, with subjects who had experienced mild COVID-19. Cases were PCS+, controls were PCS-, and the exposure variable, group O. We collected age, sex, BMI, smoking, comorbidities, inflammatory markers, anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies, blood type and clinical data. Five composite inflammatory indices were developed. Multivariate analyses were performed. Results We analysed 121 subjects (56.2% women), mean age 45.7 ± 16 years. Blood group frequencies were 41.5%, 7.9%, 5.9%, and 44.5% for A, B, AB and O, respectively. Thirty-six patients were PCS+, without significant differences between cases and controls. Compared to non-O, a higher prevalence of PCS (p = .036), and number of symptoms of PCS (p = .017) were noted in group O. Concerning biomarkers, PCS + and PCS- showed no differences in A, B, and AB groups. In contrast, group O PCS + patients had significantly lower albumin-to-globulin ratio and higher lymphocyte count, fibrinogen, CRP levels, and higher percentages of 3 composite indices, than PCS- subjects. Group O showed a 6-fold increased risk of PCS, compared to non-O (adjusted OR = 6.25 [95%CI, 1.6-23]; p = .007). Conclusions Group O has shown a consistent relationship with PCS, characterised by a more intense inflammatory burden than the other blood groups. Blood group O could be part of the immunological link between acute COVID-19 and PCS.

Evaluation of Association between Blood Phenotypes A, B and AB and Feline Coronavirus Infection in Cats.

Cats are susceptible to feline coronavirus (FCoV), a highly contagious virus with fecal–oral transmission. In people, susceptibility to coronavirus infection, such as SARS-CoV infection, has been associated with the ABO blood group, with individuals with blood group O having significantly lower risk of SARS-CoV infection. This study evaluated a possible association between feline blood group phenotypes A, B and AB and serostatus for antibodies against FCoV. We also investigated risk or protective factors associated with seropositivity for FCoV in the investigated population. Feline populations were surveyed for AB group system blood types and for presence of antibodies against FCoV. Blood phenotype, origin, breed, gender, reproductive status and age of cats were evaluated as protective or risk factors for coronavirus infection. No blood type was associated with FCoV seropositivity, for which being a colony stray cat (p = 0.0002, OR = 0.2, 95% CI: 0.14–0.54) or a domestic shorthair cat (p = 0.0075, OR = 0.2, 95% CI = 0.09–0.69) were protective factors. Based on results of this study, feline blood phenotypes A, B or AB do not seem to predispose cats to seropositivity for FCoV. Future studies on other feline blood types and other infections could clarify whether feline blood types could play a role in predisposing to, or protecting against, feline infections.

Using Shotgun Sequencing to Describe the Changes Induced by In-Feed Zinc Oxide and Apramycin in the Microbiomes of Pigs One Week Postweaning.

ABSTRACTPostweaning diarrhea (PWD) is a relevant problem associated with early weaning on pig farms. For decades, in-feed antibiotics and therapeutic zinc oxide (ZnO) have been widely used to prevent PWD in piglets. The European Union is banning both strategies in 2022 due to antimicrobial resistance and environmental contamination concerns, respectively. Understanding the effects of these products on the pig microbiome is crucial for correcting potential microbial disbalances that would prompt PWD. Using shotgun sequencing, three trials were carried out to explore the impact of in-feed apramycin and ZnO, combined with different farm hygiene protocols, on the fecal microbiomes of piglets 7 days postweaning. In trial 1, 28-day-old piglets were allocated to one of three groups: control diet (Ct), Ct + ZnO (Zn), and Ct + apramycin (Ab). In trials 2 and 3, piglets were allocated to the same treatments, but the trials also included different cleaning protocols, achieving different hygiene levels. In-feed treatments impacted the richness, diversity, and relative abundance of the piglets’ microbiome more than hygiene. Pigs in the Ct group showed higher species richness than pigs in the Ab and Zn groups. A clustering analysis evidenced a link between Enterobacteriaceae in the Ct group; Lactobacillaceae and Veillonellaceae mainly in the Ct group; and Bacteroidaceae, Ruminococcaceae, Oscillospiraceae, Acidaminococcaceae, and Lactobacillaceae in the Ab and Zn groups. Functional data analysis revealed a higher abundance of virulence genes in the Ct group microbiomes and heavy metal and antimicrobial resistance-related functions in the Zn treatment group. The results demonstrate that alternatives to Ab and ZnO should balance the microbial abundance and stimulate the growth of commensals to outcompete potential pathogens.IMPORTANCE Weaning is a critical period for piglets, during which potentially harmful bacteria such as Escherichia coli can increase in abundance in the intestine, creating digestive problems and diarrhea. In-feed antibiotics, the most frequent administration route for antibiotics in livestock, and therapeutic doses of zinc oxide (ZnO) help to control diarrhea but prompt secondary problems such as antimicrobial resistance and soil pollution from heavy metals. Understanding how these strategies impact the gut microbiota is crucial for establishing health biomarkers and designing successful replacement strategies. Using shotgun sequencing, this study compares the microbiota of pigs after early weaning when treated with in-feed antibiotics, ZnO, or treatment-free diets to describe differences that could define the susceptibility to infections, providing the basis for future research on improving intestinal resilience through microbiota-based strategies.

Syntactic awareness matters: uncovering reading comprehension difficulties in Hong Kong Chinese-English bilingual children.

This study examined whether syntactic awareness was related to reading comprehension difficulties in either first language (L1) Chinese or second language (L2) English, or both, among Hong Kong Chinese-English bilingual children. Parallel L1 and L2 metalinguistic and reading measures, including syntactic word-order, morphological awareness, phonological awareness, vocabulary, word reading, reading comprehension, and cognitive measures of nonverbal intelligence and working memory, were administered to 224 fourth-graders. Five groups of comprehenders were identified using a regression approach: (1) 12 poor in Chinese-only (PC), (2) 18 poor in English-only (PE), (3) six poor in both Chinese and English (PB), (4) 14 average in both Chinese and English (AB), and (5) seven good in both (GB). The results of multivariate analyses of covariance showed that (1) the PB group performed worse than the AB and GB groups in both L1 Chinese and L2 English syntactic awareness; (2) the PC and PE groups performed worse than the AB and GB groups in Chinese syntactic awareness; (3) the PE group had lower performance than the PC, AB, and GB groups in English syntactic awareness; and (4) no significant group difference was found in L2 morphological awareness or vocabulary across both languages. By suggesting that weakness insyntactic awareness can serve asa universal indicator for identifying poor comprehenders in either or both L1Chinese and L2English among Hong Kong Chinese-Englishbilingual children, these findings demonstrate the fundamental role of syntacticawareness in bilingual reading comprehension.

ABO Blood Group in Relation to COVID-19 Susceptibility and Clinical Outcomes: A Retrospective Observational Study in the United Arab Emirates.

(1) Background: The association between ABO blood groups and COVID-19 outcomes was investigated in several studies. The results were controversial. This study aimed to explore the association between ABO blood groups and COVID-19 outcomes. (2) Methods: This retrospective study included 303 COVID-19 patients treated at the NMC Royal Hospital in the United Arab Emirates between 8 April 2020 and 30 June 2020. (3) Results: The mean age of patients included in the study was 39.3 ± 10.7 years, and 72.9% of patients were males. The prevalence of blood groups O, A, B, and AB was 40.3%, 27.7%, 25.1%, and 6.9%, respectively. The correlation between ABO blood groups and COVID-19 outcomes was insignificant except in the AB group, with significantly higher odds of disease severity. Increased age, higher body mass index (BMI), and being of male gender increased the risk for pneumonia among all blood groups. Both increased age and higher BMI increased the risk of mortality, and increased age increased the risk of disease severity. Troponin and platelet counts were significantly different in the A group compared to the non-A groups. Time to viral clearance was not different among blood groups. However, adjustment for Rh groups resulted in a significantly shorter time in the B group. (4) Conclusions: There was no significant association between ABO blood groups and COVID-19 outcomes, with the exception of group AB.

Corticomuscular Connectivity during Walking in Able Bodied and Individuals with Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury.

This exploratory study used EEG as mobile imaging method to study cortico-muscular connectivity (CMC) during walking in able-bodied individuals (AB) and individuals with spinal cord injury (iSCI), while walking with and without exoskeleton walking robot (EWR) assistance. We also explored change in CMC after intensive training using EWR assistance in iSCI. Results showed no different in CMC within the AB group during walking with and without robot assistance. However, before training the iSCI subjects showed lower CMC during walking with robot assistance. The intensive 40 hours of walking training with EWR improved the walking function in iSCI participants allowing them to walk with robot assistance set to lower assistance level. This decrease in assistance level and improvement in walking function correlated with increase in CMC, reducing the difference in CMC during walking with and without EWR assistance. The findings suggest that high level of robot assistance and low walking function in iSCI correlates with weaker connectivity between primary motor cortices and lower extremity muscles. Further research is needed to better understand the importance of intention and cortical involvement in training of walking function using EWRs. Clinical Relevance - This study provides innovative data on CMC during walking and how it changes with EWR assistance and with training. This research is important to the clinical field to provide recommendations of how training of walking function can be delivered to maximize cortical engagement and improve rehabilitation outcomes.

Is the Development of Gestational Diabetes Associated With the ABO Blood Group/Rhesus Phenotype?

AimsThere are few published data on the putative association between the ABO blood group/rhesus (Rh) factor and the risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Our aim was to explore the link between each one factor and GDM development.MethodsAll women having given birth at Lille University Medical Center (Lille, France) between August 1st, 2017, and February 28th, 2018, were tested for GDM, using the method recommended in the French national guidelines. The risk of GDM was assessed for each ABO blood group, each Rh phenotype and combinations thereof, using logistic regression models.Results1194 women had at least one GDM risk factor. The percentage of GDM varied with the ABO group (p=0.013). Relative to group O women, group AB women were more likely to develop GDM (OR = 2.50, 95% CI [1.43 to 4.36], p=0.001). Compared with the Rh-positive O group, only the Rh-positive AB group had an elevated risk of developing GDM (OR = 3.02, 95% CI [1.69 to 5.39], p < 0.001).ConclusionsOur results showed that Rh-positive group AB women have a greater risk of GDM. With a view to preventing GDM, at-risk individuals could be identified by considering the ABO blood group phenotype either as a single risk factor or in combination with other risk factors.

ABO and Rhesus Blood Group Distribution in Mogadishu, Somalia

PurposeOur aim in this study is to reveal the blood group distribution by investigating retrospectively the blood types of around 60 thousand patients and donors who applied to Mogadishu Somalia Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan Training and Research Hospital between 2018 and 2021.Patients and MethodsThe blood group data of 59,442 people were included in this study. 20,414 (34.35%) of the study’s participants were female, 39,023 (65.65%) were male. The blood groups of participants were determined using the slide method and the gel column technique. The frequencies and percentages of O, A, B, AB and Rh blood groups were calculated.ResultsThe frequencies of ABO blood group distribution indicated that blood group O and Rh+ were predominant in Mogadishu O group: 60.30%, A group: 26.50%, B group: 11.27%, AB group: 1.93%, Rh+ group: 96.49%, Rh− group: 3.43%.ConclusionThis is the first study about blood group distribution in Mogadishu based on a large number of blood type tests and hospital data. The findings of our study can guide the blood center administrators make decisions concerning blood stocking and supply. This study can give an idea about how much fluctuations may occur in the frequency of blood group types in emigrant populations over many years.

Biomechanic and biochemical analysis of the effects of local Ankaferd Blood Stopper® application on osseointegration of titanium implants

Aim: Investigations into Ankaferd Blood Stopper® (ABS) on bone healing have revealed positive bone regeneration effects. The exact mechanism of this positive bone tissue metabolism effect is unknown. This study’s aim is a biomechanic and biochemical investigation of the effects of local ABS application on the osseointegration of titanium implants. Methodology: Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups of ten rats each. The control group (n=20) received no treatment during the experimental period, while the ABS group (n=20) had ABS applied locally during the surgical application of the titanium implant before insertion into the bone sockets. After 2 (controls n=10 and ABS n=10) and 4 weeks (controls n=10 and ABS n=10) experimental periods, the rats were sacrificed and implants with surrounding bone tissues were removed for reverse torque analysis (Newton), blood sample collection, and biochemical analysis. Results: The biomechanic bone implant contact ratio detected was higher in week 4 than in week 2 in the ABS group (p&lt;0, 05). Lower phosphor levels were detected in the ABS group than in the 4-week controls (p&lt;0, 05). Conclusion: According to the biomechanical parameters, ABS is more effective after four weeks than after two weeks when locally applied. How to cite this article: Özcan EC, Gül M, Tanık A, Yıldırım TT, Özkan M, Bozoğlan A, Özdemir HE, Dündar S. Biomechanic and biochemical analysis of the effects of local Ankaferd Blood Stopper® application on osseointegration of titanium implants. Int Dent Res 2022;12(1):27-33. https://doi.org/10.5577/intdentres.2022.vol12.no1.5 Linguistic Revision: The English in this manuscript has been checked by at least two professional editors, both native speakers of English.

ABCD approach at the #7119 center, telephone triage system in Tokyo, Japan; a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundThe algorithm and protocol of the #7119 telephone triage in Tokyo, Japan, had been originally established and consists of three steps. In this study, we investigated the outcome of patients treated with physiological abnormality (ABCD approach: A, airway; B, breathing; C, circulation, and D, dysfunction of central nervous system) in step 2 during the #7119 telephone triage and clarified the meaning of evaluation of this approach.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed data from the Tokyo Fire Department from January 2016 to December 2017. Almost all the patients triaged using the ABCD approach were transferred to the hospital by ambulance and assigned severity by a physician. We divided patients into groups with combinations of 15 patterns including A, B, C, D, AB, AC, AD, BC, BD, CD, ABC, ABD, ACD, BCD, and ABCD. We compared the proportion of severe cases in each group using a Fisher's exact test, followed by residual analysis.ResultsWe analyzed 13,793 cases triaged using the ABCD approach. In this analysis, 31% of total cases were assessed as severe cases. Groupwise analysis showed that the proportion of severe cases was significantly higher in the AD, BC, CD, ABD, and ABCD groups, while it was significantly less in the C and AB groups than in the total cases.ConclusionAt the #7119 telephone triage, we can pick up the severe cases by the ABCD approach. This may contribute to the prompt transportation of severe patients to hospitals by dispatching ambulance cars using the #7119 telephone triage methods.

ABO and Rh blood groups, demographics, and comorbidities in COVID-19 related deaths: A retrospective study in Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia

BackgroundBlood group phenotypes have been associated with COVID-19 susceptibility and severity. This study aimed to examine ABO/Rh blood group distribution in COVID-19-related deaths considering demographics and pathological conditions. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study at the University Hospital Center Split, Croatia, that included 245 COVID-19 positive individuals that died from April 8, 2020, to January 25, 2021. We extracted data on their blood groups, demographics, and pre-existing comorbidities and compared findings with general population data from blood group donations (n = 101,357) and non-COVID-19 deaths from 2019 (n = 4968). ResultsThe proportion of dead males was significantly higher than in non-COVID-19 cases (63.7% vs. 48.9%, P < 0.001), while the proportion of older individuals did not differ. The prevailing pre-existing diseases were hypertension (59.6%), diabetes (37.1%), heart failure (28.8%), digestive disorder (26.5%), and solid tumor (21.6%). The ABO distribution in the deceased and donors' group showed significant differences, with the higher prevalence of A/AB group and lower prevalence of 0, but with individual differences significant only for AB and non-AB groups. There was a reduced proportion of females within the deceased with group 0 (P = 0.014) and a higher proportion of AB individuals with coronary heart disease (P = 0.024). ConclusionThe study confirmed a higher risk of death in males. The lower proportion of type 0 in deceased individuals was greater in females, implying that group 0 is not necessarily an independent protective factor. Coronary heart disease was identified as a potential risk factor for AB individuals.

Prospective randomized controlled trial of the closure of gastrojejunal anastomosis in RYGB with absorbable and inabsorbable thread

Introduction: The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is, currently, the most performed technique in Brazil. Suture threads are classified according to their degradation properties. Objective: To analyze the influence on the size of the gastrojejunal anastomosis performed in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, as well as the main complications with the use of absorbable or inabsorbable thread. Methods: This study followed a prospective and randomized clinical trial, initially with 40 participants, with only 37 participants being duly selected, 19 of whom underwent gastrojejunostomy closure with an absorbable (Abs) polydioxanone suture (PDS II®) and 18 with the inabsorbable (Inb) ETHIBOND®. Statistical analysis was performed using the ANOVA and logistic regression tools (p&lt;0.05 significant). Results: General complications and Upper Digestive Endoscopy (UDE) were less frequent at the end of 12 months in both groups. At the end of twelve months, the number of complications of the Inb thread decreased considerably, while the number of complications of the Abs thread showed an increase in other complications, including marginal ulcer and intrusive thread. Despite this, there was no significant difference between groups in terms of total weight loss. There was no statistically significant difference between the final values of the anastomotic diameter. The percentage of weight loss over the 12 months was 33.77 ± 6.97% for the Inb group and 36.10 ± 4.89% for the Abs group (p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: Both suture threads (Inb and Abs) presented similar complications and did not present significant differences between the values of weight, gastrojejunal anastomosis, and pouch.

Comparative Study of Ultrasound Guided Popliteal Fossa Block versus Ankle Block as Primary Anaesthesia for Forefoot Operative Procedure

Regional anaesthesia can be used as the primary anaesthesia method and also as an adjunct to control postoperative pain following forefoot surgeries. The purpose of this study was to compare the overall efficacy of ultrasound guided popliteal fossa block to ankle block as the primary anaesthesia for forefoot surgeries. It was an observational study including 112 participants. They were divided into 2 groups, Group PFB: popliteal fossa block with 20 ml 0.5%bupivacaine and 10ml2% lignocaine (total 30ml) &amp; Group AB: ankle block with 20 ml 0.5% bupivacaine and 10ml 2% lignocaine (total 30ml). The primary outcome variables were VAS score and rescue analgesia and secondary outcome variables were hemodynamics (heart rate, MAP). P value &lt; 0.05 was considered significant. Our study showed a reduction in post-operative visual analogue scale scores in PFB group (5.21± 0.834) as compared to AB group (7.09 ± 0.815) with a P value of 0.0001 which was statistically significant. The mean first rescue analgesia time for PFB group was 12.46±1.59 while for AB group was 6.93± 0.82 with P value of 0.0001 which was statistically significant. Both AB and PFB provides sufficient anaesthesia for forefoot surgeries. However, popliteal fossa block is preferred over ankle block for forefoot surgeries due to longer post-operative analgesia

Prevalence of Blood Group A2 in Northern Pakistan

Objective: To determine the prevalence of A1 and A2 subgroups of blood group A in healthy blood donors of northern Pakistan.&#x0D; Study Design: Cross sectional study.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Armed Forces Institute of Transfusion, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Sep to Dec 2017.&#x0D; Methodology: The blood samples of donors reported during the study period at Armed Forces Institute of Transfusion were collected. ABO typing was performed and those in group A and AB were further subtyped using anti-A1 lectin and thus the individuals were labelled as A1 (and A1B) or A2 (and A2B). The serum of individuals with groups A2 and A2B was tested for anti-A1 based on the reaction with A1 red cells.&#x0D; Results: Out of total 4485 donors, 1116 (24.88%) were of blood group A and 422 (9.41%) individuals were of AB group. Out of 146 (13.08%) individuals among 1116 blood group A donors were of subgroup A2. While out of 422 of blood group AB, 80 (18.95%) were A2B. 21 (14.38%) out of 146 individuals of A2 blood group, had anti-A1 antibody while among 80 individuals with A2B blood group only 2 (2.50%) had anti-A1 antibody in their serum.&#x0D; Conclusion: Blood group A2 is quite prevalent in our population. Although anti-A1 is present in significant fraction of A2 blood group individuals, the routine testing is not needed to identify the A2 group and cross match compatibility is the only requirement as anti-A1 is rarely active at 37° C.