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A survey of sera containing antibodies to multiple low-incidence antigens revealed a variety of patterns of reactions with NFLD+, BOW+, and Wu+ red cell samples. Although NFLD, BOW, and Wu are distinct antigenic determinants (International Society of Blood Transfusion numbers 700.37, 700.46, and 700.13, respectively), their ability to absorb and elute "crossreactive" antibodies indicates a serologic and possibly a genetic relationship among the three.

Concordance of reactions of Wu+ and 'Hov'+ cells with 153 sera containing multiple specificities to low-incidence antigens indicates that the 'two' antigens are identical. This conclusion is confirmed by absorption and elution studies.

Family studies have provided the final piece of evidence for the assignment of Auberger to the Lutheran blood group system. Lods derived from combined paternal and maternal meioses (zeta = 10.83 at theta = 0.00) strongly support the contention that a single gene controls the expression of both Au and LU antigens. Consequently, the International Society of Blood Transfusion Working Party on Terminology has designated Aua and Aub as LU18 and LU19, respectively.

DNA samples from families informative for the Diego (DI), Dombrock (DO) and Yt (YT) blood group loci were analyzed with a cDNA probe defining a Taq I polymorphism at the glycophorin C locus (GYPC). Recombination between GYPC and DI, DO and YT occurs. Hence GYPC is differentiated from all established blood group system loci.

Studies of 91 individuals in three families allowed a genetic-linkage analysis of the gene governing the production of the low-incidence red cell antigen Wra and provided evidence that Wra is not a member of the Scianna, Landsteiner-Wiener, Chido/Rodgers, or XK blood group systems, and that the "WR" locus is excluded from autosomal sites or regions 1p34-p22.1, 1p21-q23, 1q32, 2p25, 3q21, 4q28-q32, 6p24-q12, 9q34.1-q34.2, 13q14.1-q14.2, 14q24.3-q32.1, 14q32.33, 16p13, 16q22.1, and 21q21-q22.1. "WR" is also excluded from within specified genetic distances of chromosomes 8 (GPT), 18 (JK), 19 (C3), 20 (ADA), and 22 (P1) loci, which brings its exclusion to approximately 10 percent (320cM) of the total genetic map of the genome. The possibility that "WR" is pseudoautosomal is deemed to be highly unlikely.

In an attempt to assign the Colton blood group locus (CO) we have successfully revisited chromosome 7. CO is linked to the argininosuccinate synthetase pseudogene 11 locus (ASSP11) with z = 5.79 at theta = 0.07 for combined paternal and maternal meioses. We propose a 7p position for CO.

DNA from a series of families segregating for Aub was analyzed with a genomic DNA probe which defines a Bg1 I polymorphism for apolipoprotein C II (APOC2). The investigation revealed that the gene for Aub is closely linked to APOC2 (z = 8.43 at theta = 0.00) for paternal and maternal meioses combined, to LW (z = 3.61 at theta = 0.00) in paternal meioses and less closely linked to SE (z = 3.10 at theta = 0.09) for combined paternal and maternal meioses. Therefore, we propose a chromosome 19 location for the Aub gene.

A case of mild hemolytic disease of the newborn is presented which was caused by an antibody to a hitherto unknown antigen of low incidence. This antigen, now designated as HOFM (ISBT number 700050) was detected in 6 relatives, and in all of them, it was associated with an unusually weakened expression of C antigen. The serological data indicate that HOFM may be part of the Rh system, but the genetic data, although supportive of this interpretation, are inconclusive.

No recombinants between LW and C3, using a C3 DNA probe, were observed in 16 female meioses: z 4.216 at theta = 0.00. Combined with the data of Sistonen (1984) the recombination fraction between LW and C3 is estimated to be 0.09 (z 3.773) in females.

Data are presented on 30 high and low incidence antigens and on the distribution of the alleles of 14 blood group systems in a random sample of Newfoundlanders. The distribution of alleles in Newfoundland was compared to founder populations where possible and to the Canadian Caucasian population in general; no significant differences were found. Six rare alleles were observed (IN*a, NFLD, TAR, RH*x, RH*w, RH*V) in a population of 234 individuals. A high incidence of rare alleles has been reported in other isolate populations.

Cytogenetic, enzyme dosage, serological, and electrophoretic analyses of blood samples from members of three Newfoundland kindreds in which one specific paracentric insertion chromosome inv ins(9)(q22.1q34.3q34.1) is segregating provide data indicating that ABO lies in 9q22.1-q34.3, AK1 in 9q34.1-q34.3, and ORM in 9q34.3-qter.

Data are presented which show that the Diego blood groups are not part of the Dombrock or Yt blood group systems and that the locus controlling Di is not closely linked to the loci controlling ABO, Fy, Jk, Kell, MNSs, Rh, Gm, Inv, AcP,ADA, PGD, and UMPK.

In a series of 726 random Caucasian adults tested with anti-Coa and anti-Cob allele frequencies were Coa 0.9470, Cob 0.0530. The distribution of Colton phenotypes in 205 children of 57 selected families was in accordance with expectation. A linkage analysis of Co and 26 other loci indicates that Co is not closely linked to AcP1, ABO, AK1, Ch, Do, GLO, Gm, GPT, HLA, Hp, K, Lu, MN, PGM1 or Rh and does not lie between PGD and PGM1 on chromosome 1.

Statistical and serological evidence from a large kindred and two unrelated adults indicates that Targett (Tar) is an antigen in the Rh blood group system and that its presence is assocciated with a weak expression of the Rh antigen D. In the numerical notation the Tar antigen is designated Rh40.

Peak lods (zeta) of 3.48 at an estimated recombination fraction (theta) of 0.28 derived from 63 male and 90 female meioses indicate linkage between the KEL and YT blood group loci. Consideration is given to two families; a realistic interpretation of the data increases zeta to 4.24 at theta = 0.26.

Blood samples from a random series of Canadian Caucasians were phenotyped for 28 red cell enzyme systems and eight plasma protein systems. Polymorphism was found in 17 and rare variants in 11 of the systems. Allele frequencies are presented for these; distribution of phenotypes is in accordance with the Hardy--Weinberg equilibrium theory. In a complementary study of families there was no evidence of de novo mutation in any of the 36 systems and they allowed a minimum estimate of the frequency of null alleles in the ADA, C2, and GPT systems.

Lods of +3.89 at a recombination fraction (theta) of 0.10 and recombinant:nonrecombinant counts of 2:16 indicate linkage between the Rd and Rh blood group loci. The possibility that Rd is the same as Sc is discussed.

A "new" low incidence red cell antigen, NFLD, is described. It was found in a Caucasian family and is inherited as an autosomal dominant. The antigen is not part of the AB0, MNSs, Duffy, Kidd, or Yt blood group systems and probably does not belong to the Rh or Kell blood group systems.

Accumulated family information was compiled in an attempt to verify the chromosomal location of the Colton blood group locus (CO). Two-point linkage analysis of CO and 46 other polymorphic loci excludes CO from 1p36 to 1q23, 3q21 to 3q26, 4q13 to 4q28, 6p24 to 6 cen, and 19p13.2 to 19 cen and from linkage groups bounded by ABO and ORM, PI and IGHG, and HP and GOT2. The dwindling odds of linkage between CO:JK are reinforced (z = -5.28 at theta = 0.20). Close linkage of CO with ACP1 and D2S5 could not be demonstrated. The proposed chromosome 2 location of CO is therefore questioned.

Ninety-eight alleles in 38 polymorphisms of blood are identified in the Schmiedeleut Hutterites. The study was initiated because of the presence of Wda, an allele found almost exclusively in Hutterites. Eight of the other alleles also have an exceedingly low incidence in a random white population: r'' (.006), R2w (less than .001), LWb (less than .01), ESD*rare (less than .001), GPT*0 (.004), NP*4 (less than .001), GOT2*3 (.001), and C6*0 (.002). The occurrence of this many rare alleles in a population with an estimated maximum of 124 ancestral genomes was surprising but consistent with observations in other isolates. The degree of heterozygosity and large family size make the population ideal for genetic linkage studies.

The ability of Candida albicans IFO 1385 to adhere to acrylic and the partial characterization of an adhesive substance, named AS, which was isolated from the yeast, were studied in vitro. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The cells cultured in the synthetic media (YNB) containing 500 mM galactose showed a much greater tendency to adhere than did those cells cultured in the YNB containing 500 mM glucose. 2. More cells prepared by the standing cultivation adhered to acrylic than did those prepared by the stirring cultivation. 3. A large number of the adherent cells was obtained when the acrylic plates were incubated at 37 degrees C for 90 min in the cell suspension at a concentration of 1.0 x 10(7) cells/ml. The plates were observed without staining. 4. AS was isolated from the surface of C. albicans, grown on different carbon sources (50 mM glucose, 500 mM glucose and 500 mM galactose), by treatment with ultrasonication. 5. Three different kinds of AS isolated from the three carbon sources were slightly soluble in distilled water. All were similar in composition to each other, and contained 62-68% carbohydrate (as glucose) and 23-26% protein (as BSA). 6. Silica particles adhered to acrylic coated with AS and pretreatment of acrylic with AS promoted C. albicans adhesion. However, similar pretreatment inhibited subsequent Candida glabrata and Candida krusei adhesion. As to subsequent adhesion of Candida tropicalis, no significant data were obtained. 7. Adhesion assay using the silica particles, the adhesive ability of the AS was significantly reduced by treatment with trypsin or pronase E, but not with papain, alpha-amylase, dextranase or zymolyase.

A "new" red cell antigen has been found so far only in members of Hutterite kindreds with the surname Waldner. The antigen, Wd(a), is inherited as an autosomal dominant and is not part of the ABO, Chido, Colton, Dombrock, Duffy, Kidd, MN, P, or Rh blood group systems.

Ongoing linkage studies of red cell antigens and enzymes in many families along with concentration on a large Mennonite kindred segregating for Sc have resulted in lods, recombinant: nonrecombinant counts and multi-point information which support an order with approximate recombination fractions as measured in the male as follows: Fy--.25--PGM1--.20--Sc--less than .05--UMPK--.15--Rh--.20--PGD, with ENO1 close to PGD. The insertion of Sc and UMPK between PGM1 and Rh allows the recognition of double crossing-over between the latter pair; indications are that this is not a rare event in the female. In the male no evidence of double crossing-over was found in the similar distances PGM1--Rh and Sc--PGD in 13 and 19 opportunities respectively.

An extracellular collagenolytic enzyme separated from a culture medium of this pathogenic yeast was found to attack undenatured predentine collagen as seen in scanning electron micrographs. After treatment with the enzyme at pH 4.0, but not by that acidity alone, dentine tubules were less easily distinguished and the collagen fibres were less well-organized.

A new low incidence blood group antigen "Mit", immunization to which may cause hemolytic disease of the newborn, is described. It is not part of the ABO, Duffy, Kidd, Rh or Yt blood group systems. Positive lods of +2.41 at O = 0.00 indicate that the odds are 256 to 1 that "Mit" is either part of the MNSs system or governed by a locus closely linked to MN and Ss.

The results of the present study provide independent support for F13A:HLA linkage and refine the F13A:HLA and F13A:GLO1 linkage relationships. Analysis of the corresponding recombination fractions for the total paternal F13A:HLA and F13A:GLO1 peak lod scores (z) indicates a locus order of 6pter:F13A:HLA:GLO1:cen. Lod scores between F13A and PLG, a locus recently assigned to chromosome 6, exclude close linkage between these loci.