Backround: ABO and Rhesus (Rh) blood group antigens are hereditary characters and are useful in population genetic studies, in resolving medico-legal issues and more importantly for the immunologic safety of blood during transfusion.Aims: This study is aimed to determine the distribution pattern of the ABO and Rh blood groups among blood donors in Kumaon region of Uttarakhand and compare it with other data from similar studies within the India and all over the world. Design:It is a retrospective study carried out at blood bank of Shushila Tewari Hospital of Government Medical College, Haldwani from January 2012 to December 2013. Materials and Methods:The study was conducted on 12,701 blood donors. ABO and Rh typing was done using slide agglutination method with antisera ABO and Rh (Tulip diagnostics ltd). Doubtful cases were confirmed by tube agglutination method and reverse grouping using known pooled A and B cells. The age group and sex of donors, frequency of ABO and Rh blood groups were reported in simple percentages. Results:The predominant donors belonged to age group between 18-35years (84.28%). Male donors were more than female donors, ratio being 352:1. Replacement donors (99.71%) were much more than voluntary donors (0.91%). The most common blood group was B (32.07%) and least common being AB (10.53%). Blood group 'O' and 'A' had same frequency. The prevalence of Rhesus positive and negative distribution in the studied population was 94.49% and 5.51% respectively. Blood group frequency with respect to ABO and Rhesus positive was found to be shown by formula B> O>A >AB. The frequency for ABO and Rhesus negative was given by the formula B>A>O>AB.Conclusion: Knowledge of frequencies of the different blood groups is very important for blood banks and transfusion service policies that could contribute significantly to the National Health System. Apart from their importance in blood transfusion practice, the ABO and Rh blood groups are useful in clinical studies population genetic studies, researching population migration patterns as well as resolving certain medicolegal issues, particularly of disputed paternity cases [8].All human populations share the same blood group systems; although they differ in the frequencies of specific types. The incidence of ABO and Rh groups varies markedly in different races, ethnic groups, and socio-economic groups in different part of the world [9].Knowledge of availability of different Blood groups at various levels is need of the hour for more efficient delivery of blood bank services and so is the need of this study.In the present study distribution of blood groups is studied in Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, India. MATERIALS AND METHODSThe present retrospective study was carried out at blood bank of Dr. Shushila Tewari teaching hospital of Government Medical College, Haldwani, Nainital after due ethical clearance from the institutional ethic committee. The data of present study corresponds to period www.jcdr.netParul Garg et al., Frequency of ABO and Rhesus Blood ...

BACKGROUNDQuality Analysis of blood depends upon three concepts viz. quality control, quality assurance & quality management. Quality control measures standard practice in their operations eg. reagent quality control, clerical checks, visual inspections along with measurements like temperature reading on refrigerators and volume of cell counts performed on finished blood components. Quality assurance, on the other hand include recording reviews, monitoring of quality indicators and internal assessments. Quality management is an inter-related processes in the context of organization and its relations with customers & suppliers. A study of quality control for blood components in a tertiary care centre of Kumaon region of Uttarakhand has been presented here to provide a benchmark and evaluation for its maintenance and sustainability in blood bank of Uttarakhand region, catering to a large geographic area. An annual qualitative study is thus undertaken regarding assessment of various blood parameters in quality control sample during the period of Jan to Dec 2015.

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) constitute a multigene family of multifunctional phase II metabolic enzymes. GSTT1, an important member of this group has a wide range of substrates including carcinogens. Total homozygous deletion or null genotype resulting in total lack of enzyme activity exists in populations for this enzyme. Since the null genotype may contribute to lower detoxification of carcinogens, this genotype is expected to increase cancer risk. The frequency of the GSTT1 null genotype is known to vary significantly among populations. However, little is known about its distribution in the hilly Kumaun region of northern India. Therefore, in this study, we determined the prevalence of the GSTT1 null polymorphism in the Kumaun popilation by conducting duplex PCR in 365 voluntary healthy individuals. The GSTT1 null genotype was detected in 18.4% of the individuals. Since GSTs play significant role in xenobiotic metabolism, the present data on GSTT1 genotype distribution should contribute in understanding genetic association with cancer risk in this understudied population.

In this paper, A fractal geometry based Sierpinski square monopole antenna is investigated for UWB application with band-notched characteristics. UWB technology has unique features and promising applications in communications. For example, in wireless communications, the extremely wide operating bandwidth has the potential for high data-rate connections. However, the very low emission level has limited the wireless connection range to a few meters.UWB systems will coexist with other traditional communication systems in the same frequency band by using low power levels.UWB technology has received an impetus attracted academia and industrial attenuation in wider range of applications including ground plane penetrating radars, high data rate short range WLAN networks, communication systems for military purposes etc.

Introduction: Blood transfusion is one of the most important and integral intervention of the modern medicine but, simultaneously it carries the solemn risk of transmitting various life-threatening Transfusion-Transmissible Infectious (TTI) agents. Aim: To study the serological profile of voluntary blood donors in a blood bank of tertiary healthcare centre in Kumaon region, Uttarakhand, India. Materials and Methods: A hospital based prospective study was conducted from September 2018-September 2020. All the potential blood donors coming to the Department of Pathology and Blood Bank were included and after obtaining informed consent from the donor, venous blood was collected. Samples were tested for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), syphilis, and malarial parasite. The data was collected and tabulated in Microsoft Excel sheet and was analysed by calculating frequency and percentages. Results: A total of 8874 donors were screened during the study period; of these 5.66% (503/8874) were found to be seropositive. Seroprevalence of HBV, HCV, HIV, syphilis and malaria was 1.87% (166/8874), 3.23% (287/8874), 0.15% (14/8874), 0.40% (35/8874) and 0.01% (01/8874) respectively. Highest prevalence of TTI (55.06%; 277/503) was within the age group of 18-28 years. Maximum seroreactivity was seen in blood group- B positive (32.60%; 164/503) followed by A positive (25.84%; 130/503). Conclusion: Although, there has been a down-swing in the prevalence of TTI’s but, there is still need for improvement in the quality of transfusion medicine services and implementation of strict donor criteria to further minimise the risk of TTI’s.