HLA Class I Polymorphism in the Albanian Population

The HLA class I polymorphism was studied in a sample of the Albanian population. Ninety-three unrelated healthy Albanians were typed for HLA-A, -B and -Cw antigens by standard microlyphocytotoxicity test. The antigens with the highest frequencies were: HLA-A2 (34.4%), A3 (14.5%) and A1 (12.4%); B51 (19.3%), B35 (12.4%) and B18 (10.2%); Cw4 (16.2%), Cw7 (16.2%) and Cw6 (10.8%). The HLA haplotypes with high frequency in Albanians included A2-B51 (4.3%), A2-B18 (2.4%), A2-B35 (2.4%), Cw4-B35 (7.6%), and Cw7-B18 (6.5%), which are not significantly different from the other neighboring populations. Low frequency of HLA-A1-B8 haplotype (1.1%) is noted in the Albanian population. The frequency of HLA-B27 antigen (1.1%) is one of the lowest frequencies observed in Caucasians. Such results are important in studies of HLA-A1-B8, HLA-B27 and disease associations. These findings should be also useful in understanding the origin of Albanians, representing a base for future studies about HLA polymorphism in the Albanian population

HLA Class II Haplotypic Association and DQCAR Microsatellite Polymorphisms in Croatian Patients with Psoriasis

The purpose of the present study was to investigate polymorphism of HLA class II haplotypic associations (HLA-DRB1, -DQA1, -DQB1) and DQCAR alleles in 78 Croatian patients with psoriasis. Patients were divided into two groups according to a family history of disease and age of onset: type I (positive family history and early onset) and type II (negative family history and late onset). The difference in frequency of HLA class II haplotypic associations between type I patients and controls was observed for the following combinations: HLA-DRB1*0701, -DQA1*0201, -DQB1*02 (23.6% vs. 7.2%; p < 0.001), HLA-DRB1*0701, -DQA1*0201, -DQB1*0303 (8.5% vs. 1.3%; p = 0.0018) and HLA-DRB1*1601, -DQA1*0102, -DQB1*0502 (2.8% vs. 9.3%; p = 0.06). The difference between type II psoriasis and controls for association: HLA-DRB1*1501, -DQA1*0102, -DQB1*0602 is not significant (20.0% vs. 8.9%; p = 0.06). The significantly higher frequency of DQCAR 113bp and 119bp alleles in patients with type I psoriasis is a result of linkage disequlibrium of these alleles with both HLA-DRB1*0701 haplotypic associations. Analysis of DQCAR alleles in the HLA-DRB1*0701 haplotypic associations in patients with psoriasis vulgaris and matched controls did not reveal any difference in polymorphism of DQCAR alleles. These data suggest that HLA-DRB*0701 haplotypic combinations are associated with type I but not for type II psoriasis in the Croatian population. DQCAR polymorphism is not useful genetic marker to distinguish susceptible HLA class II haplotypic association

The Role of HLA-DRB1 Matching in Corneal Grafting

The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of HLA-DRB1 (Human Leukocyte Antigens) matching in corneal transplantation. Fifty-two patients were observed. Low-risk group consisted of 28 patients and high-risk group consisted of 24 patients. All the patients and donors were tissue typed with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) on the HLADRB1 gen. The primary corneal disease preceding keratoplasty was keratopathia (15), leucoma (10), keratoconus (7), Re-KPP (6), impending perforation (4), combustio corneae (3), degenerative disorders (2), keratoglobus (1), keratouveitis (1), corneal maculae (1), and corneal melting syndrome (1). The graft rejection frequency was higher in the group of high-risk patients (29%) than in the group of low risk patients (7.1%). The rejection rate of compatible grafts was 37% for high risk and 2% for low risk group, while the rejection rate of incompatible was 44% in high risk and 5% in low risk group.We can conclude that HLA-DRB1 matching does not improve corneal graft survival

THE EFFECT OF THE LEVEL OF NON- DEGRADABLE PROTEIN ON DIGESTIBILITY OF NUTRITIVE SUBSTANCES IN FATTENING LAMBS**

Abstract: Results of the investigation of the effect of the level of nondegradable protein in concentrate mixtures on digestibility of nutritive substances in fattening lambs are presented in this paper. Physiological research included 18 male lambs crosses Pirot Pramenka x Württemberg x Ile de France, average body mass of approx. 35,0 kg, divided into three groups. Lambs were fed iso-protein concentrate mixtures which differed in relation to share of protein non-degradable at the rumen level: 43 % (I), 51 % (II) and 58 % (III). Trial results indicate that the level of protein adoption was not under the influence of investigated treatment, considering that digestibility coefficients were: 52,58 % : 51,30 % : 55,12%. With the increase of share of nondegradable protein in concentrate mixtures (43: 51: 58%), also tendency of increase of fat digestibility was observed: 76,13: 77,98: 87,17%, but decrease of degree of cellulose digestion: 67,40: 45,87: 22,39 % and NFE: 83,87: 76,05: 82,96%. Key words: lambs, non-degradable protein, digestibilit