A novel reagent for the screening of haptoglobin-deficient blood donors.

Background And Objectives: In Japan, the prevalence of haptoglobin deficiency is approximately 1 in 4000. Haptoglobin-deficient individuals may produce anti-haptoglobin from allo-immunization, leading to serious transfusion reactions. Therefore, implementation of a consistent supply of haptoglobin-deficient fresh frozen plasma is crucial.

PCB 118 and Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Immunoassays for Screening Dioxins in Retail Fish.

The efficacy of a combination of two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits was examined for screening the toxic equivalent (TEQ) concentrations of dioxins in retail fish. The coplanar PCB-EIA system, which is a competitive immunoassay specific for polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) 118, was tested as a screening method for mono- ortho PCBs. The Ah immunoassay (Ah-I), which is an ELISA-based aryl hydrocarbon receptor binding assay, was analyzed for its screening ability for non- ortho PCBs, polychlorinated dibenzo- p-dioxins (PCDDs), and dibenzofurans (PCDFs).

Development of MAb-based immunochromatographic assay for cadmium from biological samples.

Cadmium (Cd) is a general environmental pollutant of increasing global concern. In 2005 the joint FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission proposed new international food legislation for low-level Cd contaminants. In this study we demonstrate the use of novel monoclonal antibody (MAb) to Cd-EDTA in an immunochromatography (IC) format for the quick testing for trace Cd.

Application of an ELISA for PCB 118 to the screening of dioxin-like PCBs in retail fish.

A commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit was evaluated for the determination of toxic equivalents (TEQs) of dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in retail fish. The ELISA was highly specific for 2,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB 118), which is generally the most abundant dioxin-like PCB isomer found in fish. The quantitative limit of the ELISA (using 3,3',4'-trichloro-4-methoxybiphenyl as a surrogate standard for PCB 118) was 10 ng ml(-1) (125 pg assay(-1)) in the standard curve, corresponding to 50 pg PCB 118 g(-1) in the tested sample.

Inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases prevents cardiac hypertrophy induced by beta-adrenergic stimulation in rats.

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) -I is one of the candidates for cardiac hypertrophy induced by beta-adrenergic stimulation. However, the mechanisms by which the biologic actions of IGF-I are regulated under this condition remain unclear. IGF-I becomes bioavailable for its receptors upon its dissociation from IGF-binding protein (IGFBP) through IGFBP degradation.

Prominent induction of cyclin B1 in G2/M renal cancer cells with butyrolactone 1.

Background: Butyrolactone 1 (BL) is a cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor derived from Aspergillus terreus. None of the present drugs are effective for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma. The use of BL is expected to promote a new type therapy of renal cancer.