[Performance Utility of High Sensitivity Quantitative Assay for HBs Antigen].

A high sensitivity quantitative assay for hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg-HQ assay) was recently developed and is useful for earlier detection of HBV reactivation. We created HBsAg-HQ assay operational proce- dures by the sample transport system and laboratory information system. In this study, we evaluated the perfor- mance and utility of the HBsAg-HQ assay based on our operational procedures using internal quality control (IQC) data and 13,762 samples routinely measured for 8 months.

[Evaluation of a Fully Automated Analyzer for Antinuclear Antibody Test Using Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay].

The fully automated HELIOS® system for antinuclear antibody (ANA) test is capable of automatically per- forming all IFA procedures. We evaluated the analytical performance, characteristics and utility of HELIOS system as ANA screening test. We compared HELIOS system and the conventional methods in sera from 161 connective tissue disease (CTD) patients and 250 healthy individuals.

[Evaluation of a Computer-Aided Microscope System and Its Anti-Nuclear Antibody Test Kit for Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay].

Antinuclear antibody (ANA) testing is indispensable for diagnosing and understanding clinical conditions of autoimmune diseases. The indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) is the gold standard for ANA screening, and it can detect more than 100 different antibodies, such as anti-PCNA as well as anti-cytoplasmic antibodies. However, complicated procedures of conventional IFA and visual interpretation require highly skilled laboratory staff.

[Acute myeloid leukemia with t(16;21)(q24;q22) in a child].

The t(16;21)(q24;q22), a rare chromosomal translocation observed mostly in therapy-related acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), produces a RUNX1-CBFA2T3 fusion gene. Here we report a de novo AML case of 1-year-old girl with t(16;21)(q24;q22). In this case, we demonstrated the RUNX1-CBFA2T3 fusion gene and established quantitative RT-PCR for detecting minimal residual disease.

Plasma platelet-derived microparticles in patients with connective tissue diseases.

Objective: To clarify the role of platelet-derived microparticles (PDMP), which are small vesicles with thrombotic and immunological properties, in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SSc), dermatomyositis/polymyositis (PM/DM), and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD).

Methods: Plasma levels of PDMP were measured by ELISA, and compared among patients with one of the 4 diseases. Association of PDMP levels with clinical characteristics and medication of the patients was also examined.

[Usefulness of the formula for predicting creatinine clearance from serum cystatin C].

Estimation of Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is crucial for the detection of renal insufficiency. In clinical practice, GFR is generally estimated from Ccr by some prediction formulas including the serum creatinine concentration and some variables: age, sex, body size. It has been suggested that serum cystatin C is less influenced by sex, body size, muscular mass or inflammation.

[Usefulness of serum cystatin C for the diagnosis of impaired renal function].

Creatinine clearance (Ccr) is generally used as a halmark of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in clinical medicine. Recently, it has been suggested that serum cystatin C measurement in serum reflects GFR. We compared serum cystatin C, serum creatinine, and serum beta2-microgrobrin in 70 patients with renal diseases in reference to creatinine clearance.