Effects of gliclazide on platelet aggregation and the plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 level in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Vascular complications are a common factor determining morbidity and mortality of diabetic patients. In vitro studies have revealed that gliclazide has antiplatelet activities. To clinically assess this action, we measured the effects of gliclazide on platelet activities and abnormal fibrinolysis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Relationship of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells to immune status in HIV-infected patients.

Objective: To determine whether the frequencies of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (T Reg) were related to immune status in HIV-infected patients.

Methods: Peripheral blood CD4 T-cell populations were examined for T-helper 1 cells (Th1), T-helper 2 cells (Th2), and T Reg by intracellular staining for interferon (IFN)-gamma and interleukin (IL)-4, and surface staining for CD25, respectively. The immunoregulatory properties of T Reg were assessed by measurement of the inhibitory effects of isolated CD4+CD25+ T Reg on CD4+CD25- T-cell proliferation.

Involvement of interleukin-18 in acute graft-versus-host disease in mice.

Background: Interleukin (IL)-18 stimulates T helper 1 (Th1)-mediated immune responses and the development of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Antihost CTLs are major effectors in acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD), a potentially fatal complication after allogeneic stem-cell transplantation. We investigated the relevant role of IL-18 in the development of aGvHD in mice.

Association of Helicobacter pylori with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and hemolytic uremic syndrome after bone marrow transplantation.

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) has attracted attention as a complication of bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The association of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and hemolytic uremic syndrome (TTP/HUS) after BMT was studied.

Differential upregulation of interleukin-18 receptor alpha chain between CD4+ and CD8+ T cells during acute graft-versus-host disease in mice.

Interleukin-18 (IL-18), a unique cytokine that stimulates both T helper 1 (Th1) and Th2 responses, is associated with acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD), the major limiting toxicity following allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Here, we investigated the mechanism underlying the upregulation of IL-18 receptor (IL-18R) expression on T cells in murine aGVHD models. The induction of aGVHD elevated host serum IL-12 levels and increased expression of IL-18Ralpha chain (IL-18Ralpha) on engrafted T cells, in particular on CD8+ T cells.

Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia following stem cell transplantation.

Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) can occur after stem cell transplantation, but the aetiology is unknown. Based on the association between angiitis syndrome and Helicobacter pylori infection, we identified possible risk factors common to these two conditions. Among 83 patients who underwent stem cell transplantation, four developed IIP.

Similarity between hepatic graft-versus-host disease and primary biliary cirrhosis.

Similarities between hepatic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) have been reported recently. To examine this association, we studied 60 patients who underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) consecutively at a single medical institution.Among the 60 patients, 12 developed hepatic GVHD after BMT and 48 did not.

Interleukin 18 and hepatocyte growth factor in fulminant hepatic failure of adult onset Still's disease.

Adult onset Still's disease (AOSD) is a rheumatoid disorder characterized by polyarthritis, intermittent high fever, and salmon colored rashes. Liver dysfunction is usually mild and fulminant liver failure is rare. We describe a 20-year-old woman with AOSD and severe hepatic necrosis leading to hepatic failure requiring liver transplant.

Enhancing effect of advanced glycation end products on serotonin-induced platelet aggregation in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are thought to be responsible for some complications of diabetes mellitus (DM), including microangiopathy. Plasma serotonin is increased in diabetes mellitus patients, and this increase is related, at least in part, to platelet hyperfunction. In order to clarify the relationship between advanced glycation end products, serotonin, and thrombotic complications in diabetes mellitus patients, we examined the effect of advanced glycation end products on serotonin-induced platelet aggregation.

Intestinal graft-versus-host disease: mechanisms and management.

Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation remains the treatment of choice for a number of malignancies. However, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) has long been regarded as a serious complication of this procedure. Although GVHD may affect any organ, intestinal GVHD is particularly important because of its frequency, severity and impact on the general condition of the patient.

Effects of total body irradiation on the vascular endothelium.

Total body irradiation (TBI) is used as conditioning for stem cell transplantation. We studied its effects on the vascular endothelium in 55 consecutive patients undergoing stem cell transplantation with TBI (TBI group n=35) or without TBI (non-TBI group: n=20). Fifty patients underwent bone marrow transplantation and five underwent peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.

Increased expression of interleukin-18 receptor on T lymphocytes in patients with acute graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD), a potentially fatal side effect of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT), is initiated by the action of donor-derived T lymphocytes. We have shown previously that aGVHD is associated with elevated serum levels of interleukin-18 (IL-18). In this study, we analyzed the expression of the IL-18 receptor (IL-18R) on T lymphocytes of BMT patients with aGVHD.

Intracellular alkalinization augments platelet aggregation due to increase in cytosolic free-Ca2+.

Intracellular pH is known to increase during agonist-induced platelet activation. In order to elucidate the role of intracellular alkalinization in platelet activation, the effects of NH4Cl, as a tool to induce intracellular alkalinization, on ionomycin-induced platelet activation were investigated. NH4Cl (2.

Common features in the onset of ARDS after administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.

Study Objective: Respiratory disturbance caused by ARDS has been reported during administration of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor. The clinical features of such respiratory distress were investigated in this study.

Design: Retrospective case review.

Expression of the antiapoptosis gene survivin in human leukemia.

Loss of the inhibition of apoptosis is important in leukemogenesis and may influence the prognosis. Survivin is an inhibitor of apoptosis that shows selective expression during fetal development and in human malignancies. Survivin expression was examined in human leukemias using the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.

Suitability of four polymorphic DNA markers for indirect genetic diagnosis of haemophilia A in Japanese subject.

Indirect genetic diagnosis using polymorphic DNA markers can detect carriers of haemophilia A (HA). These markers include CA repeat polymorphisms at intron 13 (CA-13) and CT-AG at intron 22 of the coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) gene, and also certain restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) such as HindIII at intron 19 and BclI at intron 18. Recently, CA repeat polymorphism at intron 6 (CA-6) was also reported.

Clinical significance of vascular endothelial growth factor and hepatocyte growth factor in multiple myeloma.

Angiogenesis is a crucial process in the progression of multiple myeloma (MM). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) are multifunctional cytokines that potently stimulate angiogenesis including tumour neovascularization. Serum levels of VEGF and HGF were measured in 52 patients with MM by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Involvement of phosphorylation of Tyr-31 and Tyr-118 of paxillin in MM1 cancer cell migration.

We demonstrated previously that rat ascites hepatoma MM1 cells require both lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and fibronectin (FN) for phagokinetic motility and transcellular migration and that these events are regulated through the RhoA-ROCK pathway. It remains to be elucidated, however, how the signals from both LPA and FN are integrated into cell migration. To examine this, total cellular lysates after stimulation with LPA or FN were subjected to time-course immunoblot analysis with anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies (Abs).