Usefulness of HbA1c Measurements by HPLC- and Immuno-Assay for Screening Unstable Hemoglobinopathy.

Objective: Unstable hemoglobinopathy (UH), red blood cell membrane disease (MD), and red blood cell enzymopathy are known as major congenital hemolytic anemias. Specialized examinations are needed for their differential diagnosis. We hypothesized that simultaneous measurements of HbA1c levels using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) by fast mode (FM) and immunoassay [HPLC (FM)-HbA1c and IA-HbA1c, respectively] are useful for the differential diagnosis of UH from other congenital hemolytic anemias and verified this hypothesis in this study.

Pilot evaluation of a HER2 testing in non-small-cell lung cancer.

Aims: HER2-positivity pattern in the specimens of immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) has been hardly reported in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: We evaluated the characteristics of HER2-positivity pattern in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples using IHC and FISH in 15 patients enrolled in a larger prospective cohort study to survey a HER2-positive NSCLC.

Results: As for the immunostaining pattern, most specimens (79%) demonstrated incomplete or mixed-typed membranous immunoreactivity with heterogeneity, resembling that observed in gastric cancer rather than breast cancer.

Graft-versus-leukemia effect with a WT1-specific T-cell response induced by azacitidine and donor lymphocyte infusions after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Background: Azacitidine (Aza) and donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) therapy has recently been reported as an effective salvage therapy for relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Despite the high response rate and relatively long period of remission, most patients relapse again. The immunologic mechanism of the response and limited efficacy remain unknown.

Vigorous inflammatory responses in noninfectious pulmonary complication induced by donor lymphocyte infusion.

Background: Donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) is used for treatment of hematologic malignancy relapse or mixed chimerism after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Although graft-versus-host disease is well recognized as one of the adverse effects of DLI, there are limited reports on noninfectious pulmonary complications (NIPCs) after DLI.

Case Report: A 55-year-old woman with acute myeloid leukemia received DLI for conversion from recipient predominant to complete donor chimerism on Day +193 after allogeneic HSCT.

[Reversed clinicopathological conference (R-CPC)--interpreting laboratory data in the same way as physical findings].

Routine laboratory data are discussed by time series analysis in reversed clinicopathological conferences (R-CPC) at Shinshu University School of Medicine. We can identify fine changes in the laboratory data and the importance of negative data (without any changes) using time series analysis. Routine laboratory tests can be performed repeatedly and relatively cheaply, and time series analysis can be performed.

Genotyping and mapping assay of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in CYP3A5 using DNA-binding zinc(II) complexes.

Objective: It is clinically important to detect the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of CYP3A53 (6986A>G) associated with enzymatic activity for drug metabolism. The aim of this study was to establish an accurate strategy for SNP screening.

Design And Methods: Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) using zinc(II) complexes were applied for SNP detection.

CGI-58 facilitates lipolysis on lipid droplets but is not involved in the vesiculation of lipid droplets caused by hormonal stimulation.

A lipid droplet (LD)-associated protein, perilipin, is a critical regulator of lipolysis in adipocytes. We previously showed that Comparative Gene Identification-58 (CGI-58), a product of the causal gene of Chanarin-Dorfman syndrome, interacts with perilipin on LDs. In this study, we investigated the function of CGI-58 using RNA interference.

Pirfenidone modulates airway responsiveness, inflammation, and remodeling after repeated challenge.

We investigated the therapeutic potential of a newly developed antifibrotic agent, pirfenidone, to regulate airway remodeling and the development of allergic airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness after chronic allergen challenge. Administration of pirfenidone after sensitization but during the period of ovalbumin challenge significantly prevented the development of airway hyperresponsiveness and prevented eosinophil and lymphocyte accumulation in the airways. IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and ovalbumin-specific serum IgE antibody levels were also significantly reduced.