Immunochromatography-Application Example and POCT Type Genetic Testing.

Membrane-based rapid test reagents including immunochromatography are widely used in clinical practice. Recently, high-sensitive reagents based on the immunochromatography method, such as silver amplification method and time resolved fluorescence method for influenza testing, has been developed and early confirmation of infection can be achieved. Furthermore, genetic testing, automated all the steps from extraction till detection, is getting popular.

Zinc ascorbate has superoxide dismutase-like activity and in vitro antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.

Background: Acne vulgaris is a common dermatological disease, and its pathogenesis is multifactorial.

Objective: We examined whether the ascorbic acid derivative zinc ascorbate has superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity. SOD is an enzyme that controls reactive oxygen species production.

Susceptibility of Propionibacterium acnes isolated from patients with acne vulgaris to zinc ascorbate and antibiotics.

Purpose: The in vitro antimicrobial activity of ascorbic acid derivatives against Propionibacterium acnes was tested either alone or in combination with a variety of antimicrobial agents, and their fractional inhibitory concentration index was determined using checkerboard tests. The antimicrobial effectiveness of zinc ascorbate in the treatment of acne vulgaris, either alone or in combination with antibiotics such as clindamycin that are commonly used in Japan for the treatment of acne vulgaris, was therefore examined.

Materials And Methods: The antimicrobial susceptibility of 41 strains of clindamycin-sensitive and/or clindamycin-resistant P.

A study of urinary myo-inositol as a sensitive marker of glucose intolerance.

Background: We assessed the possibility of using myo-inositol as a marker of glucose intolerance.

Methods: We measured urinary myo-inositol enzymatically before and 2 h after a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test in 564 volunteers, who were divided into four groups [normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and diabetes mellitus (DM)]. Furthermore, we classified NGT into NGT-A (2-h blood glucose <120 mg/dl and 2-h glucosuria <50 mg/dl) and NGT-B (remaining NGT subjects).

Determination of urinary myo-inositol concentration by an improved enzymatic cycling method using myo-inositol dehydrogenase from Flavobacterium sp.

Background: To determine myo-inositol more accurately, we improved the enzymatic cycling method.

Methods: We screened myo-inositol dehydrogenase (MIDH; EC.1.