Marked reduction in the incidence of transfusion-transmitted hepatitis B virus infection after the introduction of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen and individual donation nucleic acid amplification screening in Japan.

Background: In Japan, 41 million blood donations have been screened for hepatitis B virus (HBV) during the past 8.4 years using individual donation nucleic acid amplification testing (ID-NAT) and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) screening.

Study Design And Methods: Transfusion-transmitted HBV infection (TT-HBV) incidence was examined.

Sequence analysis of two variable cytomegalovirus genes for distinction between transfusion- and breast milk-transmitted infections in a very-low-birthweight infant.

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections in very-low-birthweight infants can lead to serious clinical consequences. When CMV-related symptoms occur after transfusion, CMV transmission is often attributed to the transfusion products rather than to breast milk. However, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between transfusion-transmitted and breast milk-transmitted CMV infections.

Novel DNA sequence isolated from blood donors with high transaminase levels.

Aim:   In Japan, the etiology of 10-20% of cases of acute hepatitis remains unclarified. This study was conducted to verify the agent causing non-A-E hepatitis.

Methods:   Serum samples from 500 blood donors with elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were screened by polymerase chain reaction using primers constructed from conserved areas of RNA virus helicase.

[Risk factors for side effects due to the use of antituberculous drugs in elderly patients].

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate incidence of clinical risk factors for side effects due to the use of antituberculous drugs.

Method: We retrospectively analyzed clinical records of 229 elderly patients with tuberculosis treated at our hospital.

Results: Temporary stop of antituberculous therapy proved to be needed because of side effects in 77 patients (33.

Lengths of hepatitis B viremia and antigenemia in blood donors: preliminary evidence of occult (hepatitis B surface antigen-negative) infection in the acute stage.

Background: The Japanese Red Cross (JRC) implemented a fully automated pooling and nucleic acid amplification test (NAT) system for testing seronegative donations. The JRC sample repository and repeat blood donations allowed for lookback and follow-up studies of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA-positive donors, who tested negative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-hepatitis B core antigen in the JRC screening system.

Study Design And Methods: From February 1, 2000, to March 31, 2003, 17,314,486 units were tested in 50-sample pools with a semiautomated multiplex assay system (AMPLINAT MPX test, Roche).

CYP3A4 inhibitory activity of new bisalkaloids, dipiperamides D and E, and cognates from white pepper.

Two new bisalkaloids, dipiperamides D and E, were isolated as inhibitors of a drug metabolizing enzyme cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 from the white pepper, Piper nigrum. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Dipiperamides D and E showed potent CYP3A4 inhibition with IC(50) values of 0.