Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 3 detection in the serum of persons exposed to asbestos: A patient-based study.

Exposure to asbestos results in serious risk of developing lung and mesothelial diseases. Currently, there are no biomarkers that can be used to diagnose asbestos exposure. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the levels or detection rate of chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 3 (CCL3) in the serum are elevated in persons exposed to asbestos.

Inversion of the stereochemistry around the sulfur atom of the axial methionine side chain through alteration of amino acid side chain packing in Hydrogenobacter thermophilus cytochrome C552 and its functional consequences.

In cytochrome c, the coordination of the axial Met Sδ atom to the heme Fe atom occurs in one of two distinctly different stereochemical manners, i.e., R and S configurations, depending upon which of the two lone pairs of the Sδ atom is involved in the bond; hence, the Fe-coordinated Sδ atom becomes a chiral center.

[Studies of influenza vaccination among elderly nursing home residents].

We conducted a questionnaire survey of influenza vaccination among elderly nursing home residents, and investigated the actual condition and the view of vaccination of elderly people. There was 272 elderly residents in Nagoya-shi, Kouseiin Medical Welfare Center, they were classified into the bed ridden group; 195cases (71.7%) according to the independence in activities of daily living, and 132cases (48.

Combined effects of panipenem and aminoglycosides on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in vitro.

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are the main causes of refractory infections that are often resistant to antimicrobial agents. In these cases, combination of agents with antimicrobial activity is being examined. However, few studies have investigated combined effects with antimicrobial agents including carbapenem and aminoglycosides.

Bronchoscopic intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide treated against bronchial obstruction caused by peanut aspiration.

We encountered a case of obstructive pneumonia 1 month after peanut aspiration. Bronchoscopic examination revealed obstruction of the right basal bronchus with immature granulation tissue due to the peanut aspiration. Despite antibiotic treatment, the obstruction had not been resolved.

An adult case of Bochdalek hernia complicated with hemothorax.

A 53-year-old female with mild shock due to vomiting and abdominal pain visited the emergency room of our hospital. Chest X-ray on admission showed a large amount of left pleural effusion. Thoracentesis revealed hemorrhagic pleural effusion.

Restriction of amino acid change in influenza A virus H3HA: comparison of amino acid changes observed in nature and in vitro.

We introduced 248 single-point amino acid changes into hemagglutinin (HA) protein of the A/Aichi/2/68 (H3N2) strain by a PCR random mutation method. These changes were classified as positive or negative according to their effect on hemadsorption activity. We observed following results.

[A case of chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis diagnosed using percutaneous intracavitary endoscopy].

A 65-year-old man with pneumoconiosis visited our hospital for dyspnea on effort. Chest radiography and computed tomography on admission showed cavities with an air-fluid level, consolidation in the right lower lung, and right pleural effusion. The thoracic cavity and an infected cyst were drained, and antibiotics were administered.

Analysis of epitope recognition of antibodies induced by DNA immunization against hemagglutinin protein of influenza A virus.

In an effort to find efficient DNA vaccine candidates, cDNA of influenza A virus hemagglutinin (HA) gene and several derived mutants were injected into mice using a gene gun. Mice immunized with HA1 DNA, with or without a membrane domain, showed a humoral immune response and the survival rate against homologous virus challenge was comparable to that of mice injected with HA DNA. In order to analyze epitopes recognized by antibodies induced by gene gun immunization, we used a binding assay employing the chimeric HA protein method.