Influencing factors in quantitative measurement using activated platelet levels and platelet-activating capacity for the assessment of thrombosis in pre-metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Activated platelet levels and platelet-activating capacity are well recognized as useful index parameters for the physiological and pharmacological prediction of thrombotic events. Recently, quantitative measurements for platelet functions using a flow cytometer have been increasing gradually. However, the relation of physiological factors, such as sex, aging, and laboratory tests, to platelet functions has not been well documented.

Development of an improved assay system for activated platelet counts and evaluation by aspirin monitoring.

Platelets represent a linkage among inflammation, thrombosis, and atherogenesis, and enhanced platelet activation is regarded as a risk for thrombotic disorders. The level of P-selectin expressed (CD62P) on the platelet surface is a useful marker of activated platelets (aPLT). Although CD62P has been measured briefly by flow cytometry using an anti-CD62P antibody, the assay remains imprecise and we tried to establish stable conditions for its measurement.

Longitudinal study of a health education program for Japanese women in menopause.

In this longitudinal intervention study, a 6 week health education program consisting of lectures and exercises was implemented for 39 Japanese menopausal women. The effects of the program were assessed by measuring their exercise participation, climacteric symptoms, and quality of life immediately before, 6 weeks after, and 1 year after the program. The Simplified Menopausal Index was used to assess the climacteric symptoms and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health (SF-36) Survey was used to assess the quality of life.

Tranilast, an anti-allergic drug, down-regulates the growth of cultured neurofibroma cells derived from neurofibromatosis type 1.

Neurofibromas are benign tumors that comprise primarily of Schwann cells and fibroblasts. Mast cells have been found scattered in the tumor tissue, and their role in promoting the proliferation of neurofibroma has been suggested. Tranilast (N-[3,4-dimethoxycinnamolyl]anthranilic acid) is an anti-allergic drug that inhibits release of the chemical mediators from mast cells and it used for the treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars by its inhibition of growth-promoting transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta(1) from fibroblasts.

Exploration of hematological and immunological changes associated with the severity of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Japan.

It has been postulated that immune modulation and activation play an important role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but evidence for this has not yet been well documented. We explored the changes in peripheral immunocompetent cells in relationship to the severity of T2DM in 142 patients, and 34 healthy individuals in Japan. A severity index with 0-12 grades was derived based on the HbA1c level and the number of complications.

A novel epsilon gamma delta beta thalassemia of 1.4 Mb deletion found in a Japanese patient.

A novel large deletion, causing epsilon gamma delta beta thalassemia (here called, epsilon gamma delta beta thalassemia Jpn-I) was discovered in a 6-year-old Japanese boy. He was born uneventfully, but revealed thalassemia minor after birth. The mutation was inherited from his mother.

Therapeutic effect of dendritic cells loaded with a fusion mRNA encoding tyrosinase-related protein 2 and enhanced green fluorescence protein on B16 melanoma.

Dendritic cells (DCs) loaded with messenger RNA (mRNA) have been proposed to be useful for inducing specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes against tumor antigens. It is now also apparent that tumor antigen-specific T cell tolerance limits the efficacy of active immunotherapy. To improve the efficacy of mRNA-loaded DCs, we constructed a fusion mRNA encoding tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TRP2), which has a late endosomal/lysosomal sorting signal and enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP), and evaluated its effect in a murine melanoma model.

Evaluation of an mRNA lipofection procedure for human dendritic cells and induction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes against enhanced green fluorescence protein.

We utilized an mRNA lipofection procedure in human dendritic cells (DCs) and attempted to induce cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) against enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP). EGFP mRNA was transfected into phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated lymphocytes or adherent peripheral blood mononuclear cell-derived DCs using a liposomal reagent. Lipofection efficiency was measured by flow cytometry.