[Measurement of Liver Fibrosis Marker Targeting Sugar Chain Marker].

The degree of liver fibrosis progression is an important factor in hepatocarcinogenesis, and monitoring liver fibrosis is important for predicting and preventing hepatocellular carcinoma. It is proportional to the appearance of a new hepatitis C therapy, or the expectation of liver fibrosis therapy, and liver fibrosis research is attracting attention. Although the Gold Standard for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis is liver biopsy, various problems, such as in the difficulty of invasive and frequent measurement, exist.

Heme-related molecules induce rapid production of neutrophil extracellular traps.

Background: Pulmonary endothelial cell damages caused by neutrophil overactivation could result in acute lung injuries including transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI). We previously reported that heme-related molecules derived from hemolysis induced the production of reactive oxygen species from neutrophils. Recently, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have been demonstrated to associate with the onset of TRALI.

Non-activated T and B lymphocytes become morphologically distinguishable after detergent treatment.

T and B lymphocytes are difficult to distinguish morphologically even with electron microscopy, and antibodies are generally used to make the distinction. A specific reagent, consisting of nonionic and cationic detergents, is used for leukocyte differentiation using the Sysmex automated blood analyzer. This reagent increases cell membrane porosity and enables the introduction of fluorescent dye into leukocytes.

Morphological and flow-cytometric analysis of haemin-induced human neutrophil activation: implications for transfusion-related acute lung injury.

Background: Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is associated with vascular endothelial cell injury following neutrophil activation. Recently, it has been suggested that haem-related molecules induce activation of neutrophils and that erythrocyte-derived substances contained in blood preparations are involved in TRALI. We observed the morphological effects and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production of haem-related molecules and investigated the effects of signal transduction inhibitors on haem-induced neutrophil activation.

[Scientific support for emerging countries--introduction to activities of a company].

Medical care cost per capita in developing countries is significantly low, only 1/100 of that of developed countries. In these countries, treatment comes first, without sufficient clinical testing. In emerging countries, on the other hand, economic growth increases medical care cost, enabling more clinical testing; however, in many cases, quality control is not sufficiently performed for economic and technical reasons.