Hyporesponsiveness against donor's ABO antigens of renal grafts after ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation.

Background: ABO antigens expressed on the red blood cells (RBCs) are not identical to those expressed on the renal endothelial cells. The isohemagglutinin assay employing the RBCs is the gold standard for evaluating anti-ABO antibody (Ab) levels. However, it remains unclear whether the anti-ABO Abs detected by the isohemagglutinin assay after ABO-incompatible (ABOi) kidney transplantations (KTx) that are not associated with antibody-mediated rejection can bind to renal graft endothelial cells.

A Novel Method of CD31-Combined ABO Carbohydrate Antigen Microarray Predicts Acute Antibody-Mediated Rejection in ABO-Incompatible Kidney Transplantation.

Isohemagglutinin assays employing red blood cells (RBCs) are the most common assays used to measure antibody titer in ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation (ABOi KTx). However, ABO antigens expressed on RBCs are not identical to those of kidney and antibody titers do not always correlate with clinical outcome. We previously reported that CD31 was the main protein linked to ABO antigens on kidney endothelial cells (KECs), which was different from those on RBCs.

Increased LDL susceptibility to oxidation accelerates future carotid artery atherosclerosis.

Background: We analyzed the causal relationship between LDL susceptibility to oxidation and the development of new carotid artery atherosclerosis over a period of 5 years. We previously described the determinants related to a risk of cardiovascular changes determined in a Japanese population participating in the Niigata Study, which is an ongoing epidemiological investigation of the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Methods: We selected 394 individuals (169 males and 225 females) who underwent a second carotid artery ultrasonographic examination in 2001 - 2002 for the present study.

Sleep duration is significantly associated with carotid artery atherosclerosis incidence in a Japanese population.

Background: Previous studies have indicated that sleep duration is associated with total mortality in a U-shaped fashion. The purpose of the current study was to examine the relationship between self-reported sleep duration and carotid artery atherosclerosis in a Japanese population.

Methods: In 2009-2010, a total of 2498 participants (1195 men, 1303 women; age range, 23-92 years) were recruited from members of a Japanese community receiving annual health check-up at a local health center who agreed to participate in the study.

[Results of antifungal susceptibility testing of Candida species and trends of antifungal use in Niigata university medical and dental hospital].

The accuracy of antifungal susceptibility testing is important for the clinical management of patients with serious infections due to fungus. Our primary objective was to analyze the results of antifungal susceptibility testing of Candida species performed at Niigata University Medical and Dental Hospital and usage of antifungal agents. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed by the CLSI M27-A2 method.

[Report on a training course for clinical research coordinators].

Recently, nurses and pharmacists have become to play important roles in clinical trials as clinical research coordinators (CRC). However, clinical laboratory personnel have a very few chances to contribute to such tasks. CRCs have responsibility to protect the human rights, to assure the safety of volunteers during studies, and to keep quality of data.