Novel enhanced green fluorescent protein-expressing NOG mouse for analyzing the microenvironment of xenograft tissues.

The interaction between transplanted cells and host tissues is important for the growth and maintenance of transplanted cells. To analyze the mechanisms of these interactions, a systemic fluorescent protein-expressing mouse is a useful recipient. In this study, we generated a novel NOG strain, which strongly expresses enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP; PgkEGFP-NOG), especially in the liver, kidney, gastrointestinal tract, and testis.

Significant relationship between platelet activation and intra-media thickness of the carotid artery in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease.

Introduction: We have studied the relationship between the ratio of activated platelets and the thickness of intima and media of the carotid artery in ischemic CVD patients in the chronic stage.

Methods: Platelet activation was assessed by means of flow cytometry of whole blood using activation-dependent monoclonal antibodies (MoAb). Forty-one MRI-proven normative subjects and 55 patients with a history of ischemic CVD were examined.

[Biochemistry of platelet membrane glycoproteins].

Platelet membranes are rich in glycoproteins which mediate the key functions of platelets, adhesion and aggregation, by their binding of specific adhesive proteins. The membrane glycoproteins were initially identified by surface labeling with 125I or 3H followed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Many of these glycoproteins are now cloned and sequenced and have been found to be members of major gene families, such as integrin, leucine rich glycoprotein (LRG), selectin, etc.

Platelet activation in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and effects of nasal-continuous positive airway pressure.

Objective: Our study was undertaken to determine whether increased platelet activation occurs in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and whether a therapy with nasal-continuous positive airway pressure (N-CPAP) alters this activation.

Methods: We measured the positive rate of activated platelets using activation-dependent monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) and flow cytometry in whole blood from 94 patients with OSAS, and from 31 age-matched controls. Thrombotic vascular diseases were surveyed as a background of alternative of platelet activation.

Platelet activation in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Objective: To elucidate the mechanisms of thrombocytopenia in chronic hepatitis C (CHC), we investigated platelet activation in patients with chronic viral liver diseases.

Methods: Platelet activation was evaluated with flow cytometry in twenty-five patients with chronic viral hepatitis and 11 patients with liver cirrhosis of viral etiology. Liver biopsies were carried out in all patients.

Large diversity in transport-mediated methotrexate resistance in human leukemia cell line CCRF-CEM established in a high concentration of leucovorin.

To elucidate the mechanism(s) of methotrexate (MTX) resistance as a possible reason underlying treatment failure in high-dose MTX regimens combined with leucovorin (LV) rescue, we established MTX-resistant human T-cell leukemia cell line CCRF-CEM cells in the presence of excess LV, and characterized their properties. Continuous exposure of the cells to escalating concentrations of MTX up to 20 microM in the presence of 1000 nM LV resulted in establishment of three MTX-resistant sublines with a wide disparity of resistance degree over a 4 logarithmic range (approximately 40-, 900- and 44,000-fold, respectively). Transmembrane transport of MTX in these sublines was diminished to 52%, 35% and 12%, respectively.

Simple, rapid, and automated method for detection of hyperaggregability of platelets using a hematology analyzer.

Estimation of hyperaggregability of platelets is important for diagnosis and prevention of vascular events. We have developed and evaluated a simple and rapid method for detection of a hyperaggregable state of platelets by using an Abbott CELL-DYN(R) 4000 hematology analyzer. Citrated blood samples were collected from 62 patients with chronic cerebral infarction (CCI), of whom 19 patients were treated with ticlopidine, and from 9 healthy subjects.

Quantitative assay of hepatitis C virus RNA using an automated extraction system for specific capture with probes and paramagnetic particle separation.

A commercially available automated specimen preparation instrument for specific probe capture and paramagnetic separation has been developed (AmpliCap/GT-12; Roche Molecular Systems). We evaluated assay performance of the AmpliCap/GT-12 in the quantitative assay for hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA with the AMPLICOR HCV MONITOR Test (version 2.0).

Extensive wall thickening in intestinal Burkitt lymphoma.

Objective: To evaluate intestinal lesions in Burkitt lymphoma.

Methods: Ultrasonography was used in the initial evaluation of 6 Japanese patients with intestinal Burkitt lymphoma.

Results: Ultrasonography revealed marked wall thickening of the colon from the cecum through either the ascending or the transverse colon, which led to a target sign (4 cases) or a pseudokidney sign (2 cases).

Smoldering myeloma associated with zonisamide treatment.

A 39-year-old man was found to have hyperproteinemia after being treated with zonisamide for 10 years. Laboratory examination revealed a serum M-protein which consisted of IgG (lambda) and an increased number of plasma cells in the bone marrow, resulting in a diagnosis of smoldering myeloma. Considering his age, zonisamide was suspected to play an etiologic role in the occurrence of smoldering myeloma.

ACQUISITION OF COMPETENCE FOR CULMINATION DURING FINGER FORMATION IN DICTYOSTELIUM DISCOIDEUM.

Finger-like structures of the cellular slime mold, Dictyostelium discoideum, were disrupted with a fine needle and the resulting cell masses were allowed to develop. When complete fingers formed under overhead lighting were disrupted, the cell masses rapidly became transformed into fruiting bodies. Development of similar cell masses from fingers reared in the dark was affected by the lighting conditions after disruption: under overhead lighting the cell masses rapidly culminated; under unilateral lighting, they formed fingers again and then migrating slugs.