BACKGROUND: The severity of hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) due to Diego b (Di b) mismatch... more BACKGROUND: The severity of hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) due to Diego b (Di b) mismatch ranges from no symptoms to severe jaundice that requires exchange transfusion (ET). The clinical significance of anti-Di b is incompletely recognized. CASE REPORT: A male newborn, referred with jaundice, was revealed to have HDN due to Di b mismatch and was treated successfully with phototherapy and high-dose intravenous gamma globulin (IVGG). STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The literature of HDN caused by Di b mismatch was reviewed. The cases were classified into three groups according to their severity: the mildest needed no therapy (NO), the moderate group received phototherapy alone (PHOTO), and the most severe was treated with ET and/or highdose IVGG therapy plus phototherapy (ET/IVGG). RESULTS: Among 27 cases of HDN due to Di b reported to date, 10, 6, and 11 cases required NO, PHOTO, and ET/IVGG, respectively. A significant correlation (p < 0.01) was found between the maternal anti-Di b titer and the severity of the disease when the ET/IVGG group was compared with the NO group. All mothers of the group that needed ET/IVGG had an anti-Di b titer of 64 or greater. CONCLUSION: A maternal high titer (≥64) of anti-Di b is associated with a higher risk of severe hyperbilirubinemia for mismatched newborns.
A monoclonal antibody, TM316, IgM kappa, was raised against the human monocytoid leukaemia cell l... more A monoclonal antibody, TM316, IgM kappa, was raised against the human monocytoid leukaemia cell line THP-1, and was shown to inhibit polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN) chemotaxis. The molecular weight (MW) of the protein on the PMN membrane with which TM316 bound was about 78,000. TM316 inhibited the chemotactic response of human PMN induced by at least three kinds of chemotactic factors (activated serum, N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine (FMLP), and a lymphocyte-derived chemotactic factor (LDCF)) to the same extent. The extent of inhibition of chemotaxis by TM316 was strongly correlated with the quantity of cellular surface antigen recognized by TM316, when a cell sorter was used for analysis. TM316 did not alter the number of Fc or complement receptors of PMN, nor did it affect luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence (CL), lysosomal enzyme release, adherence, or superoxide anion generation by PMN. TM316 seemed to recognize a common surface antigen which was necessary only for the process of chemotaxis.
Background: Bernard-Soulier syndrome, a lack of glycoprotein IB/IX, is a rare autosomal recessive... more Background: Bernard-Soulier syndrome, a lack of glycoprotein IB/IX, is a rare autosomal recessive bleeding disorder characterized by platelet dysfunction. Women with Bernard-Soulier syndrome are at risk of being immunized against glycoprotein IB/IX, leading to severe isoimmune neonatal thrombocytopenia. Case: A 26-year-old Japanese woman, gravida 1, para 0, with Bernard-Soulier syndrome presented at 35 weeks' gestation with changes in fetal heart rate patterns and ultrasonographic findings that strongly suggested fetal intracranial hemorrhage. Management was by cesarean hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy at 36 weeks, but the neonate died 6 hours after birth. Conclusion: Maternal immunization to glycoprotein IB/IX during pregnancy can cause severe fetal thrombocytopenia and massive intracranial bleeding.
To speed collection of blood for autologous transfusion during elective surgery, patients may be ... more To speed collection of blood for autologous transfusion during elective surgery, patients may be given recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO). In a controlled trial, we evaluated the effects of r-HuEPO on perioperative red-blood-cell and serum erythropoietin (s-EPO) production in patients donating blood before elective orthopaedic surgery. Patients were assigned randomly to receive no r-HuEPO (12 patients), or 3000 U (4), 6000 U (5), or 9000 U (4) of r-HuEPO intravenously twice a week from the time of the first blood donation. All patients received iron sulphate. 1200 ml blood was collected from each patient in three weekly donations of 400 ml. The 3000, 6000, and 9000 U treatment groups produced 284, 350, and 383 ml, respectively, of red cells during donation, and the untreated controls produced 211 ml. s-EPO concentrations were within the normal range during donation. After surgery, s-EPO concentrations peaked on postoperative day 1 in untreated patients and on day 7 in treated patients; therefore, r-HuEPO may suppress endogenous erythropoietin secretion. Although administration of r-HuEPO increases production of red blood cells, the preoperative anaemia induced by repeated phlebotomy without r-HuEPO may accelerate the postoperative secretion of endogenous erythropoietin.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1986
Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita has been recognized as a rare autoimmune mechanobullous disorder ... more Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita has been recognized as a rare autoimmune mechanobullous disorder since the detection of immunoglobulin and complement deposits along the basement membrane zone. A circulating anti-basement membrane zone antibody has also been detected in some cases. We are reporting a case of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita in which clinical symptoms were well correlated with the circulating anti-basement membrane zone antibody titers. Although the patient initially responded very well to corticosteroid therapy, remission could not be maintained without increasing the dosage. Other therapies, including azathioprine, dapsone, vitamin E, and gold sodium thiomalate, produced no beneficial effects. Although a high dose of oral corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide decreased the antibody titer and blister formation, this therapy had to be terminated because of side effects. Plasma exchange therapy in combination with corticosteroid and low-dose cyclophosphamide resulted in a marked decrease of the anti-basement membrane zone antibody titer and clinical improvement. Thus plasma exchange therapy may be a useful adjunct to conventional treatments for patients with epidermolysis bullosa acquisita.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1992
Background: Although more than 200 cases of neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) have been reported... more Background: Although more than 200 cases of neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) have been reported, the prognosis, clinical characteristics, and genetic background of the patients are still obscure. Their symptoms seem to vary in different races., Objective: We had an opportunity to see two clinically different types of NLE. It is important to define the clinical characteristics in Japanese cases and to compare them to caucasian NLE cases reported earlier. Methods: Sixty Japanese infants with NLE and their mothers reported in Japan were investigated and compared with cases reported from other countries. Results: Japanese cases were highly associated with anti-SS-A/Ro, anti-SS-B fLa, anti-ribonuclear protein, and anti-DNA antibodies. A low frequency of congenital heart block was noted but 8.3% of the cases progressed to systemic lupus erythematosus. HLA-DRwI2 was a significantly relative risk in NLE. Conclusion: The clinical characteristics of Japanese NLE patients were different from those of caucasian patients reported in the literature.
Neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT) is a rare but clinically important etiology of intrac... more Neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT) is a rare but clinically important etiology of intracranial hemorrhage. There have been no reported cases of intracranial hemorrhage caused by anti-group A or anti-group B antibodies. A Japanese boy weighing 1550 g was born at 37 weeks. He suffered from refractory thrombocytopenia and developed severe intracranial hemorrhage on his second day. Despite repeated platelet, red-cell and freshfrozen-plasma transfusions, he died at day 10 of life. Serological studies and genotyping of the patient and his parents were performed. There were no incompatible genotypes of platelet antigens between the patient and the mother. Serological studies revealed that the mother had extremely high-titer anti-group A immunoglobulin G 2 (4096-fold) that reacted strongly with the father's platelets. The reaction against the father's platelets disappeared when her serum was adsorbed with group A red blood cells. Maternal anti-group A antibody was associated with NAIT and severe bilateral intracranial hemorrhage.
and ability of the children. Results: The preschool children ingested a mean(+_ SD) of 5600 _+ 21... more and ability of the children. Results: The preschool children ingested a mean(+_ SD) of 5600 _+ 2100 mg of sucrose per kilogram of body weight per day while on the sucrose diet, 38 _+ 13 mg of aspartame per kilogram per day while On the aspartame diet, and 12 _+ 4.5 mg of saccharin per kilogram per day while on the saccharin diet. The school-age children considered to be sensitive to sugar ingested 4500 _+ 1200 mg of sucrose per kilogram, 32 _+ 8.9 nag of aspartame per kilogram, and 9.9 _+ 3.9 mg of saccharin per kilogram, respectively. For the children described as Sugar sensitive, there were no significant differences among the three diets in any of 39 behavioral and cognitive variables. For the preschool children, only 4 of the 31 measures differed significantly among the three diets, and there was no consistent pattern in the differences that were observed. Conclusions: Even when intake exceeds typical dietary levels, neither dietary sucrose nor aspartame affects children's behavior or cognitive function.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV), transmitted by hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive mothers by intraut... more Hepatitis B virus (HBV), transmitted by hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive mothers by intrauterine infection, infecting newborns, is closely related to signs and symptoms associated with miscarriage. However, no correlation was observed between intrauterine infection of infants and the presence of antibodies of immunoglobulin M (IgM) class antibodies against hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) in maternal blood, nor was HBeAg found in maternal or cord sera. These results indicate that contamination by the mother's blood, through placental leakage, plays an important role in HBV infection in utero. Without placental leakage, maternal blood could not pass through the placenta and enter fetal circulation, and so intrauterine infection would not occur, even if very high titers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBeAg were present in maternal blood.
All specimens received in the blood bank over a 5-month period for crossmatch or group and screen... more All specimens received in the blood bank over a 5-month period for crossmatch or group and screen requests were tested in parallel by a polyethylene glycol-indirect antiglobulin test (PEG-IAT) and a low-ionic-strength saline (LISS)-IAT. The sera of 41 of 1471 patients had reactions, with 50 antibodies being detected. Ten antibodies reacted only on the PEG-IAT and 14 only by the LISS-IAT; the remaining 26 antibodies were detected by both methods. Of the antibodies that reacted only by the LISS-IAT, one (anti-Jka) was considered clinically significant, whereas five of the antibodies that reacted only by the PEG-IAT (1 anti-c, 2-Fya, 1-Jkb, and 1-S) were considered significant. Two antibodies of questionable clinical significance were detected only by the PEG-IAT. In 97 percent of the sera tested, no reaction was detected by either method. The PEG-IAT is an acceptable technique for routine compatibility testing.
The International journal of developmental biology, 1998
To examine the presence and distribution of Six family gene products in a variety of tissues at v... more To examine the presence and distribution of Six family gene products in a variety of tissues at various developmental stages and in various cell types, we prepared specific antibodies against recombinant Six gene products. The distribution of Six2 and Six4 was examined by immunostaining in the developing mouse embryo. Production of Six2 was detected at E8.5 mainly in the mesenchyme, while Six4 was present in nuclei of neuronal cells in the peripheral region of the mantle layer of developing brain and spinal cord and in various ganglia at E10.5 and E11.5. Specific DNA binding activities of the Six proteins were analyzed by gel retardation super-shift assays using nuclear extracts from different rat tissues and cell lines. Six5 was the dominant isoform observed in the adult kidney, liver and lung but not in the brain. Six4 was not detected in all tested adult tissues, however, it was present in embryonic (FD21) lung nuclear extracts. In contrast, Six4 was detected in a variety of cult...
Pediatrics international : official journal of the Japan Pediatric Society, 2005
There is little data on the evolution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) quasispecies in infants infected... more There is little data on the evolution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) quasispecies in infants infected by mother-to-infant transmission during long-term follow up. The hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) of the HCV genome was investigated in two mother-infant pairs from birth to 7.6 and 10.2 years, respectively. Ten cDNA clones of HVR1 generated from HCV-RNA and extracted from serum samples of both pairs were analyzed. The sequences were compared with regard to variability, identity, and hydrophobia profile, and analyzed by phylogenetic studies. The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level was high with fluctuation in infant A and almost within the normal range in infant B. Sequence diversity was higher in infant A at 7.6 years than in infant B at 9.3 years (sequence identity with the mothers'; 69.3-70.7% vs 85.3-90.7% for nucleotides, and 48% vs 68-72% for amino acids, respectively). Compared to the first samples, amino acid changes greatly increased in infant A (35.2% at 4.9 years and 52% at...
Oxygen permeability is important in platelet storage media. We compared a new polyolefin containe... more Oxygen permeability is important in platelet storage media. We compared a new polyolefin container with enhanced oxygen permeability (PO-80, Kawasumi, Tokyo, Japan) to a widely used alternative (PL2410, Baxter Healthcare, Illinois, USA).
Granulocyte transfusion therapy (GTX) can be effective for life-threatening infections unresponsi... more Granulocyte transfusion therapy (GTX) can be effective for life-threatening infections unresponsive to conventional antimicrobial therapies in severely neutropenic children with cancer. We developed a new granulocyte collection method, named the 'bag method', in which apheresis, hydroxyethyl starch (HES) or dexamethasone are not used. We undertook a pilot study to determine the feasibility and the safety of GTX collected by the bag method for children with cancer and lifethreatening infections.
BACKGROUND: The severity of hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) due to Diego b (Di b) mismatch... more BACKGROUND: The severity of hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) due to Diego b (Di b) mismatch ranges from no symptoms to severe jaundice that requires exchange transfusion (ET). The clinical significance of anti-Di b is incompletely recognized. CASE REPORT: A male newborn, referred with jaundice, was revealed to have HDN due to Di b mismatch and was treated successfully with phototherapy and high-dose intravenous gamma globulin (IVGG). STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The literature of HDN caused by Di b mismatch was reviewed. The cases were classified into three groups according to their severity: the mildest needed no therapy (NO), the moderate group received phototherapy alone (PHOTO), and the most severe was treated with ET and/or highdose IVGG therapy plus phototherapy (ET/IVGG). RESULTS: Among 27 cases of HDN due to Di b reported to date, 10, 6, and 11 cases required NO, PHOTO, and ET/IVGG, respectively. A significant correlation (p < 0.01) was found between the maternal anti-Di b titer and the severity of the disease when the ET/IVGG group was compared with the NO group. All mothers of the group that needed ET/IVGG had an anti-Di b titer of 64 or greater. CONCLUSION: A maternal high titer (≥64) of anti-Di b is associated with a higher risk of severe hyperbilirubinemia for mismatched newborns.
A monoclonal antibody, TM316, IgM kappa, was raised against the human monocytoid leukaemia cell l... more A monoclonal antibody, TM316, IgM kappa, was raised against the human monocytoid leukaemia cell line THP-1, and was shown to inhibit polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN) chemotaxis. The molecular weight (MW) of the protein on the PMN membrane with which TM316 bound was about 78,000. TM316 inhibited the chemotactic response of human PMN induced by at least three kinds of chemotactic factors (activated serum, N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine (FMLP), and a lymphocyte-derived chemotactic factor (LDCF)) to the same extent. The extent of inhibition of chemotaxis by TM316 was strongly correlated with the quantity of cellular surface antigen recognized by TM316, when a cell sorter was used for analysis. TM316 did not alter the number of Fc or complement receptors of PMN, nor did it affect luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence (CL), lysosomal enzyme release, adherence, or superoxide anion generation by PMN. TM316 seemed to recognize a common surface antigen which was necessary only for the process of chemotaxis.
Background: Bernard-Soulier syndrome, a lack of glycoprotein IB/IX, is a rare autosomal recessive... more Background: Bernard-Soulier syndrome, a lack of glycoprotein IB/IX, is a rare autosomal recessive bleeding disorder characterized by platelet dysfunction. Women with Bernard-Soulier syndrome are at risk of being immunized against glycoprotein IB/IX, leading to severe isoimmune neonatal thrombocytopenia. Case: A 26-year-old Japanese woman, gravida 1, para 0, with Bernard-Soulier syndrome presented at 35 weeks' gestation with changes in fetal heart rate patterns and ultrasonographic findings that strongly suggested fetal intracranial hemorrhage. Management was by cesarean hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy at 36 weeks, but the neonate died 6 hours after birth. Conclusion: Maternal immunization to glycoprotein IB/IX during pregnancy can cause severe fetal thrombocytopenia and massive intracranial bleeding.
To speed collection of blood for autologous transfusion during elective surgery, patients may be ... more To speed collection of blood for autologous transfusion during elective surgery, patients may be given recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO). In a controlled trial, we evaluated the effects of r-HuEPO on perioperative red-blood-cell and serum erythropoietin (s-EPO) production in patients donating blood before elective orthopaedic surgery. Patients were assigned randomly to receive no r-HuEPO (12 patients), or 3000 U (4), 6000 U (5), or 9000 U (4) of r-HuEPO intravenously twice a week from the time of the first blood donation. All patients received iron sulphate. 1200 ml blood was collected from each patient in three weekly donations of 400 ml. The 3000, 6000, and 9000 U treatment groups produced 284, 350, and 383 ml, respectively, of red cells during donation, and the untreated controls produced 211 ml. s-EPO concentrations were within the normal range during donation. After surgery, s-EPO concentrations peaked on postoperative day 1 in untreated patients and on day 7 in treated patients; therefore, r-HuEPO may suppress endogenous erythropoietin secretion. Although administration of r-HuEPO increases production of red blood cells, the preoperative anaemia induced by repeated phlebotomy without r-HuEPO may accelerate the postoperative secretion of endogenous erythropoietin.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1986
Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita has been recognized as a rare autoimmune mechanobullous disorder ... more Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita has been recognized as a rare autoimmune mechanobullous disorder since the detection of immunoglobulin and complement deposits along the basement membrane zone. A circulating anti-basement membrane zone antibody has also been detected in some cases. We are reporting a case of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita in which clinical symptoms were well correlated with the circulating anti-basement membrane zone antibody titers. Although the patient initially responded very well to corticosteroid therapy, remission could not be maintained without increasing the dosage. Other therapies, including azathioprine, dapsone, vitamin E, and gold sodium thiomalate, produced no beneficial effects. Although a high dose of oral corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide decreased the antibody titer and blister formation, this therapy had to be terminated because of side effects. Plasma exchange therapy in combination with corticosteroid and low-dose cyclophosphamide resulted in a marked decrease of the anti-basement membrane zone antibody titer and clinical improvement. Thus plasma exchange therapy may be a useful adjunct to conventional treatments for patients with epidermolysis bullosa acquisita.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1992
Background: Although more than 200 cases of neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) have been reported... more Background: Although more than 200 cases of neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) have been reported, the prognosis, clinical characteristics, and genetic background of the patients are still obscure. Their symptoms seem to vary in different races., Objective: We had an opportunity to see two clinically different types of NLE. It is important to define the clinical characteristics in Japanese cases and to compare them to caucasian NLE cases reported earlier. Methods: Sixty Japanese infants with NLE and their mothers reported in Japan were investigated and compared with cases reported from other countries. Results: Japanese cases were highly associated with anti-SS-A/Ro, anti-SS-B fLa, anti-ribonuclear protein, and anti-DNA antibodies. A low frequency of congenital heart block was noted but 8.3% of the cases progressed to systemic lupus erythematosus. HLA-DRwI2 was a significantly relative risk in NLE. Conclusion: The clinical characteristics of Japanese NLE patients were different from those of caucasian patients reported in the literature.
Neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT) is a rare but clinically important etiology of intrac... more Neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT) is a rare but clinically important etiology of intracranial hemorrhage. There have been no reported cases of intracranial hemorrhage caused by anti-group A or anti-group B antibodies. A Japanese boy weighing 1550 g was born at 37 weeks. He suffered from refractory thrombocytopenia and developed severe intracranial hemorrhage on his second day. Despite repeated platelet, red-cell and freshfrozen-plasma transfusions, he died at day 10 of life. Serological studies and genotyping of the patient and his parents were performed. There were no incompatible genotypes of platelet antigens between the patient and the mother. Serological studies revealed that the mother had extremely high-titer anti-group A immunoglobulin G 2 (4096-fold) that reacted strongly with the father's platelets. The reaction against the father's platelets disappeared when her serum was adsorbed with group A red blood cells. Maternal anti-group A antibody was associated with NAIT and severe bilateral intracranial hemorrhage.
and ability of the children. Results: The preschool children ingested a mean(+_ SD) of 5600 _+ 21... more and ability of the children. Results: The preschool children ingested a mean(+_ SD) of 5600 _+ 2100 mg of sucrose per kilogram of body weight per day while on the sucrose diet, 38 _+ 13 mg of aspartame per kilogram per day while On the aspartame diet, and 12 _+ 4.5 mg of saccharin per kilogram per day while on the saccharin diet. The school-age children considered to be sensitive to sugar ingested 4500 _+ 1200 mg of sucrose per kilogram, 32 _+ 8.9 nag of aspartame per kilogram, and 9.9 _+ 3.9 mg of saccharin per kilogram, respectively. For the children described as Sugar sensitive, there were no significant differences among the three diets in any of 39 behavioral and cognitive variables. For the preschool children, only 4 of the 31 measures differed significantly among the three diets, and there was no consistent pattern in the differences that were observed. Conclusions: Even when intake exceeds typical dietary levels, neither dietary sucrose nor aspartame affects children's behavior or cognitive function.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV), transmitted by hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive mothers by intraut... more Hepatitis B virus (HBV), transmitted by hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive mothers by intrauterine infection, infecting newborns, is closely related to signs and symptoms associated with miscarriage. However, no correlation was observed between intrauterine infection of infants and the presence of antibodies of immunoglobulin M (IgM) class antibodies against hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) in maternal blood, nor was HBeAg found in maternal or cord sera. These results indicate that contamination by the mother's blood, through placental leakage, plays an important role in HBV infection in utero. Without placental leakage, maternal blood could not pass through the placenta and enter fetal circulation, and so intrauterine infection would not occur, even if very high titers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBeAg were present in maternal blood.
All specimens received in the blood bank over a 5-month period for crossmatch or group and screen... more All specimens received in the blood bank over a 5-month period for crossmatch or group and screen requests were tested in parallel by a polyethylene glycol-indirect antiglobulin test (PEG-IAT) and a low-ionic-strength saline (LISS)-IAT. The sera of 41 of 1471 patients had reactions, with 50 antibodies being detected. Ten antibodies reacted only on the PEG-IAT and 14 only by the LISS-IAT; the remaining 26 antibodies were detected by both methods. Of the antibodies that reacted only by the LISS-IAT, one (anti-Jka) was considered clinically significant, whereas five of the antibodies that reacted only by the PEG-IAT (1 anti-c, 2-Fya, 1-Jkb, and 1-S) were considered significant. Two antibodies of questionable clinical significance were detected only by the PEG-IAT. In 97 percent of the sera tested, no reaction was detected by either method. The PEG-IAT is an acceptable technique for routine compatibility testing.
The International journal of developmental biology, 1998
To examine the presence and distribution of Six family gene products in a variety of tissues at v... more To examine the presence and distribution of Six family gene products in a variety of tissues at various developmental stages and in various cell types, we prepared specific antibodies against recombinant Six gene products. The distribution of Six2 and Six4 was examined by immunostaining in the developing mouse embryo. Production of Six2 was detected at E8.5 mainly in the mesenchyme, while Six4 was present in nuclei of neuronal cells in the peripheral region of the mantle layer of developing brain and spinal cord and in various ganglia at E10.5 and E11.5. Specific DNA binding activities of the Six proteins were analyzed by gel retardation super-shift assays using nuclear extracts from different rat tissues and cell lines. Six5 was the dominant isoform observed in the adult kidney, liver and lung but not in the brain. Six4 was not detected in all tested adult tissues, however, it was present in embryonic (FD21) lung nuclear extracts. In contrast, Six4 was detected in a variety of cult...
Pediatrics international : official journal of the Japan Pediatric Society, 2005
There is little data on the evolution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) quasispecies in infants infected... more There is little data on the evolution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) quasispecies in infants infected by mother-to-infant transmission during long-term follow up. The hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) of the HCV genome was investigated in two mother-infant pairs from birth to 7.6 and 10.2 years, respectively. Ten cDNA clones of HVR1 generated from HCV-RNA and extracted from serum samples of both pairs were analyzed. The sequences were compared with regard to variability, identity, and hydrophobia profile, and analyzed by phylogenetic studies. The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level was high with fluctuation in infant A and almost within the normal range in infant B. Sequence diversity was higher in infant A at 7.6 years than in infant B at 9.3 years (sequence identity with the mothers'; 69.3-70.7% vs 85.3-90.7% for nucleotides, and 48% vs 68-72% for amino acids, respectively). Compared to the first samples, amino acid changes greatly increased in infant A (35.2% at 4.9 years and 52% at...
Oxygen permeability is important in platelet storage media. We compared a new polyolefin containe... more Oxygen permeability is important in platelet storage media. We compared a new polyolefin container with enhanced oxygen permeability (PO-80, Kawasumi, Tokyo, Japan) to a widely used alternative (PL2410, Baxter Healthcare, Illinois, USA).
Granulocyte transfusion therapy (GTX) can be effective for life-threatening infections unresponsi... more Granulocyte transfusion therapy (GTX) can be effective for life-threatening infections unresponsive to conventional antimicrobial therapies in severely neutropenic children with cancer. We developed a new granulocyte collection method, named the 'bag method', in which apheresis, hydroxyethyl starch (HES) or dexamethasone are not used. We undertook a pilot study to determine the feasibility and the safety of GTX collected by the bag method for children with cancer and lifethreatening infections.
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