9-oxo-ODAs suppresses the proliferation of human cervical cancer cells through the inhibition of CDKs and HPV oncoproteins.

Mucosal human papillomavirus (HPV) subtypes 16 and 18 are causative agents of cervical cancer, a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. In Japan, eggplant calyx is a folk remedy used to treat common warts. 9-oxo-(10E,12E)-octadecadienoic acid, isolated from eggplant calyx, may have antitumor effects. This study investigated the antitumor effects of 9-oxo-(10E, 12Z)-octadecadienoic acid and 9-oxo-(10E,12E)-octadecadienoic acid (9-oxo-ODAs) on human cervical cancer cells. 9-oxo-ODAs suppressed the proliferation of human cervical cancer cell lines (HeLa, and SiHa) in a concentration-dependent manner (IC50 = 25-50 µM). FCM analysis revealed that 9-oxo-ODAs induced apoptosis. Transcriptome, proteomics, and enrichment analyses revealed that treatment with 9-oxo-ODAs significantly altered the cell cycle and p53 pathways and decreased cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) protein expression. Real-time PCR analysis demonstrated that 9-oxo-ODAs reduced CDK1 mRNA expression in a concentration-dependent manner. In vitro, 9-oxo-ODAs reduced the HPV oncoprotein expression. In ex vivo human cervical cancer tissues, 9-oxo-ODAs decreased CDK1 expression and increased cleaved caspase 3, an apoptosis marker. Further, 9-oxo-ODAs showed the potential to suppressed metastatic formation and growth of cervical cancer in vivo. These findings suggest that 9-oxo-ODAs induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in HPV-positive human cervical cancer cells, and this process involves CDK1. Consequently, 9-oxo-ODAs may be potential therapeutic agents for cervical cancer.

Erythrocyte Alloimmunity and Genetic Variance: Results from the Collaborative Study of Alloimmunity to Antigen Diversity in Asian Populations (All ADP).

As an East-Asian international study, we evaluated erythrocyte alloimmunity by gender and history of transfusion or pregnancy. In total, data from more than 1,826,000 patients were analyzed, from whom 26,170 irregular erythrocyte antibodies were detected in 22,653 cases. Antibody frequencies in these cases were as follows: anti-E, 26.8%; anti-Lea, 20.0%; anti-P1, 7.1%; anti-M, 6.4%; anti-Mia, 5.6%; anti-c + E, 5.6%; anti-Leb, 4.6%; anti-D, 2.8%; anti-Fyb, 2.6%; anti-Lea+Leb, 2.5%; anti-Dia, 2.0%; and others. For pregnant patients, anti-D (12.7%) was statistically more frequent. For transfused patients, anti-E (37.3%), anti-c + E (9.5%), anti-C + e (3.3%) and anti-Jka (3.1%) were significantly more frequent.

Development of an improved rapid BACpro® protocol and a method for direct identification from blood-culture-positive bottles using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has been incorporated into pathogenic bacterial identification methods and has improved their rapidity. Various methods have been reported to directly identify bacteria with MALDI-TOF MS by pretreating culture medium in blood culture bottles. Rapid BACpro® (Nittobo Medical Co., Ltd.) is a pretreatment kit for effective collection of bacteria with cationic copolymers. However, the Rapid BACpro® pretreatment kit is adapted only for MALDI Biotyper (Bruker Daltonics K.K.), and there has been a desire to expand its use to VITEK MS (VMS; bioMerieux SA). We improved the protocol and made it possible to analyze with VMS. The culture medium bacteria collection method was changed to a method with centrifugation after hemolysis using saponin; the cationic copolymer concentration was changed to 30% of the original concentration; the sequence with which reagents were added was changed; and a change was made to an ethanol/formic acid extraction method. The improved protocol enhanced the identification performance. When VMS was used, the identification rate was 100% with control samples. With clinical samples, the identification agreement rate with the cell smear method was 96.3%. The improved protocol is effective in blood culture rapid identification, being both simpler and having an improved identification performance compared with the original.

Ability of Food/Drink to Reduce the Bitterness Intensity of Topiramate as Determined by Taste Sensor Analysis.

The purpose of this study was to determine which foods and/or drinks are capable of reducing the bitterness of topiramate when consumed together with the medicine. The inhibitory effects of foods/drinks (yoghurt and nine other foods/drinks) on the bitterness of topiramate (5 mg/mL) were evaluated with a taste sensor using a bitterness-responsive membrane (C00). The effect of topiramate on the taste characteristics of the foods/drinks themselves was also evaluated by taste sensor outputs. The viscosities of the foods/drinks and the influence of the lactic acid and orotic acid components of yoghurt, the most successful of the tested substances in taste masking, on the bitterness of topiramate were also measured. Yoghurt was predicted to be the most effective of the foods/drinks tested in reducing the acidic bitterness-responsive sensor output of topiramate. The outputs of the astringency sensor, sourness sensor, and saltiness sensor to yoghurt were not reduced by the addition of topiramate. The viscosity and lactic acid and orotic acid components of yoghurt seemed to be the keys in reducing the bitterness of topiramate. Yoghurt is predicted to be the food/drink most capable of reducing the bitterness of topiramate without losing the taste of the food/drink itself.

[Evaluation of the Fundamental Performance of 4 Latex Agglutination Reagents to Measure Anti-TP Antibody Concentration and Detailed Investigation of Decision-Mismatched Samples].

Serological diagnosis of syphilis can be made by using the serological test for syphilis (STS) method for detecting a lipid antibody and Treponema pallidum (TP) method for detecting the anti-TP-specific antibody. In STS and TP methods, the basis using latex agglutination reaction has been used in many facilities. However, in latex agglutination, false-positive results due to non-specific reaction have sometimes been obtained in reactions of a routine laboratory test reagent detecting the anti-TP antibody used in our medical laboratory. We evaluated the fundamental performance of 4 reagents to measure anti-TP antibody concentration using latex agglutination: Reagents A, B, C and D produced by SEKISUI MEDICAL, FUJI REBIO, DENKA SEIKEN and SHINO TEST, respectively. We examined the correlations between Reagent A (routine laboratory test reagent) and Reagents B, C, and D in sera from 68 patients, and we performed additional investigation by using a neutralization test, immunochromatography, Western blotting, FTA-ABS (IgG), and STS method by an automatic analyzer for 13 decision-mismatched samples. The fundamental performance of each reagent was as good as that previously reported. Eight of the 13 decision-mismatched samples were false positives due to non-specific reaction of Reagent A. In latex agglutination non-specific reaction is inevitable. However, this study strongly suggests that using a neutralization test and immunochromatography that can be performed quickly is sufficient to verify whether positive reactions are true or false.

9-Oxo-(10E,12E)-octadecadienoic acid, a cytotoxic fatty acid ketodiene isolated from eggplant calyx, induces apoptosis in human ovarian cancer (HRA) cells.

9-Oxo-(10E,12E)-octadecadienoic acid (9-EE-KODE), which is isolated from the calyx of eggplants, exhibits cytotoxic activity against human ovarian cancer (HRA) cells. The aim of the present study is to clarify the action mechanism of 9-EE-KODE leading to cell death. After the treatment of 9-EE-KODE in HRA cells, we found intracellular DNA fragmentation, surface-exposure of phosphatidylserine in the outer cell membrane, and increased caspase-3/7 activities in the HRA cells. The dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential, release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol, down-regulation of Bcl-2, and up-regulation of Bax levels were also found in 9-EE-KODE-treated cells in a dose-dependent manner. These results demonstrated that 9-EE-KODE induced apoptosis in HRA cells via the mitochondrial regulation pathway.

[Evaluation of Basic Performance of "Point Strip ferritin-3000" for Simple and Rapid Quantification of Serum Ferritin].

Serum ferritin is an excellent marker for total iron content in the body and is essential for the diagnosis of iron deficiency or iron overload. Recently, a simple and rapid method, which utilizes immunochromatography for the quantification of serum ferritin, was developed. However, the range of measurement in previous reagents was limited (10-500 ng/mL). This range is rather narrow and is not fully helpful for the diagnosis of iron overload which sometimes occurs as a result of prolonged transfusions, or for monitoring iron contents during iron chelation therapy against iron overload. In the present study we evaluated the basic performance of the newly developed "Point Strip ferritin-3000", which can measure serum ferritin in the range of 300-3,000 ng/mL. Coefficient of variation (CV) s of within and inter-day assays were in the ranges of 7.3-11.1% and 2.1-5.2%, respectively. Using 87 serum samples obtained from the patients with written informed consents, the correlation coefficient was calculated to be 0.93 compared to the control method. In addition, the quantification of serum ferritin by "Point Strip ferritin-3000" was not influenced by bilirubin, hemoglobin, chyle, rheumatoid factor, or ascorbic acid. From our data, "Point Strip ferritin-3000" is reliable reagent in the range of 300-3,000 ng/mL, and is therefore considered to be useful for the diagnosis of iron overload, as well as for monitoring iron contents during iron chelation therapy. In addition, this quantification method can be easily performed using a small desktop equipment without any special technique, making this system applicable for epidemiological surveys and clinical studies.

[Contribution of central hospital laboratory to critical bleeding].

It has been reported that fibrinogen products, such as fibrinogen concentrates, cryoprecipitate (CRYO), and fresh frozen plasma, are beneficial for treating coagulopathy due to massive blood transfusion. For the appropriate use of these products, it is necessary to evaluate the status of coagulopathy and determine the trigger level of the fibrinogen concentration for the administration of fibrinogen products. In our institution, we established a treatment procedure for coagulopathy due to massive transfusion in 2011. This procedure includes determination of the trigger level for administration of CRYO (150 mg/dL), timing of sample collection for the evaluation of coagulation parameters (prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and fibrinogen) and concentration status during the operation, and a method for rapid coagulation testing (turnaround time within 15 minutes) in critical bleeding. Since 2011, we have performed 56 rapid coagulation tests for patients suffering from critical bleeding. The average turnover time was 13 minutes. According to the rapid coagulation test results, CRYO was administered to 27 patients. These results are satisfactory for treating critical bleeding patients. We stress the need for the establishment of a rapid coagulation test system in the central hospital laboratory. (Review).

[Performance of two matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) models for identification of bacteria isolated from blood culture].

We compared the results of two bacterial identification methods: 1) a traditional method based on phenotypic identification of the causative organism using gram-staining, culture and biochemical markers and 2) matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). A total of 111 isolates, including 107 strains of common bacteria species and 4 strains of 3 yeast species, were tested by the traditional method and MALDI-TOF MS method(VITEK MS and Micro flex LT). Data obtained using MALDI-TOF MS were classified as Level 1 and Level 2 according to the confidence level of identification results from the VITEK MS ver. 1.0 database (VITEK MS) and MALDI Biotyper ver. 2.0 database (Microflex LT). The proportions of measured samples identified as Level 1 were 98.2% with the VITEK MS database and 87.4% with the MALDI Biotyper database. The concordance rates of the traditional method were 93.7% with the VITEK MS database and 82.0% with the MALDI Biotyper database. Identification results of five strains were mismatched between the traditional method and MALDI-TOF MS. Their ribosomal RNA sequences were identical to the results obtained from MALDI-TOF MS. We concluded that the performance of VITEK MS is superior to that of the traditional method and Microflex LT.

[Examination of the sample centrifugation time for emergency coagulation test].

The rapidity of coagulation testing is important for use as appropriate substitution therapy in patients with, or at risk of critical bleeding requiring massive transfusion. Whereas the ordinary method of coagulation testing is known to be slow, in a critically haemorrhaging patient, a rapid turnaround time of coagulation testing becomes indispensable. To find out if coagulation test results will be affected by a shortened centrifugation time, we measured PT (prothrombin time), APTT (activated partial thromboplastin time), FIB (fibrinogen) and PLT (platelet) in plasma, using different centrifugation times (10 min, 5 min, 3 min), and analyzed the measurements. We found that, whereas centrifugation time significantly affected the PLT count in plasma (10 min; 5.17 +/- 3.71 x 10(3)/microl, 5min; 28. +/- 26.9 x 10(3)/microl, 3min; 63.7 x 10(3)/microl), PT(10min; 14.6 +/- 5.76 sec, 5min; 14.7 +/- 5.84 sec, 3min; 14.9 +/- 6.40 sec), APTT (10min; 36.4 +/- 15.9 sec, 5min; 36.8 +/- 16.5 sec, 3min; 34.7 +/- 11.4 sec) and FIB(10min; 361 +/- 134 mg/dl, 5min; 356 +/- 132 mg/dl, 3min; 356 +/- 125 mg/dl) were not affected. These data suggest that shortening centrifugation time will have no significant effect on the value of PT, APTT and FIB, in an emergency situation.

A novel liposome surface modification agent that prolongs blood circulation and retains surface ligand reactivity.

Liposomes are recognized as potentially useful drug carriers but many problems preclude practical medical application. Liposomes bind with serum proteins (opsonization) and are captured by the reticuloendothelial system cells in the liver and spleen, which limits their ability to deliver drugs to other target sites. Modification of lipids with flexible, hydrophilic polymers such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) to yield sterically stabilized liposomes is one approach to improve liposome blood circulation and tissue distribution properties. In this study, we examined liposomes prepared using lipids modified with a new branched oligoglycerol (BGL) moiety for steric stabilization. This novel BGL comprised 14 glycerol units (termed BGL014) connected with flexible ether linkages, resulting in a branched cascade-like structure that is highly expanded in aqueous solution. BGL014 was coupled to 1,2-distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine to yield BGL014-modified lipids. Incorporation of BGL014 into liposomes (BGL014L) resulted in long blood circulation times, despite a much thinner fixed aqueous layer thickness compared to PEG formulations. BGL014 produced a liposome surface coating that appears to function through steric inhibition of non-specific protein binding without strong interference of specific protein-binding reactions. Liposome structure and functionality was maintained following BGL014-modification, as the incorporation ratio of drug remained high. These results suggest that the BGL014 modification of liposomes is a promising approach to produce stable and long circulating drug carriers capable of selective binding to specific proteins.

[Role of the clinical laboratory for patients with massive transfusion undergoing elective surgery].

The microvascular bleeding resulting from the dilutional coagulopathy can occur when patients with massive blood loss are treated by infusing a lot of crystalloids, colloids, and red blood cell concentrates. For the management of dilutional coagulopathy and the appropriate replacement therapy of with coagulation factors and platelets, we usually monitor the patient's course of with platelet count, conventional coagulation tests such as the prothrombin time, the activated partial prothrombin time, and the fibrinogen concentration. The central clinical laboratory has a responsibility for an accurate and quick report of these test results of patients with massive transfusion. Furthermore, use of point care testing is of clinical value to fulfill a clinical demand in case with dilutional coagulopathy.

Improved performance by replacing iminodiacetic residues with glyceryl residues in symmetrically branched oligoglycerols.

Synthesis of a symmetrically branched diglycerol (BGL002, involving one iminodiacetic residue) as a G2 dendron, and the tetradecaglycerol (BGL014, involving one iminodiacetic residue) as a G4 dendron, is described. Several members of the BGL family of G2-G4 dendrons were assembled, with G2 bearing four hydroxyl groups at the terminus region, G3 bearing eight, and G4 bearing sixteen. It is noteworthy that triglycerol (BGL003, including no iminodiacetic residue), has a water-solubility ten times higher than BGL002, and the liposome surrounded by BGL014 has a duration period in blood vessel roughly two times longer than the liposome surrounded by dodecaglycerol (BGL012, including three iminodiacetic residues).

Collaborative study of irregular erythrocyte antibodies in Japan: results from the Japanese study group of allo-immunity and antigen diversity in Asian populations.

As a national study, we evaluated the frequencies of irregular erythrocyte antibodies (Abs) by gender and history of transfusion or pregnancy. In total, data from 248,785 patients were analyzed, from whom 4222 irregular erythrocyte Abs were detected in 3554 cases (1.43%). Abs frequencies in these 4222 cases were as follows: anti-E, 26%; anti-Le(a), 26%; anti-P(1), 11%; anti-M, 6%; anti-E+c, 4%; anti-Fy(b), 4%; anti-Di(a), 3%; anti-Le(b), 3%; and anti-D, 2%. In pregnancy, anti-D (5%), anti-Jr(a) (3%) and anti-E+c (6%) Abs were, with statistical significance, more frequent. Among transfused patients, anti-E (38%), anti-E+c (8%), anti-Jk(a) (4%), anti-e+C (2%) and anti-E+Jk(a) (1%) Abs were, with statistical significance, more frequent.