Investigation of antibody to severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) in blood samples donated in a SFTS-endemic area in Japan.

The risk of transfusion-transmitted infection (TTI) for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is a concern because person-to-person transmission resulting from contact with SFTSV-contaminated blood has been reported. To obtain information regarding the risk of TTI-SFTSV, antibody testing was performed for blood samples donated in an severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome-endemic area in Japan. No antibody-positive samples were detected among 3990 samples. This finding suggested that there were few cases of SFTSV infection among donors and that the risk of TTI-SFTSV was also estimated low in Japan.

Enhancement of intestinal immune function in mice by ß-D-glucan from aureobasidium pullulans ADK-34.

ß-Glucans, glucose polymers that are the main constituents of the outer cell walls of micro-organisms such as fungi and yeast, are known to play an immunostimulatory role. We prepared ß-glucan (ß-(1-3),(1-6)-D-glucan) from an edible cultured fungus through fermentation techniques using a strain of Aureobasidium pullulans ADK-34. The purity of this ß-glucan preparation (AP-FBG) was demonstrated to be high through various instrumental analyses. We then examined the effects of AP-FBG on intestinal immune systems. We prepared Peyer's patch (PP) cells and measured interleukin (IL)-5, IL-6, and IgA production in culture media with AP-FBG. We found that both cytokines and IgA increased; furthermore, IL-6 secreted by PP dendritic cells (PPDCs) cultured in the presence of AP-FBG significantly increased. We tested IgA production after oral administration of AP-FBG for 2 weeks and found that AP-FBG tended to promote the production of IgA in the small intestine. Interestingly, we observed a significant increase in IgA production in the small intestines of mice treated with cyclophosphamide (CY; an immunosuppressant) after oral administration of AP-FBG diet compared with CY-treated and control diet mice. Production of IL-6 and IgA by PP cells and IL-6 production by PPDCs in AP-FBG-fed and CY-treated mice also increased. These results demonstrate that AP-FBG has the ability to activate PPDC and induce IL-6 production and IgA secretion in PP cells. These abilities were more clearly expressed when AP-FBG was orally administered in a CY-induced immunosuppressed condition. Therefore, AP-FBG may be a useful ingredient for preparing functional foods with immunomodulatory activities.

Multicolour luminescence from InGaN quantum wells grown over GaN nanowire arrays by molecular-beam epitaxy.

The luminescence of InGaN single quantum wells grown by molecular-beam epitaxy under fixed conditions over a series of c-axis GaN nanowire arrays with different geometrical parameters was studied. For arrays with variable GaN average wire diameters and fixed wire densities, the InGaN luminescence peak shifted to higher energy with decreasing wire diameter. It is shown that this trend cannot be attributed to lateral quantum confinement or diameter-dependent InGaN strain. For arrays with variable wire densities and fixed average diameters, the InGaN emission appeared as two distinct bands of different colours, the relative intensities of which depended on the wire density. By optimizing both the GaN wire density and InGaN growth conditions, the colours of the two different bands were combined to realize phosphor-free white light-emitting diodes. The mechanisms for the dependence of the InGaN luminescence on the geometrical parameters of the GaN nanowire array are discussed.

Resonantly enhanced nonlinear conductance in long quantum point contacts near pinch-off.

We report on a remarkable resonance in the differential conductance of long quantum point contacts (QPCs) that is observed as a precursor to regular quantized transport. This effect is increasingly pronounced in longer QPCs, in which the differential conductance may resonantly exceed 2e2/h. From a study of the experimental characteristics of this feature, we suggest that it may be associated with the formation of a well-resolved energy gap that opens dynamically as a result of enhanced many-body interactions in long QPCs.

Food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis: influence of concurrent aspirin administration on skin testing and provocation.

BACKGROUND: Provocation tests in patients with food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (FDEIA) are often negative, even after a sufficient quantity of the implicated food and exercise have been taken. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of aspirin in provocation tests and in skin prick testing (SPT) of patients with FDEIA. Gluten as a major allergen in wheat-dependent FDEIA was also investigated. METHODS: Provocation tests and SPT with suspected foods were performed in 12 patients with FDEIA. Provocation tests were performed with combinations of foods, exercise and aspirin. Detection of gluten-specific IgE was also performed by the CAP System FEIA radioallergosorbent test, SPT and a histamine release test. RESULTS: The SPT reaction was enhanced by pretreatment with oral aspirin in five of eight (62.5) patients. Aspirin facilitated provocation in five of seven (71%) patients tested. Ingestion of wheat and aspirin without exercise provoked symptoms in two patients. Aspirin provoked symptoms even with a small amount of wheat and exercise in one patient. Only the combination of aspirin, wheat and exercise provoked anaphylaxis in one patient. Specific IgE, SPT and/or the histamine release test with gluten were positive in nine of 11 patients with wheat-dependent FDEIA. CONCLUSIONS: Aspirin enhances symptoms of FDEIA, and prior ingestion of aspirin under controlled conditions can be used to confirm FDEIA. In practice, such patients should avoid aspirin ingestion. Gluten appears to be the major allergen in these patients with wheat-dependent FDEIA.

Visual recognition of triamines by phenolphthalein derivatives: consideration of the structure of the colored complex.

[structure: see text] A hybrid molecule 1 consisting of phenolphthalein and two crown ether moieties can be used to discriminate the length of linear triamines strictly by color development. The purple color is developed most deeply at -10 degrees C and fades with either an increase or decrease in temperature.

Visual enantiomeric recognition using chiral phenolphthalein derivatives.

[structure: see text] Optically active artificial host molecules 2-5 based on a phenolphthalein skeleton have been prepared for visual enantiomeric recognition of alanine derivatives 8 and 9. The receptor 3 discriminates (R)-8 and (R)-9 from (S)-8 and (S)-9, respectively, to develop a purple color.

Analysis of prognostic factors in newly diagnosed patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia: the APL92 study of the Japan Adult Leukemia Study Group (JALSG).

All-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) has been incorporated in front-line therapy for newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). We conducted a multicenter study of differentiation therapy with ATRA alone or in combination with chemotherapy followed by intensive postremission chemotherapy in patients with APL (the JALSG APL92 study), and analyzed prognostic factors to increase the cure rate in our subsequent trial. From 1992 to 1997, adult patients with newly diagnosed APL received oral ATRA 45 mg/m2 daily alone until complete remission (CR) if initial leukocyte counts were < 3.0x10(9)/l, and ATRA daily plus daunorubicin (DNR) 40 mg/m2x3 days plus enocitabine (BHAC) 200 mg/m2x5 days if leukocyte counts were > or =3.0 x 10(9)/l. If peripheral blasts exceeded 1.0x10(9)/l during therapy, DNRx3 days plus BHACx5 days was added. After CR was achieved, three courses of consolidation and six courses of maintenance/intensification chemotherapy were administered. Of 376 patients enrolled, 369 were evaluable (median age 46 years, range 15-86 years; median leukocyte counts 2.0x10(9)/l), and 333 (90%) achieved CR (94% of patients treated with ATRA alone, 88% with ATRA plus later chemotherapy, 89% with ATRA plus initial chemotherapy, and 86% with ATRA plus initial and later chemotherapy). At a median follow-up of 45 months, the predicted 6-year overall and event-free survival (EFS) rates for all patients were 65% and 52%, respectively. Favorable prognostic factors for CR were younger age, no or mild purpura, high serum total protein level, low lactate dehydrogenase level, and no or mild disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Favorable prognostic factors for EFS were leukocyte counts < 10.0x10(9)/l, mild DIC, and no sepsis during induction therapy. In the JALSG APL97 study, we intensified chemotherapy for patients with leukocyte counts > or =3.0x10(9)/l, and are randomly testing whether further chemotherapy is required for APL patients with negative PCR for PML/retinoic acid receptor alpha in the maintenance phase.

Nodal gamma/delta T cell lymphoma in complete remission following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from an HLA-matched unrelated donor.

Gamma/delta T cell lymphoma is very rare, and usually occurs as an extranodal tumor. We describe the case of a 16-year-old Japanese man with an unusual nodal gamma/delta T cell lymphoma with generalized lymphadenopathy and bone marrow involvement. No tumor involvement was observed in the liver, spleen, or nasal cavity. Examination for surface antigens on lymphoma cells revealed a unique phenotype, positive for CD3 and T cell receptor (TCR) gamma/delta, but negative for CD2. Genotypic analysis revealed the tumor to be of monoclonal origin and characterized by TCR gamma-chain gene rearrangement, but there was no rearrangement of the TCR beta-chain gene. Our patient's tumor responded to combination chemotherapy and subsequent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from an HLA-matched unrelated donor. He has remained well and free of disease for 35 months.

The first example for cycloenantiomeric hexahomooxacali.

Cycloenantiomeric hexahomooxacalix[3]arenes with different substituents on the three upper rims were synthesized for the first time by fixing their conformation into a cone. A cycloenantiomeric hexahomooxacalix[3]arene 6 was resolved into both enantiomeric forms and chiroptically characterized. Preliminary 1H-NMR studies indicated that the optically resolved cycloenantiomer 6 could discriminate the enantiomers of hydrochloride of phenylalanine ethyl ester.

Concentration of progenitor cells collected from bone marrow fluid using a continuous flow cell separator.

In ABO major incompatibility on bone marrow transplantation (BMT), red cells must be removed from collected marrow fluid to prevent hemolysis. We report the concentration of progenitor cells collected using a continuous flow cell separator (Cobe Spectra). The average volume of concentrated bone marrow was 132 +/- 47 ml and that of red cells included was 5.1 +/- 2.4 ml. The red cell removal rate was 97.6%. The recovery rate was 40.6% for total nuclear cells, 77.9% for mononuclear cells, 100% for CD34+ cells, and 93.9% for colony forming unit granulocyte-macrophage. Eighteen patients undergoing allogeneic BMT showed no signs of fever or hemolysis during concentrated marrow fluid transfusion. The recovery rate of progenitor cells was high, indicating sufficient recovery of hemopoiesis. This technique is applicable in ABO-incompatible BMT and in frozen-storage stem cells.

Contact urticaria from rice.

A 30-year-old man with atopic dermatitis had had erythema and itching of the hands after washing rice in water, though he had always eaten cooked rice without problems. Handling test with water used to wash regular rice was performed on abraded hands, and produced urticarial erythema after several minutes. Applications of water used to wash allergen-reduced rice were negative for urticarial reaction. Prick test with water used to wash regular rice was +++. However prick test reaction with water used to wash allergen-reduced rice was +. Histamine-release test of regular rice-washing water was grade 3 and that of allergen-reduced rice grade 1. In immunoblotting analysis with regular rice washing water, there were no bands with this patient. These results suggest that the allergen responsible for contact urticaria in this patient might be water-soluble, heat-unstable, and not contained in allergen-reduced rice.

Multicenter prospective study of interferon-alpha and conventional chemotherapy versus bone marrow transplantation for newly diagnosed patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia. Kouseisho Leukemia Study Group.

We compared interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha therapy with bone marrow transplantation (BMT) after initial conventional chemotherapy in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in a multicenter prospective study. Ninety patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive CML in chronic phase were enrolled between 1991 and 1994. Sixty-six of 89 evaluable patients received IFN-alpha after conventional chemotherapy with hydroxyurea or busulfan (IFN-alpha group). Twenty-three patients received allogeneic BMT (BMT group). Fifteen of them received transplants from HLA-identical family donors and 8 from HLA-matched unrelated donors. Forty-seven of 66 patients (71%) in the IFN-alpha group and 17 of 23 patients (74%) in the BMT group achieved complete hematologic response, and 12% in the IFN-alpha group and 13% in the BMT group achieved partial hematologic response. Complete cytogenetic response was induced in 5 (8%), partial cytogenetic response in 8 (12%), and minor cytogenetic response in 12 (18%) in the IFN-alpha group. At a median follow-up of 54 months (range, 30-76 months), in the IFN-alpha group, the predicted 6-year survival rate was 54.5% and the predicted 6-year rate of those remaining in chronic phase was 45.7%. Compared with patients with no cytogenetic response, the patients with some cytogenetic response after IFN-alpha treatment had significantly superior survival and duration of the chronic phase even after correction for the time to response using landmark analysis (P < .05). In the BMT group, the predicted 5-year survival rate was 93.3% for family-donor BMT and 21.9% for unrelated-donor BMT Acute graft-versus-host disease of grade III or IV was observed in 1 of 15 patients who received family-donor BMT and 3 of 8 patients who received unrelated donor BMT. Prior treatment with conventional cytotoxic drugs induced early hematologic response and did not reduce the effect of IFN-alpha on CML. Unrelated-donor transplantation should be offered to some patients according to patient age, HLA-matching status, time from diagnosis to BMT, and risk factors.

Successful graft-versus-leukemia effect of second bone marrow transplantation on relapsed leukemia cutis that was refractory to intensive chemotherapy and donor lymphocyte transfusions in a patient with acute monocytic leukemia.

We report a patient with acute monocytic leukemia (AMoL; M5) who received a second bone marrow transplantation (BMT) with graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect on relapsed leukemia cutis, which had been refractory to intensive chemotherapy and donor lymphocyte transfusions (DLTs). A 21-year-old woman was diagnosed with AMoL and achieved complete remission after intensive chemotherapy. The patient received a nonmanipulated allogeneic BMT from her HLA-identical father. Skin tumors developed in her upper extremities, chest, and thigh 11 months after BMT. Leukemia cutis was confirmed by skin biopsy. There was no evidence of relapse in bone marrow. The patient received several courses of chemotherapy and DLTs for the skin relapse, but the skin tumors persisted. The patient then received a second BMT from the same donor. On day 80, grade II acute graft-versus-host disease developed, and the remaining skin tumors were eradicated on day 98, most probably because of GVL effect.

The '2+1' construction of homooxacalix[3]arenes possessing different substituents on their upper rims.

Several homooxacalix[3]arenes possessing different substituents on their upper rims were synthesized in yields of 7-20% by a condensation reaction between the p-substituted-phenol dimer and monomer under acidic high-dilution conditions.

A comparative study of changes in fecal flora in patients preconditioned with either amphotericin B or fluconazole for allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

The present study investigated fecal flora changes in 20 patients who received either the nonabsorbable antifungal agent amphotericin B, or the absorbable antifungal agent fluconazole, with tobramycin and vancomycin as preparation for undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The oral antibiotic regimen consisted of tobramycin (540 mg/day, three times a day), vancomycin (1,500 mg/day, three times a day) and either amphotericin B (2,400 mg/day, twice a day) (AMPH group) or fluconazole (400 mg/day, twice a day) (FLCZ group) and was designed to prevent infections from microorganisms in the gut. Aerobic bacterial colonies were not detected on the day of BMT or 1 week after BMT, except in 1 case unable to take the full antibiotic regimen due to nausea and vomiting. Anaerobic bacterial colonies were not detected on the day of BMT except in this single case. Furthermore, there were no episodes of bacterial infection. In both groups, Candida colonies were detected in some case. Candida colonies were also detected in the pharynx and urine. However, there were no fungal infections. The present report suggests that amphotericin B and fluconazole administrations, with tobramycin and vancomycin, are equally effective for protection against bacterial and fungal infections in BMT recipients.

Asymmetric synthesis and determination of the absolute configuration of FK584, an agent for the treatment of overactive detrusor.

FK584[(-)-N-tert-butyl-4,4-diphenyl-2-cyclopentenylamine hydrochloride, (-)-4-HCl], a potential candidate for the treatment of overactive detrusor, was synthesized in a 4-step approach starting with Sharpless oxidation of cyclopentenol 6 (kinetic resolution). This epoxidation is a rare case in that the empirical rule does not work. Regio- and stereoselective introduction of tert-butylamine to the obtained epoxycyclopentanol 5 and subsequent conversion of the resulting diol to an olefin completed the synthesis. The absolute configuration of FK584 was determined to be S by X-ray crystallographic analysis of the salt of S-(+)-mandelic acid.

A novel pyridazinone derivative as a nonprostanoid PGI2 agonist.

A novel optically pure pyridazinone derivative was synthesized and identified as a nonprostanoid PGI2 agonist. It inhibited ADP-induced aggregation of human platelets with an IC50 value of 0.081 microM and has high oral bioavailability (56%) with a long half-life (4.3 h) in rats.