Detection of the putative E2 protein of hepatitis C virus in human liver

The question was asked whether a predicted envelope protein, considered to be processed from the polyprotein precursor encoded by the putative E2/NS1 region of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome, may be observed in HCV-infected humans. Two polyclonal antibodies against recombinant E2/NS1 proteins were prepared and their reactivity tested against liver extracts from HCV-infected patients by immunoblotting analysis. A band corresponding to a size of 44 kDa was detected in liver extracts from patients who were positive for the HCV-specific antibody anti-C100-3 but not in liver extracts from patients who did not have anti-C100-3 antibody. Additionally, no band was detected using preimmune sera or antisera which had been preabsorbed with recombinant E2/NS1 proteins. Deglycosylation studies demonstrated that the 44 kDa protein was a glycosylated form of a 38 kDa protein which corresponds to the predicted molecular weight of the putative E2/NS1 protein. These results suggest that the 44 kDa protein is a product of the E2/NS1 region. Frequent observation of the 44 kDa band in cases of chronic active hepatitis C suggests a correlation between the expression of this protein and the progression of hepatitis. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Sampling and conveyance of mail testing

In mail testing, a testee collects samples at home from his or her own body, and mails them to the medical institution. Because the testee does not need to attend the medical institution, an advantage of mail testing is that it is not time-consuming. Because the amount of sample is small and time from sampling to measurement is long, the manner of collecting and transporting samples are important factors affecting the precision of the result. There is the risk that inappropriate sample picking can occur, as the testee, who is not skilled in medical testing, may obtain the sample. Moreover, the samples may include blood, urine, secretions, and so on. Depending on the purpose of the test, the transport and sampling method varies, and the character of the sampling device and transport method influence the procedure required. I describe collection methods and other issues in this paper according to medical examination item, sample, and sampling.     

Analysis of human erythrocyte 5'-nucleotidases in healthy individuals and a patient deficient in pyrimidine 5'-nucleotidase

Electrophoretic and quantitative analysis of pyrimidine 5'-nucleotidase in human erythrocytes from healthy individuals and a patient deficient in pyrimidine 5'-nucleotidase, using a range of substrates, has shown that the patient has a marked deficiency with UMP, CMP and dCMP as substrates but near normal levels of activity with dUMP and dTMP as substrates. The observations suggest that two separate structural gene loci coding for distinct 5'-nucleotidases with similar electrophoretic mobility exist in man. The genetic determination of these enzymes seems therefore to be homologous with that found in rodents.     

A cost-minimization analysis of measures against metallic dental restorations for head and neck radiotherapy

The aim of this study was to compare the estimated public medical care cost of measures to address metallic dental restorations (MDRs) for head and neck radiotherapy using high-energy mega-voltage X-rays. This was considered a first step to clarify which MDR measure was more cost-effective. We estimated the medical care cost of radiotherapy for two representative MDR measures: (i) with MDR removal or (ii) without MDR removal (non-MDR removal) using magnetic resonance imaging and a spacer. A total of 5520 patients received head and neck radiation therapy in 2018. The mean number of MDRs per person was 4.1 dental crowns and 1.3 dental bridges. The mean cost per person was estimated to be 121 720 yen for MDR removal and 54 940 yen for non-MDR removal. Therefore, the difference in total public medical care cost between MDR removal and non-MDR removal was estimated to be 303 268 800 yen. Our results suggested that non-MDR removal would be more cost-effective than MDR removal for head and neck radiotherapy. In the future, a national survey and cost-effectiveness analysis via a multicenter study are necessary; these investigations should include various outcomes such as the rate of local control, status of oral mucositis, frequency of hospital visits and efforts of the medical professionals.     

Validity of observed differences in dietary surveys by two self-administered questionnaires over a 5-year period: Concordance with self-reported change

Differences observed by comparing the responses to two surveys taken 5 years apart were compared with self-reported changes in dietary habits in the second survey to examine the construct validity of dietary change. That is, when an observed difference about a certain food was consistent with a self-reported change, these two methods seemed to show a high validity regarding dietary change. Both surveys used the same self-administered food intake frequency questionnaire, and subjective changes in food intake were evaluated at the second survey (self-reported change). Eight hundred fifty-five males and one thousand females aged 30-69 years were analyzed. Since results by both methods showed a higher frequency of increased intake of green-yellow vegetables in general, pale- colored vegetables in general, carrots, and squash, these results were thought to be of high validity. However, cabbage, lettuce, and seaweeds showed inconsistent results regarding higher frequencies of intake. Changes among quintiles of lower frequency seemed to show lower validity because the results obtained by the two methods were often inconsistent for dairy foods and some other foods. Thus, self-reported changes may reflect respondents’ attitudes toward foods, not their actual behavior.     

Interleukin-6 and granulocytic elastase levels following laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels have been shown to correlate well with the magnitude of surgical stress. Serum IL-6 and plasma granulocytic elastase levels, 24 h after surgery, were determined in 12 patients who underwent open major surgery [MS group; esophageal carcinoma (n=5), gastric carcinoma (n=3), colorectal carcinoma (n=4) 5 patients who had open cholecystectomy [OC group] and 17 patients who had laparoscopic cholecystectomy [LC group]. IL-6 levels correlated significantly with the duration of surgery (r=0.685,P < 0.01) and with intraoperative blood loss (r=0.583,P < 0.02). However, there was no significant correlation between granulocytic elastase and the duration of surgery or blood loss. Plasma IL-6 levels in the LC group (21±3 pg/ml) were significantly lower than those in the OC group (47±5 pg/ml) and the MS group (186±36pg/ml) (P<0.05;P<0.01). However, there was no significant difference in granulocytic elastase levels between the LC group (318±8g/l), the OC group (360±130 gmg/ml), and the MS group (701±344 g/l). Increased IL-6 levels correlated well with increased duration of surgery. The lower IL-6 levels following laparoscopic cholecystectomy may therefore be indicative of lower surgical stress associated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy.