Identification of the human eosinophil lineage-committed progenitor: revision of phenotypic definition of the human common myeloid progenitor

To establish effective therapeutic strategies for eosinophil-related disorders, it is critical to understand the developmental pathway of human eosinophils. In mouse hematopoiesis, eosinophils originate from the eosinophil lineage-committed progenitor (EoP) that has been purified downstream of the granulocyte/macrophage progenitor (GMP). We show that the EoP is also isolatable in human adult bone marrow. The previously defined human common myeloid progenitor (hCMP) population (Manz, M.G., T. Miyamoto, K. Akashi, and I.L. Weissman. 2002. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 99:11872–11877) was composed of the interleukin 5 receptor α chain⁺ (IL-5Rα⁺) and IL-5Rα⁻ fractions, and the former was the hEoP. The IL-5Rα⁺CD34⁺CD38⁺IL-3Rα⁺CD45RA⁻ hEoPs gave rise exclusively to pure eosinophil colonies but never differentiated into basophils or neutrophils. The IL-5Rα⁻ hCMP generated the hEoP together with the hGMP or the human megakaryocyte/erythrocyte progenitor (hMEP), whereas hGMPs or hMEPs never differentiated into eosinophils. Importantly, the number of hEoPs increased up to 20% of the conventional hCMP population in the bone marrow of patients with eosinophilia, suggesting that the hEoP stage is involved in eosinophil differentiation and expansion in vivo. Accordingly, the phenotypic definition of hCMP should be revised to exclude the hEoP; an “IL-5Rα–negative” criterion should be added to define more homogenous hCMP. The newly identified hEoP is a powerful tool in studying pathogenesis of eosinophilia and could be a therapeutic target for a variety of eosinophil-related disorders.     

Determination of individual vitamin B(6) compounds based on enzymatic conversion to 4-pyridoxolactone

A determination method for individual natural vitamin B(6) compounds was developed. The vitamin B(6) compounds were specifically converted into 4-pyridoxolactone (PAL), a highly fluorescent compound, through a combination of enzymatic reactions and HCl-hydrolysis. PAL was then determined by HPLC. Pyridoxal was completely oxidized to PAL with pyridoxal 4-dehydrogenase (PLDH). Pyridoxine and pyridoxamine were totally converted into PAL through a coupling reaction involving pyridoxine 4-oxidase and PLDH, and one involving pyridoxamine-pyruvate aminotransferase and PLDH, respectively. The 5'-phosphate forms and pyridoxine-beta-glucoside were hydrolyzed with HCl, and then determined as their free forms. Pyridoxine 5'-phosphate and pyridoxine-beta-glucoside were not separately determined here. Three food samples were analyzed by this method.     

Distribution Patterns of Hexachlorocyclohexanes and Other Organochlorine Compounds in Muscles of Fish from a Japanese Remote Lake During 2002–2003

No abstract available.     

Postoperative recurrence in hepatocellular carcinoma: Comparison between percutaneous ethanol injection and radiofrequency ablation.

AIM: Recently percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) turned into percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (PRFA), and it has become widely used for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The present study was to compare the incidence in postoperative HCC recurrence between these two therapeutic approaches. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-eight first-time HCC in patient cases were chosen for PEI (n=94) and PRFA (n=74). The localized recurrence rate based on the operator's experience in percutaneous treatment for HCC (on <5 years versus >/=5 years experience) was examined. RESULTS: The PRFA group demonstrated a significantly lower localized recurrence rate within 2 years than the PEI group (8% and 22%, respectively, P<0.01). The local recurrence rate of HCC within 2 years after PEI was significantly lower in those for whom the operator's experience was more than 5 years compared to those for whom it was less than 5 years (12% versus 24%, respectively, P<0.05). In contrast, after PRFA there was no significant difference between these two groups of <5 years and of >/=5 years experience (8% versus 8%, respectively, P=0.98). CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that PRFA resulted in a lower rate of local recurrence in comparison to conventional PEI, regardless of the operator's experience.     

Impact of cigarette smoking on decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s relative to severity of airflow obstruction in a Japanese general population: The Yamagata–Takahata study

Background

Few studies are available regarding the annual decline of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with mild airflow obstruction. This study sought to clarify to what extent cigarette-smoking individuals with mild airflow obstruction lose pulmonary function annually.

A Remarkable Elevation in the Procalcitonin Levels Due to Diabetic Ketoacidosis in a Hemodialysis Patient

Procalcitonin (PCT), a marker of the inflammatory response during infections, can be elevated by diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). A male patient in his 50s with diabetic nephropathy on hemodialysis presented with vomiting and a reduced level of consciousness and was diagnosed with DKA. His PCT level was markedly elevated, but bacterial cultures (blood, urine, and stool) were negative. The PCT level decreased after DKA improvement. In this patient, DKA probably enhanced the PCT levels. As DKA can increase the PCT levels, an elevation of the PCT levels in DKA patients may not be indicative of infectious diseases, and non-infectious causes of DKA should therefore be considered.