The kinetics of neutrophils in photodynamic theraphy as anti-tumor

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is known for its antitumor property. PDT uses a photosensitizer combined with light to kill cancer cells. Different to other non-surgical cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy which suppress immune system, it is suggested that PDT promotes an accumulation of neutrophils causing destruction of tumor cells; however, this is not be fully elucidated. Neutrophils is known to be a main player in the innate immunity and is closely related to the inflammation of the tumor site after PDT. Therefore, in this research, we investigated the relationship of neutrophils kinetics and anti-tumor property of PDT

Feasibility of Rapid Diagnostic Technology for SARS-CoV-2 Virus Using a Trace Amount of Saliva

Containment of SARS-CoV-2 has become an urgent global issue. To overcome the problems of conventional quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) tests, we verified the usefulness of a mobile qPCR device that utilizes mouthwash to obtain a saliva sample with the aim of developing a rapid diagnostic method for SARS-CoV-2. First, we examined whether anyone could easily operate this device. Then, we examined whether RNA in the mouthwash could be detected in a short time. In addition, we investigated whether it was possible to diagnose SARS-CoV-2 infection using mouthwash obtained from COVID-19 patients undergoing hospitalization. The results revealed that all subjects were able to complete the operation properly without error. In addition, RNase P was detected in the mouthwash without pretreatment. The average detection time was 18 min, which is significantly shorter than conventional qPCR devices. Furthermore, this device detected SARS-CoV-2 in the mouthwash of a COVID-19 patient undergoing hospitalization. The above findings verified the efficacy of this diagnostic method, which had a low risk of infection, was technically simple, and provided stable results. Therefore, this method is useful for the rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2

Low mucosal-associated invariant T-cell number in peripheral blood of patients with immune thrombocytopenia and their response to prednisolone.

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells help protect against certain infections and are related to some autoimmune diseases. Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a relatively rare hematological autoimmune disease associated with low platelet count. We designed a cross-sectional study wherein we examined peripheral blood samples of patients with ITP for the number of MAIT cells (CD3+TCR-Vα7.2+CD161+IL-18Rα+ lymphocytes) and their CD4/8 subsets (by flow cytometry) and levels of cytokines (by multiplex assays). The study cohort included 18 patients with ITP and 20 healthy controls (HCs). We first compared the number of MAIT cells between HCs and patients with ITP and then performed subgroup analysis in patients with ITP. The number of total MAIT cells in patients with ITP was significantly lower than that in HCs (p < 0.0001), and the CD4-CD8+ subset of MAIT cells showed the same trend. Moreover, patients with ITP refractory to prednisolone exhibited a significantly lower number of total MAIT and CD4-CD8+ MAIT cells than patients sensitive to prednisolone. The number of total MAIT and CD4-CD8+ MAIT cells was not correlated with the response to thrombopoietin receptor agonist treatment or with Helicobacter pylori infection. We found no relation between cytokine levels and response to prednisolone treatment, although the levels of IP-10 and RANTES showed a correlation with the number of total MAIT and CD4-CD8+ MAIT cells. In conclusion, total MAIT and CD4-CD8+ MAIT cells in peripheral blood were decreased in patients with ITP, correlating with their response to prednisolone

Immunohistochemistry of cytokeratins 7, 8, 17, 18, and 19, and GLUT-1 aids differentiation of desmoplastic malignant mesothelioma from fibrous pleuritis

It is difficult to distinguish desmoplastic malignant mesothelioma (DMM) from fibrous pleuritis (FP). We investigated the utility of immunohistochemistry as a way of differentiating between DMM and FP. We examined 11 DMMs and 46 FPs with the aid of antibodies against 18 cytokeratin (CK) subtypes, calponin, caldesmon, desmin, and GLUT-1. The best sensitivity and specificity cut-off values in the receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) for CKs 7, 8, 17, 18, and 19, and GLUT-1 were each above 60%. When cases with either DMM or FP were partitioned by the staining score associated with the best sensitivity and specificity cut-off values in ROC, the incidence of a positive expression for CKs 7, 8, 17, 18, and 19, and GLUT-1 was significantly higher in DMM than in FP. In conclusion, immunohistochemistry for CKs 7, 8, 17, 18, and 19, and GLUT-1 may be useful, alongside histological characteristics, for separating DMM from FP

Improving the Detection Sensitivity of a New Rapid Diagnostic Technology for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Using a Trace Amount of Saliva

The early diagnosis and isolation of infected individuals with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remain important. Although quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) testing is considered the most accurate test available for COVID-19 diagnosis, it has some limitations, such as the need for specialized laboratory technicians and a long turnaround time. Therefore, we have established and reported a rapid diagnostic method using a small amount of saliva as a sample using a lightweight mobile qPCR device. This study aimed to improve the existing method and increase the detection sensitivity and specificity. The detection specificity of CDC N1 and N2 was examined by improving qPCR reagents and polymerase chain reaction conditions for the previously reported method. Furthermore, the feasibility of detecting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral RNA was examined using both the previous method and the improved method in patients with COVID-19. The results showed that the improved method increased the specificity and sensitivity. This improved method is useful for the rapid diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2