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Background and objectives Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies, which are involved in the development of transfusion-related side effects such as transfusion-related lung injury, are sometimes found in males without a history of alloimmunization (eg, transplantation and transfusion). Whether HLA antibodies in male donors can interact with their target HLA specificities expressed on cells have not been completely investigated. Materials and methods The HLA antibodies detected in 7 male donors were characterized. Flow cytometry and immunocomplex capture fluorescence analysis were performed to evaluate the ability of these antibodies to bind with target HLA specificities expressed on cells. The association of these antibodies with complement was examined using anti-C1q antibody. Sustainability of HLA antibodies over time was compared in 26 male vs 57 female donors. Results The antibodies from all 7 donors recognized intact HLA molecules coated onto microbeads. The antibodies in 2 of 7 donors also recognized their target HLA specificities expressed on cells. Furthermore, the antibodies in one of these 2 donors showed HLA specificities that involved complement binding. Twenty-one of 26 initially positive male donors had turned negative for HLA antibody at least 1 year after their initial positive screening, whereas HLA antibody positivity was maintained for a long time in most female donors. Conclusion Males without apparent alloimmunization could have HLA antibodies that recognize their target HLA specificities on cells and that could potentially modify molecular events in affected cells.

The separation of nanofibers from carrot juice residue and their reinforcing potential is demonstrated. Morphological properties, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and specific surface area (SSA) measurements showed that carrot nanofibers (CNF) have maintained the crystalline structure of native cellulose, while presenting a SSA as high as 246 m 2 .g −1 and diameters between 3 and 36 nm. CNF could be redispersed in water after drying, giving nanofibers with SSA and diameter comparable to properties of initial never-dried CNF. Finally, we propose possible uses of CNF either as strong nanopaper with excellent mechanical properties, i.e. modulus of 13.3 GPa and strength of 175 MPa, or as reinforcing phase in polymer matrices (CAB). Interesting properties of carrot nanofibers in terms of their possible transport and use from the dry state, as well as their remarkable mechanical properties afforded to nanopaper and nanocomposites may promote their use in environmentally benign constituent in industrial applications.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains the most frequent cause of transfusion-transmitted viral infection. HBV is highly infectious with minimal 50% chimpanzee infectious dose (CID50) of 10 copies at the pre-acute phase of infection. However, HBV is not always infectious via transfusion. The infectivity of HBV depends on (1) viral properties such as viral load, phase of infection, genotype and genome mutations, (2) transfusion factors such as blood volume, types of components, concurrent transfusion of anti-HBs-positive blood, and (3) recipient factors such as extant anti-HBs acquired either by natural infection or vaccination, immune-competence. The risk of HBV infections remaining after HBsAg screening is associated with donations during the preseroconversion window period and of occult HBV infection. Each country needs to establish its own HBV screening strategy considering the prevalence of HBV, the residual risk of HBV transmission, the balance between blood safety and securing sufficient amounts of blood, cost-effectiveness, and public perception of the risk of transfusion-transmitted HBV.

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies, which are involved in the development of transfusion-related side effects such as transfusion-related lung injury, are sometimes found in males without a history of alloimmunization (eg, transplantation and transfusion). Whether HLA antibodies in male donors can interact with their target HLA specificities expressed on cells have not been completely investigated.The HLA antibodies detected in 7 male donors were characterized. Flow cytometry and immunocomplex capture fluorescence analysis were performed to evaluate the ability of these antibodies to bind with target HLA specificities expressed on cells. The association of these antibodies with complement was examined using anti-C1q antibody. Sustainability of HLA antibodies over time was compared in 26 male vs 57 female donors.The antibodies from all 7 donors recognized intact HLA molecules coated onto microbeads. The antibodies in 2 of 7 donors also recognized their target HLA specificities expressed on cells. Furthermore, the antibodies in one of these 2 donors showed HLA specificities that involved complement binding. Twenty-one of 26 initially positive male donors had turned negative for HLA antibody at least 1 year after their initial positive screening, whereas HLA antibody positivity was maintained for a long time in most female donors.Males without apparent alloimmunization could have HLA antibodies that recognize their target HLA specificities on cells and that could potentially modify molecular events in affected cells.

This study aimed to report antigen and haplotype frequencies (HFs) in the Thai Stem Cell Donor Registry (TSCDR). From 16,807 human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A, -B, and -DR typed donors, 19 HLA-A, 41 HLA-B, and 13 HLA-DR antigens were found. HLA-A43, A80, B78, B82, B83, and DR18 were not observed. A total of 1921 haplotypes were estimated and 245 haplotypes were reliable and their cumulative HF was 75.74%. Similar to previous Thai subpopulation studies, the most common haplotypes were HLA-A33-B58-DR17 (4.54%), A2-B46-DR9 (4.11%), A33-B44-DR7 (2.85%), and A11-B75-DR12 (2.00%). To evaluate the probability in finding matched donors, from April 2002 to August 2008, 793 Thai patients were requested for unrelated stem cell donor searching. The number of patients with HLA-A, -B, -DR split matched donor found were 49%. Only 8% of the patients found matched donor within 1 month. However, high-resolution HLA-A, -B, -DR typing in TSCDR is suggested to accurately estimate HFs and evaluate the probability in finding a matched donor for patients in the future.

Ce0.85Y0.15-xRExO2-δ (RE=Pr,Tb) with x = 0.02 and 0.06 solid solutions were synthesized by the coprecipitation technique to study the effect of Pr and Tb additions in the microstructure and electrical conductivity of yttria-doped ceria solid electrolyte. For comparison purposes, the solid solution Ce0.85Y0.13Pr0.02O2-δ was prepared by mixing Pr6O11 to the precipitated gel of ceria-yttria. Reductions in the average grain size and in the full width at half maximum height of the grain size distribution curve were obtained with increasing praseodymium additions to ceria-yttria. In contrast, Tb additions to yttria-doped ceria do not result in any significant microstructural change. Although an increase in grain conductivity with small amounts of Pr was observed at 300 ºC, both co-dopants exert a deleterious effect on the electrical conductivity of yttria-doped ceria at temperatures of typical solid oxide fuel cells operation.

The effect of co-joint additions of Y and Dy on the electrical conductivity of ceria ceramics was studied by impedance spectroscopy. Powder materials were synthesized by aqueous coprecipitation to obtain Ce1−x(Y0.5Dy0.5)xO2−δ with 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.15. Sintering of powder compacts was carried out at 1450 ◦ C for 4 h. The main results show that high densification (∼95% of theoretical value) was attained for all compositions. Raman spectroscopy results evidenced the solid solution formation among cerium, yttrium and dysprosium. The electrical conductivity of sintered specimens varies with the total dopant content. A maximum conductivity value was obtained for a lower dopant content considering the behaviour of singly doped ceramics. Moreover, sintered specimens with the same total dopant content exhibit similar electrical conductivity values suggesting that the concentration of oxygen vacancies play a major role in the conduction process of co-doped ceramics. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cerâmicas de zircônia parcialmente estabilizada com cálcia foram preparadas com pós nanométricos obtidos pela técnica da co-precipitação. A sinterização dos compactos foi feita a 1500 ºC com tempos de patamar de 3 min e 2 h para o estudo do efeito produzido por diferentes fases na resistividade elétrica da cerâmica sinterizada. O estudo da decomposição térmica do gel mostrou que a formação do óxido ocorre a temperaturas relativamente baixas. A área de superfície específica é elevada quando comparada com valores dos materiais comerciais. A densificação de compactos preparados com pós nanométricos inicia a temperaturas inferiores a 1000 ºC, mas a cinética de sinterização é dependente da fase formada durante o aquecimento. Os compactos sinterizados apresentam fases distintas dependendo do tempo de sinterização à mesma temperatura. A contribuição relativa das fases formadas na zircônia parcialmente estabilizada para a resistividade elétrica das cerâmicas sinterizados pode ser diferenciada por meio de medidas de espectroscopia de impedância. CaO-partially stabilized ZrO2 ceramics were prepared from nanosized powders synthesized by the coprecipitation technique. In order to study the effect of different crystallographic phases on the electrical resistivity, powder compacts were sintered at 1500 ºC for soaking times of 2 h and 3 min. The thermal decomposition of the precursor gel occurs at low temperatures giving rise to a high specific surface area powder material. The densification of powder compacts starts at temperatures lower than 1000 ºC, although the sintering kinetics depends on the crystallographic phase formed during heating of the compact. The phase assemblage of sintered compacts depends on the soaking time. Impedance spectroscopy measurements allowed for identification of the relative contribution of different phases to the total electrical resistivity of calcia-partially stabilized zirconia ceramics.

This paper describes the synthesis of indium oxide by a modified sol–gel method, and the study of thermal decomposition of the metal complex in air. The characterization of the intermediate as well as the final compounds was carried out by thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and small angle X-ray scattering. The results show that the indium complex decomposes to In2O3 with the formation of an intermediate compound. Nanoparticles of cubic In2O3 with crystallite sizes in the nanosize range were formed after calcination at temperatures up to 900°C. Calcined materials are characterized by a polydisperse distribution of spherical particles with sharp and smooth surfaces.

Óxido de cério com partículas de tamanho nanométrico foi preparado pela técnica da precipitação utilizando como agente precipitante o hidróxido de amônio ou o ácido oxálico. O principal objetivo deste trabalho foi a obtenção de pós nanométricos de CeO2 com altos valores de área de superfície específica. Os pós calcinados foram analisados por adsorção gasosa para a determinação da área de superfície específica, por difração de raios X para verificação de fases estruturais e determinação do tamanho médio de cristalito, por espectroscopia de infravermelho com transformada de Fourier, por microscopia eletrônica de varredura para observação de tamanho e forma das partículas, e por espalhamento laser para a determinação da distribuição do tamanho de partículas e aglomerados. Os principais resultados mostraram que em ambos casos foram obtidos pós com tamanho nanométrico de partículas (< 10 nm), com área de superfície específica elevada (> 90 m².g-1), mas com morfologias diferentes, dependendo do agente precipitante. A densificação de compactos sinterizados ao ar é também diferente nestes casos. Medidas da condutividade elétrica foram feitas por espectroscopia de impedância entre 5 Hz e 13 MHz na faixa de pressão parcial de oxigênio de ~ 1 até ~ 10-6 atm. A análise dos resultados permitiu identificar o tipo de portador de carga responsável pela condutividade elétrica nas cerâmicas sinterizadas. Nanosized powders of cerium dioxide with controlled physical properties were prepared by the precipitation technique using ammonium hydroxide or oxalic acid as precipitating agent. The calcined precursors were studied by nitrogen adsorption to determine the specific surface area, X-ray diffraction for structural phase characterization and crystallite size determination, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and by laser scattering for particle size distribution. The morphology of powder particles was observed by scanning electron microscopy. It is shown that both precipitating materials may be used for the preparation of nanocrystalline powders (< 10 nm) with high values of specific surface area (> 90 m².g-1). The observed differences between powders prepared from hydroxides or oxalates rely on the distribution of particle sizes, on the morphology of the agglomerated particles, and on the densification behavior. Impedance spectroscopy experiments were carried out in the 5 Hz-13 MHz frequency range under controlled partial pressure of oxygen from 10-6 to 1 atm. The analysis of these results allowed for the determination of the charge carriers responsible for the electrical transport in the ceria sintered pellets.

Ce 1-x (Y 0.5 Dy 0.5 ) x O 2-8 solid solutions with 0.030 ≤ x ≤ 0.150 were prepared by the precipitation of the corresponding cation hydroxides. The main purposes of this work were to verify the effect of combined addition of yttrium and dysprosium oxides on the ionic conductivity of ceria, and to evaluate the application of the crystallographic index model in the studied dopant content range. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy results evidence the homogeneous nature of the synthesized materials. The grain conductivity of the sintered pellets at a fixed temperature increases with increasing dopant content up to x=0.045, and then decreases for higher concentrations. These results show that the addition of a codopant influences the composition at which the maximum value of conductivity is attained. Moreover, the crystallographic index model seems to be unsuitable to describe the behavior of the ionic conductivity of either grain or grain boundaries when the total dopant content is relatively low.

Nanosized powders of cerium dioxide with controlled physical properties were prepared by the precipitation technique using ammonium hydroxide or oxalic acid as precipitating agent. The calcined precursors were studied by nitrogen adsorption to determine the specific surface area, X-ray diffraction for phase characterization and crystallite size determination, and by laser scattering for particle size distribution. The morphology of powder particles was observed by scanning electron microscopy. It is shown that both precipitating materials may be used for the preparation of nanocrystalline powders ( 90 m2 ⋅ g− 1). The observed differences between powders prepared from hydroxides or oxalates rely on the distribution of particle sizes and in the morphology of the agglomerated particles. Impedance spectroscopy experiments were carried out in the 5 Hz–13 MHz frequency range under controlled partial pressure of oxygen from 10 ppm to 1 atm. The analysis of these results allowed for the determination of the charge carriers responsible for the electrical transport in the ceria sintered pellets.

Nanosized particles of 13mol% MgO-doped ZrO2 with a narrow distribution of pore sizes were prepared by the coprecipitation technique using optimized parameters of synthesis. Transmission electron microscopy analysis of the calcined powder reveals that the majority of the particles have grain sizes in the 10–20nm range. From nitrogen adsorption analysis an average particle size of 13nm was estimated, which is similar to the average pore size diameter (12nm). Besides the unimodal distribution of pore sizes, the linear shrinkage curve of a powder compact exhibits several inflexions indicating different rates of densification up to 1600°C. After sintering at 1600°C for 2h, the microstructure features of a compact are characteristics of the intermediate stage with interconnected porosity preferentially observed at grain boundaries. These results are explained as a size effect of nanoparticles of magnesia-doped zirconia during sintering.

CeO 2 –8 mol% Y 2 O 3 solid solution was prepared by the coprecipitation technique. Cerium nitrate and yttrium oxide were used as precursors. The main purpose of this work was to evaluate some precipitation parameters, the densification behaviour of powder compacts, and the electrical resistivity of sintered ceramics. Results on thermal analyses show that the decomposition of the precipitated gel is almost complete at 400 °C. The specific surface area of calcined powders decreases for increasing precipitation temperature. For powders precipitated at room temperature, the BET surface area is also found to be dependent on the gel storage time before calcination. The densification of powder compacts increases sharply for sintering temperatures higher than 1400 °C. However, a few minutes at 1500 °C is sufficient for the compacts to attain a high densification. Impedance spectroscopy experiments reveal that the ionic resistivity is not dependent on most of the synthesis parameters, although the grain size play a key role in the intergranular component of the resistivity.

Ultrafine zirconia–12 mol% ceria powders have been prepared by the coprecipitation technique. The azeotropic distillation with n-butanol has been carried out to ensure complete elimination of the residual water in the precipitate. This procedure has proved to be quite effective in preventing the formation of agglomerates, which are responsible for inhomogeneities in the sintered microstructure, and for non-densification at low temperatures. The crystallization of the solid solution occurs at 430 °C as determined by thermal analyses. The specific surface of the calcined powder is 127.9 m2 g−1 and the pore size distribution exhibits only a maximum at approximately 9 nm. Total shrinkage of the compacted powder reached 30% at 1200 °C. Sintered specimens show six bands characteristics of the tetragonal phase in the Raman spectrum. Specimens with apparent densities >95% of the theoretical density and average grain size of 230–400 nm were obtained after sintering at 1200 °C.

Human Valpha24 + NKT cells, a subpopulation of natural killer cell receptor (NKR-P1A) expressing T cells with an invariant T-cell receptor (TCR; Valpha24JalphaQ) are stimulated by the glycolipid, alpha-galactosylceramide (KRN7000), in a CD1d-dependent, TCR-mediated fashion. Little is known about Valpha24 + NKT-cell function. The murine counterpart, Valpha14 + NKT cells, appear to have an important role in controlling malignancy. There are no human data examining the role of Valpha24 + NKT cells in controlling human malignancy. We report that Valpha24 + NKT cells have perforin-mediated cytotoxicity against haemopoietic malignancies. Valpha24 TCR, CD1d and alpha-galactosylceramide may all play a role in cytotoxicity but are not absolute requirements. The greatest cytotoxicity was observed against the U937 tumour cell line (95 +/- 5% lysis). THP-1, Molt4, C1R cells and allogeneic mismatched dendritic cells were also sensitive to Valpha24 + NKT cytotoxicity but neither the NK target, K562, nor lymphokine-activated killer-sensitive Daudi cells, were sensitive. These results indicate a killing pattern distinct from conventional major histocompatibility complex-restricted T cells, NK cells and other cytotoxic lymphoid cells previously described. We conclude that human Valpha24 + NKT cells have cytotoxic anti-tumour activity against haemopoietic malignancies through effector mechanisms distinct from conventional T cells and NK cells and that their specific stimulator KRN7000 may have therapeutic potential.

To ascertain the safety of repeat apheresis donation, hematological and biochemical tests were performed on 511 donors with a donation rate of over 6 times per year for a period of 12-19 months.Repeat donors who had apheresis more than 6 times in the previous year were chosen. Data for the repeat donors at the start of the experiments were compared with those at the end of the study. Blood samples were taken prior to donation. Serum protein, albumin, immunoglobulin G, A, and M, serum ferritin levels were determined by biochemical tests.When compared to prospective donors of 400 ml, WBC, lymphocytes, and serum ferritin levels were lower in a roughly frequency-dependent manner in female and male donor groups at the beginning of the study. All the data for the male group remained almost constant with increasing frequency of apheresis donation. However, in the female group, ferritin levels significantly decreased with over 21 donations.The present data showed that the serum ferritin level of the female donors decreased the most with increasing frequency of apheresis donation. The cumulative RBC left in the collecting chamber and for the laboratory test is discussed in relation to a possible cause of iron deficiency in frequent apheresis donors.

Background It has been suggested that mast cells and eosinophils are major effector cells in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases. However, the interaction of these cells has not been thoroughly elucidated. We examined eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) release and cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca 2+ ] i ) in human cosinophils induced by the major mast-cell mediators including cytokines Methods Eosinophils from healthy donors were stimulated with the major mast-cell mediators for 20 min after preincubation with cytochalasin B for 10 min. ECP in supernatants was measured by radioimmunoassay. Moreover, to examine changes of [Ca 2+ ] i in eosinophils, Fura-2-loaded eosinophils were monitored for fluorescence changes after stimulus addition. Results Of the tested mediators (prostaglandin [PG]D 2 , leukotriene (LT)B 4 , platelet-activating factor (PAF), histamine, LTC 4 , and eosinophil chemotactic factor of anaphylaxis [ECF-A]). LTB 4 and PAF induced ECP release from eosinophils Any cytokines produced by human mast cells, i.e., interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5. IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF). or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), did not induce ECP release in our system. ECP release triggered with LTB 4 and PAF occurred at concentrations of 10 8-10-6 M concentration-dependently. LTB 4 and PAF also elicited a rise in [Ca 2+ ] i in eosinophils. Neither PGD 2 , histamine, nor LTC 4 induced ECP release, although they increased cytosolic calcium in eosinophils. Conclusions Of mast-cell mediators, LTB 4 and PAF induced eosinophil degranulation. The contribution of LTB 4 and PAF from mast cells to eosinophil degranulation may be important in the pathogenesis of allergic inflammatory diseases.

Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD) is a potentially fatal adverse reaction to blood transfusion. Although TA-GVHD was formerly considered to be rare and to occur only in immunocompromised patients, it was confirmed to occur even in immunocompetent patients in Japan, based on a definitive diagnostic test for TA-GVHD using highly polymorphic microsatellite repeat sequences. We clarify the clinical picture of TA-GVHD via definitive diagnosed cases and argue the validity of blood irradiation for TA-GVHD prevention.Two-hundred and ninety patients who were suspected of having TA-GVHD and referred to us for diagnostic testing from October 1992 to August 1999 were analysed for the associated clinical characteristics and risk factors. Effects of universal irradiation were followed up until 2010.Sixty-six of the 290 study patients were diagnosed as having definite TA-GVHD by microsatellite DNA analysis. Regarding the symptoms of patients with definite TA-GVHD, a fever of over 38 °C, erythema and leucocytopenia were found in virtually all of these patients. Among patients in whom human leucocyte antigen (HLA) typing was carried out, TA-GVHD almost always developed in HLA heterozygous patients following the transfusion of HLA homozygous blood. TA-GVHD was reported significantly more frequently in older patients. In this study, TA-GVHD was caused by the transfusion of HLA one-way match blood stored for 14 days.No cases of TA-GVHD development have been confirmed since 2000, when the supply of irradiated blood products became widespread. No major problems have been encountered since the start of universal irradiation, more than 10 years ago.

It has been suggested that eosinophils (Eos) are responsible for damage to bronchial epithelial cells by releasing toxic eosinophil granule proteins in bronchial asthma. We examined eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) release from human Eos cultured in the presence of human bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B (Ep). ECP release was potentiated only when both Eos and Ep were activated by IL-5 and TNF, respectively, while it was not potentiated when either Eos or Ep were activated. ECP release from Eos activated by IL-5 was also enhanced when Ep was stimulated by IFN-gamma. Paraformaldehyde fixation of Ep had no effect on ECP enhancement, excluding the possibility that soluble factors from Ep contribute to ECP potentiation. Coculture of Eos and Ep with cytokine treatment resulted in the enhancement of eosinophil adhesion and ECP release, and eosinophil adhesion preceded ECP release in the kinetic study. The enhancement of ECP release was partially inhibited by anti-CD18 mAb, which caused partial and comparable inhibition on the potentiation of eosinophil adhesion. These results suggest that the activation of Ep may profoundly affect the ability of cocultured Eos to release ECP and that CD18-dependent adhesion of Eos to Ep may be considered as one of the mechanisms of ECP enhancement.

HLA-A*24:183N, A*02:356N, and A*02:15N share the same stop codon at the same position in exon 4.

We demonstrated switching operations and evaluated the phase shift using the fabricated Si waveguide Mach-Zehnder interferometer switches. The obtained phase change coefficient in the Si-waveguide with the ferro-electric liquid crystal cladding was 2.1π rad/mm.

Background The Japanese Red Cross (JRC) conducted a prospective study to evaluate the frequency of transfusion-transmitted HBV, HCV and HIV infections to assess the risk of transfusion of blood components routinely supplied to hospitals. Study Design and Methods Post-transfusion specimens from patients at eight medical institutes were examined for evidence of infection with HBV (2139 cases), HCV (2091) and HIV (2040) using individual nucleic acid amplification testing (NAT). If these specimens were reactive, pre-transfusion specimens were also examined for the virus concerned by individual NAT. In the event that the pre-transfusion specimen was non-reactive, then all repository specimens from implicated donors were tested for the viruses by individual donation NAT. In addition, a further study was carried out to evaluate the risk of transfusion of components from donors with low anti-HBc titres or high anti-HBc with high anti-HBs titres. Results Transfusion-transmitted HCV and HIV infections were not observed. One case of post-transfusion HBV infection was identified (rate, 0·0004675; 95% CI for the risk of transmission, 1 in 451–41 841). The background rates of HBV, HCV and HIV infections in patients prior to transfusion were 3·4% (72/2139), 7·2% (150/2091) and 0% (0/2040), respectively. Sixty-four anti-HBc- and/or anti-HBs-reactive blood components were transfused to 52 patients non-reactive for anti-HBc or anti-HBs before and after transfusion (rate, 0; 95% CI for the risk of transmission

In 2007, the Japanese Red Cross Blood Center performed a large-scale questionnaire study of post-donation adverse reactions. The questionnaire was distributed to 98,389 donors, and the answers were returned by 55,231 (56.1%). In total, 2,877 (5.2%) complained of an adverse reaction. Assuming that there were no adverse reactions for the 46,150 donors who did not reply, the rate of adverse reaction can be speculated to be 2.8%. Our study strongly suggests that blood centers have long underestimated the risks of vaso-vagal reactions. Taking at least 6 h of careful rest after donation would be a helpful counter measure.

Our recent study indicated that all the insulin autoimmune syndrome (IAS) patients had specific HLA class II alleles, the DRB1*0406, DQA1*0301, and DQB1*0302, which allowed T cells to proliferate when autologous APC were exposed to human insulin. The study implied that gene products of DRB1*0406, DQA1*0301, and/or DQB1*0302 may be involved in the presentation of human insulin to T cells. We therefore examined T cell response of healthy donors with different HLA phenotypes to human insulin using an autologous MLR system. The T cells from not only IAS patients but also healthy donors were able to proliferate after exposure of human insulin to autologous APC with DRB1*0406, DQA1*0301, and DQB1*0302 products. The class II molecules are considered to be involved in the recognition of human insulin by T cells. The proliferative response of T cells was completely blocked by anti-HLA-DR mAb and not by anti-HLA-DQ mAb or other mAb. Furthermore, human insulin-specific CD4-positive T cell clones were established from blast cells in autologous MLR of PBMC from two healthy donors with DRB1*0406 in the presence of human insulin. Using DRB1*0406-transfected L cells as APC, we confirmed that these T cells clones recognize human insulin in the context of gene products of DRB1*0406. These results provide the first evidence that HLA-DRB1*0406 products act as the dominant restriction element for the presentation of human insulin to T cells, and suggest that this particular class II gene, HLA-DRB1*0406, contributes to the development of IAS.

In previous studies, we reported the transmission of hepatitis E virus (HEV) by transfusion, and the frequent detection of HEV markers in Japanese blood donors with elevated ALT levels. For the current study, we carried out a nationwide survey of the prevalence of IgG anti-HEV in qualified blood donors throughout Japan.The 12,600 samples from qualified blood donors were collected from seven blood centres (1800 per centre) representing nearly all regions of Japan. Samples were from age- and sex-matched blood donors who tested negative for all the current blood screening tests. The samples were screened using the in-house IgG anti-HEV ELISA. Sequentially, the positive samples were tested by the commercial IgG anti-HEV ELISA.Of 12,600 samples, 431 (3·4%) were regarded as positive for IgG anti-HEV. The prevalence of IgG anti-HEV was higher in eastern Japan (5·6%) than in western Japan (1·8%) (P0·001), and was also age-dependent and higher in men (3·9%) than in women (2·9%) (P=0·002).The spread of the domestic infection of HEV was observed in qualified blood donors in Japan. A higher prevalence of IgG anti-HEV was observed in male donors, older donors and in donors residing in eastern Japan. Further studies are necessary to clarify the potential risk of transfusion-transmission of HEV in Japan.

The thermal desorption of nitrogen monoxide (NO) adsorbed on unsupported CuO and CuO/SiO 2 was investigated by means of a temperature-programmed method. In both cases, two NO desorption peaks appeared with maxima in the temperature range of 383–573 and 648–753 K. It was concluded that the former peak was the result of NO adsorbed on copper (II) sites, and the latter peak, which was accompanied by oxygen desorption, was the result of nitrate type species formed by the reaction of NO with adsorbed oxygen. Over CuO/SiO 2 , NO was chemisorbed selectively on CuO species formed on the support. The surface area and the percentage exposed (dispersion) of unsupported CuO were calculated on the basis of the amount of NO desorbed. These values closely agreed with the corresponding ones estimated from the BET surface area. In a similar manner, the dispersion and the average particle size of CuO species formed on silica were calculated. It was shown that these species, which were previously characterized as isolated copper (II) species (or isolated CuO), highly dispersed CuO clusters and bulky CuO, are fine particles of CuO with an average diameter of 1.5–2.5,5–13 and over 15–30 nm, respectively.

summary. The government of Japan started a selective vaccination programme to prevent mother-to-infant infection by hepatitis B virus (HBV) since January 1986. The effect of the programme on first-time blood donors has not been examined in detail. Data of first-time blood donors aged 16–25 years from 1996 to 2007 were extracted from the Japanese Red Cross (JRC) donors' database. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to visualize the birth-year-dependent group of rate of HBV-positive donors. According to the birth of year, donors were divided into four groups by PCA. After the start of the programme, donors born in 1986–1989 comprised a single group. Before the start of the programme, three groups (1980, 1981–1984 and 1985) were identified. Although a significant time-dependent decrease in the rate of HBV-positive donors was observed before the start of the programme, a significant difference in the rate of HBV-positive donors was observed around the start of the programme by regression analysis for 16–19-year-old first-time blood donors. The selective vaccination programme has been effective to prevent the vertical transmission of HBV from the analysis of first-time blood donors. On the other hand, vaccination of blood donors should be considered to reduce the risk of post-transfusion HBV infection, because the horizontal transmission increases in HBV-positive blood donors.

Background and objectives Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is one of the most serious side-effects of transfusion. We report here the first two cases of TRALI caused by anti-Nak(a) (anti-CD36) antibody from a single blood donor. The aim of this study was to clarify the role of the anti-Nak(a) antibody in TRALI development. Materials and methods Human lung microvascular endothelial cells were co-cultured with Nak(a)-positive monocytes and Nak(a)-positive platelets together with serum prepared from blood products of a TRALI-caused anti-Nak(a) antibody-carrying donor. Expressions of leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in the co-culture supernatants were determined. Results The expressions of LTB(4) and TNF-alpha were found to be markedly increased, particularly in the presence of both Nak(a)-positive monocytes and platelets. The expressions of these mediators were almost completed within 4 h after the initiation of co-culture. Monocyte contribution seemed to be stronger than that of platelets. In the absence of human lung microvascular endothelial, no significant LTB(4) or TNF-alpha release was observed. Conclusion Anti-Nak(a) antibody may be strongly implicated in lung microvascular endothelial dysfunctions that lead to TRALI in a monocyte- and platelet-dependent manner.

Eleven patients with food-dependent, exercise-induced anaphylaxis were studied. Seven patients experienced anaphylactic symptoms only after eating certain foods, such as shellfish, wheat, and grape before exercise. In the remaining four patients, no specific food could be identified, but the act of eating itself predisposed to anaphylaxis. Their anaphylactic symptoms were all clearly distinguished from cholinergic urticaria by history. Patients who developed anaphylactic symptoms before 20 years of age (N = 7) were atopic themselves or had atopic first-degree relatives. Six patients had increased serum IgE levels, and IgE antibodies against the causative food allergens were detected by the skin prick test or RAST in four cases. In contrast, patients who developed the symptoms after 30 years of age (N = 4) appeared to have a less atopic background, and IgE levels were within normal range except in one case. Three of four patients in the latter group developed symptoms after ingesting food made of wheat followed by exercise. All patients were sensitive to wheat as determined by the skin prick test. In six of 11 patients, a considerable rise in plasma histamine concentration was observed after exercise challenge with treadmill alone, and food intake followed by exercise induced a further increase in one patient.

This paper proposes a new hybrid controller for a 2-mass spring system with stick-slip motion. The 2-mass spring system is considered as a hybrid system with two states: a static friction state and a kinetic friction state. In controller design, the hybrid system is described as a piecewise affine (PWA) system, which is one of the modeling frameworks of hybrid systems. It is known that the model predictive control method is applicable to PWA systems. The effectiveness of the controller has been evaluated by computer simulations.