Tomoko Kobayashi

Application of a qualitative and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction method for detecting genetically modified papaya line 55-1 in papaya products

Genetically modified (GM) papaya (Carica papaya L.) line 55-1 (55-1), which is resistant to papaya ringspot virus infection, has been marketed internationally. Many countries have mandatory labeling regulations for GM foods, and there is a need for specific methods for detecting 55-1. Here, an event- and construct-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was developed for detecting 55-1 in papaya products. Quantitative detection was possible for fresh papaya fruit up to dilutions of 0.001% and 0.01% (weight per weight [w/w]) for homozygous SunUp and heterozygous Rainbow cultivars, respectively, in non-GM papaya. The limit of detection and quantification was as low as 250 copies of the haploid genome according to a standard reference plasmid. The method was applicable to qualitative detection of 55-1 in eight types of processed products (canned papaya, pickled papaya, dried fruit, papaya-leaf tea, jam, puree, juice, and frozen dessert) containing papaya as a main ingredient.

Eighteen cases of wheat allergy and wheat‐dependent exercise‐induced urticaria/anaphylaxis sensitized by hydrolyzed wheat protein in soap

Glupearl 19S, an acid‐hydrolyzed wheat protein (HWP), is used widely in Japan as a moisturizing ingredient in facial soaps. Since 2010, there has been an increasing number of reports of contact urticaria and wheat allergy resulting from the use of products containing this substance.

Two cases of acquired idiopathic generalized anhidrosis successfully treated by steroid pulse therapy

contribute to the development of lymphoma and the aberrant phenotype such as CD25 expression and absence of cytotoxic molecules in our case. Our case can be regarded as CD8 lymphoma occurring as a form of ATLL. CD8 phenotype, however, accounts for only 10% of ATLL. CCR4 is expressed in more than 90% of ATLL. Moreover, monoclonal integration of HTLV-1 was not detected in the tumour cells. Considering that the cumulative incidence of ATLL is estimated to be only 5% among HTLV-1 carriers, we made a diagnosis of primary cutaneous CD8 aggressive epidermotropic cytotoxic T-cell lymphoma rather than ATLL.

A case of contact urticaria inducing anaphylaxis due to liliaceae vegetables in a hand eczema patient

The leek and onion belong to the family, liliaceae, which includes the garlic, onion, green spring onion, and asparagus. Previous reports discussed occupational dermatosis caused by a type-IV allergic reaction stemming from exposure to garlic.1,2 Other reports showed that liliaceae plants triggered asthma and anaphylaxis through IgE-mediated reactions.3e6 We present herein a rare case of contact urticaria triggered by leek, Chinese chive, and onion developing anaphylaxis in a hand eczema patient with atopic dermatitis. A 38-year-old housewife presented with severe atopic dermatitis for which she had been treated in dermatological clinics. Her hands showed particularly severe erythema, erosion, fissures, and lichenization. She had experienced an anaphylactic shock several times while cooking at home. During the first episode, while handling the cooking ingredients, including beef, pork, garlic, Chinese chives, and leek, edema, rash, and wheals were spread from her hands to the whole of her body. Within 30 min, wheezing was begun. The second episode involving the same anaphylactic symptoms occurred thirty minutes after handling food containing beef, pork, onion, egg, and flour. Laboratory tests showed the total IgE at 86.9 IU/ml. The specific IgE RAST to onion, garlic, wheat, beef, pork and egg were negative. Prick-by-prick test was performedwith a positive control of 10mg/ml histamine and a negative control consisting of saline.7 The results of the prick-byprick test showed positive reactions to onion (2þ), leek (þ/ ), Chinese chives (1þ), green spring onion (2þ), and garlic (2þ) after 15 min. Two healthy volunteers showed negative reactions to the same samples. Onion, leek, Chinese chives, green spring onion, and garlic proteins were extracted from chopped unpeeled vegetables by phosphate-buffered saline (pH 8) at 200 mg/ml and centrifuged at 21500 g 4C for 10 min. The supernatant proteins were measured and treated by NuPAGE LDS sample buffer and NuPAGE reducing agent (Life Science, Zurich, Switzerland). SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was performed with 4e12% NuPAGE Bis-Tris Precast Gel (Life Technologies ® Carlsbad, CA, USA) and fractionated protein bands weighing variously from 15 kDa to 80 kDaby were detected using Colloidal Blue Coomassie (SigmaeAldrich) (Fig. 1a). Proteins were transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane by diffusion. For IgE immunodetection, membranes were incubated 24 h in a 10% solution of

A 71-year-old female with giant goiter associated with tracheomalacia

A 71‐year‐old woman was admitted to the Emergency Department with severe dyspnea followed by unconsciousness. She had a history of hyperthyroidism and her anterior neck was markedly swollen. After ventilation was started, she soon became conscious with the improvement of oxygenation. Computed tomography findings indicated giant goiter surrounding the trachea. Later, we carried out a thyroidectomy for the giant goiter (800 g), and tracheostomy. Bronchoscopy carried out at the end of surgery showed a deformed tracheal wall on breathing. During inspiration, the collapsed wall of the trachea occluded the airway, although the tracheal wall recovered to normal during expiration. We diagnosed this case as acquired tracheomalacia and a tracheal stent graft made of silicon was inserted immediately after bronchoscopy.