High attenuation mucus in bronchi with allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis.

Background: High-attenuation mucus (HAM) is a specific manifestation of allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPM) on chest computed tomography (CT).

Objectives: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of the two definitions of HAM and to clarify the clinical and radiographic characteristics of HAM-positive and HAM-negative ABPM.

Methods: CT images at the diagnosis of ABPM using Asano's criteria were retrospectively analysed.

Sensitization pattern to environmental allergens in a Japanese population.

Background: We previously described the prevalence of allergen-specific IgE in a general population of Japanese adults.

Objective: We sought to elucidate allergen sensitization patterns in this population.

Methods: Serum samples had been obtained from 800 blood donors aged 20 to 59 years and living in Tokyo, Japan, in 2005 and stored in the Japanese Red Cross Society.

Silent Hypoxemia in COVID-19 Pneumonia.

In patients suffering from Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), dyspnoea is less likely to occur despite hypoxemia. Even if the patient develops severe hypoxemia, it cannot be detected from subjective symptoms. In other words, it becomes more serious without the person or the surroundings noticing it.

Tepotinib Improves Prognosis in an Elderly Patient with Poor Performance Status and Exon 14 Skipping Mutation-positive Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

Several target therapies for driver gene mutations related with lung cancer growth are clinically effective in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Gefitinib and alectinib have been reported as being effective and safe even in those with poor performance status (PS), but little is known about efficacy and tolerability of other TKIs. An 84-year-old man was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (cT3N2M1c stage IVB).

ANCA-Associated Vasculitis in a Patient with Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension.

An 82-year-old woman with a history of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) presented with malaise, left facial nerve paralysis and the positive seroconversion of myeloperoxidase (MPO)-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA). She was diagnosed with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). Administration of corticosteroids significantly improved her symptoms, with a decline in the serum MPOANCA level.

Prevalence of inhaled allergen-specific IgE antibody positivity in the healthy Japanese population.

Background: Measurement of allergen-specific IgE antibodies to inhaled allergens is important for the diagnosis and risk evaluation of allergic diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis. This study aimed to elucidate the prevalence of allergen sensitization among the healthy population in Japan using serum samples stocked in the Japanese Red Cross for blood donation.

Methods: Age- and gender-stratified serum samples (n = 800) from residents in Tokyo aged 20-59 years were randomly selected from the stocked serum obtained for blood donation in 2005.

Cytokine/Chemokine/Growth Factor Levels in Malignant Pleural Effusion of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

Objective: Malignant pleural effusions (MPEs) deteriorate the quality of life in patients with advanced stages of cancer. Although vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is known to be a key factor for MPE formation, it is not fully clarified whether there are other components related to its appearance.

Methods: Pleural effusion and serum samples were collected from patients with MPEs of non-small cell lung cancer.

Pneumocystis pneumonia in a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

A 76-year-old man, who was in the hospital for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and was receiving gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist treatment for prostate cancer, developed fever and hypoxemia. Imaging revealed diffuse interstitial shadows, and PCR of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was positive for Pneumocystis jirovecii. The patient's absolute CD4-positive lymphocyte count dropped to 145/microl, but the HIV antibody was negative.

Idiopathic yellow nail syndrome successfully treated with OK-432.

A 70-year-old female presented with yellow discoloration of the nail beds of all fingers and toes, as well as bilateral pleural effusions. The patient was diagnosed as having the yellow nail syndrome based on the triad of yellow nails, lymphedema, and pleural effusions. The patient's intractable bilateral pleural effusion was treated with pleurodesis using OK-432.