Practical guide for the diagnosis and management of primary ciliary dyskinesia.

Objective: Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a relatively rare genetic disorder that affects approximately 1 in 20,000 people. Approximately 50 genes are currently known to cause PCD. In light of differences in causative genes and the medical system in Japan compared with other countries, a practical guide was needed for the diagnosis and management of Japanese PCD patients.

Executive summary: Japanese guidelines for allergic rhinitis 2020.

The Practical Guideline for the Management of Allergic Rhinitis, the fist guideline for allergic rhinitis in Japan, was prepared after a symposium held by the Japanese Society of Allergology in 1993. The current 9th edition was published in 2020 and is widely used today. The most recent collection of evidence from the literature was supplemented to the revised guideline to incorporate evidence-based medicine.

Surveillance of pollen-food allergy syndrome in elementary and junior high school children in Saitama, Japan.

Background: Because few studies have epidemiologically evaluated pollen-food allergy syndrome (PFAS), relevant information about this disease is limited in children.

Objective: We wanted to clarify the epidemiological details of PFAS by creating a questionnaire which enables to distinguish class 2 food allergy from that of class 1.

Methods: We conducted a questionnaire survey for schoolchildren attending to public elementary and junior high schools.

Effectiveness of Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir for Hepatitis C: Real-World Experience and Clinical Features of Retreatment Cases.

Glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (G/P) are direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) that achieve a high sustained virological response (SVR) rate for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We investigated G/P effectiveness for HCV patients based on real-world experience and the clinical features of retreatment cases. HCV patients (n = 182) were compared for clinical features and outcomes between first treatment (n = 159) and retreatment (n = 23) G/P groups.

Predictors of adherence to sublingual immunotherapy for Japanese cedar pollinosis: a prospective analysis.

Background: Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) often has low adherence rates.

Objective: To provide effective support for SLIT continuation, we investigated potential predictors of SLIT adherence through a prospective analysis of patient characteristics. We excluded evaluation of treatment effect and symptoms during treatment, aiming instead to identify predictors of later dropout or insufficient adherence due to indolence or forgetfulness using only information obtained at initial examination.

Past history of hepatocellular carcinoma is an independent risk factor of treatment failure in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection receiving direct-acting antivirals.

Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment can achieve a high sustained virological response (SVR) rate in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection regardless of a history of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC [+]). We examined 838 patients (370 men, median age: 69 years) who were treated with DAAs for comparisons of clinical findings between 79 HCC (+) (9.4%) and 759 HCC (-) (90.

Current status of sublingual immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis in Japan.

Japanese cedar pollen (JCP) and house dust mite (HDM) are two major allergens that cause allergic rhinitis (AR) in Japan and the prevalence of AR is increasing. Pharmacothearpy is a commonly used treatment, but the level of patient satisfaction is very low. Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is the only therapeutic modality that provides not only symptom relief but also quality of life improvement that leads to a high rate of satisfaction.

A Very Rare Case of Hypereosinophilic Syndrome Secondary to Natural Killer/T-Cell Lymphoma.

Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a systemic disease characterized by an increased peripheral blood eosinophil count accompanied by systemic organ dysfunction. HES is classified into idiopathic HES, primary (neoplastic) HES (HES), and secondary (reactive) HES (HES). In this case report, a patient who developed peripheral blood eosinophilia and granulation tissue in the pharynx and paranasal sinus, which was initially diagnosed as chronic eosinophilic leukemia (CEL), categorized as HES, but was eventually identified after the patient had died as natural killer/T-cell (NK/T) lymphoma, nasal type (ENKL), categorized as HES, is presented.

[ANALYSIS OF BACKGROUNDS AND LEVEL OF UNDERSTANDING OF TREATMENT OF POOR ADHERENCE AND DROPOUT CASES ON SUBLINGUAL IMMUNOTHERAPY FOR JAPANESE CEDAR POLLINOSIS IN THE FIRST FOLLOW-UP YEAR].

Background: We considered the factors of poor adherence to and dropout from sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) by verifying patient backgrounds 1 year after start of treatment.

Methods: We recruited 38 patients who began SLIT between November 2014 and September 2015. We analyzed their attributes and level of understanding of the treatment, and conducted a self-reported survey on factors behind dropout cases and poor adherence cases.

A single mouse monoclonal antibody, E58 modulates multiple IgE epitopes on group 1 cedar pollen allergens.

We recently described a dominant role for conformational epitopes on the group 1 allergen of the mountain cedar (Juniperus ashei, Cupressaceae), Jun a 1, in pollen hypersensitivity in South Central U.S.A.

Guiding principles of sublingual immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis in Japanese patients.

Objective: Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) appears to offer practical advantages for the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR). Based on a review of the scientific literature, we present recommendations as guiding principles to administer SLIT safely.

Methods: Clinical questions concerning SLIT were prepared.

[Postural and Conditional Variations of Nasal Patency in Patients under General Anesthesia Approximating Sleep as Assessed with Acoustic Rhinometry].

Nasal obstruction is a known risk factor associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Multiple methods of measuring nasal abnormalities including anterior and posterior rhinomanometry and acoustic rhinometry (AR) have been used to better quantify the relationship. These measurements are usually used in the sitting and awakening situation, which differ from the situations in the supine position and while asleep.

Patient Background Factors Affecting the Therapeutic Outcomes in Response to Eszopiclone in Adult Patients with Chronic Insomnia: A Post Hoc Analysis of a Double-Blind Phase III Study in Japan.

Study Objective: To identify whether baseline demographic factors or subjective sleep variables are associated with the outcomes following treatment with eszopiclone using data from a recent randomized controlled trial of 78 Japanese subjects with insomnia who were treated with 2 mg eszopiclone per day.

Methods: We performed a post hoc analysis of factors including sleep latency (SL), wake time after sleep onset (WASO) (both assessed via sleep diaries), and several demographic variables. Subjects with a SL or WASO > 30 min at baseline and with evaluable SL/WASO data at Week 4 were included in SL and WASO remitter analyses, respectively; those with a SL or WASO ≤ 30 min at Week 4 were defined as SL or WASO remitters, respectively.

[Two cases of allergic fungal rhinosinusitis with bone destruction].

We report herein two cases of allergic fungal rhinosinusitis accompanied by bone destruction of the adjacent nasal sinuses. The first case involved a 21-year-old man who presented with left exophthalmos. Computed tomography (CT) showed soft tissue lesions in the left paranasal sinuses and destruction of the left lamina papyraceae, as well as infiltration of the lesion into the orbit.

KIR3DL1-HLA-Bw4 combination and IL28B polymorphism predict response to Peg-IFN and ribavirin with and without telaprevir in chronic hepatitis C.

Natural killer cells play a key role in the immune control of viral infections. Killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) regulate natural killer cell activation and inhibition through the recognition of their cognate HLA class I ligands. We assessed the predictive factors of a sustained virological response (SVR) in 200 Japanese patients with chronic genotype 1b hepatitis C who were treated with telaprevir (TVR), pegylated-interferon-α2b (PEG-IFN), and ribavirin (RBV) triple therapy (92 patients) or PEG-IFN/RBV therapy alone (108 patients).

[Prevalence of allergic rhinitis among asthmatic patients in two different seasons].

Introduction: Allergic rhinitis and asthma are often comorbid, and allergic rhinitis has been shown to be a risk factor for asthma in adults and children. Recently, the prevalence of allergic rhinitis among bronchial asthma (BA) patients was reported to be 67.3% in Japan.

Lung functions of Japanese patients with chronic rhinosinusitis who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery.

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), which is clinically classified into CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) and CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), shows considerable geographic differences and heterogeneity. Eosinophilic (E) CRS with nasal polyps (ECRSwNP) has a higher degree of disease severity and higher frequency of comorbid asthma. Epidemiologic studies in different ethnic populations have improved understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease.

Guiding principles of subcutaneous immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis in Japan.

Objective: In anticipation of the development of guidelines for antigen-specific subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), we present recommendations that can serve as guiding principles based on a review of the scientific literature.

Methods: Clinical questions (CQs) concerning SCIT were prepared. Literature searches for publications between January 1990 and February 2011 were performed in PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Japana Centra Revuo Medicina Web version 4.

[Effect of posterior nasal neurectomy combined with the inferior turbinate surgery for Japanese cedar pollinosis].

Introduction: Up to 30% of the Japanese population suffers from Japanese cedar pollinosis, and some of these patients also have severe perennial allergies or other pollen allergies. Posterior nasal neurectomy has recently been reported as effective treatment for severe perennial allergic and intrinsic rhinitis. However, the efficacy of this surgery for seasonal allergic rhinitis has not been shown.

Five adult laryngeal venous malformation cases treated effectively with sclerotherapy.

Laryngeal venous malformation is a comparatively rare condition in adults. It presents as a livid or bluish mass that may cause bleeding, hoarseness, stridor, and even difficulty in breathing. So far, treatment has largely consisted of laser therapy and surgical removal.

[Effect of posterior nasal neurectomy combined with the inferior turbinate surgery for the patients with perennial allergic rhinitis or vasomotor rhinitis].

Introduction: Until recently, Vidian neurectomy had been applied mainly in intractable vasomotor rhinitis and severe perennial allergic rhinitis. Although the results were excellent, the operation has not been applied recently because of the adverse events such as xerophthalmia and trigeminal neuralgia. To resolve these problems, a new surgical technique, posterior nasal neurectomy, was developed.

A randomized placebo-controlled polysomnographic study of eszopiclone in Japanese patients with primary insomnia.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and dose-response effect of eszopiclone on sleep latency and sleep maintenance in Japanese patients with primary insomnia.

Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, five-way crossover study, 72 patients received placebo, eszopiclone 1mg, 2mg, and 3mg, and zolpidem 10mg in random order for two consecutive nights with a washout period between treatments. Objective sleep measures from polysomnography (PSG) and subjective patient reports were collected.

Effects of eszopiclone on safety, subjective measures of efficacy, and quality of life in elderly and nonelderly Japanese patients with chronic insomnia, both with and without comorbid psychiatric disorders: a 24-week, randomized, double-blind study.

Background: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate long-term (24-week) safety of eszopiclone in elderly and nonelderly Japanese patients with chronic insomnia. The secondary objectives were to evaluate short-term (4-week) efficacy and to assess for rebound insomnia or dependence after long-term treatment.

Methods: Patients (n = 164 elderly; n = 161 nonelderly), with or without psychiatric comorbidities, were randomized to receive low-dose (1 mg, elderly; 2 mg, nonelderly) or high-dose (2 mg, elderly; 3 mg, nonelderly) eszopiclone.