A "Catlike Cry" as a Symptom of Congenital Tracheoesophageal Fistula.

Congenital tracheoesophageal fistula is usually diagnosed at an early age, but may remain undetected into adulthood if atresia is absent and if the fistula is small. A tracheoesophageal fistula should be suspected in patients with unexplained episodes of respiratory distress or pneumonia; however, more subtle signs can be an important symptom for early recognition of the disease. Ono's sign is a well-known symptom of tracheoesophageal fistula, characterized by paroxysmal coughing triggered by swallowing of fluids.

Alendronate inhalation ameliorates elastase-induced pulmonary emphysema in mice by induction of apoptosis of alveolar macrophages.

Alveolar macrophages play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of emphysema, for which there is currently no effective treatment. Bisphosphonates are widely used to treat osteoclast-mediated bone diseases. Here we show that delivery of the nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate alendronate via aerosol inhalation ameliorates elastase-induced emphysema in mice.

A case of anti-MDA5-positive rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease in a patient with clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis ameliorated by rituximab, in addition to standard immunosuppressive treatment.

Rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD) in patients with clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis (CADM) associated with antibodies to melanoma differentiation-associated gene5 (MDA5) results in a high mortality rate. We experienced a case of anti-MDA5-positive RP-ILD of CADM which showed a response to rituximab, although there was no significant effect due to standard immunosuppressive treatment. This case suggests that rituximab has the potential to offer an effective agent for the treatment of anti-MDA5-positive RP-ILD of CADM.

Conophylline suppresses hepatic stellate cells and attenuates thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis in rats.

Background & Aims: Conophylline (CnP) is a vinca alkaloid purified from a tropical plant and inhibits activation of pancreatic stellate cells. We investigated the effect of CnP on hepatic stellate cells (HSC) in vitro. We also examined whether CnP attenuates hepatic fibrosis in vivo.

Notch induces myofibroblast differentiation of alveolar epithelial cells via transforming growth factor-{beta}-Smad3 pathway.

Notch is an ancient cell-signaling system that regulates the specification of cell fate. This study examined the role of Notch in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and myofibroblast differentiation of cultured RLE-6TN cells (i.e.

[Comparison between pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza pneumonia and seasonal influenza pneumonia in adults].

We compared 126 cases of seasonal influenza pneumonia (seasonal flu) reported between January, 1996 and March, 2009, with 10 cases of laboratory-confirmed pandemic influenza (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus pneumonia (novel flu), based on clinical condition, computed tomography (CT) findings, severity, treatment, and prognosis, to clarify the characteristics of this novel flu. The mean age of subjects was 52.4 years in the novel flu group and 64 years in the seasonal flu group, and novel flu patients were younger than seasonal flu patients.

[Clinical study of pneumocystis pneumonia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

We reviewed case of pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) with rheumatoid arthritis. We administered the antirheumatic drug methotrexate (MTX) at the time of to 13 patients, corticosteroids to 11 patients and a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor to 3 patients. Treatment for PCP was started on admission in all cases.

[Severe complications and their outcomes in 65 patients with Legionella pneumonia].

The aim of the current study was to investigate the lethal complications of Legionella pneumonia. Severe complications and their outcomes in 65 patients with Legionella pneumonia were studied. All patients who eventually had a fatal outcome or who had severe complications received antimicrobial agents active against Legionella on the admission day.

[Mucoid impaction of the bronchi caused by Schizophyllum commune which developed after discontinuation of itraconazole administration].

We report the case of a 75-year-old woman with mucoid impaction of the bronchi (MIB) due to Schizophyllum commune who improved with itraconazole (ITCZ) administration and relapsed after discontinuation of the drug. She improved again after readministration of ITCZ, and MIB has not recurred. This patient was not suffering from asthma and has been well without steroid administration.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome with recurrent spontaneous pneumothoraces and cavitary lesion on chest X-ray as the initial complications.

A 17-year-old-man developed left-sided pneumothorax in 1995. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed a thick-walled cavity in the left lower lobe. Video-assisted thoracic surgery was performed, and pathologic findings of the resected lung showed a cavity, organizing hematoma, and a fibrous nodule.

[Primary ciliary dyskinesia. A case report and comparison with 4 previous cases].

We encountered a 59-year-old man, whose chief complaints were sputum and dyspnea on effort. He had suffered from sinusitis since childhood, and chest computed tomography showed bronchiectasis. Electron microscopic examination of bronchial mucosa biopsied by bronchoscopy showed defect of the inner dynein arm in most of his cilia.

[Nemaline myopathy detected with respiratory failure and right ventricular heart failure].

We describe the case of a 40-year-old woman who was admitted for dyspnea and pitting edema of the lower extremities. Severe type II respiratory failure and right ventricular heart failure were present. Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) improved the symptoms and blood gas values.

[A case of sarcoidosis with hypoxia showing slight ground glass opacities on chest CT].

A 62-year-old man had had renal dysfunction and hepatosplenomegaly since 2000. In 2006, he complained of general fatigue and hemodialysis therapy was initiated because his renal function had deteriorated worse. In May 2007, he was admitted to our hospital because his general fatigue took a turn for the worse.

[Clinical investigation of arrhythmia appearing after resection for lung cancer].

Background: Arrhythmia, especially atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common complication during the early postoperative period of thoracic surgery.

Objective: To (1) characterize arrhythmia appearing after lung cancer resection, (2) evaluate risk factors for postoperative arrhythmia.

Results: We retrospectively studied 131 patients who underwent primary lung cancer resection in our hospital between January 2005 and December 2006.

Pioglitazone, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ligand, suppresses bleomycin-induced acute lung injury and fibrosis.

Background: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) ligands have been shown to possess potent anti-inflammatory actions. Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia is defined as a specific form of chronic fibrosing lung disease characterized by progressive fibrosis which leads to deterioration and destruction of the lungs.

Objective: To investigate whether the PPARgamma ligand pioglitazone (PGZ) inhibited bleomycin (BLM)-induced acute lung injury and subsequent fibrosis.

[Case of Wegener's granulomatosis associated with mediastinal lymphadenopathy].

A 54-year-old asymptomatic man was admitted to our hospital because his abnormal chest radiograph finding became worse. A chest radiograph and a chest computed tomography showed a mass in the right upper lobe and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Thoracoscopic partial lung resection was performed.

[A case of anaphylactoid purpura associated with nephrosis followed by pulmonary tuberculosis].

A 54-year old man was admitted to our hospital because of high fever, productive cough and purpura in both legs in June 2005. Urinalysis showed microscopic hematuria and proteinuria. Chest radiograph showed consolidation of right upper field.

[A case of small cell lung carcinoma complicated by Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome].

A 54-year old man was admitted with general fatigue, muscle weakness and dyspnea on effort. Medical examinations led to a diagnosis of small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS). Marked improvement of SCLC and symptoms of LEMS were recognized twice during chemoradiotherapy.

[Case of HLA-DR8 positive sarcoidosis following polymyositis and Sjögren's syndrome].

A 69-year-old woman had been found to have idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (fibrotic NSIP) in 1997. Proximal muscle weakness appeared in April 2005. Chest CT revealed hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy.

[Case of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis successfully treated with itraconazole].

A 58-year-old woman had a productive cough but not from bronchial asthma. A chest radiograph revealed infiltrative shadows in right middlelung field on September, 2004. Aspergillus fumigatus was detected in a sputum culture.

[A case of miliary tuberculosis showing acute respiratory failure during pregnancy].

A 36-year-old Philippine woman had had fever and general fatigue from September, 2006 (11th week of pregnancy). She was admitted with high fever, general fatigue and dyspnea on October 16, 2006 (13th week of pregnancy). A chest radiograph on admission showed bilateral miliary shadows and ground glass shadows.

[Case of acute interstitial pneumonia that responded to therapy but relapsed six months later].

A 66-year-old man was admitted because of general fatigue. A chest computed tomography showed bilateral alveolar consolidation and ground glass opacities. Although we treated him with broad-spectrum antibiotics, his symptoms and chest image findings did not improve.

[A case of Wegener's granulomatosis associated with the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of ADH].

A 68 year-old woman was admitted with fever, productive cough and sore throat. A chest radiograph and a chest computed tomography showed multiple nodules in both lungs. Thoracoscopic lung biopsy was performed.