The Association between Fever and Prognosis in Lung Cancer Patients with Bone Metastases Receiving Zoledronic Acid.

Zoledronic acid is an established agent used in the management of metastatic bone disease. The administration of zoledronic acid improves overall survival (OS) of lung cancer patients with bone metastases receiving chemotherapy. However, it is currently unknown whether zoledronic acid-induced fever is associated with OS.

[GENETIC INTERACTIONS BETWEEN ADRB2 AND PTGER4 ON RESPONSES TO SALMETEROL OR MONTELUKAST IN JAPANESE PATIENTS WITH MILD PERSISTENT ASTHMA].

Background: Long-acting β-agonists (LABA) and leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRA) are two principal agents that can be added to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) for patients with asthma that is not adequately controlled by ICS alone. In our previous study, the Gly16Arg genotype of the β-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) gene did not influence the differential bronchodilator effect of salmeterol versus montelukast as an add-on therapy to ICS within 16 weeks of follow-up (the J-Blossom study).

Methods: We examined if genes encoding CYSLTR1, CYSLTR2, PTGER2 or PTGER4 could explain differential responses to salmeterol versus montelukast using the participants of the J-Blossom study.

Overexpression of microRNA-155 suppresses chemokine expression induced by Interleukin-13 in BEAS-2B human bronchial epithelial cells.

Background: MicroRNAs are non-coding small RNAs that regulate expression of target genes by binding to 3' untranslated regions. In this study, we used bronchial epithelial cells to investigate in vitro the role of the microRNA miR-155 in the expression of chemokines associated with airway inflammation. miR-155 has previously been reported to regulate allergic inflammation.

[FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PRESENCE OF ALLERGEN-SPECIFIC IgE RESPONSES IN ASTHMA PATIENTS WHO HAD NO IgE RESPONSES DETECTABLE BY MAST-26].

Aim: To elucidate the characteristics of patients with asthma who have specific IgE responses to inhaled allergens detected by ImmunoCAP, which is not detectable by MAST-26.

Methods: A total of 168 patients with adult asthma who reside in the Kanto region were recruited. Levels of total serum IgE and allergen specific IgE antibodies towards 14 common inhaled allergens (MAST-26) were measured.

Synthetic double-stranded RNA induces interleukin-32 in bronchial epithelial cells.

Objective: Interleukin (IL)-32 is a novel cytokine and is involved in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory diseases, including asthma and COPD. However, the regulatory mechanisms of IL-32 expression and its precise pathogenic role remain to be defined. Given that viral infections are known to potentially cause and exacerbate airway inflammation, in this study, we investigated the expression of IL-32 induced by synthetic double-stranded (ds) RNA, and its signaling mechanisms involved.

Clinical features and outcomes of aspiration pneumonia compared with non-aspiration pneumonia: a retrospective cohort study.

Pneumonia is a leading cause of death among elderly patients. Although aspiration pneumonia (AP) commonly occurs with aging, its clinical features and outcomes are still uncertain. The aims of this study were to describe the clinical features and outcomes of AP and to assess whether presence of AP affects clinical outcomes in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP).

Potential involvement of IL-17F in asthma.

The expression of IL-17F is seen in the airway of asthmatics and its level is correlated with disease severity. Several studies have demonstrated that IL-17F plays a pivotal role in allergic airway inflammation and induces several asthma-related molecules such as CCL20. IL-17F-induced CCL20 may attract Th17 cells into the airway resulting in the recruitment of additional Th17 cells to enhance allergic airway inflammation.

The effects of a Gly16Arg ADRB2 polymorphism on responses to salmeterol or montelukast in Japanese patients with mild persistent asthma.

Background: Long-acting β2-agonists and leukotriene receptor antagonists are two principal agents that can be added to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) for patients with asthma that is not adequately controlled by ICS alone. The Gly16Arg genotype of the β2-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) gene may influence the bronchodilator effects of β2-agonists. We hypothesized that differential responses to long-acting β2-agonists or leukotriene receptor antagonists might be determined partly by the Gly16Arg polymorphism in Japanese asthma patients.

Acquired resistance L747S mutation in an epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor-naïve patient: A report of three cases.

The purpose of the present study was to report cases of epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI)-naïve patients carrying a mutation associated with acquired resistance to the drug. Gene alterations in 77 lung carcinoma patients were analyzed by collecting and studying curette lavage fluid at the time of diagnosis. PCRs were performed to amplify mutation hotspot regions in genes.

Basic research on virus-induced asthma exacerbation: inhibition of inflammatory chemokine expression by fluticasone propionate.

Background: Viral infection can exacerbate asthma by inducing the accumulation of inflammatory cells in the airway. We have previously reported that double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), a viral product and ligand of the Toll-like receptor-3 (TLR3), activates the transcription factors NF-κB and IRF-3 and upregulates the expression of inflammatory chemokines in airway epithelial cells. Here, we examined the effects of the glucocorticoid fluticasone propionate (FP) on the expression of the inflammatory chemokines CCL5, CXCL8 and CXCL10.

Analysis of EGFR, KRAS and P53 mutations in lung cancer using cells in the curette lavage fluid obtained by bronchoscopy.

Histopathological samples are commonly used for molecular testing to detect both oncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes in lung cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of using curette lavage fluid for molecular testing to detect EGFR, KRAS and P53 mutations in lung cancer patients. Samples were obtained from 77 lung cancer patients by bronchoscopy at the time of diagnosis, collected by scraping the site of the primary tumor lesion with a curette.

Azacitidine-induced pneumonitis in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome: first case report in Japan.

A 74-year-old Japanese man with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) received chemotherapy with azacitidine. From the second day after starting the administration, he complained of fever, cough and shortness of breath. Chest roentgenography and computed tomography showed consolidations and ground-glass opacities.

Clinical and microbiological differences between Mycobacterium abscessus and Mycobacterium massiliense lung diseases.

In recent years, many novel nontuberculous mycobacterial species have been discovered through genetic analysis. Mycobacterium massiliense and M. bolletii have recently been identified as species separate from M.

IL-17F Induces CCL20 in Bronchial Epithelial Cells.

IL-17F plays a crucial role in airway inflammatory diseases including asthma, but its function has not been fully elucidated. CCL20 is also involved in allergic airway inflammation, while its regulatory mechanisms remain to be defined. To further identify a novel role of IL-17F, the expression of CCL20 by IL-17F in bronchial epithelial cells and the signaling mechanisms involved were investigated.

IL-17A stimulates granulocyte colony-stimulating factor production via ERK1/2 but not p38 or JNK in human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells.

We investigated the potential role of IL-17A in the induction of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), a critical granulopoietic growth factor, in human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells. Human renal proximal tubular cells (HK-2, ATCC) were used to characterize the effects of IL-17A or IL-17F on G-CSF production, using ELISA, real-time RT-PCR, and immunoblotting. The cell surface expression of IL-17 receptors (IL-17Rs) was analyzed by flow cytometry.

IL-17A and IL-17F stimulate chemokines via MAPK pathways (ERK1/2 and p38 but not JNK) in mouse cultured mesangial cells: synergy with TNF-alpha and IL-1beta.

We investigated the role of IL-17 family members IL-17A and IL-17F in the induction of chemokines in mouse cultured mesangial cells (SV40 MES 13 cells). We evaluated the expression of the chemokines monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) by ELISA and real-time RT-PCR (Q-PCR). Activation of MAPK was assessed by immunoblotting.

Role of interleukin-17F in asthma.

A new family of cytokines, the interleukin (IL)-17 family, has recently been defined, which reveals unique functions and distinct ligand-receptor signaling systems. This family contains six members, IL-17 (also called IL-17A), IL17B, IL-17C, IL-17D, IL-17E (IL-25) and IL-17F. The IL-17F gene was discovered in 2001, and is located on chromosome 6p12.

Comparison of physicians' compliance, clinical efficacy, and drug cost before and after introduction of Asthma Prevention and Management Guidelines in Japan (JGL2003).

Background: This study investigated the variations in the clinical efficacy and drug cost following the introduction of the Asthma Prevention and Management Guidelines in Japan (JGL2003).

Methods: The medical charts of fifty outpatients treated continuously for asthma, aged 16-50 years, from October 2002 to October 2004 at Showa University Hospital were analyzed for physicians' compliance with asthma guidelines, symptom severity, episodes in various occasions, prescriptions and drug costs.

Results: Physicians' compliance with the guidelines, which were defined as the number of patient visits treated in conformity with the JGL over the total number of patient visits, was found to be high before (89.

Regulatory role of DC-derived osteopontin in systemic allergen sensitization.

Osteopontin (OPN) is a secreted phosphoglycoprotein with a wide range of functions, and is involved in various pathophysiological conditions. However, the role of OPN in IgE and Th2-associated allergic responses remains incompletely defined. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of OPN in systemic allergen sensitization in mice.

[A case of MALT lymphoma simultaneously associated with gastric and pulmonary involvement].

A 52-year-old man had been treated by hemodialysis because of IgA nephropathy since 1994. Gastric MALT lymphoma was diagnosed in January 2007. Radiation therapy was performed for 4 weeks (40Gy) and the response was complete remission (CR) by September 2007.

IL-17F-induced IL-11 release in bronchial epithelial cells via MSK1-CREB pathway.

IL-17F is involved in asthma, but its biological function and signaling pathway have not been fully elucidated. IL-11 is clearly expressed in the airway of patients with allergic airway diseases such as asthma and plays an important role in airway remodeling and inflammation. Therefore, we investigated the expression of IL-11 by IL-17F in bronchial epithelial cells.

[A case of lung adenocarcinoma of pancoast type successfully treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy].

We reported a case of lung adenocarcinoma of Pancoast type that was successfully treated with chemoradiotherapy. A 66-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of back pain. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed a Pancoast tumor on the left side.

Functional characterization of IL-17F as a selective neutrophil attractant in psoriasis.

IL-17F is known to be involved in many inflammatory diseases, but its role in skin diseases has not been fully examined. Because IL-8 is involved in many skin diseases such as psoriasis, we investigated the production of IL-8 in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) stimulated by IL-17F, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-17A, and control using real-time PCR and ELISA. The results showed that IL-17F induced production of IL-8 in NHEKs in a time-dependent manner.