Low-dose multislice CT and high-resolution CT assessment of pulmonary emphysema in public school teachers.

Although rates of emphysematous change in smokers have previously been reported, the precise effects of smoking on emphysematous change have yet to be established because the study subjects of previous reports were heterogeneous in background, and particularly in their professions. This study was prospectively designed to determine the incidence of emphysematous change identified by low-dose multislice computed tomography (LMCT) as well as high-resolution CT (HRCT) imaging in public school teachers. We prospectively examined a series of 859 public school teachers (all males, age = 31-61 years) who had undergone LMCT and HRCT scanning during healthcare examinations.

Clinical features of eleven cases of Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex pulmonary disease associated with pneumoconiosis.

The relationship between silicosis and tuberculosis is well known. Also other mycobacteria such as Mycobacterium kansasii often occur in association with pneumoconiosis. However, there are few reports describing an association of M.

Pathological findings of bronchiectases caused by Mycobacterium avium intracellulare complex.

It has been argued whether bronchiectasis is truly caused by MAC infection or just a predisposed condition in which MAC colonizes. Our present study was designed to evaluate the pathological findings of bronchiectases caused by Mycobacterium avium intracellulare complex (MAC) lung infection and to demonstrate MAC in the lesion of bronchiectases. A retrospective study was performed in nine cases with positive cultures for MAC in whom lung resections were performed.

Pathological analysis of the cavitary wall in Mycobacterium avium intracellulare complex pulmonary infection.

Objective: The present study was designed to evaluate the process of cavity formation in Mycobacterium avium intracellulare complex (MAC) lung infection, pathologically and clinically.

Methods: Using resected lung specimens, we first evaluated the distribution of MAC as well as the distribution of myofibroblasts in MAC lung infection according to several pathological findings classified as bronchiectasis, centrilobular nodules, cavity, nodules, bronchiolitis, or consolidation. Resected lung specimens (9 cases) were evaluated by special staining: Ziehl-Neelsen's method and immunohistochemically for CD68 (stain for monocytes and macrophages) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (stain for myofibroblasts).

Immunohistochemical distribution of epithelioid cell, myofibroblast, and transforming growth factor-beta1 in the granuloma caused by Mycobacterium avium intracellulare complex pulmonary infection.

The present study was designed to evaluate the distribution of epithelioid cells, myofibroblasts, and TGF-beta1 in the formation of granuloma caused by Mycobacterium avium intracellulare complex (MAC) lung infection. A retrospective study was performed for 9 cases of positive MAC culture in which lung resections were performed between January 1989 and August 1999. Resected lung specimens were evaluated histologically and immunohistochemically for CD68 (stain for monocytes and macrophages, and epithelioid cells) and alpha-smooth muscle actin as well as vimentin (stain for myofibroblasts), and TGF-beta1 was performed.

[Lupus cystitis in the course of Evans syndrome].

A 50-year-old woman with a 4-year history of Evans syndrome was admitted to our hospital because of progressive nausea, appetite loss, body weight loss, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed pleural effusion, ascites, bilateral hydronephrosis, dilatation of the bilateral ureter, and irregular wall thickness of the urinary bladder. Immunological studies revealed decreased complement components (C3; 72 mg/dl, C4; 7 mg/dl, CH50; 28.