[A relationship between birch pollen counts and meteorological factors in Sapporo].

Occurrence of airborne pollen in Sapporo has been studied for 19 years during the period between 1995 and 2013. There are wide year-to-year variations in the quantities of birch pollens. A simple linear regression with the least squares method was used for studying correlations between the annual quantities of birch pollens and the meteorological factors.

[Relationship between pollen allergy and oral allergy syndrome].

We recently evaluated the relationship between pollen allergy and oral and pharyngeal hypersensitivity to fruits and vegetables (oral allergy syndrome) over 8 years (1995 approximately 2002) in Sapporo. 1. Of 843 patients with birch pollen (BP) allergy (CAP score 2 or more), 378 patients (37%) had episodes of oral allergy syndrome (OAS), and the rate in BP allergy was higher than in other allergies.

Expression of neurokinin a receptor mRNA in human nasal mucosa.

In airway tissues, it has been suggested that tachykinins act as the transmitter for afferent sensory nerves which respond to various irritants and may be involved in airway allergic reactions. Three classes of tachykinin receptor have been recognized, denoted NK1, NK2 and NK3, which exhibit preferential affinity for substance P, neurokinin A and neurokinin B, respectively. We used molecular probes to study the gene expression and distribution of NK2 receptor in human nasal mucosa.

[Oral allergy syndrome among patients with birch pollinosis in Sapporo].

We evaluated the relationships between oral and pharyngeal hypersensitivity to fruits and vegetables (oral allergy syndrome) and birch pollinosis in 2003 in Sapporo. 1. Of 153 patients with birch pollinosis (seasonal nasal or ocular symptom and CAP positive [birch pollen CAP score 2 or more]), 65 patients (42%) have episode of oral allergy syndrome (OAS).

[Relationship between birch pollen counts and meteorological factors for 8 years in Sapporo].

Occurrence of airborne pollen in Sapporo was studied for the 8 years between 1995 and 2002. Observations on pollen seasons of cedar, birch, grass, and mugwort are presented. There are wide year-to-year variations in quantities of birch pollens.

Relationship between infiltrating cells and adhesion molecules in the nasal mucosa of patients with allergic rhinitis.

Antigen-induced changes of cell adhesion molecules and their relationships to infiltrating cells were investigated immunohistochemically in nasal mucosa of perennial allergic rhinitis patients. An increased expression of E-selectin and VCAM-1 was noted on the vascular endothelium of the nasal mucosa 15-25 h after the topical antigen challenge. Although there was no increased expression of ICAM-1, we noted a positive correlation between the expression of E-selectin and ICAM-1.

Topographical relationships among the facial nerve, chorda tympani nerve and round window with special reference to the approach route for cochlear implant surgery.

The topographical relationships among the facial nerve (FN), chorda tympani nerve (CT), and round window (RW) in 22 temporal bone specimens were analyzed morphometrically in order to examine which route is widest through the facial recess between the FN and CT during cochlear implant surgery and in order to establish some criteria to assist in the evaluation of the best surgical approach. Two lines, i.e.

Morphometric study of the medial aspect of the human maxillary sinus with special reference to the nasal fontanelle.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to clarify configurations of the nasal fontanelle (NF) from the morphometrical point of view, especially variations of its four margins (anterior, posterior, superior, and inferior), for clinical application.

Methods: We used 136 sides of hemi-sectioned heads that were obtained from 119 donated Japanese cadavers (66 men and 53 women with an average age of 77.6+/-12.

[A relationship between birch pollen and meteorological factors during the past four years and pollen survey in Sapporo in 1997].

It is well known that grass pollinosis has been the most representative pollinosis in Hokkaido prefecture, Japan, However, it is also well known that birch (Japanese white birch, Betula platyphylla var. japonica) pollinosis is gradually increasing, which is marked especially in Sapporo and its neighborhood. We analyzed a relationship between the birch pollen count and meteorological factors statistically.

Anomalous vessels in the middle ear associated with congenital anomalies of the internal carotid artery.

A case with unilateral hypoplasia of the internal carotid artery was reported. The rerouting of anomalous vessels in the middle ear, visualized by otoscopy, was demonstrated with CT and MRI. Associations with internal carotid hypoplasia, the intercarotid collaterals, both anomalous middle ear arteries and the enlarged internal maxillary artery were confirmed with MRI.

Topical CTLA4-Ig suppresses ongoing mucosal immune response in presensitized murine model of allergic rhinitis.

Allergic rhinitis is thought to be mediated by CD4+ T cells producing Th2-associated cytokines. Optimal Ag-specific T-cell activation requires the engagement of T-cell receptor with antigen (Ag) in the context of MHC, and the engagement of appropriate costimulatory molecules. One of the most well-characterized costimulatory pathways is the interaction of B7/CD28-CTLA4 molecules.

Increased interleukin-6, interferon-gamma and tumour necrosis factor-alpha production by tonsillar mononuclear cells stimulated with alpha-streptococci in patients with pustulosis palmaris et plantaris.

In vitro cytokine production by tonsillar mononuclear cells under culture conditions with or without lyophilized streptococcal antigens was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Under culture conditions without any stimulus, a certain amount of interferon (IFN)-gamma, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and interleukin (IL)-6, was detected in the supernatant culture fluids from all 29 donors tested and just detectable levels of IL-1alpha and IL-2 were identified in 5 of 12 donors tested; but IL-4 and IL-5 were not detected in any supernatants from 21 donors tested. In 16 patients with pustulosis palmaris et plantaris (PPP), all three alpha-streptococcal antigens from Streptococcus, (S.

Cellular immune response of adenoidal and tonsillar lymphocytes to the P6 outer membrane protein of non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae and its relation to otitis media.

Cellular immune responses to the P6 outer membrane protein of non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) were determined in vitro by measuring immunoglobulin (Ig) secreting cells and lymphocyte proliferation in adenoidal and tonsillar lymphocytes from 19 children. Preliminary tests showed that P6 did not stimulate naive cells such as cord blood lymphocytes, but did stimulate sensitized cells in adenoids and tonsils. Cellular proliferation was significantly higher in adenoidal lymphocytes than in tonsillar lymphocytes (median: quadratile of stimulation index = 3.

[Effects of immunotherapy on cytokine production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patient with house dust mite allergic rhinitis].

We studied effects of immunotherapy on mite antigen-induced cytokine production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patient with house dust mite allergic rhinitis. In good response group, IL-4 production were lower than that of poor response group. In contrast, IFN-gamma production and the ratio of IFN-gamma to IL-4 synthesis were significant higher than that of poor response group.

A case of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma surviving disease free for over 2 years.

A 52-year female presented with an enlarged thyroid mass and lump sensation in the throat. The cytologic examination showed class five and she was admitted to the hospital to undergo operation. Total thyroidectomy was done and the tumoral invasion of the trachea was removed.

Chondrosarcoma of larynx: a case successfully reconstructed after total cricoidectomy.

A case of a 64-year-old male with low-grade chondrosarcoma of the left posterolateral lamina of the cricoid cartilage is reported, in which a total cricoidectomy and partial resection of the left thyroid cartilage were performed. The rest of the thyroid cartilage and the arytenoid mucosa were approximated with sutures to the first tracheal ring, and a silastic T-tube was placed through the tracheostoma as a stent. The postoperative course has been successful except for the existence of a tracheal stoma and slight hoarseness.

Antibodies specific to outer membrane antigens of Moraxella catarrhalis in sera and middle ear effusions from children with otitis media with effusion.

Objective: Recent studies have shown that bacterial DNA is present in a significant percentage of middle ear effusions, suggesting that persistent bacterial infection may be more important in pathogenesis and recurrence of otitis media with effusion (OME) than previously considered. Although Moraxella (M.) catarrhalis is one of the most common pathogens of otitis media, relatively little is known about immune response to the organism.

Suppressive effects of CTLA4-Ig on nasal allergic reactions in presensitized murine model.

Ag-specific T cell activation requires the engagement of T cell receptor (TCR) with antigen in the context of MHC, and the engagement of appropriate costimulatory molecules. It is well established that B7/CD28-CTLA4 costimulatory pathway plays an important role in the induction of T helper (Th) cells in T-cell dependent immune reactions. In this study, we evaluated the effects of blocking the costimulatory pathway by systemic administration of CTLA4-Ig during repeated nasal antigen challenges in systemically presensitized mouse.

[Cytokine production of peripheral mononuclear cells in HD-mite-allergic rhinitis patients].

To elucidate the role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis, the proliferative response and cytokine production of peripheral mononuclear cells (PMNC) following stimulation with mite-antigen were evaluated in HD-mite-allergic rhinitis patients (mite-allergy group), non-HD-mite pollinosis patients (non-mite-allergy group) and normal subjects (normal group). The proliferative response of PMNC to PHA stimulation was not different among the groups, whereas that to mite-antigen stimulation was significantly higher in the mite-allergy group than in the normal group. Production of both IL-4 and IL-5 from PMNC after stimulation with mite-antigen was significantly higher in the mite-allergy group than in the normal group.

[Late phase II clinical study of RP56976 (docetaxel) in patients with advanced/recurrent head and neck cancer].

A late phase II clinical study of RP56976 (docetaxel), a new anticancer agent for advanced/recurrent head and neck cancer, was conducted in 29 institutions all over Japan as a multi-institutional cooperative study. Docetaxel was administered by 1 to 2-hour intravenous infusion at a dose of 60 mg/m2 every 3 to 4 weeks. Of 63 patients eligible in this study, 59 were judged as complete cases.

Role of CD4-positive T cells in the pathogenesis of nasal allergy in the murine model.

Background: Antigen-induced upregulation of cytokines, especially Th2-type cytokines, has been proven to be closely related to allergic inflammation in nasal allergy. CD4-positive T cells are supposed to play an important role not only in the induction of allergy but also in allergic inflammation.

Methods: The anti-CD4 mAb was administered to the murine model of nasal allergy either at the beginning of sensitization, just before antigen challenge or during a topical booster sensitization.

Antigen-specific IgA response of NALT and cervical lymph node cells in antigen-primed rats.

Using antigen-primed rats, we examined the occurrence of antigen-specific antibody forming cells in mononuclear cells (MNC) of nasopharynx associated lymphoid tissues (NALT) and cervical lymph nodes (CLN) following in vitro stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), cytokines and antigen using the ELISPOT assay method. The rats were immunized with ovalubumin (OVA) by intraperitoneal injections, then by daily intranasal boostering for 2 weeks. In the nasal lavage fluid, the level of OVA-specific IgA antibody was higher and that of OVA-specific IgG antibody was lower than those antibodies in the serum.