Lung cancer patients with previous or simultaneous the upper aerodigestive cancers.

There have been few reports on clinical characteristics of lung cancer patients with previous or simultaneous upper aerodigestive cancers. To evaluate them, we conducted a retrospective study. The medical records of all lung cancer patients at our division from January 1984 through July 2008 were reviewed.

Small large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma in a patient with pulmonary emphysema.

Large-cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (LCNECs) are relatively rare, and most reported occurrences tend to involve relatively large tumors. We report a small LCNEC in a 63-year-old male patient with pulmonary emphysema. The peripheral pulmonary nodule did not have lobulation and spiculation, and it was difficult to establish correct diagnosis before surgery because of its small size and effect of surrounding emphysematous change.

Lung cancer in patients aged 80 years and over.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to examine clinical and pathological features, treatment modality approaches in the elderly, especially in patients aged 80 years and older.

Methods: From the databases at two educational hospitals during the period from January 1978 and December 2007, medical records of lung cancer patients were retrospectively reviewed. The patient population was divided into three age groups: less than 70 years (the <70 age group), 70-79 years (the 70-79 age group), and 80 years or older (the > or =80 age group).

Diagnostic procedures for small pulmonary nodules detected by mass-screening.

Background: A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the diagnostic procedures performed in small peripheral pulmonary nodules that were detected at mass screening.

Patients And Methods: The medical records were reviewed of patients who had peripheral pulmonary nodules < or =20 mm detected by mass screening between 1995 and 2007.

Results: A total of 41.

Axillary lymph node metastasis in lung cancer.

Study Objectives: Axillary lymph node metastasis (ALNM) from lung cancer is rare. Its prognosis and effective treatments remain unknown. To evaluate clinicopatholgical characteristics of such lung cancer patients, we performed a retrospective study of them, who had ALNM at the time of initial presentation or developed ALNM in their clinical courses.

Squamous cell carcinoma antigen in lung cancer and nonmalignant respiratory diseases.

Study Objectives: Squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) has been found in elevated amounts in patients with squamous cell lung cancer (SQLC). Elevated levels have also been found among patients with nonsquamous cell lung cancer (NSQLC) and in subjects with nonmalignant pulmonary disease (NMPD). The purpose of the current study was to evaluate SCC levels among a large number of patients with SQLC, NSQLC, and NMPD.

Lung cancer patients with previous or simultaneous urologic cancers.

Study Objectives: There have been few reports on clinical characteristics of lung cancer patients with previous or simultaneous urologic cancers. Additionally, it was scarcely reported whether these patients could tolerate standard therapy. To evaluate them, we conducted a retrospective study.

A re-evaluation of squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) as a serum marker for non-small cell lung cancer.

Squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) is still a widely used tumor marker for monitoring non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), although recent reports discourage its routine use because of low sensitivity. This is a study evaluating the efficacy of SCC and CYFRA21-1 in diagnosing NSCLC. A chart review was performed in a university hospital in Japan, covering a period of 10 years, up to October 2004.

Niflumic acid and AG-1478 reduce cigarette smoke-induced mucin synthesis: the role of hCLCA1.

Background: Cigarette smoke induces bronchial mucus secretion. However, the mechanism of this induction is still unidentified. In this study, we investigated the role of the putative calcium-activated chloride channel 1 (CLCA1) and its blocker, niflumic acid, in cigarette smoke-induced mucin synthesis both in vivo and in vitro.

Thymic and pulmonary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas in a patient with Sjögren's syndrome and literature review.

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (MALToma) has been reported in several organs. Among MALTomas, thymic and pulmonary MALTomas are rare. The present report describes a patient with Sjögren's syndrome who presented thymic and pulmonary MALTomas.

Association of phosphodiesterase 4D gene polymorphisms with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: relationship to interleukin 13 gene polymorphism.

Activation of the cyclic AMP (cAMP) signaling pathway leads to the suppression of inflammation in the airways and relaxation of airway smooth muscle. Intracellular cAMP levels are determined by a balance between the activities of adenylate cyclase and phosphodiesterases. We hypothesized that polymorphisms of the phosphodiesterase 4D (PDE4D) gene activate its protein function which leads to the downregulation of cAMP, resulting in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Overexpression of the transcription factor GATA-3 enhances the development of pulmonary fibrosis.

Recent studies have demonstrated that Th2 cytokines, such as interleukin-4 and interleukin-13, enhance fibrotic processes by activating fibroblast proliferation and collagen production, whereas interferon-gamma, a Th1 cytokine, inhibits these processes. Th1 and Th2 cells both differentiate from common T precursor cells, with transcription factor GATA-3 a key regulator of Th2 differentiation. In the present study, therefore, we examined the effects of GATA-3 overexpression on the development of pulmonary fibrosis in a mouse model.

Anaerobic bacterial empyema accompanying intrathoracic gas formation in anorexia nervosa.

Objective: Intrathoracic gas formation due to anaerobic pleuropulmonary infection is rare.

Method & Results: We experienced a case of empyema with intrathoracic gas formation by an anaerobic bacterium in a young woman with anorexia nervosa (AN).

Conclusion: We should therefore be alert to the possibility of serious infection in patients with AN, even when they have few complaints or normal white blood cell counts.

Prospective study of fever and pneumonia after flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy in older people.

Objectives: To assess the frequency of fever and pneumonia after fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) in older people and to evaluate increased risk for these two adverse events with increasing age.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: University hospital system.

Simultaneous measurements of KL-6 and SP-D in patients undergoing thoracic radiotherapy.

Purpose: Radiation pneumonitis (RP) is a serious complication in patients undergoing thoracic radiotherapy (TRT). Serum KL-6 and SP-D have been shown to increase in several kinds of interstitial pneumonia. To evaluate their clinical usefulness in detecting RP, we serially measured them in patients receiving TRT.

Transcription factors T-bet and GATA-3 regulate development of airway remodeling.

Rationale: Airway remodeling is an important feature of chronic asthma that causes irreversible airflow obstruction. Although asthma is considered to be a Th2 disease, the role of T-bet and GATA-3, the key transcription factors for differentiation toward Th1 and Th2 cells, in the pathogenesis of airway remodeling is poorly understood.

Objectives: We therefore examined the effects of GATA-3 or T-bet induction of Th1/Th2 bias on the development of airway remodeling in mice.

MMP14 gene polymorphisms in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Proteinase/antiproteinase imbalance is a widely accepted theory for the pathogenesis of COPD. Among various proteinases, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) digest extracellular matrix of the lung and play significant roles in the development of COPD. Polymorphisms of an MMP that upregulate its activity may result in the degradation of the lung matrix.

Effect of diesel exhaust particles on mRNA expression of viral and bacterial receptors in rat lung epithelial L2 cells.

Epidemiological studies have shown that particulate matter (PM) is associated with adverse respiratory health effects. Although infection in the respiratory organ is one of the most important health risks the association of infection with PM is not fully understood. As we had hypothesized that diesel exhaust particles (DEP), one of the major component of PM, may induce the expression of receptors for viruses and bacteria at invasion sites, we studied the effect of DEP on the mRNA expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptors, which are invasion sites of virus and bacteria, on rat lung epithelial cells.

Effect of inhaled steroids on increased collagen synthesis in asthma.

Background: We previously reported that sputum levels of procollagen type I C-terminal peptide (PICP), a marker of ongoing collagen type I deposition, are increased in proportion to airway inflammation in asthma patients.

Objectives: In this study, we examined the effect of inhaled corticosteroids on increased collagen synthesis in step 2-4 asthmatics.

Methods: We compared the sputum PICP concentrations of 25 steroid-naive asthmatics, 25 normal volunteers, and 10 subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.