Hydroxylated-Benz[a]anthracenes Induce Two Apoptosis-Related Gene Expressions in the Liver of the Nibbler Fish .

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are known to have toxic effects on fish. In this study, we examined the effects of benz[a]anthracene (BaA), a type of PAH, on fish liver metabolism. Nibbler fish () were intraperitoneally injected with BaA (10 ng/g body weight) four times over a 10-day period.

VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 signalling in macrophages ameliorates acute lung injury.

Background: Successful recovery from acute lung injury requires inhibition of neutrophil influx and clearance of apoptotic neutrophils. However, the mechanisms underlying recovery remain unclear. We investigated the ameliorative effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C/VEGF receptor 3 (VEGFR-3) signalling in macrophages in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung injury.

S100A9/CD163 expression profiles in classical monocytes as biomarkers to discriminate idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis from idiopathic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia.

Circulating monocytes have pathogenic relevance in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Here, we determined whether the cell surface levels of two markers, pro-inflammatory-related S100A9 and anti-inflammatory-related CD163, expressed on CD14CD16 classical monocytes by flow cytometry could discriminate IPF from idiopathic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (iNSIP). Twenty-five patients with IPF, 25 with iNSIP, and 20 healthy volunteers were prospectively enrolled in this study.

Nutrients exported from upland stream water enlarge perennial biomass crops.

Rawanbuki, a variety of Japanese butterbur (Petasites japonicus subsp. giganteus), grow naturally along the Rawan River, Hokkaido, northern Japan. Most plants reach 2-3 m in height and 10 cm in diameter in 2 months and are much larger than those grown along other rivers.

S100A9/CD163 Expression in Circulating Classical Monocytes in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Although many studies have characterized polarity of macrophages in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), limited information is available regarding cellular phenotypes of circulating monocytes in this condition. This study aimed to determine the influence of cigarette smoking and COPD on the cellular phenotype of circulating monocytes. Thirty-two patients with COPD and 36 healthy volunteers ( = 17 and 19 in nonsmokers and smokers with normal lung functions, respectively) were enrolled in this study.

Elemental and mutational analysis of lung tissue in lung adenocarcinoma patients.

Background: This study aimed to observe the association between trace element concentrations in lung tissue from lung adenocarcinoma cancer (LADC) patients and mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor () and genes.

Methods: LADC patients who had undergone lung resection were included in this study. Furthermore, twenty patients without lung cancer were included in this study as the control group.

The Role of Histamine in the Pathophysiology of Asthma and the Clinical Efficacy of Antihistamines in Asthma Therapy.

Mast cells play a critical role in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma. Histamine is a central mediator released from mast cells through allergic reactions. Histamine plays a role in airway obstruction via smooth muscle contraction, bronchial secretion, and airway mucosal edema.

Elevated Periostin Concentrations in the Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid of Patients with Eosinophilic Pneumonia.

Background: Eosinophilic pneumonia (EP) is characterized by massive pulmonary infiltration by eosinophils. Although serum periostin is a novel marker for eosinophil-dominant asthma, the upregulation of periostin in the airway of asthmatics is controversial. In this study, we examined whether periostin concentrations are elevated in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of patients with EP.

Recombinant pyrin domain protein attenuates allergic inflammation by suppressing NF-κB pathway in asthmatic mice.

Pyrin domain (PYD), a subclass of protein motif known as the death fold, is frequently involved in inflammation and immune responses. PYD modulates nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signalling pathway upon various stimuli. Herein, a novel recombinant pyrin domain protein (RPYD) was generated.

Role of genetic variations of - in bronchial asthmatic patients.

Background: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in - () are associated with bronchial severity and pulmonary function. CHI3L1 proteins are involved in both innate and adaptive immune responses; however, to date, the correlation of these SNPs and their age of onset of bronchial asthma has not been demonstrated.

Methods: To address the role of these genetic variations, 390 patients with well-controlled bronchial asthma and living in Japan were recruited, genotyped, and had a pulmonary function test performed on them in this study.

Deficiency of protein-L-isoaspartate (D-aspartate) -methyl-transferase expression under endoplasmic reticulum stress promotes epithelial mesenchymal transition in lung adenocarcinoma.

A prognostic association between the novel chaperone protein-L-isoaspartate (D-aspartate) -methyltransferase (PIMT) and lung adenocarcinoma has recently been reported. Here, we evaluated the functional roles of PIMT in the progression of lung adenocarcinoma. PIMT expression was detectable in 6 lung adenocarcinoma cell lines: A549, H441, H460, H1650, Calu 1, and Calu 6 cell lines.

Changes in pulmonary function of residents in Sanriku Seacoast following the tsunami disaster from the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Background: Residents in the district struck by the Great East Japan Earthquake Tsunami (GEJET) suffered from adverse living conditions and various pulmonary diseases.

Objectives: To evaluate the influence of GEJET, we performed serial assessment of pulmonary function of approximately 10,000 residents in the district struck by GEJET.

Methods: Using a spirometer, we assessed the pulmonary function of approximately 10,000 residents older than 18 years in the Sanriku seacoast, which was struck by the tsunami.

Distinct Profiles of CD163-Positive Macrophages in Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonias.

Background: The types of cells most significantly linked to individual subtypes of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs) remain unclear. Few studies have examined CD163 macrophages in IIPs.

Objective: We retrospectively aimed to immunohistochemically characterize the CD163 macrophages in IIPs.

Case series on the association between blood levels and side effects of afatinib maleate.

Purpose: Afatinib maleate (AFA) is a second-generation, tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment for specific variants of non-small cell lung cancer exhibiting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. In this study, we measured the blood AFA levels in six patients with lung cancer and investigated the association between blood levels and side effects of this drug.

Methods: The study subjects were patients who were administered AFA for non-small cell lung cancer.

Japanese guidelines for adult asthma 2017.

Adult bronchial asthma is characterized by chronic airway inflammation, and presents clinically with variable airway narrowing (wheezes and dyspnea) and cough. Long-standing asthma induces airway remodeling, leading to intractable asthma. The number of patients with asthma has increased; however, the number of patients who die of asthma has decreased (1.

17β-HSD Type 12-Like Is Responsible for Maturation-Inducing Hormone Synthesis During Oocyte Maturation in Masu Salmon.

The maturation-inducing hormone 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP) was first identified in the amago salmon. Although carbonyl reductase-like 20β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (CR/20β-HSD) was reported to convert 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) to DHP in rainbow trout, we previously found that CR/20β-HSD messenger RNA (mRNA) was not upregulated in stimulated granulosa cells from masu salmon, which suggested that DHP is synthesized by a different enzyme. Accordingly, the current study aimed to identify the specific 20β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20β-HSD) responsible for DHP production by granulosa cells during final oocyte maturation in masu salmon.

Development of Lymphatic Capillary Network Along the Alveolar Walls of Autopsied Human Lungs with Pneumonia.

Background: Limited information is available regarding the lymphatic vasculature during pneumonia.

Objective: To characterize lymphatic vasculatures in autopsied cadavers with pneumonia.

Methods: Paraffin-embedded lung tissues obtained from 20 autopsied cadavers with complicated pneumonia and 10 control cadavers without pneumonia were used for immunohistochemical analyses using primary antibodies against podoplanin, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3), CD34, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C, VEGF-D, CD73, and CD163.

The protective role of protein L-isoaspartyl (D-aspartate) O-methyltransferase for maintenance of mitochondrial morphology in A549 cell.

Purpose: The increasing amounts of evidence with abnormal aging process have been involved in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Mice with deficient protein L-isoaspartate (D-aspartate) O-methyl transferase 1 (PCMT1) expression reveal acceleration of aging and result in the increased proportion of D-aspartate (D-Asp) residues and dysfunction in proteins. Furthermore, mitochondrial morphology and functions are associated with COPD and IPF pathogenesis.

Mitigation of tight junction protein dysfunction in lung microvascular endothelial cells with pitavastatin.

Background: Statin use in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with coexisting cardiovascular disease is associated with a reduced risk of exacerbations. The mechanisms by which statin plays a role in the pathophysiology of COPD have not been defined. To explore the mechanisms involved, we investigated the effect of statin on endothelial cell function, especially endothelial cell tight junctions.