[Allergy and immunotoxicology in preventive and clinical medicine from theory to practice: Environmental factors in Bronchial Asthma].

Background: According to the gene-environment interactions (GEi) concept, the mechanism of health impairment can be explained by genetic factors, environmental factors, or their interaction. Physical and mental health effects resulting from environmental exposure may be classified either as toxicity, immune response, and allergic reaction. Moreover, despite the already established therapeutic approaches to bronchial asthma and decreasing mortality due to bronchial asthma, patients with difficult and severe asthma are increasing in number.

Long-term Safety and Efficacy of Benralizumab for Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis Complicated with Severe Neuropathy.

The efficacy of benralizumab, as well as mepolizumab, to granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) involved with mononeuritis multiplex remains unclear. We experienced a case of EGPA presenting neuropathy with severe asthma. Muscle weakness due to neuropathy involved with gait disturbance was partly ameliorated by intravenous immunoglobulin therapy.

[Allergy and immunotoxicology in preventive and clinical medicine from theory to practice: Occupational allergy and isocyanate-induced asthma].

Genetic and environmental factors and their interactions cause diseases and deteriorate health (Genetic and Environmental Interaction). Exposure to environmental factors plays a major role in the deterioration of health in the workplace.Occupational asthma (OA) is a common disorder in the workplace.

Japanese guidelines for occupational allergic diseases 2020.

Occupational allergic diseases are likely to worsen or become intractable as a result of continuous exposure to high concentrations of causative allergens. These are socioeconomically important diseases that can lead to work interruptions for patients and potentially job loss. We published the first guideline for managing occupational allergic diseases in Japan.

Resolvin E3 attenuates allergic airway inflammation the interleukin-23-interleukin-17A pathway.

We investigated the effects of resolvin E (RvE) 1, RvE2, and RvE3 on IL-4- and IL-33-stimulated bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) from house dust mite (HDM)-sensitized mice. We also investigated the role of RvE3 in a murine model of HDM-induced airway inflammation. , BMDCs from HDM-sensitized mice were stimulated with IL-4 and IL-33 and then treated with RvE1, RvE2, RvE3, or vehicle.

Pirfenidone Improves Familial Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis without Affecting Serum Periostin Levels.

Antifibrotic agents have been approved for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, the efficacy of these drugs in the treatment of familial IPF (FIPF) has not been previously reported. We report the case of a 77-year-old man with FIPF, successfully treated with pirfenidone.

Small Cell Lung Cancer with Sarcoidosis in Spontaneous Remission: A Case Report.

A 69-year-old woman was diagnosed with sarcoidosis, which was not treated with corticosteroid therapy. Her levels of angiotensin converting enzyme decreased significantly over 4 years and a mass lesion was detected near the lower part of her left main bronchus, and diagnosed as small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Treatment of the SCLC with a series of chemotherapeutic agents produced excellent results.

Accumulation of periostin in acute exacerbation of familial idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Periostin, an extracellular matrix molecule, is associated with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). It is known that the frequency of familial IPF (FIPF) ranges from 0.5% to 2.

Japanese guidelines for occupational allergic diseases 2017.

In 2013, a guideline for occupational allergic diseases was published for the first time in Japan. Occupational allergic diseases are likely to worsen or become intractable as a result of continuous exposure to high concentrations of causative antigens, and are socioeconomically important diseases with which the patients might sometimes lose jobs due to work interruptions. Guidelines for occupational allergic diseases have been published in many countries.

Elemental and immunohistochemical analysis of the lungs and hilar lymph node in a patient with asbestos exposure, a pilot study.

Objectives: Studies have shown that inhaled mine dust, such as asbestos, can be translocated to various organs including the lymph nodes. Recently, we have established a protocol that enables us to identify inhaled elements using paraffin embedded lung specimens by in-air microparticle-induced X-ray emission (micro-PIXE). However, little research has examined the concentration of these inhaled fibers in various organs or the mechanisms of their translocation.

Effect of 12-month rehabilitation with low loading program on chronic respiratory disease.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of 12-month rehabilitation with low loading program on chronic respiratory disease. [Subjects and Methods] Twelve patients with chronic respiratory disease participated in this study, in which the effect of long-term rehabilitation for 12 months was assessed. Nine patients had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, two had asthma, and one had interstitial pneumonia.

CREB regulates TNF-α-induced GM-CSF secretion via p38 MAPK in human lung fibroblasts.

Background: Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a cytokine that mediates eosinophilic differentiation, migration and survival, causing respiratory tract inflammation. GM-CSF is also known to be secreted from respiratory tract structural cells. However, the mechanisms of GM-CSF secretion have not been well established.

Effects of early physiotherapy with respect to severity of pneumonia of elderly patients admitted to an intensive care unit: a single center study in Japan.

[Purpose] We performed early physiotherapy for elderly patients with pneumonia admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU), and examined the effects of this early physiotherapy on the severity of pneumonia. [Subjects and Methods] Patients for whom physiotherapy was started the day after admission to the ICU (acute phase) were assigned to the early intervention group and compared with patients in the standard intervention group. All patients were divided into three groups (Groups I, II, and III) based on the severity of pneumonia.

Pulmonary Aluminosis Diagnosed with In-air Microparticle Induced X-ray Emission Analysis of Particles.

We herein present a case of pulmonary aluminosis diagnosed with in-air microparticle induced X-ray emission (in-air micro-PIXE) analysis. The diagnosis of pulmonary aluminosis was supported by the occupational exposure to aluminum, ground glass opacity and ill-defined centrilobular nodular opacities seen in high resolution CT, and respiratory bronchioles accompanied by pigmented dust by histological examination by in-air micro-PIXE analysis of the lung tissues. The possibility of developing this rare condition should not be underestimated in workers at high-risk jobs.

Acidic environment augments FcεRI-mediated production of IL-6 and IL-13 in mast cells.

Although blood pH is maintained in a narrow range of around pH 7.4 in living organisms, inflammatory loci are characterized by acidic conditions. Mast cells tend to reside close to the surface of the body in areas such as the mucosa and skin where they may be exposed to exogenous acids, and they play an important role in immune responses.

Co-localization of iron binding on silica with p62/sequestosome1 (SQSTM1) in lung granulomas of mice with acute silicosis.

The cellular mechanisms involved in the development of silicosis have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to examine influence of silica-induced lung injury on autophagy. Suspensions of crystalline silica particles were administered transnasally to C57BL/6j mice.

The effects of concomitant GERD, dyspepsia, and rhinosinusitis on asthma symptoms and FeNO in asthmatic patients taking controller medications.

Background: Losing the sense of smell, which suggests eosinophilic rhinosinusitis, is a subjective symptom, sometimes reported in asthmatic patients taking controller medication. Upper abdominal symptoms, suggesting gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or functional dyspepsia, occur also in these patients. However, the relationship between these symptoms, concomitant with asthma, and the intensity of eosinophilic airway inflammation remains obscure.

Japanese Guideline for Occupational Allergic Diseases 2014.

In 2013, a guideline for occupational allergic diseases was published for the first time in Japan. Occupational allergic diseases are likely to worsen or become intractable as a result of continuous exposure to high concentrations of causative antigens, and are socioeconomically important diseases with which the patients might sometimes lose jobs due to work interruptions. Guidelines for occupational allergic diseases have been published in many countries.