Expression of ISG60 is induced by TLR3 signaling in BEAS‑2B bronchial epithelial cells: Possible involvement in CXCL10 expression.

Viral infections in the respiratory tract are common, and, in recent years, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 outbreaks have highlighted the effect of viral infections on antiviral innate immune and inflammatory reactions. Specific treatments for numerous viral respiratory infections have not yet been established and they are mainly treated symptomatically. Therefore, understanding the details of the innate immune system underlying the airway epithelium is crucial for the development of new therapies.

Toll-like receptor 3 signaling induces interferon-induced transmembrane protein 1 in BEAS-2B cells.

The human bronchial epithelium plays a crucial role in mediating antiviral immune reactions. When double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) binds to the receptor named Toll-like receptor (TLR) 3, activation of antiviral innate immune reactions is initiated by producing interferon (IFN) type I. Then, type I IFN promotes the transcription of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs).

Morphological features of bronchiectasis in patients with non-tuberculous mycobacteriosis and interstitial pneumonia.

Objective: To compare the morphological features of bronchiectasis between patients with different underlying diseases, we performed quantitative analysis of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) images of 14 patients with non-tuberculous mycobacteriosis (NTM) and 13 with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). A 3D image of the bronchial structure was made from HRCT data. Bronchiectasis was defined as abnormal dilatation of the bronchi with the diameter greater than that of the accompanying pulmonary artery.

The efficacy of nintedanib in 158 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in real-world settings: A multicenter retrospective study.

Background: The INPULSIS trials revealed that nintedanib reduced the decline in lung function in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of nintedanib in Japanese idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients in real-world settings.

Method: Medical records of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients, who received treatment with nintedanib in five institutions between July 2015 and June 2017, were reviewed.

Hand-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy using intraoperative ultrasonography for left renal cell carcinoma involving a level I renal vein tumor thrombus.

This report concerns two male patients, 65 (case 1) and 72 (case 2) years old, with a left renal tumor involving a level I renal vein tumor thrombus, who underwent hand-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy using intraoperative ultrasonography. With the patient in the flank position, a midline supraumbilical hand port and two other ports were placed. Intraoperative ultrasonography identified the extent of the tumor thrombus.

Erythropoietin gene transfer into rat testes by in vivo electropo-ration may reduce the risk of germ cell loss caused by cryptorchidism.

Aim: To investigate the effects of rat Erythropoietin (Epo) on spermatogenesis by transferring rat Epo gene into cryptorchid testes by means of in vivo electroporation.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats with surgically-induced unilateral cryptorchidism were divided into three groups: the first group was given intratesticular injections of pCAGGS-Epo (pCAGGS-Epo group), the second group was given intratesticular injections of pCAGGS (pCAGGS group), and the third group were given intratesticular injections of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS group). At the same time, square electric pulses of 30 V were applied six times with a time constant of 100 ms.

Adenoviral-mediated HGF expression inhibits germ cell apoptosis in rats with cryptorchidism.

Background: Prior studies have shown that the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), as known for its multiple biological effects, possibly regulates spermatogenesis or tubulogenesis in the testis. To clarify the effect of HGF on restoration of spermatogenesis, or testicular weight, we transferred the HGF gene into the testis of the rat experimental cryptorchid model.

Methods: Replication-deficient recombinant adenoviral vectors containing the CAG promoter driving rat HGF (pAxCAHGF) and LacZ (pAxCALacZ) were constructed.

[Laparoscopic pyeloplasty for a secondary ureteropelvic junction obstruction after renal trauma: a case report].

We report a case of secondary ureteropelvic junction obstruction due to renal trauma treated by laparoscopic pyeloplasty. A 25-year-old man, who had renal trauma due to a traffic accident, complained of left lumbago and was diagnosed with left ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Endoscopic balloon dilation was performed twice, but the hydronephrosis did not change.

Distribution of type IV collagen subtypes in human testes and their association with spermatogenesis.

Objective: To evaluate the expression of type IV collagen [alpha1(IV) to alpha6(IV)] in testes and the association with spermatogenesis.

Design: Retrospective immunohistochemical study.

Setting: Division of Urology, Department of Organs Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, in a university hospital.

Conventional versus microdissection testicular sperm extraction for nonobstructive azoospermia.

Purpose: We established a practical and safe strategy for testicular sperm extraction (TESE) in patients with nonobstructive azoospermia and compared conventional with microdissection TESE.

Materials And Methods: In a retrospective comparative study 46 patients, including 22 with obstructive and 24 with nonobstructive azoospermia, underwent conventional TESE. Another 100 patients, including 26 with obstructive and 74 with nonobstructive azoospermia, underwent microdissection TESE.

Therapeutic strategy after microsurgical varicocelectomy in the modern assisted reproductive technology era.

In this study, we searched for prognostic factors at preoperative examination for the improvement in spermatogenesis of patients undergoing varicocelectomy. Eighty patients with varicocele testis underwent microsurgical varicocelectomy. Before surgery, the seminogram, testicular volume, varicocele grade, and serum FSH, LH, testosterone, prolactin, and estradiol were evaluated.

Distribution of intracellular and extracellular expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) in human testis and their association with spermatogenesis.

Aim: Spermatogenic dysfunction may result from thickening of seminiferous tubular basement membrane (BM) with tubular sclerosis. Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) plays an important role in fibrogenesis. The intracellular and extracellular expression of TGF-beta1 in the testis were immunohistochemically determined, using LC antibody (LC) for intracellular TGF-beta1 and CC antibody (CC) for extracellular TGF-beta1.