Publications by authors named "Megumi Nagao"

Asian sand dust (ASD), a significant desert sand dust, contains sub-2.5 µm fine particles and adversely affects human health, particularly exacerbating respiratory diseases. Despite this, the intricate physiological responses triggered by inhaled ASD particles remain incompletely understood.

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Article Synopsis
  • Several studies have established a connection between subway and ambient particle exposure and negative health effects, like inflammation and vascular issues, but the combined impact of these pollutants with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) remains largely unexplored.
  • The research focused on the health effects of iron oxide particles (found in subway dust) compared to urban aerosols and vehicle exhaust, finding that iron oxides are more harmful, causing greater endothelial cell damage and altering key vascular proteins.
  • When iron oxides are combined with LPS, there's a notable increase in inflammation and immune responses in the body, indicating that subway particles may pose greater health risks than other types of urban pollutants.
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The respiratory effects of particulate matter (PM) in subway station platforms or tunnels have attracted considerable research attention. However, no studies have characterized the effects of subway PM on allergic immune responses. In this study, iron oxide (α-FeO and FeO) particles-the main components of subway PM-were intratracheally administered to BALB/c mice where ovalbumin (OVA) induced allergic pulmonary inflammation.

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Remimazolam is a recently approved benzodiazepine sedative. We report a case of a 72-year-old man who experienced a cardiac arrest due to severe anaphylaxis immediately after general anesthesia induction. Based on the results of skin tests, including those for dextran 40, an excipient in the remimazolam solution, and a review of drugs given during 3 anesthetics, remimazolam was identified as the probable causative agent.

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  • Titanium dioxide (TiO) nanoparticles, commonly found in everyday products, can cause acute lung inflammation primarily through inhalation, where they are taken up by alveolar macrophages (AMs).
  • The study examined how TiO nanoparticles distribute in the lungs 24 hours after exposure and their effects, revealing that they lead to AM necroptosis and increased inflammation markers.
  • Findings showed that TiO exposure not only prompted leukocyte migration and elevated CCL3 secretion but also that inhibiting necroptosis reduced these inflammatory responses, indicating it plays a significant role in TiO-induced lung inflammation.
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Epidemiological and experimental studies have shown that di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a plasticizer, can aggravate allergic diseases. DEHP promotes adaptive immune responses, although its effect on the innate immune system remains largely unknown. The present study investigated the effects of DEHP on group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) that produce Th2 cytokines in response to epithelial cell-derived cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-33.

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