Expression of CysLT2 receptors in asthma lung, and their possible role in bronchoconstriction.

Background: The expression and functional role of CysLT2 receptors in asthma have not been clarified. In this study, we evaluated CysLT2 receptors expression, and effects of CysLT2-and CysLT1/2-receptor antagonists on antigen-induced bronchoconstriction using isolated lung tissues from both asthma and non-asthma subjects.

Methods: CysLT1 and CysLT2 receptors expression in asthma and non-asthma lung tissue preparations was examined in immunohistochemistry experiments, and their functional roles in antigen-induced bronchoconstriction were assessed using ONO-6950, a dual CysLT1/2-receptor antagonist, montelukast, a CysLT1 receptor antagonist, and BayCysLT2RA, a CysLT2 receptor-specific antagonist.

[Trends in asthma management over a ten-year period in Gifu Prefecture].

Background: Although clinical management methods for asthma have developed dramatically, it is not sure that the newly-developed methods have come to the attention of all doctors.

Methods: We sent questionnaires to all members of the Gifu Medical Association (general practitioners, pediatricians, and respiratory physicians) in 2000, 2004, and 2010.

Results: A majority of doctors felt that the number of asthmatic outpatients (adults and children) had decreased by 2010 compared with 2000.

[Prevalence of myeloperoxidase-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA) in patients with interstitial pneumonia].

Myeloperoxidase-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA) is an autoantibody that is frequently found in patients with vasculitides. We encountered some MPO-ANCA positive patients with interstitial pneumonia who lacked vasculitides, but its meaning remains unclear. We measured MPO-ANCA titers in 69 patients with interstitial pneumonia (IP) who did not have collagen vascular diseases and observed their outcome.

Effects of salmeterol xinafoate and fluticasone propionate on immunological activation of human cultured mast cells.

Background: The clinical efficacy of combination therapy comprising a long acting beta(2)-agonist (LABA) and corticosteroid is widely recognized for the treatment of adult asthma. Here we examine the effect of salmeterol xinafoate (SX) and fluticasone propionate (FP) alone and in combination on the immunological activation of human cultured mast cells (HCMC)in vitro.

Methods: HCMC were passively sensitized with IgE antibody and then activated by challenging with anti-IgE antibody.

[A case of primary pulmonary MALT lymphoma with diffuse micronodules and anemia].

A 52-year-old woman presented with low grade fever and fatigue. She had diffuse micronodules in both lung fields on chest X-ray. Chest CT showed diffuse multiple small nodules.

Ultrathin bronchoscopic barium marking with virtual bronchoscopic navigation for fluoroscopy-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

Study Objectives: To facilitate marking and to reduce its complications, we performed barium marking using an ultrathin bronchoscope with virtual bronchoscopic (VB) navigation before thoracoscopic surgery for small pulmonary peripheral lesions. We then evaluated the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of this technique.

Design: A pilot study.

[A case of Q fever infection causing acute exacerbation of chronic respiratory failure].

The authors report a case of Q fever infection that caused acute exacerbation of chronic respiratory failure, which had developed as a sequela of pulmonary tuberculosis. This case was found on wide-ranging serological screening for respiratory infection performed in order to investigate the prevalence of Q fever in Japan. A 73-year-old man who had been treated for hypertension and sequelae of pulmonary tuberculosis was admitted to our hospital because of fever, productive cough, and dyspnea on effort.

[Early image of squamous cell carcinoma in the peripheral lung field on high-resolution CT scan].

A 65-year-old man presented with the shadow of an abnormal nodule in the left lower lung field in a chest radiograph. We diagnosed this as an old inflammatory change because prior chest radiographs had shown the same nodule in the same lung field. However, a high-resolution CT scan showed a hazy ground-glass opacity (GGO) near the nodule.

[A case of vanishing lung complicated with pneumothorax and improved significantly by surgery].

A case of vanishing lung is reported. A 36-year-old man complaining of chest discomfort was admitted to our hospital. He had smoked 40 cigarettes a day for 16 years.

[CT-guided transbronchial diagnosis using ultrathin bronchoscope for small peripheral pulmonary lesions].

We performed computed tomography (CT)-guided transbronchial diagnosis on 23 patients, using an ultrathin bronchoscope (external diameter, 2.8 mm) for small peripheral pulmonary lesions (< or = 2 cm). The mean size of the lesions was 1.