Novel equations better predict lung age: a retrospective analysis using two cohorts of participants with medical check-up examinations in Japan.

Background: The lung age equations developed by the Japanese Respiratory Society encounter several problems when being applied in a clinical setting.

Aims: To establish novel spirometry-derived lung age (SDL age) equations using data from a large number of Japanese healthy never-smokers with normal spirometric measurements and normal body mass indices (BMIs).

Methods: The participants had undergone medical check-ups at the Center for Preventive Medicine of St Luke's International Hospital between 2004 and 2012.

Oral corticosteroids decrease eosinophil and CC chemokine expression but increase neutrophil, IL-8, and IFN-gamma-inducible protein 10 expression in asthmatic airway mucosa.

Background: Cytokines and chemokines have been implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma. Inhaled corticosteroids have been shown to decrease the number of eosinophils and to downregulate T H 2 cytokines but to increase neutrophils. The effect of corticosteroids on chemokine expression in asthma has not yet been investigated.

Microbial superantigens induce glucocorticoid receptor beta and steroid resistance in a nasal explant model.

Objective: To study the role of superantigen (SAg) in inducing glucocorticoid (GC) receptor beta and steroid resistance in an explant model of nasal tissue.

Methods: Nasal tissue was obtained from inferior turbinates of controls and ragweed (RW)-sensitive patients. Tissue samples were incubated with SAg of staphylococcal enterotoxin B.

Airway remodeling-associated mediators in moderate to severe asthma: effect of steroids on TGF-beta, IL-11, IL-17, and type I and type III collagen expression.

Background: Important features of airway remodeling in asthma include the formation of subepithelial fibrosis and increased deposition of types I and III collagen. TGF-beta, IL-11, and IL-17 are profibrotic cytokines involved in the formation of subepithelial fibrosis and are increased in patients with asthma, particularly in those with severe disease.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of corticosteroids on the expression of these profibrotic cytokines and on extracellular matrix deposition.