Chest wall subcutaneous mass leading to the diagnosis of pericostal tuberculosis.

When diagnosing a chest wall mass, even in the absence of pulmonary lesions, it is crucial to consider pericostal tuberculosis as a differential diagnosis. Attention must be paid to the characteristic findings on contrast-enhanced computed tomography, such as central low attenuation, peripheral rim enhancement of soft tissue, and pleural involvement.

Acute pulmonary thromboembolism with high-density emboli in the pulmonary artery detected on non-enhanced computed tomography.

The presence of high-density emboli in the pulmonary artery on non-enhanced computed tomography (CT) has high diagnostic performance for acute central pulmonary thromboembolism. Acute pulmonary thromboembolism is usually diagnosed by contrast-enhanced CT. However, it may be possible to achieve early diagnosis by identifying characteristic findings on non-enhanced CT.

Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy in occult early gastric cancer that was undetectable on upper endoscopy: a case report and review of similar cases.

Background: Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy (PTTM), a rare manifestation of metastatic cancer with poor prognosis, is characterized by subacute/acute fatal pulmonary hypertension. The main cause of PTTM is gastric cancer, and cases of early gastric cancer confirmed using autopsy have been reported. Moreover, several cases of early gastric cancer that are undetectable on endoscopy or macroscopic postmortem examination have been reported.

Pseudomembranous Tracheobronchitis With Severe Tracheal Stenosis and Masked Bronchial Obstruction.

Background: Pseudomembranous tracheobronchitis (PMTB) is a rare condition characterized by the formation of endobronchial pseudomembranes. PMTB overlaps with necrotizing tracheobronchitis or plastic bronchitis. The reported infectious etiology mainly includes invasive aspergillosis.

Pulmonary lipiodol embolism following transcatheter arterial chemoembolization.

Computed tomography of pulmonary lipiodol embolism reveals high-density areas in the lung field or intrapulmonary blood vessels. One of the risk factors of lipiodol embolism is embolization of the inferior phrenic artery.

Effects and mechanisms of prolongevity induced by Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Lactic-acid bacteria are widely recognized beneficial host associated groups of the microbiota of humans and animals. Some lactic-acid bacteria have the ability to extend the lifespan of the model animals. The mechanisms behind the probiotic effects of bacteria are not entirely understood.

Lactobacillus helveticus SBT2171 inhibits lymphocyte proliferation by regulation of the JNK signaling pathway.

Lactobacillus helveticus SBT2171 (LH2171) is a lactic acid bacterium with high protease activity and used in starter cultures in the manufacture of cheese. We recently reported that consumption of cheese manufactured using LH2171 alleviated symptoms of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. In this study, we have examined whether LH2171 itself exerts an inhibitory effect on the excessive proliferation of lymphocytes.

Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 induces TGF-β expression in dendritic cells and activates TLR2 signal to produce IgA in the small intestine.

Probiotic bacteria provide benefits in enhancing host immune responses and protecting against infection. Induction of IgA production by oral administration of probiotic bacteria in the intestine has been considered to be one reason for this beneficial effect, but the mechanisms of the effect are poorly understood. Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055) is a probiotic bacterium with properties such as bile tolerance, ability to improve the intestinal environment, and it has preventive effects related to abdominal adiposity.

Biosynthesis of the 4-methyloxazoline-containing nonribosomal peptides, JBIR-34 and -35, in Streptomyces sp. Sp080513GE-23.

JBIR-34 and -35 produced by Streptomyces sp. Sp080513GE-23 are nonribosomal peptides that possess an unusual 4-methyloxazoline moiety. Through draft genome sequencing, cosmid cloning, and gene disruption, the JBIR-34 and -35 biosynthesis gene cluster (fmo cluster) was identified; it encodes 20 proteins including five nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs).

Oral administration of Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 is effective for preventing influenza in mice.

The Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055) is a probiotic lactic acid bacterium with properties such as bile tolerance and ability to improve the intestinal environment. In this study, we established that the oral administration of LG2055 exhibits efficacy to protect mice infected with the influenza virus A/PR8. The body weight losses were lower with the LG2055 administration after the PR8 virus infection.