A retrospective clinical research of relapsed organizing pneumonia.

Background: Organizing pneumonia (OP) usually responds spectacularly well to initial treatment, but relapses can occur and some cases run a fatal course. Still, the issue of relapse has been addressed in relatively few studies, and predictors have not been clarified. The purpose of this study was to examine the pattern of relapses in OP, to determine whether relapse affects morbidity and mortality, and to identify possible predictors of relapse.

Evaluation of Inhaled Procaterol for Potential Assist Use in Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Objectives: International guidelines recommend the use of long-acting bronchodilators for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but the usefulness of short-acting bronchodilator assist use for stable COPD remains uncertain. The purpose of the present study was to objectively demonstrate the effects of assist use of procaterol, a short-acting β2-agonist, on the respiratory mechanics of stable COPD patients treated with a long-acting bronchodilator using forced oscillation technique (FOT) and conventional spirometry. We also confirmed the length of time for which procaterol assist could significantly improve the pulmonary function.

Analysis of predictive parameters for the development of radiation-induced pneumonitis.

Introduction: Prevention and effective treatment of radiation-induced pneumonitis (RP) could facilitate greater use of radiation therapy (RT) for lung cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine clinical parameters useful for early prediction of RP.

Methods: Blood sampling, pulmonary function testing, chest computed tomography, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were performed in patients with pathologically confirmed lung cancer who had completed ≥60 Gy of RT, at baseline, shortly after RT, and at 1 month posttreatment.

Interlaboratory study of DNA extraction from multiple ground samples, multiplex real-time PCR, and multiplex qualitative PCR for individual kernel detection system of genetically modified maize.

In many countries, the labeling of grains, feed, and foodstuff is mandatory if the genetically modified (GM) organism content exceeds a certain level of approved GM varieties. We previously developed an individual kernel detection system consisting of grinding individual kernels, DNA extraction from the individually ground kernels, GM detection using multiplex real-time PCR, and GM event detection using multiplex qualitative PCR to analyze the precise commingling level and varieties of GM maize in real sample grains. We performed the interlaboratory study of the DNA extraction with multiple ground samples, multiplex real-time PCR detection, and multiplex qualitative PCR detection to evaluate its applicability, practicality, and ruggedness for the individual kernel detection system of GM maize.

Selective gelfoam embolization of primary racemose haemangioma of the bronchial artery.

A 54-year-old male presented with haemoptysis. Bronchial arteriography revealed a bent, meandering and dilated bronchial artery with vascular hyperplasia in multiple locations. The patient was diagnosed as having primary racemose haemangioma of the bronchial artery.

Pneumocystis pneumonia in a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

A 76-year-old man, who was in the hospital for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and was receiving gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist treatment for prostate cancer, developed fever and hypoxemia. Imaging revealed diffuse interstitial shadows, and PCR of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was positive for Pneumocystis jirovecii. The patient's absolute CD4-positive lymphocyte count dropped to 145/microl, but the HIV antibody was negative.

Idiopathic yellow nail syndrome successfully treated with OK-432.

A 70-year-old female presented with yellow discoloration of the nail beds of all fingers and toes, as well as bilateral pleural effusions. The patient was diagnosed as having the yellow nail syndrome based on the triad of yellow nails, lymphedema, and pleural effusions. The patient's intractable bilateral pleural effusion was treated with pleurodesis using OK-432.

[A case of hepatitis and pneumonitis caused by Bofutsusyo-san herbal medicine].

We report a case of drug-induced pneumonitis and hepatitis associated with the herbal medication Bofutsusyo-san. A 41-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with pneumonitis and hepatitis. She complained of fever and dyspnea.