Infiltration of effector regulatory T cells predicts poor prognosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) specifically express the transcription factor forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) and contribute to tumor progression. FOXP3-positive cells have been recently proven to be heterogeneous in phenotype and function, including effector Tregs (eTregs), naïve Tregs, and non-Tregs, which harbor no suppressive function. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate the "true Treg (eTreg)" population, rather than the entire FOXP3 population, with regards to their effect on tumor immunity.

Chemokine profiles of interstitial pneumonia in patients with dermatomyositis: a case control study.

Chemokines play an important role in the pathophysiology of dermatomyositis (DM) with interstitial pneumonia (IP). However, the relation between chemokines and the disease activity or prognosis of DM-IP has not been elucidated. We evaluated the serum C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL) 2, Th1 chemokines (C-X-C motif chemokine ligand [CXCL] 9, CXCL10, CXCL11), and Th2 chemokine (CCL17) profiles of 30 patients, and examined the relation between these chemokines and the disease activity or prognosis of DM-IP.

Transforming growth factor β- and interleukin 13-producing mast cells are associated with fibrosis in bone marrow.

Although bone marrow fibrosis is a lethal condition, its underlying mechanism is not fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the pathogenesis of fibrosis in the bone marrow through histologic examination of mast cell infiltration and the expression of fibrosis-associated cytokines. We analyzed 22 bone marrows with fibrosis (8 primary myelofibrosis [PMF], 5 post-essential thrombocythemia [ET], myelofibrosis, and 9 myelodysplastic syndrome [MDS] with bone marrow fibrosis [BMF]).

Role of mast cells in fibrosis of classical Hodgkin lymphoma.

The underlying mechanism of fibrosis in classical Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the association of fibrosis in the lymph nodes of patients with CHL through histological examination of the expression of cytokines associated with fibrosis and mast cell proliferation. Additionally, we sought to determine the degree of mast cell infiltration in a nodular sclerosis subtype of CHL (NSCHL) compared with that in non-NSCHL.

Dermatopathic Lymphadenopathy With Increased IgG4-Positive Plasma Cells.

Both dermatopathic lymphadenopathy (DL) and immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) are frequently complicated with allergic diseases. However, the relationship between DL and IgG4-RD is not well known. To clarify this relationship on the basis of clinical and pathological findings, including IgG4-positive (IgG4+) plasma cell infiltration in lymph nodes (LNs) of DL patients, we analyzed LNs of 11 DL patients using immunostaining of IgG, IgG4, forkhead box P3 (FOXP3), transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, interferon (IFN)-γ, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-8, and MMP-13.

TNF-α receptor 1 expression predicts poor prognosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified.

We have previously shown that in tumor specimens from patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (DLBCL, NOS), the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-positive type correlates with a poorer prognosis compared with the TNF-α-negative type. In the present study, we further evaluated 60 lymphoma tissue specimens from patients with DLBCL, NOS by immunohistochemical staining with antibodies against TNF-α receptor 1 (TNFR1) and TNF-α receptor 2 (TNFR2). Our results demonstrated that 31 cases (52%) were positive and 29 (48%) were negative for TNFR1 and that the TNFR1-positive cases were significantly correlated with a poorer overall survival (OS; P=0.

TNF-α expression in tumor cells as a novel prognostic marker for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified.

Several cytokines promote malignant cell growth and are therefore believed to contribute to disease aggressiveness. The cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) acts as a tumor-promoting factor and has been linked to all tumorigenic stages in many cancers. Here, we evaluated 62 lymphoma tissue specimens from patients having diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (DLBCL, NOS) by immunostaining with anti-TNF-α antibody.

Evaluation of postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis after liver resection: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Antibiotic prophylaxis is frequently administered after liver resection to prevent postoperative infections. However, very few studies have examined the usefulness of antibiotic prophylaxis after liver resection. A randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis in patients after liver resection.

Oriental orchid (Cymbidium floribundum) attracts the Japanese honeybee (Apis cerana japonica) with a mixture of 3-hydroxyoctanoic acid and 10-hydroxy- (E)-2-decenoic acid.

The flower of the oriental orchid Cymbidium floribundum is known to attract the Japanese honeybee Apis cerana japonica. This effect is observed not only in workers but also drones and queens; that is, it attracts even swarming and absconding bees. A mixture of 3-hydroxyoctanoic acid (3-HOAA) and 10-hydroxy-(E)-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA) was identified as the active principles from the orchid flower, whereas these compounds individually have no such activity.

Immunohistological analysis in diagnosis of plasma cell myeloma based on cytoplasmic kappa/lambda ratio of CD38-positive plasma cells.

The accurate determination of cytoplasmic immunoglobulin (cIg) light chain (LC) expression is important to differentiate reactive plasmacytosis from a clonal plasma cell neoplasm such as plasma cell myeloma (PCM). Through retrospective analysis, we studied the cytoplasmic kappa/lambda ratio of CD38-positive plasma cells in the bone marrow from 19 PCM patients and 19 controls. To demonstrate cIg LC expression, the bone marrow was immunostained for IgA, IgG, IgM, kappa, and lambda.

An approach for diagnosing plasma cell myeloma by three-color flow cytometry based on kappa/lambda ratios of CD38-gated CD138(+) cells.

Background: World Health Organization (WHO) criteria are commonly used to diagnose plasma cell myeloma (PCM); however, these criteria are complex and require several laboratory parameters. For differentiating reactive plasmacytosis from clonal plasma cell (PC) neoplasms such as PCM, it is important to accurately determine the expression of cytoplasmic immunoglobulin light chains.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the records of 27 selected patients with PCM who underwent bone biopsies for confirmative diagnosis according to WHO criteria.

Immunohistological diagnosis of plasma cell myeloma based on cytoplasmic kappa/lambda ratio of CD138-positive plasma cells.

For differentiating reactive plasmacytosis from clonal plasma cell neoplasms such as plasma cell myeloma (PCM), it is important to determine the expression of the cytoplasmic light chain accurately. Through retrospective analysis, we studied the cytoplasmic kappa/lambda ratio of CD138-positive plasma cells in bone marrow from 50 patients with PCM and 50 controls by immunohistological analysis. The percentage of cytoplasmic light chain immunoreactive cells out of the total plasma cell population was shown by a novel quantitative image analysis approach using an Aperio ScanScope CS and the Membrane v9 algorithm.

Differences in heat sensitivity between Japanese honeybees and hornets under high carbon dioxide and humidity conditions inside bee balls.

Upon capture in a bee ball (i.e., a dense cluster of Japanese honeybees forms in response to a predatory attack), an Asian giant hornet causes a rapid increase in temperature, carbon dioxide (CO₂), and humidity.

Antifungal prophylaxis with micafungin in neutropenic patients with hematological malignancies.

The aim of the study was to assess the antifungal prophylactic efficacy, safety, and tolerability of micafungin, 150 mg daily, and to evaluate the usefulness of monitoring 1,3-beta-d-glucan (BG) in neutropenic patients undergoing chemotherapy for hematological malignancies. This investigation was a retrospective, non-randomized study. A group of patients who did not receive systemic antifungal prophylaxis was compared to another group of patients who received micafungin 150 mg daily.

Anticancer effect of combination therapy of VP16 and fosfesterol in hormone-refractory prostate cancer.

Objectives: We conducted the present study to evaluate the safety profile and therapeutic value of a combination of etoposide and fosfestrol for treatment of hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC).

Methods: Forty patients with HRPC were included in the study. The median age was 71 years (range, 50-86 years), the Gleason's score ranged from 5 to 10, and the median prostate-specific antigen level was 62.