Impact of inhaled ciclesonide on asymptomatic or mild COVID-19: A randomized trial.

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of ciclesonide in the treatment of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as gauged by pneumonia progression. This multi-center, open-label randomized trial was conducted with patients recruited from 22 hospitals across Japan. Participants were patients admitted with mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 without signs of pneumonia on chest X-rays.

Efficacy and safety of carboplatin with nab-paclitaxel versus docetaxel in older patients with squamous non-small-cell lung cancer (CAPITAL): a randomised, multicentre, open-label, phase 3 trial.

Background: In Japan, docetaxel, a cytotoxic monotherapy, is the standard drug administered to older patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Carboplatin plus nab-paclitaxel has shown a high objective response rate in patients with squamous histology and was suggested to improve overall survival in patients aged 70 years and older. The CAPITAL trial aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of carboplatin plus nab-paclitaxel versus docetaxel as first-line therapy for patients aged 70 years and older with advanced squamous NSCLC.

Application of the advanced lung cancer inflammation index for patients with coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia: Combined risk prediction model with advanced lung cancer inflammation index, computed tomography and chest radiograph.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of applying the advanced lung cancer inflammation index (ALI) in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and to establish a combined ALI and radiologic risk prediction model for disease exacerbation. The present study included patients diagnosed with COVID-19 infection in our single institution from March to October 2020. Patients without clinical information and/or chest computed tomography (CT) upon admission were excluded.

Comparison of semiquantitative chest CT scoring systems to estimate severity in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia.

Objectives: To compare the clinical usefulness among three different semiquantitative computed tomography (CT) severity scoring systems for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia.

Methods: Two radiologists independently reviewed chest CT images in 108 patients to rate three CT scoring systems (total CT score [TSS], chest CT score [CCTS], and CT severity score [CTSS]). We made a minor modification to CTSS.

Pretreatment Glasgow prognostic score predicts survival among patients with high PD-L1 expression administered first-line pembrolizumab monotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: There are no established biomarkers for predicting the efficacy of first-line pembrolizumab monotherapy in patients with high programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression. In this study, we investigated whether the Glasgow prognostic score (GPS), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and body mass index (BMI) can be used to evaluate the effect of first-line pembrolizumab monotherapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who express high levels of PD-L1.

Methods: We reviewed data from 142 patients with high PD-L1 expression who underwent first-line pembrolizumab monotherapy for NSCLC at six Japanese institutions between February 2017 and June 2019 and assessed the prognostic value of the GPS, NLR, and BMI.

Post-Progression Survival Influences Overall Survival among Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Undergoing First-Line Pembrolizumab Monotherapy.

Background: Among patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the impact of first-line treatment on overall survival (OS) may be influenced by subsequent therapies. Thus, using patient-level data, we assessed the relationships of progression-free survival (PFS) and post-progression survival (PPS) with OS among patients with high-programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression undergoing first-line pembrolizumab monotherapy for NSCLC.

Methods: We reviewed data from 133 patients with high PD-L1 expression undergoing first-line pembrolizumab monotherapy for NSCLC at 6 Japanese centers between February 2017 and December 2018.

Bilateral lung cancer showing various responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors: A case report.

Background: Combination immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has become the mainstay in cancer treatment, and the various antitumor effects of ICIs are being observed. Synchronous multiple primary lung cancers (SMPLCs), which simultaneously involve tumors of different histologies, are often encountered in clinical settings. In standard lung cancer treatment, an anticancer drug, usually a platinum-based drug, is administered, and this first treatment provides some antitumor effect.

Development of pyogenic granuloma with strong vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 expression during ramucirumab treatment.

The angiogenesis inhibitor ramucirumab (IMC-1121B) is a fully humanised IgG1 monoclonal antibody targeting the extracellular domain of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2. Ramucirumab has been approved as a second-line treatment for lung cancer. Pyogenic granuloma is an acquired, benign vascular tumour of the skin or mucous membrane.

Cough related to swallowing in asthma patients.

Background: Occurrence of cough during swallowing is common among asthma patients, but has not been investigated in detail.

Objective: We conducted an observational study to determine the prevalence of swallowing-related cough (SRC) and its characteristics in asthma patients.

Methods: Asthma patients attending our outpatient department between May 2005 and April 2007 were interviewed to investigate if they had ever experienced SRC, as well as postnasal drip or heartburn and cough related to these conditions.

Retrospective Prognostic Study of Death at Home or Hospice Versus at a Hospital Among Patients With Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Background: Patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer greatly care about where they will die. Most people in Japan preferred their location of death as their homes. But only 8.

Montelukast reduces inhaled chlorine triggered airway hyperresponsiveness and airway inflammation in the mouse.

Background And Purpose: Cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) are pro-inflammatory lipid mediators that exacerbate disease state in several asthma phenotypes including asthma induced by allergen, virus and exercise. However, the role of CysLTs in irritant-induced airway disease is not well characterized. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effect of montelukast, a CysLT receptor antagonist, on parameters of irritant-induced asthma induced by inhalation of chlorine in the mouse.

A new method for enhanced expectoration of sputum by vibratory stimulation of the cervical trachea.

Background: Expectoration of sputum can be difficult for patients with respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis, or bronchiectasis because of the effects of decreased pulmonary function, respiratory muscle fatigue, altered sputum properties, and impaired ciliary function. We developed a new method for the vibratory stimulation of the cervical trachea and this study aimed to compare it with the Acapella (a current oscillation device) method.

Methods: Patients with chronic productive cough and difficulty with expectoration were recruited for the study.

Inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness after chlorine exposure are prolonged by Nrf2 deficiency in mice.

Rationale: Chlorine gas (Cl) is a potent oxidant and trigger of irritant induced asthma. We explored NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-dependent mechanisms in the asthmatic response to Cl, using Nrf2-deficient mice, buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), an inhibitor of glutathione (GSH) synthesis and sulforaphane (SFN), a phytochemical regulator of Nrf2.

Methods: Airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) were assessed 24 and 48h after a 5-min nose-only exposure to 100ppm Cl of Nrf2-deficient and wild type Balb/C mice treated with BSO or SFN.

Orotate phosphoribosyltransferase is overexpressed in malignant pleural mesothelioma: Dramatically responds one case in high OPRT expression.

Objective: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare and aggressive, treatment-resistant cancer. Pemetrexed, an inhibitor of thymidylate synthase (TS), is used worldwide for MPM as a first-line chemotherapy regimen. However, there is little consensus for a second-line chemotherapy.

CysLT1 Receptor Is Protective against Oxidative Stress in a Model of Irritant-Induced Asthma.

The bronchoconstrictive and proinflammatory properties of cysteinyl leukotrienes (cysLTs) in allergic asthma mediate their effects predominantly through the cysLT1 receptor (cysLT1R). However, the role of cysLTs and cysLT1R in innate immune-triggered asthma is largely unexplored. We explored the synthesis of cysLTs and cysLT1R as determinants of airway responses in an oxidative stress-induced model of irritant asthma.

The effects of daily bathing on symptoms of patients with bronchial asthma.

Background: The influence of bathing in asthma patients is not yet fully known.

Objective: We conducted an observational study to investigate changes in symptoms and their degree by bathing in asthmatic patients.

Methods: A questionnaire focusing on ever experienced bathing-induced symptom changes and their degree, as well as contributing factors, was designed and administered to asthmatic patients in the outpatient department of our institute between January 2012 and November 2013.

Bronchoscopy for Pulmonary Peripheral Lesions With Virtual Fluoroscopic Preprocedural Planning Combined With EBUS-GS: A Pilot Study.

Background: Virtual fluoroscopic preprocedural planning (VFPP) is a figure in which the trace lines between the trachea and the target lesions are constructed along the connecting bronchus on Ray Summation image similar to fluoroscopy. The lines can be displayed at any angle with 3D imaging. This system was applied to bronchoscopy as a reference for forceps guidance under the fluoroscopy, as a new type of navigation.

[An Elderly Patient with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Who Responded to Salvage S-1 Monotherapy after Gefitinib Therapy].

S-1 is one of the effective chemotherapy regimens for treating non-small cell lung cancer. We report of an elderly patient with non-small cell lung cancer who responded to S-1 monotherapy following gefitinib therapy. An 83-year-old woman was diagnosed with advanced adenocarcinoma of the lungs (cT3N3M1a, Stage IV).

Respiratory failure associated with hypoventilation in a patient with severe hypothyroidism.

A 70-year-old Japanese man was admitted to hospital because of decreased consciousness due to type II respiratory failure. Severe hypothyroidism was diagnosed and considered to be associated with hypoventilation due to respiratory muscle dysfunction and sleep apnea syndrome. His status was improved partially by replacement of thyroid hormone.

Neutrophils mediate airway hyperresponsiveness after chlorine-induced airway injury in the mouse.

Chlorine gas (Cl2) inhalation causes oxidative stress, airway epithelial damage, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), and neutrophilia. We evaluated the effect of neutrophil depletion on Cl2-induced AHR and its effect on the endogenous antioxidant response, and if eosinophils or macrophages influence Cl2-induced AHR. We exposed male Balb/C mice to 100 ppm Cl2 for 5 minutes.

Pseudomesotheliomatous carcinoma due to pleural metastasis from renal pelvic cancer.

A 78-year-old man was referred to our department with a one-week history of dyspnea and coughing. A chest X-ray showed massive left pleural effusion. Computed tomography revealed diffuse irregular thickening of the left pleura similar to malignant mesothelioma and multiple nodules in both lungs.

Successful removal of a distally located foreign body using a guide sheath.

This report presents the case of successful removal of a distally located foreign body using a guide sheath (GS). A 78-year-old man was brought for x-ray examination after a dental treatment at a local clinic. A dental instrument, a diamond bur, was missing after the treatment.

Multiple tuberculous nodules with metachronous changes: a case report.

Background: Spontaneous regression of lesions occurs in non-infectious benign diseases, such as sarcoidosis, as well as in infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis. Lung cancer and malignant lymphoma, on the other hand, rarely follow a similar course. We report a rare case of lung tuberculosis that presented with multiple nodules with metachronous changes in size.