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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. Methods: We enrolled 28 outpatients with mild to severe COPD (Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease stages I–III), who had used the same long-acting bronchodilator for longer than 3 months and who were in stable condition. All measures were performed using both FOT and spirometry sequentially from 15 min to 2 h after inhalation. Results: Compared to baseline, inhaled procaterol assist use modestly but significantly improved spirometric and FOT measurements within 2 h after inhalation. These significant effects continued for at least 2 h. ­Significant correlations were found between parameters ­measured by spirometry and those measured by FOT. Conclusions: Procaterol assist use modestly but significantly improved pulmonary function determined by spirometry and respiratory mechanics in patients with stable COPD treated with long-acting bronchodilators. Thus, inhaled procaterol has the potential for assist use for COPD.

Background and Objectives 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. Methods Blood sampling, pulmonary function testing, computed tomography (CT) of the chest and bronchofiberscopy were performed for all patients and were retrospectively reviewed along with clinical information. To determine relapse of OP, additional chest CT was performed regularly or when relapse of OP was clinically suspected. All patients were followed regarding treatment response, treatment duration and presence of relapse. Results were compared between two groups based on serum concentrations of surfactant protein (SP)-D: normal SP-D; and high SP-D. Results Twenty-two patients were analyzed in this study. SP-D showed a negative correlation with percutaneous oxygen saturation, and positive correlations with serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Krebs von den Lungen (KL)-6 and percentage lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Prognosis was good for all patients, but relapse was significantly more frequent in the high SP-D group (6 cases) than in the normal SP-D group (0 cases; p=0.049). Serum KL-6 and percentage monocytes in BAL were significantly higher and pulmonary vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s were significantly lower in the high SP-D group than in the low SP-D group. Conclusions When treating cases of OP with high serum concentrations of SP-D, attention should be paid to the possibility of relapse.

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. Results: By 3 months post-RT, 11 patients developed RP (RP group) and the remaining 11 patients did not (NRP group). RT significantly increased total cell counts and alveolar macrophages in BAL of the NRP group, whereas lymphocyte count was increased in both groups. Matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9) increased and vascular endothelial growth factor decreased significantly in the BAL fluid (BALF) of the RP group following RT. Serum surfactant protein D (SP-D) increased significantly in the NRP group. SP-D in BALF from the RP group increased significantly with a subsequent increase in serum SP-D. Pulmonary dilution decreased similarly in both groups of patients. Conclusions: Increased SP-D in BALF, rather than that in serum, could be useful biomarkers in predicting RP. The MMP-9 in BALF might play a role in the pathogenesis of RP. Pulmonary dilution test may not be predictive of the development of RP.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) requires appropriate treatment regimens, since it is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Recently, several clinical trials confirmed that compared with tiotropium monotherapy and combination therapy of long-acting β2 agonist (LABA) plus inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs), maintenance therapy with once-daily dosing of a fixed-dose combination (FDC) of tiotropium plus olodaterol was safe and effective in improving the lung function, associated symptoms, and health status of patients with moderate to very severe COPD. Overall, tiotropium plus olodaterol FDC should be considered as an option for maintenance therapy in patients with moderately severe and severe COPD. Further studies will be required to show the effectiveness of this FDC in preventing COPD exacerbations and as maintenance therapy in patients with asthma–COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS).

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. METHODS: Blood sampling, pulmonary function testing, computed tomography (CT) of the chest, and bronchofiberscopy were performed for all patients and were retrospectively reviewed along with clinical information. Periodical chest CT was conducted and additional chest CT was performed when relapse of OP was clinically suspected. All patients were followed regarding treatment response, treatment duration, and presence of relapse. Results were compared between two groups based on serum concentrations of surfactant protein (SP)-D: normal SP-D and high SP-D. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients were analyzed in this study. SP-D showed a negative correlation with percutaneous oxygen saturation and positive correlations with serum lactate dehydrogenase, Krebs von den Lungen (KL)-6, and percentage of lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Prognosis was good for all patients, but relapse was significantly more frequent in the high SP-D group (6 cases) than in the normal SP-D group (0 cases; P = 0.049). Serum KL-6 and percentage of monocytes in BAL were significantly higher, and pulmonary vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s were significantly lower in the high SP-D group than in the low SP-D group. CONCLUSIONS: When treating cases of OP with high serum concentrations of SP-D, attention should be paid to the possibility of relapse.

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. DNA extraction with multiple ground samples, multiplex real-time PCR, and multiplex qualitative PCR were evaluated by five laboratories in Japan, and all results from these laboratories were consistent with the expected results in terms of the commingling level and event analysis. Thus, the DNA extraction with multiple ground samples, multiplex real-time PCR, and multiplex qualitative PCR for the individual kernel detection system is applicable and practicable in a laboratory to regulate the commingling level of GM maize grain for GM samples, including stacked GM maize.

In this study, we examined identification of glutinous rice breed by RAPD method. Seven polished rice, Hiyokumochi, Hakutyoumochi, Himenomoti, Koganemoti, Miyakoganemoti, Wataboushi, and Chinese rice were used in this study. In addition, these rices were produced in 2000. DNA was extracted and purified by CTAB method. DNA was amplified with OPB, OPM, and OPT primers (Operon Inc.) by PCR. Molecular weight of amplified DNA was determined by electrophoresis. As a result, all breeds of rice were determined by RAPD method.

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. Using a microcatheter, TorconNB (5 Fr) and Progreat (2.7 Fr), selective gelfoam embolization of the descending branch of the right bronchial artery was performed using the double catheter method. This approach would allow effective treatment of the haemorrhage and avoid spinal cord injury.

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. After trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SXT) treatment, the absolute CD4 positive lymphocyte count returned to normal. This patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus developed Pneumocystis pneumonia and developed a transient decrease in CD4-positive lymphocytes.

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. The treatment prevented the accumulation of pleural fluid for a long period of time. Pleural effusion associated with yellow nail syndrome is thought to be difficult to treat; however, this patient's excellent clinical course suggests that pleurodesis with OK-432 could be used to treat the disease in the future.

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. Fine crackles were heard on chest auscultation and a chest X-ray film revealed diffuse reticulo-nodular shadow in both lung fields. Cessation of the medication improved the patient' s clinical and X-ray findings. Bronchoalveolar lavage showed an increase of the lymphocytes and a diminished CD4/CD8 ratio. A drug-induced lymphocyte stimulation test was positive. Challenge tests for Bofutsusyo-san were positive. A diagnosis of drug-induced pneumonitis and hepatitis was made. Our findings suggested an association with Ou-gon.

Basic characteristics of micro-SQUIDs (superconducting quantum interference devices) with very small tunnel junctions are presented. Through electron-beam lithography, angled deposition and lift-off, we have made aluminum SQUIDs, the loop size of which was from 2?m to 20?m. The Al-AlOx-Al tunnel junctions were 0.15 ?m? 0.15 ?m in size and the parallel resistance was of the order of 10 k? Transport measurement at low temperatures down to 30 mK reveals the following features of the device: (1) It does not show dissipationless supercurrent, i.e. the zero-bias resistance remains finite even at the lowest temperature. (2) The resistance varies periodically as a function of the magnetic fields. When the field is perpendicular to the SQUID loop plane, the period corresponds to one flux quantum through the loop. (3) In almost-parallel magnetic fields, the resistance oscillations continue up to about 0.9T, though the amplitude diminishes with the magnetic field. Thus, the device is applicable for the magnetic sensing in moderate magnetic fields. Noteworthy feature is that the power dissipation necessary for operation is extremely small, i.e., of the order of 1 fW.