OBJECTIVESParticulate air pollution is a serious problem all over the world, and the development of a method to evaluate the health effects of ambient particles is necessary. In this study, cells cultured in vitro were exposed to particles sampled at the side of a main road, and their protein expression levels were examined.

METHODSAmbient particles were collected at the side of a main road using a high-volume air sampler. Some of the collected particles (crude particles) were treated with an organic solvent to remove chemical components, and the resulting residues were used as residual particles. Cells from the mouse alveolar epithelial cell line LA-4 were inoculated into tissue-culture dishes at 1.4×10(4)/cm(2), exposed to each type of particle or artificial carbon particles (Printex 90) that were dispersed using an ultrasonic homogenizer by mixing in the medium twice at 24 and 48 hours, and incubated for up to 72 hours after the start of inoculation. After exposure, the number of cells and intracellular dehydrogenase activity were measured. Proteins extracted from the cells were subjected to two-dimensional gel electrophoresis with isoelectric focusing at pHs 4-7 using a 10% acrylamide gel, and their expression levels were analyzed after fluorescent staining.

RESULTSThe intracellular dehydrogenase activity of the cells significantly decreased as a result of exposure to the residual (0.70-fold) and crude (0.84-fold) particles compared with that of the control, but it showed no change as a result of exposure to Printex 90. The protein expression levels in the cells exposed to the particles increased or decreased similarly, but different expression levels were also observed. There were differences in the effects observed between the cells exposed to the artificial carbon particles and those exposed to particles collected from ambient air.

CONCLUSIONThis study indicates that protein expression levels in cells change in response to exposure to particles collected from ambient air. To evaluate the effects of particles on health, it is considered necessary to use particles collected from ambient air.

Nephroblastomatosis (NBM) is a precursor of Wilms tumor. We herein report a case in which Wilms tumor was initially suspected and the affected kidney was removed.The tumor was subsequently diagnosed as intralobar NBM and a favorable outcome was achieved with postoperative chemotherapy. A 2-year-old boy who presented with gross hematuria was found to have an enlarged left kidney with hydronephrosis.Needle biopsy of the left kidney suggested Wilms tumor and left nephrectomy was performed. The tumor was histopathologically diagnosed as intralobar NBM.Although NBM is regarded as a precancerous lesion, a definite treatment plan has not yet been established. In the present case, we used a similar chemotherapy regimen to that for Wilms tumor. Eight years after the completion of chemotherapy, Wilms tumor has not developed or recurred. Appropriate management plans need to be developed by accumulating similar cases.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported that exposure to paraben (Pb) and triclosan (TCS) is associated with allergies. However, Pb and TCS exposure in the Japanese population is not fully understood. OBJECTIVES: The present study was aimed to examine such exposure among Japanese individuals with allergic diseases. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire survey to evaluate allergic outcomes and the collection of urine samples to examine Pb and TCS exposure. RESULTS: Pb containing daily commodities was used in 84.8% children. Pb use was positively associated with current atopic dermatitis (adjusted odds ratio, 4.61; 95% confidence interval, 1.23–17.3). Urinary Pb concentrations were increased significantly in those with current atopic dermatitis (AD) (median, 4.58 vs. 0; p < 0.0001), and showed an increased tendency in those with current wheeze (median, 3.45 vs. 1.81; p = 0.0535) in participants ≤15 years old. Urinary TCS concentration was under the limit of detection in all children. CONCLUSION: Urinary levels of Pb were associated with current AD in children. We should pay more attention about Pb and TCS.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Asthma ; Child ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Limit of Detection ; Odds Ratio ; Respiratory Sounds ; Triclosan

The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the anatomic localization of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in naturally infected pigs and to determine whether oral fluid could be used to detect the virus in infected animals. Two sows, seven 2-month-old grower pigs, and 70 6-month-old gilts were included in this study. PRRSV in sera and oral fluid were identified by nested reverse transcription PCR (nRT-PCR) while lung, tonsil, and tissue associated with oral cavity were subjected to nRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization. In sows, PRRSV was identified in oral fluid and tonsils. PRRSV was also detected in oral fluid, tonsils, salivary glands, oral mucosa, and lungs of all seven grower pigs. However, viremia was observed in only two grower pigs. Double staining revealed that PRRSV was distributed in macrophages within and adjacent to the tonsillar crypt epithelium. In gilts, the North American type PRRSV field strain was detected 3 to 8 weeks after introducing these animals onto the farm. These results confirm previous findings that PRRSV primarily replicates in tonsils and is then shed into oral fluid. Therefore, oral fluid sampling may be effective for the surveillance of PRRSV in breeding herds.
Animals ; Female ; In Situ Hybridization/veterinary ; Lung/virology ; Male ; Palatine Tonsil/virology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/veterinary ; Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome/*virology ; Porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus/*physiology ; Saliva/*virology ; Salivary Glands/virology ; Swine/virology ; Virus Replication/physiology

Background/Aims: Probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) requires the administration of intravenous (IV) fluorescein. This study aimed to determine the optimal dose of IV fluorescein for both upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract pCLE. Methods: Patients 20 to 79 years old with gastric high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or colorectal neoplasms (CRNs) were enrolled in the study. The dose de-escalation method was employed with five levels. The primary endpoint of the study was the determination of the optimal dose of IV fluorescein for pCLE of the GI tract. The reduced dose was determined based on off-line reviews by three endoscopists. An insufficient dose of fluorescein was defined as the dose of fluorescein with which the pCLE images were not deemed to be visible. If all three endoscopists determined that the tissue structure was visible, the doses were de-escalated. Results: A total of 12 patients with gastric HGD and 12 patients with CRNs were enrolled in the study. Doses were de-escalated to 0.5 mg/kg of fluorescein for both non-neoplastic duodenal and colorectal mucosa. All gastric HGD or CRNs were visible with pCLE with IV fluorescein at 0.5 mg/kg. Conclusions In the present study, pCLE with IV fluorescein 0.5 mg/kg was adequate to visualize the magnified structure of both the upper and lower GI tract.

Background/Aims: Probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) requires the administration of intravenous (IV) fluorescein. This study aimed to determine the optimal dose of IV fluorescein for both upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract pCLE. Methods: Patients 20 to 79 years old with gastric high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or colorectal neoplasms (CRNs) were enrolled in the study. The dose de-escalation method was employed with five levels. The primary endpoint of the study was the determination of the optimal dose of IV fluorescein for pCLE of the GI tract. The reduced dose was determined based on off-line reviews by three endoscopists. An insufficient dose of fluorescein was defined as the dose of fluorescein with which the pCLE images were not deemed to be visible. If all three endoscopists determined that the tissue structure was visible, the doses were de-escalated. Results: A total of 12 patients with gastric HGD and 12 patients with CRNs were enrolled in the study. Doses were de-escalated to 0.5 mg/kg of fluorescein for both non-neoplastic duodenal and colorectal mucosa. All gastric HGD or CRNs were visible with pCLE with IV fluorescein at 0.5 mg/kg. Conclusions In the present study, pCLE with IV fluorescein 0.5 mg/kg was adequate to visualize the magnified structure of both the upper and lower GI tract.

An 82-year-old woman was transferred to our hospital due to an abrupt back pain. She exhibited a cardiac tamponade and her CT angiography revealed Stanford type-A acute aortic dissection without abdominal extension. Emergent surgery for partial arch replacement was performed. After a few days of stable postoperative course, she suffered 38 degrees fever with an elevated inflammatory response and complained of a slight abdominal pain. Her CT scan revealed an intra-abdominal abscess with a small intestine necrosis. Emergent surgery for partial small intestine resection was performed. Her postoperative course was stable and she was discharged to a rehabilitation hospital 52 days after the first operation.

Non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) after cardiovascular surgery is a disease with a poor prognosis that is difficult to diagnose and treat. We report a case of NOMI diagnosed and treated immediately after open heart surgery. A 77-year-old man was admitted to our hospital due to heart failure. Echocardiography showed the diagnosis of severe aortic stenosis. He underwent surgery for the replacement of the aortic valve. After surgery, the hemodynamics became unstable and lactate continued to rise. Contrast abdominal computed tomography revealed a smaller SMV sign and ischemic area in the intestinal wall. We suspected NOMI, and continuous intravenous administration of prostaglandin was started. Angiography revealed scattered vascular stenosis in the superior and inferior mesenteric arteries, which led to the diagnosis of NOMI, and selective infusion of papaverine hydrochloride was started. Thereafter, hemodynamic improvement was observed and the patient was able to survive. To facilitate early diagnosis and treatment of NOMI, it is important to establish a protocol at the time of onset of illness to ensure smooth treatment.

We treated dry eyes and eyestrains successfully with electrothermo-acupuncture and Kampo medicine. The case was a 41-year-old woman who was treated with a few eye drops. She came to our hospital to receive Kampo medicine because her photophobia and eye pain got worse. After taking shimbuto, her complaint got better with improving physical fatigue. Electrothermo-acupuncture was effective for photophobia and eye pain promptly and remarkably. After we added kihito to her, she did not need to use eye drops with improving bloody urine and sleeplessness. Photophobia and eye-ache are thought to be related to the trigeminal nerve system. In this case, we consider that the point of application of electrothermo-acupuncture is the trigeminal nerve system. At the same time, “rikan” and “hikyo” might be involved in this case with the general malaise of eye.