A Case of Severe Bronchial Asthma Controlled with Tacrolimus

Background. The control of severe bronchial asthma, such as corticosteroid-resistant asthma, is difficult. It is also possible that immunosuppressive agents would be effective for bronchial asthma. Case Summary. A 55-year-old Japanese female presented with severe bronchial asthma controlled with tacrolimus. She had been diagnosed with bronchial asthma during childhood. Her asthma worsened, and a chest radiograph showed atelectasis of the left lung. Bronchoscopy revealed the left main bronchus to be obstructed with viscous sputum consisting of 82% neutrophils and no eosinophils. The atelectasis did not improve with corticosteroid treatment, but was ameliorated by administration of tacrolimus. Discussion. This patient had severe asthma due to neutrophilic inflammation of the airways. Tacrolimus is effective for treating severe asthma, for example, in corticosteroid-resistant cases

Influence of solvent evaporation on ultimate tensile strength of contemporary dental adhesives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of solvent evaporation on the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of commercial adhesives. Two 1-step(OptiBond All-In-One and G-Premio Bond) and two 2-step (Clearfil SE Protect, OptiBond XTR) adhesives were selected. Two bottles of eachadhesive were opened and stored at 37 °C in a dry oven with silica gelshielded from light for 2 weeks (“Desiccated”). Two unopened bottles were stored at room temperature (“Original”). After 2 weeks, the adhesives were used to fill an hour-glass shaped, metallic matrix mold and light-cured. Samples were weighed, and then immersed in a 37 °C water bath for 1 h or 7 days. The UTS of each sample was then measured at a cross-head speed of 1 mm/min (n = 10). The UTS for the Clearfil SE Protect was higher in the“Original” than “Desiccated” samples (p  0.05). Neither of the two “Original” 1-step samples could be hardened, even after light-curing, yet the ‘Desiccated’ OptiBond All-In-One samples obtained high UTS values. Both OptiBond All-In-One and Clearfil SE Protect had an increase in weight after the 7-day immersion in water. In conclusion, residual solvent reduces the mechanical strength of the adhesive. The hydrophilicity of the adhesive resin might also affect its mechanical strength

Diagnostic Challenges of Tuberculous Lymphadenitis Using Polymerase Chain Reaction Analysis: A Case Study

This report presents a case of tuberculous lymphadenitis that was difficult to diagnose using polymerase chain reaction analysis. An 80-year-old Japanese female was hospitalized due to swollen cervical lymph nodes. Her lymph node tests revealed paradoxical polymerase chain reaction results. Polymerase chain reaction analysis of two biopsy tissues using the Cobas TaqMan revealed a positive result for Mycobacterium avium and a negative result for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. However, polymerase chain reaction analysis of a cultured colony of acid-fast bacteria from biopsy tissue using the Cobas TaqMan and an alternative polymerase chain reaction analysis of biopsy tissue yielded discordant results. The patient was diagnosed as having tuberculous lymphadenitis. She was treated with antitubercular drugs and subsequently had a reduction in cervical lymph node swelling. Polymerase chain reaction analysis is not 100% accurate; hence, its use as a diagnostic tool for mycobacterial infection requires increased attention

Case Report Diagnostic Challenges of Tuberculous Lymphadenitis Using Polymerase Chain Reaction Analysis: A Case Study

This report presents a case of tuberculous lymphadenitis that was difficult to diagnose using polymerase chain reaction analysis. An 80-year-old Japanese female was hospitalized due to swollen cervical lymph nodes. Her lymph node tests revealed paradoxical polymerase chain reaction results. Polymerase chain reaction analysis of two biopsy tissues using the Cobas TaqMan revealed a positive result for Mycobacterium avium and a negative result for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. However, polymerase chain reaction analysis of a cultured colony of acid-fast bacteria from biopsy tissue using the Cobas TaqMan and an alternative polymerase chain reaction analysis of biopsy tissue yielded discordant results. The patient was diagnosed as having tuberculous lymphadenitis. She was treated with antitubercular drugs and subsequently had a reduction in cervical lymph node swelling. Polymerase chain reaction analysis is not 100% accurate; hence, its use as a diagnostic tool for mycobacterial infection requires increased attention