Allergic Potency of Japanese Cedar Pollen Cry j 1 Is Reduced by a Low Concentration of Hypochlorous Acid Generated by Electolysis

ABSTRACTBackgroundAlthough Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollinosis has developed into a health problem, few methods eradicate indoor allergens completely. In a recent study, however, the effectiveness of inactivation with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) treatment was revealed. Therefore, the present study aimed to elucidate the ability of chlorine bleach (NaOCl) to reduce the immunogenicity of the major allergenic protein of Japanese cedar (Cry j 1).MethodsSodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Western blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay, and skin testing were carried out in 7 individuals.ResultsThe allergenic protein was undetectable using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining at a sodium hypochlorite/allergenic protein molar ratio of 457. Western blotting with human sera showed the same dose-dependent efficacy. The immunogenicity of the purified protein and cedar pollen was also demonstrated on enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay to be reduced by sodium hypochlorite treatment in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Moreover, sodium hypochlorite-treatment inhibited the skin test response to the protein in all 7 individuals.ConclusionsHypochlorous acid generated by electrolysis is an effective method for significantly reducing the immunogenicity of Cry j 1

Verrucous Carcinoma of the Tongue: Report of two cases

Two cases of verrucous carcinoma (VC) in the tongue are reported. VC is a variant of well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. VC grows gradually, has a tendency of local invasion and seldom metastasizes. The patients were treated by laser partial glossectomy. There was neither local recur- rence nor distant metastasis observed. Surgical resection with sufficient safety margin is recom- mended

Two cases of Pilomatrixoma in the Cheek

Pilomatrixoma is a benign neoplasm of the hair follicle that may present to the otolaryngologist as a palpable mass in the head and neck region. The authors present two cases of Pilomatrixoma in the cheek. For the correct preoperative diagnosis, CT, MRI and ultrasound are useful. Simple exci- sion of the mass is the recommended procedure and recurrence is rare

Evaluating the Effects of Testing Period on Pollinosis Symptoms Using an Allergen Challenge Chamber

Background: We previously built a pollen challenge test unit (allergen challenge chamber: ACC) to collect objective data about Japanese cedar pollinosis. In this study, we investigated adequate conditions for pollen challenge using the ACC. Methods: The study consisted of two parts. The first part was conducted in November, which is not in pollen season. Subjects were exposed to Japanese cedar pollen at a concentration of 50,000 grains/m3 in the chamber for 120 min each day over the course of three consecutive days. The second part was conducted in April, which is just after pollen season. Subjects were exposed to Japanese cedar pollen at the same concentration (50,000 grains/m3) in the chamber for 90 min on a single day. Subjects recorded nasal and ocular symptoms before challenge and every 15 min after challenge initiation. The minimum cross-sectional area in the nasal cavity was measured using acoustic rhinometry before and after challenge as an indicator of nasal obstruction. Inflammatory markers in nasal lavage fluid and serum were also measured before and after challenge. Results: Nasal and ocular symptoms were significantly exacerbated after challenge on all days of the single and 3-consecutive-day challenge tests, particularly on the third day of the consecutive challenge test. Nasal and ocular symptoms were also quickly induced with challenge immediately after the end of pollen season. No significant changes in inflammatory markers were seen. Conclusions: Care is needed with regard to pollen challenge conditions in the ACC, including timing of the challenge, to induce pollinosis symptoms that accurately reflect chronic inflammation

Continuous 6-Year Follow-Up Study of Sensitization to Japanese Cedar Pollen and Onset in Schoolchildren

Background: Intra individual longitudinal data has been lacking for IgE-mediated seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), especially in young children. Little is known about the development and natural course of SAR in terms of prevalence and incidence rates in schoolchildren. Methods: In May or June each year from 1994 to 2007, schoolchildren were assessed for serum Japanese cedar pollen (JCP)-IgE and house dust mite (HDM)-IgE levels, and surveyed regarding nasal symptoms. Results: Among the 220 children initially assessed in the first grade, 69 (31.4%) were already sensitized to JCP at first grade and 119 (54.1%) did not develop JCP sensitivity during the 6-year study at all. In the first grade children who were HDM-sensitized but JCP non-sensitized, JCP-IgE level was significantly elevated compared to the JCP and HDM non-sensitized group. This seems to indicate that HDM sensitization was very strongly associated with JCP sensitization. Conclusions: Elevated serum IgE is a consequence of specific sensitization to HDM and HDM sensitization appeared to develop prior to the start of primary school which distinguishes HDM sensitization from JCP sensitization

Expression of Cyclooxygenase-1 and Cyclooxygenase-2 in Mitotic Cells in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck: a Preliminary Study

To clarify difference in terms of the expression of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxyge- nase-2 (COX-2) in squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck (HNSCC), an immunohistochemi- cal study was performed for specimens obtained from 4 patients with HNSCC, and 3 normal volun- teers. COX-1 and COX-2 expressions were observed in small round cells, plasma cells and fibrob- lasts in interstitial tissue. An apparent difference in expression between COX-1 and COX-2 is that strong positive COX-2 expression was recognized in mitosis in 2 HNSCC patients, whereas COX-1 immunoreactivity was not seen in mitosis among 4. These preliminary findings suggest that COX-2 may have an important role in proliferation of HNSCC and COX-2 can be a target for the prevention or treatment of HNSCC

Interleukin-19 Downregulates Interleukin-4-Induced Eotaxin Production in Human Nasal Fibroblasts

Background: Interleukin-19 (IL-19), a member of the IL-10 family, is characterized as the cytokine suppressing the release and function of several proinflammatory cytokines. For regulation of local reaction in allergic rhinitis (AR), IL-19 might play an especially important role. Methods: We examined effects of IL-19 on IL-4-induced eotaxin production by human nasal fibroblasts. Early receptor-mediated events (expression of the suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) and phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 [STAT6]) by IL-19 was examined. Knockdown methods by RNAi were administered to investigate the involvement of those signal transductions. Results: Pretreatment with IL-19 downregulates IL-4-induced eotaxin production, but not interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-induced RANTES. Pretreatment with IL-19 suppressed the IL-4-induced STAT6 phosphorylation. The IL-19 induced SOCS-1, but not SOCS-3 or SOCS-5. The SOCS-1 knockdown by RNAi diminished pretreatment with IL-19-induced down-regulation of eotaxin production. Conclusions: These results suggest that IL-19 down-regulates IL-4-induced eotaxin production via SOCS-1 in human nasal fibroblasts. In non-hematopoietic cells in AR, IL-19 might be an immunosuppressive factor