A Chain of Dark Clouds in Projection Against the Galactic Center

In the J, H, and Ks bands survey of the the Galactic Center region over an area of 2deg x 5deg, we have found many dark clouds, among which a distinguished chain of dark clouds can be identified with a quiescent CO cloud. The distances of the clouds is estimated to be 3.2-4.2 kpc, corresponding to the Norma arm by our new method to determine distance to dark clouds using the cumulative number of stars against J-Ks colors. Adopting these estimated distances, the size is about 70 pc in length and the total mass of the cloud is 6x10^4 M_solar. Three compact HII regions harbor in the cloud, indicating that star forming activities are going on at the cores of the quiescent CO cloud on the spiral arm.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in PAS

Development of two types of mite-allergen induced murine models of chronic asthma with different severity

Asthma is an allergic disease characterized by chronic airway inflammation, hyper-responsiveness (AHR), and reversible obstruction. The main inflammatory changes are induced by infiltration of eosinophils into the airway. Few animal models resemble the spontaneous history of asthma due to variations in the selection of the mouse strain, appropriate antigen, and exposure methods. Here, we prepared two different mouse models in which the mechanism was close to that of human asthma. We transnasally administered mite Dermatophagoides farinae (Df) allergen to BALB/c mice 10 times (Df-2) or 25 times (Df-5). After comparison with mice administered phosphate-buffered saline, the AHR and immediate asthmatic response were evaluated, in addition to the number of eosinophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Df-specific IgE and IgG1 levels in the serum, and Th2 cytokines (interleukin [IL]-5, IL-13) in the BALF were measured by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay. Immediate asthmatic response and AHR were enhanced in mite allergen-treated mice (Df-2 and Df-5) compared to PBS-treated mice. The number of eosinophils and IL-13 levels in the BALF, and specific IgE in the serum were greater in Df-5 than in Df-2 mice. We established two different murine chronic asthma models, in which the severity depended on the number of exposures to Df. Greater intranasal exposure to a Df allergen resulted in more severe asthma in a BALB/c mouse model

The diagnostic role of fiberoptic bronchoscopy in immunocompromised patients with pulmonary diseases

Fifty-six bronchoscopies were carried out for the diagnosis of pulmonary diseases in 50 immunocompromised patients with various underlying diseases. In 30 of these patients, bronchoscopy provided useful findings. The diagnostic sensitivities (positive/procedures) for transbronchial lung biopsy bronchoalveolar lavage, aspiration of intra-bronchial sputum and brushing were 55.1%, 29.4%, 8.3% and 0%, respectively. Overall diagnostic sensitivity was higher for non-infectious diseases than for infectious ones. Also, there was a tendency for the diagnostic sensitivity to be higher in cases whose pulmonary infiltrates were extensive. In two samples of lavage fluid positive for the isolation of cytomegalovirus, the virus was not significant etiologically. Complications from bronchoscopy occurred in nine patients, but were not serious. However, no prolonged patient survival was noted with the use of diagnostic bronchoscopy. We consider that bronchoscopy is a safe method for the diagnosis of pulmonary diseases in immunocompromised patients, but that further studies are required in order to confirm the clinical significance of this procedure

Cervicomediastinal Lipoma

A 67-year-old female was hospitalized with complaints of cough and shortness of breath. A chest roentgenogram showed a right upper mediatinal mass. Computed tomography demonstrated a well circumscribed large mass, with a fat density, extending from the azygos arch to the thyroid cartilage. The mass displaced the superior vena cava anteriorly and trachea laterally to the left. It was hourglass shaped, 250g in weight and could be easily removed completely along with the thoracic portion from the cervix. The histologic findings were consistent with lipoma. Its CT diagnosis was discussed

Pulmonary Tuberculous Scar as a Factor Affecting Detection of Lung Cancer

To evaluate the radiologic influence of tuberculous scar on the detection of lung cancer, the results of radiologic screening were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 308, 565 persons above 40 years old underwent the screening from 1986 to 1988. For screening, 100-mm indirect chest radiographs were interpreted by two physicians, and compared to findings on one-year old films if necessary. The screening detected 175 peripheral lung cancers and 25,238 tuberculous scars. Both diseases were prevalent in the elderly. Twenty-seven of 175 lung cancers coexisted with tuberculous scar. The high incidence of tuberculous scar in the elderly caused the seeming increase in the incidence of coexistence of lung cancer. In 14 of 21 coexistent cases reviewed, lung cancer was identified retrospectively on one-year old radiographs. In six patients, lung cancer was misinterpreted as a part of tuberculous scar, despite comparison to one-year old films. The present study suggests that radiographs showing tuberculous scar should be carefully compared to previous films taken at least two years earlier

Establishment of an asthma model by sensitization with mite antigen alone in C57BL/6J mice

Bronchial asthma is characterized by the bronchial hyperresponsiveness and airway obstruction related to airway smooth muscle contraction. Eosinophilic airway inflammation is involved in its pathogenesis. To reproduce the condition, various animal models have been prepared. However, there are many models that do not reflect the spontaneous history of bronchial asthma onset in humans due to the mouse strain, sensitizing antigen, or administration method. In this study, we prepared a mouse model of which the mechanism is similar to that of human bronchial asthma. Mite Extract-Dermatophagoides farinae (Derf) antigen was transnasally administered to wild-type C57BL/6J mice (WT) 13 times. Subsequently, an airway hypersensitivity test (Mch PC_200), specific antigen exposure test (ΔSRaw), bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and blood collection were performed to examine the presence or absence of asthma acquisition and differences in the local pulmonary levels of cytokines/chemokines in comparison with the physiological saline-treated group. In the mite antigen-treated mice (WT/-Derf), bronchial hyperresponsiveness was enhanced, antigen-specific was increased airway resistance in comparison with physiological salinetreated mice (WT/-Saline). In addition, the number of eosinophils in BAL fluid (BALF) was greater. Furthermore, there was a correlation among leukotrienes, eotaxin, and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase 1 in BALF, suggesting that the mechanism concerning eosinophilic airway inflammation involving in human bronchial asthma was reproduced. In this study, we successfully established a mouse bronchial asthma model in which the pathogenesis resembles that in humans in comparison with conventional models, using Derf antigen alone and C57BL/6J mice