Imaging Diagnosis of Interstitial Pneumonia with Emphysema (Combined Pulmonary Fibrosis and Emphysema)

Based on clinical and radiological findings, Cottin defined combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) as pulmonary emphysema in the upper lungs and interstitial pneumonia in the lower lungs with various radiological patterns. Pathologic findings of CPFE probably corresponded with diffuse interstitial pneumonia with pulmonary emphysema, emphysema with fibrosis, and the combination of both. We described reported radiological findings of CPFE

Neuropeptide signaling through neurokinin-1 and neurokinin-2 receptors augments antigen presentation by human dendritic cells

Background: Neurotransmitters, including substance P (SP) and neurokinin A (NKA), are widely distributed in both the central and peripheral nervous system and their receptors, neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) and neurokinin-2 receptor (NK2R), are expressed on immune cells. However, the role of the NKA-NK2R axis in immune responses relative to the SP-NK1R signaling cascade has not been elucidated. Objective: We sought to examine the effect of neuropeptide signaling through NK1Rand NK2R on antigen presentation by dendritic cells (DCs) and the subsequent activation of effector Th cells. Methods: Expression levels of NK1R, NK2R, HLA-class II and costimulatory molecules of human MoDCs and cytokine production by birch pollen antigen-specific CD4+ T cells cocultured with MoDCs in the presence of NK1R and NK2R antagonists were evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR, flow cytometry or ELISA. NK1R and NK2R expression in the lung of patients with asthma and hypersensitivity pneumonitis was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Results: Human MoDCs significantly upregulated NK2R and NK1R expression in response to poly I:C stimulation in a STAT1-dependent manner. Both NK2R and NK1R were expressed on alveolar macrophages and lung DCs from patients with asthma and pneumonitis hypersensitivity. Surface expression levels of HLA-class II and costimulatory molecules on DCs were modulated by NK1R or NK2R antagonists. Activation of birch pollen-derived antigen-specific CD4+ T cells and their production of cytokines including IL-4 and IFN-γ as well as IL-12 production by MoDCs, were suppressed by blocking NK1R or NK2R after in vitro antigen stimulation. Conclusions: NK1R- and NK2R-mediated neuropeptide signaling promotes both innate and acquired immune responses through activation of human DCs

RENAL MICROVASCULATURE IN ACUTE RENAL FAILURE

The renal microvasculature evidenced by intraarterial injection of silicone rubber performed in 10 cases of acute renal failure from various causes demonstrated definite reduction in filling with patchy deficit in subcapsular cortex, narrowing of preglomerular arterioles, especially at the branching from the interlobular arteries in the same area, relative increase in filling of vas afferens and efferens of juxtamedullary cortex, and of vasa recta in medulla. The same injection figures are observed in acute renal failure in dogs experimentally induced by ligation and clamping of renal arteries, and intraarterial infusion of large quantities of angiotensin II (1000 ng/kg/min). Although the etiological factors of acute renal failure are manifold and the parenchymal damage is varied as well, the vasoconstriction of preglomerular arterioles should be considered as an initial common pathway which continues in subcapsular cortex. The result of present experiments is consistent with the hypothesis that renin and angiotensin participate in the pathogenesis of acute renal failure

RENAL MICROVASCULATURE IN CHRONIC RENAL FAILURE

The renal microvasculature was examined stereoscopically after intraarterial injection of silicone rubber. Specimens studied were: 29 cases of normal kidney, 4 cases of sclerotic kidney, 10 cases of acute renal failure, and 10 cases of chronic renal failure from the final stage of chronic glomerulonephritis, malignant nephrosclerosis, diabetic nephropathy, and cortical necrosis. The followings were common evidences for chronic renal failure: much reduction and wide deficiencies of filling in the cortex, increased filling of vasa recta, narrowing and spiralling of interlobular arteries and cortical afferent arterioles, appearance of giant glomeruli, rarefaction of the peritubular capillary plexus, and relative preservation of glomeruli in the juxtamedullary zone and vasa recta in the medulla may be the major pathway, after the interlobular arteries and afferent arterioles in the subcapsular cortex are destroyed, and these vascular architectural changes may be intimately related to the pathophysiology of chronic renal failure

FREEZE-PRESERVATION OF STAINING SOLUTIONS IN ENZYME HISTOCHEMISTRY

Staining solutions of acid phosphatase and esterase group (naphthol-AS-D-chloroacetate esterase, naphthol-AS-acetate esterase and alpha-naphthyl-acetate esterase) were stored for 6 months using the freezing facilities, and the staining results were compared with those of each set of controls. The results showed that the staining solutions of all enzymes were stable for long-term preservation (at least 6 months) in the deep freezer (-80℃) when they were stored appropriately in separated forms. In such a freezing procedure, the staining results for each enzyme did not show any decrease of positive intensity nor any non-specific staining

Emphysema formation in a never-smoker with scleroderma-related interstitial pneumonia

We report a case of pathological emphysema formation in a never-smoker with scleroderma-related interstitial pneumonia. We realized the importance of pulmonary vasculopathy causing the coexistence of emphysema and fibrosis in scleroderma. Our discovery provides novel information that emphysema can occur in patients with scleroderma-related interstitial pneumonia who have never smoked. Keywords: Emphysema, Systemic sclerosis, Vasculopathy, Interstitial lung diseas

DEMONSTRATION OF VARIOUS ANTIGENS ON PARAFFIN SECTIONS OF FORMALIN-FIXED TISSUES: TRYPSIN-TREATED, IN DIRECT PEROXIDASE-LABELLED ANTIBODY TECHNIQUE

Detection of various antigens was performed on the formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections by indirect peroxidase-labelled antibody technique after pretreatment with trypsin digestion. It was revealed that the optimal condition for trypsin digestion of the paraffin sections differed according to the character of antigen and type of tissue, and, under the optimal condition, this method was easily applicable to the regular paraffin sections obtained in the laboratories for routine examinations. This method was also recommended for the detection of the antigens which were usually stained even without trypsin digestion, since it could not only remove the background staining but also uncover the otherwise masked antigen