A Spectroscopic Behavior of Zeaxanthin Molecular Aggregate and Its From

Lutein, one of the xanthophylls, can be dispersed in various aqueous solutions, for example, protein solution, dilute acetone solution, dilute sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) solution, dodecyl trimethylammonium bromide solution, hen egg yolk phosphatidyl-choline (PC) liposome, or digalactosyldiglyceride liposome, to from chiral helical aggregates which acquire an optical activity in the visible region, and have a left handed helical structure. In this report, zeaxanthin, a structural isomer of lutein, was subjected to investigation as to whether zeaxanthin formed the chiral helical aggregate. When zeaxanthin was dispersed in SDS solution, some differences from lutein were obserbed. (1) CD spectrum of positive Cotten effect was shown, which was the reverse of lutein. (2) SDS concentration giving the reversion of the CD spectrum pattern was higher (3.5mM) than that of lutein (0.6mM). IN spite of these differences, however, the results showed that zeaxanthin molecules also associated to from molecular aggregate in such a manner performing π*-π*interaction at conjjugated polyene sites. zeaxanthin dispersed in PC liposome gave both left and right-handed helical structure under presence of Ca2+ at alkaline condition in comparison with lutein's left-handed structure. This result may depend on the fact that synthesized racemic zeaxanthin is subjected to this experiment. Those results gave the general conclusion that xanthophylls had the same basic types of behavior for making molecular aggregate in aqueous dispersion.我々はxanthophyllの一つであるluteinが種々の水溶液例えばたんぱく質溶液、うすいアセトン溶液、うすい界面活性剤水溶液、卵黄レシチン製リポソーム、あるいはホウレンソウdigalactosyl diglyceride製リポソームに分散溶解してキラルならせん状集合体を形成し、可視領域に光学活性を示すと同時に左巻きのらせん構造体を作ることを既に明らかにしている。本報告ではluteinの構造異性体であるzeaxanthinを用いて同様に分子集合体を形成するかどうかを検討した。zeaxanthinをsodiumdodecylsulfate (SDS)に分散させると、円2色性(CD)スペクトルが逆のCotton効果を与え、またそのスペクトルパターンが逆転するSDS濃度がluteinのとき0.6mMであったのに対して約3.51mMと高く、またそのときのSDS結合量も多いという相異はあるが水系においてπ*-π*相互作用行わせるような分子集合体を形成するという基本的挙動を示した。PCリポソームに分散させたときアルカリ性でCa2+存在下らせん構造を与える点もluteinと同じであった。しかし、用いたzeaxanthinが合成された光学異性体混合物であったためか左巻きと右巻きらせんの両方とも観察されたホウレンソウlutein Aの左巻きらせんだけの結果と異なった。以上の結果からzeaxanthinもluteinと同じく水系で分子集合体を形成するという基本的分子挙動をとることが明らかとなった

Successful Re-administration of Osimertinib in Osimertinib-induced Interstitial Lung Disease with an Organizing Pneumonia Pattern: A Case Report and Literature Review

Osimertinib is the standard therapy for epidermal-growth-factor-receptor (EGFR)-mutant lung cancers. We herein report a case of osimertinib-induced interstitial lung disease (OsiILD) with an organizing pneumonia (OP) pattern and provide a literature-based review. Six months after osimertinib administration, a 75-year-old woman with right pleural carcinomatosis developed ILD with an OP pattern. After salvage chemotherapy, osimertinib with corticosteroid was successfully re-administered. A literature review suggested that 1) OsiILD with an OP pattern was rare but should be recognized, and 2) re-administration of osimertinib in OsiILD was successful in select patients. A criterion that determines whether a patient would benefit from re-administration is warranted

A case of axillary lymphadenitis caused by Mycobacterium intracellulare in an immunocompetent patient

Axillary lymphadenitis caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria is rare and has been reported in immunocompromised hosts. Herein, we report the case of a 67-year-old man without immunodeficiency who developed right axillary lymphadenitis caused by Mycobacterium intracellulare and showed a small nodular shadow in the left pulmonary apex. Biopsy of the right axillary lymph node revealed several epithelioid granulomas, and the culture of the lymph node aspirate yielded Mycobacterium intracellulare. The lymph node lesion and left lung apex shadow resolved spontaneously after careful outpatient monitoring. This case suggests that axillary lymphadenitis could be caused by Mycobacterium intracellulare in an immunocompetent patient

オンガクカ キョウイク ニオケル KJホウ ノ エンヨウ ホウホウ ニ カンスル ジッセンテキ ケンキュウ : コトバ ガ モツ リズム ニ チャクモクシタ ソウサク カツドウ オ チュウシン ト シテ

The purpose of this investigation was to apply the K-J method to groups consisting of individuals both musically−minded and not, by encouraging dialogue based on a single theme through which all individuals can relate, thereby increasing their collective creative activity. The first study was conducted in March 2009 with JHS Grade 2 students using the theme “Dreams”. The second study was in March 2011 with first grade students using the theme “School”. Applying the K-J method from the viewpoint of creative input, it was clear that both musical students and non−musical students co−operated well to perform the project and to develop the subject matter. Therefore, I would like to consider the positive effects of the K-J method on groups consisting of musically−minded and non −musically−minded subjects, and how those effects work in these groups

Loss of IL-33 enhances elastase-induced and cigarette smoke extract-induced emphysema in mice

Background IL-33, which is known to induce type 2 immune responses via group 2 innate lymphoid cells, has been reported to contribute to neutrophilic airway inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, its role in the pathogenesis of emphysema remains unclear. Methods We determined the role of interleukin (IL)-33 in the development of emphysema using porcine pancreas elastase (PPE) and cigarette smoke extract (CSE) in mice. First, IL-33(-/-) mice and wild-type (WT) mice were given PPE intratracheally. The numbers of inflammatory cells, and the levels of cytokines and chemokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and lung homogenates, were analyzed; quantitative morphometry of lung sections was also performed. Second, mice received CSE by intratracheal instillation. Quantitative morphometry of lung sections was then performed again. Results Intratracheal instillation of PPE induced emphysematous changes and increased IL-33 levels in the lungs. Compared to WT mice, IL-33(-/-) mice showed significantly greater PPE-induced emphysematous changes. No differences were observed between IL-33(-/-) and WT mice in the numbers of macrophages or neutrophils in BAL fluid. The levels of hepatocyte growth factor were lower in the BAL fluid of PPE-treated IL-33(-/-) mice than WT mice. IL-33(-/-) mice also showed significantly greater emphysematous changes in the lungs, compared to WT mice, following intratracheal instillation of CSE. Conclusion These observations suggest that loss of IL-33 promotes the development of emphysema and may be potentially harmful to patients with COPD

Deterioration of high-resolution computed tomography findings predicts disease progression after initial decline in forced vital capacity in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients treated with pirfenidone

Background Pirfenidone suppresses the decline of forced vital capacity (FVC) in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, IPF progresses in some patients despite treatment. We analyzed patients with meaningful FVC declines during pirfenidone treatment and explored the factors predictive of disease progression after FVC decline. Methods This study was a retrospective, multicenter, observational study conducted by the Okayama Respiratory Disease Study Group. We defined initial decline in %FVC as 5% or greater per 6-month period during pirfenidone treatment. IPF patients who were treated with pirfenidone and experienced an initial decline from December 2008 to September 2017 were enrolled. Results We analyzed 21 patients with IPF. After the initial decline, 4 (19.0%) patients showed improvement in disease, 11 (52.4%) showed stable disease, and 6 (28.6%) showed progressive disease. There was no significant correlation between %FVC reduction on initial decline and subsequent %FVC change (p = 0.475). Deterioration of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings on initial decline was observed significantly more often in the progressive versus improved/stable disease groups (100% vs 20.0%, p = 0.009). Conclusions We revealed that deterioration of HRCT findings may predict disease progression after the initial decline in %FVC in IPF patients treated with pirfenidone

Switching to Dupilumab from Other Biologics without a Treatment Interval in Patients with Severe Asthma: A Multi-Center Retrospective Study

Background: Dupilumab is a fully humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks interleukin4 and interleukin-13 signals. Several large clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of dupilumab in patients with severe asthma. However, few studies have examined a switch to dupilumab from other biologics. Methods: This retrospective, multi-center observational study was conducted by the Okayama Respiratory Disease Study Group. Consecutive patients with severe asthma who were switched to dupilumab from other biologics without a treatment interval between May 2019 and September 2021 were enrolled. Patients with a treatment interval of more than twice the standard dosing interval for the previous biologic prior to dupilumab administration were excluded. Results: The median patient age of the 27 patients enrolled in this study was 57 years (IQR, 45-68 years). Eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS)/chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyp (CRSwNP) was confirmed in 23 patients. Previous biologics consisted of omalizumab (n = 3), mepolizumab (n = 3), and benralizumab (n = 21). Dupilumab significantly improved FEV1 (median improvement: +145 mL) and the asthma control test score (median improvement: +2). The overall response rate in patients receiving dupilumab for asthma as determined using the Global Evaluations of Treatment Effectiveness (GETE) was 77.8%. There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics of the GETE-improved group vs. the non-GETE-improved group. ECRS/CRSwNP improved in 20 of the 23 patients (87.0%). Overall, 8 of the 27 patients (29.6%) developed transient hypereosinophilia (>1500/ mu L), but all were asymptomatic and able to continue dupilumab therapy. Conclusions: Dupilumab was highly effective for the treatment of severe asthma and ECRS/CRSwNP, even in patients switched from other biologics without a treatment interval

Nintedanib can be used safely and effectively for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with predicted forced vital capacity <= 50%: A multi-center retrospective analysis

Background Nintedanib is a multi-kinase inhibitor approved for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF); however, its efficacy and safety for patients with IPF and restricted pulmonary function remain unclear. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of nintedanib for patients with IPF and forced vital capacity (FVC) ≤ 50%. Methods This was a multi-center retrospective study performed by the Okayama Respiratory Disease Study Group. Patients were allocated into FVC ≤ 50% and FVC > 50% groups based on their predicted FVC. The primary endpoints were FVC changes from baseline after 6 and 12 months. Results 45 patients were eligible for the study. 18 patients had FVC ≤ 50%, and 27 patients had FVC > 50%. Overall, 31 and 19 patients underwent pulmonary function tests at 6 and 12 months after initiating nintedanib, respectively. FVC changes from baseline at 6 and 12 months after initiating nintedanib were comparable between the two groups. Adverse events were seen in all patients, and the rates of patients who discontinued nintedanib were also comparable (38.9% vs. 37.0%, p = 1.000). Multiple regression analysis showed that age and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/FVC were negatively correlated with changes in FVC at 6 months after initiating nintedanib. Conclusions Our data suggest that nintedanib can be a useful agent for IPF patients, including those with a low FVC, and that age and FEV1/FVC are predictive markers for changes in FVC following nintedanib treatment