Does poor spousal health negatively affect own health among elderly retired Japanese couples? A 1-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to determine whether poor spousal health affected respondents' own self-rated health after 1 year among older retired Japanese couples. METHODS: Data were extracted from the nationwide population-based survey, the "Longitudinal Survey of Middle-aged and Elderly Persons", which has been conducted annually since 2005 by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. We used 2016 survey data as a baseline and 2017 data for 1-year follow-up. Baseline respondents comprised 21,916 individuals; of these, we focused on 4397 respondents who were retired, married, aged 65-70 years, and had good self-rated health. The survey included questions about respondents' own health and lifestyle, and their spouses' health status. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the association between spousal health at baseline and respondents' own self-rated health after 1 year. RESULTS: We found that poor spousal health is associated with respondents' own self-rated poor health after 1 year. The odds ratio (OR) for worsening health was 1.67 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11-2.52) for men and 1.72 (95% CI: 1.25-2.37) for women when their spouse's health was "somewhat bad". The OR was 2.25 (95% CI: 1.40-3.62) for women when spousal health was "bad/very bad", compared with "somewhat good". Conversely, good spousal health was associated with a low risk of declining health for respondents after 1 year. The association for men was apparent when their spouse's health was "good" [OR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.49-0.98], and the association for women was apparent when their spouse's health was "very good" [OR: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.24-0.90]. CONCLUSIONS: Poor spousal health is an independent factor that negatively affects own self-rated health after 1 year among retired couples in Japan aged 65-70 years.

Antioxidant nutrients in plasma of Japanese patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma-COPD overlap syndrome and bronchial asthma.

BACKGROUND: Few studies to date have investigated the antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E (α-tocopherol), retinol and carotenoids in plasma from patients with pulmonary disease in Japan. To clarify the role of antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin E, retinol and various carotenoids in plasma of Japanese patients with chronic obstructive lung diseases (COPD), asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS) and/or bronchial asthma (BA), we compared to healthy elderly controls. METHODS: Ascorbic acid (AA), carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin, ß-cryptoxanthin, α-carotene, ß-carotene and lycopene), retinol and α-tocopherol levels in plasma were determined by using a high performance liquid chromatography. Reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidised glutathione (GSSG) in whole blood and urinary 8-OHdG were also determined. RESULTS: Plasma AA level of COPD subjects was significantly lower than that of healthy elderly people. Conversely, ACOS and BA subjects showed no significant difference from healthy elderly people. Moreover, plasma lycopene and total carotenoid levels and GSH content in blood were significantly lower in COPD subjects than these in healthy elderly people. However, other redox markers such as GSSG, GSH/GSSG ratio and urinary 8-OHdG found no significant differences between COPD, ACOS and BA compared to healthy elderly people. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that COPD of Japanese patients may develop partly because of oxidative stress derived from a shortage of antioxidant nutrients, especially of AA and lycopene, as well as GSH while this may not be the case in both ACOS and BA.

Analysis of blood neutrophil elastase, glutathione levels and pathological findings in postoperative acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis associated with lung cancer: Two case reports.

Acute exacerbation (AE) of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by severe worsening dyspnea and high mortality. It has been proven that the serum neutrophil elastase (NE) level, in addition to the serum Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) and surfactant protein-D (SP-D) levels, was elevated in patients with IPF-AE. Glutathione (GSH) is the major antioxidant involved in cell metabolism and survival. It is also known that IPF is characterized by reduced GSH levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and blood. Case 1 was a 67-year-old man who was referred to our hospital complaining of a 2-year history of progressive dyspnea on exertion (DOE). The patient was initially diagnosed with IPF, followed by inhaled N-acetylcysteine monotherapy. Two years later, left upper lobectomy with lymph node dissection was performed due to primary lung cancer, which was large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (pT2aN2M0, stage IIIA). Five days after lung surgery, the patient developed AE. Case 2 was a 67-year-old man who was referred to our hospital with suspected lung cancer, complaining of dry cough and DOE. The patient underwent left upper lobectomy with lymph node dissection for primary lung cancer, which was diagnosed as well-differentiated adenocarcinoma (pT2aN2M0, stage IIIA). Ten days after lung surgery, the patient developed AE. The levels of biomarkers, such as serum NE, redox balance [reduced GSH (rGSH)/oxidized GSH (GSSG)] in the blood, as well as the correlation between serial changes of these biomarkers and prognosis, were analyzed in 2 patients with postoperative IPF-AE associated with lung cancer. Interestingly, the serial changes of the serum rGSH/GSSG ratio may suggest the possibility of predicting the onset of postoperative AE and/or survival, along with serum NE levels.

Effect of inhaled N-acetylcysteine monotherapy on lung function and redox balance in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: An oxidant-antioxidant imbalance is considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Therefore, administration of antioxidants, such as N-acetylcysteine (NAC), may represent a potential treatment option for IPF patients. METHODS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of inhaled NAC monotherapy on lung function and redox balance in patients with IPF. A retrospective observational study was done, involving 22 patients with untreated early IPF (19 men; mean [±S.D.] age, 71.8 [±6.3]y). At baseline and at 6 and 12 months after initiating inhaled NAC monotherapy, we assessed forced vital capacity (FVC) and measured the levels of total glutathione, oxidized glutathione (GSSG), and the ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione in whole blood (hereafter referred to as the ratio), and of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine in urine. To evaluate response to treatment, we defined disease progression as a decrease in FVC of ≥5% from baseline and stable disease as a decrease in FVC of <5%, over a period of 6 months. RESULTS: Change in FVC in the stable group at 6 and 12 months were 95±170mL and -70±120mL, while those in the progressive group at 6 and 12 months were -210±80mL, -320±350mL, respectively. The serial mean change in GSSG from baseline decreased as the ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione increased in patients with stable disease, while it increased as this ratio decreased in patients with progressive disease. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that a baseline GSSG level of ≥1.579µM was optimal for identifying treatment responders. CONCLUSION: Inhaled NAC monotherapy was associated with improved redox imbalance in patients with early IPF.

Effectiveness of combined therapy with pirfenidone and inhaled N-acetylcysteine for advanced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Treatment with pirfenidone may slow the decline in vital capacity and increase progression-free survival (PFS) in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The effects of combination therapy with inhaled N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and pirfenidone are unclear. We assessed the effects of this combination therapy in patients with advanced IPF. METHODS: Patients with a diagnosis of advanced IPF (Japanese Respiratory Society stage III/IV IPF) and a relative decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) of ≥ 10% within the previous 6 (± 2) months were enrolled. Outcomes were evaluated in a 12-month follow-up pulmonary function test. Treatment was considered ineffective if the decline in FVC was ≥ 10% and effective if the decline was <10%. We compared clinical characteristics, effectiveness and PFS between patients receiving inhaled NAC plus pirfenidone (n = 24) and those receiving pirfenidone alone (control; n = 10). RESULTS: Data from 34 IPF patients (age range, 59-82 years) were analysed. At the 12-month follow-up examination, treatment was deemed effective in 8 of 17 (47%) patients receiving NAC plus pirfenidone and in 2 of 10 (20%) receiving pirfenidone alone. The annual rate of change in FVC was -610 mL in the NAC plus pirfenidone group and -1320 mL in the pirfenidone group (P < 0.01). PFS was longer (304 days) in the NAC plus pirfenidone group than in the pirfenidone group (168 days; P = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Combination treatment with inhaled NAC and oral pirfenidone reduced the rate of annual FVC decline and improved PFS in patients with advanced IPF.

Efficacy of pirfenidone in patients with advanced-stage idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of pirfenidone in patients with advanced-stage idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), we conducted a retrospective study of patients who received pirfenidone therapy. In addition, the combined effects of inhaled N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and pirfenidone were evaluated. METHODS: Eligible patients had a clinical and radiologic diagnosis of advanced-stage IPF (stages of severity III&IV). Patients who exhibited a relative decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) of 10% or more within the preceding six (±2) months were enrolled. The outcome was evaluated from the date of the 6-month follow-up PFT. Relative declines in FVC of more than 10% were defined as progressive disease (ineffective group), while those less than 10% were defined as stable disease (effective group). The clinical features were compared between the two groups. We also compared the efficacy of the combined therapy with inhaled NAC and pirfenidone (n=11) with that of pirfenidone alone (n=7). RESULTS: Eighteen patients 59-82 years of age with IPF who received pirfenidone therapy were reviewed. Pirfenidone stabilized declines in FVC by 10% at six months in eight of the 18 cases (44%). The median changes in FVC at six months were +120 mL in the effective group and -590 mL in the ineffective group. The number of NAC users was significantly higher in the effective group (7/8=87.5%) than in the ineffective group (3/10=30%) (p=0.02). Furthermore, the use of combined NAC therapy was correlated with a favorable outcome. The median change in FVC at six months was 0 mL in the NAC group and -290 mL in the non-NAC group. The median survival period was 557 ± 66 days in the NAC group and 196 ± 57 days in the non-NAC group (p=0.03). CONCLUSION: Among the advanced-stage IPF patients with a more progressive status, pirfenidone decreased the rate of decline in FVC. In addition, patients treated with pirfenidone combined with NAC therapy exhibited favorable outcomes. Additional studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of this combined therapy for IPF.

Bird fancier's lung which developed in a pigeon breeder presenting organizing pneumonia.

Bird fancier's lung (BFL) is one of the most common types of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. We report a rare case of acute-on-chronic bird fancier's lung that developed in a pigeon breeder and presented subpleural curvilinear shadow and ground glass opacity on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest. The results of surgical lung biopsy showed mainly intraalveolar organization and alveolitis in addition to the pattern of usual interstitial pneumonia with centrilobular fibrosis. Examination of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid revealed an increase in lymphocytes. The results of immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgA antibodies against pigeon dropping extracts were positive in sera and BAL fluid. Consequently, the patient was diagnosed as having BFL. Avoidance of pigeons and corticosteroid therapy led to rapid improvement.

[Comparison of the clinical features of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in Japan and the U.S.A., based on disease severity].

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the clinical characteristics of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in patients with stage I disease severity based on the criteria of the Japanese Respiratory Society (JRS), which correspond to moderate or severe U.S.A. criteria. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 46 consecutive patients with IPF who were admitted to our institution from June 2003 through September 2009, 27 were given diagnoses of stage I disease severity based on JRS criteria. These 27 were classified into 3 groups: Group A (stage I disease severity according to the JRS criteria, corresponding to mild on U.S.A. criteria, n=17), group B (stage I disease severity according to JRS criteria, corresponding to moderate or severe on U.S.A. criteria, n=10), and group C (stage I disease severity based on the JRS criteria, corresponding to severe U.S.A. criteria, n=6). We compared these groups using demographic and spirometric tests, the 6-minute walking test (6MWT), estimated systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (esPAP), and survival rates in each group. RESULTS: stage I disease severity according to the JRS criteria corresponded to the following grade based on U.S.A. criteria: mild, 17 cases; moderate, 4 cases; severe, 6 cases. The values of lowest SpO2 and %DLco in group B and group C were significantly lower than those in group A, and values of the Hugh-Jones score and esPAP were higher than those in group A. In addition, the survival rate in group B and group C was significantly worse than that in group A. The survival rate in patients with stage I disease severity who showed desaturation on exertion with %DLco < or = 50%, was significantly worse than in those who showed SpO2 > or = 90% on exertion with %DLco >50% (23.7 16.5 months vs. 16.6 +/- 11.3 months; P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that IPF patients with stage I disease severity according to JRS criteria included the grades of moderate and severe according to U.S.A. criteria. This suggests that we should revise the classification of disease severity for IPF in Japan.

Churg-Strauss syndrome presenting with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage and rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis.

A 46-year-old man with a 4-month history of bronchial asthma was admitted to our hospital complaining of progressive dyspnea, weakness of the lower extremities, multiple truncal erythematous purpura and hemoptysis. Neurological examination identified the presence of mononeuritis multiplex. Laboratory data indicated marked anemia, eosinophilia, severe renal failure with nephrotic condition and elevated serum myeloperoxidase anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA) levels (1,050 EU). Chest computed tomography showed diffuse ground glass opacity in both lungs. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid revealed bloody fluid with eosinophilia (81%). Microscopic findings of a transbronchial lung biopsy were consistent with alveolar hemorrhage. A skin biopsy revealed eosinophilic vasculitis consistent with Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS). A renal biopsy specimen revealed pauci-immune crescentic necrotizing glomerulonephritis. Consequently, he was diagnosed as having CSS presenting with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) and rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) with MPO-ANCA-associated systemic vasculitis. His clinical condition markedly improved with the administration of intravenous corticosteroid (CS) and cyclophosphamide (CY). Thus, we report a case of CSS presenting with the rare complication of DAH and RPGN.

[Human adjuvant disease which developed after silicone augumentation mammoplasty].

A 73-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital to evaluate mediastinal lymphadenopathy found on a chest CT scan. She had undergone mammoplasty with silicone augmentation 50 years previously and had the implants removed 5 years previously. Biopsied specimens of a mediastinal lymph node under video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) revealed multiple hyalinized non-caseating epithelioid cell granulomas and multinucleated giant cells and foamy macrophages containing some vacuoles. According to these clinicopathological findings, we diagnosed human adjuvant disease which developed after mammoplasty with silicone augmentation. In cases of mammoplasty, we should pay attention to the complication of chronic thoracic disorder as a human adjuvant disease.

Successful treatment with pneumonectomy for pulmonary Mycobacterium abscessus infection.

We report a case of pulmonary Mycobacterium abscessus (M. abscessus) infection with destructive growth in the entire right lung. The patient was 56-year-old woman who had had pulmonary tuberculosis at the age of 40 and had been diagnosed as having pulmonary Mycobacterium abscessus infection 4 years prior to admission at our hospital. Although various antibiotics were administered, persistent fever, hemoptysis and weight loss developed. After undergoing a right pneumonectomy, her clinical symptoms improved dramatically and sputum excretions of M. abscessus ceased. No relapse of the disease has been observed in the 2 years since surgery. Pneumonectomy was very effective for refractory M. abscessus infection that destroyed the right lung.

Potentiometric immunosensor using artificial antibody based on molecularly imprinted polymers.

A potentiometric artificial immunosensor based on a molecularly imprinted polymer was prepared as a detecting element in micro total analysis systems with the intent of providing easy clinical analysis. As the structure and transducing mechanism of this sensor are very simple, construction of a single microsensor should be quite easy. Multimicrosensor arrays applicable to several kinds of analytes will be attainable by both changing the template molecule to be imprinted and reducing the sensor size. The response characteristics of this sensor were evaluated by measuring the response potential to serotonin, which was used as a model material. The obtained sensor was highly responsive to serotonin in water but not to tryptamine, acetaminophen, or procainamide. This phenomenon confirms that the sensor recognizes serotonin and that it functions as a specific artificial immunosensor. Quick measurement is possible because the response time, defined as the time required to achieve 95% of the magnitude of the equilibrated signal, correspond to approximately 12 s. The sensor's determination and detection limits were found to be 1 mumol/L and 100 pmol/L, respectively. These results suggest that our strategy can be applied to construction of a potentiometric artificial immunosensor.