Obesity impairs ciliary function and mucociliary clearance in the murine airway epithelium.

Obesity is a risk factor for increased morbidity and mortality in viral respiratory infection. Mucociliary clearance (MCC) in the airway is the primary host defense against viral infections. However, the impact of obesity on MCC is unclear, prompting this study. Using murine tracheal tissue culture and in vitro influenza A virus (IAV) infection models, we analyzed cilia-driven flow and ciliary beat frequency (CBF) in the airway epithelium to evaluate MCC. Short-term IAV infection increased cilia-driven flow and CBF in control mice, but not in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Basal cilia-driven flow and CBF were also lower in obese mice than in control mice. Mechanistically, the increase of extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) release during IAV infection, which was observed in the control mice, was abolished in the obese mice; however, the addition of ATP increased cilia-driven flow and CBF both in control and obese mice to a similar extent. In addition, RNA sequencing and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction revealed the downregulation of several cilia-related genes, including Dnah1, Dnal1, Armc4, and Ttc12 (the dynein-related genes); Ulk4 (the polychaete differentiation gene); Cep164 (the ciliogenesis and intraflagellar transport gene); Rsph4a, Cfap206, and Ppil6 (the radial spoke structure and assembly gene); and Drc3(the nexin-dynein regulatory complex genes) in obese murine tracheal tissues compared with their control levels. In conclusion, our studies demonstrate that obesity attenuates MCC under basal conditions and during IAV infection by downregulating the expression of cilia-related genes and suppressing the release of extracellular ATP, thereby increasing the susceptibility and severity of IAV infection.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our study shows that obesity impairs airway mucociliary clearance (MCC), an essential physical innate defense mechanism for viral infection. Mechanically, this is likely due to the obesity-induced downregulation of cilia-related genes and attenuation of extracellular ATP release. This study provides novel insights into the mechanisms driving the higher susceptibility and severity of viral respiratory infections in individuals with obesity.

Standardized 3D-CT lung volumes for patients with acute exacerbation of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease.

OBJECTIVES: Fibrotic interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a progressive lung disease characterized by loss of lung volume, resulting in a leading cause of death in patients with RA. Crucially, acute exacerbation (AE) of ILD shows higher morbidity and mortality with rapid deterioration of the lungs. However, a quantitative assessment for physiological changes at AE has yet to be performed. This study hypothesized that quantitative assessments of lung volume (LV) accurately indicate disease severity and mortality risk in patients with AE-RA-ILD. METHODS: This multicentre cohorts study quantitatively assessed physiological changes of RA-ILD at diagnosis (n = 54), at AE (discovery-cohorts; n = 20, and validation-cohort; n = 33), and controls (n = 35) using 3D CT (3D-CT) images. LV was quantitatively measured using 3D-CT and standardized by predicted forced vital capacity. RESULTS: Patients with RA-ILD at diagnosis showed decreased LV, predominantly in lower lobes, compared with controls. Further substantial volume loss was found in upper- and lower lobes at AE compared with those at diagnosis. During AE, decreased standardized 3D-CT LV was associated with a worse prognosis in both cohorts. Subsequently, standardized 3D-CT LV was identified as a significant prognostic factor independent of age, sex and the presence of UIP pattern on CT by multivariate analyses. Notably, a composite model of age and standardized 3D-CT LV successfully classified mortality risk in patients with AE-RA-ILD. CONCLUSION: Volume loss at AE in patients with RA-ILD was associated with increased mortality. Assessing physiological change using standardized 3D-CT might help evaluate disease severity and mortality risk in patients with AE-RA-ILD.

CXCL10 predicts autoimmune features and a favorable clinical course in patients with IIP: post hoc analysis of a prospective and multicenter cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF), which does not meet any of the criteria for connective tissue diseases (CTD), has been attracting an attention in patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP). However, the biomarkers that reflect the clinical course of these patients have not been fully elucidated. OBJECTIVE: To identify useful serum biomarkers reflecting CTD-related features and favorable prognoses in patients with IIP. METHODS: This was a post hoc analysis of a prospective and multicenter cohort study between 2015 and 2020. Newly diagnosed patients with IIP were consecutively enrolled, and 74 autoimmune features and autoantibodies were comprehensively checked during IIP diagnosis. Serum levels of CXCL10, CXCL1, CCL2, BAFF, angiopoietin-2, and leptin were evaluated at the time of IIP diagnosis. RESULTS: Two hundred twenty-two patients (159 men and 63 women) with IIP were enrolled. The median observation duration was 36 months. The median age was 71 years old, and median %forced vital capacity (FVC) was 84.1% at the time of IIP diagnosis. The proportion of patients who met the classification criteria for IPAF was 11.7%. In patients with high serum CXCL10, changes in both %FVC and %diffusion lung capacity for carbon monoxide at one year were significantly higher than those in patients with low CXCL10 (p = 0.014 and p = 0.009, respectively), whereas these changes were not significant for other chemokines and cytokines. High CXCL10 levels were associated with acute/subacute onset (p < 0.001) and the diagnosis of nonspecific interstitial pneumonia with organizing pneumonia overlap (p = 0.003). High CXCL10 levels were related to a higher classification of IPAF (relative risk for IPAF was 3.320, 95%CI: 1.571-7.019, p = 0.003) and lower classification of progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF; relative risk for PPF was 0.309, 95%CI: 0.100-0.953, p = 0.027) compared to those with low CXCL10. Finally, survival was higher in patients with IPF and high CXCL10 (p = 0.044), and high CXCL10 was a significant prognostic factor in multivariate Cox proportional hazards models (hazard ratio 0.368, p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: High serum levels of CXCL10 are associated with CTD-related features, the favorable clinical course, and survival in patients with IIP, especially IPF. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

Concerns about vaccines and vaccination behavior among Japanese budget travelers to India.

BACKGROUND: Low vaccination coverage among travelers poses a critical challenge to global health security. Indeed, public concerns regarding vaccines can lead to vaccine reluctance and refusal, but evidence about the impacts of concerns regarding vaccines on the uptake of travel vaccinations remains sparse. We examined the associations between concerns about vaccines and vaccination behavior among travelers. METHODS: Japanese travelers aged 18 years or older, who stayed at a guesthouse in New Delhi, India, were targeted (n = 153). We conducted cross-sectional surveys from August 23 to September 2, 2019, and from February 19 to March 5, 2020. We examined the associations of three concerns regarding vaccines (5-point scale)-serious side effects from vaccines, vaccine safety, and vaccine effectiveness-with the uptake of travel vaccinations. RESULTS: In total, 60 participants (39.2 %) had been vaccinated for this or a past trip. After adjusting for all potential confounding variables, concerns about serious side effects from vaccines and vaccine safety were negatively associated with the uptake of travel vaccinations. The ORs (95 % CIs) for 1-point increases in concerns about serious side effects from vaccines and vaccine safety were 0.72 (0.52, 0.99) and 0.71 (0.52, 0.96), respectively. Sensitivity analyses did not change the results substantially. CONCLUSIONS: Concerns about vaccine safety issues were negatively associated with the uptake of travel vaccinations among the participants, with no corresponding association observed for vaccine effectiveness. Addressing concerns about vaccine safety issues, rather than vaccine effectiveness may contribute to an increased uptake of travel vaccinations.

Efficacy of sequential fecal-marker examination for evaluating gastrointestinal inflammation in solid food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome caused by solid foods (Solid-FPIES) is a non-immunoglobulin E-mediated allergic disease characterized by delayed gastrointestinal symptoms. An oral food challenge (OFC) test, although necessary, can be inconclusive in cases with mild symptoms. Moreover, limited diagnostic marker availability highlights the need for novel surrogate markers. We aimed to examine the efficacy of fecal hemoglobin (FHb), lactoferrin (FLf), and calprotectin (FCp) over time in evaluating gastrointestinal inflammation degree in Solid-FPIES. METHODS: This observational study included 40 patients and 42 episodes at Juntendo University Hospital and affiliated hospitals between October 2020 and March 2024 categorized into FPIES (12 patients with 11 egg yolk, 1 fish, and 1 soybean episodes), control (14 patients with 15 episodes), and remission (14 patients). Fecal tests were performed for 7 days following antigen exposure. The ratios of each value were divided by the baseline value and analyzed over time course. RESULTS: The FPIES group had significantly higher peak ratios of all fecal markers than the control group (p < 0.01). The median FHb, FLf, and FCp ratios were 3.25, 9.09, and 9.79 in the FPIES group and 1.08, 1.29, and 1.49 in the control group, respectively. In the remission group, several patients had fluctuating fecal markers despite negative OFC, and one patient was diagnosed with FPIES by OFC with increased load. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses revealed high diagnostic performance for each fecal marker in FPIES. CONCLUSIONS: Sequential fecal marker examination proved valuable in diagnosing Solid-FPIES and evaluating the degree of gastrointestinal inflammation.

3D-CT-derived lung volumes and mortality risk in patients with fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

BACKGROUND: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is a complex and heterogenous interstitial lung disease (ILD) that occurs in susceptible individuals due to certain inhaled antigens. Fibrotic-HP is a major underlying disease of progressive pulmonary fibrosis. Therefore, in addition to the radiological features of HP, quantitatively measuring fibrosis is important to evaluate disease severity and progression. The present study aimed to compare three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT)-derived lung volumes (LVs) of patients with HP and determine its association with mortality risk. METHODS: In this retrospective and multicenter cohort study, 126 patients diagnosed with HP (fibrotic, n = 72 and non-fibrotic, n = 54) with a confidence level higher than moderate were enrolled. Each lobe LV was measured using 3D-CT at the time of diagnosis and standardized using predicted forced vital capacity. The 3D-CT LV was compared with those of 42 controls and 140 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). RESULTS: Compared to patients with fibrotic-HP, the standardized total LV was significantly higher in controls and patients with non-fibrotic-HP and was similar in patients with IPF. Longitudinal analyses demonstrated that approximately half of the patients with fibrotic-HP had an annual decrease in total LV. Decreased total and lower-lobe LVs were associated with shorter survival, and were independently associated with mortality together with ongoing exposure to inciting antigens. A composite model consisting of ongoing exposure to inciting antigens and total or lower-lobe LV successfully classified mortality risk into three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitatively measuring standardized LV can help determine disease severity, progression, and mortality risk in patients with fibrotic-HP.

Soy isoflavone genistein attenuates the efficacy of immune checkpoint therapy in C57BL/6 mice inoculated with B16F1 melanoma and a high PD-L1 expression level reflects tumor resistance.

Immune checkpoint therapy has been shown to be an effective therapy for many types of tumors. Much attention has been paid to the development of an effector target would be helpful for immune checkpoint therapy. Genistein has been shown to have an anti-tumor effect both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we examined the effect of genistein on immune checkpoint blockade therapy against B16F1 melanoma tumors. Mice treated with genistein or anti-programmed death (PD)-1 antibody showed a significant decrease in tumor growth. However, treatment with genistein had no effect on or attenuated the efficacy of immune checkpoint therapy. The percentages of T cell receptor (TCR)ß+CD4+ and TCRß+CD8+ cells and the concentrations of interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α in tumor tissue were not different among the experimental groups. A significant difference was also not found in microbe composition. Interestingly, a high expression level of PD-ligand (L)1 closely reflected the outcome of therapy by genistein or anti-PD-1 antibody. The study showed that a combination of genistein treatment does not improve the effect of immune blockade therapy. It also showed that a high PD-L1 expression level in tumors is a good prediction maker for the outcome of tumor therapy.

[Case Report of Occult Breast Cancer with Triple Negative Subtype].

A 61-year-old woman presented at a nearby clinic with a complaint of a mass in the right axilla. Initial imaging examinations, including mammography, ultrasonography, and breast MRI, did not reveal any obvious intramammary lesions, although a swollen lymph node was observed in the right axilla. Fine-needle aspiration cytology confirmed malignancy. Hence, a core needle biopsy was performed. The results indicated a suspected metastasis of invasive ductal carcinoma(ER-, PgR-, HER2-); however, the primary tumor could not be definitively determined. Despite an extensive whole-body examination, the primary tumor remained unidentified. Nonetheless, metastasis of occult breast cancer in the right axillary lymph node was postulated. Subsequent axillary dissection revealed metastases in only one lymph node. Taking the clinical findings into consideration, the patient was diagnosed with right occult breast cancer, and chemotherapy and radiotherapy were planned.

Sima, a Drosophila homolog of HIF-1α, in fat body tissue inhibits larval body growth by inducing Tribbles gene expression.

Limited oxygen availability impairs normal body growth, although the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In Drosophila, hypoxic responses in the larval fat body (FB) disturb the secretion of insulin-like peptides from the brain, inhibiting body growth. However, the cell-autonomous effects of hypoxia on the insulin-signaling pathway in larval FB have been underexplored. In this study, we aimed to examine the effects of overexpression of Sima, a Drosophila hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) α homolog and a key component of HIF-1 transcription factor essential for hypoxic adaptation, on the insulin-signaling pathway in larval FB. Forced expression of Sima in FB reduced the larval body growth with reduced Akt phosphorylation levels in FB cells and increased hemolymph sugar levels. Sima-mediated growth inhibition was reversed by overexpression of TOR or suppression of FOXO. After Sima overexpression, larvae showed higher expression levels of Tribbles, a negative regulator of Akt activity, and a simultaneous knockdown of Tribbles completely abolished the effects of Sima on larval body growth. Furthermore, a reporter analysis revealed Tribbles as a direct target gene of Sima. These results suggest that Sima in FB evokes Tribbles-mediated insulin resistance and consequently protects against aberrant insulin-dependent larval body growth under hypoxia.

WEE1 and PARP-1 play critical roles in myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia treatment.

BACKGROUND: Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a clonal bone marrow disorder defined by cytopenia and is associated with an increased risk of transformation to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The outcome of MDS is poor, so alternative therapeutic approaches are needed to improve survival. The inhibition of the DNA damage response pathway, including poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1), has been approved to treat several cancers. In addition, WEE1, a nuclear kinase, is overexpressed in many cancers. Therefore, a WEE1 inhibitor combined with a PARP-1 inhibitor could inhibit the proliferation of MDS and AML. METHODS: We analyzed whether WEE1 was regulated in the progression of MDS and AML. We also evaluated the efficacy of MK-1775 (WEE1 inhibitor) and talazoparib (PARP-1 inhibitor). RESULTS: PARP-1 expression was higher in the AML cells than in the MDS cells. However, WEE1 expression remained unchanged. MK-1775 or talazoparib alone inhibited MDS and AML cells after 72 h, and cellular cytotoxicity and caspase 3/7 activity were increased. The combined use of MK-1775 and talazoparib produced superior efficacy than either drug alone and SKM-1 colony formation was reduced. Significant cell populations in the sub-G1 phase were found in the cell-cycle analyses. Additionally, γ-H2AX expression and caspase 3 activity were increased. The combined treatment also changed the mitochondrial membrane potential. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of a WEE1 inhibitor and PARP-1 inhibitor had enhanced efficacy and is proposed as a new therapeutic option for patients with MDS or AML. Our findings have clinical implications for a potential novel therapeutic strategy for MDS and AML patients.

Proposal of a novel subspecies: Alicyclobacillus hesperidum subspecies aegles.

Alicyclobacillus sp. DSM 11985T was isolated from geothermal soil but had not yet been classified at the species level. The strain produced guaiacol, which is of interest from the viewpoint of food spoilage in the food industry. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain DSM 11985T was closely related (99.6 % similarity) to Alicyclobacillus hesperidum DSM 12489T. However, strains of A. hesperidum did not produce guaiacol; therefore, we performed the taxonomic characterization of strain DSM 11985T. The results showed that strain DSM 11985T and strains of A. hesperidum showed different phenotypic characteristics in biochemical/physiological tests including guaiacol production. Average nucleotide identity values between strain DSM 11985T and strain DSM 12489T were 95.4-95.9 %, and the in silico DNA-DNA hybridization value using the Genome-to-Genome Distance Calculator between strains DSM 11985T and DSM 12489T was 65.5 %. These values showed that strain DSM 11985T was genetically closely related but separated from strains of A. heparidum. From the above results, a novel subspecies of A. hesperidum, named Alicyclobacillus hesperidum subsp. aegles subsp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DSM 11985T (=FR-12T=NBRC 113041T).

Low billing rates for pediatric sedation fee on magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: The 2018 revision of social insurance in Japan allows additional fees to be calculated for pediatric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that must be performed under sedation. The number and trend of actual claims since this revision was established is unknown. The aim of this study to investigate the use of the additional fees and any regional differences in the use. METHODS: To analyze the claims of additional fees for pediatric sedated MRI after the fiscal year (FY) 2018, the actual claims in inpatient and outpatient practice was analyzed using publicly-available data from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW). We analyzed the calculation rate for all MRI scans. Annual changes in the actual number and calculation rate were analyzed. The ratio of the number of additional fees to the overall number of pediatric radiological procedures was used to examine the geographic disparity. RESULTS: The number of calculations from FY 2018 to FY 2020 was available. In FY 2020, only 1347 additional fees were calculated, corresponding to 0.35% of the total number of MRI scans. The number of fees showed a decreasing trend. Most cases were in the 0-4 year age group; however, there were a few cases in the 10-14 year age group without such a decrease. The relative number of calculations by prefecture showed an up to 14-fold disparity. CONCLUSIONS: The requirements for sedation for pediatric MRI are strict, but they are not fully utilized. Measures such as relaxing the requirements for the fee are needed to make MRI-related sedation safer.

Evidence of off-label inhalation therapy on pediatric asthma practice in Japan.

BACKGROUND: In Japan, many asthma inhalers do not have formal approval for use in the pediatric population because of the lack of domestic data. In real-world settings, however, numerous off-label medications are prescribed. Currently, the nature of off-label prescriptions of asthma inhalers on pediatric patients in Japan remains unclear. METHODS: Using public open-source national medical claims data, we investigated the real-world descriptive epidemiology of off-label prescriptions for asthma inhalers for pediatric patients. We obtained the number of off-label prescriptions of formulations for patients aged 0-14 years from anonymously summarized prescription data for a 7-year period starting from April 2014. The actual prescription numbers and their chronology over time were then analyzed. RESULTS: In 2019, 143,439 asthma inhalers were used off label in children and adolescents. Overall, 96.1% were inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) or long-acting beta stimulants (LABAs), and 3.9% were high-dose ICS. Of ICSs and LABAs, 18.8% were off-label prescriptions. The total number of off-label ICS/LABA prescriptions and their percentage relative to the overall formulations gradually decreased but a notable disparity was observed among inhaler types. CONCLUSIONS: There was a surprisingly large number of off-label prescriptions of asthma inhalers in the pediatric population in Japan. The proper use of ICSs/LABAs and expansion of insurance coverage should be advocated to reduce off-label use.

Usefulness of Telemedicine for Disabled Children Receiving Feeding Therapy.

We performed a retrospective cohort study using medical records of 374 pediatric patients who visited a university dental clinic specializing in dysphagia rehabilitation in Japan between 2019 and 2020 to clarify the usefulness of telemedicine among disabled children receiving feeding therapy. The primary outcome was the feeding developmental stage confirmed at the final evaluation. Propensity score matching was performed between individuals in two treatment groups (in-person and telemedicine) before the final analysis using patients' age, sex, primary disease, gross motor function, and feeding developmental stage as covariates. A total of 36 patients were enrolled in each of the in-person and telemedicine groups. The initial evaluation for the propensity score matched population using the χ2 test showed no significant difference between the two groups in any parameter. The feeding developmental stage evaluated at the final evaluation using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test significantly improved compared with the stage at the initial evaluation in both groups (in-parson group, p = 0.007; telemedicine group, p = 0.013). The difference in level achieved at the final evaluation revealed that the most common level was "unchanged," followed by "improvement by one level" in both groups, indicating that there was no significant difference in the efficacy of feeding therapy between the two groups (p = 0.314). Our results show that telemedicine can achieve the same therapeutic outcomes as in-person therapy to improve feeding function in children with disabilities when receiving feeding therapy.

Idiopathic pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis: three-dimensional computed tomography assessment of upper-lobe lung volume.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (iPPFE) is a rare interstitial lung disease characterised by predominant upper-lobe fibrosis involving the pleura and subpleural lung parenchyma. Despite its poor prognosis, there is no consensus on prognostic determinants of iPPFE to date. Because volume loss in the upper lobe is a distinct feature of iPPFE, we hypothesised that the lung volume of the bilateral upper lobes (upper-lobe volume) accurately indicates disease severity and mortality risk in iPPFE patients. METHODS: This retrospective study assessed two cohorts of 132 patients with iPPFE (69 in Hamamatsu cohort; 63 in Seirei cohort) and 45 controls. Each lobe volume was quantitatively measured using three-dimensional computed tomography at the time of iPPFE diagnosis and standardised using predicted forced vital capacity. RESULTS: The standardised upper-lobe volume in iPPFE patients was less than half that of controls, whereas the lower-lobe volume did not decrease. iPPFE patients with lower standardised upper-lobe volume had significantly shorter survival rates than those with higher volume (median survival: 6.08 versus 2.48 years, p<0.001). In multivariate analysis, the lower standardised upper-lobe volume was significantly associated with increased mortality adjusting for age, sex and forced vital capacity (HR 0.939). A composite scoring model, including age, sex and standardised upper-lobe volume, better predicted risk of death than the gender-age-physiology model. CONCLUSION: Assessment of upper-lobe volume provides useful information for managing iPPFE by evaluating disease severity and mortality risk in clinical practice.

Standardised 3D-CT lung volumes for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: The assessment of lung physiology via pulmonary function tests (PFTs) is essential for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, PFTs require active participation, which can be challenging for patients with severe respiratory failure, such as during moments of acute exacerbation (AE) of IPF. Recent advances have enabled the re-construction of 3-dimensional computed-tomography (3D-CT) images. This study established a standardisation method and quantitative analysis of lung volume (LV) based on anthropometry using 3D-CT images. METHODS: This is a retrospective multi-center cohort study. The standardised 3D-CT LV in patients with IPF at diagnosis (n = 140) and during AE (cohort1; n = 61 and cohort2; n = 50) and those of controls (n = 53) were assessed. RESULTS: The standardised 3D-CT LVs at IPF diagnosis were less than those of control patients, especially in the lower lung lobes. The standardised 3D-CT LVs were correlated with forced vital capacity (FVC) and validated using the modified Gender-Age-Physiology (GAP) index. The standardised 3D-CT LVs at IPF diagnosis were independently associated with prognosis. During AE, PFTs were difficult to perform, 3D-CT analyses revealed reduced lung capacity in both the upper and lower lobes compared to those obtained at diagnosis. Lower standardised 3D-CT LVs during AE were independently associated with worse outcomes in the two independent cohorts. In particular, volume loss in the upper lobe at AE had prognostic values. CONCLUSIONS: A novel image quantification method for assessing pulmonary physiology using standardised 3D-CT-derived LVs was developed. This method successfully predicts mortality in patients with IPF and AE of IPF, and may be a useful alternative when PFTs cannot be performed.

Genomic characterization of a fowl adenovirus serotype 4 strain isolated from a chicken with hydropericardium syndrome in Japan.

Here, we report the genomic characterization of a fowl adenovirus serotype 4 strain isolated from a chicken with hydropericardium syndrome in Japan. The viral genome of FAdV-4 strain JP/LVP-1/96 was found to be 45,688 bp long. Amino acid substitutions at position 219 (G to D) in the fiber-2 protein and at position 188 (I to R) in the hexon protein, which are commonly found in virulent FAdV-4 strains, were also found in the JP/LVP-1/96 strain. Additional specific amino acid substitutions commonly found in virulent FAdV-4 strains were found in ORFs 4 and 43, which are present only in members of the species Fowl adenovirus C. Phylogenetic analysis based on complete hexon protein gene sequences showed that strain JP/LVP-1/96 belongs to a different genetic cluster from the strains circulating in neighboring countries.

Blood eosinophil count and FeNO to predict benralizumab effectiveness in real-life severe asthma patients.

OBJECTIVE: Benralizumab is a promising drug for severe uncontrolled asthma. This study aimed to clarify the effectiveness of benralizumab in a real-life setting. METHODS: Subjects included 24 patients with severe type 2 asthma who received benralizumab between April 2018 and July 2019. Changes in parameters, exacerbation frequency, and oral corticosteroid (OCS) use after 4 and 24 weeks of administration were examined. The parameters included the Global Evaluation of Treatment Effectiveness (GETE) scale, Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ), Asthma Control Test (ACT), blood eosinophils, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), and spirometry. The response to treatment was defined as follows: for patients with exacerbations or OCS use before treatment initiation, a reduction of ≥50% in exacerbation frequency or OCS use; and for patients without exacerbations or OCS use, an improvement of ≥0.5 in ACQ scores and ≥3 in ACT scores, or of ≥10.38% in FEV1. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients completed the treatment for 24 weeks. Excellent and good GETE scales and ACQ and ACT improvement were found in 67% of the patients at 4 weeks, and the effect continued until 24 weeks. The patients' rate with exacerbations was significantly reduced compared to the previous 24 weeks before administration. In 17 patients receiving OCS, the use could be reduced or quit in 14 patients. Overall, 16 patients (76.2%) met the responder definition and could be predicted by the baseline eosinophil count and FeNO levels with the best cutoff values of 100/µL and 40 ppb, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Blood eosinophil and FeNO could predict benralizumab effectiveness.

Early specialized palliative care for patients with metastatic lung cancer receiving chemotherapy: a feasibility study of a nurse-led screening-triggered programme.

BACKGROUND: Strategies to implement early specialized palliative care have not yet been established. The present study investigated the feasibility of a nurse-led, screening-triggered early specialized palliative care intervention programme and obtained data to design a randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Patients with metastatic lung cancer undergoing first-line platinum-based chemotherapy were eligible. The intervention consisted of (1) a questionnaire-based screening programme and (2) advanced-level nurse counselling and care coordination with interdisciplinary team approach. The primary endpoint was the completion rate of the assessment questionnaire after the second course of first-line chemotherapy (T2). Secondary endpoints included changes in Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lung scores, depression and anxiety rates based on the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the contents of specialized palliative care. RESULTS: A total of 50 patients were enrolled between August 2012 and March 2014. Median age was 66 years (range, 40-78 year) and 84% were male. A total of 38 patients had stage IV non-small cell lung carcinoma and 12 had extensive disease small-cell lung carcinoma. The completion rate was 70% (95% confidence interval 56.0-81.0). The median duration between baseline and T2 was 53 days. Improvement from baseline were observed at T2 in Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lung scores (86.0 ± 18.1 vs 94.9 ± 18.2, P = 0.057), depression (16.0 vs 5.7%; P = 0.26) and anxiety (32.0 vs 22.9%; P = 0.65); however, these results were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: This early specialized palliative care intervention is feasible and could be useful in improving patients' quality of life. The present results justify the initiation of a randomized control trial.

Frequency, proportion of PF-ILD, and prognostic factors in patients with acute exacerbation of ILD related to systemic autoimmune diseases.

BACKGROUND: Acute exacerbation (AE) of systemic autoimmune disease-related interstitial lung diseases (SAID-ILD) is less common than AE of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and the details of AE-SAID-ILD have not been elucidated, but the prognosis is similarly devastating. This study was undertaken to determine the incidences of AE-ILD in each SAID and to elucidate the proportion of progressive fibrosing (PF)-ILD in AE-SAID-ILD. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed data for patients with SAID-ILD who were diagnosed and observed at our hospital between 1999 and 2020. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty-two patients with SAID-ILD were enrolled, with a mean observation period of 100.2 months. AE-SAID-ILD was found in 25 patients (10.78%), mainly in patients with RA (17 patients, 68%) and elderly male patients with a smoking history. The overall incidence of AE-SAID-ILD was 1.29%/person-year, and the incidence for each SAID was as follows: RA 2.193, microscopic polyarteritis (MPA) 3.203, systemic sclerosis (SSc) 2.277, primary Sjögren syndrome 0.426, and polymyositis/dermatomyositis 0.222. The incidence of AE of RA/MPA/SSc-ILD was significantly higher than that of other AE-SAID-ILD (p < 0.001). Five of 25 patients (20%) fulfilled the criteria for PF-ILD. The 90-day survival rate was 48.0%, and a higher neutrophil count at AE (HR 13.27, 95%CI 2.447-246, p = 0.001) and early commencement of long-duration direct haemoperfusion with a polymyxin B-immobilised fibre column (HR 0.105, 95%CI 0.005-0.858, p = 0.035) were significant prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of AE-SAID-ILD was significantly higher in patients with RA, MPA, or SSc than in patients with other SAID. Furthermore, even in patients with AE-SAID-ILD, the proportion of PF-ILD just before AE was not high (20%).