These results indicate the presence and the importance of heterogeneous lymphatic microvasculature around sarcoid granulomas in pulmonary sarcoidosis.

These results suggested that histamine may play a regulatory role in goblet cell hyperplasia in allergic airway inflammation.

Abstract. Although histamine is a central mediator in the immediate allergic reaction, its role in goblet cell hyperplasia in the airway of asthma is not completely understood. This study was designed to examine the role of histamine in goblet cell hyperplasia using histamine-deficient mice (Hdc −/ − mice) with allergic airway inflammation. Wild-type and Hdc −/ − C57BL/ 6 mice were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA). After two-week exposure to OVA, goblet cell hyperplasia was evaluated. Cell differentials in BALF were analyzed. The mRNAs level of MUC5AC and Gob-5 gene were quantitatively determined. The number of eosinophils in BALF increased in both the wild-type mice and Hdc −/ − mice; however, their ratio in Hdc −/ − mice was significantly lower than that in the wild-type mice. The mRNA levels of Gob-5 and MUC5AC and the ratio of the goblet cells in the airway epithelium were significantly increased in Hdc −/ − mice exposed to OVA compared to the wild-type mice under the same condition. These results suggested that histamine may play a regulatory role in goblet cell hyperplasia in allergic airway inflammation.

BackgroundAntigen presenting cells play a pivotal role in the adaptive immune response in hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). It was hypothesised that lymphangiogenesis is involved in the pathophysiology of HP via cell transport.ObjectiveTo determine the clinical significance of lymphangiogenic factors in HP.MethodsLevels of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF)-A, VEGF-C, VEGF-D and CCL21 in the serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured in 29 healthy volunteers, 14 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and 26 patients with HP by ELISA. Additionally, immunohistochemical analyses were performed using lung specimens of patients with HP (n=8) and IPF (n=10).ResultsBALF VEGF-D levels were significantly elevated in patients with HP compared to the other groups. BALF VEGF–D levels in patients with HP correlated significantly with the BALF total cell and lymphocyte counts (r=0.485, p=0.014 and r=0.717, p<0.0001, respectively). BALF VEGF-C and CCL21 levels were increased in patients with HP compared to healthy volunteers, but not patients with IPF. BALF CCL21 levels were negatively correlated with the forced expiratory volume in 1 s percentage and diffuse capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (r=−0.662, p=0.007 and r=−0.671, p=0.024, respectively). According to the immunohistochemical analyses, CCL21 was expressed in the lymphatic endothelium in both conditions and CCR7+ cells were aggregated around lymphatics in patients with HP, but not in patients with IPF.ConclusionsLymphangiogenic factors might be associated with the inflammatory and functional severity of HP. The increased BALF VEGF-D levels were associated with lymphatic alveolitis intensity, and CCL21 with lung function impairment.

In order to improve the accuracy of abundance estimations of Paciˆc saury Cololabis saira, it is important to raise theˆshing e‹ciency precision of a mid-water trawl (type NST 99, the sampling gear used for stock assessment) for saury. Using a 500 kHz side-scan sonar (SSS), we ensoniˆed surface waters and measured theˆsh number using image processing methods. Simultaneously, we tried to catch saury in the same waters with the mid-water trawl. We estimated theˆshing e‹ciency of the mid-water trawl as 0.179 (current value used is 0.144) by comparing the number of saury caught by the trawl net per swept-area with the number of saury per swatharea estimated from analysis of SSS records.

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Aim: We have developed an imaging functional assessment of defecation after partial intersphincteric resection (ISR) by fecoflowgram obtained by defecography. Patients and Methods: Between January 2012 and December 2014, 6 patients with temporary ileostomy who underwent partial ISR for lower rectal cancer at our hospital were enrolled in this study. Defecography was performed 2 weeks after closure of the ileostomy. The defecation of all patients was evaluated by defecography and a fecoflowgram calculated from defecography. During the same period, the control group was comprised of 2 male and 2 female healthy volunteers. Results: The descent of the perineum and linearization of the anorectal angle was observed relative to normal defecation in the healthy volunteers. All barium was discharged by a single abdominal pressure within 5 s in the controls. In patients after partial ISR, all barium could not be discharged by a single abdominal pressure. The time course of pressure distribution after ISR was lower than that of healthy volunteers, which could not be evaluated by defecography. Defecation time in patients following ISR was longer than that of healthy volunteers. Conclusion: Fecoflowgrams calculated from defecography seem to be useful for functional assessment of defecation after rectal resection.

Farmer's lung is a form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis, which is manifested mainly as an occupational disease among dairy farmers exposed to organic dusts from moldy hay and compost in silos and lofts. In Europe and America, it has been known for many years. In Japan,