Efficacy of Epinastine Hydrochloride for Antigen-Provoked Nasal Symptoms in Subjects with Orchard Grass Pollinosis

BackgroundAmong the gramineae species, orchard grass is a typical causative pollen that provokes seasonal rhinitis. The purpose of this study was to examine the protective efficacy of epinastine hydrochloride for signs and symptoms caused by repeated nasal provocation with discs containing orchard grass pollen.MethodsA single-dose, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover clinical study was conducted in subjects with orchard grass pollinosis. The pollen challenge was conducted with the use of provocation discs containing orchard grass pollen.ResultsEpinastine hydrochloride suppressed nasal symptoms caused by nasal provocation tests using orchard grass pollen discs. Among the nasal symptoms, the number of sneezing was significantly inhibited 30 minutes and 60 minutes after the administration of epinastine hydrochloride, as compared with placebo. There were no adverse reactions to the study drugs.ConclusionsOur results suggest that nasal provocation tests with discs containing orchard grass pollen is a useful method for evaluating the onset of action of antiallergic drugs. As compared with placebo, epinastine hydrochloride decreased early-phase sneezing and the total nasal symptom score after repeated nasal provocations with orchard grass pollen discs.     

PERK/CHOP contributes to the CGK733-induced vesicular calcium sequestration which is accompanied by non-apoptotic cell death

Calcium ions (Ca²⁺) are indispensable for the physiology of organisms and the molecular regulation of cells. We observed that CGK733, a synthetic chemical substance, induced non-apoptotic cell death and stimulated reversible calcium sequestration by vesicles in pancreatic cancer cells. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2-alpha kinase 3/C/EBP homologous protein (PERK/CHOP) signaling pathway was shown to be activated by treatment with CGK733. Ionomycin, an ER stress drug and calcium ionophore, can activate PERK/CHOP signaling and accelerate CGK733-induced calcium sequestration. Knockdown of CHOP diminished CGK733-induced vesicular calcium sequestration, but had no effects on the cell death. Proteomic analysis demonstrated that the ER-located calcium-binding proteins, calumenin and protein S100-A11, were altered in CGK733-treated cells compared to non-treated controls. Our study reveals that CGK733-induced intracellular calcium sequestration is correlated with the PERK/CHOP signaling pathway and may also be involved in the dysregulations of calcium-binding proteins.     

+49A/G polymorphism of cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte antigen 4 gene in type 1 autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cirrhosis: A meta‐analysis

Aim: Recently, the associations of +49A/G polymorphisms of cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA‐4) gene with the susceptibility to type 1 autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) have been reported; however these associations are yet to be fully elucidated. This study aimed to identify the associations of CTLA‐4 gene +49A/G polymorphisms with the susceptibility to type 1 AIH and PBC by using a meta‐analysis. Methods: PubMed was searched by using the following keywords: “autoimmune hepatitis AND (polymorphism OR polymorphisms)” or “primary biliary cirrhosis AND (polymorphism OR polymorphisms)”. Meta‐analyses of five studies including 526 patients with type 1 AIH and 631 controls and seven studies including 1500 patients with PBC and 2345 controls were performed. Results: For type 1 AIH, the odds ratio (OR) of G allele was 1.26 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06–1.51] although G/G homozygosity was not associated with the susceptibility to type 1 AIH. On the other hand, the OR of A/A homozygosity for type 1 AIH was 0.66 (95% CI 0.50–0.86). For PBC, the OR of G allele was 1.20 (95% CI 1.06–1.34). Furthermore, G/G homozygosity was significantly associated with the susceptibility to PBC (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.01–1.66). The OR of A/A homozygosity for PBC was 0.81 (95% CI 0.70–0.94). Conclusions: This study suggests that CTLA‐4 gene +49A/G polymorphisms may be associated with the susceptibility to type 1 AIH and PBC. Especially, while G/G genotype may be associated with the susceptibility to PBC, A/A genotype may be protective against type 1 AIH and PBC.     

Rupture of Flexor Tendons After Arthrodesis of the Basal Joint of the Thumb

We report a case of rupture of the flexor tendons to the index finger after arthrodesis of the basal joint of the thumb. The tendons ruptured as a result of the Kirschner wires having penetrated in the carpal tunnel. This unusual complication was treated by tendon graft of the palmaris longus tendon.     

Long-term pulmonary function after major lung resection

The function of the remaining lungs after major lung resection may be a determinant of the early postoperative outcome, as well as the late postoperative quality of life of the patient. Thus, extensive efforts have been made to accurately estimate the postoperative pulmonary function using a variety of methods: the segment counting method is utilized in patients without parenchymal diseases, while the functional lung imaging technique may be useful in patients with heterogeneous anatomical lung diseases. The postoperative pulmonary function is influenced not only by the extent of parenchymal resection, but also by various other factors, such as the site of resection, the mode of thoracotomy, the severity of pulmonary emphysema and/or the postoperative progression of pulmonary fibrosis. Although thoracoscopic surgery or segmental resection can lessen the extent of chest wall damage or the extent of parenchymal resection compared with conventional operations, the resulting functional benefits do not last. Interestingly, the postoperative pulmonary function continues to improve during the first postoperative year as if the remaining lungs grow, although the cause(s) of this compensatory response of the remaining lungs remains unclear. Such an ability of the remaining lung to compensate for the lost lung function may eventually determine the late postoperative pulmonary function.