IntroductionIn this study, we investigated possible aberrations of monocytes from patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). We focused on B-cell-activating factor of the TNF family (BAFF) and IL-6 because they are both produced by monocytes and are known to be involved in the pathogenesis of pSS.MethodsPeripheral monocytes were prepared from both pSS patients and normal individuals. The cells were stimulated in vitro with IFN-γ, and the amounts of IL-6 and soluble BAFF (sBAFF) produced by the cells were quantitated. The effect of sBAFF itself on the production of IL-6 was also studied. To investigate the response of pSS monocytes to these stimuli, the expression levels of the genes encoding BAFF receptors and IL-6-regulating transcription factors were quantitated.ResultsPeripheral pSS monocytes produced significantly higher amounts of sBAFF and IL-6 than normal monocytes did, even in the absence of stimulation. The production of these cytokines was significantly increased upon stimulation with IFN-γ. The elevated production of IL-6 was significantly suppressed by an anti-BAFF antibody. In addition, stimulation of pSS monocytes with sBAFF induced a significant increase in IL-6 production. Moreover, the expression levels of a BAFF receptor and transcription factors regulating IL-6 were significantly elevated in pSS monocytes compared to normal monocytes.ConclusionsThe results of the present study suggest that the mechanisms underlying the production of sBAFF and IL-6 are impaired in pSS monocytes. Our research implies that this impairment is due to abnormally overexpressed IL-6-regulating transcription factors and a BAFF receptor. These abnormalities may cause the development of pSS.

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BackgroundThrombolytic therapy is effective in selected patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Therefore, identification of a marker that reflects the age of thrombus is of particular concern. This pilot study aimed to identify a marker that reflects the time after onset in human aspirated DVT.MethodsWe histologically and immunohistochemically analyzed 16 aspirated thrombi. The times from onset to aspiration ranged from 5 to 60 days (median of 13 days). Paraffin sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and antibodies for fibrin, glycophorin A, integrin α2bβ3, macrophage markers (CD68, CD163, and CD206), CD34, and smooth muscle actin (SMA).ResultsAll thrombi were immunopositive for glycophorin A, fibrin, integrin α2bβ3, CD68, CD163, and CD206, and contained granulocytes. Almost all of the thrombi had small foci of CD34- or SMA-immunopositive areas. CD68- and CD163-immunopositive cell numbers were positively correlated with the time after onset, while the glycophorin A-immunopositive area was negatively correlated with the time after onset. In double immunohistochemistry, CD163-positive cells existed predominantly among the CD68-immunopositive macrophage population. CD163-positive macrophages were closely localized with glycophorin A, CD34, or SMA-positive cell-rich areas.ConclusionsThese findings indicate that CD163 macrophage and erythrocyte contents could be markers for evaluation of the age of thrombus in DVT. Additionally, CD163 macrophages might play a role in organization of the process of venous thrombus.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12959-016-0122-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

External auditory canal cancer (EACC) is a rare malignant tumor. In the present study, we retrospectively evaluated the treatment results in patients with advanced EACC who were treated using external-beam radiotherapy (EBRT) combined with chemotherapy or radical surgery. Overall, 21 patients with Stage III ( n = 8) or Stage IV ( n = 13) EACC who underwent initial treatment at our hospital between 2003 and 2016 were enrolled in this study. The 2-year overall survival (OS) and locoregional control (LRC) rates of all patients were 62% and 71%, respectively. The 2-year OS and LRC rates in patients who had received EBRT and concurrent chemotherapy with docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (TPF, n = 6) were 100%. These results were higher than the 2-year OS and LRC rates of 62% and 69%, respectively, in patients who had received radical surgery and EBRT ( n = 13). The rates were 0% in those who had neither received TPF nor undergone surgery in addition to EBRT ( n = 2). Grade 3 bone or soft tissue necrosis was observed in 2 patients who had undergone surgery and postoperative EBRT. Our data suggest that the combination therapy of EBRT and surgery and/or chemotherapy may be the most effective treatment options for advanced EACC, and EBRT with concurrent chemotherapy with TPF is potentially the most acceptable.

A BSTRACTBackground: Neuropeptides are considered to be factors that trigger, exacerbate or modulate allergic diseases and inflammatory skin reactions. In addition, it has been indicated that allergic diseases are highly correlated with stress. Methods: 2,4,6-Trinitrochlorbenzene (TNCB) and crowding stress were applied to mouse atopic dermatitis (AD) models for the purpose of provoking chronic dermatitis. In addition, TNCB-sensitized mice were given olopatadine hydrochloride (10 or 3 mg/kg), an anti-allergic agent, orally. The neuropeptide content in the skin tissues and serum IgE levels were measured in these mice. Results: Repeated local application of TNCB solution induced itching skin lesions, together with an increase in levels of substance P, a decrease in calcitonin generelated peptide levels and early augmentation of IgE production. Treatment with crowding stress brought about a transient increase in substance P. Furthermore, we observed significant decreases in substance P and serum IgE levels when the administration of olopatadine hydrochloride was started before the elicitation of chronic dermatitis caused by repeated application of TNCB solution. These changes were more definite in the group administered a higher dose of the drug (10 mg/kg).