Introduction: Cough variant asthma (CVA) and asthma account for a large proportion of patients with chronic cough. We used hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) to characterize the phenotypes of patients with cough, mainly those with CVA, who showed a rapid response to asthma therapy, and sought to identify simple diagnostic markers. Methods: Patients who initially presented with cough as the main symptom were retrospectively enrolled. Those who were clinically diagnosed with asthma/CVA were selected and analyzed. HCA was performed and the patients were classified by phenotype. Results: HCA identified the five following phenotypes among the 221 participants: highly eosinophilic bronchitis [high fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) , n = 28]; atopic [high total serum IgE , n = 23]; non-atopic and non-eosinophilic [n = 104]; distal airway narrowing [low FEF75 (V・ ₂₅), n = 21] and severely atopic [extremely high total serum IgE and/or extreme high FeNO, n = 45]. No significant differences in long-term prognosis were found among the phenotypes. Discussion: Five phenotypes were identified among patients with cough who showed a rapid response to asthma treatment. Wheezing was observed in about 24% of patients, and abnormal FeNO or V ・ ₂₅ levels in about 30%.

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For effectively using blood products from a limited donor population, the promotion of apheresis donation should be emphasized more often. This study assessed the demographic data of apheresis applicants using blood donor data from the Japanese Red Cross Society. We analyzed blood donor data (253,039 samples) to compare apheresis applicants and subjects who applied for and made whole-blood donations. There were significant differences between both groups, and among apheresis applicants, females were more numerous, as were “public servants” and “blood centers.” In terms of each fixed facility’s characteristics, the rate of applications was the highest for the “Tokai Hokuriku” region. Due to the differences among facilities, we considered the possibility of facility-specific promotional activities. Such practices are helpful for continuous blood donation for those who may be deferred from donation.

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Background: To assess the impact of time-offlight (TOF) positron emission tomography (PET)/ computed tomography (CT) image reconstruction on assessment of Takayasu arteritis (TKA). We reviewed 14 patients (15 cases) who underwent TOF-PET/CT. PET images were reconstructed using ordered-subsets expectation maximisation ± TOF. Uptake in 10 vascular regions was assessed in each case using the four-point visual grading system (3, higher than liver uptake; 0, no uptake). Grades in the TOF-PET/CT and non-TOF-PET/CT groups were compared using the sign test. Relationships between visual grade and arterial FDG uptake pattern in the 10 regions and clinical findings were assessed. Additionally, qualitative summary score (PETVAS) and maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) were compared between 2 groups using Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results: Except for the highest visual grade, the grades in all 150 regions were significantly higher in the TOF-PET/CT group (p=0.003). FDG uptake pattern and region were not significant determinants of the effect of TOF reconstruction. PETVAS and SUVmax were significantly higher in the TOFPET/ CT group (p=0.02, p<0.001 respectively). Conclusions: Visual grades, PETVAS, and SUVmax were significantly higher when assessed by TOF-PET/CT. The use of the same reconstruction algorithm before and after treatment is recommended when evaluating the response to treatment.

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