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Biomedical subjects

K Aramaki

Publications and source records attributed to K Aramaki.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Effect of dietary short-chain fructooligosaccharides on the cecal microflora in gastrectomized rats.

Total gastric resection is known to lead to changes in the microflora in the whole gastrointestinal tract. Dietary short-chain fructooligosaccharides (Sc-FOS) have been shown to also induce a change in the microflora in the large bowel by promoting an increase in the numbers of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus which have beneficial effects on the host. In the present study, 4-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats received total gastrectomy or laparotomy, and each of these surgically treated groups was randomly divided into two experimental diet groups and given a 7.5% Sc-FOS diet or control diet. Enumeration and identification of the cecal bacteria was performed by using selective and non-selective media. In the gastrectomized rats, the total bacterial count, and the counts of Bacteroidaceae and Enterobacteriaceae were higher than those in the sham-operated rats. Sc-FOS promoted an increase in the numbers of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, In the rats fed on the Sc-FOS diet, the predominant type of bacteria was Lactobacillus and in the rats fed on the control diet, it was Bacteroidaceae irrespective of gastrectomy. We confirmed that both gastrectomy and dietary Sc-FOS changed the composition of cecal microflora in the rats. Dietary Sc-FOS in the gastrectomized rats increased the proportions of Lactobacillus relative to other types of bacteria to levels similar to those seen in healthy normal rats, and decreased the proportion of Bacteroidaceae.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

[Sexual function in men with lower urinary tract symptoms].

PURPOSE: Recently there have been several alternatives not only to improve symptoms but to retain an acceptable quality of life as well as to reduce the complications. Therefore the objective of this study was to evaluate quantitatively and qualitatively the degree of erectile dysfunction in the population of men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total 252 men with LUTS were investigated using the International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS) and sexual function inventory (SFI) consisting of sexual drive, erection and ejaculation. Spearman's rank order correlation was used to determine the degree of any correlation between age, the total I-PSS, the individual I-PSS questions and the various sexual function scores. RESULTS: 208 patient data were available for analysis. There were poor function patients in 67.8% for sexual drive, in 46.2% for erection and in 47.1% for ejaculation. On the other hand, 24% considered their sexual drive to be a big or medium problem, 20.7% for erection and 18.3% for ejaculation. Overall, 27.4% of the men were mostly or very dissatisfied with their sex life. There was a significant correlation between a patient's age and his score for each of the three sexual variables (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a significant correlation was noticed between the total I-PSS and the SFI score (p < 0.05). It might be suggested that the more symptomatic a patient for LUTS, the poorer his sexual function will be. CONCLUSIONS: About 20% men with LUTS are bothered by their sexual symptoms. Erectile dysfunction in dependent of age and the extent of LUTS. Consideration of the high population of erectile dysfunction in men with LUTS is necessary to the treatment of their urinary symptoms.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Septic shock due to pyonephrosis-calculosa: a case report].

A 69-year-old female was admitted to hospital with the complaint of high-grade fever and clouding of consciousness. Physical examination and laboratory data revealed septic shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation and multiple organ failure. Ultrasonography demonstrated left hydronephrosis and a cystic mass in peri-renal fatty tissue. KUB showed a left ureteral stone. A diagnosis of septic shock due to pyonephrosis-calculosa and peri-renal abscess was considered. A left nephrectomy, endotoxin removal therapy and continuous hemodiafiltration was performed. Thereafter all morbidities improved. A nephrectomy and intensive treatment are the good alternative method for such a case.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Effect of Temperature on the Phase Behavior of Ionic-Nonionic Microemulsions

Microemulsions are formed over a wide range of temperatures in brine/sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyoxyethylene dodecyl ether (C12EO2 or C12EO3)/decane systems. In a dilute region, lamellar liquid crystal is present instead of bicontinuous microemulsion at the composition at which the HLB of the mixed surfactant is optimum in the given system. The monomeric solubilities of C12EO2 or C12EO3 in oil and the mixing fraction of C12EO2 or C12EO3 in the mixed surfactant layer were determined using the geometrical relation of three-phase tie triangle containing the liquid crystal phase in the composition tetrahedron and were compared at 35 and 60&deg;C. The change in the HLB composition with temperature is well described by increasing the monomeric solubility and decreasing the mixing fraction of nonionic surfactant in the surfactant layer. As a result, temperature-insensitive microemulsions are formed in the SDS-C12EO3 system. Copyright 1997 Academic Press. Copyright 1997Academic Press

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

[Clinical study of occupational uroepithelial cancer].

We studied 438 persons who were engaged in the production and use of aromatic amines (benzidine sulfate, beta-naphthylamine, alpha-naphthylamine and dianisidine). Among these 438 persons, 88 new cases of occupational uroepithelial cancer had occurred from 1949 to 1995. The incident rate of occupational uroepithelial cancer was 20.1%. The average exposure period of these 88 cases to the aromatic amines was 7.40 years (range, 0.75-26.75), and the incidence rate of tumors increased with the length of exposure to aromatic amines. The average latent period was 26.79 years (range, 1.33-48.50), and the average age of first onset was 52.59 (range, 24-79). Recently it has been determined that the longer the latent period, the older the age of first onset. Of these 88 cases, the tumor sites were bladder in 67 cases (76.1%) and upper urinary tract (renal pelvis and/or ureter) in 5 cases (5.7%). The other 16 cases (18.2%) were the bladder and upper urinary tract. The screening examination for chemical workers using urinary cytology was begun in 1962. In our cases, urine cytology was a useful method for diagnosing occupational uroepithelial cancer. As for initial treatment of the 88 cases, transurethral surgery was most frequently performed, that is on 58 cases (65.9%). However, eight cases (9.1%) had to undergo a total nephroureterectomy, and six cases (6.8%) had a total cystectomy. Recurrence was observed in 61 cases (69.3%) out of the 88 patients with an average of 1.81 times. The other organic cancers developed in 39 cases (8.9%) out of 438 workers who were exposed to aromatic amines and in 8 cases out of 88 patients (9.1%). Prognosis of the 88 patients is that, the number of alive and dead is 51 (58.0%) and 37 (42.0%) respectively on December 31, 1995. Twenty-eight patients (31.8%) died of uroepithelial cancer, and five patients (5.7%) died of other organic cancers. The survival rates of 5, 10, 15 and 20 years was 87.9%, 74.0%, 65.9% and 56.3%, respectively. From these results, patients with occupational uroepithelial cancer and workers who are exposed to aromatic amines should undergo long term observation.

2-Naphthylamine↗
PubMed1994

Two cases of urogenital malignancies in male patients undergoing maintenance haemodialysis.

We report two cases of urogenital malignancies, prostatic cancer in a 72-year-old man and urinary bladder carcinoma in a 50-year-old man, that developed during maintenance haemodialysis. The former patient responded to hormonal therapy with diethylstilboestrol and is still alive on maintenance haemodialysis, but the latter patient did not respond to treatment, being past cure in the far advanced stage. There are few clinical symptoms suggesting the existence of urogenital malignancies in dialysis patients and screening methods such as urine cytology or roentgenology must be restricted because of extremely reduced urine volume. However, the high incidence of urogenital malignancies in such patients is well recognized. Screening examinations with ultrasonography and/or CT scan following digital rectal examination or testing for serum prostate-specific antigen should be performed at least every 6 months.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Effects of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor on hematopoiesis in normal cynomolgus monkeys.

The in vivo efficacy of nonglycosylated recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (rh GM-CSF) expressed in Escherichia coli was studied in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). A single intravenous (IV) administration of rh GM-CSF (100 micrograms/kg) resulted in a two-fold increase in peripheral white blood cell (WBC) count with a predominance of neutrophils after 12 hr. The increased WBC count returned to the initial level within 48 hr after administration. In a study with consecutive IV administrations for 10 days, animals treated with 20 micrograms/kg/day rh GM-CSF underwent marked leukocytosis (four fold) and thrombocytosis (two fold). The increase in WBC count was due to increased number of neutrophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, monocytes and basophils. Red blood cell count was unaffected. The leukocytosis resolved within one week after the termination of administration. A lower mean platelet volume compared to the pre-treatment level was observed in rh GM-CSF treated animals receiving 20 micrograms/kg/day for 20 days. This coincided with the elevation in platelet count.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

[Lymphangiomyomatosis involving the kidney: a case report].

A 58-year-old female was admitted with a chief complaint of gross hematuria. A diagnosis of carcinoma of the left kidney with lymphnode metastasis was made on the basis of computerized tomography and angiography. Left nephrectomy and lymphnode dissection were performed. Histological examination revealed lymphangiomyoma, and the final clinical diagnosis was changed to lymphangiomyomatosis with pulmonary, retroperitoneal, and left renal lesions. Lymphangiomyomatosis with renal lesions is extremely rare, and differentiation from renal carcinoma is important, though difficult.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1991

Hierarchical regulation of interleukin production: induction of interleukin 6 (IL-6) production from bone marrow cells and marrow stromal cells by interleukin 3 (IL-3).

IL-3 stimulated the production of IL-6 from a bone marrow-adherent cell population, macrophages and from hemopoietic supportive stromal cell lines. It also induced IL-6 production from a stem cell-enriched population of bone marrow cells which did not produce IL-6 without stimulation. In contrast, stimulation with IL-6 of all the cell populations studied in the present experiments did not induce IL-3 production. These results indicate a hierarchical network in the regulation of interleukin production, and existence of a positive feedback mechanism; IL-3 induces IL-6 production which in turn stimulates stem cells into cycle and induces stem cells to respond to IL-3.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Presence of an activity indispensable for the granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating activity of interleukin 3 in bovine serum albumin.

Media conditioned by an interleukin 3 (IL-3)-producing T-cell line, STIL-3, as well as recombinant mouse IL-3 showed granulocyte/macrophage (GM) colony-stimulating activity in the semi-solid culture medium containing horse serum (HS) or bovine serum, but the activity was not apparent when fetal calf serum (FCS) was used. No such serum-dependency of GM colony formation was observed when abdominal wall conditioned medium or L-cell conditioned medium containing GM colony-stimulating factor was used. Although the levels of albumin and total protein were lower in FCS than HS, increase of FCS concentration did not affect the GM colony-stimulating activity of IL-3. Addition of bovine serum albumin (BSA) preparation to FCS, however, increased the number of GM colonies to the same level as that observed with HS. The levels of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in sera and BSA and the effect on the bone marrow cells from LPS-nonresponsive C3H/HeJ mice indicated that the observed effect of BSA was not due to the contaminating LPS. The activity of BSA was not substituted by IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IFN-gamma, TNF, NGF or erythropoietin. The present study suggests the presence in BSA of co-factor(s) of IL-3 in stimulating GM colony formation.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Distribution of IL-3 activity in mice transplanted with IL-3 producing T cells (STIL-3): abrogation of the distribution of STIL-3 cells into the liver and liver hemopoiesis by splenectomy.

Distribution of IL-3 producing T cells, STIL-3, in splenectomized mice after intravenous injection was studied in order to determine the site of IL-3 production in the splenectomized mice. Hematological features of STIL-3-inoculated mice after splenectomy were also studied. Splenectomy prior to inoculation of STIL-3 cells resulted in a slight increase in the level of IL-3 activity in most lymphohemopoietic tissues, but resulted in a slight decrease in the level of IL-3 activity in the plasma. The splenectomy also abrogated granulocytosis which was evident in sham-operated host mice. Hepatomegaly and a number of granulocytic foci in the liver were observed in STIL-3 inoculated mice, but this was again abrogated completely by the splenectomy. These results suggest that the spleen is the major site of granulopoiesis in response to the stimulus with IL-3, and also that the spleen is essential for the migration or metastasis of STIL-3 cells to the liver.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Hemopoietic features of splenectomized mice bearing IL-3 producing T cell leukemia.

Hemopoietic responses were studied in splenectomized mice after transplantation of the hemopoietic colony stimulating activity producing leukemia, L8313. In non-splenectomized mice, the number of peripheral leukocytes was elevated to 4 x 10(5)/mm3 after transplantation. In contrast, it was below 1.7 x 10(4)/mm3 in splenectomized mice. Total cell, hemopoietic stem cell and progenitor cell numbers in the bone marrow decreased in both groups. Serum from splenectomized mice contained multi-colony stimulating activity although less effective than that from non-splenectomized mice. Extramedullary hemopoiesis was observed in splenectomized mice. These results suggest that invasion of leukemic cells to bone marrow results in a damage of hemopoietic microenvironment.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[A case of peritoneal malignant mesothelioma with disappearance of ascites result of intraperitoneal instillation of mitomycin C and oral administration of UFT].

We reported a 65-year-old man with peritoneal malignant mesothelioma which was discovered by hydrocele of left undescended testis. Initially, intraperitoneal instillation of CDDP 100 mg/body accompanied with aspiration of ascites was not effective. Secondarily, instillation of MMC 10 mg/body every other week was performed five times, and ascites completely disappeared. After that oral administration of UFT 300 mg/day, which was added to instillation of MMC 10 mg/body every four week, has been performed. Cytology of ascites changed to negative, and the clinical remission has continued ever since.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1986

[A case of pulmonary metastasis from renal cell carcinoma in which complete remission was achieved by interferon therapy (r-IFN-alpha A, Ro 22-8181)].

A case of pulmonary metastasis from renal cell carcinoma in which complete remission was achieved using interferon therapy is herein reported. A 54-year-old male underwent left nephrectomy following diagnosis of left renal cancer. Radiotherapy and hormonal therapy were performed postoperatively. Solitary pulmonary metastasis was found in the right lobe 4 months after surgery. The interferon (recombinant human leukocyte A interferon, rIFN-alpha A, Ro 22-8181) was initially administered i.m. at a dose of 3 X 10(6) units per injection every day. Marked response was observed one month after starting the interferon therapy (total: 183 X 10(6) U) and complete disappearance of the tumor was obtained 2 months after commencement of therapy (total: 345 X 10(6) U). The interferon was later injected at a dose of 6 X 10(6) U., 3 times a week because of general fatigue. The duration of complete response has lasted 8 months.

Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗
PubMed1980

Production of Hydrogen peroxide by Lactobacillus acidophilus.

Hydrogen peroxide production in reconstituted skim milk (10%) and low-fat milk by four strains lf Lactobacillus acidophilus was studied at 37 and 4 C. Strains A and B produced little, but strains C and D produced larger amounts, especially if agitated continuously during growth at 37 C or storage at 4 C. Continuous shaking was required at 4 C for C or D (4.0 X 10(8)/ml) to produce sufficient hydrogen peroxide to retard growth of Pseudomonas fragi. Flavin adenine dinucleotide stimulated the oxidation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide by dialyzed cell-free extracts of C and D, which indicated that the reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide oxidases of these strains produce hydrogen peroxide as an end product.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Clinical evaluation of basic fetoprotein in bladder cancer].

PURPOSE: The early diagnosis of bladder cancer allows for effective local treatment and optimizes the success of surgical therapy. Basic fetoprotein (BFP), measured using a rapid latex immuno-agglutination method, was introduced for the detection of transitional cell carcinoma. The objective of this study was to determine whether there was a correlation between urine BFP level and the grade or stage of bladder cancer, and whether the level could serve as a biochemical marker of bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Single voided specimens were obtained from 66 patients with confirmed or suspicious bladder cancer on cystoscopy, urine cytology or BFP. Each sample was divided into 3 aliquots of which 1 was for urine analysis, 1 was tested for BFP according to latex immunoagglutination method and 1 was sent for cytological examination. All patients subsequently underwent bladder biopsy. RESULTS: There were 54 (82%) patients with biopsy confirmed bladder cancer and 12 (18%) with benign conditions of the bladder. Overall sensitivity with BFP and urine cytology was 38.9% and 48.1% respectively. Specificity was 58.3% and 75.0%, and positive predictive value was 80.8% and 89.7%, respectively. The positive rate of BFP and cytology was higher in invasive cancer (75% and 100%, respectively) than in superficial cancer (36% and 28%). There was no correlation between BFP level and tumor grade, while cytology had a strong association. Linear regression analysis showed the significant correlation between BFP level and tumor size (r = 0.695, p < 0.0001). The detection rate of bladder cancer was higher by the combination of BFP and cytology than by using alone. CONCLUSIONS: BFP in conjunction with urine cytology can increase the detection rate of bladder cancer. But BFP alone cannot be used as a screening test for bladder cancer.

Adult↗