This study involved the examination of 1,006 chest x-ray films of workers from the industries devoted to shipyard welding, stone grinding, and refractory crushing in southern Okayama prefecture. Of the reviewed films, analysis was focused on subjects with a profusion rate of 0/1 as well as pneumoconiotic subjects (exhibiting profusion rates of 1/0 or greater) in order to discover cases in the beginning stages. One-hundred-and-seventy-four films illustrated a profusion rate of 0/1 or greater, and the proportion of this profusion rate was revealed to be highest in shipyard welders. Even some workers under 40 years of age were found to have already developed pneumoconiosis. Of these 1,006 subjects, 30 volunteers permitted us to measure their personal dust exposure concentrations. The measured concentration of the shipyard welders' dust exposure (respirable dust; 3.3 86.3 mg/m3, total dust; 7.5-117.0 mg/m3) was higher than those of the other 2 industries. Statistical differences among the industries were observed in the respirable dust concentrations. A statistically significant positive correlation was demonstrated between the working duration in dusty environments and the rate of profusion. The present findings suggest the need for taking adequate measures in Okayama in order to prevent workers from developing, or to help retard the progression of, pneumoconiosis.
en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TakigawaTomoko en-aut-sei=Takigawa en-aut-mei=Tomoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KishimotoTakumi en-aut-sei=Kishimoto en-aut-mei=Takumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NabeMakoto en-aut-sei=Nabe en-aut-mei=Makoto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishideTadashi en-aut-sei=Nishide en-aut-mei=Tadashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=WangDa-Hong en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Da-Hong kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SekiAkihiko en-aut-sei=Seki en-aut-mei=Akihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=UchidaGenkei en-aut-sei=Uchida en-aut-mei=Genkei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KiraShohei en-aut-sei=Kira en-aut-mei=Shohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama University affil-num=2 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Occupational Health Promotion Center affil-num=3 en-affil= kn-affil=Kibikogen Rehabilitation Center for Employment Injuries affil-num=4 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Occupational Health Promotion Center affil-num=5 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama University affil-num=6 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama University affil-num=7 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Occupational Health Promotion Center affil-num=8 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama University en-keyword=pneumoconiosis kn-keyword=pneumoconiosis en-keyword=profusion kn-keyword=profusion en-keyword=dust exposure kn-keyword=dust exposure en-keyword=shipyard welder kn-keyword=shipyard welder en-keyword=Japan kn-keyword=Japan END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=56 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=271 end-page=277 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2002 dt-pub=200212 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Botulinum toxin treatment of urethral and bladder dysfunction. en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Tremendous excitement has been generated by the use of botulinum toxin for the treatment of various types of urethral and bladder dysfunction over the past several years. Botulinum toxin is the most lethal naturally occurring toxin known to mankind. Why, then, would an urologist want to use this agent to poison the bladder or urethral sphincter? In this review article we will examine the mechanisms underlying the effects of botulinum toxin treatment. We will discuss the current use of this agent within the urologic community and will provide perspectives on future targets of botulinum toxin.
en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YokoyamaTeruhiko en-aut-sei=Yokoyama en-aut-mei=Teruhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KumonHiromi en-aut-sei=Kumon en-aut-mei=Hiromi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SmithChristopher P en-aut-sei=Smith en-aut-mei=Christopher P kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SomogyiGeorge T en-aut-sei=Somogyi en-aut-mei=George T kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=ChancellorMichael B en-aut-sei=Chancellor en-aut-mei=Michael B kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama University affil-num=2 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama University affil-num=3 en-affil= kn-affil=University of Pittsburgh affil-num=4 en-affil= kn-affil=University of Pittsburgh affil-num=5 en-affil= kn-affil=University of Pittsburgh en-keyword=botulinum toxin kn-keyword=botulinum toxin en-keyword=urethra kn-keyword=urethra en-keyword=bladder kn-keyword=bladder END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=56 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=295 end-page=301 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2002 dt-pub=200212 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The role of L-carnitine in treatment of a murine model of asthma. en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Leukotrienes, one of the mediators of inflammation in asthma, have a strong bronchoconstrictive effect. L-carnitine has been reported to influence respiratory functions. It has also been reported that L-carnitine inhibits leukotriene synthesis. To evaluate the effects of L-carnitine on oxygen saturation, urine leukotriene E4 levels and lung histopathology in a murine model of asthma, high IgE responder BALB/c mice (n = 24) were systemically sensitized to ovalbumin and chronically challenged with low particle mass concentrations of aerosolized ovalbumin, and then they were divided into 3 groups (study groups A, B, and C) each including eight mice. After methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction, the mice in groups A and B were given intraperitoneal L-carnitine (250 and 125 mg/kg, respectively), while the mice in group C were given placebo. Oxygen saturation of the mice was measured by pulse oxymeter before and after methacholine and after L-carnitine/ placebo application. In addition, urine leukotriene E4 levels were measured before asthma development, and 24-h after L-carnitine injection in asthmatic mice. Inflammation in the lung tissues of the sacrificed animals was scored histopathologically to determine the effect of L-carnitine on tissue level. A control group of non-sensitized mice (n = 8) treated with placebo only was used for comparison of urine leukotriene E4 levels and of histopathological parameters. Oxygen saturation of the mice in the study groups tended to decrease after methacholine and to improve after L-carnitine injection, although these changes were not significant at all time points. Urine leukotriene E4 levels of all 3 study groups increased significantly after asthma development. The rate of increment was smallest in the group given the highest L-carnitine dose (group A). Inflammation at the tissue level was also mildest in group A, and severest in the group that was not given carnitine (group C). All of the study groups and the control group differed significantly with respect to inflammation scores. In conclusion, L-carnitine improved oxygen saturation, and decreased urine leukotriene E4 levels and inflammation in lung tissues in the present murine model of asthma.
en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=UzunerNevin en-aut-sei=Uzuner en-aut-mei=Nevin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KavukcuSalih en-aut-sei=Kavukcu en-aut-mei=Salih kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YilmazOsman en-aut-sei=Yilmaz en-aut-mei=Osman kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=OzkalSelmin en-aut-sei=Ozkal en-aut-mei=Selmin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=IslekelHuray en-aut-sei=Islekel en-aut-mei=Huray kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KaramanOzkan en-aut-sei=Karaman en-aut-mei=Ozkan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SoyluAlper en-aut-sei=Soylu en-aut-mei=Alper kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KargiAydanur en-aut-sei=Kargi en-aut-mei=Aydanur kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil= kn-affil=Dokuz Eylul University Faculty of Medicine affil-num=2 en-affil= kn-affil=Dokuz Eylul University affil-num=3 en-affil= kn-affil=Dokuz Eylul University affil-num=4 en-affil= kn-affil=Dokuz Eylul University affil-num=5 en-affil= kn-affil=Dokuz Eylul University, Turkey affil-num=6 en-affil= kn-affil=Dokuz Eylul University affil-num=7 en-affil= kn-affil=Dokuz Eylul University affil-num=8 en-affil= kn-affil=Dokuz Eylul University en-keyword=asthma kn-keyword=asthma en-keyword=L-carnitine kn-keyword=L-carnitine en-keyword=leukotriene E4 kn-keyword=leukotriene E4 en-keyword=oxygen saturation kn-keyword=oxygen saturation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=56 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=287 end-page=294 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2002 dt-pub=200212 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Decisional balance of condom use and depressed mood among incarcerated male adolescents. en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The association between depressed mood and condom use was examined among incarcerated male adolescents. One hundred and eighty male adolescents who were detained in Birmingham, Alabama in the United States were interviewed during a period of incarceration. Contrary to patterns generally found in adult samples, nearly 50% of this adolescent sample that did not use condoms regularly actually recognized the advantages of condom use. This behavior pattern was deemed "inconsistent," and those engaging in this "inconsistent" behavior pattern were found to have a higher score of depressed mood compared to participants with a "consistent" behavior pattern. As a result, a relationship between depressed mood and decisional balance for condom use within adolescents was evident. These findings suggest that assessment and treatment of depressed mood within this high-risk population could potentially contribute to a reduction in high-risk sexual behaviors.
en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NagamuneNoriyo en-aut-sei=Nagamune en-aut-mei=Noriyo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=BellisJeffrey M. en-aut-sei=Bellis en-aut-mei=Jeffrey M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama University affil-num=2 en-affil= kn-affil=University of Alabama at Birmingham en-keyword=incarcerated adolescents kn-keyword=incarcerated adolescents en-keyword=stages of change kn-keyword=stages of change en-keyword=depressed mood kn-keyword=depressed mood en-keyword=condom use kn-keyword=condom use END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=56 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=279 end-page=286 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2002 dt-pub=200212 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A new method of inducing selective brain hypothermia with saline perfusion into the subdural space: effects on transient cerebral ischemia in cats. en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In this study, we tested brain surface cooling as a new method of inducing selective brain hypothermia, and evaluated its effects on focal cerebral ischemia using a cat model of transient middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. Cats underwent 1 h of MCA occlusion followed by 5 h of reperfusion. Brain surface cooling was induced for 4 h during and after MCA occlusion in the hypothermia group, but not in the normothermia group. Brain surface cooling was performed using saline perfusion into the subdural space. Rectal temperature, brain surface temperature, and deep brain temperature were monitored, and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) were serially measured. After 5 h of reperfusion, water content was also measured. Although the rectal temperature was maintained at about 37 degrees C, the brain surface temperature decreased rapidly to 33 degrees C and was maintained at that temperature. For 3 h following reperfusion, the rCBF was lower in the hypothermia group than in the normothermia group. At 4 and 5 h after reperfusion, the recovery of SEP amplitude was significantly more enhanced in the hypothermia group than in the normothermia group. In the gray matter, the water content was significantly more diminished in the hypothermia group than in the normothermia group. These results demonstrate that our method is useful for protecting the ischemic brain from a transient MCA occlusion. This method may be adapted for neurological surgery.
en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NoguchiYasuhiro en-aut-sei=Noguchi en-aut-mei=Yasuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishioShinsaku en-aut-sei=Nishio en-aut-mei=Shinsaku kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawauchiMasamitsu en-aut-sei=Kawauchi en-aut-mei=Masamitsu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsariShoji en-aut-sei=Asari en-aut-mei=Shoji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhmotoTakashi en-aut-sei=Ohmoto en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama University affil-num=2 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama University affil-num=3 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama University affil-num=4 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama University affil-num=5 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama University en-keyword=brain hypothermia kn-keyword=brain hypothermia en-keyword=cerebral ischemia kn-keyword=cerebral ischemia en-keyword=cerebral blood flow kn-keyword=cerebral blood flow en-keyword=somatosensory evoked potential kn-keyword=somatosensory evoked potential END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=56 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=317 end-page=320 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2002 dt-pub=200212 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Evaluation of tumor markers for the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma in Yangon General Hospital, Myanmar. en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), its glycoforms AFP-L3 and AFP-P4, and proteins induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) were determined in sera obtained from patients in Yangon General Hospital (20 with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 29 with chronic liver diseases, including 3 with chronic hepatitis and 26 with cirrhosis of the liver, and 9 with other hepatobiliary diseases). Forty-five percent of the patients with HCC had serum AFP levels above 10,000 ng/ml, indicating that nearly half of the HCC patients were at an advanced stage of the disease. Thus, the AFP sensitivity was as high as 70% with 100% specificity for a cutoff level of 200 ng/ml. The sensitivity of AFP-L3 was 75% and a specificity 90% for a cutoff level of 15%. AFP-P4 showed a higher sensitivity of 80% and a similar specificity of 86% for a cutoff level of 12%. Combined evaluation of AFP-L3 and/or AFP-P4 increased the sensitivity to 90% with the same specificity of 86%, indicating that AFP-L3 and AFP-P4 are useful as adjuncts for diagnosis of HCC in the present population. PIVKA-II had a high sensitivity of 90%, although the specificity was lower than 45%, probably due to the low cutoff level, as some cholestatic patients were included in the control group.
en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TaketaKazuhisa en-aut-sei=Taketa en-aut-mei=Kazuhisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkadaShigeru en-aut-sei=Okada en-aut-mei=Shigeru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=WinNe en-aut-sei=Win en-aut-mei=Ne kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HlaingNaomi Khaing Than en-aut-sei=Hlaing en-aut-mei=Naomi Khaing Than kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=WinKhin Maung en-aut-sei=Win en-aut-mei=Khin Maung kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil= kn-affil=Ibara City Hospital affil-num=2 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama University affil-num=3 en-affil= kn-affil=Department of Medical Research Lower Myanmar affil-num=4 en-affil= kn-affil=Yangon General Hospital affil-num=5 en-affil= kn-affil=Yangon General Hospital en-keyword=apoptosis kn-keyword=apoptosis en-keyword=spontaneously hypertensive rat kn-keyword=spontaneously hypertensive rat en-keyword=osteonecrosis of the femoral head kn-keyword=osteonecrosis of the femoral head END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=56 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=309 end-page=315 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2002 dt-pub=200212 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Suppressive effects of transforming growth factor-beta1 produced by hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines on interferon-gamma production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells. en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) exerts potent immunosuppressive effects. In this study, we investigated the potential role of TGF-beta1 produced by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines in immunosuppression mechanisms. Using the Mv1Lu cell-growth inhibition assay and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we detected optimal levels of TGF-beta1 in the culture supernatants conditioned by the HCC cell lines PLC/PRF/5, Hep3B, and HepG2. To determine the biological activity of TGF-beta1 in the supernatants, we examined the effects of the culture supernatants on the production of interferon (IFN)-gamma induced during the culture of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulated with interleukin (IL)-12. IFN-gamma production of IL-12-stimulated PBMCs in the 1:1 dilution of the acid-activated conditioned medium of PLC/PRF/5, Hep3B, and HepG2 reduced to 14.7 +/- 0.8, 17.3 +/- 9.0, and 35.9 +/- 14.6%, respectively, compared with the value in the culture with control medium (complete culture medium). These results suggest that HCC cells producing TGF-beta1 may reduce the generation or activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and natural killer (NK) cells, and thus could enhance their ability to escape immune-mediated surveillance.
en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MouriHirokazu en-aut-sei=Mouri en-aut-mei=Hirokazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakaguchiKohsaku en-aut-sei=Sakaguchi en-aut-mei=Kohsaku kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SawayamaTomoyuki en-aut-sei=Sawayama en-aut-mei=Tomoyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SenohTomonori en-aut-sei=Senoh en-aut-mei=Tomonori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhtaTakeyuki en-aut-sei=Ohta en-aut-mei=Takeyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishimuraMamoru en-aut-sei=Nishimura en-aut-mei=Mamoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraAkiko en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Akiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TeraoMasako en-aut-sei=Terao en-aut-mei=Masako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShiratoriYasushi en-aut-sei=Shiratori en-aut-mei=Yasushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsujiTakao en-aut-sei=Tsuji en-aut-mei=Takao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama University affil-num=2 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama University affil-num=3 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama University affil-num=4 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama University affil-num=5 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama University affil-num=6 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama University affil-num=7 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama University affil-num=8 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama University affil-num=9 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama University affil-num=10 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama University en-keyword=hepatocellular carcinoma kn-keyword=hepatocellular carcinoma en-keyword=immunosuppression kn-keyword=immunosuppression en-keyword= transforming growth factor-?1 (TGF-?1) kn-keyword= transforming growth factor-?1 (TGF-?1) en-keyword=interleukin-12 kn-keyword=interleukin-12 en-keyword= interferon-? (IFN-?) kn-keyword= interferon-? (IFN-?) END