Effect of Continuous Ingestion of Bifidobacteria and Inulin on Reducing Body Fat: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Comparison Study.

Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis GCL2505 has been shown to have several positive health effects, including improved defecation frequency and reduced visceral fat. It is known that combined intake of GCL2505 and inulin increases the total number of bifidobacteria compared with ingestion of GCL2505 alone. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study was conducted to confirm that consumption of GCL2505 and inulin reduces abdominal fat (n = 120). Participants consumed a test beverage containing 1 × 1010 colony-forming units of GCL2505 per 100 g and 2.0 g of inulin per 100 g for 12 weeks. A change in the visceral fat area (VFA) was set as the primary endpoint. There were significant reductions in VFA and total fat area. The intervention significantly increased the total number of bifidobacteria and affected the levels of several lipid markers. Regression analysis of bifidobacteria and measured parameters showed that total bifidobacteria correlated with VFA and body mass index (BMI), while endogenous bifidobacteria and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis correlated only with BMI, suggesting that increases in both contributed to the decrease in VFA. These results suggest that combined intake of GCL2505 and inulin improves the intestinal environment and reduces abdominal fat in association with the SCFA-mediated pathway.

Embolization of spontaneous intratumoral hemorrhage with the hemodynamic characteristics of arteriovenous fistula in renal angiomyolipoma.

Aneurysms within renal angiomyolipomas (AML) may rupture into the tumor or pararenal space. Transcatheter arterial embolization is the first-choice treatment to control bleeding. Here, we describe the use of coil embolization in two cases of spontaneous intratumoral hemorrhage with the hemodynamic characteristics of renal arteriovenous (AV) fistula in renal AML. In case 1, renal angiography showed several intratumoral aneurysms, one of which had ruptured into the tumor, resulting in the formation of an intratumoral hematoma. Blood flow within the hematoma was rapid and the blood was immediately returned to the systemic circulation through the left renal vein. In case 2, renal angiography showed that the rupture of an intratumoral aneurysm of a tumor-feeding artery had resulted in formation of an intratumoral hematoma and direct renal vein communication. No extratumoral hemorrhage was observed in either case. The hemodynamics of both hematomas resembled those of a high-flow renal AV fistula. The ruptured aneurysms were embolized with detachable and pushable coils (case 1) or pushable coils only (case 2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of successful embolization of AV fistula-like intratumoral hemorrhage in renal AML.

Transcatheter Arterial Coil Embolization of Ruptured Common Hepatic Artery Aneurysm in a Patient with Behçet's Disease.

Hepatic artery aneurysm is a rare and potentially life-threatening entity. We report a case of ruptured common hepatic artery aneurysm in a patient with Behçet's disease. The ruptured aneurysm was treated successfully with transcatheter arterial coil embolization. Transcatheter arterial embolization is the preferred treatment modality in patients at high risk of surgical intervention.

A retrospective statistical analysis of the late complications associated with central venous port placements.

PURPOSE: Central venous (CV) ports are being used increasingly in both hospital and home care settings. Here, we investigated the rates and causes of CV port complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the placement of 264 consecutive CV ports in 239 consecutive patients admitted to our hospital between September 2009 and February 2012. All CV ports were inserted under fluoroscopy and ultrasound visualization by interventional radiologists using maximum barrier precautions. CV port complications were checked in detail and analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Total indwelling time for all CV ports was 51,033 catheter days. Of the 264 CV ports assessed, 50 were removed during the study period because of any complication and 147 remained at the end of the study period. In 33 cases, the patient died before the end of the study. Of the 50 patients who underwent CV port removal, 13 were diagnosed as having catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI). The total rate of CV port removal because of any complication was 0.98 cases per 1,000 catheter days, that of catheter troubles was 0.22 cases per 1,000 catheter days and that of CRBSI was 0.25 cases per 1,000 catheter days. Steroid administration and total parenteral nutrition (TPN) were associated with increased rates of infection. It seems that chemotherapy and indwelling time were also considered important factors. CONCLUSION: Steroid administration and TPN were associated with increased rates of infection. In addition, patients receiving chemotherapy or whose CV ports are left in place for a long time should be carefully observed to decrease these complications.