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Background Prognosis of nephrotic syndrome has been evaluated based on pathological diagnosis, whereas its clinical course is monitored using objective items and the treatment strategy is largely the same. We examined whether the entire natural history of nephrotic syndrome could be evaluated using objective common clinical items. Methods Machine learning clustering was performed on 205 cases from the Japan Nephrotic Syndrome Cohort Study, whose clinical parameters, serum creatinine, serum albumin, dipstick hematuria, and proteinuria were traceable after kidney biopsy at 5 measured points up to 2 years. The clinical patterns of time-series data were learned using long short-term memory (LSTM)-encoder–decoder architecture, an unsupervised machine learning classifier. Clinical clusters were defined as Gaussian mixture distributions in a two-dimensional scatter plot based on the highest log-likelihood. Results Time-series data of nephrotic syndrome were classified into four clusters. Patients in the fourth cluster showed the increase in serum creatinine in the later part of the follow-up period. Patients in both the third and fourth clusters were initially high in both hematuria and proteinuria, whereas a lack of decline in the urinary protein level preceded the worsening of kidney function in fourth cluster. The original diseases of fourth cluster included all the disease studied in this cohort. Conclusions Four kinds of clinical courses were identified in nephrotic syndrome. This classified clinical course may help objectively grasp the actual condition or treatment resistance of individual patients with nephrotic syndrome.

Previous studies reported conflicting results regarding an association between serum albumin concentration and the cumulative incidence of remission of proteinuria in adult patients with minimal change disease (MCD). The present study aimed to clarify the clinical impact of serum albumin concentration and the cumulative incidence of remission and relapse of proteinuria in 108 adult patients with MCD at 40 hospitals in Japan, who were enrolled in a 5-year prospective cohort study of primary nephrotic syndrome, the Japan Nephrotic Syndrome Cohort Study (JNSCS). The association between serum albumin concentration before initiation of immunosuppressive treatment (IST) and the cumulative incidence of remission and relapse were assessed using multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models. Remission defined as urinary protein 2: 1.43 [1.08, 1.90]), whereas they were not associated with relapse. A multivariable-adjusted model showed that patients with high eGFR level (≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) and low albumin concentration (≤ 1.5 g/dL) achieved significantly early remission, whereas those with low eGFR (2) and high albumin concentration (> 1.5 g/dL) showed significantly slow remission. In conclusion, lower serum albumin concentration and higher eGFR were associated with earlier remission in MCD, but not with relapse.

Background Oral disease may be increased in people with end-stage renal disease and associated with inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and mortality. Moreover, oral disease may be essential to decide the prognosis of peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. However, only a few reports have explored the effects of dental care (DC) on cardiovascular diseases and mortality in PD patients. Thus, we aimed to investigate the association of DC with the prognosis of PD patients. Methods In this single-center, retrospective study, we enrolled 165 incident PD patients aged ≥ 20 years. We classified patients based on their dental care score, assessed using a self-reported questionnaire into the better dental care group (Group A, score ≥ 7) or the worse dental care group (Group B, score , Kruskal–Wallis, Mann–Whitney U-test, chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test and multiple regression when appropriate. We compared the survival distributions among groups using the long-rank test. Results Of the 165 patients, 75 were allocated to group A and 90 to group B. PD patients with better dental care (group A) had significantly lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and higher levels of serum albumin compared to PD patients with worse dental care (group B). Hospital admissions due to congestive heart failure, acute coronary syndrome, pneumonia, and peritonitis were also lower in group A than group B. Mortality rates due to congestive heart failure, acute coronary syndrome, pneumonia, and sepsis were lower in group A than in group B. Conclusions The study highlights the importance of good dental care, particularly for PD patients. Nephrologists and dental professions should design and implement oral health education strategies to improve PD patients’ dental care.

Minimal change disease (MCD) is characterized by a nephrotic syndrome usually steroid-sensitive and a high incidence of relapse of proteinuria. Previous cohort studies have reported conflicting results regarding the association between the time to remission and incidence of relapse.This multicenter prospective cohort study included 102 adult patients with steroid-sensitive MCD or focal segmental glomerulosclerosis from a 5-year cohort study of primary nephrotic syndrome, the Japan Nephrotic Syndrome Cohort Study, who achieved remission of proteinuria within 2 months of immunosuppressive therapy (IST). The association between the time to remission of proteinuria after immunosuppressive therapy and incidence of relapse was assessed using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for clinically relevant factors.Remission was observed at 3-7, 8-14, 15-21, 22-28, and 30-56 days after initiation of immunosuppressive therapy in 17 (16.7%), 37 (36.3%), 21 (20.6%), 13 (12.7%), and 14 (13.7%) patients, respectively. During a median observation period of 2.3 years after the end of the 2nd month after initiation of immunosuppressive therapy, 46 (45.1%) patients relapsed. The time to remission was associated with the incidence of relapse in an inverse U-shaped pattern (multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios [95% confidence intervals] of the time to remission of 3-7, 8-14, 15-21, 22-28, 30-56 days: 1.00 [reference], 1.76 [0.56, 5.51], 6.06 [1.85, 19.80], 5.46 [1.44, 20.64], and 2.19 [0.52, 9.30], respectively).The time to remission was identified as a significant predictor of relapse in steroid-sensitive patients.

FOLFOX therapy, a standard treatment for colorectal cancer (CRC), causes a rare, but serious adverse event, hyperammonemia. However, the risk factors of hyperammonemia remain unknown. We examined 74 patients who received mFOLFOX6 therapy with or without biologics for CRC between April 2013 and March 2018 in Yaizu City Hospital. Clinicopathological factors were retrospectively reviewed in association with hyperammonemia, and risk factors of hyperammonemia during mFOLFOX6 therapy were analyzed in 32 patients with the available data. Seven patients developed hyperammonemia, with onset exclusively on day 2 or 3 in the first cycle of therapy. They were treated with branched chain amino acid administration and hydration; however, one patient with stage G4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) died. By multivariate analysis, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)

The aim of the present study was to clarify the prevalence of immunosuppressive drug use and outcomes in elderly and non-elderly patients with primary membranous nephropathy (MN) in nationwide real-world practice in Japan. Between 2009 and 2010, 374 patients with primary nephrotic syndrome were enrolled in the cohort study (The Japan Nephrotic Syndrome Cohort Study, JNSCS), including 126 adult patients with MN. Their clinical characteristics were compared with those of nephrotic patients with primary MN registered in a large nationwide registry (The Japan Renal Biopsy Registry, J-RBR). Outcomes and predictors in the elderly (≥ 65 years) and non-elderly groups were identified. Similar clinical characteristics were observed in JNSCS patients and J-RBR patients (n = 1808). At the early stage of 1 month, 84.1% of patients were treated with immunosuppressive therapies. No significant differences were observed in therapies between age groups. However, elderly patients achieved complete remission (CR) more frequently than non-elderly patients, particularly those treated with therapies that included corticosteroids. No significant differences were noted in serum creatinine (sCr) elevations at 50 or 100%, end-stage kidney disease, or all-cause mortality between age groups. Corticosteroids were identified as an independent predictor of CR (HR 2.749, 95%CI 1.593–4.745, p = 0.000) in the multivariate Cox’s model. sCr levels, hemoglobin levels, immunosuppressants, clinical remission, and relapse after CR were independent predictors of sCr × 1.5 or × 2.0. Early immunosuppressive therapy including corticosteroids for primary MN showed better remission rates in elderly patients in a nationwide cohort study.

The lack of high-quality clinical evidences hindered broad consensus on optimal therapies for primary nephrotic syndromes. The aim of the present study was to compare prevalence of immunosuppressive drug use in patients with primary nephrotic syndrome across 6 regions in Japan. Between 2009 and 2010, 380 patients with primary nephrotic syndrome in 56 hospitals were enrolled in a prospective cohort study [Japan Nephrotic Syndrome Cohort Study (JNSCS)], including 141, 151, and 38 adult patients with minimal change disease (MCD), membranous nephropathy (MN), and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), respectively. Their clinical characteristics were compared with those of patients registered in a large nationwide registry of kidney biopsies [Japan Renal Biopsy Registry (J-RBR)]. The regional prevalence of use of each immunosuppressive drug was assessed among adult MCD, MN, and FSGS patients who underwent immunosuppressive therapy in the JNSCS (n = 139, 127, and 34, respectively). Predictors of its use were identified using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models. The clinical characteristics of JNSCS patients were comparable to those of J-RBR patients, suggesting that the JNSCS included the representatives in the J-RBR. The secondary major immunosuppressive drugs were intravenous methylprednisolone [n = 33 (24.6%), 24 (19.7%), and 9 (28.1%) in MCD, MN, and FSGS, respectively] and cyclosporine [n = 25 (18.7%), 62 (50.8%), and 16 (50.0%), respectively]. The region was identified as a significant predictor of use of intravenous methylprednisolone in MCD and MN patients. Use of intravenous methylprednisolone for MCD and MN differed geographically in Japan. Its efficacy should be further evaluated in a well-designed trial.

Cardiovascular disease-associated morbidity and mortality are reportedly higher in hemodialysis (HD) patients compared with peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. However, few studies have estimated changes in state of depression and cognitive impairment in patients undergoing HD and PD. The present study evaluated the impact of HD or PD on patients' quality of life (QoL), cognitive impairment, and depression status over 2 years. This 24-month observational, prospective study included 45 HD and 30 PD patients. Patients were assessed before and every 12 months after starting dialysis for 24 months. Measurements included QoL (36-Item Short-Form Health Survey [SF-36]), cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE]), depressive state (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale [CES-D]), grip strength, and 24-h urine volume (UV). Physical and social component scores of the SF-36 significantly improved in PD patients at 24 months compared with those observed at baseline (42.8 vs. 39.4; P < 0.05 and 46.4 vs. 37.3; P < 0.05, respectively); however, scores remained unchanged in HD patients. MMSE scores were significantly decreased at 12 and 24 months in HD patients (29.0 vs. 26.0, 25.0; P < 0.05), but remained unchanged in PD patients. Moreover, CES-D scores significantly worsened at 24 months in HD patients (12.8 vs. 16.5), but remained unchanged in PD. Preservation of UV and grip strength was associated with SF-36, CES-D, and MMSE scores. Our findings indicate that PD is associated with higher QoL and recovery from cognitive failure compared with HD.

Rationale Hormone therapies, particularly those targeting estrogen and its receptors, are a key treatment modality for patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast or ovarian cancer. Some gastric cancers (GCs) express ERs, and preclinical studies suggest the potential of estrogen-targeting hormone therapy on GC; however, the clinical relevance of this hormone therapy on GC treatment has not been well elucidated. Patient concerns An 80-year-old female was admitted to our department with hypogastric pain and vomiting. Computed tomography demonstrated small bowel obstruction, and laparotomy after bowel decompression revealed peritoneal dissemination consisting of a poorly-differentiated adenocarcinoma. Intestinal bypass between the ileum and transverse colon was performed. Diagnoses The tumor was ER- and mammaglobin-positive, indicating that it originated from a breast cancer. Diagnostic imaging revealed no evidence of breast cancer; however, right axillary ER- and mammaglobin-positive lymphadenopathy was found. Interventions The patient received hormone therapy using letrozole based on a clinical diagnosis of occult breast cancer with peritoneal dissemination and right axillary lymph node metastasis. Outcomes The patient remained disease free until 37 months but deceased at 53 months from the onset of disease. An autopsy revealed no tumor cells in the right breast tissue; however, there was a massive invasion of cancer cells in the stomach. Lessons A patient with ER positive GC with peritoneal dissemination and right axillary lymph node metastasis presented remarkable response to letrozole. The long-term survival obtained using letrozole for a patient with GC with distant metastasis suggests the potential of estrogen targeting hormone therapies for GC.

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a progressive disease with cardiovascular complications. We evaluated the impact of a glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist and sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors dapagliflozin and empagliflozin on renal and cardiac function in type 2 diabetes patients with renal impairment. Materials and methods: A total of 156 patients referred with suboptimal glycemic control were assigned to Group G (GLP-1): n = 72 or Group S (SGLT-2 inhibitor)—dapagliflozin ( n = 52) or empagliflozin ( n = 32). Renal function was assessed every 3 months for 36 months. Cardiovascular parameters were evaluated every 12 months for 36 months. Results: Compared with baseline, HbA1c and systolic blood pressure significantly decreased in both groups ( p < 0.05). The estimated glomerular filtration rate decreased, but without significance. Albuminuria decreased significantly in both groups and then subsequently increased after 30 months in Group S. Diastolic cardiac function, assessed by E/e′ or left atrial volume index, decreased only in Group G at 36 months. Conclusions: The GLP-1 receptor agonist and SGLT-2 inhibitors were effective for glycemic and blood pressure control and for maintaining renal function. The GLP-1 receptor agonist improved diastolic function at 36 months.

Intestinal endometriosis exposed to the mucosa is relatively rare. Therefore, its endoscopic findings with pit pattern and magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging and clinicopathological features of intestinal endometriosis exposed to the mucosa have not been well documented until now. A 44-year-old woman was suspected to have gastrointestinal bleeding by positive fecal occult blood test. Colonoscopy revealed a hemicircular submucosal tumor whose surface was covered with easy-bleeding papillary bulges in the rectum. Pit pattern analysis and magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging revealed straight microvessels among the straight pits arranged in a radial manner, and the avascular area with no pit pattern of the top of the bulge. These findings were different from those of polyps or cancer. Biopsy specimens from the protruded lesions were diagnosed as rectal mucosal endometriosis by hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemical examination. Surgical resection was suggested to the patient, but the patient did not favor surgical treatment. After the diagnosis dienogest treatment started and successfully relieved her abdominal pain. Malignant transformation of the endometriotic lesion has not arisen to this date.

Introduction Diabetes mellitus is a progressive disease with cardiovascular complications. This study evaluated the effects of liraglutide, a glucagon‐like peptide‐1 analogue and the dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors sitagliptin and linagliptin on cardiac function in type 2 diabetes patients with renal impairment. Materials and Methods A total of 139 patients who were referred because of suboptimal glycaemic control were randomly assigned to liraglutide 0.9 mg/d (n = 45), sitagliptin 50 mg/d, (n = 49) or linagliptin 5 mg/d (n = 45) at enrolment and were evaluated. Blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin and serum creatinine were assayed every 3 months for 48 months. Echocardiography was performed every 12 months for 48 months. Results Compared with baseline, fasting glucose, postprandial glucose, and systolic and diastolic pressure, but not estimated glomerular filtration rate, significantly decreased in all three groups. Albuminuria decreased from 24 to 48 months with liraglutide, but only from 24 to 30 months with sitagliptin and linagliptin. Diastolic function, assessed by E/e′ or left atrial dimension improved only with liraglutide. Conclusions Liraglutide was effective for glucose and blood pressure control, reduced albuminuria and improved diastolic function. Diastolic function was not improved by sitagliptin and linagliptin.

Rationale & Objective Epidemiologic and clinical studies have suggested that urate-lowering therapy may slow the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, definitive evidence is lacking. Study Design Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Setting & Participants 467 patients with stage 3 CKD and asymptomatic hyperuricemia at 55 medical institutions in Japan. Intervention Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive febuxostat or placebo for 108 weeks. Outcomes The primary end point was the slope (in mL/min/1.73 m2 per year) of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Secondary end points included changes in eGFRs and serum uric acid levels at 24, 48, 72, and 108 weeks of follow-up and the event of doubling of serum creatinine level or initiation of dialysis therapy. Results Of 443 patients who were randomly assigned, 219 and 222 assigned to febuxostat and placebo, respectively, were included in the analysis. There was no significant difference in mean eGFR slope between the febuxostat (0.23 ± 5.26 mL/min/1.73 m2 per year) and placebo (−0.47 ± 4.48 mL/min/1.73 m2 per year) groups (difference, 0.70; 95% CI, −0.21 to 1.62; P = 0.1). Subgroup analysis demonstrated a significant benefit from febuxostat in patients without proteinuria (P = 0.005) and for whom serum creatinine concentration was lower than the median (P = 0.009). The incidence of gouty arthritis was significantly lower (P = 0.007) in the febuxostat group (0.91%) than in the placebo group (5.86%). Adverse events specific to febuxostat were not observed. Limitations GFR was estimated rather than measured, and patients with stages 4 and 5 CKD were excluded. Conclusions Compared to placebo, febuxostat did not mitigate the decline in kidney function among patients with stage 3 CKD and asymptomatic hyperuricemia. Funding Funded by Teijin Pharma Limited. Trial Registration Registered at the UMIN (University Hospital Medical Information Network) Clinical Trials Registry with study number UMIN000008343.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a multifactorial disease associated with cardiovascular complications. Patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis also experience an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease. To prevent progression of cardiovascular complications in DM patients, glycemic control is important. In this study, we examined the efficacy and safety of the glucagon-like peptide analog liraglutide for treating type 2 diabetes patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Sixteen type 2 diabetes patients on peritoneal dialysis were enrolled. Before liraglutide initiation, 11 patients were on insulin therapy, three were on oral antidiabetic agents, and two were on diet therapy. Of the 16 patients, 12 had switched to liraglutide because of severe hypoglycemia and four because of hyperglycemia. Echocardiography was performed at baseline and 12 months after liraglutide initiation. Hemoglobin A1c, glycosylated albumin, and fasting/postprandial glucose levels gradually decreased after liraglutide initiation. After 6 and 12 months of treatment, postprandial glucose levels showed a significant difference from baseline. Moreover, the mean daily glucose level and glycemic fluctuations decreased. Systolic blood pressure upon waking also decreased. In addition, after 12 months, left ventricular mass index (LVMI) decreased and left ventricular ejection fraction increased. Changes in LVMI positively correlated with morning systolic blood pressure and fasting glucose levels. One patient restarted insulin because of anorexia but severe hypoglycemia was not observed. These findings suggest that liraglutide therapy in type 2 diabetes patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis is safe and effective for decreasing glucose levels, glycemic fluctuations, and blood pressure, apart from improving left ventricular function.

BackgroundFor patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), peritoneal dialysis (PD) serves as a possible renal replacement therapy. However, most PD patients, particularly those with ESRD and diabetes mellitus, reportedly discontinue PD early, resulting in shorter survival periods and poorer prognosis because of overhydration. Recently, the vasopressin-2 receptor antagonist tolvaptan was approved for volume control in patients with heart failure. The present study aimed to identify the effects of tolvaptan in diabetic PD patients.MethodsIn this pilot study, the tolvaptan group ( n = 12) were treated with 15 mg/day of tolvaptan 2 weeks after PD initiation and were prospectively analyzed for 1 year, and patients in the control group ( n = 12) did not receive tolvaptan and were retrospectively analyzed for 1 year. In addition to the biochemical tests, echocardiograms, serum atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels, peritoneal Kt/V, and creatinine clearance (CCr) were examined at baseline and at 6 and 12 months after PD initiation.ResultsIn the control group, the urine volume, renal Kt/V, and renal CCr levels consistently decreased; however, these parameters were stably maintained during the study period in the tolvaptan group. Atrial natriuretic peptide, CRP levels and the left ventricular mass index of the tolvaptan-treated group were significantly lower than those in the control group, whereas total protein and albumin levels were significantly higher at 6 and 12 months in the tolvaptan group. There were no obvious adverse effects.ConclusionsThese data suggest that tolvaptan may preserve residual renal function and improve volume control in PD patients with diabetes mellitus.

Aims Very few studies have ever examined the effects of long-term (>1 year) administration of liraglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and renal impairment. Therefore, we conducted a 2-year study to prospectively examine the effects of liraglutide in those patients. Methods A total of 148 patients with T2DM were enrolled and treated with liraglutide (0.6 or 0.9 mg/day). 97 patients completed the 2-year study without protocol deviations. These patients were divided into 3 groups according to the baseline estimated glomerular filtration ratio (eGFR) (in mL/min/1.73 m2): group A, ≥60 (n=39); group B, ≥30 to Results Blood glucose and systolic blood pressure decreased significantly after 24 months of liraglutide treatment in all groups compared with baseline (p Conclusions These findings suggest that 2 years of liraglutide treatment in Japanese patients with T2DM and impaired renal function was effective in terms of suppressing the deterioration of renal function, and reducing albuminuria. Long-term liraglutide treatment also improved glycemic control and blood pressure, and reduced left ventricular hypertrophy in this study.

71-year-old woman was pointed out to have an asymptomatic mediastinal tumor. Chest computed tomography(CT) showed a well-demarcated mass measuring 7 cm in diameter in the anterior mediastinum. We resected the mass through a median sternotomy. The tumor had a clear margin without invasion to the surrounding tissue and did not show continuity with the cervical thyroid gland. Histopathologically, the tumor was diagnosed as follicular thyroid carcinoma with capsular invasion. This is an exceptionally rare case.

Although sepsis after surgery for colorectal perforation frequently results in severe coagulation disorders and consequent death of the patient, the correlation between coagulation abnormalities and postoperative mortality of colorectal perforation has not been clarified.The medical records of 101 consecutive patients receiving surgery for colorectal perforations between January 1994 and July 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. The abnormalities of preoperative laboratory data reflecting coagulation disorders and other possible risk factors were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis.Prolonged prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time significantly correlated with a poor prognosis (both P0.001). Among the several risk factors analyzed, only the presence of coagulation disorders was an independent predictive factor of postoperative mortality.Prolonged prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time are useful prognostic factors for predicting the surgical outcome for patients with colorectal perforation.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a multifactorial disease associated with cardiovascular complications. Patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis also experience an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease. To prevent progression of cardiovascular complications in DM patients, glycemic control is important. In this study, we examined the efficacy and safety of the glucagon-like peptide analog liraglutide for treating type 2 diabetes patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Sixteen type 2 diabetes patients on peritoneal dialysis were enrolled. Before liraglutide initiation, 11 patients were on insulin therapy, three were on oral antidiabetic agents, and two were on diet therapy. Of the 16 patients, 12 had switched to liraglutide because of severe hypoglycemia and four because of hyperglycemia. Echocardiography was performed at baseline and 12 months after liraglutide initiation. Hemoglobin A1c, glycosylated albumin, and fasting/postprandial glucose levels gradually decreased after liraglutide initiation. After 6 and 12 months of treatment, postprandial glucose levels showed a significant difference from baseline. Moreover, the mean daily glucose level and glycemic fluctuations decreased. Systolic blood pressure upon waking also decreased. In addition, after 12 months, left ventricular mass index (LVMI) decreased and left ventricular ejection fraction increased. Changes in LVMI positively correlated with morning systolic blood pressure and fasting glucose levels. One patient restarted insulin because of anorexia but severe hypoglycemia was not observed. These findings suggest that liraglutide therapy in type 2 diabetes patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis is safe and effective for decreasing glucose levels, glycemic fluctuations, and blood pressure, apart from improving left ventricular function.

Background: Recently, increased body weight has been associated with an increased risk of cancers at multiple specific sites, including gastric cancer. Adiponectin is a peptide hormone secreted by adipose tissue, affecting the proliferation and insulin sensitivity of various types of cells. Moreover, the circulating level of adiponectin has been reported to be inversely related to body mass index. Methods: Fasting plasma levels of adiponectin were determined in 75 patients with gastric cancer and 52 healthy controls using an ELISA. In these patients, we analyzed the association between plasma adiponectin level and gastric cancer risk as well as various clinicopathologic characteristics. Results: Plasma adiponectin level was significantly lower in patients with gastric cancer than in healthy controls (9.1 ± 6.2 versus 13.3 ± 9.4 ng/mL, P < 0.01) and showed a significant modest inverse relation with the gastric cancer (odds ratio, 0.92; 95% confidence interval, 0.85-0.97; adjusted odds ratio, 0.89; 95% confidence interval, 0.84-0.95], although body mass index was not different. In addition, adiponectin level was extremely low in patients with upper gastric cancers (upper, 5.5 ± 4.1 ng/mL; middle, 9.7 ± 6.4 ng/mL; lower, 10.7 ± 4.1 ng/mL; P = 0.012). Furthermore, adiponectin level tended to decrease as the tumor stage increased (stage I, 9.9 ± 6.9 ng/mL; stage II, 8.7 ± 5.5 ng/mL; stage III, 8.6 ± 4.1 ng/mL; stage IV, 5.2 ± 6.2 ng/mL; P = 0.34). Interestingly, in 32 patients with undifferentiated cancer, serum adiponectin showed a negative correlation with pathologic findings such as tumor size, depth of invasion, as well as tumor stage (P < 0.05), but no correlation in the remaining 43 patients with differentiated cancer. Conclusions: Our results suggest that a low plasma adiponectin level is associated with an increased risk for gastric cancer and raise the possibility that adiponectin has a potential role in the progression of gastric cancer, especially in undifferentiated type cancers in the upper stomach.

Following chest or abdominal injury, acute blurring of vision occurs without direct eye injury. This disease is known as Purtscher's retinopathy. A 74-year-old man suffered blunt chest injury by air bag inflation at traffic accident. Next morning, he suddenly complained of visual abnormality. An ophthalmoscopy revealed multiple cotton-wool exudation and retinal edema. He was diagnosed as Purtscher's retinopathy. The symptoms of soft exudation and retinal edema gradually resolved. The visual acuity gradually improved, but not reached to the previous level. We must be aware of this retinopathy, since this is rare but sometimes sight-threatening condition.

Among end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, cardiovascular disease is a common comorbidity and one of most important factors affecting clinical prognosis. Calcium deposition has been reported to correlate with plasma phosphate. Icodextrin (Ico)-based peritoneal dialysis (PD) has many advantages over glucose (Glu)-based PD. We aimed to identify factors that suppress arteriosclerosis and valvular disease in patients with ESRD and diabetes mellitus (DM) undergoing Ico-based PD. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the effects of Ico-based PD (n = 20) on phosphate elimination and cardiovascular disease progression in patients with ESRD andDM, and we compared the results with those for Glu-based PD (n = 20). Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and aortic valve calcification (AVC) score were significantly decreased and daily phosphate elimination was significantly increased in the Ico group compared with the Glu group. Furthermore, mean daily phosphate elimination was significantly and negatively correlated with the amelioration in LVMI and AVC score. Our study suggests that, compared with glucose, icodextrin has the ability to eliminate more phosphate from the body, indicating that phosphate elimination might potentially be a means of controlling cardiovascular disease in PD patients with DM.

Icodextrin-based peritoneal dialysis (PD) has many advantages over glucose-based PD. The present study aimed to investigate when icodextrin should be started for better management of cardiovascular status (as defined by echocardiography findings) and residual renal function (RRF). We retrospectively analyzed 40 patients treated with continuous ambulatory PD or automated PD. The patients were divided into these groups: Group A: started icodextrin within 2 weeks after PD onset. Group B: started icodextrin 1 year after PD onset. Group C: started icodextrin 2 years after PD onset. Group D: never used icodextrin during the study period. At the start of PD, we observed no significant difference in left ventricular mass index (LVMI) or urine volume (UV) between the groups. At 4 years, LVMI and UV were both significantly improved in group A compared with group D. The amelioration in LVMI was negatively associated with phosphate elimination. Our study showed that icodextrin preserved RRF and ameliorated left ventricular hypertrophy. Moreover, the timing of icodextrin introduction in PD patients influenced the clinical effects, including progression of cardiac hypertrophy and RRF.

A 56-year-old woman was referred to our hospital presenting high serum levels of calcium (Ca) and intact-parathyroid hormone (PTH) and an anterior mediastinal nodule of 18×13 mm in size on chest computed tomography (CT). Tumor was suspected of a parathyroid tumor. 99mTc-methoxy-isobutylisonitrile( MIBI) scintigram showed abnormal radioactive tracer accumulation in the lesion. 3 ml/kg of methylene blue was administered intravenously an hour before surgery, and the stained tumor was successfully resected by thoracoscopic surgery. Pathological diagnosis was parathyroid hyperplasia. Postoperative course was uneventful and serum levels of Ca and intact-PTH returned to normal ranges.

Whole-body protein kinetics was measured with 15N-glycine in five young adult male volunteers. Each subject participated twice, being his own control. They received a Brazilian rice and bean diet with usual Brazilian protein intake of 0.8 g/kg/d, but low (−30%) or high (+30%) in non-protein calories. The subjects were fed, at random, for 7–8 days the low or high calorie diet. During the last three days samples of food, feces and urine were collected for nitrogen balance. On the last day, rates of nitrogen flux, protein synthesis and degradation in the whole body were estimed from 15N excretion in urinary ammonia and total urea (excreted plus retained within the body) during a 9-h period after administration of oral single dose of 15N-glycine. During the kinetic study the subjects received 112 of the total food intake hourly. The results were for the low and high calorie intakes respectively: nitrogen balance, mg/kg/d, 2±21 (mean±SD) and 24±16 (p

Staphylococcus causing toxic shock syndrome (TSS) in the surgical field is Methicillin-resistant Staphylococus aureus (MRSA) in most cases. Postoperative MRSA is an important factor to provoke TSS. Postoperative MRSA infection has been speculated mostly as a result of the prophylactic use of third-generation cephems on the immunologically compromised patient. However, the virulence of the bacteria may possibly overpower the defence mechanism of the host who has undergone minimum surgical stress. Recently we experienced an adult male patient with non-perforated acute appendicitis who developed MRSA peritonitis after an appendectomy causing TSS in an acute clinical course. We have reconfirmed that even patient without any risk factors can develop MRSA infection followed by TSS, if things come to the worst. The importance of the careful monitoring and management of postoperative MRSA infection even after the less invasive abdominal surgery should be emphasized.

In Japan, the population of patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) is4% of the total number of patients with end-stage renal disease. Few systemic analyses have examined why the number of PD patients has not increased in Japan. We organized a registry to analyze PD patients and retrospectively investigated 561 PD patients (about 5% of all Japanese PD patients) from 13 hospitals in the Tokai area for 3 years from 2005.We investigated background, physical status, laboratory data, status of PD therapy, and the occurrence of PD-related complications, and analyzed reasons for withdrawal from PD.Nutrition did not change significantly during our observation. Urinary volume showed continued decreases after the introduction period. In contrast, PD fluid demand and ultrafiltration volume were significantly increased. For calcium metabolism, multiple phosphate binders were required after the second year of PD therapy. Early drop-out within 3 years after starting PD therapy comprised 50.9% of total withdrawals, with PD-related peritonitis as the most common reason, mainly caused by Gram-positive organisms. Incidence of peritonitis was 42.8 months/patient. Culture-negative results were obtained for 32% of peritonitis cultures. Diabetes affects the prognosis of PD therapy, but not the incidence of peritonitis.We examined clinical status over 3 years in the Tokai area. The results suggest that the incidence of peritonitis needs to be decreased to prevent early withdrawal of PD patients. Education systems to decrease the incidence of peritonitis and techniques to decrease culture-negative results might be important for improving the prognosis of peritonitis.

Acute appendicitis has been reported to be managed with non-operative therapy at relatively high successful rate. However, risk factors for negative outcome have not been established.Three hundred eighty consecutive patients who underwent initial therapy for suspected appendicitis were reviewed. They were divided into three groups: operation group, the group successfully managed with non-operative therapy (success group), and the group required surgical conversion (failure group). Preoperative clinical data were compared among the groups and risk factors for negative outcomes were investigated.Thirteen patients were excluded due to contraindication for non-operative therapy. Of the remaining 367 patients, 143 patients (39.0%) were primarily treated with surgery, and 224 patients (61.0%) were initially managed with antibiotics. Among the 224 patients, 91 patients (40.6%) were refractory to antibiotics and converted to surgery after more than 24 h usage of antibiotics. Multivariate analysis revealed that elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) level (4 mg/dL) and presence of appendicolith were significant risk factors for conversion. Morbidity rate showed no significant difference between the operative and failure groups.Elevated CRP concentration and appendicolith may predict the negative outcome in non-operative management. However, immediate appendectomy can possibly be avoided at least 24 h without increasing morbidity under the usage of antibiotics.

Catamenial pneumothorax is a subclass of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax occurring in women in their third or fourth decade of life. We describe a classic and typical case of this disease. Although it is believed to be rare historically, the recent study showed the much higher prevalence. It is essential to consider this disease in recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax of a middle-aged woman.

Cardiovascular complications are the major cause of mortality in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. Some reports show that ultrasonographic parameters for cardiovascular remodeling predict mortality in ESRD patients as well as in the general population. In the present study, we compared long-term longitudinal changes in cardiac parameters between elderly patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) and those on hemodialysis (HD). We analyzed 19 HD and 7 PD patients who were more than 75 years old at the start of dialysis and who had been treated with the same dialysis modality for more than 4 years. We compared ultrasonographic cardiovascular parameters such as left ventricular mass index (LVMI), left ventricular wall thickness (LVWT), intima media thickness and intima media area (IMA) over the 4 years of PD and HD treatment. As compared with values at the start of dialysis, values for LVMI, LVWT, and IMA were significantly elevated in HD patients after 4 years of treatment. In PD patients, we observed no changes in those parameters over time. Our findings indicate that cardiovascular remodeling is liable to deteriorate in elderly patients on HD, but that cardiac parameters in PD patients remain rather stable.

Better control of cardiovascular function in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) is critical because PD patients have a tendency to overhydration, which has been proved to be associated with cardiovascular and patient outcome. In the general population, lipid metabolism is also considered to be an important indicator of future cardiovascular events. Icodextrin has been used to improve ultrafiltration volume without increasing dextrose load. We therefore expected that parameters of lipid metabolism and cardiovascular function could both be improved, or at least maintained, after icodextrin use in PD patients. We therefore analyzed those parameters in 14 prevalent PD patients who required a switch from dextrose to icodextrin solution for the long dwell at 1 year before the switch, at the time of the switch, and at 1 and 2 years after the switch. In the study patients, cardiovascular remodeling evaluated by ultrasonographic left ventricular mass index was diminished, but the intima media area of the cervical artery was elevated after icodextrin use. Intima media thickness did not change over time. Biochemical indices such as brain natriuretic peptide, atrial natriuretic peptide, lipoprotein A, total cholesterol, and triglycerides were all lower after icodextrin use. These results indicate that icodextrin has the potential to improve lipid metabolism, volemic status, and cardiac hypertrophy in prevalent PD patients. However, atherosclerotic vascular change is refractory to improvement.

Cardiovascular complications are obviously important in the management of dialysis patients, and ultrasonography can be used to evaluate cardiac indices that can predict these complications. However, long-term longitudinal changes in ultrasonographic cardiovascular indices in dialysis patients are not well known. Also, the implications of lipid metabolism for cardiovascular change in dialysis patients is controversial. We therefore analyzed ultrasonographic cardiac parameters and laboratory data for lipid metabolism in patients who had been on peritoneal dialysis (PD) or hemodialysis (HD) for 8 years and also in patients who had been on PD for 4 years followed by another 4 years on HD. We found that lipid metabolism was worse but that cardiovascular indices were more stable over time in PD patients than in HD patients. Mean blood pressure was also better maintained in PD patients. These results indicate that cardiovascular function can be maintained in PD patients over the long term, given that blood pressure is controlled even though dyslipidemia worsens.

We report a case of a 32-year-old woman with episodic right lower quadrant abdominal pain. With the diagnosis of either acute appendicitis or tubo-ovarian abscess, she was treated with antibiotics, which successfully relieved the pain and the inflammatory findings. She repeated the clinical condition a few times and antibiotics worked each time. In a year, her subjective symptoms became milder, however, a giant pelvic cyst appeared. She had an exploratory laparotomy to confirm this diagnosis. Histopathological studies revealed herniated appendiceal mucosa through the muscular layer associated with chronic inflammation and marked fibrosis. Gynecological disorders such as endometriosis or lutein cyst rupture was denied. These findings represent appendiceal diverticulitis. We discuss the clinical features of the disease and its relation with the pelvic pseudocyst.

Multiple organ failure (MOF), a clinical concept first reported by Tilney et al. [1], is a critical state in which the function of vital organs or physiological systems progressively or sequentially deteriorates during hemodialysis for patients with acute renal failure following surgery for a ruptured abdominal aneurysm. Baue [2], Eiseman et al. [3], Fry et al. [4], and others describe similar pathophysiological sequelae which appear in various critically ill patients, including subjects who have undergone gastrointestinal surgery. These authors coincidentally emphasize that most MOF cases are accompanied by severe bacterial infection and that the mortality of MOF is extremely high.