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Obesity and hypervolemic status are mainly one of causes of hypertension in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. However, it is difficult to assess these factors because changes in body weight (BW) in CKD patients are affected not only by muscle and fat, but also by fluid status. The objective of this study is to assess the relationship between blood pressure (BP) and body composition using dry mass index (DMI), which subtracts total body water ( TBW BIA ) from BW, and a ratio of TBW BIA to estimated TBW watson by anthropometric formula (Watson). In 40 randomly selected CKD patients, body composition and BP measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and by 24 hour ambulatory BP monitoring, respectively. Based on DMI and TBW BIA / TBW watson ratio, participants were categorized into 3 of obese, 15 of overweight, 21 of optimal weight, and one of underweight, or into 13 with hypovolemia, 19 with euvolemia, and 8 hypervolemia. DMI TBW BIA /TBW watson r p r p Daytime sBP -0.005 0.998 0.429 0.006 Night-time sBP -0.086 0.588 0.534 Non-dipping status 0.095 0.558 0.413 Ambulatory BP was associated with the ratio of TBW BIA to TBW watson . In conclusion, the ratio of TBW BIA to TBW watson is a reliable marker of fluid status, which is of practical use to assess cause of hypertension in CKD patients.

The surface area of mesothelial cells isolated from continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) effluent is useful for detecting peritoneal cell damage caused by dialysis. We developed and evaluated a simple and rapid method for measuring mesothelial cell area.CAPD effluents were centrifuged and Sternheimer stain was added to the sediments for mesothelial cell staining. Mesothelial cell area was measured by an optical microscope with an ocular micrometer. Mean mesothelial cell area was calculated from the diameters of 50 mesothelial cells using pir2. Peritoneal function was evaluated by the ratio of creatinine in the effluent to the blood (D/P Cre) in frequent and short time peritoneal equilibration test (fast PET).Measurement of the cell area was begun 5 minutes post staining when the mesothelial cells were stained red-purple. Mesothelial cell areas had a strong positive correlation with CAPD periods (r = 0.806, p0.0001) and a weak positive correlation with fast PET (D/P Cr) (r = 0.420, p0.05). Mesothelial cell area significantly increased with the use of acidic dialysate compared with neutral dialysate (279.8 + 10.5 im2 vs. 241.8 +/- 9.5 microm2, p = 0.0277).The mesothelial cell areas calculated by our method were similar to those calculated by the conventional method in dialysis periods and peritoneal function. Therefore this measurement method simply and rapidly detects changes in mesothelial cell area caused by CAPD.

A new Pt(II)-based metalloviologen analog, [PtCl(Mepytpy)](2+) (abbreviated as PV(2+); Mepytpy(+) = 4'-(4-methyl-pyridinio)-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine), was synthesized and its spectroscopic and electrochemical properties were investigated. The structures of Mepytpy(+) and PV(2+) were solved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Electrochemical studies in DMF (N,N-dimethylformamide) revealed that both the first and second reduction potentials of PV(2+) (E = -0.87 V vs. Fc/Fc(+) for PV(2+)/PV(+)˙; E = -1.31 V vs. Fc/Fc(+) for PV(+)˙/PV(0)) are nearly consistent with those of methylviologen (N,N'-dimetyl-4,4'-bipyridinium, MV(2+)) (E = -0.90 V vs. Fc/Fc(+) for MV(2+)/MV(+)˙; E = -1.28 V vs. Fc/Fc(+) for MV(+)˙/MV(0)), where the first reduction of PV(2+) is assigned as the reduction at the Mepytpy(+) ligand bound to the Pt(ii) ion. Upon the addition of a reducing agent Na(2)S(2)O(4) into an aqueous acetate buffer solution (pH = 5.0) of PV(2+), the generation of one-electron-reduced radical species (PV(+)˙) was spectrophotometrically observed and was assigned based on the time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations. The H(2)-evolving activity of PV(2+) was evaluated in the presence of a sacrificial electron donor (EDTA) in an aqueous acetate buffer solution (pH = 5.0). It was found that the stability of the metalloviologen PV(2+) during the photolysis is much higher than that of the parent compound [PtCl(tpy)](+).

Due to the profound shortage of suitable deceased allografts, much effort has been made to investigate whether successful kidney transplantation (KT) is possible across the ABO blood group barrier even for pediatric recipients.We reviewed 52 consecutive ABO incompatible (ABOic) transplantation performed between September 1989 and March 2011. The mean age at transplantation was 10.6 ± 3.9 years (range, 4.4-19.7), with 35 boys and 17 girls. The donor-to-recipient ABO blood antigen incompatibility was as follows: A1/O (n = 17); B/O (n = 13); A1/B (n = 6); B/A1 (n = 1); A1B/B (n = 9); and A1B/A (n = 6). As a control group, data were collected from 271 pediatric ABO compatible (ABOc) living donor KT in the same period.Overall acute rejection episodes (ARE) among the ABOic group were significantly higher than those of the ABOc group (44% vs 26%; P.02). However, there was no difference in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) at 1 year after transplantation: 86 ± 31 mL/min for ABOic vs 99 ± 37 mL/min for ABOic, respectively. The 1-y, 5-y, and 10-year patient survival rates were 98%, 92%, and 92% in the ABOic group, respectively, and 99%, 98%, and 97% in the ABOc group, respectively (P = not significant [NS]). The overall 1-, 5-, 10-, and 15-year graft survival rates were 94%, 88%, 86%, and 86% in the ABOic group, respectively, and 95%, 92%, 88%, and 78% in the ABOc group, respectively.ABOic KT provided long-term allograft and patient survivals equivalent to ABOc live donor transplantations.

The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)- angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang (1-7)]-MAS receptor (MAS) axis might act as a counter-regulatory system against the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)- angiotensin II (Ang II)-AT1 receptor (AT1) axis. We studied renal ACE/ACE2-Ang 1-7-MAS expression in human diabetic nephropathy. The subjects were 17 diabetic nephropathy (DN) patients, 17 healthy kidney donors, and 11 minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) patients as disease controls. Double immunofluorescent staining of kidney sections for ACE and ACE2, Ang 1-7 and ACE2, or MAS and ACE2 was performed, and the results were observed by confocal microscopy. For MAS, immunostaining, in situ hybridization, and RT-PCR were also performed. The percentage area that was positively immunostained for MAS and the intensity of the staining were evaluated by computerized imaging analysis. The median serum creatinine values of the DN patients, MCNS patients, and controls were 1.1 mg/dl, 0.8 mg/dl, and 0.8 mg/dl, respectively, and the median proteinuria values of the DN and MCNS patients were 3.7 g/day and 6.8 g/day, respectively. ACE2 was mainly detected in the proximal tubules, but was also found in the glomeruli in all subjects. ACE2 co-localized with ACE, Ang 1-7, and MAS in the proximal tubules. Compared with the other specimens, the diabetic patients’ proximal tubules displayed increased ACE and decreased ACE2 expression. Tubular Ang 1-7expression was downregulated in the DN patients compared with the controls and MCNS patients. Tubular MAS expression (density/pixel) was significantly (P

We wished to characterize MDL 28,133A (1-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-[4-[(4-methanesulfonamidophenyl)carbonyl]-1- piperidinyl-ethanone HCl), a potent 5-HT2 receptor antagonist, on platelet aggregation and platelet thrombosis and determined its effect on thrombolysis with streptokinase (SK) in dogs with coronary thrombosis. MDL 28,133A and ritanserin, 0.3-1 microM, competitively inhibited 5-HT-induced platelet aggregation in dog platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in vitro. The pA2 values and slopes were 6.29 +/- 0.09, -0.96 +/- 0.14, and 6.58 +/- 0.09, =1.64 +/- 0.34 for MDL 28,133A and ritanserin, respectively, suggesting that both agents are similar in potency to 5-HT2 receptor antagonists. MDL 28,133A (0.01 mg/kg, p.o.) produced inhibition of arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation in whole blood from conscious dogs ex vivo for > or = 2 h, indicating oral bioavailability. The magnitude and duration of the effect of MDL 28,133A on platelet aggregation in whole blood was similar to that of ketanserin (2.5 mg/kg, p.o.). MDL 28,133A (0.001-0.03 mg/kg, i.v.) completely abolished cyclic flow reductions (CFRs) in stenosed and partially deendothelialized left anterior descending coronary arteries of anesthetized dogs for at least 120 min without affecting systemic blood pressure (BP) and heart rate, thus indicating that MDL 28,133A is a potent antithrombotic agent. Ketanserin (0.5 mg/kg, i.v.) also abolished CFRs, but produced a significant decrease in systemic BP as well. MDL 28,133A (0.001 mg/kg, i.v.) shortened time to reperfusion (15 +/- 1 vs. 36 +/- 8 min), prolonged time to reocclusion (112 +/- 6 vs. 85 +/- 6 min), and increased total volume reflow (20 +/- 2 vs. 10 +/- 2%) in dogs with coronary artery thrombosis undergoing thrombolysis with SK (1,000 U/min, i.a.). Reocclusion rate was not affected by MDL 28,133A (4 of 5 vs. 4 of 6). Treatment with heparin (150 U/kg, i.v. every hour for 2 h) alone or in combination with MDL 28,133A did not improve time to reperfusion but enhanced total volume reflow and prevented reocclusion. MDL 28,133A is a potent 5-HT2 receptor antagonist that inhibits platelet thrombosis and facilitates thrombolysis in vivo. The impeding effect of MDL 28,133A in coronary thrombosis and the lack of hemodynamic effects suggests that MDL 28,133A may be of benefit in treatment of hyperthrombotic conditions without having hemodynamic side effects.

Photoirradiation on [Pd02(dppm)3] (dppm = bis(diphenylphosphino)methane) in 1,2-dichloroethane solution with visible light yields [PdI2Cl2(dppm)2] (2) and ethylene quantitatively. Irradiation of 2 in various solutions shows interesting photochromic behavior.

The Ru(V)==O species and other intermediates in O(2) evolution from water catalyzed by [Ru(terpy)(bpy)(OH(2))](2+) were spectrophotometrically characterized, and the spectral components observed were identified based on the TD-DFT calculations. Moreover, important insights into the rapid paths after the RDS were given by the DFT studies.

[Ru(terpy)(bpy)(OH2)]2+ and its analogues were found to be highly active as catalysts toward water oxidation in the presence of Ce4+ as an oxidizing reagent in acidic aqueous media. These findings were considered as a significant breakthrough in this field because there had been a long belief that the four-electron process (i.e., 2H2O→O2+4H++4e−) is much more effectively accelerated by dinuclear or tetranuclear metal complexes. The kinetics of O2 evolution is investigated as a function of either the catalyst concentration or the oxidant concentration, revealing that these catalysts can be classified into two groups exhibiting different rate laws for O2 evolution. Moreover, the singlet biradical character of the hydroxocerium(IV) ion is realized, indicating that the radical coupling of the oxygen atoms of a RuV=O species and a hydroxocerium(IV) ion is the key step for the catalysis. Several important insights into the mechanism of oxygen evolution from water catalyzed by the mononuclear aquaruthenium complexes will also be discussed.

Objectives. Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is important for peritoneal deterioration. We evaluated the association between peritoneal solute transport rate (PSTR) and effluent markers related to EMT with adjusted values for effluent cancer antigen 125 (CA125).Methods. One hundred five incident peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients on PD for 25 (12–68) months with biocompatible solutions were included in the study. Fast peritoneal equilibration test was used to evaluate PSTR. Effluent hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), bone morphogenic protein-7 (BMP-7), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and CA125 at 4 h were measured.Results. Patients with dialysate/plasma creatinine ≧0.82 showed significantly higher effluent HGF (240 versus 133 pg/mL, ), VEGF, IL-6, and IL6/CA125 levels than the others but no significant differences in effluent HGF/CA125, BMP-7, and BMP7/CA125 were observed.Conclusion. Increase in the effluent HGF levels as a compensatory mechanism is a marker of peritoneal deterioration, but controversy remains regarding adjusted value for CA125.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a type I membrane protein that antagonizes the action of angiotensin II. Because of the need for invasive kidney biopsy, little is known about the role of renal ACE2 in human kidney diseases. The authors studied if urinary ACE2 could provide a novel clue to renal ACE2 in chronic kidney disease (CKD).Subjects were 190 patients with CKD including 38 patients with diabetic nephropathy and 36 healthy subjects. Parameters were urinary ACE2 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, blood pressure, casual plasma glucose, proteinuria, microalbuminuria, serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Urine and serum samples were also subjected to western blotting of ACE2.Western blotting confirmed increased urinary ACE2 levels in patients with CKD. Urinary ACE2 was significantly higher in patients with CKD than healthy subjects (median 9.64 (interquartile range, 4.41-16.89) vs 1.50 (0.40-2.33) mg/g·creatinine, P0.001) and in patients with diabetic nephropathy than patients without diabetic nephropathy (median 13.16 (interquartile range 6.81-18.70) vs 8.90 (4.19-16.67) mg/g·creatinine, P0.05). No significant difference in urinary ACE2 was observed by the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker.Urinary ACE2 could be used as a non-invasive marker to understand the role of renal ACE2 in CKD.

Amidate-bridged diplatinum(II) entities [Pt(2)(bpy)(2)(μ-amidato)(2)](2+) (amidate = pivalamidate and/or benzamidate; bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) were covalently linked to one or two Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)-type derivatives. An amide group was introduced at the periphery of Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) derivatives to give metalloamide precursors [Ru(bpy)(2)(BnH)](2+) (abbreviated as RuBnH, n = 1 and 2), where deprotonation of amide BnH affords the corresponding amidate Bn, B1H = 4-(4-carbamoylphenyl)-2,2'-bipyridine, and B2H = ethyl 4'-[N-(4-carbamoylphenyl)carbamoyl]-2,2'-bipyridine-4-carboxylate. From a 1:1:1 reaction of [Pt(2)(bpy)(2)(μ-OH)(2)](NO(3))(2), RuBnH, and pivalamide, trinuclear complexes [Pt(2)(bpy)(2)(μ-RuBn)(μ-pivalamidato)](4+) (abbreviated as RuBn-Pt(2)) were isolated and characterized. Tetranuclear complexes [Pt(2)(bpy)(2)(μ-RuBn)(2)](6+) (abbreviated as (RuBn)(2)-Pt(2)) were separately prepared and characterized in detail. The quenching of the triplet excited state of the Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) derivative (i.e., Ru*(bpy)(3)(2+)) upon tethering the Pt(2)(bpy)(2)(μ-amidato)(2)(2+) moiety is strongly enhanced in RuB1-Pt(2) and (RuB1)(2)-Pt(2), while it is only slightly enhanced in RuB2-Pt(2) and (RuB2)(2)-Pt(2). These are partly explained by the driving forces for the electron transfer from the Ru*(bpy)(3)(2+) moiety to the Pt(2)(bpy)(2)(μ-amidato)(2)(2+) moiety (ΔG°(ET)); the ΔG°(ET) values for RuB1-Pt(2), (RuB1)(2)-Pt(2), RuB2-Pt(2), and (RuB2)(2)-Pt(2) are estimated as -0.01, 0.00, +0.22, and +0.28 eV, respectively. The considerable difference in the photochemical properties of the B1- and B2-bridged systems were further examined based on the emission decay and transient absorption measurements, which gave results consistent with the above conclusions.

To investigate the factors influencing the formation of intermolecular Au···NC interactions between [Au(CN)(4)](-) units, a series of [cation](n+)[Au(CN)(4)](n) double salts was synthesized, structurally characterized and probed by IR and (15)N{(1)H} CP-MAS NMR spectroscopy. Thus, [(n)Bu(4)N][Au(CN)(4)], [AsPh(4)][Au(CN)(4)], [N(PPh(3))(2)][Au(CN)(4)], [Co(1,10-phenanthroline)(3)][Au(CN)(4)](2), and [Mn(2,2';6',2''-terpyridine)(2)][Au(CN)(4)](2) show [Au(CN)(4)](-) anions that are well-separated from one another; no Au-Au or Au···NC interactions are present. trans-[Co(1,2-diaminoethane)(2)Cl(2)][Au(CN)(4)] forms a supramolecular structure, where trans-[Co(en)(2)Cl(2)](+) and [Au(CN)(4)](-) ions are found in separate layers connected by Au-CN···H-N hydrogen-bonding; weak Au···NC coordinate bonds complete octahedral Au(III) centers, and support a 2-D (4,4) network motif of [Au(CN)(4)](-)-units. A similar structure-type is formed by [Co(NH(3))(6)][Au(CN)(4)](3)·(H(2)O)(4). In [Ni(1,2-diaminoethane)(3)][Au(CN)(4)](2), intermolecular Au···NC interactions facilitate formation of 1-D chains of [Au(CN)(4)](-) anions in the supramolecular structure, which are separated from one another by [Ni(en)(3)](2+) cations. In [1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane-H][Au(CN)(4)], the monoprotonated amine cation forms a hydrogen-bond to the [Au(CN)(4)](-) unit on one side, while coordinating to the axial sites of the gold(III) center through the unprotonated amine on the other, thereby generating a 2-D (4,4) net of cations and anions; an additional, uncoordinated [Au(CN)(4)](-)-unit lies in the central space of each grid. This body of structural data indicates that cations with hydrogen-bonding groups can induce intermolecular Au···NC interactions, while the cationic charge, shape, size, and aromaticity have little effect. While the ν(CN) values are poor indicators of the presence or absence of N-cyano bridging between [Au(CN)(4)](-)-units (partly because of the very low intensity of the observed bands), (15)N{(1)H} CP-MAS NMR reveals well-defined, ordered cyanide groups in the six diamagnetic compounds with chemical shifts between 250 and 275 ppm; the resonances between 260 and 275 ppm can be assigned to C-bound terminal ligands, while those subject to CN···H-N bonding resonate lower, around 250-257 ppm. The (15)N chemical shift also correlates with the intermolecular Au···N distances: the shortest Au-N distances also shift the (15)N peak to lower frequency. This provides a real, spectroscopically measurable electronic effect associated with the crystallographic observation of intermolecular Au···NC interactions, thereby lending support for their viability.

Despite the high prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the general population, few CKD patients progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Adding the criterion of proteinuria to the CKD classification could improve screening and therapeutic strategies.We analyzed data from 5122 inpatients who were admitted to our hospital from 2002 to 2003 to survey prevalence of kidney insufficiency, renal survival, mortality, and blood pressure during hospitalization.Among 999 (19.5%) patients with proteinuria of 2+ or more or eGFR under 60 (mL/min/1.73 m(2)), 56 (9.0%; 95% CI, 6.7-11.4) patients progressed to ESRD (false positive (FP) rate: 18.6%; likelihood ratio (LR): 5.28) and 246 (28.4%; 95% CI, 25.3-31.5) patients died at 5 years. Restricting the focus to patients with proteinuria of 2+ or more or eGFR under 30 reduced the optimal participants by 12.0%, identified 48 (12.4%; 95% CI, 9.0-15.8) patients progressing to ESRD with rising predictive power (FP rate: 11.2%; LR: 7.52) and 162 (29.6%; 95% CI, 25.6-33.5) patients died. The predictors for ESRD were the baseline kidney dysfunction with higher levels of proteinuria, hypertension, and older age. The predictors for death were proteinuria, hypotension, older age, and male. The risk for ESRD differed by levels of proteinuria even though eGFR were in the same levels. In the older CKD inpatients with fewer levels of proteinuria, mortality was raised rather than the rate of the progression to ESRD.Reappraisal by combining proteinuria and eGFR improves prediction of ESRD or death.

The solution properties of α-pyrrolidonate-bridged dinuclear and tetranuclear platinum complexes are described. The general formula of the compounds is [Pt2(NH3)4(C4H6NO)2]nm+, where C4H6NO=deprotonated α-pyrrolidone, n=1 or 2, m=2–4 per dimer unit. The charge m depends on the average Pt oxidation state in the range 2.0–3.0 (the complex takes the four oxidation states PtII2, PtII3PtIII, PtII2PtIII2, and PtIII2). The behavior of the mixed- valent tetranuclear platinum complex[PtIIPtIII(NH3)4(C4H6NO)2]26+ (n=2,m=6) in aqueous media was investigated by means of UV-Vis and 1H NMR spectroscopy. It was shown that [PtIIPtIII(NH3)4(C4H6NO)2]26+ undergoes a rapid disproportionation cleavage into the dinuclear complexes [PtII2(NH3)4(C4H6NO)2]2+ (n=1, m=2) and [PtIII2(NH3)4(C4H6NO)2LL′]4+ (n=1, m=4; L, L′ are axial ligands). It was also found that the reaction is a reversible process and the equilibrium is largely shifted to the side of the dimers. A 1H NMR study on the solution of [PtIIPtIII(NH3)4(C4H6NO)2]26+ confirms the formation of the two dimers in the molar ratio of c. 1:1. An equilibrium study on the axial ligand substitution of [PtIII2(NH3)4(C4H6NO)2(H2O)2]4+ shows the existence of three different chemical species, diaqua-, aqua-sulfato- and disulfato-coordinated PtIII2 dimers, in aqueous sulfuric acid solution. The study also confirms that the disproportionation cleavage of [PtIIPtIII(NH3)4(C4H6NO)2]26+ in aqueous sulfuric acid solution produces these PtIII2 dimers.

An X-ray crystal structure determination has been carried out on a free macrobicyclic ligand pytren (1,4,12,15,18,26,31,39,42,43,44,-undeca-azapentacyclo-[13.13.13.16,10.120,24.133,37]-tetratetraconta-4,6(42),7,9,11,18,20(43),21,23,25,31,33(44),34,36,38-pentadecane). It shows a different conformation from its Ba complex for direction of lone pairs of the six imine nitrogen atoms. Addition of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) to the acetonitrile solution of the Ba complex causes the conformational change of pytren ligand and driving out of the Ba ion from the cavity due to interactions of the complex with DMSO.

A case of asplenia syndrome associated with abnormal defect of the mesentery of the small intestine in a 67-year-old female is reported. The patients was seen at the clinic because of sudden onset of severe abdominal pain and vomiting. After admission, emergency X-rays, CT scan, cardioechogram and laboratory studies suggested strangulation ileus coexisisted with asplenic syndrome without cardiovascular anomalies, and then emergency laparotomy was carried out. The operation revealed strangulation ileus secondary to intraabdominal hernia through abnormal defect of the mesentery of the small intestine, in addition to various anomalies of asplenic syndrome which were agenesis of the spleen, the stomach and duodenum located on the right side, isomerism of the liver, and the gallbladder located in the middle line. The present case is very rare that has abnormal defect of the mesentery as well as usual anomalies of asplenic syndrome and can survive for a long term because of abscense of fatal cardiovascular anomalies. However, the most patients with asplenic syndromes are usually complicated with serious cardiovascular malformations and situs inversus, and cosequently die during the first year of life.

A new macrocyclic ligand and the binuclear palladium(II) complex of the ligand have been prepared and characterized. The two 2,6-bis(diaminomethyl)phenyl units coordinate to the Pd(II) centers with N,C,N donor atoms. Two conformational isomers of the complex were isolated and characterized by X-ray and NMR.

Salt intake not only elevates the levels of blood pressure, glomerular capillary pressure and proteinuria, but also increases oxidative stress within the renal cortex in animal models. We examined the effect of salt intake on the rate of renal function decline, urinary protein and oxidative stress in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).Clinical data including systolic blood pressure (SBP)and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), serum creatinine, uric acid, total cholesterol, triglyceride, urinary protein, salt intake, protein intake of non-diabetic CKD 53 patients were observed for one year. At the end of the observation period, we measured 8-hydroxydeoxy guanosine (8-OHdG) in spot urine. We calculated the slope of reciprocal serum creatinine as the rate of renal function decline (delta1/Cr). We then investigated the relationship between those clinical factors and delta1/Cr, and urinary 8-OHdG, and also selected clinical factors that significantly influence delta1/Cr and urinary 8-OHdG by stepwise multiple regression analysis. In addition, we investigated the gender difference in urinary 8-OHdG.Annual mean SBP and DBP of all patients were 121.5 +/- 9.3 mmHg and 72.5+/- 6.2 mmHg, respectively. delta1/Cr was negatively correlated with salt intake, urinary protein and urinary protein was a significant predictor of delta1/Cr in a multiple regression analysis. Salt intake was positively correlated with protein intake and urinary protein. Urinary 8-OHdG of all patients was positively correlated with urinary protein and it was a significant predictor. Urinary 8-OHdG of male patients was positively correlated with salt intake and was a significant predictor; in female patients, it was positively correlated with urinary protein and total cholesterol and these two factors were significant predictors.Salt intake increases urinary protein and promotes the progression of renal failure in CKD patients.

A series of dinuclear Rh(II) complexes, [Rh(2)(μ-OAc)(4)(H(2)O)(2)] (HOAc = acetic acid) (1), [Rh(2)(μ-gly)(4)(H(2)O)(2)] (Hgly = glycolic acid) (2), [Rh(2)(μ-CF(3)CO(2))(4)(acetone)(2)] (3), and [Rh(2)(bpy)(2)(μ-OAc)(2)(OAc)(2)] (4), were found to serve as H(2)-evolving catalysts in a three-component system consisting of tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)), methylviologen (MV(2+)), and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt (EDTA). It was also confirmed that thermal reduction of water into H(2) by MV(+)˙, in situ generated by the bulk electrolysis of MV(2+), is effectively promoted by 1 as a H(2)-evolving catalyst. The absorption spectra of the photolysis solution during the photocatalysis were monitored up to 6 h to reveal that the formation of photochemical or thermal byproducts of MV(+)˙ is dramatically retarded in the presence of the Rh(II)(2) catalysts, for the H(2) formation rather than the decomposition of MV(+)˙ becomes predominant in the presence of the Rh(II)(2) catalysts. The stability of the Rh(II)(2) dimers was confirmed by absorption spectroscopy, (1)H NMR, and ESI-TOF mass spectroscopy. The results indicated that neither elimination nor replacement of the equatorial ligands take place during the photolysis, revealing that one of the axial sites of the Rh(2) core is responsible for the hydrogenic activation. The quenching of Ru*(bpy)(3)(2+) by 1 was also investigated by luminescence spectroscopy. The rate of H(2) evolution was found to decrease upon increasing the concentration of 1, indicating that the quenching of Ru*(bpy)(3)(2+) by the Rh(ii)(2) species rather than by MV(2+) becomes predominant at the higher concentrations of 1. The DFT calculations were carried out for several possible reaction paths proposed (e.g., [Rh(II)(2)(μ-OAc)(4)(H(2)O)] + H(+) and [Rh(II)(2)(μ-OAc)(4)(H(2)O)] + H(+) + e(-)). It is suggested that the initial step is a proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) to the Rh(II)(2) dimer leading to the formation of a Rh(II)Rh(III)-H intermediate. The H(2) evolution step is suggested to proceed either via the transfer of another set of H(+) and e(-) to the Rh(II)Rh(III)-H intermediate or via the homolytic radical coupling through the interaction of two Rh(II)Rh(III)-H intermediates.

Supramolecular photosynthetic systems made up of the [Ir(ppy)(2)(bpy)](+) and [Co(bpy)(3)](2+) cores (ppy = 2-phenylpyridinate, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) are in situ self-assembled in aqueous media to generate H(2) upon visible light irradiation, where one of them recorded a relatively high turnover number of 20.

The mechanism of O(2) evolution from water catalyzed by a series of mononuclear aquaruthenium complexes, [Ru(terpy)(bpy)(OH(2))](2+), [Ru(tmtacn)(R(2)bpy)(OH(2))](2+) (R=H, Me, and OMe; R(2)bpy=4,4'-disubstituted-2,2'-bipyridines), and [Ru(tpzm)(R(2)bpy)(OH(2))](2+) (R=H, Me, and OMe), is investigated, where terpy=2,2':6',2''-terpyridine, bpy=2,2'-bipyridine, tmtacn=1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane, and tpzm=tris(1-pyrazolyl)methane. The kinetics of O(2) evolution is investigated as a function of either the catalyst concentration or the oxidant concentration by employing Ce(NH(4))(2)(NO(3))(6) as an oxidant; these catalysts can be classified into two groups that have different rate laws for O(2) evolution. In one class, the rate of O(2) evolution is linear to both the catalyst and Ce(4+) concentrations, as briefly reported for [Ru(terpy)(bpy)(OH(2))](2+) (S. Masaoka, K. Sakai, Chem. Lett. 2009, 38, 182). For the other class, [Ru(tmtacn)(R(2)bpy)(OH(2))](2+), the rate of O(2) evolution is quadratic to the catalyst concentration and independent of the Ce(4+) concentration. Moreover, the singlet biradical character of the hydroxocerium(IV) ion was realized by experimental and DFT investigations. These results indicate that the radical coupling between the oxygen atoms of a Ru(V)=O species and a hydroxocerium(IV) ion is the key step for the catalysis of [Ru(terpy)(bpy)(OH(2))](2+) and [Ru(tpzm)(R(2)bpy)(OH(2))](2+), while the well-known oxo-oxo radical coupling among two Ru(V)=O species proceeds in the catalysis of [Ru(tmtacn)(R(2)bpy)(OH(2))](2+). This is the first report demonstrating that the radical character provided by the hydroxocerium(IV) ion plays a crucial role in the catalysis of such ruthenium complexes in the evolution of O(2) from water.

Pseudogem-DPIM-DPI[2.2]PC dimer (3), with a C−N bond between the [2.2]paracyclophane ([2.2]PC) moiety and the imidazole ring, was synthesized. This is the first crystallographic observation of a highly sterically constrained 1-ene-2,5-cyclohexadiene structure for a [2.2]PC derivative. Compound 3 shows a photochromic behavior, exhibiting a color change from pale yellow to green upon either UV or visible light irradiation, both in the solid state and in solution at room temperature.

Three new [PtCl(2)(bpy)] derivatives tethered to 2, 4, and 6 dicationic viologen moieties, [PtCl(2)(MV2)](4+) (1), [PtCl(2)(MV4)](8+) (2), and [PtCl(2)(MV6)](12+) (3), have been synthesized (MV2(4+)=5-ethoxycarbamoyl-5'-(N-R(1)-carbamoyl)-2,2'-bipyridine, MV4(8+)=5,5'-bis(N-R(1)-carbamoyl)-2,2'-bipyridine, and MV6(12+)=5,5'-bis(N-R(2)-carbamoyl)-2,2'-bipyridine, in which R(1)=Asp(NH-VG)-NH-VG, R(2)=Asp(NH-VG)-Asp(NH-VG)-NH-VG, and VG=-(CH(2))(2)-(+)NC(5)H(4)-C(5)H(4)N(+)-CH(3)). In spite of the higher charge storage capacity of 2 and 3 due to the higher number of acceptor groups (VG groups), compound 1 with the lowest number of VG tethers has turned out to exhibit an outstanding catalytic performance towards the hydrogen evolution from water. Quantitative analysis of UV/Vis-NIR absorption spectral changes during the photolysis for 2 and 3 reveal that approximately 2 electrons per molecule are stored over the acceptor groups during the photolysis, and the storage events saturate after 20 min. As for 1, the total number of electrons stored per molecule increases once during the initial 10 min and then abruptly decreases down to around 0.1 electrons per molecule at 20 min, during which the storage is maximized at 10-20 min with 0.6-0.7 electrons stored per molecule, thereby indicating that the rates of radical formation and consumption are balanced during the photochemical hydrogen evolution reaction. The electrical conductivity measurements reveal that ion-pair adducts (adducts with PF(6)(-) ions in solution) are formed by 2 and 3 but are not given by 1 under the catalysis conditions. These, together with the results of molecular mechanics calculations, reveal that stack of two [PtCl(2)(bpy)] units becomes unfavorable as the number of sterically bulky and highly charged VG units per molecule increases. We have therefore concluded that dimerization that leads to the formation of a Pt-Pt association is a key step in the effective catalytic enhancement with [PtCl(2)(bpy)]-type catalysts.

Chiral cyclic (6- or 7-membered ring) diols were found to be excellent chiral auxiliaries for asymmetric alkylation of cyclic (or acyclic) β-keto esters.

The mechanism of photoinduced hydrogen evolution from water driven by the first photo-hydrogen-evolving molecular catalyst (1), given by a coupling of [Ru(bpy)(2)(5-amino-phen)](2+) and [PtCl(2)(4,4'-dicarboxy-bpy)] (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), was investigated in detail. The H(2) evolution rate was found to obey Michaelis-Menten enzymatic kinetics with regard to the concentration of EDTA (ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid disodium salt, sacrificial electron donor), which indicates that an ion-pair formation between the dicationic 1 and the dianionic form of EDTA (pH 5) is a key step leading to H(2) formation. A 2:1 coupling product of 1 and ethylenediamine (i.e., a {Ru(II) (2)Pt(II) (2)} complex 2) was found to show significantly higher photo-hydrogen-evolving (PHE) activity than 1, which revealed the validity of the bimolecular activation proposed in our previous study. The PHE activity of 2 was also observed to be linear to the concentration of 2, which indicates that H(2) formation through the intermolecular path competes with the intramolecular path. Molecular orbital diagrams, conformational features, and PtH(water or acetic acid) hydrogen bonds were characterized by DFT calculations.

We discuss a renal transplant patient with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) treated with plasma exchange and rituximab. A 45-yr-old woman underwent cadaveric renal transplantation in May 2008. She had started hemodialysis support in 1991. Immediately after transplantation, massive proteinuria (1-5 g/d) appeared. Graft biopsy at one h showed minor glomerular abnormalities with partial foot process effacement on electric microscopy. Protocol biopsy at three months after transplantation for persistent proteinuria showed obvious FSGS under light microscopy. Plasma exchange and rituximab administration were subsequently initiated in August 2008, and proteinuria disappeared within a month after starting these treatments. Protocol graft biopsy one yr after transplantation (2009) showed increased global sclerosis and a decrease in segmental sclerosis. In addition, foot process effacement had recovered by one yr after transplantation. Plasma exchange and subsequent rituximab administration led to clinical remission of post-transplant FSGS with improvement in podocyte structure. Rituximab should be considered soon after several sessions of plasmapheresis in transplant patients with recurrent FSGS.

Photochemical reactions of the binuclear palladium(0) complex [Pd2(dppm)3] with organic halides yield palladium(I) dihalogeno complexes with irradiation of visible light. Photooxidation of alcohols was observed for ethanol and 2-propanol with the palladium complex. Photophysical and quenching properties of a chiral [Pt(BINAP)2] complex (BINAP = RR- or SS-2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1′-binaphthyl) were studied. The emitting MLCT excited state has a long lifetime. Photochemical reactions of [Pt(BINAP)2] with organic halides cause halogen abstraction. Atom and electron transfer may be candidates for the initial stage of the photoreaction. The mechanism of the photoreaction is discussed with the quenching data.

Three 5,5'-disubstituted-2,2'-bipyridine ligands tethered to l-Asp-based peptide backbones having pendant viologen-modified branches, i.e., 5-ethoxycarbonyl-5'-(N-G(1)-carbamoyl)-2,2'-bipyridine ((4+)), 5,5'-bis(N-G(1)-carbamoyl)-2,2'-bipyridine ((8+)), and 5,5'-bis(N-G(2)-carbamoyl)-2,2'-bipyridine ((12+)), were prepared, where G(1) = Asp(NHG(3))-NHG(3), G(2) = Asp(NHG(3))-Asp(NHG(3))-NHG(3), and G(3) = -(CH(2))(2)-(+)NC(5)H(4)-C(5)H(4)N(+)-CH(3), i.e., 2-(1'-methyl-4,4'-bipyridinediium-1-yl)ethyl. These were reacted with cis-Ru(bpy)(2)Cl(2) to give three new dyads [Ru(bpy)(2)()](6+) ((6+)), [Ru(bpy)(2)()](10+) ((10+)), and [Ru(bpy)(2)()](14+) ((14+)), respectively, where bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine. All these dyads undergo extremely efficient intramolecular quenching leading to the formation of charge separated (CS) states (Ru(III)-MV(+) ), and display a triple exponential decay due to the presence of three classes of conformers with each exhibiting the individual rate of electron transfer. The lifetimes (contributions) were determined as 12.5 ps (94.2%), 791 ps (4.5%), and 18.3 ns (1.2%) for , 82.2 ps (79.9%), 1.12 ns (12.4%), and 4.60 ns (7.7%) for , and 43.6 ps (71.6%), 593 ps (20.2%), and 3.75 ns (8.1%) for . The forward electron transfer rate constants (k(ET)) for the major components were calculated as k(ET) = 8.3 x 10(10) s(-1) for , k(ET) = 1.2 x 10(10) s(-1) for , and k(ET) = 2.3 x 10(10) s(-1) for . Further, the lifetimes and quantum yields of charge separated states were determined as tau(CS) = 16 +/- 3 ns and Phi(CS) = 0.81 for , tau(CS) = 20 +/- 3 ns and Phi(CS) = 0.92 for , and tau(CS) = 20 +/- 3 ns and Phi(CS) = 0.64 for . The backward electron transfer rate constants (k(BET)) were also determined as 6.3 x 10(7), 5.0 x 10(7), and 5.0 x 10(7) s(-1) for , , and , respectively. From the analysis of electrical conductivity, the major ion-pair adducts in aqueous media were characterized as (PF(6))(5+) (52%) for , (PF(6))(2)(8+) (29%) and (PF(6))(3)(7+) (32%) for , and (PF(6))(3)(11+) (27%) and (PF(6))(4)(10+) (29%) for , at a total complex concentration of 0.04 mM. The present family is found to be the first example of a Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)-MV(2+) system in which three orders of magnitude of difference is achieved between the forward and backward electron transfer rate constants. These dyads were finally combined with a Pt(ii)-based H(2)-evolving catalyst, i.e., cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(ii), to ascertain the applicability of the system towards the visible light-induced water splitting processes.

New mononuclear metal-cage complexes of a macrobicyclic ligand, pytren (metal = Ba(II), K(I), and Cs(I) and pytren = 1,4,12,15,18,26,31,39,42,43,44-undeca-azapentacyclo[13.13.13.16,10.120,24.133,37]tetratetraconta-4,6(42),7,9,11,18,20(43),21,23,25,31,33(44),34,36,38-pentadecaene), were prepared and characterized including the crystal structure analysis of [Ba(pytren)](B(C6H5)4)2.

Chiral cyclic (6- or 7-membered ring) diols were found to be excellent chiral auxiliaries for asymmetric alkylation of cyclic (or acyclic) β-keto esters.

Mononuclear metal complexes of a hexaimino cryptand containing three naphthyl groups have been prepared and the structure of the copper(I) complex was determined by X-ray diffraction. The complexes show acceleration of hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl phosphate ester.

Background: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)2 forms angiotensin-1–7 which may protect kidney in a counterregulatory manner to angiotensin II. Recent studies revealed increased ACE and decreased ACE2 expression in kidneys of patients with diabetic nephropathy. However, these changes may not be specific for diabetic nephropathy. We studied ACE and ACE2 expression in patients with IgA nephropathy. Methods: Renal ACE and ACE2 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization in 30 patients with IgA nephropathy and 21 healthy controls. Correlation between ACE and ACE2 expression and levels of various biochemical parameters was also assessed. Gene expression was also assessed in minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) and membranous nephropathy (MN) as disease controls. Results: Reduced ACE2 expression (p < 0.01) and increased ACE expression in glomeruli (p < 0.001), and reduced ACE2 expression in tubulointerstitium (p < 0.001) were observed in patients with IgA nephropathy compared to healthy controls, although the changes in ACE2 mRNA were not statistically significant. Reduced renal ACE2 expression was also found in MN but not in MCNS. Correlation between renal ACE and ACE2 expression and proteinuria was not observed in IgA nephropathy. Conclusion: IgA nephropathy is associated with increased ACE and decreased ACE2 expression in kidneys, as in diabetic nephropathy.

The one-electron-reduced form of methylviologen (MV(+*)), generated in situ by bulk electrolysis of methylviologen (MV(2+)), was for the first time reacted with various Pt(II) complexes in aqueous media without light irradiation to reveal that thermal reduction of water into molecular hydrogen is indeed highly promoted by the Pt(II)-based molecular catalysts.

Background: Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are involved in peritoneal deterioration in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. The present study was designed to determine whether new peritoneal dialysis solutions (PDS), pyridoxamine (advanced glycation end products (AGE) inhibitor) or AT1 receptor blocker (ARB), affect the expression of VEGF and TGF-β1 in rat peritoneal mesothelial cells (RPMC). Methods: RPMC were stimulated by phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) as control, Dianeal 1.5% (D 1.5%), Dianeal 2.5% (D 2.5%), Dianeal 4.25% (D 4.25%), Dianeal N 1.5% (N 1.5%), Dianeal N 2.5% (N 2.5%) or Extraneal (Ex). In co-incubation experiments, RPMC were stimulated with N 2.5% including pyridoxamine or olmesartan (ARB). VEGF and TGF-β1 protein and mRNA expression in RPMC were analyzed by ELISA and RT-PCR. Results: Glucose-containing PDS, even N 2.5% diluted twofold with M199 (which contains 1.25% glucose), increased VEGF and TGF-β1 expression in RPMC (p < 0.05). Ex did not inhibit VEGF expression and did not inhibit TGF- β1 expression after 24 h in RPMC. Pyridoxamine and ARB significantly reduced N 2.5%-induced VEGF and TGF-β1 protein and mRNA expression in RPMC (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Neither new pH-neutral, lactate-buffered, low-GDP, two-chamber bag PDS, nor 7.5% icodextrin PDS alone satisfactorily inhibited VEGF and TGF-β1 overproduction in RPMC, but ARB or pyridoxamine effectively inhibited glucose-containing PDS (N 2.5%)-induced overproduction.