Kidney lesions and risk of cardiovascular events in biopsy-proven diabetic kidney disease with type 2 diabetes.

Background: This study assessed the association of pathological kidney lesions with cardiovascular events in biopsy-proven diabetic kidney disease (DKD) with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: This multicenter, retrospective study involved 244 patients with no previous cardiovascular events before biopsy, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥ 30 mL/min/1.73 m at biopsy (baseline), and ≥ 1 year of observation after biopsy.

Identification of circulating microbial DNA and its association with kidney function in patients with diabetic kidney disease.

Aim: Recently, substantial studies have been accumulated to indicate the important role of gut microbiota in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). The abnormal change of bacterial-derived products could imply specific injuries or play beneficial or harmful roles in DKD progression. In this study, we examined the presence and contribution of the Klebsiella oxytoca gene in the circulation of patients with DKD.

Autotaxin concentrations in peritoneal dialysis effluent reflect peritoneal function.

Introduction: Peritoneal equilibration test (PET) has been used to monitor peritoneal function. A more convenient marker would be useful in clinical situations including home medical care. Autotaxin is known to leak into the interstitium as vascular permeability increases during the progression of tissue fibrosis.

Effects of d-alanine Intake on Amino Acid Metabolism and Kidney Function in Healthy Adults: A Multicenter, Randomized Pilot Study.

Background: d-alanine administration prevented kidney damage in a murine acute kidney injury model. Further data are needed on the influence of d-alanine on kidney function in humans.

Objective: This study investigated the effects of d-alanine intake on amino acid metabolism and kidney function in healthy volunteers.

Myocardin-related transcription factor contributes to renal fibrosis through the regulation of extracellular microenvironment surrounding fibroblasts.

Fibroblast accumulation and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition are common critical steps for the progression of organ fibrosis, but the precise molecular mechanisms remain to be fully investigated. We have previously demonstrated that lysophosphatidic acid contributes to organ fibrosis through the production of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) via actin cytoskeleton-dependent signaling, myocardin-related transcription factor family (MRTF) consisting of MRTF-A and MRTF-B-serum response factor (SRF) pathway. In this study, we investigated the role of the MRTF-SRF pathway in the development of renal fibrosis, focusing on the regulation of ECM-focal adhesions (FA) in renal fibroblasts.

Trehalose ameliorates peritoneal fibrosis by promoting Snail degradation and inhibiting mesothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in mesothelial cells.

Peritoneal fibrosis (PF) is a severe complication of peritoneal dialysis, but there are few effective therapies for it. Recent studies have revealed a new biological function of trehalose as an autophagy inducer. Thus far, there are few reports regarding the therapeutic effects of trehalose on fibrotic diseases.

Factors related to dementia patients' length of day-care clinic attendance.

Background: In our previous study, we reported that patients using a day-care clinic for less than 1 year were older than those who continued day-care activities for more than 1 year. We found that dementia symptoms, as assessed by caregivers using the initial Assessment Scale for Symptoms of Dementia score, influenced the length of day-care clinic attendance (LDC). However, these results were obtained by univariate analysis.

[BPSD from the Perspective of the New Orange Plan].

I have discussed BPSD, especially who should treat BPSD and who can treat them, from the viewpoint of the New Orange Plan. It is desirable for all the doctors to have extensive knowledge about dementia and engage in treatment in cooperation with other departments and, more comprehensively, with nursing-care insurance fields. During the period when a patient has mild BPSD and the burden on caretakers is light, it is possible for his or her family doctor to treat BPSD.

Factors related to day-care clinic outcomes for dementia patients: differences between hospitalization in the dementia ward and institutionalization.

Background: Few reports have investigated factors related to the outcomes of day-care attendance. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the factors related to the outcomes of patients who attended day-care clinics, with special attention to the differences between hospitalization in the dementia ward and institutionalization.

Methods: We analyzed data from 333 patients in consecutive cases who attended day care between 1 April 2000 and 31 March 2010 and then followed them until 31 March 2011.

Longitudinal study of the cognitive, behavioral and physical status of day care service users with dementia: factors associated with long-term day care use.

Aim: The aim of the present retrospective study was to investigate the time-courses of the cognitive, behavioral and physical status of day care service users with dementia, and to determine the factors associated with the long-term use of day care in order to aid the development of better interventions.

Methods: We analyzed the data of 162 consecutive patients who attended our day care clinic for 1 year or more between 1 April 2000 and 31 March 2010. The patients were divided into three groups according to the length of their day care attendance (the 1-year, 3-year and 5-year groups).

Factors related to readmission to a ward for dementia patients: sex differences.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the factors related to readmission to a ward for dementia patients with special attention to sex-related issues.

Methods: We reviewed the data of 326 patients who were hospitalized in a ward for dementia patients between 1 April 2000 and 31 March 2008, and followed up for 24 months after discharge. For univariate and multivariate analyses, patients were divided into: (i) patients who were not readmitted to our ward within 24 months (control); (ii) patients who were readmitted to our ward within 3 months (early readmission); and (iii) patients readmitted within 4 to 24 months (late readmission).

Predictors of length of stay in a ward for demented elderly: gender differences.

Background: In our previous studies, we found both gender differences among care recipients and predictors that influenced outcomes after discharge from a ward for demented elderly. Here, we investigate predictors that influence the length of stay for each sex.

Methods: We studied the data of 390 patients with dementia who were hospitalized in a ward for demented elderly between 1 April 2000 and 31 March 2008, and treated until 31 March 2009.

Predictors of outcomes from a ward for demented elderly: gender differences.

Background: In a previous study, we found gender differences among care recipients and suggested that elderly women living alone have difficulty receiving care from their families. We investigated the gender differences among predictors which influenced outcomes after discharge from a ward for treatment of demented elderly with severe psychotic symptoms.

Methods: We enrolled the data of 325 patients with dementia who were hospitalized between 1 April 2000 and 31 March 2007, and discharged by 31 March 2008.