Separation of the diastereomers of phosphorothioated siRNAs by anion-exchange chromatography under non-denaturing conditions.

In recent years, several small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapeutics have been approved, and most of them are phosphorothioate (PS)-modified for improving nuclease resistance. This chemical modification induces chirality in the phosphorus atom, leading to the formation of diastereomers. Recent studies have revealed that Sp and Rp configurations of PS modifications of siRNAs have different biological properties, such as nuclease resistance and RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) loading.

Retention behavior of short double-stranded oligonucleotide and its potential impurities by anion-exchange chromatography under non-denaturing conditions.

Small interfering RNA (siRNA), consisting of two complementary single-stranded RNAs with overhanging bases, is being adopted as a potent and specific inhibitor of target gene expression. However, non-duplexed single strands and undesired double strands composed of impurities (e.g.

Successful Use of Higher-Dose Etanercept for Multirefractory Systemic Flare of Adult-Onset Still's Disease with Liver Failure with No Response to Tocilizumab Therapy.

A 21-year-old woman with refractory systemic flare of adult-onset Still's disease with liver failure despite high-dose corticosteroids, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, and tocilizumab, was successfully treated with additional use of etanercept. Etanercept at a dose of 50 mg weekly was partially effective but could not reduce the dose of concomitant betamethasone from 5 mg/day. Etanercept at a dose of 75 mg weekly could lead her to clinical remission and enabled successful tapering off the corticosteroids and discontinuation of etanercept.

Circadian rhythm of urinary potassium excretion in patients with CKD.

Aims: We previously reported in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) that the circadian rhythms of blood pressure (BP) and urinary sodium excretion were both impaired into non-dipper pattern as renal function deteriorated. However, the circadian rhythm of urinary potassium excretion has not been studied in relation to renal dysfunction.

Methods: BP and urinary excretion rates of sodium (UNaV) and potassium (UKV) were evaluated for daytime and nighttime to estimate their circadian rhythms in 83 subjects with CKD.

Low birth weight and end-stage renal disease: demographic analysis by region in Japan.

Unlabelled: BACKGROUND We have previously shown regional differences in the incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD)within Japan, which is ethnically homogenous, suggesting that non-genetic factors may contribute to the differences.We examined regional distribution in the incidence of low birth weight (LBW), a surrogate for low nephron number,in our search for an explanation.

Methods: Each year, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan and the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy report the number of LBW babies and patients initiating maintenance dialysis in each prefecture of Japan,respectively.

Morning hypertension in chronic kidney disease is sustained type, but not surge type.

Objective: We have shown that as renal function deteriorates, the circadian blood pressure (BP) rhythm shifts to a nondipper pattern and the duration until nocturnal BP decline [dipping time (DT)] is prolonged. We investigated whether or not morning hypertension (BP 2 h after awakening >135/85 mmHg) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) was sustained type with a prolonged DT.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-four-hour BP was monitored in 104 patients with CKD.

Geographic differences in the increasing ESRD rate have disappeared in Japan.

Background: We previously showed that there are marked geographic differences in the incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) within Japan. In addition, the use of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors was found to be inversely correlated with the increasing ESRD rate. It was recently demonstrated that the incidence of ESRD due to diabetic nephropathy is declining in both Europe and USA.

Hemosuccus pancreaticus associated with segmental arterial mediolysis successfully treated by transarterial embolization.

Context: Hemosuccus pancreaticus, a rare cause of intermittent upper gastrointestinal bleeding, is usually caused by the rupture of an aneurysm associated with chronic pancreatitis. Segmental arterial mediolysis is a rare non-arteriosclerotic, non-inflammatory vascular disease characterized by vacuolization and lysis of the arterial smooth muscle cells. Segmental arterial mediolysis often causes intra-abdominal hemorrhage through aneurysm rupture.