Intradialytic ultrafiltration volume and vascular access outcomes: a Japan Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study subanalysis.

Introduction: The relationship between intradialytic ultrafiltration volume and vascular access (VA) patency remains unclear. Using data from the Japan Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study, we analyzed whether large-volume ultrafiltration was associated with VA failure in hemodialysis patients.

Methods: We included 2736 patients for whom it was possible to evaluate VA patency and bodyweight change during dialysis.

Vascular access care and treatment practices associated with outcomes of arteriovenous fistula: international comparisons from the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study.

Background: Vascular access (VA) guidelines recommend the native arteriovenous fistula (AVF) as VA of first choice for chronic hemodialysis patients. AVF management is important in hemodialysis patient care. AVF survival is associated with various physical factors, but the effects of dialysis treatment factors upon AVF survival are still not clear.

Gene cloning and characterization of dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase from Microbacterium luteolum: A useful enzymatic regeneration system of NAD+ from NADH.

Dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (LPD), a useful biocatalyst for regenerating NAD(+), was purified from Microbacterium luteolum JCM 9174, and the gene encoding LPD was cloned from the genomic DNA. The gene contained an opening reading frame consisting of 1395 nucleotides encoding 465 amino acid residues with a predicted molecular weight of 49912.1 Da, which displayed 36-78% homology to known LPDs.

Renal proximal tubular metabolism of protein-linked pentosidine, an advanced glycation end product.

Background: Pentosidine, an advanced glycation end product, accumulates in plasma proteins of uremic patients. Its fate is, however, yet to be fully understood.

Methods: Three cell lines, JTC-12 (proximal tubular cells), MDCK (distal tubular cells), and BALB3T3 (nonrenal cells), were cultured in a double chamber system and were exposed to uremic serum, and the contents of protein-linked pentosidine derived from uremic sera were determined in each medium by HPLC assay.

Evaluation of Na+ active transport and morphological changes for bioartificial renal tubule cell device using Madin-Darby canine kidney cells.

The function of current hemodialysis as an artificial kidney is insufficient because of the lack of reabsorptive function. In this study, we intend to develop a bioartificial renal tubule cell device (RTD) using tubular epithelial cells and artificial membranes and to evaluate the reabsorptive function of the confluent layers. Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells were cultured on a nucleopore polycarbonate membrane for up to 4 weeks after confluence to examine the influence of the culture period on their ability to transport Na+ actively using Na+/K+ATPase (NKA).