Two-Dimensional Square Lattice of Colloidal Particles Formed by Electrostatic Adsorption in Confined Space.

In this study, we demonstrate a novel and efficient fabrication methodology for nonclose-packed, two-dimensional (2D) colloidal crystals exhibiting square lattice structures. In our recent work, we detailed the formation of 2D colloidal crystals via the electrostatic adsorption of three-dimensional (3D) charged colloidal crystals onto oppositely charged substrates. These 3D colloidal crystals possessed a face-centered cubic (FCC) lattice structure with their (111) planes aligned parallel to the substrate, facilitating the formation of 2D crystals with triangular lattice arrangements upon adsorption.

Low parathyroid hormone levels after parathyroidectomy reduce cardiovascular mortality in chronic hemodialysis patients.

Background: The aim of the study is to elucidate whether parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels after parathyroidectomy affect the prognosis of patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Subjects And Methods: Two hundred and ninety-five patients, who underwent PTx without autotransplantation from July 1998 to December 2011, were divided into the low (n = 148) and high (n = 147) PTH groups, using the median value of each mean value of intact PTH after surgery (16.6 pg/mL).

Effects of intravenous l-carnitine on myocardial fatty acid imaging in hemodialysis patients: responders or non-responders to l-carnitine.

We investigated whether chronic intravenous administration of l-carnitine could improve myocardial fatty acid imaging in patients on maintenance hemodialysis. We enrolled 72 hemodialysis patients who had impaired myocardial fatty acid imaging and left ventricular dysfunction not based on coronary lesion. l-Carnitine (1,000 mg) was intravenously administered after dialysis for 1 year to 36 participants (Carnitine group), while not in the other 36 participants (Control group).

Improvement of myocardial fatty acid metabolism by oral nicorandil in hemodialysis patients without coronary artery disease.

Background: We investigated the potential of oral nicorandil to improve myocardial fatty acid metabolism assessed by single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) using (123)I-β-methyliodophenyl pentadecanoic acid (BMIPP) in hemodialysis patients without obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: This study was based on a cohort study of 155 hemodialysis patients with angiographic absence of obstructive CAD, with analysis performed in 100 propensity-matched patients (54 men and 46 women, 64 ± 10 years); 50 with oral administration of nicorandil (15 mg/d, nicorandil group) and 50 without (control). BMIPP SPECT was performed every year after angiography.

Clinical potential of oral nicorandil to improve myocardial fatty acid metabolism after percutaneous coronary intervention in hemodialysis patients.

Background/aims: The assessment of myocardial fatty acid metabolism impairment by single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) using (123)I-β-methyliodophenyl-pentadecanoic acid (BMIPP) might predict the risk of cardiac death in hemodialysis patients. We investigated the potential of oral nicorandil to improve myocardial fatty acid metabolism after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in this population.

Methods: We evaluated 128 hemodialysis patients who had obtained coronary revascularization by PCI (90 men and 38 women, 66 ± 9 years).

Total parathyroidectomy improves survival of hemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Background And Aims: To compare the prognosis of chronic hemodialysis patients with or without parathyroidectomy.

Methods: Among 158 chronic hemodialysis patients who underwent total parathyroidectomy between July 1998 and April 2009, 88 patients were matched with 88 controls for sex, age, underlying disease and prior dialysis history. Then a retrospective evaluation of their prognosis was performed over a median observation period of 4.

Oral nicorandil for prevention of cardiac death in hemodialysis patients without obstructive coronary artery disease: a propensity-matched patient analysis.

Background/aims: We examined the potential of oral administration of nicorandil for protecting against cardiac death in hemodialysis patients without obstructive coronary artery disease.

Methods: This study was based on a cohort study of 155 hemodialysis patients with angiographic absence of obstructive coronary lesions, with analysis performed in 100 propensity-matched patients (54 men and 46 women, 64 ± 10 years), including 50 who received oral administration of nicorandil (15 mg/day, nicorandil group) and 50 who did not (control). The efficacy of nicorandil in preventing cardiac death was investigated.

Clinical potential of nicorandil to inhibit major cardiac events in hemodialysis patients with suspected myocardial ischemia.

Background/aims: We examined whether nicorandil, which is a hybrid of an adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel opener and a nitrate, could inhibit major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in maintenance hemodialysis patients with suspected myocardial ischemia.

Methods: We enrolled 148 asymptomatic patients on maintenance hemodialysis, who had exhibited potential myocardial ischemia as assessed by myocardial fatty acid imaging. The end-point was MACE including cardiac death and non-fatal acute myocardial infarction.

Familial central diabetes insipidus detected by nocturnal enuresis.

A 10-year-old male referred to our clinic with the chief complaint of nocturnal enuresis also complained of daytime polyuria, frequency, and polydipsia. The clinical diagnosis was central diabetes insipidus. Since the patient's father had complained of similar symptoms, the arginine vasopressin-neurophysin II gene was examined.