[Comparative study on nephrotoxicity of ionic and non-ionic contrast agents for drip infused urography].

The effects on renal function of an ionic and hyperosmolaric contrast agent (diatrizoate) and a non-ionic and slightly hypertonic agent (iohexol) for drip infused urography were compared on 60 patients with normal renal function. Urine samples were collected before and 30 minutes after drip infusion of contrast agent, and analyzed for albumin (ALB), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GTP), N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (NAG), beta 2 microglobulin (beta 2MG) and creatinine (CRE). The urinary excretion of proteins and enzymes was compared with urinary CRE.

Blood purification for postoperative liver failure with special reference to chronic hepatic support for those awaiting liver transplantation.

Blood purification, mainly plasma exchange (PE), was carried out for 13 cases of acute, and two cases of chronic postoperative liver failure. Four of thirteen acute cases (31%) survived. Although only one of eight with chronic liver disease survived, three of five without chronic liver disease survived.

[Transurethral intracavitary irradiation for carcinoma of the prostate].

This paper describes a new technique and preliminary clinical results of remote after-loading transurethral irradiation for cancer of the prostate. As of January 1986, twelve patients with adenocarcinoma of the prostate have been treated by our radiotherapy technique. Clinically, 3 patients were in stage B2, 3 in stage C, 3 in stage D1 and 3 in stage D2.

The inhibitory factors of hematopoiesis in chronic hemodialysis patients treated with recombinant human erythropoietin.

In order to clarify possible factors responsible for varying responses in uremic patients treated with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO), we determined the inhibitory effects of ten uremic sera on the erythroid progenitors (CFU-E) and erythroid bursts (BFU-E). We also measured plasma EPO titers, Fe, UIBC, ferritin, PTH-C, beta 2-microglobulin, and aluminum in all ten patients. The inhibitor of CFU-E but not BFU-E, was present in the serum of the single anemic patient whose recovery took longer after the administration of rHuEPO.

[Transurethral microwave coagulation of bladder cancer in elderly patients].

Since April 1985, 72 patients with bladder cancer have been treated by transurethral microwave coagulation (TUMC). In this procedure, tumors were irradiated with microwave energy of 100 watts for 2-16 minutes. A total of 20 patients were 70 years old or older, including 5 who were more than 80 years old.