Risk factors and outcome of contamination in patients on peritoneal dialysis--a single-center experience of 15 years.

Objective: Contamination is an important risk factor for peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related peritonitis. The present study outlines the clinical characteristics and outcomes of PD patients experiencing touch contamination.

Methods: We reviewed the case records of PD patients from 1995 to 2010.

Validation of a new yeast-based reporter assay consisting of human estrogen receptors alpha/beta and coactivator SRC-1: application for detection of estrogenic activity in environmental samples.

Endocrine disruptors are exogenous substances that act like hormones in the endocrine system and disrupt the physiologic function of endogenous hormones. In the present study, we established reporter yeast strains (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) expressing human estrogen receptors, ERalpha or ERbeta. These strains contain a reporter plasmid carrying an estrogen responsive element (ERE) upstream of the beta-galactosidase gene, and a plasmid expressing a steroid receptor coactivator, SRC-1e.

Construction of a reporter yeast strain to detect estrogen receptor signaling through aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation.

The activation mechanism of estrogen receptor (ER) signaling by association with the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) was elucidated recently (Ohtake, et al., Nature 2003, 423, 545). In the present study, we established a reporter yeast strain to evaluate this ER signaling by association with the activated AhR.

Preparing patients for peritoneal dialysis.

When told of their need for dialysis, patients often cannot accept it and are fearful toward dialysis. Pre-dialysis counseling programs help patients to face dialysis, to make the right choice of dialysis modality, and to prepare themselves for life on dialysis. Clear explanations of peritoneal dialysis (PD) help patients choosing PD.

Screening by trained nurses for peripheral vascular disease in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients with and without diabetes.

Objective: We studied the effectiveness of a screening program for peripheral vascular disease (PVD) carried out by trained renal nurses in patients with and without diabetes on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).

Patients And Methods: We recruited 30 stable diabetic and 30 stable non diabetic CAPD patients into this cross-sectional study. Trained renal nurses measured the patients' ankle-to-brachial systolic pressure index (ABI) using a Doppler ultrasound machine and their foot vibration perception (VPT) using a biothesiometer, and administered a questionnaire on foot symptoms.

A prospective randomized study on three different peritoneal dialysis catheters.

Objective: We compared outcomes for catheters with different configurations: conventional straight, swan-neck straight tip, and swan-neck curled tip.

Design: The study was conducted as a prospective randomized controlled trial in the continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) unit of a university center.

Patients And Methods: We randomized 93 new regular CAPD patients without prior peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter insertion to receive a conventional straight, double-cuffed catheter (CS), a swan-neck straight catheter (SNC), or a swan-neck curled tip catheter (SNC) in 2:1:1 ratio.