S100A12 gene expression is increased in peripheral leukocytes in chronic kidney disease stage 4-5 patients with cardiovascular disease.

Background/aims: S100A12 induces vascular inflammation contributing to the development of atherosclerosis. Serum S100A12 concentration is shown to be elevated in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), however the reason remains unclear.

Methods: Transcriptional levels of S100A12 and RAGE (receptor for advanced glycation end products) were measured in peripheral leukocytes by quantitative real-time RT-PCR.

Association between high-molecular-weight adiponectin and bone mineral density in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder is a regular complication seen in hemodialysis patients and leads to substantial increases in the fracture rate, morbidity, and mortality. Discovered a few years ago, several clinical studies have shown a negative correlation between adiponectin and bone mineral density (BMD) independently of confounding factors. The relationship between adiponectin and bone metabolism in hemodialysis patients has not been fully described yet.

Prevalence of intracranial artery calcification in hemodialysis patients--a case-control study.

Background: Intracranial artery calcification has been reported to be an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke. Also, existence of a positive correlation has been reported between the presence of arterial calcification and that of ischemic changes in the area supplied by such arteries. While intracranial artery calcification has frequently been observed on computed tomographic (CT) images of the brain in hemodialysis patients, its prevalence has not been reported previously.

Successful steroid treatment of a patient with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease complicated by sarcoidosis.

The patient was a 54-year-old woman with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) who developed complicating systemic sarcoidosis. Hypercalcemia and an abrupt increase in serum creatinine levels were observed during the clinical course. Steroid therapy was initiated and produced a distinct improvement in renal function.

Intracranial artery calcification in hemodialysis patients.

Intracranial artery calcification is an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke, and while it is frequently observed on computed tomographic images of the brain in hemodialysis patients, its distribution has not been well studied. Fifty patients on maintenance hemodialysis were enrolled in this study. We divided the patients with intracranial artery calcification into two groups according to the duration of maintenance hemodialysis and compared the frequency of intracranial calcification of each of the intracranial arteries between the two groups.

Psoas abscess in hemodialysis patients.

Background: The insidious onset and occult characteristic of psoas abscess can cause diagnostic delays, resulting in high mortality and morbidity rates. Here, we investigated the characteristics of psoas abscess in hemodialysis patients.

Methods: This study was carried out in eight patients with psoas abscess who were admitted in our hospital.

[Effects of steroid therapy on membranous nephropathy].

Background: Although membranous nephropathy is a common cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults, its treatment remains under debate.

Methods: To clarify the effects of steroid therapy, the data of 51 Japanese adult patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy who received treatment at our department were analyzed retrospectively. We divided the patients with nephrotic syndrome and a serum creatinine level <1.

Influence of serum high-molecular-weight and total adiponectin on arteriosclerosis in IgA nephropathy patients.

Background/aim: Adiponectin has attracted a great deal of attention because of its antiatherogenic properties. Previous studies have reported that high-molecular-weight (HMW) adiponectin may be the active form of this protein, but there have been no reports on the relationship between serum adiponectin and arteriosclerosis. The aim of our study was to determine whether HMW or total adiponectin levels are associated with arteriosclerosis in patients with IgA nephropathy.

Patterns in the prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection at the start of hemodialysis in Japan.

Background: Although hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a persistent public health concern in hemodialysis patients, there seem to have been only a few reports on the prevalence of HCV at the start of hemodialysis. In this study we investigated whether patients starting on hemodialysis therapy are positive for anti-HCV antibody or not.

Methods: The 400 patients who began regular hemodialysis between February 2003 and June 2007 were enrolled in this study.

Wegener's granulomatosis complicated by intestinal ulcer due to cytomegalovirus infection and by thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

A 61-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of acute kidney injury. She complained of general fatigue, appetite loss, and a high fever. Nodular lesions were observed on chest X-rays and there were >100 erythrocytes per high power field in her urinary sediment.

Characteristics of patients on hemodialysis therapy for more than 30 years.

Since its experimental introduction in 1960, hemodialysis has become a widely performed and relatively safe procedure. Therapeutic strategies have been developed, and the numbers of long-term survivors of hemodialysis therapy have been increasing. Hemodialysis therapy was introduced at Sangenjaya Hospital in October 1970, and the 16 patients who have survived for more than 30 years on hemodialysis therapy since its introduction at the hospital were enrolled in this study to investigate the characteristics of long-term hemodialysis patients.