The effect of small dose of topiroxostat on serum uric acid in patients receiving hemodialysis.

Introduction: Topiroxostat, a recently developed xanthine oxidase inhibitor, is expected to have fewer adverse effects than allopurinol because it has different mechanism of action from alloprinol. However, its dosage, usage and safety have not been established in patients with impaired renal function or those undergoing dialysis at the development since no studies was conducted in these patients.

Methods: Cross over clinical trial using 3 months of allopurinol and topiroxostat on 27 maintain Japanese HD patients were carried out.

Continuous monitoring of blood pressure by analyzing the blood flow sound of arteriovenous fistula in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis (HD) have an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease-related morbidity and mortality. To prevent from such a life-threatening event, the continuous blood pressure (BP) monitoring system may contribute to detect BP decline in early stages and may help to do appropriate disposal. Our research team has introduced an electronic stethoscope (Asahi Kasei Co, Ltd.

Characterization of melanosomes and melanin in Japanese patients with Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome types 1, 4, 6, and 9.

Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by oculocutaneous albinism (OCA), a bleeding tendency, and ceroid deposition. Most of the causative genes for HPS encode subunits of the biogenesis of lysosome-related organelles complex (BLOC). In this study, we identified one patient each with HPS4, HPS6, and HPS9 by whole-exome sequencing.

Effect of cerebrospinal fluid shunt surgery on lower urinary tract dysfunction in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus.

Aims: To examine the outcomes of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and urodynamic test results after cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt surgery in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH).

Methods: Records of 48 patients (33 men; 15 women), who met the definite iNPH criteria and underwent CSF shunt surgery, were retrospectively analyzed. LUTS and their impact on quality of life (QOL) were evaluated using an all-or-none questionnaire targeting four symptoms, the Overactive Bladder Symptoms Score (OABSS), and the QOL index.

Importance of glomerular filtration rate change as surrogate endpoint for the future incidence of end-stage renal disease in general Japanese population: community-based cohort study.

Background: Because of the necessity for extended period and large costs until the event occurs, surrogate endpoints are indispensable for implementation of clinical studies to improve chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients' prognosis.

Methods: Subjects with serum creatinine level for a baseline period over 1-3 years were enrolled (n = 69,238) in this community-based prospective cohort study in Okinawa, Japan, and followed up for 15 years. The endpoint was end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Is prolongation of corrected QT interval associated with seizures induced by electroconvulsive therapy reduced by atropine sulfate?

Background: Electrocardiogram abnormalities have been reported during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). A corrected QT interval (QTc) prolongation indicates delayed ventricular repolarization, which can trigger ventricular arrhythmias such as torsade de pointes (TdP). We examined the QTc changes during generalized tonic-clonic seizures induced by ECT, and the effects of atropine sulfate on these QTc changes.

Differential changes in the adenoids and tonsils in Japanese children and teenagers: a cross-sectional study.

When adenoids (Ad) and tonsils (Tn) become hypertrophied, craniofacial and general body growth is affected. However, there are no objective explicit criteria for evaluating the size of the Ad and Tn, and their respective growth patterns remain unclear. This study determined the average proportions of the Ad and Tn sizes to the upper airway area at various developmental stages in Japanese individuals.

Association of the Clinical and Genetic Factors With Superior Vena Cava Arrhythmogenicity in Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) can be initiated from arrhythmogenic foci within the muscular sleeves that extend not only into the pulmonary veins but also into both vena cavae. The superior vena cava (SVC) is a key target site for catheter ablation. Patients with SVC-derived AF often lack the clinical risk factors of AF.

Interventional nephrology: current status and clinical impact in Japan.

Background: Current status and clinical significance of interventional nephrology has not been reported from Japan.

Methods: Questionnaires were mailed twice to the directors of all 534 Japanese certificated nephrology training institutions in 2014. The main questions were current performance, categorized annual procedure volume and managers of peritoneal dialysis (PD) access, vascular access (VA) surgery, endovascular intervention, and kidney biopsy.

Effectiveness of dapagliflozin on vascular endothelial function and glycemic control in patients with early-stage type 2 diabetes mellitus: DEFENCE study.

Background: Recent studies reported that sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors can potentially reduce the risk of cardiovascular mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, there is little or no information on the therapeutic effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on the progression of atherosclerosis. This dapagliflozin effectiveness on vascular endothelial function and glycemic control (DEFENCE) study was designed to determine the effects of dapagliflozin, a SGLT2 inhibitor, on endothelial function in patients with early-stage T2DM.

Observation period for changes in proteinuria and risk prediction of end-stage renal disease in general population.

Aim: Proteinuria is known to be an independent risk factor of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). But the associations between changes in dipstick proteinuria and the risk of ESRD in the general population and its appropriate observation period to predict incident ESRD are unknown.

Methods: We assessed the changes in dipstick proteinuria in 69 021 participants aged ≥20 years who participated in health check-ups from 1993 and more than once until 1996 in Okinawa, Japan.

How minimally invasive vestibular neurotomy for incapacitating Meniere's disease improves dizziness and anxiety.

Conclusion: Patients with incapacitating Meniere Disease (MD) suffer in their daily lives and activities because of the dizziness and anxiety induced by MD. Minimally Invasive Vestibular Neurotomy (MIVN) is a safe and effective surgical treatment for these individuals, and improved their dizziness and anxiety.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the state of dizziness and anxiety of patients with incapacitating MD and its improvement through MIVN.

Effect of a group intervention for children and their parents who have cancer.

Objective: Although support programs for children whose parents have cancer have been described and evaluated, formal research has not been conducted to document outcomes. We adapted a group intervention called CLIMB®, originally developed in the United States, and implemented it in Tokyo, Japan, for school-aged children and their parents with cancer. The purpose of this exploratory pilot study was to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and impact of the Japanese version of the CLIMB® Program on children's stress and parents' quality of life and psychosocial distress.

Optimal regimens of sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim for chemoprophylaxis of Pneumocystis pneumonia in patients with systemic rheumatic diseases: results from a non-blinded, randomized controlled trial.

Background: Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (SMX/TMP) is a standard drug for the prophylaxis of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PJP) in immunosuppressed patients with systemic rheumatic diseases, but is sometimes discontinued due to adverse events (AEs). The objective of this non-blinded, randomized, 52-week non-inferiority trial was to quest an effective chemoprophylaxis regimen for PJP with a low drug discontinuation rate. Results at week 24 were reported.

Mortality, Hospitalization, and Quality of Life among Patients with Hepatitis C Infection on Hemodialysis.

Background And Objectives: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is widely prevalent among patients on hemodialysis (HD), but very rarely treated. The aim of our study is to evaluate the burdens of HCV suffered by patients on HD.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: The Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study is an international, prospective, cohort study of patients on HD.

Linagliptin improves endothelial function in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized study of linagliptin effectiveness on endothelial function.

Aims/introduction: The present multicenter, prospective, controlled, open and randomized three-arm parallel study was designed to compare the effects of linagliptin with those of metformin on endothelial function.

Materials And Methods: Type 2 diabetes patients treated with 750 mg of metformin (hemoglobin A1c ≥6.0% and <8.

Factors associated with posttraumatic growth among parents of children with cancer.

Background: Parents of children with cancer are susceptible to psychological distress; however, many parents also report posttraumatic growth (PTG). The objective of this study was to explore the variables associated with PTG in parents of children with cancer who were either on treatment or off treatment.

Methods: One hundred and nineteen parents (71 mothers and 48 fathers) of children with cancer completed self-report questionnaires, including the PTG Inventory, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Impact of Event Scale-Revised.

Association of High-Density Lipoprotein Subclasses with Chronic Kidney Disease Progression, Atherosclerosis, and Klotho.

Background: Atherosclerosis is often a complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD) because of dyslipidemia and CKD-mineral and bone disorder. High-density lipoproteins (HDLs) are grouped into various subclasses composed of multiple proteins and lipids, and their transformation is altered in CKD. We investigated the roles of lipoprotein subclasses in CKD progression, and atherosclerosis, and the relationships with Klotho and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 23.

A Segmental Copy Number Loss of the SFMBT1 Gene Is a Genetic Risk for Shunt-Responsive, Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (iNPH): A Case-Control Study.

Little is known about genetic risk factors for idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH). We examined whether a copy number loss in intron 2 of the SFMBT1 gene could be a genetic risk for shunt-responsive, definite iNPH. Quantitative and digital PCR analyses revealed that 26.

Simplified Disease Activity Index remission at month 6 is an independent predictor of functional and structural remissions at month 12 during abatacept treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A multi-center, prospective cohort study in Japan.

Objective: To evaluate association of clinical remission at month 6 with functional and structural remissions at month 12 during abatacept treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: This 12-month prospective, multicenter cohort study enrolled 168 patients with RA who started abatacept. Outcomes were assessed using composite measures, quality of life indices, and the van der Heijde-modified total Sharp score (mTSS).

The use of vitamin D analogs is independently associated with the favorable renal prognosis in chronic kidney disease stages 4-5: the CKD-ROUTE study.

Background: Vitamin D analogs have generally been recommended for treatment of mineral bone disease in chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the association between this treatment and CKD progression has not yet been established.

Methods: We designed a post hoc propensity score-matched cohort analysis derived from 3-year follow-up data of a prospective cohort.

[Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis under adalimumab therapy: a case report].

A 77-year-old woman with a 15-year history of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was admitted to our hospital because of a wet cough that persisted for 1 month. The patient had been taking methotrexate (MTX) and adalimumab (ADA) for the past 3 years, and disease activity of RA was low. Discontinuation of ADA and MTX and treatment with oral levofloxacin were not effective.