Biomedical subjects

K Kubo

Publications and source records attributed to K Kubo.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

PubMed1999

Genetic aberrations detected by comparative genomic hybridization in hepatocellular carcinomas: their relationship to clinicopathological features.

To elucidate cytogenetic alterations underlying human hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), we used a comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) method to analyze 41 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) including 15 well differentiated HCCs, 14 moderately differentiated HCCs, and 12 poorly differentiated HCCs. Of these, 27 patients were chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), and the remaining patients were positive for hepatitis B virus (HBV). The most common sites of increase in DNA copy number were 1q (78% of the cases) and 8q (66%) with minimal overlapping regions at 1q24-25 and 8q24, respectively. Frequent decreases in copy number were observed at 17p (51%), 16q (46%), 13q13-14 (37%), 4q13-22 (32%), 8p (29%), and 10q (17%). In 6 cases (15%), an amplification was found in the region of 11q13. A gain of 8q24 was significantly associated with well-differentiated HCCs (P<.05), whereas a loss of 13q13-14 and amplification of 11q13 were linked to moderately and poorly differentiated HCCs (P<.01). These observations suggest that a gain of 8q24 is an early event and that a loss of 13q13-14 and amplification of 11q13 are a late event in the course of liver carcinogenesis. A gain of 10q (7/41) was detected exclusively in cases with HCV infection. In contrast, an amplification of 11q13 was preferentially found in HBV-positive HCCs. These findings raise the hypothesis that, although many genetic alterations are basically common to both HCV-positive and HBV-positive tumors, the process of carcinogenesis may be to some extent different between these two types of tumors.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Facilitatory and inhibitory effects of beta-endorphin on lordosis in female rats: relation to time of administration.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of time of beta-endorphin (beta-EP) administration on lordosis in ovariectomized female rats injected subcutaneously (sc) with estradiol benzoate (EB) and progesterone (Prog). Intracerebroventricular (icv) injections of beta-EP and naloxone (NLX), an opioid receptor antagonist, were administered at the various stages of sc steroid hormone priming. Facilitation of lordosis induced by 10 microg beta-EP was observed exclusively within the initial 6 h of estrogen action, after which inhibition of lordosis occurred. At 12 h after EB priming, at the time of sc Prog treatment (or 43 h after EB priming), icv injection of 10 microg beta-EP significantly inhibited lordosis. Lordosis was significantly facilitated by icv injections of 1 and 10 microg beta-EP at the time of sc EB priming, but not by 0.1 microg beta-EP. A dose-response relationship was identified for lordosis in experimental animals receiving icv injection of beta-EP. Lordosis was inhibited by icv injections of 1 and 10 microg beta-EP at 1 h before the test (or 47 h after EB priming). Lordosis was significantly inhibited by icv injection of NLX at all stages. From the present results, it seems that two different mechanisms are involved in endorphinergic modulation of rats' sexual receptivity: (a) the endorphinergic system at the initial stages of estrogen action facilitates the estrogen activation of lordosis; (b) the endorphinergic system at the final stages of steroid action inhibits lordosis. Moreover, there exists a critical time between 6 and 12 h after estrogen priming for endorphinergic mediation to modulate estrogen action.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

H1- and H2-receptor antagonists prevent histamine release in allergic patients after the administration of midazolam-ketamine. A randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: The prophylactic effects of H1- and H2-receptor antagonist against histamine release and clinical symptoms (e.g. skin reactions, hemodynamic changes) were examined in 80 allergic patients after the administration of midazolam-ketamine. SUBJECT: We examined 80 allergic patients undergoing oral surgery. METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled study was performed in four groups of 20 patients who received either hydroxyzine (H1-receptor antagonist), chlorpheniramine (H1-receptor antagonist), a combination of chlorpheniramine and famotidine (H1- and H2-receptor antagonist) or a placebo (control) as premedications. Venous blood samples were obtained before introduction as a control and 0.5, 1, 3, 5 min after the administration of midazolam-ketamine in order to measure the plasma histamine level. In addition, any observed hemodynamic changes were simultaneously recorded. The plasma histamine level was measured using the HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) post-label system. RESULTS: The patients who were treated with both chlorpheniramine and famotidine demonstrated a high level of basal plasma histamine compared to the patients who were treated by hydroxyzine alone (p < 0.05), and they also showed less histamine release and anaphylactoid reactions during midazolam-ketamine anesthesia. Allergic patients demonstrated a high percentage of eosinophils, with an average of 4.79 +/- 3.78%. CONCLUSION: The administration of midazolam-ketamine in allergic patients demonstrated no significant problems. The combined premedication with chlorpheniramine and famotidine was thus found to have the most prophylactic effect against histamine release after the administration of midazolam-ketamine in allergic patients in spite of a high level of basal plasma histamine.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Histamine release during the induction of anesthesia with propofol in allergic patients: a comparison with the induction of anesthesia using midazolam-ketamine.

OBJECTIVE: A prospective randomized controlled study was performed for patients with a history of allergy to evaluate the effect of the induction of anesthesia with propofol against histamine release, skin reactions, hemodynamic changes and other clinical symptoms, while also comparing these parameters during the induction of anesthesia with midazolam-ketamine for patients with a history of allergy. SUBJECTS: We examined 40 patients undergoing oral surgery, who had a history of allergy and/or the percentage of eosinophils in the leukocytes was more than 3%. METHODS: Forty patients were randomly allocated into two groups and thus received either midazolam-ketamine (M-K group, n = 20) or fentanyl-propofol (propofol group, n = 20) for the induction of anesthesia. Venous blood samples (4 ml each) were obtained before induction as a control and at 0.5, 1, 3, 5 minutes after the administration of each induction agent, and then furthermore at 0.5, 1, 3, 5 minutes after tracheal intubation in order to measure the plasma histamine level by using the HPLC post-label system. In addition, the blood pressure and heart rate were also simultaneously recorded. Skin reactions were also evaluated by two anesthesiologists. RESULTS: The incidence of 50% histamine release during the induction of anesthesia with propofol occurred in 15% of the patients with a history of allergy. Sixteen patients out of 20 (80%) showed a decrease in the systolic blood pressure after the administration of propofol without any evidence of histamine release. The incidence of 50% histamine release, skin reactions and an increase in the heart rate between the two groups were not statistically significant after the administration of each anesthetic agent. Moreover, some patients also demonstrated histamine release after tracheal intubation. Hemodynamic changes after tracheal intubation showed a similar tendency in both groups. No significant difference was observed regarding the incidence of histamine release, skin reactions and hemodynamic changes between both groups after tracheal intubation. CONCLUSIONS: Propofol was found to show a similar incidence of histamine release during the induction of anesthesia using midazolam-ketamine, and thus was also found to be a useful induction agent against histamine release for patients with a history of allergy when hydroxizine was used as a premedication.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Contribution of endothelin-1 to disruption of blood-brain barrier permeability in dogs.

We examined the effect of intracisternal application of endothelin-1 (ET-1) on the permeability of fluorescein into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in beagle dogs in order to evaluate its role in disruption of blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability seen in the subarachnoid hemorrhage animal model. Intracisternal application of their autologous blood for producing a canine two-hemorrhage model revealed an enhanced fluorescein permeability into the CSF together with the development of cerebral vasospasm. A single dose of ET-1 (40 pmol/animal) significantly increased penetration of fluorescein compared with that in normal dogs. Although its magnitude was much less than that in the two-hemorrhage model after the first administration of ET-1, the second challenge of the same dose of ET-1 with a 48-h interval produced marked disruption of BBB permeability similar to those in the animal model. Moreover, the ET-1-induced enhancement of fluorescein permeability into the CSF was completely prevented by intracisternal pretreatment with an endothelin ET(A)-receptor selective antagonist, S-0139 (0.03 mg/kg), as were the ET-1-induced cerebral vasoconstriction and behavioral changes as previously reported. Thus, we conclude that ET-1 acting on the adventitial site of brain in dogs contributes to the disruption of BBB permeability via endothelin ET(A)-receptor mediation.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1999

Presumed intraventricular meningioma treated by embolisation and the gamma knife.

A 58-year-old woman with a presumed incidentally discovered meningioma in the left lateral ventricle was treated by superselective embolisation and gamma knife therapy. The diameter of the tumour was 40 mm, and its main feeding artery was the left lateral posterior choroidal artery. This vessel was embolised with microcoils. At 8 months following embolisation, the diameter of the tumour had decreased and was stable. The gamma knife was chosen as an adjuvant therapy for the further control 13 months after embolisation. Embolisation and gamma knife therapy may be an alternative treatment for meningiomas where surgical resection appears difficult.

Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms↗

PubMed1999

Expression patterns of type II pneumocyte apical surface glycoconjugates in lung adenocarcinoma cells.

Monoclonal antibodies and lectins were used to examine the expression patterns of apical membrane oligosaccharide sequences specific to type II pneumocytes in atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH) and lung cancer. Atypical cells of AAH and papillary adenocarcinoma cells expressed abundant sialyl Thomsen-Friedenreich (TF) antigen: this was not observed in acinar adenocarcinoma, bronchioloalveolar carcinoma with mucin production or squamous cell carcinoma. Sialyl Tn antigens was also detected on a few cells in AAH and papillary adenocarcinomas. Asialo TF and Tn antigen were not observed on the surface of carcinoma cells of any type. Alpha(alpha)2,3-linked sialic acids predominated in type II pneumocyte, AAH and papillary adenocarcinoma, whereas ciliated columnar cells expressed alpha2,6-linked sialic acids. Lewisx and sialyl Lewisx antigens capped the TF antigen in both O- and N-linked side chains on the surface of AAH and papillary adenocarcinoma cells, but were not expressed by type II pneumocytes. The findings demonstrate that papillary adenocarcinoma cells resemble type II pneumocytes in that they express abundant sialyl TF surface antigen, but they also express TF-related antigens not found in type II pneumocytes. Apical surface glycoconjugates of AAH have structural characteristics shared by both type II pneumocytes and papillary adenocarcinoma cells.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1999

Immunoblastic lymphadenopathy-like T-cell lymphoma complicated by multiple gastrointestinal involvement.

We report a rare case of immunoblastic lymphadenopathy (IBL)-like T-cell lymphoma complicated by multiple gastrointestinal involvement, which appeared to be ameliorated by chemotherapy but resulted in perforative peritonitis. A 66-year-old Japanese woman who had generalized lymphadenopathy and eruptions was admitted to our hospital because of bloody stool. Colonoscopic examination revealed hemorrhagic ulcers in the terminal ileum and a saucer-like ulcer in the cecum. Gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed several ulcerative or elevated lesions in stomach and duodenum. Biopsy specimens of these lesions and of a lymph node showed characteristic histological features of IBL-like T-cell lymphoma. The initial treatment with prednisolone (PSL) and cyclophosphamide (CPA) was effective. Six months after the treatment, however, she developed bloody stool again caused by multiple ulcerative lesions in the large intestine. The recurrence of the disease was determined histologically, and four courses of CPA, PSL, vinblastine sulfate and doxorubicin hydrochloride (CHOP) therapy were administered. One month after completing the CHOP therapy, she developed intestinal obstruction and then acute peritonitis resulting from perforation at an ulcer scar in the jejunum. Surgical treatment was successful, and histological examination demonstrated no lymphoma cells in the resected specimen. A gastrointestinal perforation should be recognized as a potential complication of IBL-like T-cell lymphoma, even during remission.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Endoscopic urease sensor system for detecting Helicobacter pylori on gastric mucosa.

BACKGROUND: It is now accepted that the curing of Helicobacter pylori infection will result in healing of chronic active gastritis and will change the natural history of gastroduodenal ulcer disease. Both endoscopic observation and evaluation of H. pylori status of the stomach are necessary for diagnosis and treatment of such patients. We carried out a clinical evaluation of an endoscopic tube type urease sensor system for the detection of H. pylori on the gastric mucosa. The differential output of two pH-sensitive field effect transistors at the tip of the endoscopic tube reflects the pH change in a urea solution depending on the existence of urease. METHODS: In vitro experiments and clinical evaluation of the system were performed. Fifty-one patients who were suspected to have a gastroduodenal disorder were examined for H. pylori infection with this system, using the combination of histologic and bacteriologic examinations and rapid urease test as the references. RESULTS: Clinical sensitivity and specificity of this system were 26 of 28 (92.9%) and 22 of 23 (95.7%), respectively. A measurement at 1 site is completed in about 1 minute. Repetition of the procedure provides multi-site measurements. CONCLUSIONS: The present system makes possible quick on-site detection of H. pylori under endoscopic observation, with satisfactory sensitivity and specificity.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Enhancement of sensitization to nicotine-induced ambulatory stimulation by psychological stress in rats.

1. The authors investigated the influence of psychological stress (PSY-stress) on sensitization to nicotine (0.5 mg/kg, s.c.)-induced ambulatory stimulation. 2. Rats were exposed to the emotional responses of animals which received foot-shock (FS), which they, themselves, did not receive. Ten daily exposures to PSY-stress for 20 min enhanced sensitization to the nicotine-induced ambulatory stimulation compared to that in non-stress rats. 3. However, the increased serum corticosterone levels following nicotine (0.5 mg/kg, s.c.) administered 24 hr after the tenth injection of nicotine in the behavioral study was almost the same in the rats exposed to PSY-stress as compared to non-stress rats. 4. These results suggest that PSY-stress may promote sensitization to nicotine-induced ambulatory stimulation and that the combined effect of PSY-stress and nicotine would facilitate the development of sensitization to nicotine.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Longterm effects of pulmonary resection on cardiopulmonary function.

BACKGROUND: Major lung resection decreases ventilatory capacity and reduces exercise tolerance, impairing postoperative quality of life. But we have often seen respiratory symptoms improve during several years of postoperative followup. In the current study, we evaluated postoperative changes in cardiopulmonary function on exertion of patients with lung cancer surviving for more than three years, and the corresponding changes of their respiratory symptoms. METHODS: The effects of pulmonary resection on cardiopulmonary function were evaluated in eight patients with lung cancer. Pulmonary function tests and hemodynamic study at rest and during exercise were performed before, in the early (4 to 6 months) and late (42 to 48 months) postoperative phases after major lung resection. RESULTS: None of the eight patients had any remarkable symptoms before lung resection. In the early postoperative study, the general condition of five patients deteriorated compared with their preoperative status. In the late postoperative study, four patients showed an improvement of their daily activities from the early postoperative phase. Pulmonary function in the late postoperative phase did not show major changes except for airway resistance and percentage of carbon monoxide diffusing capacity as compared with the early phase, which showed deterioration as compared with the preoperative period. Cardiac index and stroke volume index were significantly decreased during exercise on maximal effort in the late postoperative phase compared with other phases. These results suggest that the peak blood flow per unit of remaining lung during exercise becomes lower with time after lung resection, indicating deterioration of the condition of the pulmonary vascular bed. The deterioration was also revealed from the pressure-flow curve. CONCLUSIONS: The condition of the pulmonary vascular bed after major lung resection does not improve, even in the late postoperative phase, although clinical symptoms were sometimes improved compared with the early postoperative period.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Expiratory and inspiratory chest computed tomography and pulmonary function tests in cigarette smokers.

This study evaluated small airway dysfunction and emphysematous destruction of lung parenchyma in cigarette smokers, using chest expiratory high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and pulmonary function tests (PFT). The degree of emphysematous destruction was classified by visual scoring (VS) and the average HRCT number at full expiration/full inspiration (E/I ratio) calculated in 63 male smokers and 10 male nonsmokers (group A). The Brinkman smoking index (BI), defined as cigarettes x day(-1) x yrs, was estimated. Sixty-three smokers were divided into three groups by PFT: group B1 (n=7), with normal PFT; group B2 (n=21), with diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DL,CO) > or = 80% predicted, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) < 80% pred and/or residual volume (RV) > 120% pred; and group B3 (n=35), with DL,CO < 80% pred, FEV1 < 80% pred and/or RV > 120% pred. Heavy smokers (BI > or = 600) (n=48) showed a significant increase in emphysema by both VS and E/I. E/I was significantly elevated in both group B2 (mean+/-SD 0.95+/-0.05) and B3 (0.96+/-0.06) compared with group B1 (0.89+/-0.03). VS could not differentiate group B2 (3.9+/-5.0) from B1 (1.1+/-1.6). These findings suggest that the expiration/inspiration ratio reflects hyperinflation and airway obstruction, regardless of the functional characteristics of emphysema, in cigarette smokers.

Forced Expiratory Volume↗

PubMed1999

The potential of various lipopolysaccharides to release monocyte chemotactic activity from lung epithelial cells and fibroblasts.

Although the cytotoxicity of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, i.e. Limulus amoebocyte lysate activity, is less potent than that from Escherichia coli 0127:B8, P. aeruginosa induces prominent sustained lung inflammation, as in cystic fibrosis. The present study was designed to examine the potential for several LPSs obtained from E. coli and P. aeruginosa to release monocyte chemotactic activity (MCA) from lung cells. LPSs differentially stimulated A549 cells, BEAS-2B cells and lung fibroblasts to release MCA (P. aeruginosa >E. coli 0127:B8 from Difco >055:B5 from Sigma >026:B6 (Sigma)). E. coli 0127:B8 (Sigma) and 0111:B4 (Sigma) did not stimulate these cells. MCA was determined by means of checkerboard analysis. Molecular sieve column chromatography revealed four chemotactic peaks. The release of MCA was inhibited by cycloheximide and lipoxygenase inhibitors. Experiments with blocking antibodies suggested that much of the MCA was secondary to monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Thus, the concentrations of these chemoattractants were examined and it was found that the potency of the various LPSs to stimulate MCA closely paralleled their potency in releasing MCP-1 and GM-GSF. Serum augmented the release of MCP-1 and GM-CSF. However, the differences among LPSs from E. coli and P. aeruginosa in stimulating A549 cells were observed. These data suggest that Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide may stimulate lung cells to release more monocyte chemotactic activity than lipopolysaccharides derived from Escherichia coli, leading to sustained prominent lung inflammation.

Cells, Cultured↗

PubMed1999

Respiratory distress due to tracheal compression by the dilated innominate artery.

The case reported is of an 88 yr old female with hypertension and respiratory distress. A chest radiograph revealed a widening of the upper mediastinum. Computed tomographic scanning revealed tracheal compression by the innominate artery, which was elongated and curved. After intubation, she was treated with antihypertensive drugs. This resulted in the remarkable recovery of the patient from respiratory distress. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of respiratory distress owing to tracheal compression by elongation and curvature of the innominate artery.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Procaterol inhibits IL-1beta- and TNF-alpha-mediated epithelial cell eosinophil chemotactic activity.

Theophylline inhibits eosinophilic infiltration into the bronchial wall. It is unknown whether this is mediated by a cyclic adenosine monophosphate (c-AMP)-dependent reduction in eosinophil chemotactic activity (ECA) from bronchial epithelial cells (BEC). Therefore the effect of a beta2-agonist, procaterol and theophylline on the release of ECA from a BEC line, BEAS-2B was evaluated in response to interleukin (IL)-1beta and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). ECA was assessed using a blind-well chemotactic chamber, and the release and gene expression of cytokines were evaluated by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. IL-1beta and TNF-alpha stimulated the release of ECA from BEAS-2B cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Procaterol and theophylline directly inhibited eosinophil migration to IL-1beta and TNF-alpha-conditioned medium. The pretreatment of BEAS-2B cells with the same concentrations of procaterol inhibited the release of ECA in a dose-dependent fashion. Anti-IL-8, anti-regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), and anti-granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) inhibited ECA. Procaterol inhibited the release of RANTES, GM-CSF and IL-8 in a dose-dependent fashion. The effect of theophylline was less potent. Procaterol augmented cAMP levels in BEAS-2B cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The expression of IL-8, RANTES, and GM-CSF messenger ribonucleic acid was not inhibited by procaterol and theophylline. These data indicate that procaterol and theophylline may directly inhibit eosinophil migration and that procaterol may further inhibit the release of eosinophil chemotactic activity from BEAS-2B cells via a cyclic adenosine monophosphate-dependent mechanism. This warrants further studies on the involvement of bronchial epithelial cells in the anti-inflammatory effects of procaterol and theophylline in patients with asthma.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

PubMed1999

Detection of WT1 mRNA in urine from patients with kidney diseases.

Detachment of glomerular epithelial cells (GEC) from glomerular basement membrane (GBM) could account for a part of the pathogenic mechanism of proteinuria seen in primary and secondary renal diseases. The Wilms' tumour suppresser gene (WT1) is strictly expressed in GEC in the adult kidney. Mutations of WT1 gene have been implicated in progressive renal damage. Utilizing nested RT-PCR we detected mRNA of WT1 in the urine of patients with renal diseases. Seven of 20 (35%) chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN), eight of 20 (40%) diabetes mellitus (DM) with proteinuria, and two of 24 (8.3%) rheumatic diseases were WT1 positive. Interestingly, only one of 51 (2%) DM without proteinuria was WT1 positive. None of the healthy volunteers or cystitis patients were WT1 positive. This is the first report describing the detection of endogenous WT1 mRNA, an important gene in progressive renal failure, from patients' urine. This technique could be a powerful tool in the search for information about glomerular damage in clinical settings as well as for WT1 mutations or isoform imbalance at the research level without renal biopsy.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

A 21-aminosteroid, U-74006F, attenuates endotoxin-induced lung injury in awake sheep.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the efficacy of U-74006F, a 21-aminosteroid, on lung dysfunction induced by endotoxaemia in awake sheep with lung lymph fistula and haemodynamic monitoring. We measured pulmonary haemodynamics, lung lymph balance, circulating leucocyte count, arterial blood gas tensions, and levels of thromboxane (Tx) B2 and 6-keto-prostaglandin (PG) F1 alpha in plasma and lung lymph. We performed two experiments. In experiment 1 (n = 6), we intravenously infused Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide endotoxin (1 microgram/kg) over 30 min and observed the parameters over 5 h. In experiment 2 (n = 6), we pretreated sheep with an intravenous bolus of U-74006F (2 mg/kg) 30 min before the infusion of endotoxin in the same manner of experiment 1, and continuously infused U-74006F (0.5 mg/kg per h) over 5 h after the bolus during the experiment. The U-74006F significantly suppressed the early pulmonary hypertension, the late increase in pulmonary permeability and the elevations of TxB2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha levels in plasma and lung lymph during the early period following endotoxaemia, although the compound did not change the time course of leucocytopenia and hypoxaemia. These findings suggest that the administration of U-74006F attenuates the lung dysfunction induced by endotoxaemia in awake sheep.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

PubMed1999

Report of the annual statistical survey of the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy in 1996.

BACKGROUND: Nearly 170,000 patients were treated by maintenance renal replacement therapy (RRT) in Japan in 1996. The current status of Japanese patients on RRT might, in some way, be suggestive for patients on RRT in other countries. METHODS: The Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy conducts a questionnaire survey of virtually every dialysis facility in Japan at the end of each year. Here we present the results of our survey of patients undergoing RRT as of the end of 1996, as well as five-year trends (1992-1996) in some of the data. RESULTS: The response rate was 99.8%. At the end of 1996, there were 167,192 patients on maintenance RRT in Japan (1,328 persons per million population). The numbers of patients on maintenance RRT continued to increase during the five-year period. The gross mortality rate for that period ranged from 9.4% to 9.7%. Cuprammonium rayon was the most commonly used material (24.0%) for dialyzer membranes, followed by cellulose triacetate (18.7%). Approximately 5.0% of hemodialysis (HD) patients had a prior history of surgical release of carpal tunnel. The longer the years on HD therapy, the greater the proportion of patients with a history of such an operation. The predialysis plasma beta 2-microglobulin concentration was highest in patients aged 30 to 45 years and declined slightly after the age of 45. There was no significant difference in the HbA1c level between continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis and HD patients, both in whom diabetes was the disease causing renal failure. Moreover, among HD patients with diabetes, there was a clear tendency for the HbA1c level to be higher when the normalized protein catabolic rate was higher. CONCLUSION: This report summarizes the latest results of the survey on Japanese patients on RRT.

Adult↗