General Survey of Tohoku Hybrid Magnet System(Part I. Establishment and Tests of Hybrid Magnet System at HFLSM)

Outline of Tohoku Hybrid Magnet system is briefly described. High Field Laboratory was established in the Research Institute for Iron, Steel and Other Metals, Tohoku University, in 1981, for accelerating research and development of high field superconducting materials. Three hybrid magnets generating magnetic fields more than 20 T have been constructed as its main apparatuses. The strongest hybrid magnet, HM-1, could produce 31.1 T in November, 1986, which was the world record as this kind of hybrid magnet. Several important features of the hybrid magnet system are introduced which will be also useful to understand the following papers

Implication of changes in xanthine oxidase activity following hemodialysis

Abstract Background Xanthine oxidase activity has a key role in the development of oxidative stress and progression of cardiovascular diseases. However, the change of xanthine oxidase activity following hemodialysis and its prognostic impact remain uncertain. Methods We prospectively included hemodialysis patients who did not take any anti-hyperuricemic agents and measured their xanthine oxidase activity before and after the index hemodialysis. The impact of change in xanthine oxidase activity during hemodialysis on cardiovascular death were investigated. Results A total of 46 patients (median 72 years old, 29 men) were included. During hemodialysis, a common logarithm of xanthine oxidase activity decreased significantly from 1.16 (0.94, 1.27) to 1.03 (0.80, 1.20) (p < 0.01). Of them, xanthine oxidase activity remained unchanged or increased in 16 patients, who had a greater decrease in blood pressure and more hemoconcentration compared with others. Two–year survival from cardiovascular death was not significantly stratified by the changes in xanthine oxidase activity (p = 0.43). Conclusions During hemodialysis, xanthine oxidase activity decreased among the overall cohort, whereas some patients experienced its increases, which might be associated with hypotension and hemoconcentration during hemodialysis. Further larger-scale studies are required to validate our findings and find clinical implication of change in xanthine oxidase activity during hemodialysis

Impact of Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index and Modified Creatinine Index Combination on Mortality in Hemodialysis Patients

The prognostic impact of the combination of a geriatric nutritional risk index (GRNI) and modified creatinine index, both of which assess nutritious status in hemodialysis patients, has not yet been well investigated thus far. Patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis in our institutes between February 2011 and January 2017 were retrospectively included. The baseline GRNI and modified Creatinine index were calculated and the impact of their combination on 5-year all-cause mortality following the index hemodialysis was investigated. A total of 183 patients (68.3 ± 12.4 years, 98 men, hemodialysis duration 97 ± 89 months) were followed from the index hemodialysis for 5.5 years. Mean GNRI was 91.2 and mean modified Creatinine index was 22.2 in men and 19.6 in women. The 5-year survival was significantly stratified by the median values of GNRI and modified Creatinine index (p p < 0.05). A combination of GNRI and modified Creatinine index may be a promising tool to risk stratify mortality in dialysis patients

Prognostic impact of KIHON checklist score in elderly patients with hemodialysis initiation

Abstract Background Frailty pervades the demographic of individuals afflicted by chronic kidney disease (CKD) and exhibits a robust correlation with a less favorable prognosis. Nonetheless, the evaluation and prognostication of frailty within the incipient stages of dialysis initiation remain shrouded in ambiguity. The necessity arises for an uncomplicated metric that holistically assesses frailty among aged CKD patients, one which lends itself to pragmatic clinical application. Methods In our prospective endeavor, we conducted assessments using the “KIHON checklist (KCL),” a questionnaire comprising 25 points, thoughtfully crafted by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to provide a thorough evaluation of the elderly population. This assessment was administered at the commencement of hemodialysis in patients aged 65 years or older. Subsequently, we analyzed the prognostic ramifications of the initial KCL scores on the composite primary endpoint, which encompassed the undesirable outcomes of either being bedridden or succumbing to mortality. Results A total of 24 patients (median age 76 years, 20 men) were included. The median KCL score was 6 [4, 10] points, and it was significantly correlated with the number of components in the revised Japanese Cardiovascular Health Study, which is a diagnostic criterion for frailty (p < 0.05). The group with a KCL score ≥ 10 points had a significantly lower 1-year freedom from the primary endpoints than the other group (43% versus 87%, p < 0.05). Among the components of the KCL, physical strength was significantly associated with the prognosis (p < 0.05). Conclusion The screening protocol employing the KCL during the commencement of hemodialysis among elderly individuals proved to be a valuable tool for the anticipation of both the state of being bedridden and mortality

Factors Associating with Non-Dipping Pattern of Nocturnal Blood Pressure in Patients with Essential Hypertension

Background: In patients with essential hypertension, a non-dipping blood pressure pattern is a strong risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. However, background factors associating with such a blood pressure pattern remain unknown. Methods: Untreated essential hypertensive patients without chronic kidney diseases who were admitted to our outpatient clinic were included. Blood sampling and 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring were mandatorily performed. Non-dipper status was defined as a maximum decrease in nocturnal systolic blood pressure within 10%. Clinical factors associating with non-dipper status were investigated. Results: A total of 154 patients (56 ± 12 years old, 86 men) were included. Among baseline characteristics, a higher serum uric acid level was independently associated with non-dipper status (odds ratio 1.03, 95% confidence interval 1.00–1.05, p p = 0.065). Conclusions: Hyperuricemia and micro-inflammation might be associated with attenuated nocturnal blood pressure dipping and incremental nighttime systolic blood pressure levels

Additional file 1 of Prognostic impact of KIHON checklist score in elderly patients with hemodialysis initiation

Additional file 1: Table 1. KIHON checklist. Table 2. Revised Japanese version of the Cardiovascular Health Study criteria