Metamorphic conditions of garnet-bearing gneisses from Niban Rock in the Lutzow-Holm Complex, East Antarctica

The Tenth Symposium on Polar Science/Ordinary sessions: [OG] Polar Geosciences, Wed. 4 Dec. / Entrance Hall (1st floor), National Institute of Polar Researc

Urinary adiponectin in DKD

Aims: Since diabetes-associated kidney complication changes from diabetic nephropathy to diabetic kidney disease (DKD), more suitable biomarkers than urinary albumin are required. It has been hypothesized that urinary adiponectin (u-ADPN) is associated with the progression of DKD. We therefore evaluated the effectiveness of u-ADPN in predicting the decline of the renal function in patients with diabetes prior to end-stage renal disease. Methods: An ultrasensitive immune complex transfer enzyme immunoassay (ICT-EIA) was used to measure total and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin separately. We evaluated the relationships between the creatinine-adjusted urinary total-ADPN and HMW-ADPN, albumin (UACR) and liver-type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) at baseline and the 2-year change of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (ΔeGFR). Results: This 2-year prospective observational study included 201 patients with diabetes. These patients were divided into three groups according to their ΔeGFR: ≤-10 ml/min/1.73m2, >-10 and ≤0 ml/min/1.73m2, and >0 ml/min/1.73m2. Jonckheere-Terpstra test showed that lower ΔeGFR was associated with higher u-HMW-ADPN (p = 0.045). In logistic regression analysis, u-HMW-ADPN was associated with ΔeGFR after adjusted age, sex, and basal eGFR. Conclusion: Urinary HMW-ADPN could predict a declining renal function in patients with diabetes

Development of fully automated and ultrasensitive assays for urinary adiponectin and their application as novel biomarkers for diabetic kidney disease

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER) are used to diagnose and classify the severity of chronic kidney disease. Total adiponectin (T-AN) and high molecular weight adiponectin (H-AN) assays were developed using the fully automated immunoassay system, HI-1000 and their significance over conventional biomarkers were investigated. The T-AN and H-AN assays had high reproducibility, good linearity, and sufficient sensitivity to detect trace amounts of adiponectin in the urine. Urine samples after gel filtration were analyzed for the presence of different molecular isoforms. Low molecular weight (LMW) forms and monomers were the major components (93%) of adiponectin in the urine from a diabetic patient with normoalbuminuria. Urine from a microalbuminuria patient contained both high molecular weight (HMW) (11%) and middle molecular weight (MMW) (28%) adiponectin, although the LMW level was still high (52%). The amount of HMW (32%) and MMW (42%) were more abundant than that of LMW (24%) in a diabetic patient with macroalbuminuria. T-AN (r = − 0.43) and H-AN (r = − 0.38) levels showed higher correlation with estimated GFR (eGFR) than UAER (r = − 0.23). Urinary levels of both T-AN and H-AN negatively correlated with renal function in diabetic patients and they may serve as new biomarkers for diabetic kidney disease

Predictive Factors for Prolonged Urination Disorder After Brachytherapy

Background: We assessed the change in LUTS after prostate brachytherapy to reveal factors for prolonged urination disorder. Materials and Methods: Four hundred and fourpatients received prostate brachytherapy at our institution and were followed-up for at least 2 years. We evaluated the correlation of mean IPSS changes and clinical factors. Using multivariate analysis, we also evaluated clinical factors with potential to delay IPSS resolution. Results: In cases with prostate volume more than 30 cm3, radiation dose to 90% of prostate volume (D90) more than 160 Gy, and radiation dose to 30% of the urethral volume (UD30) more than 240 Gy, mean IPSS levels were significantly higher, even 30 months after treatment. On multivariate analysis, baseline IPSS more than 8 points and D90 more than 160 Gy were significant predictors for delayed IPSS resolution. Conclusion: Our data suggest that higher baseline IPSS and higher D90 were predictors for prolonged urination disorder

Complications of Flex URS for Renal and Ureteral Calculi during the Learning Curve

Background: The flexible ureterorenoscope (URS) and associated devices have developed rapidly. However, despite its therapeutic benefits, URS may be associated with some complications. To the best of our knowledge, there are no studies discussing the complications of flexURS during the learning curve. Methods: A retrospective review of the records of patients who underwent flexURS from January 2005 to June 2013 was performed. To compare the complications after the introduction of flexURS, patients were divided into four groups based on the surgeon’s training experience, that is, based on the number of cases performed by the surgeon. A total of 219 cases underwent flexURS. Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 included 35, 50, 50, and 84 cases, respectively. The complications were classified using the Clavien system (I–IV). Results: The mean operation time and stone-free rate were significantly different (p < 0.001, p = 0.013, respectively). The total complication rates were 13.6, 10, 8.3, and 3.2%, respectively (p = 0.068). The more the surgeon’s experience, the less was the complication rate. Despite our best efforts, the incidence of urosepsis was not reduced (p = 0.902). Conclusions: To reduce severe complications, it is necessary to have performed about 100 cases. Increased surgeon experience tended to decrease the risk of severe complications, but the incidence of urosepsis was not reduced

Purification of enzymatically inactive peptidylarginine deiminase type 6 from mouse ovary that reveals hexameric structure different from other dimeric isoforms

The murine peptidylarginine deiminase (PAD) has five isoforms encoded by different genes and partici- pates in a variety of cellular functions through the citrullination of target proteins. The crystal structure of human PAD4 with a dimeric form was previously solved because of the enzyme’s relevance to rheuma- toid arthritis. PAD6, abundant in mouse oocytes and eggs, is believed to take part in early events of embryogenesis, but its biochemical properties are little understood. Here we have purified and charac- terized a recombinant PAD6. A PAD6 cDNA was cloned from mouse ovary RNA and expressed in Escherichia coli through pET29 and pGEX vectors. When benzoyl-L-arginine ethyl ester was used as a substrate, no appreciable activity was detected with a cell homogenate under conditions where a human PAD4 cDNA caused significant activity. Both pro- teins were affinity-purified to near homogeneity. The circular dichroism spectra of PAD6 and human PAD4 were similar in the far ultraviolet region. On molecular sieving, PAD6 was eluted faster than human PAD4. The cross-linking of PAD6 with dime- thyl suberimidate clearly showed six bands on an sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel. These results indicate that PAD6 can constitute a hexameric structure. The purified PAD6 still showed no enzy- matic activity. This unique structure and loss in enzymatic activity is strongly suggested to favor the formation of egg cytoplasmic sheets as the architectu- ral protein