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Cyst infection is a frequent and serious complication of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Lipid-soluble antibiotics like fluoroquinolones show good penetration into cysts and are recommended for cyst infection, but causative microorganisms are often resistant to these agents. This study investigated the profile of the microorganisms causing cyst infection in ADPKD, their susceptibility to lipid-soluble antibiotics, and clinical outcomes. This retrospective study reviewed all ADPKD patients admitted to Toranomon Hospital with a diagnosis of cyst infection from January 2004 to March 2014. All patients who underwent cyst drainage and had positive cyst fluid cultures were enrolled. Patients with positive blood cultures who satisfied our criteria for cyst infection or probable infection were also enrolled. There were 99 episodes with positive cyst fluid cultures and 93 episodes with positive blood cultures. The majority of patients were on dialysis. The death rate was high when infection was caused by multiple microorganisms or when there were multiple infected cysts. Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 74-79 % of the isolates in all groups, except for patients with positive hepatic cyst fluid cultures. The susceptibility of Escherichia coli to fluoroquinolones was very low in patients with hepatic cyst infection, especially those with frequent episodes and those with hepatomegaly. Fungi were detected in two episodes. Fluoroquinolone-resistant microorganisms showed a high prevalence in cyst infection. It is important to identify causative microorganisms to avoid the overuse of fluoroquinolones and to improve the outcome of cyst infection in ADPKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A solid-state laser material based on highly transparent cubic Nd[sup 3+]:Lu[sub 2]O[sub 3] ceramic was developed using nanocrystalline technology and a nonpress vacuum sintering method. Spectroscopic properties of this ceramic laser material were investigated. At room temperature under single-laser diode pumping, efficient continuous wave laser oscillation was demonstrated at two wavelengths of the [sup 4]F[sub 3/2]→[sup 4]I[sub 11/2] channel. The potential application of such a laser material was also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We consider the initial-boundary value problem of some semi-linear parabolic equations with superlinear and subcritical nonlinear terms. In this paper, we consider global solutions, which could be sign changing, and estimate the dependence of upper bounds of global solutions on some norm of the initial data. Furthermore, we allow(possibly unbounded) a general domain with boundary. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A high-power, continuous-wave 0.6% Nd3+-doped ceramic Y3Al5O12 (Nd:YAG) laser has been developed. 110 W laser output at 1064 nm was obtained, with a slope efficiency of about 41%. The M2 factor was found to be around 6. The laser performance of the ceramic laser material was found to compare favorably with that obtained with single crystal Nd:YAG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A laser-diode-pumped all-ceramic passively Q-switched Yb:YAG microchip laser with Cr4+:YAG as a saturable absorber has been demonstrated for the first time. A pulse width of 380 ps and a peak power of over 82 kW at a repetition rate of 12.4 kHz was obtained. A slope efficiency of 37% and an optical-to-optical efficiency of 30% was achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A solid-state laser material based on highly transparent Yb[sup 3+]-doped scandia (Sc[sub 2]O[sub 3]) ceramic was developed using nanocrystalline technology and the nonpress vacuum sintering method. Continuous wave laser oscillations were obtained at around 1041 and 1094 nm using a 2.5 at. % Yb[sup 3+]:Sc[sub 2]O[sub 3] ceramic plate. Broadband lasing spectra were observed. © 2003 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on a diode-pumped polycrystalline Yb:Y[SUB2]O[SUB3] ceramic laser. We demonstrate that, with a pump power of 11 W at 937 nm, 0.75-W cw laser output at 1078 nm can be obtained from the laser. The laser had a threshold of 4.7 W and a slope efficiency of 12.6% when an output coupler of R = 98% was used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high-power continuous-wave polycrystalline 1% Nd:Y[sub 3]Al[sub 5]O[sub 12] (Nd:YAG) ceramic rod laser was demonstrated. With 290 W/808 nm laser diode pumping, cw laser output of 72 W was obtained at 1064 nm. The optical-to-optical conversion efficiency is 24.8%. Thermally induced birefringence properties of Nd:YAG ceramic was also investigated. © 2001 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Once-weekly 56.5-μg teriparatide treatment was significantly associated with the increase in lumbar spine bone mineral density at 48 weeks among hemodialysis patients with hypoparathyroidism and low bone mass; however, discontinuation of treatment because of adverse events was frequently observed. Careful monitoring for adverse events should be required. Introduction: Once-weekly 56.5-μg teriparatide is reportedly effective for treating osteoporotic patients without renal insufficiency. However, little is known about the efficacy and safety of once-weekly teriparatide in hemodialysis patients. Methods: We conducted a 48-week prospective, observational cohort study including 22 hemodialysis patients aged 20 years or older with hypoparathyroidism and low bone mass who received once-weekly teriparatide at 56.5 μg at a tertiary care hospital between January 2013 and January 2015. Primary outcomes were within-subject percent changes of bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and distal one-third radius at 24 and 48 weeks. Secondary outcomes included percent changes of serum bone turnover markers (osteocalcin, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), N-terminal propeptide of procollagen type 1 (P1NP), and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRAP-5b)). Adverse events were evaluated. Results: The BMD increased at the lumbar spine by 3.3 ± 1.9 % (mean ± SEM) and 3.0 ± 1.8 % at 24 and 48 weeks but not in the femoral neck and distal one-third radius. Serum osteocalcin, BAP, and P1NP increased significantly at 4 weeks, maintaining higher concentrations up to 48 weeks, although TRAP-5b decreased gradually during treatment. The baseline BAP was significantly associated with the 48-week percent change in lumbar spine BMD. Transient hypotension was the most common adverse event. Ten patients discontinued treatment because of adverse events. Conclusions: Once-weekly teriparatide was associated with increased lumbar spine BMD in hemodialysis patients with hypoparathyroidism and low bone mass. Careful monitoring should be required for treatment of such patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Helicobacter cinaedi can cause bacteremia mainly in immunocompromised patients. We present the clinical characteristics of H. cinaedi bacteremia in 4 renal transplant patients. Interestingly, all cases showed triggers of bacterial translocation: 2 cases developed after colonic perforation caused by diverticulitis, 1 case developed post cholecystectomy, and the remaining patient had chronic diarrhea. Accordingly, bacterial translocation caused by severe gastrointestinal complication could be a cause of H. cinaedi bacteremia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A bone biopsy specimen in a long-term hemodialysis patient with sarcoidosis coexisting with severe hypoparathyroidism has demonstrated that a persistent near physiological level of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D contributes to the preservation of bone remodeling and has the potential to retard the development of vascular calcification and atherosclerosis. Sarcoidosis-related hypercalcemia and hypoparathyroidism, which is characterized by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)D) overproduction, is rarely seen in hemodialysis patients. Herein, we describe a 60-year-old Japanese woman on hemodialysis for 35 years who presented with malaise and hypercalcemia. Severe hypoparathyroidism without parathyroidectomy and a preserved 1,25(OH)D level were detected. Computed tomography showed bilateral axillary lymphadenopathy and minimal aortic and soft tissue calcification. The axillary node biopsy led to a definite diagnosis of sarcoidosis. A bone biopsy specimen obtained from the right iliac crest showed remodeling of normal lamellar bone with scalloped cement lines and clear double labeling by tetracycline on fluorescence microscopy. Histomorphometric analysis revealed that the bone formation rate was preserved (30.0 %/year), together with a decrease of osteoid volume (5.75 %) and fibrous volume (0 %), indicating that the patient did not have adynamic bone disease and only showed mild disease. This is the first documented case of sarcoidosis-related hypercalcemia associated with severe hypoparathyroidism in a long-term hemodialysis patient who underwent bone histomorphometry. Our findings suggest that, in hemodialysis patients with sarcoidosis coexisting with severe hypoparathyroidism, a persistent near physiological level of 1,25(OH)D contributes to the preservation of bone remodeling and has the potential to retard the development of vascular calcification and atherosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To investigate the relationship between the progression of anaemia and renal pathological findings in patients with diabetic nephropathy. Methods A total of 223 patients with diabetes underwent renal biopsy from 1985 to 2010 and were confirmed to have pure diabetic nephropathy according to the recent classification, of whom 113 (baseline haemoglobin ≥ 11 g/dl) were enrolled in the study. Linear regression analysis was used to estimate the changes in haemoglobin levels during the follow-up period. Results In a multivariate model adjusted for clinical and histopathological variables, higher interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy scores were more strongly associated with a decrease in haemoglobin levels than were lower scores. Compared with an interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy score of 0, the standardized coefficients for interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy scores of 1, 2 and 3 were 0.20 (95% CI −0.31 to 0.93), 0.34 (95% CI −0.22 to 1.34) and 0.47 (95% CI 0.07 to 1.96), respectively, whereas a higher glomerular class, a higher vascular lesion score and the presence of exudative lesions were not strongly correlated with the decrease in haemoglobin. Conclusions Tubulointerstitial lesions that are more advanced are significantly associated with the progression of anaemia in patients with diabetic nephropathy after adjustment for numerous covariates. This finding suggests that tubulointerstitial lesions may be a useful prognostic indicator for anaemia in patients with diabetic nephropathy, and that decreased erythropoietin production attributable to the progression of tubulointerstitial lesions is a major cause of anaemia in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Although anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies (DSA) is associated with graft loss, 3 things remain unclear: whether the duration and strength of DSA affect renal function; what mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) cut-off should be used; and whether the DSA effect is additive in case of multiple DSAs. Methods: A study was made of 63 patients who received living donor kidney transplants with clonal deletion protocol and were followed up for 18 months with reduced doses of immunosuppressants. DSA was tested for monthly, using Luminex Mixed and Single Antigen beads (One Lambda, Inc., Canoga Park, CA, USA). Decrease of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was obtained at baseline and 18 months after transplantation. Association of renal damage and DSAs was compared using several DSA models with several MFI cut-offs. Results: Additive DSA models always showed better association with renal damage than comprehensive models. When calculating the DSA effect in additive models, “proxy-area under the curve” (AUC)—a triangular approximation of the actual AUC—showed better association with renal damage than did DSA duration (R 2 = 0.105 vs 0.087). Adjusting for other factors, 27% of the variation of GFR change was explained by proxy-AUC. No significant change of association occurred if the MFI cut-off level changed from 1000 to 3000. Conclusion: Our results support the association of DSA with development of longitudinal renal damage. The clinical interpretation may be similar at MFI cut-offs of 1000, 2000, and 3000. An additive DSA effect may be expected in patients with multiple DSAs. Our study suggests the importance of frequently checking for DSA and reducing their MFI value to minimize renal damage by the antibodies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents a case study of 79-year-old man with acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis. It notes that the disease was the cause of rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury (AKI). It also states that the AKI was due to rhabdomyolysis associated with acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis. It mentions the total recovery of renal function.

The microhardness and fracture toughness of laser nanocrystalline ceramics based on the cubic oxides Y2O3 and Y3Al5O12 are determined experimentally. It is shown by comparative measurements that the fracture toughness and microhardness of Y2O3 ceramics exceed the corresponding parameters of Y2O3 single crystals by factors of 2.5 and 1.3, respectively. The fine morphology of grains and grain boundaries in fractures is investigated. It is ascertained that changes in the mechanical properties of the nanocrystalline ceramics under study are related to both the sizes and structure of grains and the structure of grain boundaries. It is suggested that twinning processes determine the mechanisms of formation of nanocrystalline ceramics. © 2005 Pleiades Publishing, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phonon transport processes in high-transparency nanocrystalline laser ceramics based on cubic Y3Al5O12 garnet oxide were investigated by the heat-pulse technique. The propagation kinetics of nonequilibrium acoustic phonons was studied in the range of helium temperatures (1.7–3.8 K). The structural model is suggested for the intergrain layers, and their thickness is estimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Refractive indices of the nanocrystalline Y[sub 3]Al[sub 5]O[sub 12] ceramic and a garnet single crystal of the same composition have been measured. In the visible and near IR range (0.4–1.064 μm), the prism method was used; in the medium IR range (2–6.2 μm), the interference method with the use of thin plates was applied. The refractive indices of these crystalline materials are practically the same over the entire spectral range studied and are described by the approximate formula proposed earlier for a single crystal. The parameters of the continuos-wave lasing in the nanocrystalline Y[sub 3]Al[sub 5]O[sub 12] ceramic doped with Nd[sup 3+] and Yb[sup 3+] ions measured recently are presented. © 2003 MAIK “Nauka / Interperiodica”. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

0icrohardness and fracture toughness of highly transparent Y[SUB3]Al[SUB5]O[SUB12-] and Y[SUB3]Al[SUB5]O[SUB12] : Nd[SUP3+]-based nanocrystalline ceramics are measured for the first time. For the Y[SUB3]Al[SUB5]O[SUB12] : Nd[SUP3+] laser ceramics, the use of a longitudinal scheme with a diode-laser pumping at a wavelength of 1.3186 μm ([SUP4]F3/2→[SUP4]I[SUB13/2] channel) enabled one to attain an output power of continuous-wave lasing of ∼3.7 W with 35% efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of a stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) spectroscopy study of Nd[sup 3+]-doped CaMoO[sub 4], SrMoO[sub 4], and SrWO[sub 4] crystals are presented. All the wavelengths of the Stokes and anti-Stokes generation observed in these crystals are identified. For the first time, the self-SRS conversion of the emission frequency of activator Nd[sup 3+]-ions is attained in these lasing molybdates and tungstate with scheelite-type structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colovesical fistula is a relatively rare condition that is primarily related to diverticular disease. There are few reports of colovesical fistula after renal transplantation. We report of a 53-year-old man who was diagnosed with colovesical fistula after recurrent urinary tract infection, 5 months after undergoing cadaveric renal transplantation. Laparoscopic partial resection of the sigmoid colon with the use of the Hartmann procedure was performed. Six months after that surgery, there was no evidence of recurrent urinary tract infection and the patient's renal graft function was preserved. Physicians should keep colovesical fistula in mind as a cause of recurrent urinary tract infection in renal transplant recipients, especially in those with a history of diverticular disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A continuous-wave lasing at 1 μm was excited by the radiation of semiconductor laser diodes at room temperature in nanocrystalline ceramics Y[sub 2]O[sub 3] doped with Nd[sup 3+] and Yb[sup 3+] ions. The refractive indices of the undoped nanocrystalline Y[sub 2]O[sub 3] ceramics were measured in the wavelength range 0.4–9 μm. © 2003 MAIK “Nauka / Interperiodica”. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]