Long-term efficacy of vildagliptin in patients with type 2 diabetes undergoing hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: There are few studies evaluating long-term glycemic control using a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor in type 2 diabetes patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of vildagliptin therapy over 2 years in type 2 diabetes with ESRD. METHODS: Patients with ESRD resulting from type 2 diabetes requiring dialysis who had ≥20 % glycated albumin (GA) were enrolled. Vildagliptin 50 mg once daily was administered for 2 years. Changes in GA and dry weight were evaluated. RESULTS: In 32 patients (24 men and 8 women) aged 68.3 ± 1.9 years, vildagliptin 50 mg once daily was administered for 2 years, but the dose was increased to 50 mg twice daily in 15 patients. GA was significantly reduced by 2.6 ± 0.6 %, from 22.4 ± 0.6 % at baseline to 19.8 ± 0.4 % at 2 years. After 2 years of vildagliptin therapy, 15 (46.9 %) of 32 patients achieved a GA level of <20 %. Dry weight changed slightly, with an increase of 1.3 ± 0.8 kg at 2 years. No adverse drug reactions related to treatment with vildagliptin were seen. CONCLUSIONS: Vildagliptin is a promising therapeutic option for safe, effective glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients with ESRD.

Results of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for the treatment of upper urinary tract stones.

The treatment results of 697 renal units in 687 patients treated for upper urinary tract stones using a Piezolith 2500 at the Ageo Central General Hospital during the 5-year period between August 1999 and July 2004 were analyzed. The stone-free rate and the success rate were calculated according to the stone size and location. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the effect of the patient age, sex, affected side, stone location and stone size on the stone-free rate and the success rate. Overall, the stone-free rate and the success rate at 3 months after treatment were 82.6% and 91.9%, respectively. The stone-free rates in renal and ureteral stones were 60.5% and 88.7%, respectively. The success rates for renal and ureteral stones were 93.6% and 91.6%, respectively. In a univariate logistic regression analysis, patient age and stone size were significant negative factors for both the stone-free rate and the success rate and the stone location in ureter was a significant positive factor only for the stone-free rate. In a multivariate analysis, stone location in the ureter had a positive effect on the stone-free rate, although a negative effect on the success rate. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for upper urinary tract stones was an effective and safe treatment modality. However, if pre-treatment factors indicate unfavorable outcome, the other treatment options should be considered for the first line therapy.

[Clinico-statistical analysis of renal cell carcinomas in patients on hemodialysis].

Eleven patients on hemodialysis that were surgically treated for renal cell carcinomas during the recent 10 years at our institutes were clinically analyzed. Patients' ages at presentation ranged from 35 to 70 years with an average of 54.8 years. Nine of the 11 patients were males and 2 were females. Periods between the introduction of hemodialysis and the presentation ranged from 1 to 21 years with an average of 11.7 years. The most frequent cause of hemodialysis was chronic glomerulonephritis. Five patients presented with macroscopic hematuria, which was the most frequent clinical manifestation. Transperitoneal nephrectomy through a lumbar oblique incision was performed in 9 of 12 surgical procedures. Transperitoneal resection and retroperitoneal endoscopic resection were performed on 2 patients and 1 patient, respectively. Blood transfusion was performed on 2 patients with retroperitoneal hemorrhage before or after operation and 2 patients with pre-existing renal anemia. Pathologically, 9 patients had pT1a disease. Patients were followed up for up to 7 years and 11 months. One patient died of the disease and 2 patients died of unknown causes. In conclusion, surgical removal of renal cell carcinomas was well tolerated, safe and effective treatment in patients under hemodialysis.

Detection by PCR of the Tyzzer's disease organism (Clostridium piliforme) in feces.

We examined whether the Tyzzer's disease organism, Clostridium piliforme, could be detected in feces by PCR. If the organism could be detected in feces, a diagnosis could be made without sacrifice of the animal. Using the RT strain of C. piliforme, we found that a C. piliforme band could be detected when there were > or = 1 x 10(0) bacteria present in the PCR solution, but the presence of fecal extract in the solution depressed the sensitivity 10 fold. Nevertheless, we could detect the C. piliforme-specific band in fecal extracts from rats in a naturally infected colony, and concluded that the use of PCR to detect C. piliforme DNA in fecal extracts would be a useful diagnostic technique.