Evaluation of multiwave pulse total-hemoglobinometer during general anesthesia

The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the accuracy and trending ability of a four-wavelength pulse-total hemoglobinometer that continuously and noninvasively measures hemoglobin in surgical patients. With IRB approval and informed consent, spectrophotometric hemoglobin (SpHb) was measured with a pulse-total hemoglobinometer manufactured by Nihon Kohden Corp (Tokyo, Japan) and compared to the CO-oximeter equipped with blood gas analyzer. Two hundred twenty-five samples from 56 subjects underwent analysis. Bland–Altman analysis revealed that the bias ± precision of the current technology was 0.0 ± 1.4 g/dl and ?0.2 ± 1.3 g/dl for total samples and samples with 8 < Hb < 11 g/dl, respectively. The percentages of samples with intermediate risk of therapeutic error in error grid analysis and the concordance rate of 4-quadrant trending assay was 17 % and 77 %, respectively. The Cohen kappa statistic for Hb < 10 g/dl was 0.38, suggesting that the agreement between SpHb and CO-oximeter-derived Hb was fair. Collectively, wide limits of agreement, especially at the critical level of hemoglobin, and less than moderate agreement against CO-oximeter-derived hemoglobin preclude the use of the pulse-total hemoglobinometer as a decision-making tool for transfusion.     

Protective effects of simultaneous splenectomy on small‐for‐size liver graft injury in rat liver transplantation

Splenectomy is an effective technique in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) with small‐for‐size (SFS) liver grafts for overcoming SFS liver graft injury. However, the protective mechanism of splenectomy is still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate how splenectomy could attenuate SFS graft injury through the measurement of biochemical factors, particularly the expression of endothelin (ET)‐1, which is a key molecule of microcirculatory disorders by mediating sinusoidal vasoconstriction. We performed rat orthotopic liver transplantation using SFS liver grafts with or without splenectomy. We investigated intragraft expression of ET‐1 mRNA and hepatic protein levels of ET‐1. In addition, portal pressure, hepatic injury and morphological changes, and survival rate were evaluated. In result, intragraft ET‐1 mRNA expression after SFS liver transplantation was significantly downregulated by splenectomy, and hepatic expression of ET‐1 in SFS grafts was rarely observed. Splenectomy inhibited the increase in portal pressure, ameliorated SFS liver graft injury and improved the graft survival rate after SFS liver transplantation. In conclusion, splenectomy improved the SFS liver injury and decreased the expression of ET‐1 by attenuating portal hypertension on SFS liver transplantation. Downregulation of intragraft ET‐1 expression plays important roles in the protective mechanism of splenectomy in SFS liver transplantation.     

Decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate is associated with risk of end-stage renal disease in type 2 diabetes with macroalbuminuria: an observational study from JDNCS

Background

There is increased interest in surrogate endpoints for clinical trials of chronic kidney disease.

Methods

In this nationwide observational study of 456 patients with type 2 diabetes and clinically suspected diabetic nephropathy followed for a median of 4.2 years, we evaluated the association between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albuminuria at baseline or during follow-up and risk of ESRD.

Results

Low eGFR (<60 mL/min/1.73 m²) and macroalbuminuria at enrollment were independently associated with risk of ESRD. In patients with macroalbuminuria, both ≤?50% change and ?50 to ?30% change in eGFR over 1 and 2 years were predictive of ESRD. The higher cut point (≥50% decline in eGFR) was more strongly predictive but less common. Remission of macroalbuminuria to normo-/microalbuminuria at 1 and 2 years was associated with a lower incidence of ESRD than no remission; however, it was not a determinant for ESRD independently of initial eGFR and initial protein-to-creatinine ratio.

Conclusion

These results suggest that a ≥30% decline in eGFR over 1 or 2 years adds prognostic information about risk for ESRD in patients with type 2 diabetes and macroalbuminuria, supporting the consideration of percentage decline in eGFR as a surrogate endpoint among macroalbuminuric cases in type 2 diabetes. On the other hand, our study suggests that additional analyses on the relationship between remission of macroalbuminuria and risk of ESRD are needed in type 2 diabetes.

     

Clinicopathological analysis of biopsy-proven diabetic nephropathy based on the Japanese classification of diabetic nephropathy

Background

The Japanese classification of diabetic nephropathy reflects the risks of mortality, cardiovascular events and kidney prognosis and is clinically useful. Furthermore, pathological findings of diabetic nephropathy are useful for predicting prognoses. In this study, we evaluated the characteristics of pathological findings in relation to the Japanese classification of diabetic nephropathy and their ability to predict prognosis.

Methods

The clinical data of 600 biopsy-confirmed diabetic nephropathy patients were collected retrospectively from 13 centers across Japan. Composite kidney events, kidney death, cardiovascular events, all-cause mortality, and decreasing rate of estimated GFR (eGFR) were evaluated based on the Japanese classification of diabetic nephropathy.

Results

The median observation period was 70.4 (IQR 20.9–101.0) months. Each stage had specific characteristic pathological findings. Diffuse lesions, interstitial fibrosis and/or tubular atrophy (IFTA), interstitial cell infiltration, arteriolar hyalinosis, and intimal thickening were detected in more than half the cases, even in Stage 1. An analysis of the impacts on outcomes in all data showed that hazard ratios of diffuse lesions, widening of the subendothelial space, exudative lesions, mesangiolysis, IFTA, and interstitial cell infiltration were 2.7, 2.8, 2.7, 2.6, 3.5, and 3.7, respectively. Median declining speed of eGFR in all cases was 5.61 mL/min/1.73 m²/year, and the median rate of declining kidney function within 2 years after kidney biopsy was 24.0%.

Conclusions

This study indicated that pathological findings could categorize the high-risk group as well as the Japanese classification of diabetic nephropathy. Further study using biopsy specimens is required to clarify the pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease.

     

Biomechanical analysis of supra-acetabular insufficiency fracture using finite element analysis

Background

Supra-acetabular insufficiency fractures (SAIFs) occur in the upper acetabulum and are rare compared with insufficiency sacral, femoral head, or ischial fractures. However, SAIFs are known to occur in low grade trauma, and the underlying mechanism is still remained unclear.

Comparison of a highly porous titanium cup (Tritanium) and a conventional hydroxyapatite-coated porous titanium cup: A retrospective analysis of clinical and radiological outcomes in hip arthroplasty among Japanese patients

Background

The use of 3-dimensional highly porous acetabular cups is increasing. Their structure and mechanical properties mimic those of natural bone; therefore, they should promote stronger biological fixation. In our experience with total hip arthroplasty, radiolucent lines are observed when a 3-dimensional highly porous cup (Stryker Tritanium) is used. We compared the clinical and radiographic results between a Tritanium cup and a conventional cup (Stryker Trident HA) over a short time period.