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“Although some patients with diabetic nephropathy with overt proteinuria have microscopic haematuria, the pathological characteristics and clinical significance related to microscopic haematuria have not yet been clarified. The aim of the present

study was to clarify the pathological characteristics and clinical significance of microscopic haematuria. Eighty-four type 2 diabetes patients with overt proteinuria and biopsy-confirmed diabetic nephropathy were enrolled. The clinical and histological findings were compated between the patients with persistent haematuria (group 1, n = 25) and those with persistent non-haematuria (group 2, n = 23) after renal biopsy. The association between persistent haematuria and renal outcome

at 5 years was examined. Histological scoring was made according to the original system and that of Tervaert et al. Thirty-six MI-503 concentration patients (43%) had microscopic haematuria at the time of renal biopsy. Age was significantly smaller and blood pressure was significantly greater in group 1 than see more in group 2 (age: group 1, 56 ± 10 years; group 2, 62 ± 9 years; P = 0.03, systolic blood pressure: group 1, 152 ± 16 mmHg; group 2, 140 ± 16 mmHg; P = 0.01). There were no significant differences in histological parameters between the two groups. A logistic regression model demonstrated that arteriolar hyalinosis was significantly associated with persistent haematuria (OR = 2.81; P = 0.04). There were no significant differences in changes in reciprocal serum creatinine and rates of doubling of serum creatinine after renal biopsy between the two groups. Although those arteriolar hyalinosis was

associated with persistent haematuria, the clinical significance of microscopic haematuria was minor in diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetes patients with overt proteinuria. “
“Aim:  Peritoneal dialysis patients with ultrafiltration failure frequently have fluid overload. It is known that the increase in the ultrafiltration is associated with decrease in the left ventricle (LV) dysfunction. This study was designed to examine the potential effects of serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) on cardiac functions and to determine the relationship between BNP and cardiac parameters in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients with ultrafiltration failure. Methods:  Twenty-eight patients with high or high-average membrane permeability as indicated by the peritoneal equilibration test were enrolled and randomized to receive either once or twice daily icodextrin. Serum BNP levels and echocardiographic measurements were evaluated at baseline and at the end of the eighth week. The correlations between the percentage changes of parameters from baseline were also studied. Results:  In both groups there was a significant decrease in serum BNP, LV mass, heart rate (HR) and cardiothoracic index (CTI) and an improvement in ejection fraction (all P < 0.05).