BackgroundUric acid (UA) levels correlate positively with the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and/or hypertension. We tested the hypothesis that UA may also have a link to a new incidence of CKD and hypertension.MethodsStudy design is a cohort study and the predictor is UA levels. Of the 15,470 screened cases, 8223 participants without CKD were eligible for the analysis of the incidence of CKD. Among these CKD candidates, 7569 participants were eligible for the analysis of the new development of hypertension. The observation period was 4 years.ResultsRelationship of UA with new cases of CKD. Higher UA levels had a closer association with the new development of CKD; 1.1 % (UA < 5 mg/dL), 1.5 % (5.0–5.9 mg/dL), 1.7 % (6.0–6.9 mg/dL), and 3.4 % (≧7 mg/dL), respectively (p < 0.001 by the Chi-square test). Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that the estimates of the CKD development were eGFR [Hazard Ratio (HR) 0.816, 95 % confidence intervals (CI) 0.791–0.840] and male gender (HR 0.562, 95 % CI 0.322–0.982). UA levels and new development of hypertension. Higher UA levels had a closer association with the new development of hypertension; 5.0 % (UA < 5 mg/dL), 8.9 % (5.0–5.9 mg/dL), 10.6 % (6.0–6.9 mg/dL), and 11.8 % (≧7 mg/dL), respectively (p < 0.001 by the Chi-square test). Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that the estimates of the hypertension development were BMI (HR 1.190, 95 % CI 1.155–1.226), age (HR 1.021, 95 % CI 1.010–1.032), HDL-cholesterol (HR 1.013, 95 % CI 1.007–1.019), male gender (HR 1.791, 95 % CI 1.338–2.395), UA level (HR 1.112, 95 % CI 1.024–1.207), and eGFR (HR 1008, 95 % CI 1.002–1.013). Furthermore, the logistic analysis showed that the odds ratio (OR) to estimate hypertension in the high UA group (UA ≧ 7 mg/dL; OR 1.33, 95 % CI 1.01–1.80) was greater than that in the low UA group (UA < 5 mg/dL). Kaplan–Meier analysis also confirmed the finding that the higher the UA levels the greater the hypertension development (p < 0.001 by the Log-rank test and Cox proportional hazard analysis).ConclusionHigh UA levels are associated with the new development of hypertension, but not with the incidence of CKD.

Novel [{RhCl(CO)dppp}(2)]-catalyzed intramolecular carbonylative [2+2+1] cycloadditions of bis(phenylsulfonylallene) derivatives under CO, leading to the facile formation of bis(phenylsulfonyl)bicyclo[n.3.0] frameworks (n=4-6), have been developed. The terminal double bonds of both allenyl moieties served exclusively as the two pi-components. In particular, this newly developed method was shown to be a powerful tool for the construction of bicyclo[6.3.0]undecadienones, which have hardly been prepared by the known Pauson-Khand (-type) reactions. The bicyclo[7.3.0]dodecadienone homologue (one extra carbon) could be formed in rather low yields. Alternatively, novel cycloisomerizations of bis(phenylsulfonylallene) derivatives with catalysis by the same Rh(I) complex under N(2) readily produced the 3,4-dimethylene-2,5-bis(phenylsulfonyl)cyclononene and the corresponding cyclooctene and cycloheptene frameworks.

Elevated oxidative stress (OS) is associated with severe cardiovascular disease and premature death among patients treated with hemodialysis (HD). Oxidative stress is enhanced by contact between blood and dialysis membranes during HD sessions. This study aimed to clarify whether hydrogen (H2), which is a known antioxidant, is capable of suppressing increased OS induced during HD sessions. Eight patients on regular HD treatment were studied. Two HD sessions were performed in a cross-over design trial using standard and hydrogen-enriched solutions (mean of 50 p.p.b. H2; H2-HD). Blood samples were obtained from the inlet and outlet of the dialyzer during HD to determine changes in plasma levels of glutathione, hydrogen peroxide, and albumin redox state as a marker of OS. Comparison of inlet and outlet blood revealed significant decreases in total glutathione and reduced glutathione, as well as significant increases in hydrogen peroxide in both HD treatments. However, the mean proportion of reversibly oxidized albumin in outlet serum was significantly lower than that in inlet serum following the H2-HD session, whereas no significant changes were found in the standard solution session, suggesting that "intra-dialyzer" OS is reduced by H2 -HD. In conclusion, the application of H2-enriched solutions could ameliorate OS during HD.

Background Although pelvic incidence (PI) is a key morphologic parameter in assessing spinopelvic sagittal alignment, accurate measurements of PI become difficult in patients with severe hip dislocation or femoral head deformities. This study aimed to investigate the reliability of our novel morphologic parameters and the correlations with established sagittal spinopelvic parameters. Methods One hundred healthy volunteers (25 male and 75 female), with an average age of 38.9 years, were analysed. Whole-body alignment in the standing position was measured using a slot-scanning X-ray imager. We measured the established spinopelvic sagittal parameters and a novel parameter: the sacral incidence to pubis (SIP). The correlation coefficient of each parameter, regression equation of PI using SIP, and regression equation of lumbar lordosis (LL) using PI or SIP were obtained. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated as an evaluation of the measurement reliability. Results Reliability analysis showed high intra- and inter-rater agreements in all the spinopelvic parameters, with ICCs > 0.9. The SIP and pelvic inclination angle (PIA) demonstrated strong correlation with PI (R = 0.96) and pelvic tilt (PT) (R = 0.92). PI could be predicted according to the regression equation: PI = − 9.92 + 0.905 * SIP (R = 0.9596, p < 0.0001). The ideal LL could be predicted using the following equation using PI and age: ideal LL = 32.33 + 0.623 * PI – 0.280 * age (R = 0.6033, p < 0.001) and using SIP and age: ideal LL = 24.29 + 0.609 * SIP – 0.309 * age (R = 0.6177, p < 0.001). Conclusions Both SIP and PIA were reliable parameters for determining the morphology and orientation of the pelvis, respectively. Ideal LL was accurately predicted using the SIP with equal accuracy as the PI. Our findings will assist clinicians in the assessment of spinopelvic sagittal alignment. Trial registration This study was retrospectively registered with the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000042979; January 13, 2021).