Internal medicine
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In 2014, Japan was estimated to have approximately 27 million patients with hypertension (HT), and the ultimate goal of treatment is to prevent complications of HT, including heart failure (HF). The major structural changes in the heart that cause HF are left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (LVH) and the resulting LV diastolic dysfunction. ⋯ Thus, detecting HF stage B HT and providing appropriate treatment lead to the suppression of HF onset. This review focuses on the detection and treatment of organic heart disease in HT.
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Review
The Versatile Role of Uromodulin in Renal Homeostasis and its Relevance in Chronic Kidney Disease.
Uromodulin, also known as the Tamm-Horsfall protein, is predominantly expressed in epithelial cells of the kidney. It is secreted mainly in the urine, although small amounts are also found in serum. Uromodulin plays an important role in maintaining renal homeostasis, particularly in salt/water transport mechanisms and is associated with salt-sensitive hypertension. ⋯ Uromodulin has been shown to be associated with the renal function, age, nephron volume, and metabolic abnormalities and has been proposed as a novel biomarker for the tubular function or injury. These findings suggest that uromodulin is a key molecule underlying the mechanisms or therapeutic approaches of chronic kidney disease, particularly nephrosclerosis and diabetic nephropathy, which are causes of end-stage renal disease. This review focuses on the current understanding of the role of uromodulin from a biological, physiological, and pathological standpoint.
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Case Reports
Successful Treatment with Steroids in a Patient with Vanishing Bile Duct Syndrome and Acute Tubular Necrosis.
Vanishing bile duct syndrome (VBDS) is a rare but potentially serious cholestatic liver disease caused by various etiologies, including drugs. We herein report a complicated case of VBDS with acute tubular necrosis (ATN) that improved significantly with steroid treatment. ⋯ Although initial treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid did not reduce jaundice or renal dysfunction, steroid treatment remarkably improved the VBDS and ATN to within the respective normal ranges. Steroid treatment can be considered in cases of VBDS that appear to have an immune-mediated cause.
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A 70-year-old man who smoked was referred to our hospital because of progressive cough and dyspnea. Radiologic images showed ground-glass attenuation predominantly in the lower lung lobes. ⋯ At 10 years after the diagnosis, the fibrotic lesions deteriorated and treatment with nintedanib was subsequently initiated. Careful observation is needed in patients with DIP whose lung involvement does not completely improve with initial treatment.
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Case Reports
Late-onset Wilson Disease in a Patient Followed-up for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.
A 73-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for persistent liver dysfunction. When the patient was 45 years old, her youngest sister had been diagnosed with Wilson disease (WD). ⋯ A liver biopsy and genetic testing were performed, and she was diagnosed with WD; chelation therapy was then initiated. In patients with hepatic disorders and a family history of WD, multiple medical examinations should be conducted, as the development of WD is possible regardless of age.