Korean Red Ginseng Polysaccharides Enhance Intestinal IgA Production and Barrier Function via Peyer's Patch Activation in Mice.

: Natural products are gaining attention for their potential benefits in gastrointestinal health. Plant-derived polysaccharides are essential for boosting intestinal immunity and maintaining gut homeostasis. This study investigated the effects of Korean red ginseng polysaccharides (KRG-P) on intestinal homeostasis including IgA and SCFA production and mucosal barrier integrity.

Relationship Between High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Mortality in Elderly Hemodialysis Patients: Data From the Korean Society of Geriatric Nephrology Retrospective Cohort.

Objectives: The association between high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels and mortality in elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis is not well established. Thus, this study investigated HDL levels and mortality in elderly Korean patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Methods: We recruited 1860 incident hemodialysis patients aged greater than 70 years from a retrospective cohort of the Korean Society of Geriatric Nephrology.

The clinical relevance of a polygenic risk score for type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Korean population.

The clinical utility of a type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) polygenic risk score (PRS) in the East Asian population remains underexplored. We aimed to examine the potential prognostic value of a T2DM PRS and assess its viability as a clinical instrument. We first established a T2DM PRS for 5490 Korean individuals using East Asian Biobank data (269,487 samples).

Dapagliflozin Reduces Urinary Kidney Injury Biomarkers in Chronic Kidney Disease Irrespective of Albuminuria Level.

The beneficial effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) with low albuminuria levels have not been established. This study aimed to compare the effects of dapagliflozin on kidney injury biomarkers in patients with CKD stratified by albuminuria level. We prospectively enrolled healthy volunteers (HVs; n = 20) and patients with CKD (n = 54) with and without diabetes mellitus.

MicroRNA-5010-5p ameliorates high-glucose induced inflammation in renal tubular epithelial cells by modulating the expression of PPP2R2D.

Introduction: We previously reported the significant upregulation of eight circulating exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) in patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD). However, their specific roles and molecular mechanisms in the kidney remain unknown. Among the eight miRNAs, we evaluated the effects of miR-5010-5p on renal tubular epithelial cells under diabetic conditions in this study.

Dietary cholesterol intake is not associated with the development of chronic kidney disease: Results from two Korean cohort studies.

Background And Aims: Although dyslipidemia is a major risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD), the relationship between dietary cholesterol and CKD remains unknown. We investigated the association between cholesterol intake and CKD risk.

Methods And Results: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2019-2021 (n = 13,769) and the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES) (n = 9225) data were used for this study.

Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis following traumatic brain injury.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors lower glucose levels by reducing glucose reabsorption in the kidneys, which can lead to ketogenesis. Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of SGLT2 inhibitors that can be triggered by trauma. However, the absence of significant hyperglycemia can delay its diagnosis and treatment, which may lead to detrimental consequences.

Complement C3 Reduces Apoptosis via Interaction with the Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway.

Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) elicits an acute inflammatory response involving complement factors. Recently, we reported that myocardial necrosis was decreased in complement C3 mice after heart I/R. The current study used the same heart model to test the effect of C3 on myocardial apoptosis and investigated if C3 regulation of apoptosis occurred in human cardiomyocytes.

Co-inhibition of glutaminolysis and one-carbon metabolism promotes ROS accumulation leading to enhancement of chemotherapeutic efficacy in anaplastic thyroid cancer.

Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is one of the most aggressive tumors with an extremely poor prognosis. Based on the several biological features related to glutamine metabolism in ATC, we hypothesized glutaminolysis inhibition induces cell death in ATC cells. However, glutamine metabolism inhibition triggered cell growth arrest independent of cell death in ATC, suggesting that other signaling pathways avoid glutamine metabolism inhibition-induced stress exist.

Epigenomic landscape exhibits interferon signaling suppression in the patient of myocarditis after BNT162b2 vaccination.

After the outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, a novel mRNA vaccine (BNT162b2) was developed at an unprecedented speed. Although most countries have achieved widespread immunity from vaccines and infections, yet people, even who have recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection, are recommended to receive vaccination due to their effectiveness in lowering the risk of recurrent infection. However, the BNT162b2 vaccine has been reported to increase the risk of myocarditis.

Association between abdominal perivascular adipose tissue quantity and quality assessed by CT and cardiometabolic risk.

Background & Aims: Changes in the perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) are associated with the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS). We hypothesized that the quantity and quality of PVAT measured by computed tomography (CT) are associated with cardiometabolic risk.

Methods: This study analyzed the data of 505 participants (men, 72.

The role of complement C3 in the outcome of regional myocardial infarction.

Coronary heart disease leading to myocardial ischemia is a major cause of heart failure. A hallmark of heart failure is myocardial fibrosis. Using a murine model of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI), we showed that, following IRI, in mice genetically deficient in the central factor of complement system, C3, myocardial necrosis was reduced compared with WT mice.

Association of glomerular hyperfiltration with carotid artery plaque in the general population.

Background And Aims: Glomerular hyperfiltration (GHF) is a hemodynamic change of the kidney as an adaptive response to nephron loss. Although GHF is associated with metabolic risk factors and cardiovascular disease (CVD), the mechanisms that explain these relationships remain largely unknown. This is partially caused by a non-unified definition of GHF based on pathophysiologic vascular changes.

Changes in abdominal fat depots after bariatric surgery are associated with improved metabolic profile.

Background And Aims: Obesity associated with a change in the quantity and quality of fat depots. Using computed tomography (CT), we analyzed abdominal fat depots in patients with obesity after bariatric surgery according to their metabolic health status.

Methods And Results: We recruited 79 individuals with metabolically unhealthy obesity before bariatric surgery and compared them with age-sex matched healthy controls.

Empagliflozin suppresses urinary mitochondrial DNA copy numbers and interleukin-1β in type 2 diabetes patients.

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors improve cardiovascular and renal outcomes in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. However, the mechanisms by which SGLT2 inhibitors improve the clinical outcomes remain elusive. We evaluated whether empagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor, ameliorates mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammatory milieu of the kidneys in T2DM patients.

Circulating miRNAs in extracellular vesicles related to treatment response in patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy.

Background: Extracellular vesicle (EV)-microRNAs (miRNAs) are potential biomarkers for various renal diseases. This study attempted to identify the circulating EV-miRNA signature not only for discriminating idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) from idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS), but also to predict the treatment response of patients with IMN.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 60 participants, including those with IMN (n = 19) and INS (n = 21) and healthy volunteers (HVs; n = 20) in this study.

Weight Change Alters the Small RNA Profile of Urinary Extracellular Vesicles in Obesity.

Introduction: Various kidney diseases reportedly show different urinary extracellular vesicle (EV) RNA profiles. Although obesity is one of the main causes of chronic kidney disease, the expression pattern of urinary EV RNA in obesity is uncertain. Our aim was to sequence the small RNA profiles of urinary EVs in obese patients before and after weight reduction and compare them to those of healthy volunteers (HVs).

Association between blood pressure and the risk of chronic kidney disease in treatment-naïve hypertensive patients.

Background: Although hypertension is a well-known risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD), the blood pressure (BP) at which antihypertensive interventions should be initiated remains to be determined. Therefore, we investigated the association between BP and CKD in treatment-naïve individuals.

Methods: This prospective cohort study considered 7,343 individuals in the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study who were not taking antihypertensive medications.

Epicardial adipose tissue radiodensity is associated with all-cause mortality in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

The radiodensity and volume of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) on computed tomography angiography (CTA) may provide information regarding cardiovascular risk and long-term outcomes. EAT volume is associated with mortality in patients undergoing incident hemodialysis. However, the relationship between EAT radiodensity/volume and all-cause mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing maintenance hemodialysis remains elusive.

Relationship between carbohydrate-to-fat intake ratio and the development of chronic kidney disease: A community-based prospective cohort study.

Background & Aims: It is well-known that high protein intake is associated with renal hyperfiltration and faster renal function decline, but the association of other macronutrients, carbohydrate and fat, with development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is still inconclusive. Therefore, we aimed to examine the relationship between fat-to-carbohydrate intake ratio (F/C ratio) and incident CKD.

Methods: We included 9226 subjects from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study.

Community-Based Aerobic Exercise Program for Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Adults With Visual or Auditory Impairments: A Feasibility Study.

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of a public health center-based aerobic and resistance training program for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in people with visual, auditory, or physical/brain impairments.

Methods: The study included 25 adults aged >40 years who lived in Cheorwon-gun in South Korea, had a disability registered for visual, auditory, or physical/brain impairments under the Disability Welfare Act, and had either known cardiovascular disease or two or more risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The program comprised four education sessions and 12 weeks of customized aerobic and strengthening exercises performed twice a week at moderate intensity, with each exercise session lasting for 1 hour.

Reversible pH Responsive Aggregation Behavior of Size-Controlled Calcium Carbonate Composite Nanoparticles by Phytic Acid in Aqueous Solution.

Composite colloidal nanoparticles were prepared by a carbonate controlled-addition method in the presence of phytic acid, in which an aqueous ammonium carbonate solution was added into an aqueous solution of phytic acid and CaCl. The number-average particle size of the colloidal particles was 76 ± 18 nm formed by using the molar ratio [phytic acid]/[Ca] = 0.5 from the complexation time of 1 h.

Eculizumab therapy on a patient with co-existent lupus nephritis and C3 mutation-related atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome: a case report.

Background: Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), a rare but serious complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is associated with poor outcomes to conventional immunosuppressive therapy. Recently, eculizumab, a humanised monoclonal antibody that blocks the complement factor 5, has been known to effectively treat atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). Here, we report a case of aHUS co-existing with lupus nephritis that was successfully treated with eculizumab.

Bridging Policy and Service Performance of Hospital-Based Nutrition Support by Healthcare Information Technology.

Although the healthcare policy was implemented to incentivize the multidisciplinary services of hospital-based nutrition support team (NST) in South Korea, timely completion of the services has been challenging in the hospitals. We enhanced NST healthcare information technology (NST-HIT) to bridge the gap between policy implementation and seamless execution of the policy in the hospital system. A 48 month pre-test-post-test study was performed, including a 12 month pre-intervention period, a six month intervention period, and a 30 month post-intervention period.

Metformin inhibits chronic kidney disease-induced DNA damage and senescence of mesenchymal stem cells.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are promising source of cell-based regenerative therapy. In consideration of the risk of allosensitization, autologous MSC-based therapy is preferred over allogenic transplantation in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, it remains uncertain whether adequate cell functionality is maintained under uremic conditions.