Subtype-specific prognostic impact of Bcl-2 in HER2-positive and HER2-negative breast cancer.

Bcl-2, a key regulator of cellular apoptosis, is typically linked to adverse prognosis in solid tumors due to its inhibition of apoptotic cell death and promotion of cellular proliferation, leading to tumor progression. However, studies on Bcl-2 in breast cancer have shown inconsistent results, with some indicating favorable outcomes. This study aims to determine the subtype-specific role of Bcl-2 in breast cancer.

Current status of modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease in Korean women.

Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, obesity, and smoking are the primary modifiable risk factors contributing to the increasing morbidity and mortality rates from cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Korean women. Significant sex-related differences exist in the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of these risk factors, highlighting the importance of age- and sex-specific approaches to the management and prevention of CVD. Notably, the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus increases with age, with a higher prevalence in elderly women compared to men.

Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy and the risk of diabetic kidney disease.

Background: Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is known to affect patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and cause adverse renal outcomes. We aimed to analyze the association between CAN and diabetic kidney disease (DKD).

Method: We enrolled 254 DM patients (mean age, 56.

The role of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RAs) in the management of the hypertensive patient with metabolic syndrome: a position paper from the Korean society of hypertension.

Obesity is the one of the most important components of metabolic syndrome. Because obesity related hypertension accounts for two thirds of essential hypertension, managing obesity and metabolic syndrome is a crucial task in the management of hypertension. However, the current non-pharmacological therapies have limitations for achieving or maintaining ideal body weight.

Association of body adiposity with left ventricular concentric remodeling and diastolic dysfunction.

Background: Obesity is a significant risk factor for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). In this study, we explore the relationships between body mass index (BMI) and adipose tissue compartments such as visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), with respect to left ventricular (LV) structure and function in subjects with preserved LV systolic function.

Methods: Between January and December 2020, this retrospective study included 749 participants who exhibited preserved LV systolic function and underwent transthoracic echocardiography along with abdominal computed tomography.

Clinical and Imaging Parameters Associated With Impaired Kidney Function in Patients With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction.

Background: Acute worsening of cardiac function frequently leads to kidney dysfunction. This study aimed to identify clinical and imaging parameters associated with impaired kidney function in patients with acute decompensated heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Methods: Data from 131 patients hospitalized with acute decompensated HFrEF (left ventricular ejection fraction, < 40%) were analyzed.

Statement on chronotherapy for the treatment of hypertension: consensus document from the Korean society of hypertension.

Nocturnal blood pressure (BP) has been shown to have a significant predictive value for cardiovascular disease. In some cases, it has a superior predictive value for future cardiovascular outcomes than daytime BP. As efficacy of BP medications wanes during nighttime and early morning, control of nocturnal hypertension and morning hypertension can be difficult.

Coffee intake and hypertension in Korean adults: results from KNHANES 2012-2016.

Background: Coffee is the most popular and widely consumed drink in the world. Coffee consumption seems to have both benefits and risk with respect to hypertension; results from studies evaluating effect of frequency of coffee consumption on risk of hypertension are mixed and inconsistent. Hence, we investigated the association of coffee consumption and hypertension in Korean adults.

Perirenal Fat and Kidney Function Deterioration in Patients With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure.

Background And Objectives: The thick perirenal fat pad can induce high intracapsular pressure and cause compression of the renal vasculature and resultant congestive nephropathy. The current study investigated the association of perirenal fat thickness with kidney dysfunction in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF).

Methods: Data from 266 patients hospitalized with ADHF were analyzed.

BAM15 Relieves Neurodegeneration in Aged and Extends Lifespan.

BAM15 was recently screened as a protonophore uncoupler specifically for the mitochondrial membrane but not the plasma membrane. It is equally as potent as FCCP, but less toxic. Previously, mitochondrial uncoupling via DNP alleviates neurodegeneration in the nematode during aging.

Usefulness of Hounsfield Units and the Serum Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio as Prognostic Factors in Patients with Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. Tumor vascularity and immune disturbances are hallmarks of cancer. This study aimed to investigate the reciprocal effect of tumor vascularity, assessed by the tumor-to-aorta ratio (TAR) of Hounsfield units (HU) on computed tomography (CT), and host immunity, represented by the serum neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) from peripheral, complete blood cell counts and its impact on patient survival.

Elevated On-Treatment Diastolic Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Outcomes in the Presence of Achieved Systolic Blood Pressure Targets.

Background And Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the association between cardiovascular events and 2 different levels of elevated on-treatment diastolic blood pressures (DBP) in the presence of achieved systolic blood pressure targets (SBP).

Methods: A nation-wide population-based cohort study comprised 237,592 patients with hypertension treated. The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke.

Angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor in patients with heart failure and chronic kidney disease.

Despite significant advances in the management of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), there remains an enormous health problem with high morbidity and mortality over the last few decades. The neprilysin inhibitor enhances the activity of natriuretic peptides, producing vasodilation, natriuresis, and diuresis. Angiotensin receptor blockers inhibit the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.

Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio after Treatment Completion as a Potential Predictor of Survival in Patients with Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Purpose: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has been associated with worse prognosis, and biomarkers are needed to identify high-risk patients who may benefit from clinical trials or escalated treatment after completion of standard treatment. We aimed to assess whether the post-treatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) can reflect patient prognosis and determine the follow-up period that can provide the most feasible data.

Methods: In this retrospective analysis involving patients with TNBC, clinicopathological data, including those on peripheral complete blood cell count, were collected.

Increasing Mortality in Korean Patients With Breast Cancer: High Mortality Rate in Elderly Breast Cancer Population Due to Suboptimal Treatment and Other Diseases.

Background: The incidence of breast cancer in Asia, including Korea, has rapidly increased. Each country has shown different clinical features. This study presents a comprehensive understanding of breast cancer in different age groups in Korea and determines potential measures for improving patient survival.

Disparities in Mortality and Cardiovascular Events by Income and Blood Pressure Levels Among Patients With Hypertension in South Korea.

Background Socioeconomic status is associated with differences in risk factors of cardiovascular disease and increased risks of cardiovascular disease and mortality. However, it is unclear whether an association exists between cardiovascular disease and income, a common measure of socioeconomic status, among patients with hypertension. Methods and Results This population-based longitudinal study comprised 479 359 patients aged ≥19 years diagnosed with essential hypertension.

Antihypertensive Drugs and the Risk of Cancer: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

We sought to assess the association between common antihypertensive drugs and the risk of incident cancer in treated hypertensive patients. Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, the risk of cancer incidence was analyzed in patients with hypertension who were initially free of cancer and used the following antihypertensive drug classes: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs); angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs); beta blockers (BBs); calcium channel blockers (CCBs); and diuretics. During a median follow-up of 8.

Development and Validation of a Deep Learning Based Diabetes Prediction System Using a Nationwide Population-Based Cohort.

Background: Previously developed prediction models for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have limited performance. We developed a deep learning (DL) based model using a cohort representative of the Korean population.

Methods: This study was conducted on the basis of the National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening (NHIS-HEALS) cohort of Korea.

Prognostic value of left atrial volume index in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis.

Background: The significance of left atrial volume index (LAVI) for predicting outcomes in patients with mitral stenosis (MS) has been unclear, even though rheumatic MS is known to be associated with left atrium enlargement and functional deterioration.

Hypothesis: The current study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of LAVI, based on the severity in patients with rheumatic MS.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 611 patients with pure rheumatic MS.

Flavonoids mitigate neurodegeneration in aged by mitochondrial uncoupling.

Dietary supplementation of flavonoids has been shown to reduce the severity of neurodegenerative disorders such as dementia, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease by their antioxidant effects. However, their low bioavailability raises the question of how much their antioxidant capacity actually contributes to the mitigating effects. The physicochemical properties of flavonoids suggest they could function as mitochondrial uncouplers.

Lipid-Lowering Efficacy and Safety of a New Generic Rosuvastatin in Koreans: an 8-Week Randomized Comparative Study with a Proprietary Rosuvastatin.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether a new generic rosuvastatin is non-inferior to a proprietary one in terms of lipid-lowering efficacy. We also evaluated its non-lipid effects including adverse events.

Methods: One-hundred and fifty-eight patients with cardiovascular risks requiring pharmacological lipid-lowering therapy were screened.

Determinants of clinical outcomes in patients with mixed mitral valve disease.

Background: Although significant stenosis and regurgitation can be observed on a single heart valve, studies on the outcome predictors for mixed valve disease are limited. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the fate and determinants of clinical outcomes in patients with mixed single mitral valve disease who have concomitant mitral stenosis (MS) and mitral regurgitation (MR).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 82 consecutive patients with rheumatic heart disease who had both significant MS (MVA ≤ 1.