Obesity-Independent Association between Glycemic Status and the Risk of Hematologic Malignancy: A Nationwide Population-Based Longitudinal Cohort Study.

There have been conflicting results regarding the association between diabetes and the risk of hematologic malignancies, and its interaction with obesity is unknown. This study determined the risk of hematologic malignancies according to the glycemic status in a population-based study involving health screening 9,774,625 participants. The baseline glycemic status of the participants was categorized into no diabetes, impaired fasting glucose (IFG), newly detected diabetes, diabetes duration <5 years, and diabetes duration ≥5 year groups.

Pre-Clinical Pharmacokinetic Characterization, Tissue Distribution, and Excretion Studies of Novel Edaravone Oral Prodrug, TEJ-1704.

Edaravone (3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one) is a free radical scavenger approved for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a fatal neuromuscular disease. Edaravone is administered as an intravenous infusion over 60 min for several treatment cycles. To ease the burden of patients and caregivers, the oral formulation of edaravone has been developed.

Obesity and breast cancer risk for pre- and postmenopausal women among over 6 million Korean women.

Purpose: To examine the association between obesity measured by body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) according to menopausal status in Korean women.

Methods: We identified 6,467,388 women, using the Korean National Health Insurance System Cohort. Cox-proportional hazard models were used to generate adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for breast cancer risk in relation to BMI and WC.

Obesity Has a Stronger Relationship with Colorectal Cancer in Postmenopausal Women than Premenopausal Women.

Background: To examine the relationship between obesity measured by waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI) and the incidence of colorectal cancer in premenopausal and postmenopausal women.

Methods: A total of 1,418,180 premenopausal and 4,854,187 postmenopausal women without cancer at baseline and ages over 40 were identified using the Korean National Health Insurance System Cohort during 2009 to 2014. The hazard ratio (HR) for colorectal cancer incidence was assessed according to menopausal state using Cox proportional hazards models.

Prospective Collection of PROMIS Physical Function Measure Demonstrates Significant Improvement After Bariatric Surgery.

Background: We evaluated quality of life among bariatric surgery patients using patient-reported outcomes (PROs). We hypothesized that physical function would improve after bariatric surgery.

Methods: We prospectively collected PROs beginning in December 2015.

Overuse of Cystoscopic Surveillance Among Patients With Low-risk Non-Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer - A National Study of Patient, Provider, and Facility Factors.

Objective: To understand cystoscopic surveillance practices among patients with low-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Methods: Using a validated natural language processing algorithm, we included patients newly diagnosed with low-risk (ie low-grade Ta) NMIBC from 2005 to 2011 in the VA. Patients were followed until cancer recurrence, death, last contact, or 2 years after diagnosis.

Comparison of automated and retrospectively calculated estimated glomerular filtration rate in electronic health record data.

Background: Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is the clinical standard for assessing kidney function and staging chronic kidney disease. Automated reporting of eGFR using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) study equation was first implemented within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in 2007 with staggered adoption across laboratories. When automated eGFR are not used or unavailable, values are retrospectively calculated using clinical and demographic data that are currently available in the electronic health record (EHR).

Extent of Risk-Aligned Surveillance for Cancer Recurrence Among Patients With Early-Stage Bladder Cancer.

Importance: Cancer care guidelines recommend aligning surveillance frequency with underlying cancer risk, ie, more frequent surveillance for patients at high vs low risk of cancer recurrence.

Objective: To assess the extent to which such risk-aligned surveillance is practiced within US Department of Veterans Affairs facilities by classifying surveillance patterns for low- vs high-risk patients with early-stage bladder cancer.

Design Setting And Participants: US national retrospective cohort study of a population-based sample of patients diagnosed with low-risk or high-risk early-stage bladder between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2011, with follow-up through December 31, 2014.

Protective effect of metformin on gentamicin-induced vestibulotoxicity in rat primary cell culture.

Objectives: One of the antidiabetic drugs, metformin, have shown that it prevented oxidative stress-induced death in several cell types through a mechanism involving the opening of the permeability transition pore and cytochrome c release. Thus, it is possible that the antioxidative effect of metformin can also serve as protection against gentamicin-induced cytotoxicity related to reactive oxygen species (ROS). The aim of this study was to examine the protective effect of metformin on gentamicin-induced vestibulotoxicity in primary cell culture derived from rat utricle.

Protective effect of klotho protein against cisplatin ototoxicity in an auditory cell line.

Objectives: Klotho protein is involved in insulin-signalling and ageing. Klotho mutation causes premature ageing and significantly shortens the lifespan. The anti-neoplastic drug cisplatin promotes ototoxicity at higher doses by inducing apoptosis.

Expression of Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (RAC1) in human cholesteatoma.

Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (RAC1) is a 21-kDa signaling G protein that functions as a pleiotropic regulator of many cellular processes including epithelial differentiation. RAC1 activates the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase complex which promotes formation of reactive oxygen species and degradation enzymes. RAC1 has been associated with rapid epithelial differentiation and invasive properties in human cholesteatoma.

Isolated otosclerosis of the incus in a Korean woman.

We report an isolated otosclerosis of the incus that was removed using a transcanal approach and the ossicular chain was reconstructed using a total ossicular replacement prosthesis due to a tilted stapes.

Expression of Insulin-like Growth Factors in a Mouse Model of Salicylate Ototoxicity.

Objectives: Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are known to be neurotrophic factors, and they efficiently signal to cells to grow, differentiate and survive. The purpose of study was to identify the expressions of IGFs in mice with salicylate ototoxicity, which is a typical reversible hearing loss model.

Methods: The mice were given intraperitoneal injections of salicylate (400 mg/kg) and about a 30 dB threshold shift was achieved at 3 hours.

Protective effect of Korean red ginseng extract on cisplatin ototoxicity in HEI-OC1 auditory cells.

Ginseng extract is known to have many beneficial effects, including the reversal of pathological and physiological changes induced by ischemia, stress, and aging. Cisplatin, an effective antineoplastic drug, can cause irreversible sensorineural hearing loss and serious tinnitus in humans; thus cisplatin-induced ototoxicity is a useful experimental model for ototoxicity. This study investigated the protective effects of Korean red ginseng extract on cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in auditory cells.