Recovery from parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis takes approximately two months in very low birth weight infants.

Aim: To investigate the clinical characteristics and course of parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis (PNAC) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.

Methods: The charts of VLBW infants were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical characteristics of infants with and without PNAC were compared, trends in liver enzymes were investigated, and the characteristics of infants with PNAC were analysed based on age of onset.

Rice ( L.) Grain Size, Shape, and Weight-Related QTLs Identified Using GWAS with Multiple GAPIT Models and High-Density SNP Chip DNA Markers.

This study investigated novel quantitative traits loci (QTLs) associated with the control of grain shape and size as well as grain weight in rice. We employed a joint-strategy multiple GAPIT (Genome Association and Prediction Integrated Tool) models [(Bayesian-information and Linkage-disequilibrium Iteratively Nested Keyway (BLINK)), Fixed and random model Circulating Probability Uniform (FarmCPU), Settlement of MLM Under Progressive Exclusive Relationship (SUPER), and General Linear Model (GLM)]-High-Density SNP Chip DNA Markers (60,461) to conduct a Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS). GWAS was performed using genotype and grain-related phenotypes of 143 recombinant inbred lines (RILs).

Genome-wide association study (GWAS) with high-throughput SNP chip DNA markers identified novel genetic factors for mesocotyl elongation and seedling emergence in rice ( L.) using multiple GAPIT models.

This study employed a joint strategy high-density SNP Chip DNA markers and multiple Genome Association and Prediction Integrated Tool (GAPIT) models [(Bayesian-information and Linkage-disequilibrium Iteratively Nested Keyway (BLINK), Fixed and random model Circulating Probability Uniform (FarmCPU), General Linear Model (GLM), and Settlement of Mixed Linear Model (MLM) Under Progressively Exclusive Relationship (SUPER)], to investigate novel genetic factors controlling mesocotyl elongation and seedling emergence for direct-seeded rice. Genotype data (230,526 SNP Chip DNA makers) of 117 doubled haploid lines (derived from a cross between 93-11 ( L. ssp.

Acceleration of wheat breeding: enhancing efficiency and practical application of the speed breeding system.

Background: Crop breeding should be accelerated to address global warming and climate change. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a major food crop.

Coronary Artery Calcium Score as a Sensitive Indicator of Cardiovascular Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Long-Term Cohort Study.

Backgruound: Coronary artery calcium score (CACS) has become an important tool for evaluating cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study evaluated the significance of CACS for future CVD through more than 10 years of follow-up in asymptomatic Korean populations with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) known to have a relatively low CACS burden.

Methods: We enrolled 981 asymptomatic T2DM patients without CVD at baseline who underwent CACS evaluation using multidetector computed tomography between January 2008 and December 2014.

Increased Risk of NAFLD in Adults with Glomerular Hyperfiltration: An 8-Year Cohort Study Based on 147,162 Koreans.

This study evaluated whether glomerular hyperfiltration (GHF) could predict nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and fibrosis. A longitudinal cohort study including 147,479 participants aged 20-65 years without NAFLD and kidney disease at baseline was performed. GHF cutoff values were defined as age- and sex-specific estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFRs) above the 95th percentile, and eGFR values between the 50th and 65th percentiles were used as reference groups.

Autonomic Imbalance Increases the Risk for Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Background: Although autonomic imbalance is associated with an increased risk for metabolic disease, its effects on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate whether autonomic dysfunction predicts the risk for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods: A total of 33,899 participants without NAFLD who underwent health screening programs between 2011 and 2018 were enrolled.

Genetic diversity analysis of Korean peanut germplasm using 48 K SNPs 'Axiom_Arachis' Array and its application for cultivar differentiation.

Cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea) is one of the important legume oilseed crops. Cultivated peanut has a narrow genetic base. Therefore, it is necessary to widen its genetic base and diversity for additional use.

An Integrated Approach of QTL Mapping and Genome-Wide Association Analysis Identifies Candidate Genes for Phytophthora Blight Resistance in Sesame ( L.).

Phytophthora blight (PB) caused by is a highly destructive disease in sesame ( L.). In this study, we used linkage mapping and genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) and candidate genes associated with PB resistance.

The forehead is a better site than the sternum to check transcutaneous bilirubin during phototherapy in sick infants.

Background: To confirm the accuracy of transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) in the neonatal intensive care unit both with and without phototherapy, and compare forehead and sternum as the TcB assessment site.

Methods: We simultaneously assessed the total serum bilirubin (TSB) and TcB at the forehead and sternum, using a JM-103 bilirubinometer. We analyzed the correlation between the TSB and TcB assessed at the forehead and sternum, with measurements classified as 'without phototherapy' (before phototherapy and > 24 hours after phototherapy discontinuation) and 'with phototherapy' (after 24 hours of phototherapy).

Neonatal Rotavirus-Associated Leukoencephalopathy Is One of the Main Causes of Fifth-Day Fits.

Our province recently experienced an outbreak of neonatal rotavirus-associated leukoencephalopathy. This study aimed to verify whether rotavirus-associated leukoencephalopathy constituted fifth-day fits, which prevailed in Europe and Australia between the 1970s and mid-1980s. Of 118 full-term neonates who were admitted between 2008 and 2017 due to seizures, those who fulfilled the following criteria for fifth-day fits were included: healthy full-term neonates prior to seizures; absence of perinatal asphyxia; seizure onset during 4-6 days of age; and no known cause of neonatal seizures.

Serum Transferrin Predicts New-Onset Type 2 Diabetes in Koreans: A 4-Year Retrospective Longitudinal Study.

Background: It is well known that high serum ferritin, a marker of iron storage, predicts incident type 2 diabetes. Limited information is available on the association between transferrin, another marker of iron metabolism, and type 2 diabetes. Thus, we investigated the association between transferrin and incident type 2 diabetes.

Serum lipoprotein(a) levels and insulin resistance have opposite effects on fatty liver disease.

Background And Aims: High lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the association between Lp(a) and fatty liver disease (FLD) remains controversial. Therefore, we analyzed the relationship between FLD and serum Lp(a) levels in Korean adults.

Routine scrubbing reduced central line associated bloodstream infection in NICU.

Background: The main aim of this study was to estimate the effectiveness of routine scrubbing by change of the incidence of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI).

Methods: We surveyed cultures from the NICU environment in December 2017. We found that areas close to infants harbored more bacteria.

Decreased Vagal Activity and Deviation in Sympathetic Activity Precedes Development of Diabetes.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine whether altered heart rate variability (HRV) could predict the risk of diabetes in Asians.

Research Design And Methods: A cohort study was conducted in 54,075 adults without diabetes who underwent 3-min HRV measurement during health checkups between 2011 and 2014 at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital. We analyzed the time domain (SD of the normal-to-normal interval [SDNN] and root mean square differences of successive normal-to-normal intervals [RMSSD]) and the frequency domain (total power, normalized low-frequency power [LF], and normalized high-frequency power [HF] and LF/HF ratio).

Resveratrol, an activator of SIRT1, improves ER stress by increasing clusterin expression in HepG2 cells.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) is involved in lipid metabolism and lipotoxicity and can lead to apoptosis. Resveratrol, a sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) agonist, prevents ER stress and improves ER stress-induced hepatic steatosis and cell death. Clusterin is a secreted chaperone and has roles in various physiological processes.

Identification of quantitative trait loci associated with flowering time in perilla using genotyping-by-sequencing.

Understanding the transition to the reproductive period is important for crop breeding. This information can facilitate the production of novel varieties that are better adapted to local environments or changing climatic conditions. Here, we report the development of a high-density linkage map based on genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) for the genus perilla.

Metabolic Obesity Phenotypes and Thyroid Cancer Risk: A Cohort Study.

Background: No cohort studies have evaluated the effect of obesity on the incidence of thyroid cancer according to metabolic health status. Therefore, this study examined the association of body mass index (BMI) and metabolic health status with thyroid cancer risk.

Methods: A cohort study was performed involving 255,051 metabolically healthy (MH) and metabolically unhealthy (MUH) adults free of thyroid cancer at baseline who were followed for a median of 5.

Deficiency of Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Reduces the Expression of Prohibitin and Causes β-Cell Impairment via Mitochondrial Dysregulation.

Background: Emerging evidence suggests that sphingolipids may be involved in type 2 diabetes. However, the exact signaling defect through which disordered sphingolipid metabolism induces β-cell dysfunction remains unknown. The current study demonstrated that sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), the product of sphingosine kinase (SphK), is an essential factor for maintaining β-cell function and survival via regulation of mitochondrial action, as mediated by prohibitin (PHB).

Association between thyroid hormone levels, body composition and insulin resistance in euthyroid subjects with normal thyroid ultrasound: The Kangbuk Samsung Health Study.

Objective: Thyroid hormones play crucial roles in the control of energy homoeostasis and can influence body composition. In contrast, the changes in body composition might influence thyroid hormone levels. We evaluated associations between thyroid hormone levels, body composition and insulin resistance in euthyroid subjects with normal thyroid ultrasound (US) findings.

Exendin-4 improves ER stress-induced lipid accumulation and regulates lipin-1 signaling in HepG2 cells.

Lipin-1 performs dual function during lipid metabolism, i.e., it functions as a transcriptional coactivator and as a phosphatidate phosphatase during triglyceride biosynthesis.

Pioglitazone Attenuates Palmitate-Induced Inflammation and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Pancreatic β-Cells.

Background: The nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activator gamma (PPARγ) is a useful therapeutic target for obesity and diabetes, but its role in protecting β-cell function and viability is unclear.

Methods: To identify the potential functions of PPARγ in β-cells, we treated mouse insulinoma 6 (MIN6) cells with the PPARγ agonist pioglitazone in conditions of lipotoxicity, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and inflammation.

Results: Palmitate-treated cells incubated with pioglitazone exhibited significant improvements in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and the repression of apoptosis, as shown by decreased caspase-3 cleavage and poly (adenosine diphosphate [ADP]-ribose) polymerase activity.

Increased risk of diabetes development in individuals with weight cycling over 4 years: The Kangbuk Samsung Health study.

Aims: Weight cycling is defined as cyclical loss and gain of weight and recent studies suggest deleterious effects of weight cycling on cardiometabolic health. We aimed to analyze the risk for diabetes development in association with weight cycling over 4 years of follow-up.

Methods: A retrospective study performed in 4,818 non-diabetic participants (mean age 43 years, 78.

Neurodevelopmental outcomes in newborns with neonatal seizures caused by rotavirus-associated leukoencephalopathy.

Purpose: Rotavirus infection has recently been reported to be associated with seizures accompanied by leukoencephalopathy in newborns. We aimed to determine long-term outcomes and prognostic factors in newborns with neonatal seizures caused by rotavirus-associated leukoencephalopathy.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records and brain magnetic resonance (MR) images of 32 patients who fulfilled the following criteria: (1) neonatal seizures, (2) distinctive symmetric cerebral white matter lesions on diffusion-weighted MR images (DWI), (3) rotavirus infection, (4) absence of a specific etiology of seizures, except for the aforementioned DWI lesions, and (5) Korean Bayley Scales of Infant Development II (K-BSID-II) assessment after 12 months of age.

The Association between Persistent Hypertriglyceridemia and the Risk of Diabetes Development: The Kangbuk Samsung Health Study.

Background: Hypertriglyceridemia is known to have an association with increased risks of insulin resistance and diabetes. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of diabetes mellitus, according to changes in the concentrations of triglycerides, over time.

Methods: A total of 15,932 non-diabetic participants (mean age 43.