Short-term exposure to ambient air pollution and injuries due to external causes according to intentions and mechanisms.

Although injuries are a leading cause of death and affect the life expectancy of individuals who live with disabilities globally, the potential role of air pollution exposure on injuries due to external causes has received little scientific attention, especially compared with that given to the association of air pollution and non-external causes of morbidity and mortality. We investigated the association between emergency department visits for externally caused injuries and short-term exposure to major ambient air pollutants, with focus on the intentions and mechanisms of injuries. We identified 2,049,855 injured patients in Seoul, South Korea between 2008 and 2016 using the National Emergency Database.

Effects of dietary trace mineral levels on physiological responses, reproductive performance, litter performance, blood profiles, and milk composition in gestating sows.

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of optimal trace mineral levels on the physiological responses, reproductive performance, litter performance, blood profiles and milk composition in gestating sows.

Methods: A total of 59 multiparous sows (Yorkshire×Landrace) with similar body weight (BW), backfat thickness (BF), and parity were assigned to one of four treatments with 14 or 15 sows per treatment using a completely randomized design. The treatments were 100% (M1), 300% (M3), 600% (M6), and 900% (M9) of the National Research Council (NRC) Nutrient Requirements of Swine.

The Effect of Biomimetic Remineralization of Calcium Phosphate Ion Clusters-Treated Enamel Surfaces on Bracket Shear Bond Strength.

Purpose: To evaluate the remineralization effect of calcium phosphate ion clusters (CPICs) on demineralized enamel surfaces and their effects on bracket shear bond strength.

Patients And Methods: Extracted premolars were prepared in resin blocks. The samples in the form of resin blocks were divided into five experimental groups: control group, demineralized group, and groups of CPIC solution treatment for 30, 60, and 90s.

Effects of β-glucan with vitamin E supplementation on the physiological response, litter performance, blood profiles, immune response, and milk composition of lactating sows.

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of β-glucan with vitamin E supplementation on the physiological response, litter performance, blood profiles, immune response, and milk composition of lactating sows.

Methods: A total of 50 multiparous F1 sows (Yorkshire×Landrace) with an average body weight (BW) of 233.6±4.

Association between depression and quality of life in stroke patients: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) IV-VII (2008-2018).

Background: Stroke and depression are common diseases that affect quality of life (QoL). Although some recent studies have investigated the association between the two diseases, studies that examined the association between stroke, depression, and QoL are rare, with large-scale national-level studies lacking. We aimed to investigate the association between depression and QoL in stroke patients.

Changes in renal function and predictors affecting renal outcome of living kidney donors: a nationwide prospective cohort study.

Aim: The safety of donors is an important issue in living donor kidney transplantation. We investigated serial changes in renal function and predictors affecting the renal outcome of living kidney donors.

Methods: We obtained the data of 456 kidney donors registered to the Korean Organ Transplantation Registry from 2014 to 2016.

15-Hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase inhibitor prevents contrast-induced acute kidney injury.

The two primary mechanisms by which iodinated contrast media (CM) causes contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CIAKI) are the hemodynamic effect causing intrarenal vasoconstriction and the tubular toxic effect causing acute tubular necrosis. Inhibition of 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH), which degrades prostaglandin E (PGE2), promotes tissue repair and regeneration in many organs. PGE2 causes intrarenal arterial vasodilation.

Association between Dialysis Adequacy and Cognition in Patients with Peritoneal Dialysis.

Objective: Cognition of peritoneal dialysis patients is influenced by various factors including dialysis adequacy such as fractional urea clearance (Kt/V) and relative overhydration (RelOH). This study aimed to discover the potential contribution of dialysis adequacy to cognitive function in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis.

Methods: Fifty-nine patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis were recruited.

Effect of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring guided antihypertensive treatment on renal progression in patients with chronic kidney disease: a randomized comparative study.

Objectives: Adequate blood pressure (BP) control is pivotal for managing chronic kidney disease (CKD). The optimal approach for monitoring BP to delay CKD progression is not yet clear.

Methods: Patients with hypertension and CKD stage 3-4 were randomized into ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) or office BP groups.

Role of Prior Split Renal Function for Living Kidney Transplantation in Recipients and Donors.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between pre-operative donor split renal function (SRF) and the renal function outcome of donors and recipients after kidney transplantation (KT).

Methods: A total of 217 living KT cases were investigated. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) change of recipients and donors, as well as graft survival, were analyzed based on the donor SRF.

Effects of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae hydrolysate on nutrient ileal digestibility in growing pigs compared to those of defatted mealworm larvae meal, fermented poultry by-product, and hydrolyzed fish soluble.

Objective: To investigate effect of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae hydrolysate on nutrient ileal digestibility compared to those of dried mealworm larvae meal, fermented poultry by-product, and hydrolyzed fish soluble in growing pigs.

Methods: A total of 12 crossbred ([Landrace×Yorkshire]×Duroc) growing pigs with average body weight of 28.70±0.

Association between epidermal growth factor (EGF) and EGF receptor gene polymorphisms and end-stage renal disease and acute renal allograft rejection in a Korean population.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been found to be associated with the development and repair mechanisms of several renal diseases. In this study, we hypothesized that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in EGF or its receptor genes might have an association with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or acute renal allograft rejection (AR) in a Korean population. Three-hundred and forty seven recipients of the first renal transplants for ESRD, including 63 AR patients along with 289 healthy adults were included in the study.

Genome-wide association study identifies new susceptible loci of IgA nephropathy in Koreans.

Background: Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common primary glomerulonephritis worldwide. Recent evidence suggests that genetic factors are related to the pathogenesis of IgAN. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify novel genetic susceptibility loci for IgAN in a Korean population.

Effect of Converting From Calcineurin Inhibitor- to Sirolimus-Based Immunosuppressant Regimen on Breast Fibroadenoma Among Kidney Transplant Patients.

The incidence rate of breast fibroadenomas is higher among female kidney transplant (KT) patients treated using cyclosporine (CsA) for immunosuppression than in the general population. As such, there is an effort to convert immunosuppression from CsA or tacrolimus to sirolimus. Our aim was to assess the reversibility of a breast fibroadenoma after conversion in a small cohort of female KT recipients.

Physicians' perceptions of asymptomatic hyperuricemia in patients with chronic kidney disease: A questionnaire survey.

Background: Hyperuricemia is associated with the development and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) as well as cardiovascular diseases. However, there is no consistent recommendation regarding the treatment of asymptomatic hyperuricemia (AHU) in CKD patients. Here, we surveyed Korean physicians' perceptions regarding the diagnosis and management of AHU in CKD patients.

The ratio of urinary sodium and potassium and chronic kidney disease progression: Results from the KoreaN Cohort Study for Outcomes in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (KNOW-CKD).

The Na/K ratio in urine stands for the dietary of sodium and potassium intake in patients with chronic kidney disease remains unclear for the renal progression. We aimed to determine the risk of progression of chronic kidney disease based on the Na/K ratio in a 24-hour urine collection.We determined the association between the progression of renal disease and 24-hour urinary sodium and potassium (Na/K) ratios in 2238 patients over a 5-year timespan using data obtained from the KoreaN cohort study for Outcomes in patients With Chronic Kidney Disease (KNOW-CKD).

Comparative efficacy and safety of gemigliptin versus linagliptin in type 2 diabetes patients with renal impairment: A 40-week extension of the GUARD randomized study.

Aims: The long-term safety and efficacy of gemigliptin was evaluated in the present extension study after a 12-week study during a 40-week follow-up period.

Methods: The main study was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, phase IIIb study in which 50 mg of gemigliptin (N = 66) or placebo (N = 66) was administered to patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and moderate or severe renal impairment over a 12-week period. Patients with a glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level of 7% to 11% and an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 15 to 59 mL/min/1.

Inhibition of acute lethal pulmonary inflammation by the IDO-AhR pathway.

The lung is a prototypic organ that was evolved to reduce immunopathology during the immune response to potentially hazardous endogenous and exogenous antigens. In this study, we show that donor CD4 T cells transiently induced expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) in lung parenchyma in an IFN-γ-dependent manner early after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Abrogation of host IDO expression by deletion of the IDO gene or the IFN-γ gene in donor T cells or by FK506 treatment resulted in acute lethal pulmonary inflammation known as idiopathic pneumonia syndrome (IPS).

Normal body mass index with central obesity has increased risk of coronary artery calcification in Korean patients with chronic kidney disease.

In chronic kidney disease (CKD), overweight and mild obesity have shown the lowest cardiovascular (CV) risk. However, central obesity has been directly associated with CV risk in these patients. This bidirectional relationship of body mass index (BMI) and central obesity prompted us to evaluate CV risk based on a combination of BMI and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) in nondialysis CKD patients.

Therapeutic activity of the histone deacetylase inhibitor SB939 on renal fibrosis.

Fibrosis is the final pathological outcome of many chronic kidney diseases and is quite common. Thus, development of effective anti-fibrotic agents is urgently needed. Although histone deacetylases (HDACs) have been reported to be involved in renal fibrosis, current HDAC inhibitors are unsatisfactory anti-fibrosis drugs.

Significant Association between Toll-Like Receptor Gene Polymorphisms and Posttransplantation Diabetes Mellitus.

Background: Posttransplantation diabetes mellitus (PTDM) is an important metabolic complication after renal transplantation. Activation of the innate immune system via toll-like receptors (TLRs) is implicated in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and deficiency. Although links between diabetes, dysregulated innate immune responses, and the TLR signaling pathway have been reported, no study so far has investigated their associations with PTDM.

Marital Strain Exacerbates Health Risks of Filial Caregiving: Evidence from the 2005 National Survey of Midlife in the U.S.

This study examined linkages between providing care for a parent (in contrast to not providing any care to other kin or nonkin) and four dimensions of physical health (self-rated health, functional limitations, physical symptoms, chronic conditions), as well as moderation of these linkages by gender and a negative dimension of marital quality--marital strain. Regression models were estimated using telephone and self-administered questionnaire data from 1080 married men and women who participated in the National Survey of Midlife in the U.S.

Transforming growth factor-β receptor 2 gene polymorphisms are associated with end-stage renal disease.

Background: Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) is a multifunctional cytokine involved in immune disorders, cancer, asthma, lung fibrosis, and chronic kidney disease, and its signal pathways are considered crucial mediators of a variety of cellular processes. In addition, several recent studies have reported that TGF-β receptor (TGF-βR) gene polymorphism is associated with chronic kidney disease. However, the association between end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and the TGF-β gene polymorphism has not been sufficiently investigated.

Effect of upregulated TLR2 expression from G-CSF-mobilized donor grafts on acute graft-versus-host disease.

Our previous study demonstrated that G-CSF treatment increased the expression of TLR2 in donor grafts; this contributed to rapid engraftment after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in mice. In the current study, we investigated the effects of upregulated TLR2 expression in G-CSF-mobilized donor grafts on acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). We found that TLR2 was highly expressed on myeloid cell populations but not T and B cells from the spleens of G-CSF-treated donor mice.

Serial interferon-gamma release assays for latent tuberculosis in dialysis patients with end stage renal disease in a Korean population.

Background: Serial interferon-gamma-release-assay (IGRA) result can show variance due to within-subject variation and difference in host immune status, and may be affected by latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) treatment. We aimed to know the changes in QFT-IT (QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube) results measured at a 4 month interval in end stage renal disease patients and whether these changes were influenced by dialysis method or LTBI treatment.

Methods: We prospectively performed serial QFT-IT tests at 4 month interval in 93 end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on HD (hemodialysis) or PD (peritoneal dialysis).