Impact of hemodialysis center accreditation on patient mortality: Korean nationwide cohort study.

Background: Since hemodialysis (HD) patients are prone to various complications and high mortality, they need to be treated in HD units with professional personnel, proper equipment, and facilities. The Korean Society of Nephrology has been conducting an HD unit accreditation program since 2016. This study was performed to evaluate whether a qualified dialysis center (QDC) reduced the mortality of HD patients.

Plasma presepsin for mortality prediction in patients with sepsis-associated acute kidney injury requiring continuous kidney replacement therapy.

Background: The reliability of presepsin as a biomarker of sepsis may be reduced in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT). This study analyzed the utility of plasma presepsin values in predicting mortality in patients with AKI requiring CKRT, particularly those with sepsis-associated AKI.

Methods: This single-center retrospective study included 57 patients who underwent CKRT, with plasma presepsin measurements, from April 2022 to March 2023; 35 had sepsis-associated AKI.

Usefulness of the heart rate variability test in predicting intradialytic hypotension in patients undergoing chronic haemodialysis.

Background: Intradialytic hypotension (IDH) is the primary complication of haemodialysis (HD); however, its diverse pathophysiology and inconsistent definitions complicate its prediction. Despite attempts using the heart rate variability (HRV) test for IDH prediction, studies on its usefulness for predicting IDH diagnosed per the nadir 90 criterion are lacking. We aimed to evaluate HRV test efficacy and reproducibility in predicting IDH based on the nadir 90 criterion.

Effect of Pravastatin on Kidney Function in Patients with Dyslipidemia and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Multicenter Prospective Observational Study.

Introduction: Several studies have reported that pravastatin can mitigate the progression of kidney disease, but limited evidence exists regarding its effects on kidney function in Asian patients. This multicenter prospective observational study aimed to assess the effect of pravastatin on kidney function in Korean patients with dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in clinical practice.

Methods: This 48-week prospective multicenter study included 2604 of 2997 eligible patients with dyslipidemia and T2DM who had available estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) measurements.

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.

Impact of obesity on renal function in elderly Korean adults: a national population-based cohort study.

Background: Obesity is a well-known risk factor for chronic kidney disease and its progression. However, the impact of obesity on the renal function of the elderly population is uncertain. We investigated the association between obesity and renal outcomes in the elderly.

Association between dementia diagnosis at dialysis initiation and mortality in older patients with end-stage kidney disease in South Korea.

Background: The prevalence of dementia is 2- to 7-fold higher among patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) than among the general population; however, its clinical implications in this population remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether comorbid dementia increases mortality among older patients with ESKD undergoing newly initiated hemodialysis.

Methods: We analyzed data from the Korean Society of Geriatric Nephrology retrospective cohort, which included 2,736 older ESKD patients (≥70 years old) who started hemodialysis between 2010 and 2017.

Importance of dialysis specialists in early mortality in elderly hemodialysis patients: a multicenter retrospective cohort study.

The early mortality rate in elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis is more than twice that in young patients, requiring more specialized healthcare. We investigated whether the number of professional dialysis specialists affected early mortality in elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis. This multicenter retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 1860 patients aged ≥ 70 years who started hemodialysis between January 2010 and December 2017.

Shared decision-making intervention regarding dialysis modality in patients with CKD stage 5.

Background: Patients with kidney failure must make complicated decisions about the dialysis modalities used either at home or in-hospital. Different options have varying levels of impact on patients' physical and psychological conditions and their social life. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the implementation of an intervention designed to achieve shared decision making (SDM) in patients' options for dialysis.

Comparison of the association intensity of creatinine and cystatin C with hyperphosphatemia and hyperparathyroidism in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Herein, we compared the association intensity of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) equations using creatinine (Cr) or cystatin C (CysC) with hyperphosphatemia and secondary hyperparathyroidism occurrence, which reflect the physiological changes occurring during chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. This study included 639 patients treated between January 2019 and February 2022. The patients were divided into low- and high-difference groups based on the median value of the difference between the Cr-based eGFR (eGFR) and CysC-based eGFR (eGFR).

Association between physical activity and risk of renal function decline and mortality in community-dwelling older adults: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

Background: Physical activity (PA) is an important risk factor associated with health outcomes. However, the relationship between PA and kidney function decline in older adults remains unclear. We examined the influence of PA on kidney function decline and mortality in community-dwelling older adults.

A Multi-Center, Prospective Observational Study to Investigate the Safety, Compliance, and Efficacy of Omethyl QTlet Soft Capsule.

Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to be effective in lowering triglyceride (TG) levels; however, tolerability issues arise due to the large size of the pills. The purpose of this study was to examine the safety, compliance, and efficacy of Omethyl QTlet soft capsules (OQCs). This multi-center, prospective, observational study evaluated the safety, compliance, and efficacy of OQCs.

Combined impact of the inter and intra-patient variability of tacrolimus blood level on allograft outcomes in kidney transplantation.

Introduction: Tacrolimus (TAC) has been widely used as an immunosuppressant after kidney transplantation (KT); however, the combined effects of intra-patient variability (IPV) and inter-patient variability of TAC-trough level (C0) in blood remain controversial. This study aimed to determine the combined impact of TAC-IPV and TAC inter-patient variability on allograft outcomes of KT.

Methods: In total, 1,080 immunologically low-risk patients who were not sensitized to donor human leukocyte antigen (HLA) were enrolled.

Acute kidney injury due to intravenous detergent poisoning: A case report.

Background: Detergent poisoning mostly occurs through oral ingestion (> 85%), ocular exposure (< 15%), or dermal exposure (< 8%). Reports of detergent poisoning through an intravenous injection are extremely rare. In addition, there are very few cases of renal toxicity directly caused by detergents.

Ceria-Zirconia nanoparticles reduce intracellular globotriaosylceramide accumulation and attenuate kidney injury by enhancing the autophagy flux in cellular and animal models of Fabry disease.

Background: Fabry disease (FD) is a lysosome storage disease (LSD) characterized by significantly reduced intracellular autophagy function. This contributes to the progression of intracellular pathologic signaling and can lead to organ injury. Phospholipid-polyethyleneglycol-capped Ceria-Zirconia antioxidant nanoparticles (PEG-CZNPs) have been reported to enhance autophagy flux.

Effect of shared decision-making education on physicians' perceptions and practices of end-of-life care in Korea.

Background: Evidence of the ethical appropriateness and clinical benefits of shared decision-making (SDM) are accumulating. This study aimed to not only identify physicians' perspectives on SDM, and practices related to end-of-life care in particular, but also to gauge the effect of SDM education on physicians in Korea.

Methods: A 14-item questionnaire survey using a modified Delphi process was delivered to nephrologists and internal medicine trainees at 17 university hospitals.

Ceria-Zirconia Antioxidant Nanoparticles Attenuate Hypoxia-Induced Acute Kidney Injury by Restoring Autophagy Flux and Alleviating Mitochondrial Damage.

Oxidative stress is one of the principal causes of hypoxia-induced kidney injury. The ceria nanoparticle (CNP) is known to exhibit free radical scavenger and catalytic activities. When zirconia is attached to CNPs (CZNPs), the ceria atom tends to remain in a Ce form and its efficacy as a free radical scavenger thus increases.

Effects of 6 Months of Dapagliflozin Treatment on Metabolic Profile and Endothelial Cell Dysfunction for Obese Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients without Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease.

Background: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease, but the effect of these inhibitors on early cardiovascular disease remains unknown. This study evaluated the effect of dapagliflozin on the metabolic profiles and endothelial cell function in obese patients with T2DM without established cardiovascular disease.

Methods: We enrolled 140 patients with a mean age, weight, and body mass index (BMI) of 47 years, 83 kg, and 30.

Author Correction: Apolipoprotein J is a hepatokine regulating muscle glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Apolipoprotein J is a hepatokine regulating muscle glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity.

Crosstalk between liver and skeletal muscle is vital for glucose homeostasis. Hepatokines, liver-derived proteins that play an important role in regulating muscle metabolism, are important to this communication. Here we identify apolipoprotein J (ApoJ) as a novel hepatokine targeting muscle glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity through a low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-2 (LRP2)-dependent mechanism, coupled with the insulin receptor (IR) signaling cascade.

Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis Is Not Sufficient for Determining Water Deficit in Hypernatremic Patients.

BACKGROUND Hypernatremia is associated with poor outcomes in critically ill patients, and an accurate assessment of water volume is important to determine appropriate fluid hydration. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a new, noninvasive, and relatively easy method for measuring hydration status. This study aimed to investigate whether bioelectrical impedance measurements of body water could reduce the frequency of blood sampling for fluid replacement in patients with hypernatremia.