Search

Obesity and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are major global health problems. There are very little data concerning the prevalence and its associated factors of obesity in non-dialyzed patients who have different stages of CKD. Therefore, in this study, we examined the prevalence of obesity and its associated factors according to the stages of CKD. We used nationwide representative data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which was conducted over a 7-year period from 2008 to 2014 by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The results indicated that: (1) general obesity and abdominal obesity were more prevalent in patients with CKD compared to those without CKD; (2) the prevalence of general obesity and abdominal obesity was highest in stage 2 CKD; (3) stages 3a and 3b were the factors associated with general obesity, and stage 3a was significantly associated with abdominal obesity; (4) the association between general obesity/abdominal obesity and CKD disappeared in people with advanced stage 4/5 CKD; and (5) the presence of comorbidities contributed to the development of both general obesity and abdominal obesity. The findings of this study might support the idea that weight loss is a good potential intervention for the prevention of disease progression in moderate CKD (stage 3), but not severe CKD (stage 4/5).

Selaginella tamariscina is a perennial plant that is used for diverse diseases. This study investigated whether Selaginella tamariscina has an antiviral effect against influenza A virus (IAV) infection. We used green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged influenza A virus (IAV) to examine the effect of Selaginella tamariscina ethanol extract (STE) on influenza viral infection. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry showed that STE potently represses GFP expression by the virus, dose-dependently. STE significantly inhibited the expression of the IAV M2, NP, HA, NA, NS1, and PB2 proteins. Time-of-addition and hemagglutination inhibition assays showed that STE has an inhibitory effect on hemagglutinin and viral binding on the cells at an early infection time. In addition, STE exerted a suppressive effect on the neuraminidase activity of the H1N1 and H3N2 IAVs. Furthermore, dose-dependently, STE inhibited the cytopathic effect induced by H3N2, as well as by H1N1 IAV. Especially in the presence of 200 µg/mL STE, the cytopathic effect was completely blocked. Our findings suggest that STE has antiviral efficacy against IAV infection; thus, it could be developed as a natural IAV inhibitor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Interest in the oligometastatic prostate cancer (OMPC) is increasing, and various clinical studies have reported the benefits of metastasis-directed radiation therapy (MDRT) in OMPC. However, the recognition regarding the adopted definitions, methodologies of assessment, and therapeutic approaches is diverse among radiation oncologists. This study aims to evaluate the level of agreement for issues in OMPC among radiation oncologists. Methods: We generated 15 key questions (KQs) for OMPC relevant to definition, diagnosis, local therapies, and endpoints. Additionally, three clinical scenarios representing synchronous metastatic prostate cancer (mPC) (case 1), metachronous mPC with visceral metastasis (case 2), and metachronous mPC with castration-resistance and history of polymetastasis (case 3) were developed. The 15 KQs were adapted according to each scenario and transformed into 23 questions with 6–9 per scenario. The survey was distributed to 80 radiation oncologists throughout the Republic of Korea. Answer options with 0.0–29.9%, 30–49.9%, 50–69.9%, 70–79.9%, 80–89.9%, and 90–100% agreements were considered as no, minimal, weak, moderate, strong, and near perfect agreement, respectively. Results: Forty-five candidates voluntarily participated in this study. Among 23 questions, near perfect (n = 4), strong (n = 3), or moderate (n = 2) agreements were shown in nine. For the case recognized as OMPC with agreements of 93% (case 1), near perfect agreements on the application of definitive radiation therapy (RT) for whole metastatic lesions were achieved. While ≥70% agreements regarding optimal dose-fractionation for metastasis-directed RT (MDRT) has not been achieved, stereotactic body RT (SBRT) is favored by clinicians with higher clinical volume. Conclusion: For the case recognized as OMPC, near perfect agreement for the application of definitive RT for whole metastatic lesions was reached. SBRT was more favored as a MDRT by clinicians with a higher clinical volume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Perspectives of radiation oncologists on oligometastatic disease was investigated using multi-layered survey. Materials and Methods Online survey on the oligometastatic disease was distributed to the board-certified regular members of the Korean Society for Radiation Oncology. The questionnaire consisted of four domains: five questions on demographics; five on the definition of oligometastatic disease; four on the role of local therapy; and three on the oligometastatic disease classification, respectively. Results A total of 135 radiation oncologists participated in the survey. The median length of practice after board certification was 22.5 years (range, 1 to 44 years), and the vast majority (94.1%) answered affirmatively to the clinical experience in oligometastatic disease management. Nearly two-thirds of the respondents considered the number of involved organs as an independent factor in defining oligometastasis. Most frequently perceived upper limit on the numerical definition of oligometastasis was 5 (64.2%), followed by 3 (26.0%), respectively. Peritoneal and brain metastasis were nominated as the sites to be excluded from oligometastastic disease by 56.3% and 12.6% of the participants, respectively. Vast majority (82.1%) agreed on the role of local treatment in the management of oligometastatic disease. Majority (72%) of the participants acknowledged the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO)-European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) classification of oligometastatic disease, however, only 43.3% answered that they applied this classification in their clinical practice. Underlying reasons against the clinical use were 'too complicated' (66.0%), followed by 'insufficient supporting evidence' (30.0%), respectively. Conclusion While most radiation oncologists supported the role of local therapy in oligometastatic disease, there were several inconsistencies in defining and categorizing oligometastatic disease. Continued education and training on oligometastatic disease would be also required to build consensus among participating caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundPrevious literature has implicated that there might be an individual susceptibility difference in terms of race/ethnicity and gender in response to second hand smoke (SHS) exposure. This study was done to examine the effect of SHS exposure on lung function in non-smoking Korean women.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) from 2008-2011. A total of 2,513 female participants, age 40 yr and older, with no respiratory symptoms or prior lung diseases, were included in this study. Participants' smoking status was examined using both self-reported history and measurement of urinary cotinine level. Lung function was assessed using spirometry data, including FVC and FEV1. T-test and Chi-square tests were performed to compare diverse variables between groups. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) adjusted for age, height, alcohol consumption, and level of exercise was used to see any statistical differences in lung function parameters between non-SHS exposed and SHS-exposed groups.ResultsAmong 2,513 non-smoking females, 767 (30.5%) were SHS-exposed. The urinary cotinine levels clearly distinguished SHS exposure, and the mean urinary cotinine levels were 7.1±0.4 and 11±0.7 in non-SHS exposed group vs. SHS-exposed group, respectively (P < 0.001). Urinary cotinine levels were correlated with duration of SHS exposure. However, both groups had normal lung function and there was no significant difference between the two groups in lung function.ConclusionsUrinary cotinine is a valuable marker of SHS exposure. Korean women may have higher tolerance for SHS exposure-induced lung function decline.

Incidental pulmonary nodules detected via computed tomography (CT) are usually small, solid nodules (diameters less than 8 mm) that are likely benign and are difficult to biopsy. Additional features of the benignity of these small nodules may help determine the need and periodicity of further follow-up and should be identified. This study was conducted to examine the clinical factors associated with benign solid pulmonary nodules measuring less than 8 mm in diameter. This retrospective study enrolled participants who underwent low-dose chest CT scans for 3 consecutive years during routine health check-ups at a university hospital in Korea. We chose a 2-year study period to ensure that the nodule(s) were benign, which meant there was no interval change over this period. Participants were stratified into two groups: no nodule (n = 56) and nodule(s) (n = 355). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to explore associations (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 95% confidence interval [CI], p-value) between variables and nodule(s). In this study cohort, elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were positively associated factors with the presence of benign pulmonary nodule(s) (aOR: 1.10, 95% CI:1.00–1.20, p = 0.0488), whereas current cigarette smoking was negatively associated with nodules (aOR: 0.26, 95% CI: 0.08–0.81, p = 0.0202). Therefore, an elevated LDL cholesterol level was the only factor that was positively associated with the presence of benign small pulmonary nodules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sanguisorba officinalis L. (SOL) is a perennial plant widely distributed in Asia, its roots are well-known as a traditional herbal medicine to treat burns, chronic intestinal infections, scalds, and inflammation in Korea. Also, the roots of SOL are used for treatment of many types of allergic skin diseases, including urticarial, eczema, and allergic dermatitis. Purpose: In this study we investigated the underlying mechanism of anti-inflammatory effect of an ethanol extract of SOL roots (ESOL). Study design: The ability of ESOL to inhibit inflammatory skin disorder was tested in human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. Methods: Viability test using MTT assay were used to determine non-cytotoxic concentrations of ESOL on HaCaT cells. ESOL-mediated inhibition of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α/interferon (IFN)-γ-induced production of pro-inflammatory chemokines-such as macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC), regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), interleukin (IL)-8, and thymus and activation regulated chemokine (TARC)-at the mRNA level was determined by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The ability of ESOL to reduce the expression of pro-inflammatory marker proteins was evaluated by Western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry. Results: ESOL reduced the production of MDC, RANTES, IL-8, and TARC in HaCaT cells stimulated with TNF-α/ IFN-γ at both protein and mRNA levels. ESOL also suppressed the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-l, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and inhibited both nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor-alpha (IκB-α) degradation and the nuclear translocation of NF-κB/p65. ESOL exerts anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing the expression of TNF-α/IFN-γ-stimulated chemokines and pro-inflammatory molecules via a blockade NF-κB, STAT-1, and ERK activation. Conclusion: Our results suggest the preventive potential of ESOL as a herbal medicine for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. Keywords: Sanguisorba officinalis L HaCaT Keratinocytes Anti-inflammation Chemokine NF-κB/p65, Introduction Inflammatory skin responses are influenced by genetic, environmental, and immunological disturbances, among other factors. The chronic inflammatory skin is characterized by an increase in epidermal thickness and the infiltration [...]