Serum calcification propensity and its association with biochemical parameters and bone mineral density in hemodialysis patients

T50 is a novel serum-based marker that assesses the propensity for calcification in serum. A shorter T50 indicates a greater propensity to calcify and has been associated with cardiovascular disease and mortality among patients with chronic kidney disease. The factors associated with T50 and the correlation between T50 and bone mineral density (BMD) are unknown in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 184 patients undergoing HD. Individuals were grouped into tertiles of T50 to compare the demographic and disease indicators of the tertiles. Linear regression was used to evaluate the association between T50 and hip and spinal BMD in a multivariate model. Results: Mineral and inflammatory parameters, including serum phosphate (r = –0.156, p = 0.04), albumin (r = 0.289, p < 0.001), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (r = –0.224, p = 0.003) levels, were associated with T50. We found a weak association between T50 and BMD in the total hip area in the unadjusted model (β = 0.030, p = 0.04) but did not find a statistically significant association with the total hip (β = 0.017, p = 0.12), femoral neck (β = –0.001, p = 0.96), or spinal BMD (β = 0.019, p = 0.33) in multivariable-adjusted models. Conclusion: T50 was moderately associated with mineral and inflammatory parameters but did not conclusively establish an association with BMD in HD patients. Broad-scale future studies should determine whether T50 can provide insights into BMD beyond traditional risk factors in this population.

Elevated levels of soluble ST2 but not galectin-3 are associated with increased risk of mortality in hemodialysis patients

Background@#The soluble forms of suppression of tumorigenicity-2 (ST2) and galectin-3 have been proposed as novel biomarkers for cardiac fibrosis and heart failure, as well as predictors of cardiovascular events and mortality. However, there are limited data on the association between soluble ST2 and galectin-3 and clinical outcomes in patients with kidney failure on replacement therapy. To determine this, we examined the associations between soluble ST2 and galectin-3 and all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events in patients on hemodialysis. @*Methods@#This study included maintenance hemodialysis patients (over 18 years old) who consented to preserve their serum in the Biobank at our institution between March 2014 and March 2015. We used Cox proportional hazards regression analysis to evaluate the associations between soluble ST2, galectin-3 levels, and clinical outcomes. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, the secondary outcome was cardiovascular disease, and patients were followed for both outcomes until March 2018. @*Results@#A total of 296 patients were analyzed in this study. The mean age was 57 ± 13 years, and 53.0% were male. Serum concentration of soluble ST2 was significantly associated with higher mortality, after adjustment for confounding factors, but was not associated with cardiovascular disease. Serum galectin-3 level was not independently associated with either outcome after adjustment. @*Conclusion@#Elevated soluble ST2 is independently associated with an increased risk of mortality, but not with cardiovascular disease, in patients on hemodialysis. Elevated galectin-3 was not associated with mortality or cardiovascular disease.

Elevated levels of soluble ST2 but not galectin-3 are associated with increased risk of mortality in hemodialysis patients

Background@#The soluble forms of suppression of tumorigenicity-2 (ST2) and galectin-3 have been proposed as novel biomarkers for cardiac fibrosis and heart failure, as well as predictors of cardiovascular events and mortality. However, there are limited data on the association between soluble ST2 and galectin-3 and clinical outcomes in patients with kidney failure on replacement therapy. To determine this, we examined the associations between soluble ST2 and galectin-3 and all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events in patients on hemodialysis. @*Methods@#This study included maintenance hemodialysis patients (over 18 years old) who consented to preserve their serum in the Biobank at our institution between March 2014 and March 2015. We used Cox proportional hazards regression analysis to evaluate the associations between soluble ST2, galectin-3 levels, and clinical outcomes. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, the secondary outcome was cardiovascular disease, and patients were followed for both outcomes until March 2018. @*Results@#A total of 296 patients were analyzed in this study. The mean age was 57 ± 13 years, and 53.0% were male. Serum concentration of soluble ST2 was significantly associated with higher mortality, after adjustment for confounding factors, but was not associated with cardiovascular disease. Serum galectin-3 level was not independently associated with either outcome after adjustment. @*Conclusion@#Elevated soluble ST2 is independently associated with an increased risk of mortality, but not with cardiovascular disease, in patients on hemodialysis. Elevated galectin-3 was not associated with mortality or cardiovascular disease.

Effectiveness of calcium hypochlorite, quaternary ammonium compounds, and sodium hypochlorite in eliminating vegetative cells and spores of Bacillus anthracis surrogate

Background@#The spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis causes anthrax, an often-fatal infection in animals. Therefore, a rapid and reliable strategy to decontaminate areas, humans, and livestock from B. anthracis is very critical. @*Objectives@#The aim of this study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, and quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) sanitizers, which are commonly used in the food industry, to inhibit spores and vegetative cells of B.anthracis surrogate. @*Methods@#We evaluated the efficacy of sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, and a QAC in inhibiting vegetative cells and spores of a B. anthracis surrogate. We treated a 0.1-mL vegetative cell culture or spore solution with 10 mL sanitizer. The samples were serially diluted and cultured. @*Results@#We found that 50 ppm sodium hypochlorite (pH 7), 1 ppm calcium hypochlorite, and 1 ppm QAC completely eliminated the cells in vegetative state. Exposure to 3,000 ppm sodium hypochlorite (pH 7) and 300 ppm calcium hypochlorite significantly eliminated the bacterial spores; however, 50,000 ppm QAC could not eliminate all spores. @*Conclusions@#Calcium hypochlorite and QAC showed better performance than sodium hypochlorite in completely eliminating vegetative cells of B. anthracis surrogate. QAC was ineffective against spores of the B. anthracis surrogate. Among the three commercial disinfectants tested, calcium hypochlorite most effectively eliminated both B. anthracis vegetative cells and spores.

Factors Affecting Psychosocial Adjustment in Patients with Surgical Removal of Benign Breast Tumor

PURPOSE: To identify factors influencing psychosocial adjustment in patients with surgical removal of benign breast tumor. METHODS: With a survey design, data were collected using the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale-Self Report (PAIS-SR), Body Image Scale, Physical Discomfort Scale, and Family Support Scale with patients who had had surgical removal of a benign breast tumor from September to November 2017. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS: The mean scores for physical discomfort, body image, family support, and psychosocial adjustment were 1.57±0.51, 0.37±0.64, 3.62±0.67, and 4.00±0.45, respectively. Family support, body image, physical discomfort, number of surgical removal of benign breast tumor (twice), and cancer insurance status (yes) were verified as factors influencing psychosocial adjustment. These factors accounted for 57.4% of psychosocial adjustment. CONCLUSION: In this study, family support, body image, and physical discomfort were identified as significant predictors of psychosocial adjustment. Therefore, this study can be used as fundamental data to develop nursing intervention strategies in order to increase psychosocial adjustment in patients with surgical removal of a benign breast tumor.

Trends in Reports on Climate Change in 2009-2011 in the Korean Press Based on Daily Newspapers' Ownership Structure / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The mass media play a crucial role in risk communication regarding climate change. The aim of this study was to investigate the trend in journalistic reports on climate change in the daily newspapers of Korea. METHODS: We selected 9 daily newspapers in Korea, which according to the ABC Association, represented 77% of newspaper circulation, out of a total of 44 Korean daily newspapers. The collected articles were from 2009 to 2011. All of the articles were sorted into the following 8 categories: greenhouse gas, climate change conventions, sea level rise, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change synthesis reports, expected damage and effect, use of fossil fuels, global warming, and mitigation or adaptation. A chi-squared test was done on the articles, which were counted and classified into cause, effect, and measurement of climate change according to the newspaper's majority or minority ownership structure. RESULTS: From the 9 selected newspapers, the number of articles on climate change by month was greatest in December 2009. Generally, the articles vague about climate change (lack of precise data, negative or skeptical tone, and improper use of terminology) were much more common than the articles presenting accurate knowledge. A statistical difference was found based on ownership structure: the majority-owned newspapers addressed the cause of climate change, while the minority-owned newspapers referred more to climate change measurement. CONCLUSIONS: Our investigation revealed that generally Korean daily newspapers did not deliver accurate information about climate change. The coverage of the newspapers showed significant differences according to the ownership structure.

Corrigendum: Trends in Reports on Climate Change in 2009-2011 in the Korean Press Based on Daily Newspapers' Ownership Structure / 예방의학회지

This article was initially published with an error in Table 2.

Apo E4 Genotype as the Alzheimer Indictor in Korean Senior Subjects Aged 50 to 64 Years Old

Recent studies described the epsilon 4 allele of apoE confers a two-to fourfold increased risk for late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD), but LOAD pathology does not all fit neatly around apo E. Therefore, the goal of this study was to find the association between Alzheimer and apo E4 genotype in the 107 elderly between 50 to 64 years old who visited to FHWC of Sungshin Women's University. We conducted the questionnaire survey (general & 24 hr dietary recall), anthropometerics (BP, waist & BMI) and blood biochemistry (FBS & lipid profiles). LDL-c and HOMA-IR were calculated by Friedwald's and Matthew's formulas. The apo E genotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP method and subjects were divided into three allele groups (epsilon 3; wild, epsilon 2 & epsilon 4; mutants). The apo E allele frequencies were 7.0% for the epsilon 2, 83.6% for the epsilon 3 and 9.3% for the epsilon 4. In comparison with biochemistry characteristics by apo E genotype, FBS was significantly higher in epsilon 4 (129.2 +/- 6.8) than that in the others (epsilon 2: 117 +/- 7.4, epsilon 3: 107.3 +/- 2.2)(p 150 mg/dl) & low HDL (< 40 mg/dl: male symbol or < 50 mg/dl: female symbol )]. The cytokines levels such as IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha were not different among three apoE alleles. After the adjusting sex, age & dietary fiber, LDL-c level was significantly higher in epsilon 4 (108.3 +/- 7.7) than that in epsilon 2 (100.4 +/- 8.4)(p < 0.05). According to food intake and the recipe on the basis of 24 hr dietary recall, the elderly with epsilon 4 allele took higher intake frequency of the light -colored vegetable (radish, onion & cabbage) and pan-fried foods (sauteed beef and vegetables, stir-fried vienna with vegetables) than the others. We knew that the elderly with epsilon 4 allele had been restricted the calories intakes with high dietary fiber (33.6 + 2.5 g/d) to maintain the normal level of FBS and LDL-c. On next study, the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease in this population who has epsilon 4 allele on the condition of calories restriction will be continually follow-up.

Cyclooxygenase-2 promotes cell proliferation, migration and invasion in U2OS human osteosarcoma cells

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone tumor, but the pathogenesis is not well understood. While cyclooxygeanse-2 (COX-2) is known to be closely associated with tumor growth and metastasis in several kinds of human tumors, the function of COX-2 in osteosarcoma is unclear. Therefore, to investigate the function of COX-2 in osteosarcoma, we established stable cell lines overexpressing COX-2 in U2OS human osteosarcoma cells. COX-2 overexpression as well as prostaglandin E(2) treatment promoted proliferation of U2OS cells. In addition, COX-2 overexpression enhanced mobility and invasiveness of U2OS cells, which was accompanied by increases of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 (MMP-2 and -9) activities. Selective COX-2 inhibitors, NS-398 and celecoxib, inhibited cell proliferation and abrogated the enhanced mobility, invasiveness and MMP activities induced by COX-2 overexpression. These results suggest that COX-2 is directly associated with cell proliferation, migration and invasion in human osteosarcoma cells, and the therapeutic value of COX-2 inhibitors should be evaluated continuously.

Inhibitory Effects of an Aqueous Extract of Gynura procumbens on Human Mesangial Cell Proliferation

Gynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr. has been used in some parts of Southeast Asia as a folk medicine to treat kidney diseases, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia. The present work was undertaken to prove the mechanisms of G. procumbens in the management of glomerular diseases. We investigated the effect of an aqueous extract of G. procumbens on cell proliferation, DNA synthesis, and the expressions of TGF-beta1, PDGF-BB, CDK1, CDK2, and CDK4 in fetal bovine serum-activated human mesangial cells (MCs). The G. procumbens extract inhibited proliferation, DNA synthesis, expressions of PDGF-BB, CDK1, and CDK2 mRNA, and expression of TGF-beta1 protein in MCs. The inhibitory effect of G. procumbens on MC proliferation may be mediated by suppression of PDGF-BB and TGF-beta1 expressions and the modulation of CDK1 and CDK2 expression. Therefore, G. procumbens shows promise as an adjunct therapy in preventing progressive renal diseases.