Efficacy of ophthalmic examinations for predicting vascular calcification in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis.

Background: In maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients, vascular calcification can be detected not only in coronary vessels but also in ocular areas. However, ophthalmic examinations are not sufficiently validated to measure the degree of vascular calcification.

Methods: This study was performed prospectively, involving 32 MHD patients.

Influence of urinary creatinine concentration and specific gravity correction in exposure assessment: Comparison between chronic kidney disease patients and general population.

Urine is a favored matrix for biomonitoring of several important classes of chemicals. Because of variations in concentration, however, urine is often adjusted for dilution. Urinary creatinine (Cr) and specific gravity (SG) have been frequently employed for this purpose.

Impact of early or delayed antihypertensive medication on cardiovascular outcomes for newly detected hypertension in general health screenings: A nationwide population-based study in Korea.

Aims: Hypertension is a significant risk factor for myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and death. While antihypertensive medication is known to reduce these risks, the optimal timing for initiation remains controversial. This study aims to evaluate and compare the outcome risks associated with early versus delayed antihypertensive treatment in a general health screening setting.

Early smoking and its impact on cardio-cerebrovascular diseases in patients with chronic kidney disease: a nationwide population-based study.

Objective: Smoking is a leading preventable cause of disease and death worldwide, with severe implications for individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Although smoking at a younger age is linked to higher mortality risk, the specific effects of early smoking on all-cause and cardio-cerebrovascular diseases (CCVDs)-specific mortality in CKD patients are not well established. This study aims to examine the association between early smoking, smoking intensity, and mortality in patients with CKD.

Spatially resolved transcriptomic profiling for glomerular and tubulointerstitial gene expression in C3 glomerulopathy.

Background: Complement 3 (C3) glomerulopathy (C3G) is a rare but clinically significant glomerulopathy. However, little is known about its transcriptomic profile. We investigated the substructure-specific gene expression profile of C3G using the recently introduced spatial transcriptomics technology.

Association Between Healthy Dietary Patterns and Chronic Kidney Disease in Patients with Diabetes: Findings from Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2019-2021.

: Although a healthy dietary pattern is a modifiable lifestyle factor in the prevention of chronic kidney disease (CKD), studies that investigate the association between a healthy diet and prevalent CKD in patients with diabetes, using the Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI), are lacking. : This cross-sectional study included 1991 patients with diabetes from the eighth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2019-2021. A higher KHEI indicated healthier eating habits.

New-onset mental disorders increase among patients with metabolic diseases after the COVID-19 pandemic.

There is limited information on new-onset mental disorders in adults with metabolic diseases following the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we aimed to examine the changes in mental health following the COVID-19 pandemic and identify factors associated with the development of new-onset mental disorders. Among 90,580 UK Biobank participants diagnosed with COVID-19 between Jan 31, 2020 and Oct 31, 2022, those who completed both baseline and follow-up mental health questionnaires in 2016-2017 and 2022-2023 were included in the analysis.

Longitudinal Income Dynamics and Risk of End-Stage Kidney Disease in Type 2 Diabetes: A South Korean Population-Based Cohort Study.

Rationale & Objective: The prevalence of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) continues to rise, with socioeconomic status (SES), particularly income, having associations with ESKD risk among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study examined the longitudinal association of income changes with ESKD risk among nonelderly adults with T2DM in South Korea.

Study Design: Population-based retrospective cohort study.

Identification of conserved gene expression changes across common glomerular diseases by spatial transcriptomics.

Background: Glomerular diseases encompass a group of kidney diseases that may share common gene expression pathways. Here, we analyzed glomerular-specific gene expression profiles across various glomerular diseases.

Methods: We performed spatial transcriptomic profiling using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded kidney biopsy specimens of controls and patients with five types of glomerular diseases using the GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiler.

Causal Effects From Kidney Function to Plasma Proteome: Integrated Observational and Mendelian Randomization Analysis With >50,000 UK Biobank Participants.

Purpose: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) causes detrimental systemic effects, including inflammation or apoptosis, which lead to substantial morbidity and mortality. However, the causal effect of reduced kidney function on systemic proteomic signatures is incompletely understood.

Methods: We performed an integrated Mendelian randomization (MR) and observational analyses to identify the causal association between kidney function and plasma protein levels, based on 1815 plasma protein profiles in 50,407 UK Biobank participants and the CKDGen Phase 4 genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis for the genetic instruments of eGFR.

Quality of life, socioeconomic impact, and medical consideration of living kidney donors: a comprehensive survey in Korea.

Background: South Korea stands out as a prominent nation relying heavily on living-donor transplants, with a high incidence of living-donor kidney transplants. This study aimed to obtain objective data on the psychological, social, and mental health status of living kidney donors in South Korea.

Methods: A questionnaire was administered to living kidney donors at two tertiary hospitals between June 2020 and November 2020.

A novel approach to the relation of multi-pollutant effect and kidney dysfunction: data analysis from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey Cycle 3 (2015-2017).

Background: Traditional statistical models for estimating the impact of multiple environmental chemicals on kidney outcomes have limitations. This study aimed to evaluate the risk prediction of kidney disease in the general population using innovative methodologies.

Methods: Serum persistent organic pollutant (POP), urinary chemical, serum creatinine, and urinary albumin levels were measured in a subpopulation of adults (n = 1,266) drawn from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey Cycle 3 (n = 3,787).

Association between obstructive sleep apnea and albuminuria in Korean adults: a nationwide populationbased study.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic complications. Albuminuria, an early marker of kidney damage, is a proposed risk factor for OSA and its adverse outcomes. The study explored the association between OSA and albuminuria in Korean adults.

Effectiveness and safety of denosumab on osteoporosis treatment in kidney transplant recipients.

Background: Denosumab has been reported to improve bone mineral density (BMD), but the clinical impact of denosumab on osteoporosis in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) remains controversial.

Methods: We analyzed 98 KTRs who used denosumab from 2018 to 2023. We investigated the change in BMD, laboratory findings, complications of denosumab, fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX) score, acute rejection within 1 year, and graft failure.

Effects of dietary fatty acid on all-cause mortality according to the kidney function based on the nationwide population study.

Background: Although the relationship between fatty acids (FAs) and the risk of all-cause mortality has been long discussed, there is little evidence about the impact of each FA component on all-cause mortality by kidney function status.

Methods: We used data from the U.S.

Impact of ciprofloxacin with autophagy on renal tubular injury.

Backgrounds: Renal tubular injury caused by oxidative stress and inflammation results in acute kidney injury. Recent research reported that antibiotics may protect renal tubules from progressive deterioration, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the efficacy and mechanism of action of antibiotics against renal tubular injury.

Synergistic effect of periodontitis and C-reactive protein levels on mortality: NHANES 2001-2004.

Periodontitis is associated with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Although the coexistence of periodontitis and elevated CRP levels may heighten the risk of mortality, previous studies have not confirmed their synergistic effect. Understanding this interaction is crucial for identifying potential interventions to reduce mortality risk in individuals with periodontitis.

Exposure to Phthalates and Alternative Plasticizers in Patients with Impaired Kidney Function in Korea: Temporal Trend during 2011-2020 and Its Association with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Phthalates are chemical risk factors of chronic kidney disease (CKD); however, little is known about temporal trends of phthalate exposure and associated health risks among CKD patients. Such information is even scarce for alternative plasticizers. CKD patients were recruited from 2011 to 2020 in Korea ( = 200) and assessed for the temporal changes of both traditional and alternative plasticizer exposure.

Potential benefits of hormone replacement therapy on cardiovascular and kidney outcomes in postmenopausal women with chronic kidney disease.

Background: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is recommended for alleviating vasomotor symptoms or preventing bone loss in postmenopausal women. This study aimed to investigate the impact of hormone replacement therapy on major adverse cardiovascular events, kidney failure, and mortality in women with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: This population-based cohort study analyzed data from the National Cancer Screening Program and the national health examination of South Korea.

Histopathological correlations of CT-based radiomics imaging biomarkers in native kidney biopsy.

Background: Kidney biopsy is the standard of care for the diagnosis of various kidney diseases. In particular, chronic histopathologic lesions, such as interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy, can provide prognostic information regarding chronic kidney disease progression. In this study, we aimed to evaluate historadiological correlations between CT-based radiomic features and chronic histologic changes in native kidney biopsies and to construct and validate a radiomics-based prediction model for chronicity grade.