Hye Won Kim

Role of the VEGF 936 C/T polymorphism in diabetic microvascular complications in type 2 diabetic patients

Aim:u2003 Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is important in the pathogenesis of diabetic microvascular complications and the genetic polymorphism of this gene may contribute to the development and progression of diabetic microvascular complications. In this study, we investigated whether a genetic polymorphism of VEGF is associated with diabetic complications.

Atrophic Gastritis: A Related Factor for Osteoporosis in Elderly Women

Purpose Osteoporosis poses a great threat to the aging society. Hypochlorhydric or achlorhydric conditions are risk factors for osteoporosis. Atrophic gastritis also decreases gastric acid production; however, the role of atrophic gastritis as a related factor for osteoporosis is unclear. We investigated the relationship between atrophic gastritis and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women over 60 years of age. Subjects and Methods A total of 401 postmenopausal women were included in this cross-sectional study, which was conducted during their medical check-ups. Bone mineral densitometry was measured using a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Atrophic gastritis was defined endoscopically if gastric mucosa in the antrum and the body were found to be atrophied and thinned and submucosal vessels could be well visualized. Results The proportion of people with atrophic gastritis was higher in the osteoporotic group than in the group without osteoporosis. A linear relationship was observed in the proportion of atrophic gastritis according to the categories of normal, osteopenia, and osteoporosis at the lumbar spine (p for trendu200a=u200a0.039) and femur (p for trendu200a=u200a0.001). A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of atrophic gastritis was associated with an increased odds of osteoporosis after adjusting for age, body mass index, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, alcohol consumption, and smoking status (odds ratio 1.89, 95% confidence interval 1.15–3.11). Conclusions Atrophic gastritis is associated with an increased likelihood of osteoporosis in Korean elderly women.

IL-10 Mediates Rosiglitazone-Induced Kidney Protection in Cisplatin Nephrotoxicity

Cisplatin, a major anti-neoplastic drug, is known to be nephrotoxic and inflammation-inducing. A peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma agonist, regulating lipid metabolism, has known to have anti-inflammatory effect, but the protection mechanisms in various kidney injuries are not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to examine the reno-protective effect of rosiglitazone on cisplatin nephrotoxicity in mice focusing on inflammation and apoptosis. Male BALB/c mice were pretreated with rosiglitazone (10 mg/kg) or vehicle through daily intraperitoneal injection for 3 days and then were given a single injection of cisplatin (20 mg/kg). Cisplatin induced a significant rise in blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels, and tubular cell damage with marked tissue inflammation. Tissue cytokines and chemokines measured by a cytometric bead array showed increased TNF-α, IL-6, MCP-1, and IFN-γ levels, while IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, was significantly decreased by cisplatin treatment. However, rosiglitazone pretreatment substantially reversed the depressed IL-10 level with simultaneous suppression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. This tissue cytokine and chemokine milieu was associated with marked attenuation of kidney injury elicited by cisplatin. These findings suggest that the rosiglitazone-mediated renoprotective effect in cisplatin nephrotoxicity of mice is partially mediated by upregulation of anti-inflammatory IL-10 production.

Microbiological Quality of Seasoned Roasted Laver and Potential Hazard Control in a Real Processing Line

Microbiological quality of laver, one of the edible seaweeds, has not been reported in a real processing line. Laver or supplements were collected from six manufacturers (A to F) to assess potential microbiological hazards and the critical control points in commercial processing lines. Aerobic plate counts (APC), coliform counts, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus were enumerated, and the presence of B. cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, S. aureus, and V. parahaemolyticus were confirmed during processing. The raw material, i.e., dried laver, had a high initial APC level (4.4 to 7.8 log CFU/g), which decreased gradually during processing (final products, 1.3 to 5.9 log CFU/g). Coliforms and B. cereus were not detected in any of the final products, but they were present in some raw materials and semiprocessed products in quantitative analysis. After enrichment for recovery of stress-injured cells, E. coli and foodborne pathogens were not detected in any samples, with the exception of B. cereus. Heat-injured and spore-forming B. cereus isolates were occasionally obtained from some of the raw materials and products after enrichment, thus B. cereus may be a potential microbiological hazard that should be controlled using strategic intervention measures. Secondary roasting (260 to 400°C, 2 to 10 s) significantly reduced the APC (maximum log reduction, 4.7 log CFU/g), and this could be a key intervention step for controlling microbiological hazards during processing (critical control point). When this step was performed appropriately, according to the processing guide for each plant, the microorganisms were inactivated more successfully in the products. This study provides scientific evidence that may facilitate the development of strategies for microbiological hazard control and hygienic management guidelines for real manufacturing plants.

Low iPTH Can Predict Vascular and Coronary Calcifications in Patients Undergoing Peritoneal Dialysis

Background: There is substantial evidence that low levels of serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) are associated with vascular calcium deposition and subsequent increased cardiovascular risk in chronic kidney disease patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the serum iPTH level, and vascular and coronary artery calcifications (VCs, CACs) and arterial stiffness in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 93 PD patients were included. VCs, CACs and arterial stiffness were measured by simple X-rays of the hands and pelvis, multi-slice coronary CT and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (BaPWV). Results: Patients were divided into 3 groups according to iPTH levels. The prevalence of severe VCs (VC score ≧3) was highest in the low iPTH group (<150 pg/ml). In multivariate analysis, the presence of diabetes mellitus and a low iPTH were shown to be significant risk factors for severe VCs. In addition, a simple VC score of ≧1 was a significant variable for predicting severe CACs (CAC score ≧400). Conclusion: Low iPTH and the presence of diabetes mellitus are thought to be independent risk factors for predicting VCs. VCs determined by simple X-ray can further predict the coexistence of CACs that ultimately might contribute to increased cardiovascular risk in PD patients.

Primed monocytes: putative culprits of chronic low-grade inflammation and impaired innate immune responses in patients on hemodialysis

BackgroundEnd-stage renal disease patients are known to be in a state of chronic low-grade inflammation and to have high infection-related morbidity and mortality. However, the precise mechanisms are not understood. The purpose of this study was to determine the mechanisms underlying chronic low-grade inflammation and defects in innate immune responses in hemodialysis (HD) patients.MethodIn 33 HD patients, we measured the basal status of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) positivity in the CD14-positive monocyte population in the peripheral blood (not strong, i.e., CD14low), with plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-12p70 compared with 22 healthy controls. After stimulation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the plasma cytokine response was also compared.ResultsIn the basal state, the percentage of peripheral blood TLR4+CD14low monocytes and plasma cytokines were significantly higher in HD patients (pxa0<xa00.05), suggesting that preactivated primed monocytes might be responsible for the chronic inflammatory state in HD patients. However, upon LPS challenge, the fold increase in plasma cytokine response was significantly reduced in HD patients (pxa0<xa00.05) compared with controls. More importantly, the fold increase of these cytokines showed a positive correlation with plasma albumin (pxa0<xa00.05) and a negative correlation with C-reactive protein (CRP) (pxa0<xa00.05), suggesting the presence of a possible link between chronic low-grade inflammation and suboptimal innate immune response.ConclusionChronic low-grade inflammation due to preactivated peripheral blood CD14+ leukocyte subset might be a mechanism for impaired innate immune responses, thus resulting in the high rates of infection-related morbidity and mortality observed in HD patients.

Microinflammation in Hemodialysis Patients Is Associated with Increased CD14+CD16+ Pro-Inflammatory Monocytes: Possible Modification by On-Line Hemodiafiltration

Background: An increased percentage of pro-inflammatory CD14+CD16+ monocytes might contribute to inflammation in hemodialysis (HD) patients. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the possible contribution of pro-inflammatory monocytes to inflammation in HD patients and also to evaluate the effect of on-line hemodiafiltration (HDF). Methods: Flow cytometric detection of monocytes in patients undergoing HD, on-line HDF and healthy controls as well as plasma cytokines and cytokine mRNA measurement were performed. Results: Percent pro-inflammatory monocytes, plasma cytokines and cytokine mRNA significantly increased in HD patients. Intracellular cytokine staining showed pro-inflammatory monocytes were the predominant source of tumor necrosis factor-α. Percent pro-inflammatory monocytes positively correlated with plasma inflammatory cytokines. Percent pro-inflammatory monocytes, plasma cytokines and cytokine mRNA significantly decreased in on-line HDF patients. Conclusion: Increased pro-inflammatory monocytes are likely to contribute to inflammation in HD patients, and beneficial effect of on-line HDF might be partially mediated by modulating the inflammatory response.

Hemophagocytic Syndrome in a Patient with Acute Tubulointerstitial Nephritis Secondary to Hepatitis A Virus Infection

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is generally a self-limited disease, but the infection in adults can be serious, to be often complicated by acute kidney injury (AKI) and rarely by virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome (VAHS). Our patient, a 48-yr-old man, was diagnosed with HAV infection complicated by dialysis-dependent AKI. His kidney biopsy showed acute tubulointerstitial nephritis with massive infiltration of activated macrophages and T cells, and he progressively demonstrated features of VAHS. With hemodialysis and steroid treatment, he was successfully recovered.

The Efficacy and Safety of Lidocaine-Containing Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Filler for Treatment of Nasolabial Folds: A Multicenter, Randomized Clinical Study

BackgroundThe use of injectable hyaluronic acid–based gel is well established in aesthetic facial procedures especially on the nasolabial fold (NLF).ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy and safety of PP-501-A-Lidocaine dermal filler with RestylaneLidocaine® when administered to the NLF.MethodsSixty-six subjects seeking correction of NLFs, with moderate or severe wrinkle severity, were recruited for this multicenter, randomized, patient and evaluator-blind, matched pairs, and active-controlled design clinical study. PP-501-A-Lidocaine and RestylaneLidocaine® were injected into the deep layer of the dermis and/or subcutis of the NLF. The first validity evaluation variable was the average wrinkle severity rating scale (WSRS), as scored by independent blinded evaluators at week 24. The second validity evaluation variable including the global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS), the WSRS, and adverse event reporting at weeks 8, 16, and 24 were also performed.ResultsThe mean improvement in the WSRS from baseline was 1.58xa0±xa00.68 for the PP-501-A-Lidocaine and 1.51xa0±xa00.66 for the RestylaneLidocaine® at week 24. The average value at week 8 after the final application was 1.62xa0±xa00.78 and 1.60xa0±xa00.75 in parts subject to PP-501-A-Lidocaine and RestylaneLidocaine®, respectively, and 1.58xa0±xa00.70 and 1.57xa0±xa00.68 at week 16, respectively. Both improvement and duration of the treatment effect were similar between the two groups. GAIS data rated by the treating investigator and participants showed no statistically significant differences. Both fillers were well tolerated and adverse reactions were mild and transient in most cases.ConclusionPP-501-A-Lidocaine showed an equivalent efficacy and safety observed after 6xa0months of follow-up compared to RestylaneLidocaine®.Level of Evidence IThis journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Microbiological criteria and ecology of commercially available processed cheeses according to the product specification and physicochemical characteristics

Although global cheese manufacturers release a variety of products onto the market, research on the microbiological quality and safety of cheese has focused mainly on conventional cheeses made from milk. Here, this study aimed to investigate commercially processed cheese products produced by mixing conventional cheeses after melting. Two approaches were used: a summary and comparison of legal definitions and standards/regulations regarding the microbiological criteria used by major cheese traders in the global market (Australia/New Zealand, China, European Union, Japan, Mexico, Republic of Korea, and the United States) and a comprehensive microbiological analysis of commercial products (nu202f=u202f800), along with an assessment of salinity, pH, water activity, and heating conditions. The results of the literature search showed that major importing countries (China, Japan, Mexico, and the Republic of Korea) have stricter microbiological criteria for commercially available cheese products than major exporters (Australia/New Zealand, EU, and the USA). The former set limits with respect to the number of total coliforms in the product. Microbiological analyses were designed according to global standards and recommendations. No test sample contained detectable levels of Clostridium perfringens, enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, or Staphylococcus aureus. In addition, no coliform bacteria (including E. coli) were detected. Overall, 79.9% of the samples contained detectable aerobic plate counts (1.0-7.8u202flogu202fCFU/g); these levels varied significantly according to product type (grated cheeseu202f>u202fchunks; cream cheeseu202f>u202fportions or sliced) (pu202f<u202f.05). There was no significant association between microbe levels and salinity, water activity, pH, and heating conditions. The results can be used to develop a comprehensive database about commercially processed cheese products available in the global market and, as such, may be helpful for both national authorities and cheese manufacturers when considering novel strategic management plans for microbiological quality and safety.