Objective: Spatial normalization is an essential process for comparative analyses that heavily depends on the standard brain template used. Brain morphological differences are observed in different populations due to genetic and environmental factors, causing mismatches in regions when the data are normalized to different population templates. Recent studies have indicated differences between Caucasian and East Asian populations as well as within East Asian populations, suggesting the necessity of population-specific brain templates. Thus, this study aimed to construct a Korean young adult age-specific brain template utilizing an advanced method of template construction to update the currently available Korean template. Methods: The KOR152 template was constructed via affine and nonlinear iterative procedures based on prior studies. We compared the morphological features of different population templates (MNI152, Indian_157, and CN200). The distance and volumetric changes before and after registering the data to these templates were calculated for registration accuracy. Results: The KOR152 global brain features revealed a shorter overall length than the other population templates. The registration accuracy by distance and volumetric change was significantly lower than that of the other population templates, implying that the KOR152 was more accurate than other templates for the young adult Korean population. Conclusion This study provided evidence for the need for a population-specific template that may be more appropriate for structural and functional studies in Korean populations.

Immunoglobulin G4-related sclerosing disease is a novel clinicopathological disease entity known to involve various organs including the pancreas, bile ducts, gall bladder, retroperitoneum, kidney, salivary gland, lung and prostate. The most common organ involved is the pancreas and cases without pancreatic involvement are uncommon. Positive response to steroids is an important characteristic of this disease and this enables early diagnosis, which is required for good prognosis. We demonstrate a case of immunoglobulin G4-related tubulointerstitial nephritis in a 59-year-old male accompanied by sclerosing cholangitis and sialadenitis without any evidence of pancreatic infiltration. The patient was treated with prednisolone and was fully recovered in 6 months.
Bile Ducts ; Cholangitis ; Cholangitis, Sclerosing ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Kidney ; Lung ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nephritis, Interstitial ; Pancreas ; Prednisolone ; Prognosis ; Prostate ; Salivary Glands ; Sialadenitis ; Steroids ; Urinary Bladder

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Accumulating data suggest that vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, comprehensive data are lacking for Koreans. The aim of this study was to survey vitamin D deficiency among patients with CKD in Korea and to identify the relationships among various factors. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 444 patients who were divided into four subgroups by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) for comparisons of mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level and other parameters. In addition, non-dialyzed patients were categorized into four groups based on 25(OH)D levels (<10, 10-19, 20-29, and > or =30 ng/mL), and risk factors for severe vitamin D deficiency (<10 ng/mL) were investigated. RESULTS: Of patients with an eGFR > or = 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, 43% (34/79) showed severe 25(OH)D deficiency, and the mean 25(OH)D level was 11.7 +/- 5.3 ng/mL. In CKD3 group, 53.2% (41/77) showed severe 25(OH)D deficiency, with a mean level of 11.3 +/- 7.2 ng/mL. In CKD4 group, 53.3% (49/92) had severe 25(OH)D deficiency, with a mean level of 11.0 +/- 6.2 ng/mL. Approximately 71% (139/196) of patients in CKD5 group showed severe deficiency, and the mean level was 9.2 +/- 5.9 ng/mL. Severe 25(OH)D deficiency was affected by winter season, renal function, diabetes, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The serum parathyroid hormone level was inversely correlated with the 25(OH)D level, such that 25(OH)D <20 ng/mL were associated with a steep increase in parathyroid hormone. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in the Korean population. Few patients met a sufficient 25(OH)D concentration, even in the early stages of CKD. Our data suggest that 25(OH)D level of 20 ng/mL is a threshold for a rapid increase in parathyroid hormone levels.
Cholesterol ; Cohort Studies ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Korea ; Lipoproteins ; Parathyroid Hormone ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Seasons ; Vitamin D ; Vitamin D Deficiency

Background and Objectives: The relationship between metabolic stress, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease is being studied steadily. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of palmitate (PA) and minimally modified low-density lipoprotein (mmLDL) on macrophages and to identify the associated pathways. Methods: J774 macrophages were incubated with PA or mmLDL and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Secretion of inflammatory chemokines and the expression of corresponding genes were determined. The phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) mitogen-activated protein kinase was also assessed. RNA sequencing of macrophages was performed to identify the genes regulated by PA or mmLDL. Some of the genes regulated by the 2 agents were validated by knocking down the cells using small interfering RNA. Results: PA or mmLDL promoted the secretion of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β in LPSstimulated macrophages, and this was accompanied by higher phosphorylation of ERK. RNA sequencing revealed dozens of genes that were regulated in this process, such as Csf3 and Edn1, which were affected by PA and mmLDL, respectively. These agents also increased Nlrp3 expression. The effect of Csf3 or Edn1 silencing on inflammation was modest, whereas toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 inhibition reduced a large proportion of macrophage activation. Conclusions We demonstrated that the proinflammatory milieu with high levels of PA or mmLDL promoted macrophage activation and the expression of associated genes such as Nlrp3, Csf3, and Edn1. Although the TLR4 pathway appeared to be most relevant, additional role of other genes in this process provided insights regarding the potential targets for intervention.

Background and Objectives: The relationship between metabolic stress, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease is being studied steadily. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of palmitate (PA) and minimally modified low-density lipoprotein (mmLDL) on macrophages and to identify the associated pathways. Methods: J774 macrophages were incubated with PA or mmLDL and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Secretion of inflammatory chemokines and the expression of corresponding genes were determined. The phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) mitogen-activated protein kinase was also assessed. RNA sequencing of macrophages was performed to identify the genes regulated by PA or mmLDL. Some of the genes regulated by the 2 agents were validated by knocking down the cells using small interfering RNA. Results: PA or mmLDL promoted the secretion of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β in LPSstimulated macrophages, and this was accompanied by higher phosphorylation of ERK. RNA sequencing revealed dozens of genes that were regulated in this process, such as Csf3 and Edn1, which were affected by PA and mmLDL, respectively. These agents also increased Nlrp3 expression. The effect of Csf3 or Edn1 silencing on inflammation was modest, whereas toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 inhibition reduced a large proportion of macrophage activation. Conclusions We demonstrated that the proinflammatory milieu with high levels of PA or mmLDL promoted macrophage activation and the expression of associated genes such as Nlrp3, Csf3, and Edn1. Although the TLR4 pathway appeared to be most relevant, additional role of other genes in this process provided insights regarding the potential targets for intervention.

BACKGROUND: Accurate volume measurement is important in the management of patients with congestive heart failure or renal insufficiency. A bioimpedance analyser can estimate total body water in litres and has been widely used in clinical practice due to its non-invasiveness and ease of results interpretation. To change impedance data to volumetric data, bioimpedance analysers use equations derived from data from healthy subjects, which may not apply to patients with other conditions. Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) was developed to overcome the dependence on those equations by constructing vector plots using raw impedance data. BIVA requires normal reference plots for the proper interpretation of individual vectors. The aim of this study was to construct normal reference vector plots of bioelectrical impedance for Koreans. METHODS: Bioelectrical impedance measurements were collected from apparently healthy subjects screened according to a comprehensive physical examination and medical history performed by trained physicians. Reference vector contours were plotted on the RXc graph using the probability density function of the bivariate normal distribution. We further compared them with those of other ethnic groups. RESULTS: A total of 242 healthy subjects aged 22 to 83 were recruited (137 men and 105 women) between December 2015 and November 2016. The centers of the tolerance ellipses were 306.3 Ω/m and 34.9 Ω/m for men and 425.6 Ω/m and 39.7 Ω/m for women. The ellipses were wider for women than for men. The confidence ellipses for Koreans were located between those for Americans and Spaniards without overlap for both genders. CONCLUSION: This study presented gender-specific normal reference BIVA plots and corresponding tolerance and confidence ellipses on the RXc graph, which is important for the interpretation of BIA-reported volume status in patients with congestive heart failure or renal insufficiency. There were noticeable differences in reference ellipses with regard to gender and ethnic groups.
Adult ; Blood Volume ; Body Fluid Compartments ; Body Water ; Electric Impedance ; Ethnic Groups ; Female ; Healthy Volunteers ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Male ; Physical Examination ; Renal Insufficiency

The present erratum notice corrects one figure of the article.