PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of emergency contraceptive pill on adolescent sexuality and contraceptive behaviors through a meta - analysis of intervention studies on advance provision of emergency contraceptives. This study aimed to provide objective data on the transition of general medicines to be discussed in relation to the reclassification of emergency contraceptive pills. METHODS: Using electronic database, 1,820 studies written in Korean or English without limitation of the year were reviewed and for analysis, 5 studies were selected, in which emergency contraceptives were provided to adolescents. RESULTS: The advance provision of emergency contraceptives has increased their use and shortened the time it takes to take contraceptive pills after unprotected sex. There was no change in the frequency of engaging in sexual intercourse and unprotected sex or in existing contraceptive behavior, pregnancy rates decreased, but there was no increase in sexually transmitted infection. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide objective grounds for the reclassification of emergency contraceptive pills and propose effective interventional programs on contraceptive education, such as on efficacy and side effects of the contraceptive drug and its proper use among the youth who engage in sexual activity, to improve their reproductive health.
Adolescent* ; Coitus ; Contraception Behavior ; Contraceptives, Postcoital* ; Education ; Emergencies* ; Humans ; Pregnancy Rate ; Reproductive Health ; Sexual Behavior* ; Sexuality ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases ; Unsafe Sex

BACKGROUND: The hypoglycemic drugs dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors have proven protective effects on diabetic kidney disease, including renal fibrosis. Although NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation is known to play an important role in the progression of renal fibrosis, the impact of DPP-4 inhibition on NLRP3-mediated inflammation while ameliorating renal fibrosis has not been fully elucidated. Here, we report that the renoprotective effect of gemigliptin is associated with a reduction in NLRP3-mediated inflammation in a murine model of renal fibrosis.METHODS: We examined the effects of gemigliptin on renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis induced in mice by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Using immunohistochemical and Western blot analysis, we quantitated components of the NLRP3 inflammasome in kidneys with and without gemigliptin treatment, and in vitro in human kidney tubular epithelial human renal proximal tubule cells (HK-2) cells, we further analyzed the effect of gemigliptin on transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-stimulated production of profibrotic proteins.RESULTS: Immunohistological examination revealed that gemigliptin ameliorated UUO-induced tubular atrophy and renal fibrosis. Gemigliptin-treated kidneys showed a reduction in levels of NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC), caspase-1, and interleukin-1β, which had all been markedly increased by UUO. In line with thein vivoresults, TGF-β markedly increased NLRP3 inflammasome markers, which were attenuated by gemigliptin treatment. Furthermore, gemigliptin treatment attenuated phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB levels, which had been increased in the UUO kidney as well as in TGF-β-treated cultured renal cells.CONCLUSION: The present study shows that activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome contributes to UUO-induced renal fibrosis and the renoprotective effect of gemigliptin is associated with attenuation of NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
Animals ; Atrophy ; Blotting, Western ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors ; Down-Regulation ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; In Vitro Techniques ; Inflammasomes ; Inflammation ; Kidney ; Mice ; Ureteral Obstruction

Background: The demand for lung transplants continues to increase in Korea, and donor shortages and waitlist mortality are critical issues. This study aimed to evaluate the factors that affect waitlist outcomes from the time of registration for lung transplantation in Korea. Methods: Data were obtained from the Korean Network for Organ Sharing for lung-only registrations between September 7, 2009, and December 31, 2020. Post-registration outcomes were evaluated according to the lung disease category, blood group, and age. Results: Among the 1,671 registered patients, 49.1% had idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (group C), 37.0% had acute respiratory distress syndrome and other interstitial lung diseases (group D), 7.2% had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (group A), and 6.6% had primary pulmonary hypertension (group B). Approximately half of the patients (46.1%) were transplanted within 1 year of registration, while 31.8% died without receiving a lung transplant within 1 year of registration. Data from 1,611 patients were used to analyze 1-year postregistration outcomes, which were classified as transplanted (46.1%, n = 743), still awaiting (21.1%, n = 340), removed (0.9%, n = 15), and death on waitlist (31.8%, n = 513). No significant difference was found in the transplantation rate according to the year of registration. However, significant differences occurred between the waitlist mortality rates (P = 0.008) and the still awaiting rates (P = 0.009). The chance of transplantation after listing varies depending on the disease category, blood type, age, and urgency status. Waitlist mortality within 1 year was significantly associated with non-group A disease (hazard ratio [HR], 2.76, P < 0.001), age ≥ 65 years (HR, 1.48, P < 0.001), and status 0 at registration (HR, 2.10, P < 0.001). Conclusion Waitlist mortality is still higher in Korea than in other countries. Future revisions to the lung allocation system should take into consideration the high waitlist mortality and donor shortages.