Spontaneous renal rupture with subcapsular renal hematoma is a rare disease entity. Hereby, we report a 60-year-old female who presented with abrupt right flank pain and was diagnosed as spontaneous renal rupture with subcapsular hematoma related to urinary tract infection and review related literatures.
Female ; Flank Pain ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Kidney ; Middle Aged ; Rare Diseases ; Rupture* ; Rupture, Spontaneous ; Urinary Tract Infections*

This study was conducted to investigate the supplementary effects of Lentinus edodes on blood pressure and blood lipid levels in the Hypertensive Rat. We supplied 3 kinds of experimental diets (Control; CO, cap of Lentinus edodes; LC, and stipe of Lentinus edodes; LS) to spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) for 8 weeks. Diet intake, body weight, organ weights, and serum lipid levels were measured. There was no significant difference in diet intake, and body, liver and epididymal fat pad weights among experimental groups. The levels of systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly lower in LC and LS groups than CO group. The concentrations of serum total cholesterol were lower in LC and LS groups than CO group. These results suggested that Lentinus edodes decrease blood pressure levels and serum total cholesterol concentration in the spontaneously hypertensive rats. But these effects of Lentinus edodes didn't show any significant difference between animals fed cap and stipe of this mushroom.
Adipose Tissue ; Agaricales ; Animals ; Blood Pressure ; Body Weight ; Cholesterol ; Diet ; Lentinula* ; Liver ; Organ Size ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR* ; Shiitake Mushrooms* ; Weights and Measures

In order to overcome a certain disease, it is necessary to confirm the prevalence, natural course and risk factors of the disease. The Korean Academy of Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Disease has become the mainstream and has been paying a great deal of attention to the epidemiologic research of allergic diseases in Korean children since 1995. In this review, we would like to summarize the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood epidemiology study in Korea, the cohort study for allergic diseases, and the national medical big data. New epidemiological studies are needed to clarify the relationships between allergic diseases and factors such as air pollution, climate changes, microbiome, and diet, which are likely to be new risk factors for allergic diseases. Based on these epidemiological studies, we hope to find ways to overcome pediatric allergic diseases in Korea and also to share epidemiologic techniques and manpower.
Air Pollution ; Asthma ; Child* ; Climate Change ; Cohort Studies ; Diet ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Epidemiology* ; Hope ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Korea ; Microbiota ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors

Background: The time-consuming process of drug development contributes to unmet healthcare needs for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Studies of Western populations suggest the potential use of antidiabetic drugs as an alternative to lower RA risk. We aimed to examine the possibility of repurposing antidiabetic drugs for RA by evaluating their causal associations with genetic antidiabetic drug target genes using Mendelian randomization (MR) of samples from an East Asian biobank. Methods: We conducted drug-targeting two-sample MR to estimate the association between the antidiabetic drug and RA risk using summary statistics of genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Six single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected as independent genetic variants that encode the target proteins of the selected antidiabetic drugs (insulin/insulin analogues, thiazolidinediones, and sulfonylureas). Instrumental associations with fasting blood glucose and RA were extracted from the KoGES (Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study) and BBJ (BioBank Japan), respectively. Results: A decrease in fasting blood sugar level of 1 mmol (1.8 mg/dL) by the rs1801282 SNP in the PPARG gene reduced the incidence of RA by about 20%. Moreover, another SNP within the PPARG gene, rs35240997, reduced the incidence of RA about 16%. Conclusion SNPs within the anti-diabetic drug target genes lowered fasting blood sugar levels and the risk of RA. However, the results from this study require cautious interpretations due to weak instrument bias.

Background: The time-consuming process of drug development contributes to unmet healthcare needs for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Studies of Western populations suggest the potential use of antidiabetic drugs as an alternative to lower RA risk. We aimed to examine the possibility of repurposing antidiabetic drugs for RA by evaluating their causal associations with genetic antidiabetic drug target genes using Mendelian randomization (MR) of samples from an East Asian biobank. Methods: We conducted drug-targeting two-sample MR to estimate the association between the antidiabetic drug and RA risk using summary statistics of genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Six single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected as independent genetic variants that encode the target proteins of the selected antidiabetic drugs (insulin/insulin analogues, thiazolidinediones, and sulfonylureas). Instrumental associations with fasting blood glucose and RA were extracted from the KoGES (Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study) and BBJ (BioBank Japan), respectively. Results: A decrease in fasting blood sugar level of 1 mmol (1.8 mg/dL) by the rs1801282 SNP in the PPARG gene reduced the incidence of RA by about 20%. Moreover, another SNP within the PPARG gene, rs35240997, reduced the incidence of RA about 16%. Conclusion SNPs within the anti-diabetic drug target genes lowered fasting blood sugar levels and the risk of RA. However, the results from this study require cautious interpretations due to weak instrument bias.

Background: The time-consuming process of drug development contributes to unmet healthcare needs for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Studies of Western populations suggest the potential use of antidiabetic drugs as an alternative to lower RA risk. We aimed to examine the possibility of repurposing antidiabetic drugs for RA by evaluating their causal associations with genetic antidiabetic drug target genes using Mendelian randomization (MR) of samples from an East Asian biobank. Methods: We conducted drug-targeting two-sample MR to estimate the association between the antidiabetic drug and RA risk using summary statistics of genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Six single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected as independent genetic variants that encode the target proteins of the selected antidiabetic drugs (insulin/insulin analogues, thiazolidinediones, and sulfonylureas). Instrumental associations with fasting blood glucose and RA were extracted from the KoGES (Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study) and BBJ (BioBank Japan), respectively. Results: A decrease in fasting blood sugar level of 1 mmol (1.8 mg/dL) by the rs1801282 SNP in the PPARG gene reduced the incidence of RA by about 20%. Moreover, another SNP within the PPARG gene, rs35240997, reduced the incidence of RA about 16%. Conclusion SNPs within the anti-diabetic drug target genes lowered fasting blood sugar levels and the risk of RA. However, the results from this study require cautious interpretations due to weak instrument bias.

Background: The time-consuming process of drug development contributes to unmet healthcare needs for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Studies of Western populations suggest the potential use of antidiabetic drugs as an alternative to lower RA risk. We aimed to examine the possibility of repurposing antidiabetic drugs for RA by evaluating their causal associations with genetic antidiabetic drug target genes using Mendelian randomization (MR) of samples from an East Asian biobank. Methods: We conducted drug-targeting two-sample MR to estimate the association between the antidiabetic drug and RA risk using summary statistics of genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Six single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected as independent genetic variants that encode the target proteins of the selected antidiabetic drugs (insulin/insulin analogues, thiazolidinediones, and sulfonylureas). Instrumental associations with fasting blood glucose and RA were extracted from the KoGES (Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study) and BBJ (BioBank Japan), respectively. Results: A decrease in fasting blood sugar level of 1 mmol (1.8 mg/dL) by the rs1801282 SNP in the PPARG gene reduced the incidence of RA by about 20%. Moreover, another SNP within the PPARG gene, rs35240997, reduced the incidence of RA about 16%. Conclusion SNPs within the anti-diabetic drug target genes lowered fasting blood sugar levels and the risk of RA. However, the results from this study require cautious interpretations due to weak instrument bias.

Background: The time-consuming process of drug development contributes to unmet healthcare needs for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Studies of Western populations suggest the potential use of antidiabetic drugs as an alternative to lower RA risk. We aimed to examine the possibility of repurposing antidiabetic drugs for RA by evaluating their causal associations with genetic antidiabetic drug target genes using Mendelian randomization (MR) of samples from an East Asian biobank. Methods: We conducted drug-targeting two-sample MR to estimate the association between the antidiabetic drug and RA risk using summary statistics of genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Six single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected as independent genetic variants that encode the target proteins of the selected antidiabetic drugs (insulin/insulin analogues, thiazolidinediones, and sulfonylureas). Instrumental associations with fasting blood glucose and RA were extracted from the KoGES (Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study) and BBJ (BioBank Japan), respectively. Results: A decrease in fasting blood sugar level of 1 mmol (1.8 mg/dL) by the rs1801282 SNP in the PPARG gene reduced the incidence of RA by about 20%. Moreover, another SNP within the PPARG gene, rs35240997, reduced the incidence of RA about 16%. Conclusion SNPs within the anti-diabetic drug target genes lowered fasting blood sugar levels and the risk of RA. However, the results from this study require cautious interpretations due to weak instrument bias.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D is considered to exert a protective effect on various renal diseases but its underlying molecular mechanism remains poorly understood. This study aimed to determine whether paricalcitol attenuates inflammation and apoptosis during lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced renal proximal tubular cell injury through the prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) receptor EP4. METHODS: Human renal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cells were pretreated with paricalcitol (2 ng/mL) for 1 hour and exposed to LPS (1 μg/mL). The effects of paricalcitol pretreatment in relation to an EP4 blockade using AH-23848 or EP4 small interfering RNA (siRNA) were investigated. RESULTS: The expression of cyclooxygenase-2, PGE₂, and EP4 were significantly increased in LPS-exposed HK-2 cells treated with paricalcitol compared with cells exposed to LPS only. Paricalcitol prevented cell death induced by LPS exposure, and the cotreatment of AH-23848 or EP4 siRNA offset these cell-protective effects. The phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of p65 nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) were decreased and the phosphorylation of Akt was increased in LPS-exposed cells with paricalcitol treatment. AH-23848 or EP4 siRNA inhibited the suppressive effects of paricalcitol on p65 NF-κB nuclear translocation and the activation of Akt. The production of proinflammatory cytokines and the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling-positive cells were attenuated by paricalcitol in LPS exposed HK-2 cells. The cotreatment with an EP4 antagonist abolished these anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects. CONCLUSION: EP4 plays a pivotal role in anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects through Akt and NF-κB signaling after paricalcitol pretreatment in LPS-induced renal proximal tubule cell injury.
Apoptosis* ; Cell Death ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Cytokines ; Ergocalciferols ; Humans ; Inflammation* ; Phosphorylation ; Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Vitamin D

PURPOSE: Accurate testing for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is essential for breast cancer treatment. At present, immunohistochemistry (IHC)/florescence in situ hybridization (FISH) are widely accepted as the standard testing methods. To investigate the value of NanoString nCounter®, we performed its comparative analysis with IHC/FISH and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) for the assessment of ER, PR, and HER2. METHODS: Data on IHC/FISH results for ER, PR, and HER2 in 240 patients from a single tertiary hospital in Korea were collected and compared with NanoString nCounter® and qRT-PCR results at a single institution. RESULTS: Expression levels for each gene using NanoString nCounter® showed good correlation with the corresponding data for protein expression by IHC (p<0.001) and gene amplification status for HER2 (p<0.001). Comparisons between gene expression and IHC data showed good overall agreement with a high area under the curve (AUC) for ESR1/ER (AUC=0.939), PgR/PR (AUC=0.796), and HER2/HER2 (AUC=0.989) (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The quantification of ER, PgR, and HER2 mRNA expression with NanoString nCounter® may be a viable alternative to conventional IHC/FISH methods.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Estrogens ; Gene Amplification ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry* ; In Situ Hybridization* ; Korea ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; Receptors, Progesterone ; Reverse Transcription ; RNA, Messenger ; Tertiary Care Centers