Objective: Several miRNAs have been identified as differentially expressed in patients with poor ovarian response (POR) compared to those with normal responses. This study aims to assess the potential of serum miR-329-3p as a biomarker for diagnosing POR. Methods: We conducted a Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis to confirm the target genes of miR-329-3p. KGN cells were transfected with both miR-329-3p mimic and inhibitor to assess the differential expression of these target genes. In accordance with the Bologna criteria, we enrolled 16 control patients and 16 patients with POR. We collected patient samples, including serum from day 2 and the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) day, as well as granulosa and cumulus cells, to validate the expression of miR-329-3p using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: KEGG pathway analysis revealed that miR-329-3p targeted adenylyl cyclase 9 (ADCY9) and protein kinase A subunit beta (PRKACB), both of which are involved in ovarian steroidogenesis. In KGN cells treated with a miR-329-3p mimic, ADCY9 and PRKACB expression levels were significantly reduced (p<0.05). Elevated levels of miR-329-3p suppressed aromatase expression and 17β-estradiol production by modulating ADCY9 and PRKACB in KGN cells. These effects were also observed in POR patients. Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) expression was diminished in the granulosa cells of POR patients. On day 2, on hCG day, and in granulosa cells, miR-329-3p exhibited high expression levels in the serum of POR patients. Conclusion miR-329-3p exhibited increased expression in granulosa cells and in the sera of POR patients. Consequently, we propose that miR-329-3p may be a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of POR.

Objective: Several miRNAs have been identified as differentially expressed in patients with poor ovarian response (POR) compared to those with normal responses. This study aims to assess the potential of serum miR-329-3p as a biomarker for diagnosing POR. Methods: We conducted a Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis to confirm the target genes of miR-329-3p. KGN cells were transfected with both miR-329-3p mimic and inhibitor to assess the differential expression of these target genes. In accordance with the Bologna criteria, we enrolled 16 control patients and 16 patients with POR. We collected patient samples, including serum from day 2 and the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) day, as well as granulosa and cumulus cells, to validate the expression of miR-329-3p using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: KEGG pathway analysis revealed that miR-329-3p targeted adenylyl cyclase 9 (ADCY9) and protein kinase A subunit beta (PRKACB), both of which are involved in ovarian steroidogenesis. In KGN cells treated with a miR-329-3p mimic, ADCY9 and PRKACB expression levels were significantly reduced (p<0.05). Elevated levels of miR-329-3p suppressed aromatase expression and 17β-estradiol production by modulating ADCY9 and PRKACB in KGN cells. These effects were also observed in POR patients. Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) expression was diminished in the granulosa cells of POR patients. On day 2, on hCG day, and in granulosa cells, miR-329-3p exhibited high expression levels in the serum of POR patients. Conclusion miR-329-3p exhibited increased expression in granulosa cells and in the sera of POR patients. Consequently, we propose that miR-329-3p may be a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of POR.

Objective: Several miRNAs have been identified as differentially expressed in patients with poor ovarian response (POR) compared to those with normal responses. This study aims to assess the potential of serum miR-329-3p as a biomarker for diagnosing POR. Methods: We conducted a Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis to confirm the target genes of miR-329-3p. KGN cells were transfected with both miR-329-3p mimic and inhibitor to assess the differential expression of these target genes. In accordance with the Bologna criteria, we enrolled 16 control patients and 16 patients with POR. We collected patient samples, including serum from day 2 and the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) day, as well as granulosa and cumulus cells, to validate the expression of miR-329-3p using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: KEGG pathway analysis revealed that miR-329-3p targeted adenylyl cyclase 9 (ADCY9) and protein kinase A subunit beta (PRKACB), both of which are involved in ovarian steroidogenesis. In KGN cells treated with a miR-329-3p mimic, ADCY9 and PRKACB expression levels were significantly reduced (p<0.05). Elevated levels of miR-329-3p suppressed aromatase expression and 17β-estradiol production by modulating ADCY9 and PRKACB in KGN cells. These effects were also observed in POR patients. Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) expression was diminished in the granulosa cells of POR patients. On day 2, on hCG day, and in granulosa cells, miR-329-3p exhibited high expression levels in the serum of POR patients. Conclusion miR-329-3p exhibited increased expression in granulosa cells and in the sera of POR patients. Consequently, we propose that miR-329-3p may be a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of POR.

The impact of age on the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and all-cause mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients is not clearly understood. Using data from the Korean Renal Data System (2001–2022), we analyzed 66,129 HD patients, stratified into young (<65 years, n = 24,589), younger-old (65–74 years, n = 17,732), and older-old (≥75 years, n = 23,808) groups. Patients were categorized into BMI quartiles, and survival outcomes were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier curves and event time ratios for the relative change in the survival time. During the follow-up period, 14,360 of the patients (21.7%) died, with a median follow-up of 3.4 years. Kaplan-Meier curves revealed poorer outcomes in lower BMI quartiles across all age groups. The lowest BMI quartile was significantly associated with a shorter survival time compared to the highest BMI quartile, with a 15% reduction in the young group (p = 0.001) and a 12% reduction in the older-old group (p = 0.002). Predicted survival time increases with rising BMI in the young group, but the rate of increase slows in the younger-old group and plateaus in the older-old group after a BMI of 25 kg/m2. Lower BMI correlates with higher mortality, particularly in younger HD patients.

Background: Stem cell-based therapy is one of the tools for acute kidney injury (AKI) treatment. Tonsil tissue is a promising alternative source for the high-yield isolation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of tonsil-derived MSCs (T-MSCs) in animal model of AKI induced by gentamicin (GM). Methods: Twenty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: Control, GM (70 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneal injection for 10 days), GM + T-MSCs (1 × 107 cells, intravenous injection at 1 day after the last vehicle/GM), and T-MSCs. Renal function, apoptosis, and markers of endoplasmic reticulum stress were measured on day 16 after the first vehicle/GM. Oxidative stress was assessed by measuring urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and the expression of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase. Effects of T-MSCs on GM-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in NRK cells were also evaluated using a co-culture technique of NRK cells and T-MSC. Results: In the GM + T-MSCs group, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and tubular damage score were lower compared to the GM group. T-MSCs injection decreased apoptotic cells and the expression of Bax, cytochrome c, and cleaved caspase and increased Bcl-2. T-MSC injection decreased urinary 8-OHdG and increased expression of GPx and catalase in the kidneys. Anti-human nuclei and PKH26 staining demonstrated the localization of T-MSCs in the tubules of renal cortex. In-vitro study revealed that T-MSCs or T-MSC-conditioned media ameliorated GM-induced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase-1 expression, hydrogen peroxide generation, and apoptosis of NRK cells. Conclusion Our study demonstrated that T-MSCs ameliorated GM-induced AKI by directly incorporating into the damaged renal tubules and exerting antiapoptotic and antioxidative effects.

The concept of e-sports is being established as a sport that we have previously recognized, not just a simple electronic game. However, it is not clear whether e-sports share the same characteristics as sports, and even if they do, how doping will be a problem in e-sports. In this paper, we examined how to deal with the doping issue in e-sports by comparing the characteristics of general sports and e-sports. We also investigated what form doping will take in e-sports and what information pharmacists should know in the future. In conclusion, it is necessary to expand the scope of anti-doping activities that have been actively implemented in existingsports to the field of e-sports to prevent damage to the health of e-sports athletes and maintain fairness and transparency in e-sportsactivities. In addition, it is thought that pharmacists, who are experts in medication, will need to understand the overall characteristicsof e-sports and the differences in the target group at risk of doping and activate their role in providing individualized pharmaceuticalservices in the future.

The concept of e-sports is being established as a sport that we have previously recognized, not just a simple electronic game. However, it is not clear whether e-sports share the same characteristics as sports, and even if they do, how doping will be a problem in e-sports. In this paper, we examined how to deal with the doping issue in e-sports by comparing the characteristics of general sports and e-sports. We also investigated what form doping will take in e-sports and what information pharmacists should know in the future. In conclusion, it is necessary to expand the scope of anti-doping activities that have been actively implemented in existingsports to the field of e-sports to prevent damage to the health of e-sports athletes and maintain fairness and transparency in e-sportsactivities. In addition, it is thought that pharmacists, who are experts in medication, will need to understand the overall characteristicsof e-sports and the differences in the target group at risk of doping and activate their role in providing individualized pharmaceuticalservices in the future.

Background: s/Aims: Reported incidence of extrahepatic bile duct cancer is higher in Asians than in Western populations. Korea, in particular, is one of the countries with the highest incidence rates of extrahepatic bile duct cancer in the world. Although research and innovative therapeutic modalities for extrahepatic bile duct cancer are emerging, clinical guidelines are currently unavailable in Korea. The Korean Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery in collaboration with related societies (Korean Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery Society, Korean Society of Abdominal Radiology, Korean Society of Medical Oncology, Korean Society of Radiation Oncology, Korean Society of Pathologists, and Korean Society of Nuclear Medicine) decided to establish clinical guideline for extrahepatic bile duct cancer in June 2021. Methods: Contents of the guidelines were developed through subgroup meetings for each key question and a preliminary draft was finalized through a Clinical Guidelines Committee workshop. Results: In November 2021, the finalized draft was presented for public scrutiny during a formal hearing. Conclusions The extrahepatic guideline committee believed that this guideline could be helpful in the treatment of patients.

The concept of e-sports is being established as a sport that we have previously recognized, not just a simple electronic game. However, it is not clear whether e-sports share the same characteristics as sports, and even if they do, how doping will be a problem in e-sports. In this paper, we examined how to deal with the doping issue in e-sports by comparing the characteristics of general sports and e-sports. We also investigated what form doping will take in e-sports and what information pharmacists should know in the future. In conclusion, it is necessary to expand the scope of anti-doping activities that have been actively implemented in existingsports to the field of e-sports to prevent damage to the health of e-sports athletes and maintain fairness and transparency in e-sportsactivities. In addition, it is thought that pharmacists, who are experts in medication, will need to understand the overall characteristicsof e-sports and the differences in the target group at risk of doping and activate their role in providing individualized pharmaceuticalservices in the future.