Background: Cardiovascular complications related to dyslipidemia are common in patients with chronic kidney disease, particularly among those undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). Glucose-based PD solutions may contribute to metabolic disturbances such as insulin resistance and altered lipid profiles. Elevated erythrocyte membrane oleic acid (OA) levels have been observed in PD patients compared with those on hemodialysis. This study compared the effects of icodextrin-based PD solutions on serum triglyceride and erythrocyte OA levels in PD patients. Methods: In this multicenter, open-label, randomized crossover trial, 22 PD patients were enrolled, and 15 completed all study phases. Participants received either glucose- or icodextrin-based PD solutions for 12 weeks, followed by a 12-week washout period and crossover to the alternate solution. Blood and erythrocyte membrane samples were analyzed for lipid profiles and fatty acid composition. Results: The mean age of participants was 63.6±9.5 years, and the mean PD duration was 10.8±5.9 months. Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. Use of icodextrin-based PD solutions was associated with trends toward reductions in triglycerides (p=0.093) and erythrocyte membrane OA content, although these changes did not reach statistical significance. In contrast, prolonged use of glucose-based PD solutions led to significant increases in insulin (p<0.05), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, OA (p=0.009), and monounsaturated fatty acid content. Conclusions Extended use of glucose-based PD solutions may worsen metabolic profiles, whereas icodextrin-based solutions may provide metabolic benefits. Larger, long-term studies are warranted to confirm these findings. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02166359)

A rapid outbreak of monkeypox is ongoing in non-endemic countries since May 2022. We report the first case of monkeypox in the Republic of Korea. This occurred in a 34-year-old male patient who traveled to Europe in June 2022. On the day of his return to the Republic of Korea (June 21, 2022), the patient presented with a genital lesion. The results of the monkeypox real-time polymerase chain reaction tests were positive in the penile ulcer, oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal specimens. The patient subsequently developed fever and skin rash after hospital admission. Careful history taking along physical examination should be conducted in the patients who have epidemiologic risk factors for monkeypox. Moreover, appropriate specimens should be obtained from lesions and tested for the monkeypox virus.

China ; Coronavirus ; Humans ; Korea ; Pneumonia ; Pneumonia, Viral ; Radiography ; Thorax

In December 2019, a viral pneumonia outbreak caused by a novel betacoronavirus, the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), began in Wuhan, China. We report the epidemiological and clinical features of the first patient with 2019-nCoV pneumonia imported into Korea from Wuhan. This report suggests that in the early phase of 2019-nCoV pneumonia, chest radiography would miss patients with pneumonia and highlights taking travel history is of paramount importance for early detection and isolation of 2019-nCoV cases.