Although hypertension is a well-known risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD), the blood pressure (BP) at which antihypertensive interventions should be initiated remains to be determined. Therefore, we investigated the association between BP and CKD in treatment-naïve individuals. Methods: This prospective cohort study considered 7,343 individuals in the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study who were not taking antihypertensive medications. Subjects were categorized into six groups according to their systolic BP (SBP) and five groups according to their diastolic BP (DBP). The primary outcome was incident CKD, which was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate of <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or the development of proteinuria. The secondary outcome was incident cardiovascular disease (CVD). Results: In the time-varying Cox models, the hazard ratios (95% confidence interval [CI]) for CKD were 1.39 (1.10–1.77) with SBP 130–139 mmHg, 1.79 (1.40–2.28) with SBP 140–159 mmHg, and 3.22 (2.35–4.40) with SBP ≥ 160 mmHg, compared with SBP 100–119 mmHg. In addition, the hazard ratios (95% CI) for CKD were 1.88 (1.48–2.37) with DBP 90–99 mmHg and 4.30 (3.20– 5.76) with DBP ≥ 100 mmHg, compared with DBP 70–79 mmHg. A significantly increased CVD risk was also observed in subjects with SBP ≥ 130 mmHg or DBP ≥ 90 mmHg. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that SBP ≥ 130 mmHg and DBP ≥ 90 mmHg are associated with an increased risk of CKD. Therefore, BP-lowering strategies should be considered starting at those thresholds to prevent CKD development.

An increased pericoronary fat attenuation index (FAI) on computed tomography angiography (CTA) is associated with increased all-cause and cardiac mortality in the general population. However, the ability of pericoronary FAI to predict long-term outcomes in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients is unknown. Methods: In this single-center retrospective longitudinal cohort study, we assessed the utility of CTA-based pericoronary FAI measurement to predict mortality of CKD patients, including those with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Mapping and analysis of pericoronary FAI involved three major proximal coronary arteries. The prognostic value of pericoronary FAI for long-term mortality was assessed with multivariable Cox regression models. Results: Among 268 CKD participants who underwent coronary CTA, 209 participants with left anterior descending artery (LAD) FAI measurements were included. The pericoronary FAI measured at the LAD was not significantly associated with adjusted risk of allcause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 2.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.94–3.51) in any CKD group. However, ESRD patients with elevated pericoronary FAI values had a greater adjusted risk of all-cause mortality compared with the low-FAI group (HR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.11–4.61). Conclusion: The pericoronary FAI measured at the LAD predicted long-term mortality in patients with ESRD, which could provide an opportunity for early primary intervention in ESRD patients.

Background: Metformin has recently been shown not to increase the risk of lactic acidosis in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Thus, the criteria for metformin use in this population has expanded. However, the relationship between metformin use and clinical outcomes in CKD remains controversial. Methods: This study considered data from 97,713 diabetes patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of <60 mL/min/1.73 m2. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), and the secondary outcomes were all-cause mortality and incident end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Results: Metformin users had a significantly higher risk of MACCE than non-users (hazard ratio [HR], 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14–1.26; p < 0.001). However, metformin users had a lower risk of all-cause mortality (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.74–0.81; p < 0.001) and ESRD (HR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.42–0.47; p < 0.001) during follow-up than non-users did. The relationships between metformin use and clinical outcomes remained consistent in propensity score matching analyses and subgroup analyses of patients with adequate adherence to anti-diabetes medication. Conclusion Treatment with metformin was associated with an increased risk of MACCE in patients with diabetes and CKD. However, metformin users had a lower risk of all-cause mortality and ESRD during follow-up than non-users did. Therefore, metformin needs to be carefully used in patients with CKD.

OBJECTIVE: Based on the constant associations made between major depressive disorder (MDD) and alpha asymmetry, and MDD and suicide, this study aimed to examine the relationship between frontal alpha asymmetry and suicide in MDD patients. METHODS: Sixty-six MDD patients, of whom fifteen were male and fifty-one were female, were recruited. Independent groups were created based on the median score of frontal alpha asymmetry: the left dominant (LD) group and the right dominant (RD) group. The alpha band (8–12 Hz) and its sub-bands (i.e., low alpha band: 8–10 Hz; high alpha band: 10–12 Hz) were of interest. Source level alpha asymmetry was calculated as well. RESULTS: Suicidal behavior was positively correlated with the asymmetry indices of the low alpha band and the alpha band in the LD group and that of the high alpha band in the RD group. Source level analysis revealed positive correlations between suicidal behavior and the asymmetry index of the low alpha band in the LD group. CONCLUSION: Frontal alpha asymmetry, especially that of the low alpha band, might reflect the cognitive deficits associated with suicidal behaviors in MDD patients.
Cognition Disorders ; Depression ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; Electroencephalography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Suicide

BACKGROUND: In vitro detection of the allergen-specific IgE antibody (sIgE) is a useful tool for the diagnosis and treatment of allergies. Although multiple simultaneous allergen tests offer simple and low-cost screening methods, these platforms also have limitations with respect to multiplexibility and analytical performance. As an alternative assay platform, we developed and validated a microarray using allergen extracts that we termed “GOLD” chip. METHODS: Serum samples of 150 allergic rhinitis patients were used in the study, and the diagnostic performance of the microarray was compared with that of AdvanSure (LG Life Sciences, Daejun, Korea) and ImmunoCAP (Phadia, Uppsala, Sweden). Standard IgE samples were used for the quantitative measurement of sIgEs. RESULTS: The microarray-based assay showed excellent performance in the quantitative measurement of sIgEs, demonstrating a linear correlation within the range of sIgE concentrations tested. The limit of detection (LOD) was lower than 0.35 IU/mL, which is the current standard for the LOD cut-off. The assay also provided highly reproducible sets of data. The total agreement percentage of positive and negative calls was 92.2% compared with ImmunoCAP. Moreover, an outstanding correlation was observed between the microarray and the ImmunoCAP results, with Cohen's kappa and Pearson correlation coefficient values of 0.80 and 0.79, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The microarray-based in vitro diagnostic platform offers a sensitive, reproducible, and highly quantitative method to detect sIgEs. The results showed strong correlations with that of ImmunoCAP. These results suggest that the new allergen microarray can serve as a useful alternative to current screening platforms, ultimately becoming a first-line screening method.
Biological Science Disciplines ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity* ; Immunoglobulin E ; In Vitro Techniques* ; Limit of Detection ; Mass Screening ; Methods ; Rhinitis, Allergic

BACKGROUND/AIMS: While surgical resection remains the standard of care in the treatment of upper urinary tract malignancies, nephrectomy is a risk factor for the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of this study was to determine whether histologic evaluation of non-neoplastic kidney could enable early identification of unrecognized kidney disease and could be of prognostic value in predicting postoperative renal outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 51 patients with upper urinary tract malignancies who received uninephrectomy or uninephroureterectomy. A thorough pathologic evaluation of non-neoplastic kidney including special stains, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopic studies was performed. The degree of parenchymal changes was graded from 0 to 15. RESULTS: Of 51 patients, only 13 showed normal kidney pathology. Fifteen patients showed glomerular abnormalities, 14 showed diabetic nephropathy, and 11 showed vascular nephropathy. There was one case each of reflux nephropathy and chronic pyelonephritis. The median histologic score was 5 points. Only 25.4% of patients had ≤ 3 points. Score more than 5 was observed in 47.1% of patients. Postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at 3 to 36 months were obtained from 90.2% of patients, and of those, 34.8% had de novo CKD. Since no one had CKD in partial nephrectomized patients, we determined risk factors for CKD in radical nephrectomized patients. Cox regression analysis revealed that postoperative AKI, preoperative eGFR, and histologic score of non-neoplastic kidney were the independent predictors for CKD. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that routine pathologic evaluation of non-neoplastic kidney provides valuable diagnostic and prognostic information.
Coloring Agents ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases ; Kidney Neoplasms ; Kidney* ; Nephrectomy ; Pathology ; Pyelonephritis ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Standard of Care ; Urinary Tract*

Microvascular thrombosis is an uncommon pathological finding in deceased donor kidneys. It is associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) after brain injury in the donor. Although DIC in deceased kidney donors is known to have no association with graft outcome, microvascular thrombosis with DIC in a donor can cause renal graft impairment. For this reason, some transplantation centers do not accept these kidneys. A 39-year-old female donor had a subarachnoid hemorrhage. After a short period of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, we applied extracorporeal membrane oxygenation to maintain hemodynamic stability. The laboratory data were consistent with DIC. The recipient was a 38-year-old male patient who had been undergoing hemodialysis for 7 years because of end-stage renal disease of unknown cause. Zero-time graft biopsy revealed multiple intraluminal fibrin thrombi without peritubular capillaritis. Delayed graft function occurred after transplantation, and hemodialysis was started. Graft renal biopsy was performed on the third day after transplantation. The percentage of intraglomerular fibrin thrombi had decreased, and no significant peritubular capillaritis or C4d staining was observed. The function of the transplanted kidney started to recover, and hemodialysis was discontinued on the 10th day after surgery without specific treatment. Follow-up biopsy performed 20 days after the transplantation revealed normal kidney with completely resolved fibrin thrombi. We report herein a case of microvascular thrombosis in renal allograft from a DIC donor.
Adult ; Allografts ; Biopsy ; Brain Injuries ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Dacarbazine ; Delayed Graft Function* ; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation* ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ; Female ; Fibrin ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Kidney ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Male ; Renal Dialysis ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; Thrombosis* ; Tissue Donors* ; Transplants

A 65-year-old man was transferred from the Department of Vascular Surgery to Nephrology because of cardiac arrest during hemodialysis. He underwent incision and drainage for treatment of a buttock abscess. Nafamostat mesilate was used as an anticoagulant for hemodialysis to address bleeding from the incision and drainage site. Sudden cardiac arrest occurred after 15 minutes of dialysis. The patient was treated in the intensive care unit for 5 days. Continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration was started without any anticoagulant in the intensive care unit. Conventional hemodialysis was reinitiated, and nafamostat mesilate was used again because of a small amount of continued bleeding. Ten minutes after hemodialysis, the patient complained of anaphylactic signs and symptoms such as dyspnea, hypotension, and facial swelling. Epinephrine, dexamethasone, and pheniramin were injected under the suspicion of anaphylactic shock, and the patient recovered. Total immunoglobulin E titer was high, and skin prick test revealed weak positivity for nafamostat mesilate. We first report a case of anaphylactic shock caused by nafamostat mesilate in Korea.
Abscess ; Aged ; Anaphylaxis ; Buttocks ; Death, Sudden, Cardiac ; Dexamethasone ; Dialysis ; Drainage ; Dyspnea ; Epinephrine ; Heart Arrest* ; Hemodiafiltration ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulins ; Intensive Care Units ; Korea ; Mesylates* ; Nephrology ; Renal Dialysis ; Skin

BACKGROUND/AIMS: New definitions of acute kidney injury (AKI) have recently emerged. Some studies have suggested that duration of AKI is an additional predictive parameter for mortality. Here, we evaluated whether AKI duration was predictive of long-term mortality in patients with hospital-acquired acute kidney injury (HAAKI). METHODS: We prospectively enrolled patients who developed HAAKI at an urban university hospital, from September 2007 to August 2008 and followed them until December 2011. Patients were divided into two groups by duration of the AKI (1 to 5 days vs. > or = 6 days), and long-term mortality was compared. RESULTS: HAAKI developed in 1.2% of patients during the enrollment period. The median follow-up period was 240 days (interquartile range, 53 to 1,428). In 42.3% of patients (n = 52), the AKI lasted 1 to 5 days, while it lasted > or = 6 days in 57.7% (n = 71). Survival analysis showed that a longer duration of AKI increased the risk of death. Long-term survival was significantly different in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The duration of AKI influenced mortality rates in hospitalized patients. Thus, AKI duration is a parameter affecting mortality in HAAKI.
Acute Kidney Injury/diagnosis/etiology/*mortality/therapy ; Aged ; Female ; *Hospitalization ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Prospective Studies ; Republic of Korea ; Risk Factors ; Time Factors

Antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) is associated with poor renal allograft survival. It shows poor response to conventional treatment with plasmapheresis, rituximab, and intravenous immunoglobulin. Bortezomib, a proteasome inhibitor used for treatment of multiple myeloma, has recently been reported as a treatment alternative for recipient desensitization and ABMR. A 58-year-old man was diagnosed with mixed-type ABMR with donor specific antibodies and acute T cell-mediated rejection early after kidney transplantation. Conventional therapy was administered, including antithymocyte globulin, plasmapheresis, and rituximab; however, his condition was found to be refractory to these antihumoral therapies. Following administration of bortezomib, his serum creatinine level returned to baseline with stable graft function. His serum creatinine level remains stable at 1.3 mg/dL at 10 months posttransplantation. Bortezomib is effective for treatment of refractory ABMR following kidney transplantation.
Allografts ; Antibodies ; Antilymphocyte Serum ; Bortezomib ; Creatinine ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Kidney Transplantation ; Kidney* ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; Plasmapheresis ; Proteasome Inhibitors ; Rituximab ; Tissue Donors ; Transplantation* ; Transplants