Intraflagellar transport (IFT) particles, a multi-protein apparatus composed of complex A and B, are known to be involved in homeostasis of flagella formation. IFT particles have recently become an interesting topic in Giardia lamblia, which has 4 pairs of flagella. In this experiment, we examined the function of giardial IFT components. When 7 components (IFT121, 140, 20, 46, 52, 81, and 88) of IFT were expressed in Giardia trophozoites as a tagged form with mNeonGreen, all of them were found in both flagella pores and cytoplasmic axonemes. In addition, motor proteins for IFT particles (kinesin-13 and kinesin-2b), were localized to a median body and cytoplasmic flagella, respectively. The CRISPRi-mediated knockdown of IFT88 significantly affected the lengths of all 4 flagella compared to the control cells, Giardia expressing dead Cas9 using control guide RNA. Decreased expression of kinesin-2b also resulted in shortening of flagella, excluding the ventral flagella. Live Giardia cells expressing IFT88-mNeonGreen clearly demonstrated fluorescence in flagella pores and cytoplasmic axonemes. These results on IFT88 and kinesin-2b indicate that IFT complex plays a role in maintenance of G. lamblia flagella.

Background: This study aimed to analyze the medical expenses covered by the Korean National Health Insurance Service (KNHIS) according to body mass index (BMI) in Korean adults. Methods: We included 1,170,464 adults (623,498 men and 546,966 women) aged ≥19 years from the KNHISNational Sample Cohort database (2016 to 2019) after excluding individuals with cancer. Average annual medical expenses per person and average annual medical expenses (Korean won [KRW], 1 United States dollar=1,292 KRW) by BMI classification were assessed according to age and sex. Medical expenses comprised those for medication and combined outpatient department (OPD) and hospitalization services. Means and 95% confidence intervals were analyzed using a two-part model. Results: Average annual medical expenses increased in higher BMI quintile groups (P for trend <0.001). Average annual medical expenses per person increased significantly as BMI increased in women but not in men. Average annual medical expenses were highest in the highest quintile of BMI among women and in all age groups.While BMI showed a U-shape association with medical expenses for OPD and hospitalization in young individuals, medical expenses for medication in all age groups and those for OPD and hospitalization in middle-aged individuals increased sharply in the highest BMI quintile. Conclusion All types of average annual medical expenses increased in higher BMI groups in Korean adults, particularly in women. Individuals with the highest BMI quintile incurred the greatest medical expenses among women and across all age groups. Strategies for preventing and managing obesity are warranted to reduce the burden of obesity-related medical expenses.

Intraflagellar transport (IFT) particles, a multi-protein apparatus composed of complex A and B, are known to be involved in homeostasis of flagella formation. IFT particles have recently become an interesting topic in Giardia lamblia, which has 4 pairs of flagella. In this experiment, we examined the function of giardial IFT components. When 7 components (IFT121, 140, 20, 46, 52, 81, and 88) of IFT were expressed in Giardia trophozoites as a tagged form with mNeonGreen, all of them were found in both flagella pores and cytoplasmic axonemes. In addition, motor proteins for IFT particles (kinesin-13 and kinesin-2b), were localized to a median body and cytoplasmic flagella, respectively. The CRISPRi-mediated knockdown of IFT88 significantly affected the lengths of all 4 flagella compared to the control cells, Giardia expressing dead Cas9 using control guide RNA. Decreased expression of kinesin-2b also resulted in shortening of flagella, excluding the ventral flagella. Live Giardia cells expressing IFT88-mNeonGreen clearly demonstrated fluorescence in flagella pores and cytoplasmic axonemes. These results on IFT88 and kinesin-2b indicate that IFT complex plays a role in maintenance of G. lamblia flagella.

Intraflagellar transport (IFT) particles, a multi-protein apparatus composed of complex A and B, are known to be involved in homeostasis of flagella formation. IFT particles have recently become an interesting topic in Giardia lamblia, which has 4 pairs of flagella. In this experiment, we examined the function of giardial IFT components. When 7 components (IFT121, 140, 20, 46, 52, 81, and 88) of IFT were expressed in Giardia trophozoites as a tagged form with mNeonGreen, all of them were found in both flagella pores and cytoplasmic axonemes. In addition, motor proteins for IFT particles (kinesin-13 and kinesin-2b), were localized to a median body and cytoplasmic flagella, respectively. The CRISPRi-mediated knockdown of IFT88 significantly affected the lengths of all 4 flagella compared to the control cells, Giardia expressing dead Cas9 using control guide RNA. Decreased expression of kinesin-2b also resulted in shortening of flagella, excluding the ventral flagella. Live Giardia cells expressing IFT88-mNeonGreen clearly demonstrated fluorescence in flagella pores and cytoplasmic axonemes. These results on IFT88 and kinesin-2b indicate that IFT complex plays a role in maintenance of G. lamblia flagella.

Background: In Korea, the patterns of prevalence of gynecological cancers have shifted due to rising obesity-related cancer cases. We evaluated the associations of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) with the risk of gynecological malignancy in Korean women. Methods: Using National Health Insurance Service cohort data, we analyzed 365,581 participants among the 1,999,980 women aged ≥ 19 years who underwent health check-ups at the baseline year 2009–2010, excluding those who died, those with prior cancer diagnoses, underwent hysterectomy and/or salpingo-oophorectomy before the index date (January 1st, 2011), or missing/outliers BMI and WC values. Follow-up extended to December 31st, 2021, evaluating the incidences of endometrial, ovarian, and cervical cancer. The hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each gynecological malignancy according to BMI and WC were calculated using Cox proportional hazard regression. Results: Among the 365,581 participants, 898, 1,268, and 873 cases of endometrial, ovarian, and cervical cancer occurred, respectively. HRs (95% CIs) for endometrial cancer were 1.37 (1.15–1.63), 1.63 (1.38–1.94), and 3.64 (2.81–4.70) for BMIs of 23.0–24.9, 25.0–29.9, and ≥ 30 kg/m2 compared to BMI of 18.5–22.9 kg/m2 (P for trend < 0.001). HRs (95% CIs) for ovarian cancer were 1.16 (1.00–1.33), 1.19 (1.03–1.37), and 1.49 (1.12–1.98) for BMIs of 23.0–24.9, 25.0–29.9, and ≥ 30 kg/m2 compared to BMI of 18.5–22.9 kg/m2 (P for trend = 0.002). No significant association was found between BMI and the risk for cervical cancer (P for trend = 0.266). HRs (95% CIs) for endometrial cancer were 1.35 (1.09–1.66), 1.41 (1.14–1.74), and 1.90 (1.55–2.34) for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quartiles of WCs compared to the 1st quartile (P for trend <0.001). Ovarian cancer tended to increase and cervical cancer tended to decrease as WC increased (P for trend = 0.035 for ovarian cancer, P for trend = 0.034 for cervical cancer). Conclusion In Korean women, the risks of endometrial and ovarian cancers increased significantly from the pre-obese level as BMI and WC increased, while cervical cancer risk tended to increase as WC decreased. Management of obesity should be reinforced for the prevention of obesity-related gynecological cancers, considering the increasing incidence of these cancers among Korean women.

Background: In Korea, the patterns of prevalence of gynecological cancers have shifted due to rising obesity-related cancer cases. We evaluated the associations of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) with the risk of gynecological malignancy in Korean women. Methods: Using National Health Insurance Service cohort data, we analyzed 365,581 participants among the 1,999,980 women aged ≥ 19 years who underwent health check-ups at the baseline year 2009–2010, excluding those who died, those with prior cancer diagnoses, underwent hysterectomy and/or salpingo-oophorectomy before the index date (January 1st, 2011), or missing/outliers BMI and WC values. Follow-up extended to December 31st, 2021, evaluating the incidences of endometrial, ovarian, and cervical cancer. The hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each gynecological malignancy according to BMI and WC were calculated using Cox proportional hazard regression. Results: Among the 365,581 participants, 898, 1,268, and 873 cases of endometrial, ovarian, and cervical cancer occurred, respectively. HRs (95% CIs) for endometrial cancer were 1.37 (1.15–1.63), 1.63 (1.38–1.94), and 3.64 (2.81–4.70) for BMIs of 23.0–24.9, 25.0–29.9, and ≥ 30 kg/m2 compared to BMI of 18.5–22.9 kg/m2 (P for trend < 0.001). HRs (95% CIs) for ovarian cancer were 1.16 (1.00–1.33), 1.19 (1.03–1.37), and 1.49 (1.12–1.98) for BMIs of 23.0–24.9, 25.0–29.9, and ≥ 30 kg/m2 compared to BMI of 18.5–22.9 kg/m2 (P for trend = 0.002). No significant association was found between BMI and the risk for cervical cancer (P for trend = 0.266). HRs (95% CIs) for endometrial cancer were 1.35 (1.09–1.66), 1.41 (1.14–1.74), and 1.90 (1.55–2.34) for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quartiles of WCs compared to the 1st quartile (P for trend <0.001). Ovarian cancer tended to increase and cervical cancer tended to decrease as WC increased (P for trend = 0.035 for ovarian cancer, P for trend = 0.034 for cervical cancer). Conclusion In Korean women, the risks of endometrial and ovarian cancers increased significantly from the pre-obese level as BMI and WC increased, while cervical cancer risk tended to increase as WC decreased. Management of obesity should be reinforced for the prevention of obesity-related gynecological cancers, considering the increasing incidence of these cancers among Korean women.

Background: In Korea, the patterns of prevalence of gynecological cancers have shifted due to rising obesity-related cancer cases. We evaluated the associations of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) with the risk of gynecological malignancy in Korean women. Methods: Using National Health Insurance Service cohort data, we analyzed 365,581 participants among the 1,999,980 women aged ≥ 19 years who underwent health check-ups at the baseline year 2009–2010, excluding those who died, those with prior cancer diagnoses, underwent hysterectomy and/or salpingo-oophorectomy before the index date (January 1st, 2011), or missing/outliers BMI and WC values. Follow-up extended to December 31st, 2021, evaluating the incidences of endometrial, ovarian, and cervical cancer. The hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each gynecological malignancy according to BMI and WC were calculated using Cox proportional hazard regression. Results: Among the 365,581 participants, 898, 1,268, and 873 cases of endometrial, ovarian, and cervical cancer occurred, respectively. HRs (95% CIs) for endometrial cancer were 1.37 (1.15–1.63), 1.63 (1.38–1.94), and 3.64 (2.81–4.70) for BMIs of 23.0–24.9, 25.0–29.9, and ≥ 30 kg/m2 compared to BMI of 18.5–22.9 kg/m2 (P for trend < 0.001). HRs (95% CIs) for ovarian cancer were 1.16 (1.00–1.33), 1.19 (1.03–1.37), and 1.49 (1.12–1.98) for BMIs of 23.0–24.9, 25.0–29.9, and ≥ 30 kg/m2 compared to BMI of 18.5–22.9 kg/m2 (P for trend = 0.002). No significant association was found between BMI and the risk for cervical cancer (P for trend = 0.266). HRs (95% CIs) for endometrial cancer were 1.35 (1.09–1.66), 1.41 (1.14–1.74), and 1.90 (1.55–2.34) for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quartiles of WCs compared to the 1st quartile (P for trend <0.001). Ovarian cancer tended to increase and cervical cancer tended to decrease as WC increased (P for trend = 0.035 for ovarian cancer, P for trend = 0.034 for cervical cancer). Conclusion In Korean women, the risks of endometrial and ovarian cancers increased significantly from the pre-obese level as BMI and WC increased, while cervical cancer risk tended to increase as WC decreased. Management of obesity should be reinforced for the prevention of obesity-related gynecological cancers, considering the increasing incidence of these cancers among Korean women.

Background: This study aimed to analyze the medical expenses covered by the Korean National Health Insurance Service (KNHIS) according to body mass index (BMI) in Korean adults. Methods: We included 1,170,464 adults (623,498 men and 546,966 women) aged ≥19 years from the KNHISNational Sample Cohort database (2016 to 2019) after excluding individuals with cancer. Average annual medical expenses per person and average annual medical expenses (Korean won [KRW], 1 United States dollar=1,292 KRW) by BMI classification were assessed according to age and sex. Medical expenses comprised those for medication and combined outpatient department (OPD) and hospitalization services. Means and 95% confidence intervals were analyzed using a two-part model. Results: Average annual medical expenses increased in higher BMI quintile groups (P for trend <0.001). Average annual medical expenses per person increased significantly as BMI increased in women but not in men. Average annual medical expenses were highest in the highest quintile of BMI among women and in all age groups.While BMI showed a U-shape association with medical expenses for OPD and hospitalization in young individuals, medical expenses for medication in all age groups and those for OPD and hospitalization in middle-aged individuals increased sharply in the highest BMI quintile. Conclusion All types of average annual medical expenses increased in higher BMI groups in Korean adults, particularly in women. Individuals with the highest BMI quintile incurred the greatest medical expenses among women and across all age groups. Strategies for preventing and managing obesity are warranted to reduce the burden of obesity-related medical expenses.

Intraflagellar transport (IFT) particles, a multi-protein apparatus composed of complex A and B, are known to be involved in homeostasis of flagella formation. IFT particles have recently become an interesting topic in Giardia lamblia, which has 4 pairs of flagella. In this experiment, we examined the function of giardial IFT components. When 7 components (IFT121, 140, 20, 46, 52, 81, and 88) of IFT were expressed in Giardia trophozoites as a tagged form with mNeonGreen, all of them were found in both flagella pores and cytoplasmic axonemes. In addition, motor proteins for IFT particles (kinesin-13 and kinesin-2b), were localized to a median body and cytoplasmic flagella, respectively. The CRISPRi-mediated knockdown of IFT88 significantly affected the lengths of all 4 flagella compared to the control cells, Giardia expressing dead Cas9 using control guide RNA. Decreased expression of kinesin-2b also resulted in shortening of flagella, excluding the ventral flagella. Live Giardia cells expressing IFT88-mNeonGreen clearly demonstrated fluorescence in flagella pores and cytoplasmic axonemes. These results on IFT88 and kinesin-2b indicate that IFT complex plays a role in maintenance of G. lamblia flagella.

Background: In Korea, the patterns of prevalence of gynecological cancers have shifted due to rising obesity-related cancer cases. We evaluated the associations of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) with the risk of gynecological malignancy in Korean women. Methods: Using National Health Insurance Service cohort data, we analyzed 365,581 participants among the 1,999,980 women aged ≥ 19 years who underwent health check-ups at the baseline year 2009–2010, excluding those who died, those with prior cancer diagnoses, underwent hysterectomy and/or salpingo-oophorectomy before the index date (January 1st, 2011), or missing/outliers BMI and WC values. Follow-up extended to December 31st, 2021, evaluating the incidences of endometrial, ovarian, and cervical cancer. The hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each gynecological malignancy according to BMI and WC were calculated using Cox proportional hazard regression. Results: Among the 365,581 participants, 898, 1,268, and 873 cases of endometrial, ovarian, and cervical cancer occurred, respectively. HRs (95% CIs) for endometrial cancer were 1.37 (1.15–1.63), 1.63 (1.38–1.94), and 3.64 (2.81–4.70) for BMIs of 23.0–24.9, 25.0–29.9, and ≥ 30 kg/m2 compared to BMI of 18.5–22.9 kg/m2 (P for trend < 0.001). HRs (95% CIs) for ovarian cancer were 1.16 (1.00–1.33), 1.19 (1.03–1.37), and 1.49 (1.12–1.98) for BMIs of 23.0–24.9, 25.0–29.9, and ≥ 30 kg/m2 compared to BMI of 18.5–22.9 kg/m2 (P for trend = 0.002). No significant association was found between BMI and the risk for cervical cancer (P for trend = 0.266). HRs (95% CIs) for endometrial cancer were 1.35 (1.09–1.66), 1.41 (1.14–1.74), and 1.90 (1.55–2.34) for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quartiles of WCs compared to the 1st quartile (P for trend <0.001). Ovarian cancer tended to increase and cervical cancer tended to decrease as WC increased (P for trend = 0.035 for ovarian cancer, P for trend = 0.034 for cervical cancer). Conclusion In Korean women, the risks of endometrial and ovarian cancers increased significantly from the pre-obese level as BMI and WC increased, while cervical cancer risk tended to increase as WC decreased. Management of obesity should be reinforced for the prevention of obesity-related gynecological cancers, considering the increasing incidence of these cancers among Korean women.