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Abstract Few studies have investigated the impact of a change in metabolic syndrome (MetS) components on clinical renal outcomes in the general population. Using nationally representative data from the Korean National Health Insurance System, 13,310,924 subjects who underwent two health examinations over 2 years and were free from end-stage renal disease (ESRD) from 2009 to 2012 were followed to the end of 2016. The subjects were divided into four groups according to the change in MetS components between the two visits over 2 years: no MetS (–/–), post-MetS (–/+), pre-MetS (+/–), and both MetS (+/+). After a median follow up of 5.11 years, 18,582 incident ESRD cases were identified. In the multivariate adjusted model, the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the development of ESRD in the both-MetS (+/+) group compared with the no-MetS (–/–) group was 5.65 (95% CI, 5.42–5.89), which was independent of age, sex, and baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate. Additionally, the HR for the pre-MetS (+/–) group versus the no-MetS (–/–) group was 2.28 (2.15–2.42). In subgroup analysis according to renal function, the impact of a change in MetS on the incidence of ESRD was more pronounced in individuals with advanced renal dysfunction. Subjects with resolved MetS components had a decreased risk of ESRD, but not as low as those that never had MetS components. This provides evidence supporting the strategy of modulating MetS in the general population to prevent the development of ESRD.

Abstract Growing evidence suggests that obesity is a risk factor for incident psoriasis. This study was aimed to evaluate the association of obesity and metabolic status with the incidence of psoriasis. A total of 418,057 adults were followed-up using a nationwide prospective cohort study in Korea. Participants were stratified based on the body mass index categories and metabolic condition. During the follow-up visit, 11054 (2.6%) cases were found to have psoriasis. Diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and obesity were all found to be risk factors for incident psoriasis. The metabolically unhealthy non-obese (MUNO) subjects (hazard ratio [HR], 1.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22–1.37) and metabolically unhealthy obese subjects (MUO; HR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1. 26–1.41) had a significantly higher risk of psoriasis incidence as compared to metabolically healthy non-obese subjects. The risk of psoriasis development was found to be high among the MUNO and MUO subjects in both sexes and all age groups. In conclusion, the metabolic health status was significantly associated with an increased risk of psoriasis in both obese and non-obese individuals. However, further studies are needed to evaluate whether the control of metabolic parameters can lower the incidence of psoriasis.

Abstract As the risk of gypsy moth outbreaks that have detrimental effects on forest ecosystem in the Northern Hemisphere increase due to climate change, a quantitative evaluation of the impact of gypsy moth defoliation is needed to support the adaptive forest management. To evaluate the host-specific impact of gypsy moth defoliation, radial growth and annual carbon accumulation were compared for one severely defoliated (Larix kaempferi (Lamb.) Carrière) and one moderate defoliated (Quercus acutissima Carruth.) host, in defoliated and non-defoliated site using tree-ring analysis. Finally, the resilience indices of radial growth variables were calculated to assess the ability of sampled trees to withstand defoliation. Gypsy moth defoliation mainly decreased latewood width and caused reduction in annual carbon absorption more than 40% for both tree species. However, L. kaempferi, showed the reduced growth until the year following defoliation, while Q. acutissima, showed no lagged growth depression and rapid growth recover. The findings show how each species reacts differently to gypsy moth defoliation and highlight the need of managing forests in a way that takes resilient tree species into account.