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Abstract Sirtuin3 (SIRT3), a mitochondrial deacetylase, has been shown to be involved in various kidney diseases. In this study, we aimed to clarify the role of SIRT3 in cyclosporine-induced nephrotoxicity and the associated mitochondrial dysfunction. Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells were transfected with Flag-tagged SIRT3 for SIRT3 overexpression or SIRT3 siRNA for the inhibition of SIRT3. Subsequently, the cells were treated with cyclosporine A (CsA) or vehicle. Wild-type and SIRT3 knockout (KO) mice were randomly assigned to receive cyclosporine A or olive oil. Furthermore, SIRT3 activator, honokiol, was treated alongside CsA to wild type mice. Our results revealed that CsA treatment inhibited mitochondrial SIRT3 expression in MDCK cells. Inhibition of SIRT3 through siRNA transfection exacerbated apoptosis, impaired the expression of the AMP-activated protein kinase-peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (AMPK-PGC1α) pathway, and worsened mitochondrial dysfunction induced by CsA treatment. Conversely, overexpression of SIRT3 through Flag-tagged SIRT3 transfection ameliorated apoptosis, increased the expression of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase 2, and restored the mitochondrial regulator pathway, AMPK-PGC1α. In SIRT3 KO mice, CsA treatment led to aggravated kidney dysfunction, increased kidney tubular injury, and accumulation of oxidative end products indicative of oxidative stress injury. Meanwhile, SIRT3 activation in vivo significantly mitigated these adverse effects, improving kidney function, reducing oxidative stress markers, and enhancing mitochondrial health following CsA treatment. Overall, our findings suggest that SIRT3 plays a protective role in alleviating mitochondrial dysfunction caused by CsA through the activation of the AMPK-PGC1α pathway, thereby preventing further kidney injury.

Abstract Background Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) stands as the predominant cause of chronic kidney disease and end-stage kidney disease. Its diverse range of manifestations complicates the treatment approach for patients. Although kidney biopsy is considered the gold standard for diagnosis, it lacks precision in predicting the progression of kidney dysfunction. Herein, we addressed whether the presence of glomerular crescents is linked to the outcomes in patients with biopsy-confirmed type 2 DKD. Methods We performed a retrospective evaluation, involving 327 patients diagnosed with biopsy-confirmed DKD in the context of type 2 diabetes, excluding cases with other glomerular diseases, from nine tertiary hospitals. Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated using a Cox regression model to assess the risk of kidney disease progression, defined as either ≥ 50% decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rates or the development of end-stage kidney disease, based on the presence of glomerular crescents. Results Out of the 327 patients selected, ten patients had glomerular crescents observed in their biopsied tissues. Over the follow-up period (median of 19 months, with a maximum of 18 years), the crescent group exhibited a higher risk of kidney disease progression than the no crescent group, with an adjusted HR of 2.82 (1.32–6.06) (P = 0.008). The presence of heavy proteinuria was associated with an increased risk of developing glomerular crescents. Conclusion The presence of glomerular crescents is indeed linked to the progression of type 2 DKD. Therefore, it is important to determine whether there is an additional immune-mediated glomerulonephritis requiring immunomodulation, and it may be prudent to monitor the histology and repeat a biopsy.

Background Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by the deficient activity of α-galactosidase (α- Gal A), affecting multiple organs including kidney. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of FD in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) including those on renal replacement therapy in Korea. Methods This is a national, multicenter, observational study performed between August 24, 2017 and February 28, 2020. Patients with the presence of proteinuria or treated on dialysis were screened by measuring the α-Gal A enzyme activity using either dried blood spot or whole blood, and plasma globotriaosylsphingosine (lyso-GL3) concentration. A GLA gene analysis was performed in patients with low α-Gal A enzyme activity or increased plasma lyso-GL3 concentration. Results Of 897 screened patients, 405 (45.2%) were male and 279 (31.1%) were on dialysis. The α-Gal A enzyme activity was measured in 891 patients (99.3%), and plasma lyso-GL3 concentration was measured in all patients. Ten patients were eligible for a GLA gene analysis: eight with low α-Gal A enzyme activity and two with increased plasma lyso-GL3 concentration. The GLA mutations were analyzed in nine patients and one patient was found with a pathogenic mutation. Therefore, one patient was identified with FD, giving a prevalence of 0.1% (1 of 897) in this CKD population. Conclusion Although the prevalence of FD in the CKD population was low (0.1%), screening tests are crucial to detect potential diseases in patients with relatives who can benefit from early treatment.

Background Fabry nephropathy is characterized by a deficiency of lysosomal alpha-galactosidase A, which results in proteinuria and kidney disease. The ineffectiveness of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) for severe kidney failure highlights the need for early detection and meaningful markers. However, because the diagnosis and treatment of Fabry disease can vary according to the expertise of physicians, we evaluated the opinions of Korean specialists. Methods A questionnaire regarding the management of Fabry nephropathy was emailed to healthcare providers with the experience or ability to treat individuals with Fabry nephropathy. Results Of the 70 experts who responded to the survey, 43 were nephrologists, and 64.3% of the respondents reported having treated patients with Fabry disease. Pediatricians are treating primarily patients with classic types of the disease, while nephrologists and cardiologists are treating more patients with variant types. Only 40.7% of non-nephrologists agreed that a kidney biopsy was required at the time of diagnosis, compared with 81.4% of nephrologists. Thirty-eight of 70 respondents (54.3%) reported measuring globotriaosylsphingosine (lyso-Gb3) as a biomarker. The most common period to measure lyso-Gb3 was at the time of diagnosis, followed by after ERT, before ERT, and at screening. For the stage at which ERT should begin, microalbuminuria and proteinuria were chosen by 51.8% and 28.6% of respondents, respectively. Conclusion Nephrologists are more likely to treat variant Fabry disease rather than classic cases, and they agree that ERT should be initiated early in Fabry nephropathy, using lyso-Gb3 as a biomarker.

Introduction: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a growing disease in Korea and worldwide and is an important condition that affects patient outcomes. In order to provide optimal management for mineral disturbance, vascular calcification, and bone disease of ESRD patients, the ORCHESTRA study (Korean dialysis cohort for mineral, vascular calcification, and fracture) was conducted and enrolled Korean dialysis patients. Methods: Sixteen university-affiliated hospitals and one Veterans Health Service Medical Center participated in this study. This prospective cohort study enrolled approximately 900 consecutive dialysis patients between May 2019 and January 2021. Enrolled subjects were evaluated at baseline for demographic information, laboratory tests, radiologic imaging, and bone mineral densitometry (BMD) scans. After enrollment, regular assessments of patients were performed and their biospecimens were collected according to the study protocol. Primary outcomes were occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), invasive treatment for peripheral artery disease (PAD), and osteoporotic fractures. Secondary outcomes were hospitalization for cerebro-cardiovascular disease or progression of abdominal aortic calcification (AAC). Participants will be assessed for up to three years to determine whether primary or secondary outcomes occur. Results: From May 2019 to January 2021, all participating centers recruited 900 consecutive dialysis patients, including 786 undergoing hemodialysis (HD) and 114 undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). The mean age of subjects was 60.4 ± 12.3 years. Males accounted for 57.7%. The mean dialysis vintage was 6.1 ± 6.0 years. The HD group was significantly older, had a longer dialysis vintage, and more comorbidities. Overall, the severity of vascular calcification was higher and the level of BMD was lower in the HD group than in the PD group. Conclusion: This is a nationwide, multicenter, prospective cohort study that focuses on CKD-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) and aims to provide clinical evidence to establish optimal treatment guidelines for Asian dialysis patients.

Abstract Obesity is a major health problem worldwide and is associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Body mass index (BMI) is a common method of diagnosing obesity, but there are concerns about its accuracy and ability to measure body composition. This study evaluated the risk of CKD development in a middle-aged population in association with various body composition metrics. From a prospective cohort of 10,030 middle-aged adults, we enrolled 6727 for whom baseline and follow-up data were available. We collected data pertaining to participants' BMI, manually measured waist–hip ratio (WHR), and various measurements of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), including total body fat content, muscle content, and calculated WHR, and classified the participants into quintiles accordingly. CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)

Background The rate of kidney function decline is different for each individual regardless of any difference in the medical histories. This study set out to identify the risk factors for high discordance in kidney function decline in an identical twin cohort. Methods This study included 333 identical twins from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study who were categorized into two groups according to the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline: the slow and rapid progressor groups. The mean differences of variables were compared between the two groups. We calculated the difference in the annual eGFR change between twins and analyzed the risk factors associated with high discordance in twins who had > 5 mL/min/1.73 m2 /yr of the intra-twin difference in the annual eGFR decline. Identical twins with diabetes and baseline eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 were excluded. Results The high discordance twins showed significant differences in body mass index; waist-to-hip ratio; total body fat percentage; and levels of blood hemoglobin, serum fasting glucose, albumin, triglyceride, and uric acid; however, there were no differences in low discordance twins. Multivariable logistic regression showed that blood hemoglobin level is the only significant factor associated with high discordance of eGFR decline in twins. Conclusions Blood hemoglobin level may play a role in the individual differences in kidney function decline.

Inflammation plays a major role in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease (CKD), but the relationship between systemic inflammation and CKD-mineral bone disease is unclear. We aimed to investigate whether the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is related to abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) and bone mineral density (BMD) in dialysis patients. In this cross-sectional analysis using baseline data of a multicenter cohort, a total of 759 patients were divided into three groups according to NLR level, and the associations between NLR and Kauppila AAC score (AACS) and BMD were assessed. The highest tertile NLR group had more males, alcohol consumers, higher diabetes prevalence, and higher comorbidity index than the lowest tertile NLR group. Fasting glucose and C-reactive protein levels were higher, while serum albumin, serum iron, and lipid profiles except triglycerides were lower in the highest tertile group. AACS was significantly higher in the highest tertile group than in the lowest and middle tertile groups (p = 0.017), but the mean areal BMD and T-score of the lumbar spine and femur were not different between groups. NLR level was positively correlated with AACS in all aortic wall segments except L1 and L3 anterior. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, the highest tertile NLR group was independently associated with AAC (odds ratio 2.876, 95% confidence interval 1.250-6.619, p = 0.013) but was not associated with osteoporosis in the lumbar spine and femur after adjusting for confounding factors. The NLR can be used as a potential indicator of AAC in dialysis patients.

Abstract Obstructive uropathy is known to be associated with acute kidney injury (AKI). This study aimed to investigate the etiologies, clinical characteristics, consequences and also assess the impact of AKI on long-term outcomes. This multicenter, retrospective study of 1683 patients with obstructive uropathy who underwent percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) analyzed clinical characteristics, outcomes including progression to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), overall mortality, and the impact of AKI on long-term outcomes. Obstructive uropathy in adults was most commonly caused by malignancy, urolithiasis, and other causes. AKI was present in 78% of the patients and was independently associated with preexisting chronic kidney disease (CKD). Short-term recovery was achieved in 56.78% after the relief of obstruction. ESKD progression rate was 4.4% in urolithiasis and 6.8% in other causes and older age, preexisting CKD, and stage 3 AKI were independent factors of progression. The mortality rate (34%) was highly attributed to malignant obstruction (52%) stage 3 AKI was also an independent predictor of mortality in non-malignant obstruction. AKI is a frequent complication of adult obstructive uropathy. AKI negatively affects long-term kidney outcomes and survival in non-malignant obstructions. A better understanding of the epidemiology and prognostic factors is needed for adult obstructive uropathy.

Abstract Several studies have demonstrated the nephroprotective effects of estrogen on renal damage. In light of the inconsistent results of previous findings, this study aims to evaluate the in-depth role of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) on the development of end stage renal disease (ESRD). 3,109,506 Korean adult women who had undergone a medical examination in 2009 (index year) were initially identified for inclusion in this study. We excluded subjects had not experienced menopause naturally, had data missing for at least one variable, and were diagnosed with ESRD within 1 year from the index year. MHT data was obtained from self-reporting questionnaires and the primary outcome was the development of ESRD from the index year until December 31, 2018. A final total of 1,460,311 subjects were included in this study. The participants were divided into four groups according to the duration of MHT; no history of MHT, MHT

Deteriorating kidney function is frequently observed in the elderly population, as well as vulnerability to acute kidney failure, such as ischemic/reperfusion injury (IRI), and inadequate recovery from IRI is one of the mechanisms of kidney dysfunction in the elderly. The potential mediators in the progression of kidney dysfunction in the aging kidney have not yet been clearly revealed. In this study, we investigated the role of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), which is an essential regulator of cellular redox homeostasis, in restoring kidney function after IRI in the aging kidney. NRF2 expression decreased significantly in the kidneys of old mice, as well as histologic and functional renal recovery after IRI; 45-min renal pedicle clamping was retarded in old compared with young mice. Persistent renal injury during the recovery phase after IRI was aggravated in NRF2 knockout (KO) mice compared to wild-type mice. Oxidative stress occurred in NRF2 KO old mice during the IRI recovery phase along with decreased expression of mitochondrial OXPHOS-related proteins and a reduction in mitochondrial ATP content. In vitro, hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury was aggravated in senescent human proximal tubuloepithelial cells after NRF2 restriction using NRF2 siRNA, which also increased the level of oxidative stress and deteriorated mitochondrial dysfunction. Treating the mice with an NRF2 activator, CDDO-Me, alleviated the injury. These results suggest that NRF2 may be a therapeutic target for the aging kidney.

Summary: Background: Many immunosuppressive drugs are prescribed as twice-daily dosing. A simplified once-daily dosing of immunosuppressive drug regimen may improve medication adherence. We investigated medication adherence of simplified once-daily immunosuppressive regimen consisting of extended-release tacrolimus, sirolimus, and corticosteroids along with the efficacy and safety of this regimen. Methods: This study was a prospective, multicenter, controlled and cohort trial. Stable kidney transplant recipients who had received transplantation at least 3 months before the study enrollment were eligible for the study. Participants were required to fill-out the self-reported immunosuppressant therapy barrier scale (ITBS) questionnaire before and after the conversion. Other clinical laboratory parameters and adverse events were evaluated until 6 months post-conversion. Results: A total of 160 kidney recipients comprised the intention-to-treat population. The mean total ITBS score was 19.5 ± 4.0 at pre-conversion and 6 months after converting, the mean total ITBS score was 16.6 ± 3.6 (p

BackgroundSerum creatinine and cystatin C are not only good indicators of renal function but have also been confirmed to be related to disease prognosis and mortality in various diseases via creatinine/cystatin C ratio (CCR). However, although they are biomarkers of renal function, there is no study regarding renal impairment as a confounding variable in the relationship between CCR and all-cause mortality.MethodsPatients who had simultaneous measurements of serum creatinine and cystatin C between 2003 and 2020 were enrolled. The patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) were defined as having an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) CKD-EPI Cr-Cystatin C < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2. CCR was calculated by dividing the serum creatinine level by the cystatin C level measured on the same day. The main outcome assessed was all-cause mortality according to CCR in CKD or non-CKD groups.ResultsAmong the 8,680 patients in whom creatinine and cystatin C levels were measured simultaneously, 4,301 were included in the CKD group, and 4,379 were included in the non-CKD group, respectively. CCR was 1.4 ± 0.6 in total participants. The non-CKD group showed higher mean CCR, (1.5 ± 0.7 vs. 1.3 ± 0.5) as well as a wider distribution of CCR (p < 0.001) when compared to the CKD group. In non-CKD group, 1st, 4th and 5th quintiles of CCR significantly increased the all-cause mortality risk compared to 2nd quintile of CCR, suggesting U-shaped mortality risk according to CCR in non-CKD. On the other hand, in CKD group, the risk of all-cause mortality linearly increased and 5th quintile of CCR showed 1.82 times risk of mortality compared to 2nd quintile of CCR. In the subgroup analysis of mortality by age and sex, the mortality difference according to CCR were diminished in old age and female sex subgroups.ConclusionWe discovered a U-shaped relationship between mortality and CCR levels in normal renal function, and an increased risk of mortality in CKD with elevated CCR.

Introduction: Acute pyelonephritis (APN) is a common infection during pregnancy that increases the risk of unfavorable maternal and fetal outcomes. However, it has not been clearly elucidated which demographic and clinical characteristics are associated with the incidence of APN during pregnancy. Objective: This population-based cohort study aimed to determine the risk factors for APN during pregnancy. Methods: Using the database of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service of South Korea, we enrolled Korean women who delivered infants between 2010 and 2014 in Korea and had complete health examination records within 1 year of pregnancy. We performed multivariate logistic regression analysis to evaluate the risk factors for APN during pregnancy. Results: Of 370,248 women, 2,526 (0.7% of the total participants) were treated for APN while in hospitalization during pregnancy. Younger age, history of previous APN within 1 year of pregnancy, and abnormal results of health examination before pregnancy, such as high fasting glucose level (>100 mg/dL) and proteinuria, were associated with an increased risk of APN during pregnancy. Conclusion: Certain maternal demographic and clinical characteristics were associated with the incidence of APN during pregnancy, and these should be monitored closely during antenatal care.

Background Hemodialysis is a life-saving renal replacement treatment for patients with chronic kidney disease, but various complications occur during hemodialysis and associated procedures. This study was conducted to analyze the specific characteristics of hemodialysis-related complications and malpractice that have led to legal disputes. Methods Judgments from cases litigated between 1991 and 2019 due to complications related to hemodialysis or vascular access were analyzed using the database of the Korean Supreme Court Judgment System. Results Of 32 dialysis-related litigation cases, 14 cases were dismissed and malpractice was recognized in 18 cases. Among all cases and those in which malpractice was recognized, the most common clinical complication was associated with central venous catheter (CVC) insertion (25.0% and 42.9%, respectively). In 22 of 32 (68.8%) cases, complications occurred before or after (not during) dialysis, and performance error was the most common clinical error leading to legal disputes (58.3%). Complications resulted in death in 59.4% of cases, and CVC-related complications were associated with the largest proportion (63.2%) of deaths. Conclusions Hemodialysis was implicated in various medical disputes, and CVC-related complications were the most common and serious adverse events. Clinicians’ awareness of the incidence and severity of possible complications of hemodialysis procedures should be increased.

Background: We investigated the associations between mineral metabolism parameters and mortality to identify optimal targets in Korean hemodialysis patients. Methods: Among hemodialysis patients registered in the end-stage renal disease registry of the Korean Society of Nephrology between March 2012 and June 2017, those with serum calcium, phosphorus, and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) measured at enrollment were included. Association of serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, and iPTH with all-cause mortality was analyzed. Results: Among 21,433 enrolled patients, 3,135 (14.6%) died during 24.8 ± 14.5 months of follow-up. After multivariable adjustment, patients in the first quintile of corrected calcium were associated with lower mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.84; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.71-0.99; P = 0.003), while those in the fifth quintile were associated with higher mortality (HR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.20-1.61; P⟨ 0.001) compared with those in the third quintile. For phosphorus, only the lowest quintile was significantly associated with increased mortality (HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.08-1.43; P = 0.003). The lowest (HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.02-1.36; P = 0.026) and highest quintiles of iPTH (HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.05-1.46; P = 0.013) were associated with increased mortality. For target counts achieved according to the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative guideline, patients who did not achieve any mineral parameter targets hadhigher mortality than those who achieved all three targets (HR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.12-1.67; P = 0.003). Conclusion: In Korean hemodialysis patients, high serum calcium, low phosphorus, and high and low iPTH levels were associated with increased all-cause mortality.

Background : The aim of this study is to narrow the gap between global guidelines and local practices, we recently established domestic recommendations by adapting the international guidelines for management of chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disorder (CKD-MBD) in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). This study was undertaken to determine whether application of this guideline adaptation was associated with improved serum mineral profiles in patients with CKD-MBD. Methods : A total of 355 patients on MHD were enrolled from seven dialysis units. After adhering to our strategy for one year, serum phosphorus, calcium, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), and alkaline phosphatase (AP) levels were compared with the baseline. The endpoint was improvement in the proportion of patients with serum mineral levels at target recommendations. Results : The median serum phosphorus level and proportion of patients with serum phosphorus within the target range were not changed. Although the median serum calcium level was significantly increased, the proportion of patients with serum calcium within the target range was not significantly affected. The proportion of patients with serum iPTH at the target level was not altered, although the median serum iPTH was significantly decreased. However, both median serum AP and the proportion of patients with serum AP at the target level (70.4% vs. 89.6%, P ＜ 0.001) were improved. Conclusion : In our patients with MHD, serum mineral profiles were altered and the serum AP level stabilized after implementing our recommendations. Long-term follow-up evaluations are necessary to determine whether uremic bone disease and cardiovascular calcifications are affected by these recommendations.

Background/Aims: SIRT1 activation promotes the resistance of renal tubular cells to oxidative stress, and resveratrol is known as a SIRT1 activator. Methods: Resveratrol was injected intraperitoneally with iohexol for 24 hours. NRK-52E cells were pretreated with resveratrol for 24 hours and then exposed to iohexol for 3 hours. Renal function was measured by serum creatinine and cell survival was assessed by MTT assay. We investigated whether resveratrol attenuates oxidative stress and apoptosis in contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). Results: Serum creatinine and tubular injury increased significantly after iohexol treatment, and resveratrol co-treatment attenuated the renal injury. Cell survival decreased after iohexol exposure and resveratrol reduced cell death induced by iohexol. Resveratrol was accompanied with the activation of SIRT1 and PGC-1α and dephosphorylation of FoxO1 in mice with CIN. SIRT1 and PGC-1α expression were decreased by iohexol, and increased significantly in resveratrol-pretreated cells. These processes resulted in reduction of oxidative stress and apoptosis both in vivo and in vitro experiments. Resveratrol decreased inflammatory cell infiltration induced by iohexol in mice with CIN. SIRT1 inhibition using siRNA in tubular cells accentuated the decrease of cell viability by iohexol. Conclusion: Resveratrol attenuated CIN by modulating renal oxidative stress and apoptosis through activation of SIRT1-PGC-1α-FoxO1 signaling.

Background/Aims: Cinacalcet is one of the important treatments of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). We evaluated the role of computed tomography (CT) for parathyroid glands (PTGs) to determine the response to cinacalcet therapy in dialysis patients. Methods: In study 1, we compared the predictive cutoff values of the largest volume or diameter of PTGs on ultrasonography or CT for achievement of target intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) level according to K/DOQI guideline after cinacalcet treatment in a single dialysis center. In study 2, the role of the cutoff diameter of PTGs on CT in predicting responsive to cinacalcet therapy was reevaluated in dialysis patients with SHPT in multiple centers. Results: In study 1, among the total population of 26 patients, the number of patients with baseline iPTH over 600 pg/mL was 16 (61%). In study 2, it was 45 (54%), among 82 patients. In study 1, the number of PTGs equal to or larger than the cutoff value (≥ 11.2 mm) on CT, not ultrasonography, was significantly higher in non-responders than in responders (p=0.038). In study 2, the proportion of patients with PTGs ≥ 11.2 mm on CT was significantly higher in non-responders than responders (p=0.003). Multivariate analysis showed that pretreatment iPTH (odds ratio [OR] 1.498, p=0.003) and the existence of enlarged PTGs on CT (OR 8.940, p=0.015) were significant clinical factors affecting the response to cinacalcet. Conclusions: The diameter of PTGs on CT could predict the response to cinacalcet in dialysis patients with SHPT.

Background: Anemia is a major risk factor that contributes to mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease. There is controversy over the optimal hemoglobin (Hb) target in these patients. This study investigated the association between Hb level and mortality in a cohort of hemodialysis (HD) patients in Korea. Methods: This study was a multicenter prospective observational study of maintenance HD patients that was performed for 5 years in western Seoul, Korea. Three hundred and sixty-two participants were enrolled. Laboratory values and mortality were accessed every 6 months. Repeated measures of laboratory values in each interval were averaged to obtain one semiannual mean value. The Hb values were divided into six groups: (1) Hb

For Korean dialysis patients, chronic kidney disease–mineral bone disorder is a serious burden because of cardiovascular calcification and mortality. However, recent epidemiologic data have demonstrated that many patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis are out of the target ranges of serum calcium, phosphorus, and intact parathyroid hormone. Thus, we felt the necessity for the development of practical recommendations to treat abnormal serum phosphorus, calcium, and iPTH in dialysis patients. In this paper, we briefly comment on the measurement of serum calcium, phosphorus, iPTH, dialysate calcium concentration, dietary phosphorus restriction, use of phosphate binders, and medical and surgical options to correct secondary hyperparathyroidism. In particular, for the optimal management of secondary hyperparathyroidism, we suggest a simplified medication adjustment according to certain ranges of serum phosphorus and calcium. Large-scale, well-designed clinical studies are required to support our strategies to control chronic kidney disease–mineral bone disorder in this country. Based on such data, our practice guidelines could be established and better long-term outcomes should be anticipated in our dialysis patients.

Background: In many countries, nephrologists follow clinical practice guidelines for mineral bone disorders to control secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) associated with abnormal serum calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) levels in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). The Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI) Guidelines have long been used in Korea, and this study was undertaken to investigate the current status of serum Ca and P control in MHD patients. Methods: Data were collected from a total of 1,018 patients undergoing MHD without intercurrent illness, in 17 hemodialysis centers throughout the country. Serum levels of Ca, P, and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) were measured over 1 year, and the average values were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Serum levels of Ca, P, and the Ca×P product were 9.1±0.7 mg/dL, 5.3±1.4 mg/dL, and 48.0±13.6 mg2/dL2, respectively. However, the percentages of patients with Ca, P, and Ca × P product levels within the KDOQI guideline ranges were 58.7%, 51.0%, and 70.7%, respectively. Of the 1,018 patients, 270 (26.5%) had iPTH >300 pg/mL (uncontrolled SHPT), whereas 435 patients (42.7%) showed iPTH

In this paper, dynamic and static structural responses of the spent nuclear fuel disposal canister for PWR due to the accidental drop and impact on to the ground are analyzed in a multidisciplinary analysis manner theoretically and numerically in order to ensure the structural durability of the canister. The impact impulse occurring by the frictionless contact collision between the canister and the ground is studied theoretically and the numerical analysis on the dynamic response is presented to compute the impact load and other dynamic features incurred during the collision. The static structural impact response occurring in the canister is also analyzed numerically using the nonlinear finite element analysis technique.