Objective Despite percutaneous fluoroscopy ensuring appropriate placement of peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheters, the efficacy of this method is not well known. Therefore, we evaluated our long-term experience with fluoroscopy-assisted placement of PD catheters. Patients and Methods We retrospectively reviewed 134 PD catheters in 114 PD patients that were treated in the PD center of a university-based hospital. We evaluated complications related to PD catheters, causes for catheter removal, and catheter survival. We used the multivariate Cox proportional hazard model to identify independent factors related to PD catheter survival. Results Early complications related to insertion included 1 case of pericatheter bleeding; there were no placement failures. Early complications occurred in 8.5% of patients. Most late complications were migration and leakage, which occurred in 10.4% and 9.7% of patients respectively. The most common cause for catheter removal was intractable and recurrent peritonitis. The 12- and 24-month survival rates of the catheters were 80.0% and 74.9%. The most significant prognostic factor of percutaneous fluoroscopy-assisted PD catheter survival was late leakage ( p < 0.01). Conclusions In addition to the advantages of simplicity, minimal invasiveness, and relative safety, the survival rate of PD catheters placed using the percutaneous fluoroscopy-assisted method was comparable to that of more invasive methods. Percutaneous fluoroscopy-assisted placement of PD catheters should be considered when available, and may be preferred to other placement methods.

AIMS. Blood pressure control is influenced by various genetic and environmental factors, and genetic susceptibility is important in the development of essential hypertension. Because the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) has a key role in vasoconstriction, vasodilation, and sodium and electrolyte balance, it is central in blood pressure control and so is an appropriate target in hypertension treatments. The present study assessed the association of RAAS-related genes with blood pressure and hypertension in a Korean population. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs, n = 114) in nine RAAS-related genes (AGT, REN, ACE, ACE2, AGTR1, CYP11B2, NR3C2, MAS1, and CMA1) were assessed for their correlation with blood pressure and hypertension using genotype data of 8842 individuals from the Korea Association Resource subject pool. MAJOR FINDINGS. Linear regression analysis revealed a statistically significant association with blood pressure of 10 SNPs in six genes (ACE, ACE2, CYP11B2, NR3C2, MAS1, and CMA1). An additional hypertension case-control study identified 10 SNPs in NR3C2 and ACE that were linked to hypertension. PRINCIPAL CONCLUSION. Three SNPs (rs11737660, rs6810951, and rs10519963) in NR3C2 correlate with both blood pressure and hypertension. Genetic polymorphisms in RAAS-related genes appear to be associated with hypertension in a Korean population.

This study showed that UAGT levels are increased and correlate positively with the UPCR in IgAN. Patients with high levels of UAGT may have poor renal function following treatment.

The ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS) is responsible for proteasomal degradation, regulating the half-life of the protein. Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) are components of the UPS and inhibit degradation by removing ubiquitins from protein substrates. Herpesvirus-associated ubiquitin-specific protease (HAUSP) is one such deubiquitinating enzyme and has been closely associated with tumor development. In a previous study, we isolated putative HAUSP binding substrates by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and identified them by matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS) analysis. The analysis showed that pyruvate kinase isoenzyme M2 (PKM2) was likely to be one of the substrates for HAUSP. Further study revealed that PKM2 binds to HAUSP, confirming the interaction between these proteins, and that PKM2 possesses the putative HAUSP binding motif, E or P/AXXS. Therefore, we generated mutant forms of PKM2 S57A, S97A, and S346A, and found that S57A had less binding affinity. In a previous study, we demonstrated that PKM2 is regulated by the UPS, and that HAUSP- as a DUB-acted on PKM2, thus siRNA for HAUSP increases PKM2 ubiquitination. Our present study newly highlights the direct interaction between HAUSP and PKM2.

Objectives :The objective of the study is to examine what effects the Mindfulness-based stress reduction program can have on Hwa-byung patients. Methods :Ten Hwa-byung patients have participated in this 8-week Mindfulness-based stress reduction program for Hwa-byung. In addition, participants were interviewed regarding the experiences from the changes during meditation or everyday life. Data were collected though a consumer panel and individual interviews. Responses were coded using Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) methodology. Results :The experiences were categorized into 7 domains and divided to 23 categories. Results showed the psychotherapeutic effects of Mindfulness-based stress reduction program, specifically, positive cognitive changes, emotional stability, and changes in attitude. Also, all participants reported improvement of anger management skill and feeling of tranquility. This means that the Mindfulness-based stress reduction program can relieve the symptoms of Hwa-byung. Conclusions :Mindfulness-based stress reduction program makes changes about emotion, physical symptoms, cognition and personal relationship. This program can be applied to psychotherapy for Hwa-byung.

Objectives :The Hwabyung Research Center of The Korean Society Of Oriental Neuropsychiatry attempted to produce clinical guidelines for doctors of Korean medicine for the treatment of Hwabyung. Methods :A standard guideline development process was followed. Relevant literature was identified by a review of bibliographies. The operational criteria were used to rate the quality of scientific evidence, and the line of treatment recommendations included a consensus clinical opinion. This section of "the status of Hwabyung in Korea" is 2 out of 5 articles drafted and reviewed by clinicians. Results :Hwabyung is changed depending on the time and have a risk of relapse. Like the previous studies, Female and lower socio-economic and educational level people suffers Hwabyung frequently. But recently number of Male Hwabyung patients increases. Recovery of Hwabyung is involved in depression, anxiety, stress. Hwabyung is related to Major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, somatoform disorder and diseases of the digestive system. Conclusions :This study was observed for the progression of Hwabyung. Hwabyung is a long-term disease associated with depression, anxiety and stress. Hwabyung is accompanied by physical and psychological symptoms and degrades the quality of life.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to examine the effects of Emotion Freedom Techniques (EFT) group treatment program for Hwa-byung patients. Methods: Thirteen Hwa-byung patients have participated in the four weeks program of EFT group treatment and the program was executed once a week, for about one hour. After every session, the participants performed EFT by themselves in order to control their symptoms. Four weeks after the program ended, we interviewed the participants by using the semi-structured interview method to observe changes of Hwa-byung. All the data collected was summarized through the qualitative analysis method. Results: Results showed effects of the EFT group treatment program, with regards to the physical, cognitive and emotional aspects. Most of the participants experienced reliefs of Hwa-byung symptoms like chest tightness, hot flashes, insomnia and so on. Their ability to cope with stress improved and their re-experiences of past memories decreased. And their distorted self-images were also restored. Lastly, there was a decrease in negative emotions and an increase in positive emotions experienced by the participants. The participants could control their symptoms by performing self-enforcement. In addition, regarding the form of group therapy, the treatment was effective as it helped the participants to feel solidarity and social support. Conclusions: The EFT group treatment program can relieve the physical, cognitive and emotional symptoms of Hwa-byung. This program can be applied to the psychotherapy of Hwa-byung.

Objectives :The purpose of this study is to examine the general personality profiles of patients who visited an oriental neuropsychiatric clinic and to investigate the specific profiles of patients diagnosed with Hwa-byung. Methods :We analyzed the profiles of 122 patients who completed TCI-RS questionnaire for the purpose of counseling. Patients were divided by sex, age and diagnosis related groups. Scales and subscales of each group were compared by an independent t-test and ANCOVA with SPSS windows 16.0. Types of temperament and character were classified by percentile ranks of the total patients and diagnosis related groups. Results :1. Total patients were classified as the high harm avoidance type of temperament and of low self-directedness type of character. 2. Male patients showed significantly higher scores on NS, all subscales of NS, P2 and P3 than female patients. HA4 and C5 scores were significantly higher in the female group. Younger patients showed significantly higher scores on NS, all subscales of NS, HA1 and P3. However, older patients had significantly higher scores on SD4, SD5, ST2 and ST3. 3. Between diagnosis related groups, Hwa-byung group had significantly higher scores on RD, ST, SD3 and ST2. However P3 score of non-hwa-byung patients was higher than hwa-byung patients. In typical classification, both hwa-byung and non-hwa-byung groups were classified as the same types as total patients. Conclusions :This study showed that the patients visited an oriental neuropsychiatric clinic and had similar personality with that of general psychiatric disorders. Hwa-byung patients exhibited higher RD and ST scores than other disorders, but they had no typical differences.