Risk Factors of Microalbuminuria among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Korea: A Cross-Sectional Study Based on 2019-2020 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease with high economic and social burdens. This study aimed to determine the risk factors of microalbuminuria among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Microalbuminuria is predictive of early-stage renal complications and subsequent progression to renal dysfunction. We collected data on type 2 diabetes patients who participated in the 2019-2020 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The risk factors for microalbuminuria among patients with type 2 diabetes were analyzed using logistic regression. As a result, the odds ratios were 1.036 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.019-1.053, p < 0.001) for systolic blood pressure, 0.966 (95% CI = 0.941-0.989, p = 0.007) for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, 1.008 (95% CI = 1.002-1.014, p = 0.015) for fasting blood sugar level, and 0.855 (95% CI = 0.729-0.998, p = 0.043) for hemoglobin level. A significant strength of this study is the identification of low hemoglobin level (i.e., anemia) as a risk factor for microalbuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes. This finding implies that the early detection and management of microalbuminuria can prevent the development of diabetic nephropathy.

Effects of Valerianae Radix et Rhizoma extract on psychological stress in mice.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to identify the effects of Valerianae Radix et Rhizoma water extract (VRe) originated from Valeriana fauriei Briquet on reducing psychological stress (PS) on mice. OBJECTIVE: Mice were put under PS with communication box method: Restraining mice and forcing to see other mice underfoot shock stress. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Measurements on plasma corticosterone, noradrenaline and lipid peroxidation, and elevated plus-maze (EPM) tests were carried out to determine the effect of VRe administration on physiological and behavioral responses of mice. RESULTS: VRe showed anxiolytic effects in plasma corticosterone, noradrenaline, and EPM transfer latency levels, but it did not show any significant effects on the other indicators. CONCLUSION: V. fauriei, which has been used as a natural anxiolytic drug, exerts positive effects in the communication box induced PS in mice.

A study on Yangsaeng (health management) of Korean older adults by 4 constitution types.

This study examined and compared the level of Yangsaeng (health management) of the Korean older adults by 4 constitution types. The study was a cross-sectional design. The participants were 189 elderly participants in South Korea. Data were collected using a demographic characteristics form, 4 Constitution Types Scale and Yangsaeng (health management) Scale. In findings, first, the level of Yangsaeng (health management) of lesser yang person was significantly better than those of greater yin person and lesser yin person. Second, greater yin person scored the highest in moral and sexual life Yangsaeng (health management), lesser yang person scored the highest in mind and diet Yangsaeng (health management), and lesser yin person scored the highest in activity and rest, sleep, and seasonal health Yangsaeng (health management).

Oxidative stress in subsynovial connective tissue of idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome.

Ischemic-reperfusion injury is thought to be a cause of idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The purpose of this study was to determine whether oxidative stress caused by ischemia-reperfusion injury in subsynovial connective tissue is associated with idiopathic CTS and its symptoms. Bioptic samples of tenosynovial tissue were collected from 20 idiopathic CTS patients during surgery. Control specimens of tenosynovial tissue were collected from eight non-CTS patients. Analysis included histological and immunohistochemical examination for the distribution of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), nuclear factor (NF)-κß, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß RI in subsynovial connective tissues. Histological examinations showed a marked increase in fibroblast density and vascular proliferation in specimens from CTS patients. The expressions of eNOS, NF-κß, and TGF-ß RI in fibroblasts and vascular endothelial cells of subsynovial connective tissues of patients were significantly higher than in those of controls. A significant positive correlation was found between the subjective symptom severity of CTS, and the immunoreactivities of eNOS and NF-κß. This study suggests that oxidative stress in subsynovial connective tissue is related to CTS and its symptoms.