• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.10
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• pp.691-695
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• 2007

Background: The introduction of central venous catheters in 1979 has aided the administration of chemotherapy to oncologic patients. We analyzed the clinical reviews and complications of totally implantable venous catheters in an effort to achieve optimal management. Material and Method: We retrospectively studied 100 cases with totally implantable venous catheter at our hospital and we report the results. Result: 100 totally implantable venous catheters were placed in the right subclavian vein in 74 cases (74%), the left subclavian vein in 21 cases, the right jugular vein in 3 cases, the left jugular vein in 1 case and the right femoral vein in 1 case. The immediate complications were 5 cases in malposition of the catheter and 5 cases of arterial puncture. The late complications were 1 case of subclavian vein thrombosis, which was treated with anticoagulation, and 2 cases of pinch-of syndrome. There were no other early or late complications. Conclusion: The low rate of complications in this study confirms the safety and convenience of using totally implantable venous catheter in patients undergoing prolonged chemotherapy. Yet because Infection, thrombosis, and catheter fracture are the most common long term complications of totally implantable venous catheters, early diagnosis and management of these problems can prevent severe complications.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.164-171
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• 2009

Purpose: The number of patients who take warfarin is growing and so is the number of complications. Hemorrhage is the major complication, but the clinical characteristics and outcomes have not been determined for Korean patients. Therefore, we tried to evaluate the characteristics of the patients with hemorrhagic complications after taking warfarin as anticoagulation therapy. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of the patients who visited the emergency room with bleeding complications after taking warfarin anticoagulation at the out-patient clinic for 1 year from 1 st January 2008. We compared between two groups (the major hemorrhage group vs. the minor hemorrhage group) according to the clinical criteria, the unstable vital signs that required blood transfusion, transfusion more than 2 units of blood, the need for further laboratory follow-up, the need for interventional treatment and the development of critical complications or death due to bleeding. Results: There were 150 patients who met the criteria and had acute hemorrhagic complications (the major group: 90 patients and the minor group: 60 patients). In the major hemorrhage group, the frequent sites of bleeding were the gastro-intestinal system (40 patients), lung (14 patients) and intracranium (7 patients). At the emergency room, the major group showed a higher initial INR of the activated prothrombin time than did the minor group (p=0.02). The bleeding sites of the fatal cases were the gastro-intestinal system (3 patients), lung (3 patients) and intracranium (3 patients), but the percentage of fatality was the highest for intracranium bleeding. Conclusion: In the major hemorrhage group, gastrointestinal bleeding was the most frequent complication and fatality was the highest for intracranium bleeding. An initially higher INR showed a greater risk of major bleeding, but not more fatalities.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.600-604
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• 2010

A ten-year-old female mongrel dog was presented to Veterinary Medical Center, Chungbuk National University with the signs of anorexia, weakness, and hemoglobinuria. Patient had been diagnosed as dirofilariasis based on heartworm antigen test and treated with adulticide (melarsomine) at local hospital one day before admission. On laboratory examinations, there were hypochromic and microcytic regenerative anemia, thrombocytopenia, moderate neutrophilia, and increase ALT, AST, and ALP. Radiographic exam showed main pulmonary artery bulging, pulmonary infiltration and hypervascularity, reduced abdominal serosal detail and mild hepatomegaly. Abdominal ultrasonographic exam showed mild peritoneal effusion and large hyperechoic thrombi at trifurcation of the porta hepatica and the splenic vein. In addition, intraluminal low density area and intravascular filling defect were confirmed on contrast enhanced CT scanning at the same anatomic locations. Patient was treated with anticoagulant and thrombolytic therapy. On day 42 after treatment, complete resolution of thrombi was confirmed via ultrasonography and improvement of clinical signs was observed.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.66-71
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• 2004

Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is a rare, progressive and incurable disease, which is characterized by an increase in the pulmonary artery pressure without a demonstrable cause. The most common presenting symptom is dyspnea on exertion, with other symptoms comprising of chest pain, syncope and hemoptysis. The diagnosis is one of exclusion of any of the known causes of pulmonary hypertension. When associated with pregnancy, the maternal mortality ranges from 30 to 50%. Because pregnancy and labor are very serious problems for patients with PPH, the available evidence suggests that pregnancy when afflicted with PPH should be avoided. In account the case of a 33-year old patient, reporting with massive hemoptysis, and diagnosed with PPH during her twenty seventh week of gestation, is presented. She was treated with conservative management, including oxygen and a vasodilator, and underwent a pregnancy termination. However, due to aggravation of right heart failure, she presented with severe systemic hypotension and hypoxemia, and eventually died. This case is reported, with brief review of the literature.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.431-437
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• 2007

The primary objective of this study was to determine the effects of abalone in reducing blood pressure and increasing anti-coagulant capacity. The serum angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) activities of rats on an abalone-supplemented diet did not significantly differ from the ACE levels of rats on a normal diet, at any time (before the experiment, or 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, and 4 weeks, after commencement of the abalone diet) during the experiment. This result showed that abalone-supplemented diets had no effect on the activity of ACE, which controls blood pressure. To determine if an abalone-containing diet might increase anti-coagulant capacity, both prothrombin (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) levels were measured. The PT levels of control rats remained constant throughout the experiment. In rats fed the abalone-containing diet, PT levels increased with time, and the increase became statistically significant after 2 weeks, when compared to pre-trial PT levels. Control rats showed no significant change in APTT levels over time. The rats fed abalone, however, showed significant differences in APTT levels. Specifically, when pre-trial APTT levels were compared with 4-week levels, and when 1-week levels were compared with 4-week levels, the differences attained statistical significance. These results indicate that an abalone-supplemented diet may inhibit blood coagulation in normal rats. The results of this study prove the inherent health value of abalone, and may encourage investment in the seafood industry. Future studies will explore other possible beneficial effects of abalone, apart from the anti-hypertension and anti-coagulant effects examined above.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.174-180
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• 2016

Dicumarol is a coumarin derivative isolated from sweet clover (Melilotus alba), and has anti-coagulant activity with the inhibitory activity of NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase1 (NQO1). NQO1 catalyzes the two-electron reduction of quinones to hydroquinones. Dicumarol competes with NAD(P)H for binding to NQO1, resulting in the inhibition of NQO1 enzymatic activity. The expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) has been implicated in the invasion and metastasis of cancer cells. The expression of MMPs is regulated by cytokines and signal transduction pathways, including those activated by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). However, the effects of dicumarol on metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 expression and activity are not investigated here. This study investigated whether dicumarol inhibits MMP-9 expression and activity in PMA-treated human renal carcinoma Caki cells. Dicumarol markedly inhibited the PMA-induced MMP-9 mRNA expression and MMP-9 activity. NF-κB and AP1 promoter activity, which is important in MMP-9 expression, also decreased in dicumarol-treated cells. Furthermore, dicumarol markedly suppressed the ability of PMA-mediated migration in Caki cells. When the relevance of NQO1 in the dicumarol-mediated inhibitory effect on PMA-induced MMP9 activity was elucidated, knock-down of NQO1 with siRNA was found to have no effect on PMA-induced MMP9 activity, suggesting that the stimulating effect of dicumarol on PMA-induced MMP9 activity is independent of NQO1 activity. Taken together, the present studies suggested that dicumarol may inhibit PMA-induced migration via down-regulation of MMP-9 expression and activity.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.34-41
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• 2019

Platelet aggregation is essential for the formation of a hemostatic plug in the case of blood vessel damage. On the other hand, excessive platelet aggregation may cause cardiovascular disorders, such as thrombosis, atherosclerosis, and myocardial infarction. Scopoletin, which found in the root of plants in the genus Scopolia or Artemisia, has anti-coagulation and anti-malaria effects. This study examined the effects of scopoletin on human platelet aggregation induced by collagen. Scopoletin had anti-platelet effects via the down-regulation of thromboxane $A_2$ ($TXA_2$) production and intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$), which are aggregation-inducing molecules produced in activated platelets. On the other hand, scopoletin increased both the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels, which are known as intracellular $Ca^{2+}$-antagonists and aggregation-inhibiting molecules. In particular, scopoletin increased the potently cAMP level more than cGMP, which led to suppressed fibrinogen binding to ${\alpha}IIb/{\beta}_3$ in collagen-induced human platelet aggregation. In addition, scopoletin inhibited collagen-elevated adenosine triphosphate (ATP) release in a dose-dependent manner. The results suggest that aggregation amplification through granule secretion is inhibited by scopoletin. Therefore, scopoletin has potent anti-platelet effects and may have potential for the prevention of platelet-derived vascular diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.164-172
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• 2019

In Korea, shiitake mushroom, Lentinula edodes, is cultivated on artificial medium containing oak sawdust and wheat bran. The annual production of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) of shiitake, a byproduct of the mushroom industry, is estimated to reach over 50,000 tons per year. This study aimed to improve the use of SMS as a novel bioresource. Hot water extracts of SMS after the first and third harvest were prepared and their bioactivities evaluated. Hot water extracts of uninoculated medium and shiitake were used as controls. Extracts of SMS showed higher radical scavenging of DPPH anions, ABTS cations, nitrites, and a higher reducing power than those of shiitake or medium extracts. After the first and third harvests at 0.5 mg/disc, SMS extracts showed no antibacterial or antifungal activities against the pathogenic and food-spoilage bacteria and fungi. However, they showed good inhibitory activities against ${\alpha}$-glucosidase at 0.5 mg/ml. In addition, SMS extracts had strong anti-coagulation activities via their inhibition of thrombin, prothrombin, and blood coagulation factors without platelet aggregation activity. Our results suggested SMS should no longer be perceived as a useless byproduct but should be understood as a novel bioresource, the extracts of which could be developed as antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antithrombosis agents.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.12
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• pp.989-996
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• 2022

Some flowers have high sensual appealability due to their unique shapes, colors, smells, and tastes. Such edible flowers receive social attention as a noble ingredient of functional teas. In this study, methanol extracts of 23 commercial flower teas (CFTs) were prepared, and their color differences were compared. No tar color pigments were detected in the 23 CFT. The average content of total polyphenol of the 23 CFTs was 80.2±50.92 mg/g and the extracts of jin-dal-rae (Rhododendron mucronulatum Turcz), mae-hwa (Prunus mume), mae-mil (Fagopyrum esculentum), mok-ryun (Magnolia kobus), and sal-gu (Prunus armeniaca var. ansu Maxim) flowers showed total polyphenol contents greater than 150 mg/g. The average content of total sugar of the 23 CFTs was 187.4±166.5 mg/g and the extracts of chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), kuk-hwa (Chrysanthemum morifolium), dong-baek (Camellia japonica L.), and won-chu-ri (Hemerocallis fulva) flowers showed total sugar contents greater than 400 mg/g. Among the 23 CFTs, the extract of jang-mi (Rosa hybrida hortorum) flower has prominent anti-thrombosis activity, and the extracts of dal-ma-ji (Oenothera lamarckiana), dong-baek, hibiscus (Hibiscus syriacus), and mae-mil flowers showed strong inhibitions against thrombin and blood coagulation factors. Also, the extracts of jang-mi, kum-jan-hwa (Tagetes erecta L.), mae-mil, mok-ryun dong-baek, and jin-dal-rae flower showed strong radical scavenging activities against DPPH, ABTS, and nitrite and reducing power. Our results suggest that the flowers of jang-mi, mae-mil, and dong-baek can be developed as promising anti-thrombosis treatments.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.385-392
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• 2024

Hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is a valuable plant that is widely used worldwide for food and medicinal purposes. This study compared ethanol extracts of five native Korean varieties (Yuwol-cho, Subi-cho, Sumihyang, Gounbit, and Chilseong-cho) and five improved varieties (Dabok, Cheongyang, Chungseong, Olbokhap, and Shin-honggildong) of peppers cultured in Korea. The extracts were analyzed for color difference, polyphenol content, and their antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antithrombotic activities. The extracts of the improved varieties exhibited higher levels of redness and lower levels of yellowness compared to the native varieties. Polyphenol and flavonoid content analysis revealed significantly higher levels in the Yuwol-cho and Sumihyang varieties, which also exhibited scavenging activities in 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl anion-, 2,2-azobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) cation-radical scavenging, and reducing power assay. The Chilseong-cho, Yuwol-cho, and Dabok varieties showed significantly higher nitrite scavenging activity. Antidiabetic activity based on α-glucosidase inhibition was observed in the Subi-cho, Sumihyang, and Gounbit extracts. Evaluation of antithrombotic activity showed that the Yuwol-cho extract prolonged thrombin time by 1.61 times compared to the solvent control at a concentration of 5 mg/ml, while the Dabok extract prolonged prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time by 1.33 times and 2.21 times, respectively. All pepper extracts showed no erythrocyte hemolysis activity up to a concentration of 5 mg/ml. Our results suggest that native Korean peppers have the potential to serve as valuable sources of antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antithrombotic agents. This research also indicates the possibility of replacing improved pepper varieties, which incur significant seed usage fees, with native Korean pepper varieties.