• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.62 no.6
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• pp.240-243
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• 2019

Purpose: Coronary arterial lesion assessment in children can be difficult, depending on the coronary dominance pattern. Although it is easier to determine coronary dominance with echocardiography in children than in adults, it is still difficult. This study aimed to examine the coronary dominance pattern according to the objective coronary artery (CA) indices. Methods: The CA diameter, aortic valve annulus, and abdominal aorta of 69 children without any cardiovascular disease were measured with cross-sectional echocardiography at Chungnam National University Hospital. To evaluate the coronary dominance pattern, echocardiography was primarily used; additionally, coronary computed tomographic angiography or coronary angiography (CAG). Coronary dominance was determined according to the status of the CA that gives rise to the posterior descending artery. Results: The mean age was $4.02{\pm}2.78years$, and the mean body surface area (BSA) was $0.70{\pm}0.22m^2$. Right dominance was present in 78% and left in 22% of the subjects. In those with left dominance, the CA to aortic valve annulus diameter ratio was $0.125{\pm}0.021$ in the right coronary artery (RCA) and $0.255{\pm}0.032$ in the left coronary artery (LCA). In those with right dominance, the corresponding ratio was $0.168{\pm}0.028$ in the RCA and $0.216{\pm}0.030$ in the LCA (P<0.05). Significant differences were also found in the diametric ratios of the CA to BSA and abdominal aorta (P<0.05). Conclusion: The CA indices showed significant difference according to the coronary dominance pattern in early childhood. It is possible to indirectly determine the coronary dominance pattern with the CA indices in children using echocardiography. The accuracy of coronary artery lesion diagnosis can be improved by taking coronary dominance into account.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.119-125
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• 2022

In the study, we endeavored to investigate the effect of phenylephrine, isoprenaline and prazosin on the tissue-specific vascular contractility and to determine the mechanism involved. There were few reports addressing the question whether thin or thick filament modulation is included in phenylephrine, isoprenaline and prazosin-induced regulation. We hypothesized that isoprenaline and prazosin play a role in tissue-dependent regulation of vascular contractility. Denuded arterial muscles of Sprague-Dawley male rats were suspended in organ baths and isometric tensions were transduced and recorded using isometric transducers and an automatic data acquisition system. Interestingly, sustained continuous contraction of thoracic and abdominal aorta. Furthermore, isoprenaline and prazosin together with phenylephrine inhibited transiently and persistently vasoconstriction of thoracic and abdominal aorta suggesting that additional mechanisms (e.g. decreased receptor density, chemical interaction, postreceptor signaling or distribution of agonists) might be included in the modulation of vascular contractility.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.345-356
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• 2023

This study aimed to assess the effects of exogenous hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) on abdominal aorta coarctation (AAC) induced myocardial fibrosis (MF) and autophagy in rats. Forty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group, AAC group, AAC + H₂S group, and H₂S control group. After a model of rats with AAC was built surgically, AAC + H₂S group and H₂S group were injected intraperitoneally with H₂S (100 µmol/kg) daily. The rats in the control group and the AAC group were injected with the same amount of PBS. We observed that H₂S can improve left ventricular function and the deposition of myocardial collagen fibers, inhibit pyroptosis, down-regulate the expression of P-eif2α in myocardial tissue, and inhibit cell autophagy by activating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT1 signaling pathway (p < 0.05). In addition, angiotensin II (1 µM) H9c2 cardiomyocytes were injured in vitro experiments, and it was also observed that pyroptosis was inhibited after H₂S (400 µmol/kg) intervention, the expression of P-eif2α in cardiomyocytes was significantly down-regulated, and the PI3K/AKT1 signaling pathway was activated at the same time. Therefore, increasing the expression of P-eif2α reverses the activation of the PI3K/AKT1 signaling pathway by H₂S. In conclusion, these findings suggest that exogenous H₂S can ameliorate MF in rats with AAC by inhibiting pyroptosis, and the mechanism may be associated with inhibiting the phosphorylation of eif2α and activating the PI3K/AKT1 signaling pathway to inhibit excessive cell autophagy.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.134-140
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• 1996

Recently many studies have shown the usefulness of computed tomogram in diagnosing abdominal mass when clinical and conventional radiologic examinations fail to reveal the nature of abdominal mass or the cause of abdominal distension. To evaluate the usefulness of CT in diagnosing neuroblastoma, we retrospectively analyzed computed tomographic findings of 16 neuroblastoma patients, who pathologically proved in Yeungnam University Hospital from 1986 to 1995. The age range of the patients studied were from 8months to 18years. The most frequent sith of origin was adrenal gland and the next was retroperitioneum. The presenting symptoms were palpable mass, abdominal distension, and abdominal pain. The viewpoints of this analysis were turnoral calcifications, midline cross, shape, margin, internal structure, contrast enhancement patterns, major vessel involvement, and lymph node involvement. Characteristic CT findings were as follows: Fine dense curvillinear calcification within the tumor(56%), midline cross(50%), lobulation(75%), well-circumscribed margin(56%), cystic degeneration(56%), heterogeneous contrast enhancement(69%). encasement of major vessels such as aorta, IVC and celiac trunk(50%), and paraaortic lymphadenopathy(87%). We conclude that these CT findings were very common and could be helpful in diagnosting and differentiation neuroblastoma in infant and children.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.218-227
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• 2019

This study was designed to determine the effects of the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) on vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) apoptosis and extracellular matrix (ECM) disruption in a murine abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) model. After injection of PVT1-silencing lentiviruses, AAA was induced in Apolipoprotein E-deficient ($ApoE^{-/-}$) male mice by angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion for four weeks. After Ang II infusion, mouse serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were analysed, and aortic tissues were isolated for histological, RNA, and protein analysis. Our results also showed that PVT1 expression was significantly upregulated in abdominal aortic tissues from AAA patients compared with that in controls. Additionally, Ang II treatment significantly increased PVT1 expression, both in cultured mouse VSMCs and in AAA murine abdominal aortic tissues. Of note, the effects of Ang II in facilitating cell apoptosis, increasing matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9, reducing tissue inhibitor of MMP (TIMP)-1, and promoting switching from the contractile to synthetic phenotype in cultured VSMCs were enhanced by overexpression of PVT1 but attenuated by knockdown of PVT1. Furthermore, knockdown of PVT1 reversed Ang II-induced AAA-associated alterations in mice, as evidenced by attenuation of aortic diameter dilation, marked adventitial thickening, loss of elastin in the aorta, enhanced aortic cell apoptosis, elevated MMP-2 and MMP-9, reduced TIMP-1, and increased pro-inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that knockdown of lncRNA PVT1 suppresses VSMC apoptosis, ECM disruption, and serum pro-inflammatory cytokines in a murine Ang II-induced AAA model.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2013

Background: Total arch replacement (TAR) is being more widely performed due to recent advances in operative techniques and cerebral protective strategies. In this study, the authors reviewed the relationship between TAR and early- and mid-term changes of the false lumen after TAR in acute type A aortic dissection. Materials and Methods: Twenty-six patients (aged, $54.7{\pm}13.3$ years) who underwent TAR for acute type A dissection between June 2004 and February 2012 were reviewed. The relationship between the percentage change in the aortic diameter and the false lumen patency status was assessed by examining the early and late postoperative computed tomography imaging studies. Results: There were two in-hospital mortalities, one late death, and three follow-up loses. The mean follow-up duration for the final 21 patients studied was $54{\pm}19.0$ months (range, 20 to 82 months). The incidence of false lumen thrombosis within 2 weeks of surgery in the proximal, middle, and distal thoracic aorta, and the suprarenal and infrarenal abdominal aorta were 67%, 38%, 38%, 48%, and 33%, respectively, and 57%, 67%, 52%, 33%, and 33% for those examined at a mean of $49{\pm}18$ months after surgery, respectively. The false lumen regressed in 11 patients (42.3%). The aortic diameters were larger in the patients with a patent false lumen than those with a thrombosed false lumen at all levels of the descending aorta (p <0.05). Conclusion: TAR and a more complete primary tear-resection can be accomplished with a relatively low-risk of morbidity and mortality. Enlargement of the distal aorta significantly correlated with the false lumen patency status.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.428-432
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• 2010

A 67 years old male patient was admitted with back pain that had recurred from 6 months previously. Eleven years previously, he underwent stent grafting at the descending thoracic aorta for a chronic Stanford type B aortic dissection. The preoperative computed tomography showed aortic dissection from the origin of the left subclavian artery to the bifurcation of the abdominal aorta, and there was a type I endoleak at the proximal portion of the stent graft and aneurysmal dilatation of the descending aorta. A hybrid endovascular repair was successfully performed, and this involved debranching and rerouting the aortic arch vessels under extracorporeal cardiopulmonary bypass and then this was followed 13 days later by stenting in the ascending aorta, the aortic arch and the descending aorta. The postoperative computed tomography showed complete exclusion of the type I endoleak. After discharge, he has been followed up for 8 months without any problems.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.80-83
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• 2004

The aortic coarctation is located in the distal thoracic aorta or abdominal aorta, or both and is often called ‘middle aortic syndrome’ or ‘mid-aortic dyspastic syndrome’. Etiology is controversial and most cases are seen in young female women. Severe complication such as cardiac or renal dysfunction as well as cerebral hemorrhage may occur, so aggressive surgical intervention may take effect. Lately we experienced a middle aortic syndrome which was not typical because of the patient's advanced age at the time of clinical presentation. The Axillo-femoral artery bypass graft with 6 mm PTFE vascular graft was done.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.43-52
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• 2023

Objectives : The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in the abdominal cavity between functional dyspepsia patients and healthy people using an algometer combined with an ultrasound device. Methods : A non-randomized, controlled, pilot trial was conducted. Thirty patients in the experimental group and fifteen participants in the control group were recruited. We collected demographical data, and measured abdominal circumference, height of the body cavity, subcutaneous fat thickness, visual analogue scale of dyspepsia symptoms in the experimental group, depth of algometer and pressure of algometer when pressure pain occurred, and the whole ultrasonic image from the beginning of pressurization to the time when pressure pain occurred. The measurements were carried out twice with the duration of 1 week. Generalized linear regression was conducted to adjust baseline characteristics. Results : A total of 45 participants (30 in experimental group, 15 in control group) were recruited and finished the trial. Females were recruited more in the experimental group than in the control group and it was statistically significant. The difference in thickness of abdominal cavity between a second before the pressure pain and at the time when pressure pain occurred was statistically significant on 1st visit, and other measurements were not statistically significant. From the results of the regression analysis, the difference between two groups was statistically significant in the differences in the thickness of stomach and up to abdominal aorta on 1st visit, and the thickness of stomach on 2nd visit, and other measurements were not statistically different. Conclusions : According to the results, there were not statistically significant differences in abdominal examination when pressure pain occurred between dyspepsia patients and healthy people. Further studies are warranted to assess the abdominal examination using devices including algometer and ultrasound devices, regarding the results of the present study.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2011

To consider the iliac fossa as the vascular anastomosis site of kidney transplantation for the short-term study of acute rejection in pigs. Twelve domestic pigs weighing 39~48 kg underwent heterotopic renal allgraft transplantation. The experimental animals were divided into 2 groups in terms of renal vascular anastomosis site; the external iliac artery and vein were used in iliac fossa model (n = 6), the abdominal aorta and the caudal vena cava inferior to the kidney were used in abdominal cavity model (n = 6). Renal function was evaluated by daily measurement of plasma creatinine and BUN concentrations. The experiments' health including postoperative complications was also assessed daily for 8 days after transplantation. After euthanazation gross and histopathologic analysis was performed. All six pigs in iliac fossa model developed neuropraxia and lameness of the ipsilateral pelvic limb. However, no necrosis was observed in any pigs. In the abdominal cavity model, durations of both the surgical operation and the vascular anastomosis were significantly longer than those in the iliac fossa model. Furthermore, ischemia injury of the transplanted kidney was increased in abdominal cavity model, which induced accelerated-acute immune response from day 4 after transplantation. Despite of pelvic limb complication, the iliac fossa model showed more advantages including not only less ischemia time related to easy vascular anastomosis, but also less immune response during the acute rejection period. The results indicate that the iliac fossa model may be appropriate to the study of acute rejection in porcine kidney transplantation.