• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.57-64
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• 2007

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) is known to protect the heart against ischemia/reperfusion (IR)-induced injuries, and regional differences in the mitochondrial antioxidant state during IR or IPC may promote the death or survival of viable and infarcted cardiac tissues under oxidative stress. To date, however, the interplay between the mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme system and the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the body has not yet been resolved. In the present study, we examined the effects of IR- and IPC-induced oxidative stresses on mitochondrial function in viable and infarcted cardiac tissues. Our results showed that the mitochondria from viable areas in the IR-induced group were swollen and fused, whereas those in the infarcted area were heavily damaged. IPC protected the mitochondria, thus reducing cardiac injury. We also found that the activity of the mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme system, which includes manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), was enhanced in the viable areas compared to the infarcted areas in proportion with decreasing levels of ROS and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage. These changes were also present between the IPC and IR groups. Regional differences in Mn-SOD expression were shown to be related to a reduction in mtDNA damage as well as to the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c (Cyt c). To the best of our knowledge, this might be the first study to explore the regional mitochondrial changes during IPC. The present findings are expected to help elucidate the molecular mechanism involved in IPC and helpful in the development of new clinical strategies against ischemic heart disease.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.441-446
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• 2009

Background: Side clamping of ascending aorta during proximal graft anastomosis in coronary bypassing surgery in-creases the risk of direct aortic injury as well as embolization of intimal atheroma. Heartstring proximal sealing system (Guidant Corporation, Santa Clara, Calif), developed to avoid aortic side clamping, may minimize risks of such complications. The aim of the current study is to compare the surgical outcomes of the two proximal anastomosis techniquesi.e., Heartstring system versus aortic side clamping in off pump coronary bypassing' surgery (OPCAB). Material and Method: From January 2003 to August 2008, 499 patients underwent OPCAB. Of them, proximal graft anastomosis was performed using Heartstring system in 182 patients (Group I) and conventional manual anastomosis in 317 patients (Group II). The two groups were compared for postoperative major complications and mortality. Result: Two groups showed similar characteristics in terms of preoperative demographic data, left ventricular ejection fraction, renal function and history of diabetes, hypertension and smoking. Although there was no inter-group difference in the history of cerebral ischemia (p=0.48), preoperative brain magnetic resonance angiography revealed greater incidence of severe carotid artery stenosis (>75% of lumen) in the Group I than in the. Group II (44.5% in the Group I and 30.0% in the Group II, p=0.003). There were no inter-group differences in postoperative mortality (p=0.40) and complications (p=0.47) including neurologic events (3 in the Group land 2 in the Group II, p=0.258). Whereas neurologic events all comprised transient ischemic attacks in the Group I, they comprised multiple embolic strokes in the Group II. One patient in the Group II experienced aortic dissection during proximal anastomosis which resulted in ascending aortic replacement. Conclusion: Although proximal anastomosis using Heartstring system did not show statistically significant benefit over aortic side clamping, the. absence of embolic stroke maybe a definite benefit which may be better defined through further studies over a larger cohort.

• 순환기질환의공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.3-18
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• 2002

Hemorheology plays an important role in atherosclerosis. Hemorheologic properties of blood include whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, hemaocrit, RBC deformability and aggregation, and fibrinogen concentration in plasma. Blood flow is determine by three parameters (pressure, lumen diameter, and whole blood viscosity), whole blood viscosity is one of the key physiological variables. However, the significance of whole blood viscosity has not yet not been fully appreciated. Whole blood viscosity has a unique property, non-Newtonian shear-thinning characteristics, which is primarily due to the presence of RBCs. Hence, RBC deformability and aggregation directly affect the magnitude of blood viscosity, and any factors or diseases affecting RBC characteristics influence blood viscosity. Therefore, on can see that whole blood viscosity is the causal mechanism by which traditional risk factors such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking, exercise, obesity, age, and gender are related to atherogenesis. In this regard, we included whole blood viscosity in the three key determinants of injurious pulsatile flow that results in mechanical injury and protective adaptation in the arterial system. Because whole blood viscosity is a potential predictor of cardiovascular diseases, it should be measured in routine cardiovascular profiles. Incorporating whole blood viscosity measurements into a standard clinical protocol could improve our ability to identify patients at risk for cardiovascular disease and its complications.

• Journal of the Korean Mathematical Society
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.885-897
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• 2006

A new mathematical model of pumping heart coupled to lumped compartments of blood circulation is presented. This lumped pulsatile cardiovascular model consists of eight compartments of the body that include pumping heart, the systemic circulation, and the pulmonary circulation. The governing equations for the pressure and volume in each vascular compartment are derived from the following equations: Ohm's law, conservation of volume, and the definition of compliances. The pumping heart is modeled by the time-dependent linear curves of compliances in the heart. We show that the numerical results in normal case are in agreement with corresponding data found in the literature. We extend the developed lumped model of circulation in normal case into a specific model for arrhythmia. These models provide valuable tools in examining and understanding cardiovascular diseases.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.443-446
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• 2015

A 36-year-old man, who had undergone thoracoscopic anterior spinal fusion using the plate system and posterior screw fusion three months previously, presented to our hospital with left flank pain and fever. Computed tomography indicated the presence of a psoas muscle abscess. However, after two days of percutaneous catheter drainage, a mycotic abdominal aortic pseudoaneurysm was detected via computed tomography. We performed in situ revascularization using a prosthetic graft with omental wrapping. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was identified on blood and pus culture, and systemic vancomycin was administered for one month. Although the abscess recurred, it was successfully treated with percutaneous catheter drainage and systemic vancomycin administration for three months, without the need for instrumentation removal. The patient remained asymptomatic throughout two years of follow-up.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.185-190
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• 2006

Lysyl oxidase (LOX) catalyzes the lysine-derived cross-links of fibrillar collagens and elastin in the extracellular matrix. Recent molecular cloning has revealed existence of a LOX family consisting of LOX and four lysyl oxidase-like proteins (LOXL, LOXL2, LOXL3 and LOXL4). Pathological conditions associated with impaired LOX activity in several heritable and acquired disorders lead to severe structural and functional abnormalities of cardiovascular tissues, such as occlusion of coronary arteries and aneurysms, suggesting an essential role for the LOX family proteins in the maintenance of the cardiovascular system. However, the specific roles of the lysyl oxidase-like proteins in normal and pathological conditions of the cardiovascular tissues have not been established yet. Here, I report that LOXL3, a novel member of the LOX family, is predominantly expressed in the aorta, with an amine oxidase activity toward collagen and elastin, suggesting an essential role of LOXL3 in the development and maintenance of the aorta.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.500-505
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• 1986

Eight patients received operation for ascending aortic aneurysm and aortic regurgitation associated with Marfan`s syndrome from January 1984 to July 1986 at Seoul National University Hospital. The patients` age ranged from 29 to 51 years [mean 37.3 years]. Five patients were male and three were female. All of them showed some stigmata of skeletal system in Marfan`s syndrome. Three patients had dissecting aneurysm and five patients had fusiform aneurysm of ascending aorta. Two patients had concomitant fusiform aneurysm of abdominal aorta. All patients showed aortic regurgitation of grade III to IV. One patient received insertion of intraluminal ringed graft and resuspension of aortic valve, and seven patients received modified Bentall operation [Carol`s method]. There was no hospital death and all showed functional improvement in the 7.4 patient-years follow-up period.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.260-267
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• 2009

Recent studies have shown that Panax ginseng has a variety of beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. Homocysteine (Hcy), which is derived from methionine, has been closely associated with the increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. In the present study, whether the in-vivo long-term co-administration of ginseng total saponins (GTS), active ingredients of Panax ginseng, with L-methionine (Met) inhibits methionine-induced hyperhomocysteine (HHcy) and H-Hcy-induced cardiovascular dysfunctions was investigated, and it was found that the plasma Hcy level, which was measured after 30 and 60 days, in the GTS+Met co-administration group was more significantly reduced than in the Metalone-treatment group. The left-ventricle (LV) wall thickness of the heart was likewise examined in each treatment group, and it was found that the co-administration of GTS with Met significantly reduced the Met-induced LV wall thickness. The results of the study indicate that the in-vivo long-term co-administration of GTS with Met not only inhibited H-Hcy induced by long-term Met-alone administration but also attenuated the H-Hcy-induced cardiovascular dysfunctions in rats.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.40-45
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• 2013

The conventional simulators used the expensive commercial artificial heart with a limited performance, and focused on replicating the heart function. The arterial pressure is the key factor of the cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study is to develop a simulator focused on the pressure wave. The simulator is composed of a step motor, slider-crank mechanism, piston-cylinder, two check valves, a elastic tube, and two reservoirs. With the changes of design parameters, the functions of the simulator were evaluated. The simulator shows the good agreement of the characteristics of the cardiovascular system.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 1995

IY-80843, N[2-(2-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]-N'-[4-(lmidazole-4-yl)phenyl] formamidine, is a new potent $H_2-receptor$ anagonist. The potential secondary pharmacologic effects of this agent, on the central nervous and cardiovascular systems were studied. IY-80843 caused ptosis, suppression of locomotion, hypotehrmia, prolongation of sleeping time and hypotensive effects in mice, rats and dogs. These results suggest that IY-80843 affects the funcition of the central nervous and cardiovascular systems in a dose-dependent manner.