• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.60 no.7
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• pp.216-220
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• 2017

Purpose: Vitamin D is associated with various pathological conditions such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. We investigated the relationship between vitamin D and Kawasaki disease (KD). Methods: We performed a retrospective review of the medical records of patients with KD between February 2013 and March 2016 in Daegu Fatima Hospital. Study participants were grouped according to vitamin D serum concentration. Group 1 included patients with 25(OH)-vitamin D ${\geq}20ng/mL$. Group 2 included patients with 25(OH)-vitamin D <20 ng/mL. We analyzed the clinical characteristics and laboratory data of the 2 groups. Results: Of the 91 patients, 52 were included in group 1, and 39 in group 2. Group 1 patients had significantly higher levels of calcium, phosphate, albumin and sodium than group 2 patients did. There were no differences in clinical characteristics, but the proportion of patients with polymorphic rash was significantly higher in group 2. Resistance to intravenous immunoglobulin was more frequent in group 2 (P=0.023). No significant difference in the incidence of coronary artery complications was observed. Conclusion: Low vitamin D levels are associated with resistance to intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in KD. Vitamin D deficiency might be a risk factor for immunoglobulin resistance in KD.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.191-200
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• 1986

It is now generally accepted that individuals at increased risk for cardiovascular disease may be identified by certain traits or habbits. The factors such as high blood pressure, elevated blood cholestrol, age, sex and obesity are associated with increseaed frequency of disease. The blood cholesterol level lowering will decrease cardiovascular disease risk. The regression of atherosclerosis can be achieved by lowering the level of circulating cholesterol. Those things are connected with the quantity and quality of protein, fats, carbohydrates, especially soluble and non-soluble fiber, magnesium and calcium. The lipoprotein and lipid metabolism are connected with the lipid transport. The factors on lipid absorption and blood serum lipid pattern of human are exist. The factors have a variety of materials with different chemical and physical properties. The soluble fiber diet make a low blood and liver lipids. Many kind of soluble fiber results in a lowering of blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The cholesterol lowering effects of dietery fiber may be a results of alterations of in intestinal handling of fats, hepatic metabolism of fatty acid or triglyceride acid metabolism of lipoprotein. It is investigated that the high density lipoprotein (HDL) is inversely related to coronary artery disease. It has been postulated that HDL may be an important factor in cholesterol efflux from the tissues, therby reducing the amount of cholesterol deposited there. Alternatively, the HDL may pick up cholestyl ester and phospholipid during normal VLDL lipolysis in the plasma. The HDL levels are relatively insensitive to diet. At present time, the cause-and -diet effect of HDL's inverse relation to CHD remains unclear.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.369-376
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• 2013

Prepared her for the early detection of the risk of cardiovascular disease prevention for the various attempts being made ill through a lot of research to the criteria of coronary artery calcification, but the figure is more than 100 the progress of the flow can be expected to be was. In this study, we quantify the correlation between body composition analysis, blood lipid levels of calcium and public asymptomatic even at low calcium levels in comparison with the existing studies by analyzing potential risk of cardiovascular disease will be represented on the were evaluated. Studies, the calcium scores in the body composition analysis "1-10", and when "11-100" when there was a significant correlation in BMI and WHR look more normal frequency range of the mean values in the normal range meomulreoteuna 21% relative HDL and TG in lipid profiles, no significant correlation look more normal frequency range of risk were derived from the mean values in the normal range, 21% to 40% of the relative risk were derived. meomulreoteuna. In addition, there is no correlation between BFM and BMR Also, average increases in the frequency of a higher standard was higher relative risk derived 31 to 93%, and geological correlation test TC above 20mg/dl atherosclerotic sclerosis seems to be the value of HDL to act to remove cholesterol from atheroma already looking at the same time to suppress the occurrence of atherosclerosis, increased LDL showed higher values occurs rapidly increasing. At this time, the relative risk of 43-50% have been identified. In other words, even when calcium levels are low, that is inherent in the incidence of cardiovascular disease was unknown.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.121-130
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• 1997

It has been demonstrated that majority of cells in the mammalian body such as myocytes and epithelial cells of skin and intestine respond to mechanical force or environmental factors and exhibit partial disruption of cell membrane, i. e., cell wounding, even in a physiological condition. Myocardial cells are rather apt to be wounded than other cells since they are definitely exposed to mechanical stress by contraction-relaxation and blood flow. However, the mechanism how myocardial cells protect themselves against cell wounding is not yet clarified. On this background, the present study was performed to elucidate whether albumin leakage is related to cell wounding and to assess whether diltiazem, a potent calcium channel blocker, is beneficial in isoproterenol-induced cell wounding in the heart. Hearts isolated from New Zealand White rabbits ($1.5\sim2.0kg$ body weight, n=20) were perfused with Tyrode solution by Langendorff technique. After stabilization of baseline hemodynamics, the hearts were subjected to bolus administration of isoproterenol and diltiazem as following order: $1.6{\mu}M$ isoproterenol at zero min (the beginning point): $16{\mu}M$ diltiazem at 20min; $1.6{\mu}M$ isoproterenol at 25min; $16{\mu}M$ isoproterenol at 45 min; $160{\mu}M$ diltiazem at 65 min; $16{\mu}M$ isoproterenol at 70 min. During all experiments, the left ventricular function was recorded, albumin leakage in the coronary effluents was analyzed by electrophoresis and Western blot, and myocardial cell membranes were examined by conventional transmission electron microscopy. Data were analyzed by t-test and linear regression test. Isoproterenol significantly increased the inotropic and chronotropic contractions, coronary flow, and frequency of arrhythmia, however, diltiazem did not influence on hemodynamics except decrease in the frequency of arrhythmia and a slight decrease in contractility. Isoproterenol also resulted partial disruption of myocardial cell membrane and inclose in albumin leakage, while diltiazem pretreatment showed number of electron-dense plaques in the cell membrane and a tendency of decrease in albumin leakage. These results indicate that albumin leakage may be an indirect index of cell wounding in the heart and diltiazem nay be beneficial to protect myocardial cells against isoproterenol-induced cell wounding. It is likely that diltiazem promotes resealing process of the cell membrane.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.11
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• pp.1777-1785
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• 2021

Objective: To investigate the accuracy of the Agatston score obtained with the ultra-high-pitch (UHP) acquisition mode using tin-filter spectral shaping (Sn150 kVp) and a kVp-independent reconstruction algorithm to reduce the radiation dose. Materials and Methods: This prospective study included 114 patients (mean ± standard deviation, 60.3 ± 9.8 years; 74 male) who underwent a standard 120 kVp scan and an additional UHP Sn150 kVp scan for coronary artery calcification scoring (CACS). These two datasets were reconstructed using a standard reconstruction algorithm (120 kVp + Qr36d, protocol A; Sn150 kVp + Qr36d, protocol B). In addition, the Sn150 kVp dataset was reconstructed using a kVp-independent reconstruction algorithm (Sn150 kVp + Sa36d, protocol C). The Agatston scores for protocols A and B, as well as protocols A and C, were compared. The agreement between the scores was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the Bland-Altman plot. The radiation doses for the 120 kVp and UHP Sn150 kVp acquisition modes were also compared. Results: No significant difference was observed in the Agatston score for protocols A (median, 63.05; interquartile range [IQR], 0-232.28) and C (median, 60.25; IQR, 0-195.20) (p = 0.060). The mean difference in the Agatston score for protocols A and C was relatively small (-7.82) and with the limits of agreement from -65.20 to 49.56 (ICC = 0.997). The Agatston score for protocol B (median, 34.85; IQR, 0-120.73) was significantly underestimated compared with that for protocol A (p < 0.001). The UHP Sn150 kVp mode facilitated an effective radiation dose reduction by approximately 30% (0.58 vs. 0.82 mSv, p < 0.001) from that associated with the standard 120 kVp mode. Conclusion: The Agatston scores for CACS with the UHP Sn150 kVp mode with a kVp-independent reconstruction algorithm and the standard 120 kVp demonstrated excellent agreement with a small mean difference and narrow agreement limits. The UHP Sn150 kVp mode allowed a significant reduction in the radiation dose.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.83 no.2
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• pp.360-371
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• 2022

Purpose This study aimed to assess the factors influencing aortic unfolding (AU) defined by aortic width on coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan and determine the normal limits for AU. Materials and Methods In this retrospective study, we measured AU in 924 asymptomatic subjects who underwent CAC scanning during routine health screening from June 2015 to June 2018. Multivariate regression analysis was used to evaluate the factors influencing AU. After the exclusion of subjects with risk factors associated with AU, 283 subjects were included in the analysis of normal values of AU. Mean AU, standard deviation, and upper normal limit were calculated. Results Sex, age, CAC score, body mass index, body surface area, hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, plasma creatinine, and smoking were significantly associated with AU. The mean AU was 102.2 ± 12.8 mm for men and 93.1 ± 10.7 mm for women. AU increased with advancing age (9.6 mm per decade). Conclusion AU determined from a single measurement on CAC scans was associated with cardiovascular risk factors. The normal limits of AU were defined by age, sex, and body surface area in low-risk subjects in this study.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.603-612
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• 1999

Background : It has been documented that brief repetitive periods of ischemia and reperfusion (ischemic preconditioning, IP) enhances the recovery of post-ischemic contractile function and reduces infarct size after a longer period of ischemia. Many mechanisms have been proposed to explain this process. Recent studies have suggested that transient increase in the intracellular calcium may have triggered the activation of protein kinase C(PKC); however, there are still many controversies. Accordingly, the author performed the present study to test the hypothesis that preconditioning with high concentration of calcium before sustained subsequent ischemia(calcium preconditioning) mimics IP by PKC activation. Material and Method : The isolated hearts from the New Zealand White rabbits(1.5∼2.0 kg body weight) Method: The isolated hearts from the New Zealand White rabbits(1.5∼2.0 kg body weight) were perfused with Tyrode solution by Langendorff technique. After stabilization of baseline hemodynamics, the hearts were subjected to 45-minute global ischemia followed by a 120-minute reperfusion with IP(IP group, n=13) or without IP(ischemic control, n=10). IP was induced by single episode of 5-minute global ischemia and 10-minute reperfusion. In the Ca2+ preconditioned group, perfusate containing 10(n=10) or 20 mM(n=11) CaCl2 was perfused for 10 minutes after 5-minute ischemia followed by a 45-minute global ischemia and a 120-minute reperfusion. Baseline PKC was measured after 50-minute perfusion without any treatment(n=5). Left ventricular function including developed pressure(LVDP), dP/dt, heart rate, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure(LVEDP) and coronary flow(CF) was measured. Myo car ial cytosolic and membrane PKC activities were measured by 32P-${\gamma}$-ATP incorporation into PKC-specific pepetide. The infarct size was determined using the TTC (tetrazolium salt) staining and planimetry. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance(ANOVA) variance(ANOVA) and Tukey's post-hoc test. Result: IP increased the functional recovery including LVDP, dP/dt and CF(p<0.05) and lowered the ascending range of LVEDP(p<0.05); it also reduced the infarct size from 38% to 20%(p<0.05). In both of the Ca2+ preconditioned group, functional recovery was not significantly different in comparison with the ischemic control, however, the infarct size was reduced to 19∼23%(p<0.05). In comparison with the baseline(7.31 0.31 nmol/g tissue), the activities of the cytosolic PKC tended to decrease in both the IP and Ca2+ preconditioned groups, particularly in the 10 mM Ca2+ preconditioned group(4.19 0.39 nmol/g tissue, p<0.01); the activity of membrane PKC was significantly increased in both IP and 10 mM Ca2+ preconditioned group (p<0.05; 1.84 0.21, 4.00 0.14, and 4.02 0.70 nmol/g tissue in the baseline, IP, and 10 mM Ca2+ preconditioned group, respectively). However, the activity of both PKC fractions were not significantly different between the baseline and the ischemic control. Conclusion: These results indicate that in isolated Langendorff-perfused rabbit heart model, calcium preconditioning with high concentration of calcium does not improve post-ischemic functional recovery. However, it does have an effect of limiting(reducing) the infart size by ischemic preconditioning, and this cardioprotective effect, at least in part, may have resulted from the activation of PKC by calcium which acts as a messenger(or trigger) to activate membrane PKC.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.36-49
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• 1997

Background : Hypertension is one of the most important risk factors of the cerebrovascular accident and coronary artery disease which are the major causes of mortality in Korea. In Korea, the quality of care provided by office-based physicians has not been evaluated formally. The purpose of this study is to assess the quality of hypertension management of office-based physicians. Method : Self-administered questionnaires were mailed to the office-based physicians with the speciality of internal medicine, general surgery, family medicine, and general practitioners. Among 2,045 physicians, 981 doctors(48.0%) replied the questionnaires. Contents of questionnaires were based on the recommendation from the JNC-V report(the Fifth Report of the Joint National Committee on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure), and included the criteria of diagnosis, treatment, follow-up interval, and other characteristics of physicians(age, sex, type of speciality, and location of practice). Results : Eighty four percent of the office-based physicians made diagnosis of hypertension with less than 3 times of blood pressure measurements. The performance rate of required examination for hypertensives was very low in most items. Rate of fundoscopic examination is the lowest one among them(5.9%). The performance rate of laboratory examination was also low in most items. Internists tended to order more frequent laboratory examinations than any other type of physicians. Only 11.4% of the physicians did appropriate treatments for the mild hypertension case. The antihypertensives selected by the physicians as a first line drug were in the order of beta blocker(26.4%), calcium channel blocker(23.4%), diuretics(23.1%), ACE inhibitors(14.3%). The visit interval for established hypertensives was very short. Proportion of physicians with follow-up interval longer than 4 weeks was only 4.3%. Conclusions : The overall quality of hypertension management of office-based physicians in Korea is very problematic in many aspects. So further investigations to find out the reasons of low quality arid quality of care should be initiated.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.489-498
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• 1996

In order to investigate the effect of smoking on serum lipid pattern and nutrient intake, the subjects, 134 smokers and 113 nonsmokers, were selected from college men student in Kwangju area. We examined the serum lipid pattern of 15 smokers and 18 non-smokers who agreed to venipunture among the subjects and also examined nutrients intake. The results obtained were as follows ; Mean concentrations of 새심 cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were 187$\pm$12.1mg/dl, 41.5$\pm$1.7mg/dl, and 87.3$\pm$7.4mg/dl in smokers and 182.6$\pm$8.2mg/dl, 45.5$\pm$1.5mg/dl, and 96.3$\pm$4.3mg/dl in nonsmokers, respectively. The total energy intake was 2264kcal/day and mean constitutional rationof protein, fat and carbohydrate was 12.7 : 24.8 : 62.5 in smokes and 2287kcal/day, 14.1 :25.4 : 60.5 in nonsmokers, respctively. Mena daily intakes of calcium, iron, vitamin C and vitamin A were 612.2mg, 15.7mg, 48.2mg 2029.4 IU in smokers and 629.4mg, 15.3mg, 68.4mg 2339.1 IU in nonsmokers, respectively. Vitamin C intake was significantly different at p<0.05 between the smokers and nonsmokers. Intakes of cholesterol, SFA and MUFA were not significantly different between the two groups. Mean daily PUFA intake of smokers and nonsmokers were 5.5g and 6.9g respectively. PUFA intake was significantly different at p<0.05 between the two groups. The results of this study showed that smoking have a tendency to raise coronary heart disease occurrence in the respect of serum lipid levels and vitamin C, PUFA intake were significantly different.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.29-33
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• 1998

The present study was designed to compare the nutrient intake and iron status of athletic female students majoring in aerobics (n=18) to those of age-matched(20-22 yr) sedentary controls (n=19). The athletic students were exercising regularly for 9.1$\pm$1.4 hrs/wk and the mean training period of aerobics was 2.9$\pm$0.2 years. Means of height, weight, and body mass index calculated as the Quetlet index were similar between athletic and sedentary students. However, mean body fat % of the athletic students (22.3$\pm$1.0%) was significantly lower than that of the sedentary controls (25.8$\pm$0.6%), indicating the effects of routine exercise. Mean daily iron intake was not significantly different between groups (9.9$\pm$0.7 mg vs. 10.9$\pm$0.8 mg), but much lower than the Korean RDA (18 mg/d) in both groups. Dietary calcium intake of the athletic students was significantly lower than that of the sedentary controls. Hematocrit (Hct) and hemoglobin (Hb) values were significantly lower in the athletic students than in the sedentary students (Hct : 40.0$\pm$0.7% vs. 43.8$\pm$0.5% ; Hb : 12.6$\pm$0.3g/dl vs. 14.8$\pm$0.3 g/dl). However, other iron status values such as serum iron, TIBC, and transferrin saturation were not significantly different between groups. Therefore, the low hemoglobin levels in the athletic group are probably due to plasma dilution in endurance-trained individuals. Serum ferritin level was a little lower in the athletic group, but no significant difference between groups was found. Serum triglyceride concentration in the athletic students was significantly lower than that in the control students. In conclusion the findings suggest that regular training of female athletes majoring in aerobics is associated with an increased risk of pseudoanemia due to plasma volume expansion and a decreased risk of coronary heart disease by decreasing body fat and blood lipid level.