• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.178-183
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• 2010

Medical metal stents inserted to patients with a cardiovascular disease associated with coronary artery system have relatively increased the survival rate. The development of new stents is, however, urgently required due to restenosis and late thrombosis generated in metal stents. To solve these problems, the biodegradable polymers such as poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), poly(L-lactide)(PLLA), and poly ($\varepsilon$-caprolactone)(PCL) were mixed with alpha lipoic acid (ALA), which is well known to inhibit the proliferation of neointimal hyperplasia. Subsequently, the ALA-loaded polymers were coated on stainless steel by electrospray. The drug-eluting behaviors from the coated polymers were investigated according to kinds and concentrations of polymers, spray rates, and kinds of solvents. The drug-eluting rate from PCL with the lowest glass transition temperature was the fastest among three polymers and followed by PLGA and PLLA. The surface roughness increased as the spray rate was increased and also the drug-eluting rate was affected by kinds of solvents with different boiling point. It is expected that drug-eluting stent (DES) coated with ALA-loaded polymers can be applied practically for clinical applications by controlling the behavior of drug release.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.83-100
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• 1999

Modern technology has lessened the physical demand of every activities. Thus, physical inactivity has led to a rise in ‘Hypokinetic diseases’. The prefix, hypo, means lack of and kinetic refers to movement. Individuals who do not exercise regularly are at greater risk of developing hypokinetic diseases such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity, musculoskeletal disease. Systematic exercise program defenses development of hypokinetic diseases. Exercise program bases on basic physical fitness test. The physical fitness evaluation is used to degree of Wellness of the individuals. It includes the evaluation of Health-Related Physical Fitness -musclular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, cardiorespiratory endurance, body composition - and skill or sports related fitness -agility, balance, coordination, reaction time, speed. In present study, the authors investigated health-related physical fitness test result and questionnaire for 133 male and 71 female from Jannuary 16 to March 15, 1997. The purpose of this study is to observe relationship health related physical fitness and self-perceived health status. The results are as follows. 1. There were statistically significant differences in BMI, grip strength, back strength, muscular endurance, cardiorespiratory endurance, and flexibility between male and female subjects. Flexibility is higher in female than male subject, but Others are higher in male than female subjects. 2. There were statistically significant differences in grip strength, muscular endurance between 30s, 40s, and 50s group In both gender subjects, and In cardiorespiratoryendurance between the groups especially in Female subjects. 3. For male subjects, flexibilitywas measured lower in group who classified low level in self-perceived health status than group of others. Also, for female, subjects, Muscular endurance ＆ flexibility were measured. 4. It was shown that grip strength, back strength, and muscular endurance were significantly lower in group who have chronic diseases than normal group for Male subjects. But, For female subjects, all the component were statistically insignificant results between normal and disease group. 5. Both male and female subjects, there were Positive correlation among grip strength, back strength, muscular endurance, cardiorespiratory endurance, and flexibility but, negative correlation for age. Therefore, health-related physical fitness is very important component for Heath Promotion ＆ Wellness. Physical Fitness test is valuable test in health evaluation, health management and health promotion, so available for hospital, sports center, community health center, industrial field, school etc.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.112-124
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• 2005

Background: PWV is determined by dividing the distance by the time taken for the pulses traveling between two measuring sites, used as a marker of arterial stiffness and an important indicator for cardiovascular disease. Methods: A PWV measurement system, which offers a non-invasive, simple method of measurement, and simultaneous recording of six signlas(ECG, PCG and four pulse waves from carotid, femoral, radial and dorsalis pedis arteries) was developed. Seventeen healthy subjects with a mean age of 33 years(22 to 52) without any cardiovascular disease were participated for the experiment. Two observers(A and B) performed two consecutive measurements from the same subject in a random order. For the evaluation of stability and accuracy of the PWV measurement system, reproducibility of PWV from between-observer were also evaluated. Results: PWV $values(Mean{\pm}SD)$ measured by A were $7.07{\pm}1.48m/s$, $8.43{\pm}1.14m/s$ , $8.09{\pm}0.98m/s$ for aorta, arm, and leg, respectively. The values obtained from B were $6.76{\pm}1.00m/s$, $7.97{\pm}0.80m/s$, and $7.97{\pm}0.72m/s$ for aorta, arm, and leg, respectively. Between-observer $differences(mean{\pm}SEM)$ from the aorta, arm and leg were $0.14{\pm}0.15m/s$, $0.18{\pm}0.10m/s$ and $0.07{\pm}0.10m/s$. Reproducibility coefficients(2SD) from the aorta, arm, and leg were 0.62m/s, 0.84m/s and 0.86m/s. Correlation coefficients were significantly higher in aortic PWV, 0.93, compared to the coefficients for arm and leg. Coefficient of variance which reflects the reproducibility of the system ranged from $4.4{\sim}5.8%$ in all regional PWV. , Conclusion: Reproducibility of PWV in the study shows that the developed system has reliable and reproducible characteristics. The PWV measurement system used for the study offers comfortable and simple operation and provides accurate analysis and results with high reproducibility. Results of the PWV measurement system could contribute to various clinical applications in the future.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.444-448
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• 1996

Hemolytic anemia due to tiny prosthetic paravalvular leakage is one of a complication of prosthetic valve replacement. Mild Hemolysls usually occurs after aortic valve replacement with mechanical valve but rarely occurs in mitral valve position especially in case of tissue valve. Cardiac valves fabricated from biologic material are associated with a reduced incidence of hemolytic anemia. Hemolysis was reported in patients with an lonescu-Shiley bovine pericardial xenograft prosthesis in the aortic position but not in the mitral site. A 41-year-old female patient was admitted due to sudden development dark colored urine. About 10 years ago the patient was underwent MVR (Mitral Valve Re lacement) with fTmm lonescu-Shiley valve due to MR (Mitral regurgitation). Echocardiographic examination showed mild degree of mitral regurgitation with valvular thickening. However, there was no definitive evidence of paravalvular leakage. The peripheral blood smear showed nomochromic normocytic anemia, but the hematologic and urinary examination revealed severe hemolytic evidence. Mitral valve replacement with St. Jude Medical valve (27mm) was done and intraoperatively, a tiny paravalvular leakage was found which was regarded as the point of hemolysis. The hemolytic evidence completely disappeared. We are reporting a case of severe hemolytic anemia due to tiny prosthetic paravalvular leakage with a review of the literature.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.49-60
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• 1992

This study was designed to evaluate the responses of cardiovascular system to endothelin (ET) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in 12 week-old SHR treated with or without enalapril (ENP) for 6 weeks. The diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were lower in ENP-treated SHR than in control. The pressor response to intravenous, but not intracerebroventricular, ET or NPY was attenuated by ENP treatment. The chronotropic action induced by electrical stimulation was attenuated by ENP or ET. The negative chronotropic action of ET was blocked by yohimbine. The increase in aortic tension induced by electrical field stimulation (EFS) was depressed in ENP-treated group as compared with non-treated group, and enhanced by ET, but not NPY, in the non-treated group. The ET-induced increase in tension was enhanced by removal of endothelium in the control group but not in ENP-treated group. The plasma concentration of norepinephrine and ET-induced increase in concentration of norepinephrine and epinephrine in plasma were decreased in ENP-treated group. These results suggest that preventive effect of enalapril on the development of hypertension may result from depressing vasoactive action of endothelin and neuropeptide Y, and sympathetic neurotransmission at peripheral nervous system.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.387-391
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• 2007

An oxygenator is a very important artificial organ and widely used for patients with lung failure or during open heart surgery. Although an oxygenator has been widely studied worldwide to enhance its efficiency, studies on oxygenators, in particular when using a pulsatile blood flow, are domestically limited. Therefore, a new oxygenator was developed in the lab and animal experimental results are described in the paper. The oxygenator is composed of polycarbonate housing and polypropylene hollow fibers. It has a total length of 400 mm and a surface area of $1.7 m^2$. The animal experiment lasted for 4 hours. The blood flow rate was set to 2 L/min and a pulsatile blood pump, T-PLS (Twin-Pulse Life Support), was used. Samples were drawn at the oxygenator's inlet and outlet. The total hemoglobin (Hb), saturation oxygen ($sO_2$), and partial oxygen pressure ($pO_2$), partial $CO_2$ pressure ($pCO_2$), and plasma bicarbonate ion concentration ($HCO_3^-$) were measured. The oxygen and carbon dioxide transfer rates were also calculated based on the experimental data in order to estimate the oxygenator's gas transfer efficiency. The oxygen and carbon dioxide transfer rates were $16.4{\pm}1.58$ and $165.7{\pm}10.96 mL/min$, respectively. The results showed a higher carbon dioxide transfer rate was achieved with the oxygenator. Also, the mean inlet and outlet blood pressures were 162.79 and 137.92 mmHg, respectively. The oxygenator has a low pressure drop between its inlet and outlet. The aim of own preliminary study was to make a new oxygenator and review its performance when applying a pulsatile blood pump thus, confirming the possibility of a new oxygenator suitable for pulsatile flow.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.435-444
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• 2011

The development of ubiquitous healthcare technology and portable electronic devices requires new energy sources for providing continuous power supply. This study particularly focuses on an energy harvesting system capable of charging energy using clothing. One of the sources for energy harvesting is heat energy, which is the difference in temperature of the body and the surrounding environment. In this study, the skin temperature distribution of the human body was empirically measured to determine the basic materials needed to develop heat energy harvesting clothing. The distribution of skin temperature in different sections of the human body was analyzed. The analysis found that the skin temperature of the upper body was higher than that of the lower body. The area close to the heart with a lot of blood flow was especially high. The skin temperature of the back side of the body, such as the back of the neck, upper back, and waist, was higher than that of the front side of the body. As for the arms, the skin temperature of the upper arms was higher than that of the lower arms, and the skin temperature of the back side of the arms was lower than that of the front and the flank side of the arms. The difference in the average skin temperature and the environment temperature was highest at the back of the neck, and thereby is considered to be the most appropriate section to integrate the heat energy harvesting function and structure. The following sections had the next highest difference in values, listed in descending order: the back of the waist, the sides of shoulders, the front chest area, the front side of the upper arms, and the front abdomen. Based on the skin temperatures of the different sections of the human body, this study outlines the basic guidelines for developing heat energy harvesting clothing.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.305-314
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• 2016

Inflammatory and fibrotic responses are accelerated during the reperfusion period, and excessive fibrosis and inflammation contribute to cardiac malfunction. NecroX compounds have been shown to protect the liver and heart from ischemia-reperfusion injury. The aim of this study was to further define the role and mechanism of action of NecroX-5 in regulating inflammation and fibrosis responses in a model of hypoxia/reoxygenation (HR). We utilized HR-treated rat hearts and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated H9C2 culture cells in the presence or absence of NecroX-5 ($10{\mu}mol/L$) treatment as experimental models. Addition of NecroX-5 significantly increased decorin (Dcn) expression levels in HR-treated hearts. In contrast, expression of transforming growth factor beta 1 ($TGF{\beta}1$) and Smad2 phosphorylation (pSmad2) was strongly attenuated in NecroX-5-treated hearts. In addition, significantly increased production of tumor necrosis factor alpha ($TNF{\alpha}$), $TGF{\beta}1$, and pSmad2, and markedly decreased Dcn expression levels, were observed in LPS-stimulated H9C2 cells. Interestingly, NecroX-5 supplementation effectively attenuated the increased expression levels of $TNF{\alpha}$, $TGF{\beta}1$, and pSmad2, as well as the decreased expression of Dcn. Thus, our data demonstrate potential antiinflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects of NecroX-5 against cardiac HR injuries via modulation of the $TNF{\alpha}/Dcn/TGF{\beta}1/Smad2$ pathway.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.729-738
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• 1998

Antioxidants such as vitamin C and E may play a preventive role in the development of cancer and coronary heart disease. The status of vitamins C and E may be affected by lifestyle habits such as smoking , drinking, and exercise. These habits can modify the dietary requirements of vitamin C and vitamin E. the purpose of this study was to determine whether Korean young healthy men and women consume vitamins C and E in sufficient quantities relative to their lifestyle habits. Among the participants in this study, 52% of the men and none of the women were smokers. ; 84% of all subjects drank alcohol more than once a week ; and the men exercised more often than the women. The concentrations of serum total , HDL-, and LDL- cholesterol were higher in the women than in the men, but the serum triglyceride concentrations were higher in the men than in the women. The men consumed less satuated fat than the women (p<0.05) . The daily intakes of vitamin C for the men and the women were 47.1mg and 65.6mg, respectively. On the other hand , the daily vitamin E intake was higher in the men (11.8mg) than women(6.9mg). The serum $\alpha$-tocopherol concentrations of all subjects were in a normal range, and in no subjects were they below the minimum value of ranges. However, about 19% of male subjects and 10% of female subjects showed deficient status, although the mean serum vitamin C levels were normal . Lifestyle habits fo the sort mentioned above have little influence on the serum vitamin C and $\alpha$-tocopherol concentrations. The serum $\alpha$-tocopherol concentration had a positive correlation with total fat and alcohol consumption. The serum vitamin C concentration was positively associated with regular exercise, but it was negatively correlated with the number of cigarettes smoked. Meanwhile, the serum lipid persoxide concentration , the indirect index of oxidative stress, was influenced by certain variable such as body mass index , the number of cigarettes smoked , alcohol consumption, energy expenditure, vitamin C intake, and serum ${\gamma}$-tocopherol concentration. Serum lipid peroxide concentration was positively associated with body mass index, the number of cigarette smoked , serum triglyceride , and HDL-cholesterol concentration. In conclusion , the vitamin E requirements of the subjects were met by the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) regardless of lifestyle habits. However, serum vitamin C concentrations showed individual variation and was below the normal ranges. Smoking and exercise influenced serum vitamin C concentration. Therefore, a reevaluation of the requirements of vitamin C relative to lifestyle habits is necessary.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.201-211
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• 2016

Although the antioxidant and cardioprotective effects of NecroX-5 on various in vitro and in vivo models have been demonstrated, the action of this compound on the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation system remains unclear. Here we verify the role of NecroX-5 in protecting mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation capacity during hypoxia-reoxygenation (HR). Necrox-5 treatment ($10{\mu}M$) and non-treatment were employed on isolated rat hearts during hypoxia/reoxygenation treatment using an ex vivo Langendorff system. Proteomic analysis was performed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and non-labeling peptide count protein quantification. Real-time PCR, western blot, citrate synthases and mitochondrial complex activity assays were then performed to assess heart function. Treatment with NecroX-5 during hypoxia significantly preserved electron transport chain proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation and metabolic functions. NecroX-5 also improved mitochondrial complex I, II, and V function. Additionally, markedly higher peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-$1{\alpha}$ ($PGC1{\alpha}$) expression levels were observed in NecroX-5-treated rat hearts. These novel results provide convincing evidence for the role of NecroX-5 in protecting mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation capacity and in preserving $PGC1{\alpha}$ during cardiac HR injuries.