• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.2955-2962
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• 2014

Asian ginseng is used as a treatment for cardiovascular diseases, ischemia, and cancers. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein acts as a late mediator of severe vascular inflammatory conditions. However, the effect of ginsenosides from Asian ginseng on HMGB1-induced inflammatory responses has not been studied. We addressed this question by monitoring the effects of ginsenoside treatment on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-mediated release of HMGB1, and HMGB1-mediated regulation of proinflammatory responses. Ginsenoside treatment suppressed LPS-mediated release of HMGB1 and HMGB1-mediated cytoskeletal rearrangements. Ginsenosides also inhibited HMGB1-mediated inflammatory responses. In addition, ginsenosides inhibited the production of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and activation of protein kinase B (Akt), nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$), and extracellular-regulated kinases (ERK) 1/2 by HMGB1. Ginsenosides also decreased CLP-induced release of HMGB1, production of interleukin (IL) $1{\beta}/6$, and mortality. These results suggested that ginsenosides may be potential therapeutic agents for treatment of vascular inflammatory diseases through inhibition of the HMGB1 signaling pathway.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.2 s.62
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• pp.77-84
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• 2005

Objectives: Chunghyul-dan is a combinatorial herbal medicine, and previous studies reported it had therapeutic effects for microangiopathy, which is a major part. in the progression of stroke, as well as having anti-hypertensive, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidative, and anti-inflammatory activities, Therefore, we examined the inhibitory effect of Chunghyul-dan on stroke occurrence in patients with silent brain infarction. Methods: We prescribed Chunghyul-dan at 600 mg a day to patients with silent brain infarction confirmed by brain MRI, and monitored stroke occurrence, drug compliances, and adverse effects for 1 year, We then performed follow-up brain MRI to detect new vascular lesions after 1 year of Chunghyul-dan medication. As for the subjects lost to follow-up, we assessed their prognosis after 1 year by telephone. Results: There were twenty-one subjects who were treated with Chunghyul-dan for more than 1 year, None of them experienced new clinical syndromes characterized by rapidly developing clinical symptoms and signs of focal and at times global loss of brain function, which could be accompanied with evidence of stroke occurrence, or any adverse effects during the Chunghyul-dan medication period. These results might be explained by various biochemical effects of Chunghyul-dan on microangiopathy, which is closely related with cell cycle progression, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, vascular inflammation, and oxidative damage. Of the 10 subjects lost to follow-up, six were reached; two of them had stroke occurrence. Conclusions: We suggest Chunghyul-dan could be useful for prevention of stroke occurrence in patients with silent brain infarction by preventing the progression of microangiopathy. Further study with a randomized controlled trial is needed to confirm this suggestion.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.1 s.69
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• pp.224-236
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• 2007

Background : Chunghyul-dan is a combinatorial herbal medicine; previous studies reported it had therapeutic effects for microangiopathy, a major part in the progression of small vessel disease, as well as having anti-hypertensive, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidative, and anti-inflammatory activities. Therefor, we examined the inhibitory effect of Chunghyul-dan on stroke recurrence in patients with small vessel disease. Methods : We prescribed Chunghyul-dan at 600 mg a day to patients with small vessel disease, and monitored stroke recurrence, drug compliances, and adverse effect for 1 year. We then performed follow-up brain MRI to find new vascular lesions after 1 year of Chunghyul-dan medication. For the subjects lost to follow-up, we assessed their prognosis after 1 year by telephone. Results : There were 73 subjects treated with Chunghyul-dan for 1 year; new vascular events were found in 3. Of the 85 subjects lost to follow-up, fifty four could be contacted, and eight of them had stroke recurrence. One year of Chunghyul-dan medication reduced the odds ratio of stroke recurrence by 75% compared to the subjects lost to follow-up and the rate increased to 88%, when adjusted for other relevant risk factors for stroke recurrence. These reductions were much higher than those of aspirin and other kinds of conventional anti-platelets. There was no adverse effect in any of the study subjects. Conclusions : We suggest Chunghyul-dan could be useful for inhibition of stroke recurrence. Further study with a randomized controlled trial is needed to confirm this suggestion.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.17-22
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• 2006

Objectives : Uwhangchungsimwon (UC) is one of the famous herbal medicine frequently used for stroke, hypertension, and atherosclerosis, etc. Therefore, we intended to examine if UC could have therapeutic effect on arterial stiffness by assessing Cardio-Ankle Vascular lndex (CAVI). Methods : We enrolled 38 healthy male subjects (28±4.41 years old) and divided them into two groups (UC and control group). The UC group (N=22) were treated with 1 pill of UC and monitored by CAVI every hour for 6 hours. The control group(N=16) did not receive any medicine and were also monitored by CAVI the same manner as the UC group. In both group, we also assessed each subject's Yin-Yang pattern score by the diagnostic scoring system. In analysis, we compared the difference of CAVIs between the UC and the control group considering subject's Yin-Yang pattern. Results : There was no significant difference in the change of CAVI between the UC and the control group. After excluding Yang-pattern subjects in both group, however, we could observe that CAVI decreased significantly 5 hours after UC administration compared with the corresponding CAVI in the control group (P=0.025). In the repeated measure analysis, the between-subjects effect had statistical significance (P=0.035). Conclusion : According to these results, we suggest that UC have therapeutic effect on arterial stiffness especially after taking oriental medical diagnosis into consideration.

• Korean Journal of Digital Imaging in Medicine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.83-90
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• 2011

To prospectively determine the diagnostic performance a combination of standard bolus-chase magnetic resonance (MR) angiography and MR angiography with time-resolved imaging of contrast kinetics (TRICKS) for depicting severity of the head and neck vascular diseases. Over a period of two months, A total of 100 patients(average ages : $50{\pm}8$, male : 60, female : 40) with head and neck vascular diseases were performed on the GE excite 3.0 T units with 8-channel head coil and 4-channel NV coil. Imaging parameters for a typical study were as follow: SBC(TR/ TE/ FA/ SliceThicken./ Slab/ Freq./ FOV/ BW/Scan Time) = 5.4/ min/ 30/ 2/ zip2/ 70/ $224{\times}448$/ 30/ 62.50/ 28, TRICKS(TR/ TE/ FA/ Slice Thicken/Slab/ Freq./ FOV/ BW/ Temp Res./ Scan Time = 3.6/ min/ 25/ 4/ 30/ $160{\pm}384$, zip512/ 30/ 100/ 1 to 1.5/ 23). The analysis of all MR images, which have respect-ively classified two techniques into some diseases. The results of the former were divided into two groups(SBC, TRICKS)with 4 grading of two reader, respectively. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to determine if a significant difference between imaging techniques existed(p < 0.05). In 33 of 100 patients, arterio-venous malformation was 11% at TRICKS, subclavian vein stenosis : 8%, fistular sinus : 4%, jugular vein stenosis:6%, Middle Cerebral Artery bypass surgery : 4%, p < 0.05). The rest of 67 patients were considered as the results of SBC(14% in the basilar artery stenosis, carotid stenosis : 16%, vertebral stenosis : 17%, central neuro-cytoma : 5%, meningioma : 5%, Not appliable : 10%, p < 0.05). Sensitivity and specificity of TRICKS MR angiography in SVS, FS, JVS, MCABS were improved compared with those at standard MR angiography. In SBS MR angiography which were improved in BAS, CS, VS, CN, Meningioma. In conclusion, TRICKS MR angiography of the SVS, FS, JVS, MCABS is superior to standard MR angiography regarding the number of diagnostic grading. The SBS MR angiography were improved in BAS, CS, VS, CN, Meningioma. and assessment of the degree of luminal narrowing on both TRICKS and SBS.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.364-373
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• 2004

Background : Obstructive sleep apnea is a contributory factor of hypertension, arrhythmia, ischemic heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases. However, the pathophysiology underlying this relationship is unclear. Recent reports have shown that the soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1(sICAM-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) are involved in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis, and some reports state that increased levels of these cytokines are found in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. In this study, the levels of sICAM-1 and VEGF were measured in patients with obstructive sleep apnea in order to determine if obstructive sleep apnea is involved in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases. Methods : Thirty-seven patients were chosen amongst a population who visited the Sleep Disorders Clinic of St. Paul's Hospital in Seoul, Korea for a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea and who had subsequently undergone an overnight polysomnography at the clinic. The sera from these patients were retrieved after an overnight polysomnography session and the samples were kept at $-70^{\circ}C$. The cytokine levels were determined with ELISA and the relationships between the serum levels of sICAM-1 and VEGF along with polysomnography parameters were analyzed. Results : No statistically significant correlation was observed between the sICAM-1 levels and the apnea-hypopnea index(r=0.27, P>0.05). Positive correlations were found between the apnea-hypopnea index and serum VEGF levels (r=0.50, P<0.01), the apnea index and the serum sICAM-1 levels (r=0.31, P<0.01), and the apnea index and the serum VEGF levels (r=0.45, P<0.01). Conclusions : Obstructive apnea or hypopnea leads to an increase in the sICAM-1 and VEGF levels. Such an increase in the cytokine levels most likely leads to the higher incidence of cardiovascular diseases observed in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.39-52
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• 1993

The primary purpose of this study is to promote and establish the development of home health care in Korea. It focuses on identifying and classifying the nursing activities that were provided by health professionals for patients who were admitted to two hospitals with cerebral vascular disease. And also. the study was conducted for comparison of client selection criteria between health professionals, and identifying patients who needed home health care The subjects of this study were 38 patients with cerebral vascular disease who were admitted to neuro-surgery wards at 2 hospitals with more than 500 beds in Daegu from November 1. through 30. 1991. Survey instruments were questionnaires to identify nursing activities and classify patients who needed home health care. Data was collelected by 1 doctor and 2 nurses per patient independently. They checked the same patient with the questionnaire on the same day and never communicated their information about patients with each other. All the questionnaires checked by doctor and nurses completely were 90. Statistical methods for analyzing data were non-parametric tests (Kruskal Wallice test and sign test). Correlation and percentages were used for further analysis. From this study. the following summarized conclusions have been drawn. 1. 10. 2 kinds of treatment and nursing activities were provided by health professionals for patients with cerebral vascular disease in hospital. 2. The points of nursing needs were between 32-37 out of a total of 500 as a result of the assessment about the health status of patients who were admitted to neuro-surgery ward with cerebral vascular disease. The points of Barthel Index of Functional Status Assessing Devices were between 24-34. Client Selection Criteria for Home Health Care was congruent between the Health professionals because the difference were not found to be statistically significant. 3. Patients classfied as home health care clients were $70-80\%$ of all patients who were admitted in hospital. There was not significant difference in patient selection criteria for home health care between health professionals statistically. As a result. the validity of different tools used in classifying home health care client were found to be congruent. 4. $80-85\%$ patients who could be discharged and sent to their homes early were identified as home health care clients. This study using client selection criteria. for home health care contributed to tool development because the validity of tools was verified. And also, this research represented that there was congruency in patient selection criteria for home health care between different health professionals. As a result, this study represented that many patients who were admitted to hospitals could be classified as a home health care clients. On the basis of the findings. further studies are required to develop client selection criteria using universal tools for classifying home health care clients in other chronic diseases. It is also recommended that comparative studies for client selection criteria between health professionals treating in other chronic diseases are necessary.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.128-137
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• 2024

This review discusses the pivotal role of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) in angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, vital processes influencing vascular permeability, endothelial cell recruitment, and the maintenance of tumor-associated blood and lymphatic vessels. VEGF exerts its effects through tyrosine-kinase receptors, VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3. This VEGF-VEGFR system is central not only to cancer but also to diseases arising from abnormal blood vessel and lymphatic vessel formation. In the context of cancer, VEGF and its receptors are essential for the development of tumor-associated vessels, making them attractive targets for therapeutic intervention. Various approaches, such as anti-VEGF antibodies, receptor antagonists, and VEGF receptor function inhibitors, are being explored to interfere with tumor growth. However, the clinical efficacy of anti-angiogenic agents remains uncertain and necessitates further refinement. The article also highlights the physiological role of VEGFs, emphasizing their involvement in endothelial cell functions, survival, and vascular permeability. The identification of five distinct VEGFs in humans (VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, and PLGF) is discussed, along with the classification of VEGFRs as typical receptor tyrosine kinases with distinct signaling systems. The family includes VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2, crucial in tumor biology and angiogenesis, and VEGFR-3, specifically involved in lymphangiogenesis. Overall, this review has provided a comprehensive overview of VEGF and VEGFR, detailing their roles in various diseases, including cancer. This is expected to further facilitate the utilization of VEGF and VEGFR as therapeutic targets.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.137-150
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• 2015

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading cause of death in many developed countries as well as developing countries. Many evidences indicate that natural products have profound beneficial effects for cardioprotection. In addition to the crude extracts, an identified single compound may be used as a lead molecule for the therapeutic interests. In this review, we discuss promising natural products for cardiovascular diseases, their molecular targets, and their mechanisms, which may help the further direction of studies and applications of natural products for cardiovascular diseases.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2014

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-VEGF receptor (VEGFR) system has been shown to play central roles not only in physiological angiogenesis, but also in pathological angiogenesis in diseases such as cancer. Based on these findings, a variety of anti-angiogenic drugs, including anti-VEGF antibodies and VEGFR/multi-receptor kinase inhibitors have been developed and approved for the clinical use. While the clinical efficacy of these drugs has been clearly demonstrated in cancer patients, they have not been shown to be effective in curing cancer, suggesting that further improvement in their design is necessary. Abnormal expression of an endogenous VEGF-inhibitor sFlt-1 has been shown to be involved in a variety of diseases, such as preeclampsia and aged macular degeneration. In addition, various factors modulating angiogenic processes have been recently isolated. Given this complexity then, extensive studies on the interrelationship between VEGF signals and other angiogenesis-regulatory systems will be important for developing future strategies to suppress diseases with an angiogenic component.