• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.31 no.9
• /
• pp.787-795
• /
• 2021

Eupatorium chinensis var. simplicifolium (EUC) has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Young sprouts of EUC have been used as food for a long time, and the whole EUC plant has been used as an herbal remedy in oriental medicine. Arteriosclerosis, or chronic inflammation in arterial vessels, is a cardiovascular disease and is involved in various disorders. Cardiovascular diseases such as restenosis and neuropathic hyperplasia are mainly caused by abnormal growth and movement due to multiple growth factors in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a mitogen released from damaged vessel walls and is involved in the proliferation and migration of VSMCs. To determine the effects of EUC on the abnormal proliferation and migration of VSMCs, the present study investigated intracellular signaling pathways in PDGF-BB-induced VSMCs treated with and without EUC. Pretreating PDGF-BB-induced VSMCs with EUC tended to effectively decrease cell proliferation and migration. Subsequently, the intracellular growth-related signaling pathways of AKT, phospholipase C gamma (PLC-γ), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) were investigated using western blotting to confirm inhibited phosphorylation. Furthermore, flow cytometry data showed that EUC blocked the cell cycle of VSMCs. These results suggest that EUC can inhibit the proliferation and migration of VSMCs by controlling the cell cycle and growth factor receptors. Furthermore, this indicates that EUC can be used as a preventative against cardiovascular disease resulting from abnormal proliferation and migration of VSMCs.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.202-209
• /
• 2008

Background: The introduction of Drug Eluting Stents (DES) decreased the number of patients referred for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The impact of DES on CABG (Step 1) was studied and compared with the 1-year outcome after CABG with DES (Step 2). Material and Method: Surgical results for patients who underwent off-pump CABG (OPCAB) before the introduction of DES(n=298) were compared with those who underwent OPCAB after the introduction of DES (n=288) (Step 1). Postoperative 30-day and 1-year results were also compared between the patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using DES (n=220) and those who underwent OPCAB (n=255) (Step 2). Result: Since the introduction of DES, the ratio of CABG versus PCI decreased. In the CABG group, the number of high risk patients such as elderly patients (age 62 vs. 64, p=0.023), those with chronic renal failure (4% vs. 9%, p=0.021), calcification of the ascending aorta (9% vs. 15%, p=0.043), or frequency of urgent or emergent operations (12% vs. 22%, p=0.002) increased. However, there were no differences in the cardiac death and graft patency rates between the two groups (step 1). During the one-year follow up period, the rate of target vessel revascularization (12.3% vs. 2.4%, p<0.001) and major adverse cardiac events (MACE: death, myocardial infarct, TVR) were higher in the DES than the CABG group (13.6% vs 4.3%) (stage 2). Conclusion: Introduction of DES decreased the number of patients referred for surgery, and increased the comorbidity in patients who underwent CABG. DES increased the rate of target vessel revascularization, and the occurrence of MACE during the 1-year follow-up. However, there was no difference in the incidence of myocardial infarction and cardiac death between the two groups.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.11 no.5
• /
• pp.387-392
• /
• 2017

When an infant has visited a hospital due to skull fracture, the rupture of a blood vessel, or skin wounds on the head resulted from an incident, accident, traffic accident, or disease, he/she becomes to undergo anterior/posterior and lateral skull imaging, which is a head test at the department of radiology. In the head test, if the adult skull imaging grid is applied to the imaging, the secondary radiation will be removed to enhance the contrast of the image. However, among the radiation exposure conditions, the tube voltage should be enhanced by 8~10 kVp leading to an increase in the patient exposure. The present study was conducted under assumption that if the same images can be obtained from infant skull imaging without using the skull imaging grid, the exposure dose will be reduced and the artifacts due to grid cut off can be prevented. The researcher measured the radiation dosage using a radiation meter and conducted the subjective evaluation (ROC, receiver operating characteristic) among medical image evaluation methods. Based on the results, when the images were taken without using the grid, the exposure dose was reduced by 0.019 mGy in the anterior/posterior imaging and by 0.02 mGy in the lateral imaging and the image evaluation score was higher by 4 points. In conclusion, if the images of the skulls of infants that visited the hospital are taken with out using the grid, the exposure dose can be reduced, the image artifacts due to grid cut off can be prevented, and the lifespan of the X-ray tube will be extended.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.141-155
• /
• 1997

The universe has its order of yang and yin : all creation are continuously generated, grow and die, which is the results of the harmonious operation by yang and yin. Among all creation, the human is one of the samjae(three bases of the world, which are heaved earth, and man) and he is from the combined sukhi(a superior khi) of yang and yin. And human life itself is basically a condensed jonghyul (life blood) and at the same time it is only a transient joining of sadae(the four elements of earth, air, fire and water). Yang and yin, the two axes of the world, therefore. are the most crucial and fundamental concept to explain the generation and extinction of alt creation, to understand people in time and space. to find out the reality of human life as an organism, and, at last, to observe the state of human health. If so, what is the most essential idea in yang and yin\ulcorner It is taegeuk(chungkhi) or tao(of one yang and one yin). If the property of heaven and earth is kongon, taegeuk is a khi and tao a principle. And it can be said that a human body is merely a union of hyung and khi, that human life is an essence of sambo, jeongkhishin, that human health is a harmoninzed coordination of yang and yin because it is from the combined sukhi of yang and yin. Hyung. a vessel for sambo, jeongkhishin, is at the bottom and shin is on the top : the personality and the disposition of individuals differ according to their working. Thus. on the basis of the above discussion. the following can be offered as some suggestions for Korean Nursing Theory. Though human beings are part of Nature, they are the most eminent microcosm among all creation. So, as a subjet for nursing, a person should be understood with khijok kyoryu rather than with logical thinking, then mutual trust between the patient and the nurse can be established. The health of a person depends on the harmony of yang and yin. To be healthy, a person should consider harmonization with Nature(including his surroundings) as well as a balanced human relationships in society. Moreover, it is crucial for each person to obtain hoshim as a method of mind control rather than to only treat the symptoms of disease.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• /
• v.46 no.1
• /
• pp.19-27
• /
• 2020

Objectives: Pentoxifylline (PTX) is a methylxanthine derivative that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of peripheral vessel disease and intermittent lameness. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of PTX and tocopherol in patients diagnosed with osteoradionecrosis (ORN), bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ), and chronic osteomyelitis using digital panoramic radiographs. Materials and Methods: This study was performed in 25 patients who were prescribed PTX and tocopherol for treatment of ORN, BRONJ, and chronic osteomyelitis between January 2014 and May 2018 in Seoul National University Dental Hospital. Radiographic densities of the dental panorama were compared prior to starting PTX and tocopherol, at 3 months, and at 6 months after prescription. Radiographic densities were measured using Adobe Photoshop CS6 (Adobe System Inc., USA). Blood sample tests showing the degree of inflammation at the initial visit were considered the baseline and compared with results after 3 to 6 months. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney test and repeated measurement ANOVA using IBM SPSS 23.0 (IBM Corp., USA). Results: Eight patients were diagnosed with ORN, nine patients with BRONJ, and the other 8 patients with chronic osteomyelitis. Ten of the 25 patients were men, average age was 66.32±14.39 years, and average duration of medication was 151.8±80.65 days (range, 56-315 days). Statistically significant increases were observed in the changes between 3 and 6 months after prescription (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between ORN, BRONJ, and chronic osteomyelitis. Only erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was statistically significantly lower than before treatment (P<0.05) among the white blood cell (WBC), ESR, and absolute neutrophil count (ANC). Conclusion: Long-term use of PTX and tocopherol can be an auxiliary method in the treatment of ORN, BRONJ, or chronic osteomyelitis in jaw.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.288-293
• /
• 2006

Background : Monoplegia is the paralysis of a limb. It is commonly caused by an injury to the cerebral cortex, and rarely caused by injury to the internal capsule, brain stem, or spinal cord. Most problems with cerebral cortex is derived from the occlusion of a brain cortex blood vessel due to thrombus or embolus. Objectives : This study is to see if there is a significance in thermal differences of acupoints in diagnosis and treatment of monoplegia on an upper extremity to test the validity of acupuncture and herbal treatment for it. Methods : By using Digital Infrared Thermographic Imaging(DITI), thermal differences$({\Delta}T)$ of acupoints on the upper extremity in a patient with monoplegia on the right upper extremity were measured after an attack of the disease. By giving Mangeum-tang(萬金湯) and treating the patient with acupuncture. the temperature changes of the upper extremity were examined through DITI and improvement was observed. Results : Compared with the left arm which suffered no such injury, the right recovered about 80% of sensation, and the grade of monoplegia improved from Grade O to Grade V. Also, the temperatures of right palmar-dorsal hand and the region of Weiguan(外關, Waiguan, TE5) were $1^{\circ}C$ and $1.45^{\circ}C$ higher than the same left region on admission day, but the thermal differences$({\Delta}T)$ narrowed to $0.5^{\circ}C$ by the last day. Conclusions : Results suggest that DITI screening is a reliable method of prognosis and that the time required for treatment can be estimated through this method in cases of monoplegia to an upper extremity. Also, progress in treatment is reflected in thermal differences of acupoints of the monoplegic upper extremity in accordance with the theory of meridian. This supports a role for acupuncture and herbal treatment for monoplegia.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.31 no.12
• /
• pp.1159-1164
• /
• 1998

Background: Although operative outcome is progressing due to the development of operative techniques and myocardial protection, some patients face an increased morbidity and mortality. Therefore, it has become increasingly important to predict the operative morbidity and mortality. Material and Method: This retrospective study reports the results of risk factor analysis of morbidity and mortality of 137 consecutive patients who were underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery(CABG). Preoperative variables were age, sex, preoperative myocardial infarction, operative priority, left ventricular ejection fraction, obesity and triple vessel disease. Postoperative morbidities were arrhythmia, wound infection, cerebral infarction, prolonged postoperative hospitalization, pneumonia, acute renal failure, prolonged use of ventilator and operative death. Result: The mean age of total patients was 56.7 years, from 27 to 74. The overall mortality was 6.6%(9 of 137) with the mortality of 3.9%(5 of 128) for elective operation, and 44.4%(4 of 9) for emergent or urgent cases. The morbidity of patients over 65 years was stastistically higher than that of under 65 years. Sex distribution showed no difference in morbidity, however operative mortality rate was slightly higher in women (5/41, 12.19%) than in men(4/96, 4.17%). Morbidity of emergent or urgent operation was 100%, much higher than that of the elective operation. Mortality of the patients whose left ventricular ejection fraction was under 50% was higher than that of those over 50%. Conclusion: We concluded that the risk factors of morbidity after CABG were old age above 65 years and emergent or urgent operation, and that risk factors of mortality were low left venticular ejection fraction under 50% and emergent or urgent operation.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.303-308
• /
• 2010

Excessive oral and maxillofacial bleeding causes upper airway obstruction, bronchotracheal and gastric aspiration and hypovolemic shock. Therefore, the rapid and correct bleeding control is very important for saving lives in the emergency room. Despite the conventional bleeding control methods of wiring (jaw fracture, wound suture and direct pressure), continuous bleeding can occur due to the presence of various bleeding disorders. There are five main causes for excessive bleeding disorders in the clinical phase; (1) vascular wall alteration (infection, scurvy etc.), (2) disorders of platelet function (3) thrombocytopenic purpura (4) inherited disorders of coagulation, and (5) acquired disorders of coagulation (liver disease, anticoagulant drug etc.). In particular, infections can alter the structure and function of the vascular wall to a point at which the patient may have a clinical bleeding problem due to vessel engorgement and erosion. Wound infection is a frequent cause of postoperative active bleeding. To prevent postoperative bleeding, early infection control using a wound suture with proper drainage establishment is very important, particularly in the active bleeding sites in a contaminated emergency room. This is a case report of a rational bleeding control method by rapid wiring, wound suture with drainage of a rubber strip & iodoform gauze and wet gauze packing, in a 26-year-old male cerebral palsy patient with active oral and maxillofacial bleeding injuries caused by a traffic accident.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.11
• /
• pp.6905-6911
• /
• 2013

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the top cancer among women worldwide and the most frequent malignancy among Iranian women over the past few decades. The increasing trend and high mortality rate of BC in the developing world necessitates studies concentrating on its characteristics in countries in Asia. The current study focused on clinical and histopathological features of BC among Iranian females. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study involved 714 Iranian patients with histopathologically proven BC undergoing resection of primary tumours and axillary clearance. Demographic, clinical and histopathological data were obtained and studied between ten year age groups (${\leq}40$ years, 41-50 years, 51-60 years, 61-70 years, and ${\leq}71$ years) in four chronologic phases from 1994-2009. Results: Mean age of patients was $49.4{\pm}13.1$ years. Most of cases (33.2%) were in 41-50 group. Mean size of primary tumors was $3.94{\pm}2.47$ cm and 87.1% of cases had infiltrative ductal carcinoma. Modified radical mastectomy was the most common method of surgery carried out (48.8%). Some 57.1% of tumors were in pT2 and tumor size decreased significantly during the period (p<0.05). The most common BC stage was llla (27%). Lower BC stages (0 and 1) constituted 13.9% of the diagnosed tumors. Our series of patients aged ${\leq}40$ had larger tumors (mean $4.73{\pm}3.02$ cm) compared to older age groups (p=0.003). Lower stages (0 and I) were more frequent among the oldest patients while nearly 50% of patients aged ${\leq}40$ had tumor stage III. We also observed a significant decreasing trend in the mean LN count (p<0.05) and blood vessel invasion (p=0.023) from younger to older age groups. Conclusions: More aggressive disease for younger age groups, earlier peak incidence age and high rate of advanced BC at the time of diagnosis among Iranian women, were the main findings of this study.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.31 no.7
• /
• pp.668-673
• /
• 1998

During the past several years, the maze operation has become the most effective method of treatment for chronic atrial fibrillation. When the maze procedure is done concomittantly with other cardiac operations, surgeons, in their initial experiences, may be concerned about the additional operative risks and uncertainty of the results. We performed the Cox-maze III procedure in six cases of chronic atrial fibrillation associated with mitral, mitral & aortic, or coronary arterial disease. Maze III procedure was done with open mitral commissurotomy(3 cases), mitral valve replacement(1 case), aortic and mitral valve replacement(1 case), and two-vessel coronary bypass graft(1 case). In spite of rather prolonged aortic cross clamp time, cardiac recovery was uneventful in all cases. No cases required reexploration for postoperative bleeding. All patients showed regular sinus rhythms immediate or between 2 and 20 days postoperateratively. Transient postoperative supraventricular arrhythmarias were easily controlled by various antiarrhythmic agents. In follow up evaluations, all cases showed regular sinus rhythm on ECG and the right and left atrial transport function was confirmed by Doppler echocardiography in all except one. Though our experience was limited in case number, the Cox-maze III procedure was effective in controlling the chronic atrial fibrillation without serious additional operative risks.