• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.389-399
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• 2015

Zinc has been considered as a vital constituent of proteins, including enzymes. Mobile reactive zinc ($Zn^{2+}$) is the key form of zinc involved in signal transductions, which are mainly driven by its binding to proteins or the release of zinc from proteins, possibly via a redox switch. There has been growing evidence of zinc's critical role in cell signaling, due to its flexible coordination geometry and rapid shifts in protein conformation to perform biological reactions. The importance and complexity of $Zn^{2+}$ activity has been presumed to parallel the degree of calcium's participation in cellular processes. Whole body and cellular $Zn^{2+}$ levels are largely regulated by metallothioneins (MTs), $Zn^{2+}$ importers (ZIPs), and $Zn^{2+}$ transporters (ZnTs). Numerous proteins involved in signaling pathways, mitochondrial metabolism, and ion channels that play a pivotal role in controlling cardiac contractility are common targets of $Zn^{2+}$. However, these regulatory actions of $Zn^{2+}$ are not limited to the function of the heart, but also extend to numerous other organ systems, such as the central nervous system, immune system, cardiovascular tissue, and secretory glands, such as the pancreas, prostate, and mammary glands. In this review, the regulation of cellular $Zn^{2+}$ levels, $Zn^{2+}$-mediated signal transduction, impacts of $Zn^{2+}$ on ion channels and mitochondrial metabolism, and finally, the implications of $Zn^{2+}$ in health and disease development were outlined to help widen the current understanding of the versatile and complex roles of $Zn^{2+}$.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.28-33
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• 2007

Objectives and methods : The Euibujipsung is one of the huge-scale encyclopedias about Oriental Medicine. To search the most frequently used aupoints for dysarthria after stroke, we used Euibujipsung CD-ROM database with several chinese character keyword concerned with vernal function(語, 言, 音, 啞, 瘖, etc). Results : We found four popular acupoints(PC5, GV20, GV16, TE6), and five meridians (Governor vessel, Gall Bladder, Heart, Large Intestine and Triple Energizer). We also found that the extra meridians were used more frequently than other type of meridians. Conclusion : We think that these findings can give further ideas to clinical practice and research fields for stroke rehabilitation in Oriental medicine.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.65-71
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between cardiovascular disease and periodontal disease. The subjects were 3,149 adults over 40 years of age using the third year National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2015). Data were analyzed using the SPSS 22.0 program. As a result, the relationship between cardiovascular disease and periodontal disease was 1.27 times higher in obesity group compared to normal group, when adjusted for disturbance variables (age, smoking status, drinking status, income) In hypertensive patients, the hypertension group had a 1.32-fold higher risk of periodontal disease when the disturbance variables (age, smoking status, drinking status, income) were adjusted compared to those without hypertension. Therefore, cardiovascular disease is associated with periodontal disease, and it can be used as a good basis for educational and preventive measures to reduce or prevent the incidence of cardiovascular disease and periodontal disease in the future.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.199-201
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• 2012

Castleman's disease is a rare disorder characterized by benign tumors that may develop in the lymph node tissue throughout the body. Castleman's disease associated with myasthenia gravis is an especially rare disease. Only less than 10 cases have been reported in the world literature. The cause of Castleman's disease is associated with immune mediated reaction, and myasthenia gravis also develops due to an antibody-mediated process. The cause of myasthenia gravis is the immune activity of Castleman's disease, which may be the promoter of the antibody-mediated process. We report here a case of Castleman's disease, which was incidentally found in a patient diagnosed with myasthenia gravis.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.896-901
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• 2007

Objectives : This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of patients with single infarction and multiple infarctions. Method : We studied inpatients who were admitted from 2005/10/1 to 2007/3/30 at the KyungHee University Oriental Medical Center (KOMC) Department of Cardiovascular & Neurology (stroke center). We sorted small vessel occlusion patients and evaluated general characteristics of the patients along with the characteristics of single and multiple infarction patients. Result : We evaluated 262 inpatients, and did not find any significant difference in age, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, diet, exercise, homocysteine, or Sasang constitution between single infarction and multiple infarction. However, there were more significant associations with patients' smoking and stress with multiple infarctions than single infarction. Conclusion : From this study we could roughly grasp the characteristics of Small Vessel Occlusion patients and evaluated the characteristics of patients with multiple infarction. However, due to the special circumstance of the KOMC inpatients it is difficult to generalize our results; further multiple center research with a larger study group is needed.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.226-231
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• 2012

The purpose of the study was to assess the effects of a 12 weeks aged garlic extract (AGE) regimen with regular exercise on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in postmenopausal women. A total of 30 postmenopausal women ($54.4{\pm}5.4$ years) were randomly divided into the following four groups: Placebo (Placebo; n = 6), AGE intake (AGEI; n = 8), exercise and placebo (Ex + Placebo; n = 8), exercise and AGE (Ex + AGE; n = 8) groups. The AGE group consume 80 mg per day, and exercise groups performed moderate exercise (aerobic and resistance) three times per week. After 12 weeks of treatment, body composition, lipid profile, and CVD risk factors were analyzed. Body weight was significantly decreased in AGEI, Ex + Placebo, and Ex + AGE groups compared to baseline. Body fat % was significantly decreased in the AGEI and Ex + Placebo groups. Body mass index (BMI) was significantly decreased in the AGEI, Ex + Placebo, and Ex + AGE groups. Fat-free mass was significantly decreased in the AGEI group. Total cholesterol (TC) was significantly lower in the Ex + Placebo compared to the Placebo group. AGE supplementation or exercise effectively reduced low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C). Triglyceride (TG) was significantly increased in the AGEI group. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly decreased in the AGEI, Ex + Placebo, and Ex + AGE compared to the placebo group. AGE supplementation reduced homocysteine levels regardless of whether the women also exercised. The present results suggest that AGE supplementation reduces cardiovascular risk factors independently of exercise in postmenopausal women.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.30 no.2 s.57
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• pp.327-341
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• 1997

It is a well known fact that obesity is an important cause of cardiovascular disease, emphasized by many studies. Recently, cardiovascular diseaase has been found to correlate not only to the extent of obesity, but also the fat distribution of the individual; especially, focusing on obesity of the abdomen. Unfortunately, the proposed indices for abdominal obesity are numerous, and the results vary according to the index chosen. Three-hundred and twelve bus drivers in November, 1995, were chosen as subjects of this study. The author chose to measure serum lipid levels, fasting blood sugar levels and blood pressure, that are thought to be important risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. Obesity indices were calculated using anthropometric measurements. We were able to evaluate the significance of obesity indices by examining correlations between these indices and the risk factors of cardiovascular disease. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The abdominal obesity indices and risk factors of cardiovascular disease, the levels of total cholesterol in the serum, fasting blood sugar levels, and diastolic blood pressure, increased significantly according to age. 2. There was a significant difference in the abdominal obesity indices according to drinking and smoking habits controlled for age. Among the risk factors of cardiovascular disease, triglyceride and diastolic pressures had significant differences according to the presence or absence of a drinking history controlled for age. 3. Although all obesity indices showed significant correlations, the weakest correlation was between BMI and abdominal diameter index and the strongest correlation was between sagittal diameter and sagittal diameter matched for height. 4. There was a negative correlation between HDL-cholesterol and obesity indices. The weakest correlation was between fasting blood sugar levels and both SD and SDH showed correlations with the risk factors. 5. There was a significant correlation between SD and total cholesterol in the serum and fasting blood sugars controlled for age, drinking, and BMI. 6. After categorizing the subjects into 2 separate age groups at the 40 year mark, in the less than 40 you old age group, controlled for drinking and BMI, the results of comparitive studies have shown correlations between total cholesterol serum levels and waist-hip ratio, conicity-index, and SD. There were correlations between fasting blood sugar levels and SD, ADI, and SDH. There were no correlations between obesity indices and both total cholesterol serum levels and fasting blood sugar levels in the greater than 40 year old age group. There were significant correlations between abdominal obesity indices and total serum cholesterol or fasting blood sugar levels in the less than 40 year old age group, but no correlations in the age group over 40. These correlated factors between abdominal obesity and cardiovascular disease are assumed to exist in Korea as well. Furthermore, in this study a high correlation was found between SD, SDH and the risk factors of cardiovascular disease. Even when controlled for age, drinking, smoking, and BMI, the correlations between risk factors of cardiovascular disease and these indices exist. Therefore, the obesity indices, SD and SDH may prove to be important prognostic indicators or risk factors of cardiovascular disease.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.47-67
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• 2007

Objectives : This study was aimed to investigated the warning signs and its relationship with the other characteristics in acute stroke patients. Methods : 225 acute stroke patients were recruited at the Department of Cardiovascular and Neurologic Diseases (Stroke Center) of Kyung Hee University Oriental Hospital from October 2005 to September 2006. We evaluated their stroke type with brain MRI, their warning signs, and general characteristics such as age, sex, past history, risk factors, etc. Results : 225 subjects were included in the final analysis. In the subjects' general characteristics, the most common etiology of stroke was small vessel occlusion. In the assessment of the subjects' warning signs, the frequency of tension felt at the cervical area was highest followed by blepharospasm, sensory dysfunction (one side of numbness, tingling sensation, dead sensation), one side paralysis or weakness, etc. After analyzing etiology, cerebral hemorrhage had more facial spasm sign and hypertension than cerebral infarction. On the other hand, cerebral infarction had more diabetes and sensory dysfunction (one side of numbness, tingling sensation, dead sensation) than cerebral hemorrhage. Among stroke locations, subjects with their brain lesion in the cortex had more warning sings of motor dysfunction such as one side paralysis, or weakness. Multiple lesions showed a close relationship with smoking habit and were more common in males than in females. The under 65 years old group were more commonly associated with alcohol consumption, accidental mental stress and blepharospam than the over 65 years old group. In the group of under 65 years old, males more commonly had lesions in occipital lobe, alcohol consumption and smoking habit than females. Otherwise, females more commonly had vision dysfunction and blepharospasm than males. In the group of over 65 years old, males more commonly had cortex lesion than females. On the other hand, Females more commonly had accidental mental stress than males. Conclusions : We observed various warning signs and their distribution in acute stroke patients. The subjects' brainlesions and their etiology seemed to affect the features of the warning signs. Hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia were also related to etiology of stroke and some habitual problems such as smoking and drinking seemed to reduce the age of stroke ictus. Although a concrete conclusion can hardly be drawn from this study, it reminds physicians of the importance of warning signs which appear among their patients.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.751-757
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• 2007

Objectives : The aim of this study was to provide basic background information on stroke by evaluating various etiological factors on the basis that the onset time of cerebral infarction varies according to its cause. Methods : We studied hospitalized patients within 4 weeks after their ictus who were admitted at Kyunghee OMC, Kyungwon OMC, or Donguk Ilsan OMC from [month] $1^{st}$, 2005 to June $30^{th}$, 2007. We compared the general characteristics of acute stroke patients according to onset time. Results : Regardless of the onset time, the distribution of cerebral infarction patterns showed high SVO. The onset time did not show significant difference for average age, height, weight, BMI, waist measurement, hip measurement, or waist/hip ratio between onset during sleep and awakening. Patients whose stroke occurred while awake were more likely to have a past history of HTN, DM, ischemic heart disease, or atrial fibrillation but did not show significant difference according to their onset time. Conclusions : The above results show that the overall tendency of acute stage cerebral infarction patients varies according to their onset time. This study was carried out on the basis of previous findings that cerebral infarctions that occurred during sleep were more likely to have been caused by cerebral thrombosis, and strokes that occurred while awake were more likely to have been caused by cerebral embolism. However, there were no statistically relevant results, so a larger study group is needed to research the tendency of stroke patients.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.235-248
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• 2018

Ursolic acid (UA) is a natural triterpene compound found in various fruits and vegetables. There is a growing interest in UA because of its beneficial effects, which include anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-carcinogenic effects. It exerts these effects in various tissues and organs: by suppressing nuclear factor-kappa B signaling in cancer cells, improving insulin signaling in adipose tissues, reducing the expression of markers of cardiac damage in the heart, decreasing inflammation and increasing the level of anti-oxidants in the brain, reducing apoptotic signaling and the level of oxidants in the liver, and reducing atrophy and increasing the expression levels of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase and irisin in skeletal muscles. Moreover, UA can be used as an alternative medicine for the treatment and prevention of cancer, obesity/diabetes, cardiovascular disease, brain disease, liver disease, and muscle wasting (sarcopenia). In this review, we have summarized recent data on the beneficial effects and possible uses of UA in health and disease managements.