• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.482-489
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• 2010

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine whether hand-measured carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was a reliable and simple tool that could be used to evaluate the severity of stable coronary artery disease (CAD) with normal high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP). Material and Method: We examined left carotid IMTs in 688 patients with stable CAD and excluded 121 patients with abnormally elevated hs-CRP ($\geq$0.5 mg/dL). We sought to determine the association between risk factors and the severity of stable CAD and carotid IMT in 567 patients who were divided into lower and higher groups based on the median value. Patients underwent a coronary artery angiogram and had at least significant stenosis (>50% of the original luminal diameter involving one or more major coronary artery). Result: Of the 567 patients, 300 (52.9%) were in the lower IMT group and 267 (47.1%) were in the higher IMT group; the median value was 0.76 mm. By multivariable logistic regression analysis, the following groups were different: older age (~49 vs. 70~ years, respectively; OR=6.552), high FBS (~99 vs. 120~ mg/dL; OR=1.713) and severity of CAD (1 vessel vs. 2 vessel disease; OR=1.711, 1 vessel vs. 3 vessel disease; OR=1.714). Conclusion: We conclude that there are correlations between increased carotid IMT and severity of CAD in stable angina patients with normal CRP levels.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.187-193
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• 2009

Purpose : Adiponectin is a molecule that plays an important role in the metabolic syndrome. In addition, its concentration is known to be decreased in obesity, type 2 diabetes, and coronary artery disease. Although a relationship between hypertension and serum adiponectin concentrations has been reported by several authors, such findings continue to be debated. We investigated whether hypoadiponectinemia is related to hypertension in adolescents and studied the associated genetic polymorphism. Methods : Forty hypertensive adolescents (Age 16-17 years old) and twenty normotensive matched subjects were included. Serum adipo-nectin, insulin, renin, aldosterone and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) levels were compared. Their carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were measured. Polymorphisms of the adiponectin I164T gene were investigated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results : The hypertensive adolescents had significantly greater cIMT and PWV. In addition, the serum aldosterone, renin and insulin levels were significantly higher in the hypertensive group. The plasma concentrations of adiponectin did not differ significantly between the two groups. TC genotype was not found in our study subjects; they all had the TT genotype of the adiponectine gene. Conclusion : The results of our study showed that adiponectin levels were not significantly different in adolescents with hypertension. There was no distinctive genetic polymorphism observed in this group of patients. Further large scale studies are needed to clarify the association between genetic variations and adiponectin in hypertensive adolescents.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.322-333
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction are 2 of the independent predictors for cardiovascular disease, while Acanthopanax senticosus Harms (ASH) is a traditional medicinal plant that can improve cardiovascular health. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of the fruit of ASH on vascular function in apparently healthy subjects. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design, consisting of healthy adults with at least 2 of the following 3 conditions: borderline high blood pressure (BP; 120 mmHg ≤ systolic BP ≤ 160 mmHg or 80 mmHg ≤ diastolic BP ≤ 100 mmHg), smoking (≥10 cigarettes/day), and borderline blood lipid levels (220 ≤ total cholesterol ≤ 240, 130 ≤ low density lipoprotein cholesterol ≤ 165, or 150 ≤ triglyceride ≤ 220 mg/dL). Randomly assigned 76 subjects who received a placebo or 2 doses of ASH fruit (low, 500 mg/day; high, 1,000 mg/day) completed the intervention. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), flow-mediated dilation, carotid intima-media thickness, and BP were measured both at baseline and following the 12-week intervention. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation was assessed by western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with the placebo group, the low-dose group showed more significant changes after the 12-week intervention period in terms of systolic BP (0.1 vs. -7.7 mmHg; P = 0.044), baPWV (31.3 vs. -98.7 cm/s; P = 0.007), and the ratio of phospho-eNOS/eNOS (0.8 vs. 1.22; P = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that ASH fruit extract at 500 mg/day has the potential to improve BP and arterial stiffness via endothelial eNOS activation in healthy adults with smoking and the tendency of having elevated BP or blood lipid parameters.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2001

Purpose : This study was undertaken to observe the occurrence of the vessel aneurysms according to several different methods of microvascular anastomosis. Mterials & methods : Forty Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing $180{\sim}200$ grams, were used for this experiment. The rats were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 (10 rats): The adventitia was trimmed off 5mm from the cut edge each and 20 arterial anastomoses were performed using 8 to 10 interrupted 9-0 polypropylene ($Prolene^{TM}$, Ethicon, U.K.) suture. Group 2 (10 rats): The adventitia was trimmed off as in group 1. Twenty arterial anastomoses were performed using continuous 9-0 polypropylene($Prolene^{TM}$, Ethicon, U.K.) suture. Group 3 (10 rats): The adventitia was stripped only 1mm from the cut edge each but not removed,. Twenty arterial anastomoses were performed using 8 to 10 interrupted 9-0 polypropylene($Prolene^{TM}$, Ethicon, U.K.) suture. Group 4 (10 rats): The adventitia was handled as in group 3. Twenty arterial anastomoses were performed using 9-0 polypropylene($Prolene^{TM}$, Ethicon, U.K.) suture. The arteries of the animals in all groups were explored at 28th days. We examined patency, presence of an aneurysm, other vascular abnormalities and microscopically observed the aneurysms with H&E and Van-Gieson stains. Result : 1. Patency rate was 80% in group 1, 95% in group 2, 85% in group 3 and 90% in group 4, respectively. 2. Aneurysm occurred 20% in group 1, 5% in group 2, 5% in group 3 and 5% in group 4, respectively. 3. There was no other vascular abnormalities in each group. 4. Infection rate was 5% in group 1, 0% in group 2, 20% in group 3 and 15% in group 4, respectively. 5. In the histopathological findings, we observed partially necrotic changes, loss and fragmentation of outer elastic lamella of smooth muscle in media and the proliferation of hyperplastic subintima. A lot of inflammatory cells were infiltrated in hyperplastic intima. Conclusions : On the basis of these observation, we could state that there were little differences in the occurrence of aneurysms according to different anastomotic suture methods.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.1055-1062
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• 2009

Magnolia obovata exhibit several beneficial effects including anti-oxidant effects. Magnolia obovata is used as a therapeutic agent to stop hemorrhages and a tonic to promoted health in Korean and Chinese medicine. The pharmacokinetic profiles of the main Magnolia obovata is still not accurately investigated. In present study, I examined the effects of water extracts of Magnolia obovata on atherosclerosis induced high cholesterol diet in rats in serum and abdominal aorta. A total of 3-week old 9 male rats of Sprague-Dawley were divided into 3 groups and fed with the basal diet (normal group), high cholesterol diet (atherosclerosis induced group) for 8 weeks, high cholesterol diet supplemented with water extracts of Magnolia obovata (Magnolia obovata group) for 2 weeks. And rats were sacrificed, serum lipid level, abodominal aortic anti-oxidant activities and lipid peroxide were measured. These results indicated that serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides concentration significantly lower in Magnolia obovata group than high cholesterol diet group. But HDL-cholesterol concentration had significantly higher in Magnolia obovata group than high cholesterol diet group. In conclusion, Magnolia obovata controls of lipid level of hyperlipidemia and hypercholesterolemia, thus suppresses the proliferation of intima in endothelial cells, which is risk factors of atherosclerosis induced high cholesterol diet in rats. I consider as Magnolia obovata is worth to using as atherosclerosis treatment.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.315-322
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• 2009

Objectives : Knowledge about the management status of diabetic melitus (DM) is essential to improve diabetic management. Moreover, low income is associated with poor adherence to treatment and increased mortality. This study was performed to evaluate the management status of DM in low-income patients in a rural area. Methods : We enrolled 370 patients with type 2 DM living in Gokseong county, JeollaNamdo. A well-trained examiner measured the height, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. Carotid ultrasonography was used to measure carotid artery carotid artery intima media thickness (IMT) and plaque. anklebrachial index (ABI) was used to evaluate peripheral artery disease. A fundoscopic examination was performed to evaluate diabetic retinopathy. A history of diabetes complications and health-related questionnaires were also completed. Results : The age of diabetic subjects was 68.7$\pm$8.7 years and the duration of diabetes was 8.9$\pm$8.2 years. Most (63.5%) had hypertension, and 45.7% had triglycerides below 150 mg/dl, 38.1% had low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) cholesterol below 100 mg/dl, 48.7% had urine albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR) below 30 mg/g. Less than half (45.9%) achieved the goal of HbA1c less than 7% suggested by the American Diabetes Association (ADA). 10.6% had peripheral vascular disease, 11.9% had retinopathy, and 60.8% had chronic kidney disease. Conclusions : DM management in low income patients is very poor and requires further work to improve.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.107-113
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• 1984

To evaluate the morphologic changes of the renal arteries in the condition of high-salt diet, we scheduled the control group which fed routine animal diet added 0.06% of Sodium chloride, low-salt group which fed with 2.0% of sodium chloride, and high-Salt group which fed with 8.0% of sodium chloride. The experimental animals were sacrificed every two week until 20 weeks of final experimental week. The results obtained were as follows; 1. Slight intimal thickening of the renal arteries is observed from 16th experimental week and continued the end of the experiment in the rats of control group. 2. In low-salt group slight intimal thickening of the renal arteries is observed from 12th experimental week and continued to the end of the experiment. 3. In high-salt group the intimal thickening began from 6th experimental week and its degree was hasten with week, and provoked moderate to high degree of lesion at the end of the experiment. Medial proliferation and degeneration of the intima and media, though their quality is mild, also associated at the end of the experiment.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.724-731
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• 2012

This study was designed to elucidate whether combination with Korean red ginseng and Morus alba L. (MPM), traditional treatment for diabetes, ameliorates on high fructose-induced steatohepatitis and vascular inflammation. Animals were divided into four groups; Control receiving tap water, fructose-fed, rosiglitazone-treated fructose-fed rats, and MPM-treated fructose-fed rats both receiving supplemented with 60% fructose (n=10). The MPM or rosiglitazone groups initially received a high-fructose diet alone for 8 weeks, with supplementation with MPM or rosiglitazone, peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gamma ($PPAR{\gamma}$) agonist, occurring during the final 6 weeks. Treatment with MPM significantly prevented the increase in c-reactive protein (CRP) levels in the high fructose group. MPM suppressed high fructose diet-induced vascular inflammation marker expression such as intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin. MPM also reduced intima/media thickness of thoracic aorta. Histologic observation and oil red O staining demonstrated hepatic tissue damage and lipid accumulation were severe in high fructose group. Treatment with MPM ameliorated hepatic tissue morphology with minimized steatosis. In addition, MPM attenuated hepatitis by inhibition of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) expression. MPM-fed group showed lower serum GOT and GPT levels comparing with high fructose group. MPM and rosiglitazone (positive control) significantly decreased the size of epididymal adipocytes. Taken together, the administration of MPM inhibited high fructose-induced steatohepatitis and vascular inflammation. These results suggested that MPM is useful in the prevention or treatment of metabolic syndrome-related disorders such as fatty acid metabolism and vascular homeostasis.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.243-259
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• 1996

This study was performed to investigate the induction of experimental atherosclerosis in rats and inhibitory effects of aloe vera on progression of atherosclerosis in rats. Adose range finding study of cholesterol and vitamin D2 for the induction of atherosclerosis and studies on the subchronic effect of aloe vera and on the chronic effect of aloe vera were carried out. A total of 3-week old 125 male rats of Sprague-Dawley were divided into 25 groups and fed with the diet containing cholesterol (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0%) and vitamin D2 (500, 5000, 50000 and 500, 000 IU/100 g) for 4 weeks. 35 male rats were divided into 7 groups and fed with the diet containing aloe vera with 1.0% of cholesterol and 50, 000 IU/100 g of vitamin D2 for 4 weeks. 200 male rats were divided into 5 groups and fed with cholesterol and vitamin D2 for 6 and 12 months. Growth, clinical and pathological changes of rats in the three experiments were observed. The results were as follows: 1. In the dose-range finding study, feed intake, feed efficiency ratio and weight to body weight were increased in all of the feed groups containing 500, 000 IU/100 g of vitamin D2. Serum biochemical values of total cholesterol, high-density lipiprotein cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol), triglyceride, calcium, inorganic phosphorous and chloride of male rats in treated groups. The aorta and coronary artery of rats in all of the diet group containing 500, 000 IU/100 g of vitamin D2 showed typical atherosclerotic lesions. 2. Male rats fed with the diet containing aloe vera with 1.0% cholesterol and 50, 000 IU/100 g of vitamin D2 for 6 and 12 months did not show significant difference of diet intake and weight gain, and relative organ weight. The level of serum HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride recovered to the normal range by the aloe vera ingestation. 3. The aorta showed irregular appearence in the tunica intima with swelling, necrosis and calcification. The aorta of rat fed aloe vera diet showed no pathological lesions such as atherosclerosis of aorta. Aloe vera could have a helpful effect of vitamin D2 and cholesterol induced atherosclerosis in rats. Long-term supplementation of aloe vera may slow down the process of experimental atherosclerosis in rats have effects on the development of atherosclerosis.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.67-76
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• 2012

The biomimetic approach on the cuticular spinning nozzles of the major ampullate silk glands in the golden-web spider Nephila calvata has been attempted using various visualizing techniques of light and electron microscopes to improve the design of spinning nozzle for producing synthetic nanofibers spun from electrospinning apparatus. The major ampullate spigot which has the most effective nozzle system to produce nanofibers for dragline silk with high strength and elasticity is connected via the bullet type spigot on anterior spinneret with flexible terminal segment. The excretory duct which transports the liquid silk feedstock from ampulla to spigot is divided into 3 limbs by loops back on itself to form an S-shape morphology that is bundled in connective tissue. Final diameter of the nanofibers at nozzle was dramatically reduced by gradual narrowing of duct cuticle less than 10 times comparing to its original size of funnel region. Moreover, the funnel has a characteristic cuticular organization with porous microstructure which seems to be related to water removal from feedstock of silk precursors. High magnification electron micrographs also reveal the presence of the spiral grooves on the surface of the cuticular intima near the valve which presumed to reduce friction during rapid flow of liquid silk.