• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.89-96
• /
• 2013

Atherosclerotic vascular dysfunction is a chronic inflammatory process that spreads from the fatty streak and foam cells through lesion progression. Therefore, its early diagnosis and prevention is unfeasible. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play important roles in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic vascular disease. Intracellular redox status is tightly regulated by oxidant and antioxidant systems. Imbalance in these systems causes oxidative or reductive stress which triggers cellular damage or aberrant signaling, and leads to dysregulation. Paradoxically, large clinical trials have shown that non-specific ROS scavenging by antioxidant vitamins is ineffective or sometimes harmful. ROS production can be locally regulated by cellular antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutases, catalase, glutathione peroxidases and peroxiredoxins. Therapeutic approach targeting these antioxidant enzymes might prove beneficial for prevention of ROS-related atherosclerotic vascular disease. Conversely, the development of specific antioxidant enzyme-mimetics could contribute to the clinical effectiveness.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.32 no.11
• /
• pp.789-800
• /
• 2023

A vascular flora survey was conducted in 2020 to identify flora and analyze changes in the numbers of vascular flora species over the past 10 years at Gongju-weir (GW) and Baekje-weir (BW) in the Geumgang River, Republic of Korea. A total of 241 taxa were found in GW and 279 taxa in BW, and 208 taxa (88% of total taxa) were common species. The distribution of invasive species in GW and BW were seven and eight taxa, respectively. Rare plants were not identified in any of the weirs. The Poaceae family dominated in terms of number of species, followed by Asteraceae, Legumes, Cyperaceae, and Polygonaceae. Additionally, Therophytes accounted for a high proportion of Raunkiaer life forms. The numbers of vascular plant species, total taxa, naturalized plants, and invasive species have been increasing over the last 10 years. However, long-term alterations in invasive species before and after the opening of the weirs increased much more significantly in the partially opened BW than in the fully opened GW. These results indicate that the degree of barrier opening does not affect the invasion and establishment of non-native species.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.42 no.3
• /
• pp.218-227
• /
• 2019

This study was designed to determine the effects of the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) on vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) apoptosis and extracellular matrix (ECM) disruption in a murine abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) model. After injection of PVT1-silencing lentiviruses, AAA was induced in Apolipoprotein E-deficient ($ApoE^{-/-}$) male mice by angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion for four weeks. After Ang II infusion, mouse serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were analysed, and aortic tissues were isolated for histological, RNA, and protein analysis. Our results also showed that PVT1 expression was significantly upregulated in abdominal aortic tissues from AAA patients compared with that in controls. Additionally, Ang II treatment significantly increased PVT1 expression, both in cultured mouse VSMCs and in AAA murine abdominal aortic tissues. Of note, the effects of Ang II in facilitating cell apoptosis, increasing matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9, reducing tissue inhibitor of MMP (TIMP)-1, and promoting switching from the contractile to synthetic phenotype in cultured VSMCs were enhanced by overexpression of PVT1 but attenuated by knockdown of PVT1. Furthermore, knockdown of PVT1 reversed Ang II-induced AAA-associated alterations in mice, as evidenced by attenuation of aortic diameter dilation, marked adventitial thickening, loss of elastin in the aorta, enhanced aortic cell apoptosis, elevated MMP-2 and MMP-9, reduced TIMP-1, and increased pro-inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that knockdown of lncRNA PVT1 suppresses VSMC apoptosis, ECM disruption, and serum pro-inflammatory cytokines in a murine Ang II-induced AAA model.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.32-37
• /
• 2023

Background: Type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) is an emerging global pandemic which is associated with lots of co-morbidities and reported vascular dysfunctions. T2DM associated vascular dysfunctions leads to vasculopathy in the form of altered peripheral vascular dynamics. Cold stress test (CST) is a reliable sympathetic reactivity test used for assessing vascular dysfunctions. In this study we are trying to quantify vascular dysfunctions in T2DM patients non invasively by various parameters of photoplethysmography (PPG) of cold stress test. Methods: Case control study had done in referral health center AIIMS, Raipur. Parameters are recorded by finger-PPG before, during and after CST (1 min) in 2 groups, control (n = 20 healthy volunteers) and case (n = 20 diagnosed T2DM patients). Results: Due to cold stress, PPG parameter peak amplitude was significantly decreased in both healthy and T2DM groups (p <0.001 and p <0.001, respectively). However, recovery trend of amplitude was significantly slow in T2DM compared to healthy subjects. Another PPG parameter peak to peak interval was significantly higher in healthy group compared to T2DM patients. Conclusions: This study showed that T2DM patients has significant deranged pulse volume parameters like amplitude and peak to peak interval can be used to objectively quantify the vasculopathy in T2DM patients by using sympathetic reactivity to cold stress.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.44 no.4
• /
• pp.301-307
• /
• 2017

Background Many difficulties exist in establishing a treatment plan for slow-flow vascular malformation (SFVM). In particular, little research has been conducted on the surgical treatment of SFVMs. Thus, we investigated what proportion of SFVM patients were candidates for surgical treatment in clinical practice and how useful surgical treatment was in those patients. Methods This study included 109 SFVM patients who received care at the authors' clinic from 2007 to 2015. We classified the patients as operable or non-operable, and analyzed whether the operability and the extent of the excision varied according to the subtype and location of the SFVM. Additionally, we investigated complications and self-assessed satisfaction scores. Results Of the 109 SFVM patients, 59 (54%) were operable, while 50 (46%) were non-operable. Total excision could be performed in 44% of the operable SFVM patients. Lymphatic malformations were frequently non-operable, while capillary malformations were relatively operable (P=0.042). Total excision of venous malformations could generally be performed, while lymphatic malformations and combined vascular malformations generally could only undergo partial excision (P=0.048). Complications occurred in 11% of the SFVM patients who underwent surgery; these were minor complications, except for 1 case. The average overall satisfaction score was 4.19 out of 5. Conclusions Based on many years of experience, we found that approximately half (54%) of SFVM patients were able to undergo surgery, and around half (44%) of those patients were able to fully recover after a total excision. Among the patients who underwent surgical treatment, high satisfaction was found overall and relatively few complications were reported.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.289-298
• /
• 2023

Complex diseases including cardiovascular disease are caused by a combination of the alternation of many genes and the influence of environments. Recently, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been shown to be involved in diverse diseases, and the functions of various ncRNAs have been reported. Many researchers have elucidated the mechanisms of action of these ncRNAs at the cellular level prior to in vivo and clinical studies of the diseases. Due to the characteristics of complex diseases involving intercellular crosstalk, it is important to study communication between multiple cells. However, there is a lack of literature summarizing and discussing studies of ncRNAs involved in intercellular crosstalk in cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, this review summarizes recent discoveries in the functional mechanisms of intercellular crosstalk involving ncRNAs, including microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs. In addition, the pathophysiological role of ncRNAs in this communication is extensively discussed in various cardiovascular diseases.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.49 no.6
• /
• pp.373-376
• /
• 2011

We report a case of a non traumatic spinal subdural hematoma or subarachnoid hematoma manifesting as lumbago, leg pain and bladder dysfunction that showed angiographically occult vascular malformation (AOVM). Although the spinal angiogram did not reveal any vascular abnormality, the follow-up magnetic resonance image showed AOVM. Complete surgical removal was performed due to the aggravated bladder dysfunction. This case highlights the need to consider bleeding due to spinal AOVM, even when angiography is negative.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.55 no.4
• /
• pp.351-359
• /
• 2022

Objectives: The Regional CardioCerebroVascular Center (RCCVC) project was initiated to improve clinical outcomes for patients with acute myocardial infarction or stroke in non-capital areas of Korea. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes and issues identified by the Busan RCCVC project in the treatment of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: Among the patients who were registered in the Korean Registry of Acute Myocardial Infarction for the RCCVC project between 2007 and 2019, those who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for STEMI at the Busan RCCVC were selected, and their medical data were compared with a historical cohort. Results: In total, 1161 patients were selected for the analysis. Ten years after the implementation of the Busan RCCVC project, the median door-to-balloon time was reduced from 86 (interquartile range [IQR], 64-116) to 54 (IQR, 44-61) minutes, and the median symptom-to-balloon time was reduced from 256 (IQR, 180-407) to 189 (IQR, 118-305) minutes (p<0.001). Inversely, the false-positive PCI team activation rate increased from 0.6% to 21.4% (p<0.001). However, the 1-year cardiovascular death and major adverse cardiac event rates did not change. Even after 10 years, approximately 75% of the patients had a symptom-to-balloon time over 120 minutes, and approximately 50% of the patients underwent inter-hospital transfer for primary PCI. Conclusions: A decade after the implementation of the Busan RCCVC project, although time parameters for early reperfusion therapy for STEMI improved, at the cost of an increased false-positive PCI team activation rate, survival outcomes were unchanged.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.50-59
• /
• 1998

Background : Vascular dementia occurs mainly due to cerebral vascular disease. So we performed this clinical study to investigate the incidence and characteristics of vascular dementia in stroke patients. Methods : This study was performed on the patients hospitalized from April 1, 1998 to August 31, 1998 at the department of circulatory internal medicine, hospital of Oriental medicine, Kyung-Hee University, and diagnosed cerebral infarction or hemorrhage by Brain CT or MRI. we devided the patients into two groups; vascular dementia group and non dementia group according to MMSE-K(Mini Mental State Examination Korean version), Hasegawa dementia scale. Patients were diagnosed dementia using DSM-IV. We compared general characteristics, stoke types and laboratory findings between the two groups and investigated the correlationship between MMSE-K and Hasegawa dementia scale. Results : Results showed that the incidence of vascular dementia was about 27.8% in stroke patients. The greater number of subjects with dementia were women in the lower educational classes and had lower MBI(Moderfied Bathel Index) scores. Vascular dementia were more common in patients with large brain lesion size($>20cm^3$). There was a positive correlationship between Hasegawa scores and MMSE-K.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.198-206
• /
• 2018

Aortic dissection (AD) is a catastrophic disease with high mortality and morbidity, characterized with fragmentation of elastin and loss of smooth muscle cells. Although AD has been largely attributable to polymorphisms defect in the elastin-coding gene, tropoelastin (TE), other undermined factors also appear to play roles in AD onset. Here, we investigated the effects of post-transcriptional control of TE by microRNAs (miRNAs) on elastin levels in aortic smooth muscle cells (ASMC). We found that miR-144-3p is a miRNA that targets TE mRNA in both human and mouse. Bioinformatics analyses and dual luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-144-3p inhibited protein translation of TE, through binding to the 3'-UTR of the TE mRNA. Interestingly, higher miR-144-3p levels and lower TE were detected in the ASMC obtained from AD patients, compared to those from non-AD controls. In a mouse model for human AD, infusion of adeno-associated viruses (serotype 6) carrying antisense for miR-144-3p (asmiR-144-3p) under CAG promoter significantly reduced the incidence and severity of AD, seemingly through enhancement of TE levels in ASMC. Thus, our data suggest an essential role of miR-144-3p on the pathogenesis of AD.