• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.50 no.11
• /
• pp.1091-1096
• /
• 2007

Purpose : The of common carotid artery intima media thickness (IMT) is an acknowledged noninvasive marker for early atherosclerotic changes. We investigate whether common carotid IMT is different between obese and normal-weight children and also evaluate the relationships IMT with cardiovascular risk factors. Methods : We collected the clinical data (age, sex, pubertal stage, body mass index) and measured blood pressure, glucose, insulin, lipid profiles and adiponectin in 49 obese children (mean age, 12 years) and 24 nonobese children as controls. The control group was composed of 24 nonobese children of the same age, sex and pubertal stage. We measured the carotid IMT of all subjects by B-mode ultrasound with a 7.5-MHz linear transducer and analyzed. Results : Obese children demonstrated a significantly thicker intima media (mean, 0.34 mm, peak, 0.42 mm) compared to the control group (mean, 0.31 mm, peak, 0.38 mm, P<0.01). IMT was significantly correlated to the BMI (r=0.431, P<0.01), age (r=0.317, P<0.01), total cholesterol (r=0.377, P< 0.01), triglyceride (r=0.253, P<0.05) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r=0.289, P<0.05). Serum adiponectin was significantly lower in obese children than in controls (11.2 ng/mL vs. 14.7 ng/mL, P<0.05) and negatively related with IMT (r=-0.267, P<0.05). Conclusion : Obesity is associated with increased carotid artery IMT in children. Our results suggest vascular changes in obesity seem to occur already in childhood and vascular ultrasonography may helpful for screening cardiovascular complications in obese children.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.23 no.6
• /
• pp.1513-1520
• /
• 2009

The purpose of this study was to compare cerebral blood flow between hyperlipidemic patient group and normal healthy aldult group using transcranial doppler ultrasonography(TCD). I investigated cerebral blood flow of 63 hyperlipidemic patients and 42 healthy adults. To evaluate the cerebral blood flow, I measured the systolic peak velocity(Vs) and mean flow velocity(Vm) of the milddle cerebral artery(MCA), anterior cerebral artery(ACA), posterior cerebral artery(PCA), basilar artery(BA), internal carotid artery(ICA) in the two groups using TCD. In normal healthy adults, subjects showed a decerease in Vs and Vm with advancing in age. There was a significant difference in the Vm of ICA. There was no significant differences in the Vm of ACA and ICA. In normal healthy adults, females showed high velocities of all examined vessel. There was a significant difference in the Vs of ICA. There was a significant differences in the Vm of MCA and ICA. Normal healthy adults higher than hyperlipidemic patients in the Vs of MCA, ACA, PCA. There was no significant difference in the Vs of all exmined vessels. Hyperlipidemic patientsincrease higher than normal healthy adults in the Vm of ACA. There was a significant difference in the Vs of BA. In the patients aged under 50's, normal healthy adults higher than hyperlipidemic patients in the Vs and Vm except BA. But there was no significant difference in all exmined vessels. In the patients aged over 50's, hyperlipidemic patients higher than normal healthy adults in all examined vessel expect PCA. There was a significant difference in the Vs of BA and ICA. And hyperlipidemic patients higher than that normal healthy adults in all exmined vessels. There was a significant difference in BA and ICA. In this study, visible differences in blood flow between hyperlipidemic patient group and normal healthy aldult group were shown. However, these results do not come up to the previous values that were reported and known worldwide.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.13 no.5
• /
• pp.729-737
• /
• 2019

Fatty pancreas is an abnormal process of lipid deposition in cells, resulting in increased fat tissue and obesity. The result is a risk factor for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of pancreatic fat as a predictor of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome in pancreatic ultrasonography. In 407 patients who underwent a comprehensive screening at the W Health Care Center in Busan from September 2. 2018 to December 31, 2018, the degree of fat deposition in the pancreas was evaluated as the degree of mild, moderate. Data on non-obstructive atherosclerosis, BMI, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes were collected to assess the association of pancreatic fat deposition with cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. In addition, we tried to analyze the correlation between liver dysfunction and thyroid dysfunction as the degree of fat pancreas increased. We examined the relationship between six parameters including atherosclerosis, BMI, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, liver dysfunction, and thyroid dysfunction among patients with fatty pancreas. We concluded that the carotid intima-media thickness of atherosclerosis, which is a risk factor of cardiovascular disease, is most closely related to fatty pancreas.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.53-56
• /
• 2008

Objectives：The purpose of this study was to evaluate the variable sonographic features in addition to classic findings and to find the helpful characteristic findings for diagnosis of branchial cleft cysts. Subjects and Methods：We retrospectively analyzed the sonographic finding of 16 histopathologically proven branchial cleft cysts. Assessment involved the following variables : location related to carotid artery, size, cyst wall, border, margin, shape, internal echotexture, post echoic enhancement, orientation of longitudinal axis relative to the long axis of the neck, and tapering edge. Results：Most branchial cleft cysts were seen as well defined(15/16), oval shape(13/16), smooth inner (12/16) and outer margin(13/16), and post echoic enhancement(16/16). Their diameter varied from 1 to 6cm (mean 3.3cm). The branchial cleft cysts showed variable internal echopatterns；hyperechogenicity or pseudosolid appearance(1/16), heterogeneous echogenicity(4/16) in addition to classic form of anechoic(5/16) or hypoechoic internal echogenicity(6/16). Longitudinal axis of most branchial cleft cysts were arranged in the direction of the long axis of the neck(13/16) and some branchial cleft cysts had tapering edge(6/16). Conclusion：If both atypical sonographic findings and location are showed, longitudinal arrangement of long axis and tapering edge of branchial cleft cysts are helpful findings for differential diagnosis.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.149-160
• /
• 2023

This study develops a time-varying system-based noncontact fabric sensor that can measure cerebral blood-flow signals to explore the possibility of brain blood-signal detection and emotional evaluation. The textile sensor was implemented as a coil-type sensor by combining 30 silver threads of 40 deniers and then embroidering it with the computer machine. For the cerebral blood-flow measurement experiment, subjects were asked to attach a coil-type sensor to the carotid artery area, wear an electrocardiogram (ECG) electrode and a respiration (RSP) measurement belt. In addition, Doppler ultrasonography was performed using an ultrasonic diagnostic device to measure the speed of blood flow. The subject was asked to wear Meta Quest 2, measure the blood-flow change signal when viewing the manipulated image visual stimulus, and fill out an emotional-evaluation questionnaire. The measurement results show that the textile-sensor-measured signal also changes with a change in the blood-flow rate signal measured using the Doppler ultrasonography. These findings verify that the cerebral blood-flow signal can be measured using a coil-type textile sensor. In addition, the HRV extracted from ECG and PLL signals (textile sensor signals) are calculated and compared for emotional evaluation. The comparison results show that for the change in the ratio because of the activation of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems due to visual stimulation, the values calculated using the textile sensor and ECG signals tend to be similar. In conclusion, a the proposed time-varying system-based coil-type textile sensor can be used to study changes in the cerebral blood flow and monitor emotions.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.39 no.6
• /
• pp.455-461
• /
• 2006

Objectives : Prolongation of the heart rate-corrected QT (QTc) interval has been reported to be associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, few studies have examined the relationship between the QTc interval and cardiovascular risk factors in young healthy people, The aim of this study was to examine the associations between the QTc interval and cardiovascular risk factors in young healthy adults. Methods : This study was performed as part of the Kangwha study, which started in 1986, and is an on-going follow-up study on blood pressure and related cardiovascular risk factors. In follow-up examinations during 2005, cardiovascular risk factors, including anthropometrics, blood pressure, blood chemistry and carotid ultrasonography, were measured, and questionnaires on health behaviors completed by 127 men and 149 women aged 25 years. The QTc interval was measured on the resting 12-lead electrocardiogram using an automatic analysis program. Results : The mean QTc interval was significantly longer in women $(419{\pm}17ms)$ than in men $(405{\pm}17ms)$ (p<0.001). A significant positive correlation was found between the QTc interval and waist-hip ratio (p=0.030) in men. Women showed a positive correlation between the QTc interval and systolic blood pressure (p=0.017). On a multiple regression analysis, the QTc interval was positively associated with the waist-hip ratio in men (p=0.012) and with the systolic blood pressure (p=0.020) in women. Conclusions : In young healthy Korean adults, the QTc interval was independently associated with the waist-hip ratio in men and with the systolic blood pressure in women.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.349-359
• /
• 2000

The aim of study was to evaluated the possible role of cranial artery velocity in headache pathogenesis. The present study was studied of five headache(F=5. Mean $age=29.80\pm6.76yrs$) were compared to 4 controls(F=4, Mean $age=29.00\pm5.48yrs$). Transcranial doppler ultrasonography(TCD) is a new non-invasive and easily applicable method to evaluate flow velocities of the intracranial and extracranial cerebral arteries. TCD was performed with standard method to measure the mean Flow Velocity(MFV) of the middle and posterior cerebral arteries, the internal carotid artery, the vertebral and the basilar artery. We reviewed the whole TCD results performed at Taejon Veterans Hospital from October. 11. 2000 to November. 10. 2000. Mean flow velocities in headaches and controls at their 6 decades are $28.00\pm3.61cm/sec$ and $41.25pm1.71cm/sec$ in lent PCA (P<0.01), $50,000\pm23.07cm/sec$ and $82.75\pm15.59cm/sec$ in right MCA(P<0.05), $26.20\pm4.82cm/sec$ and $45.50\pm4.51cm/sec$ in fight PCA(P<0.01). $26.60\pm4.56cm/sec$ and $38.25\pm4.92cm/sec$ in right VAC(P<0.01). After treatment for 2 weeks, mean of velocity on pre treatment and post treatment and post treatment are $28.00\pm3.61cm/sec$ and $38.20\pm5.81cm/sec$ in left PCA (P<0.05), $26.20\pm4.827cm/sec$ and $39.20\pm5.54cm/sec$ in right PCA(P<0.05), $40.60\pm9.18cm/sec$ in right VA(P<0.01). It is concluded that Electrical Therapy for two weeks was effected to promote Mean Flow of Velocity in cranial artery. Mean of velocity in cranial artery with headaches observed in this study was lower than controls, but MFV was promote after treatment for 2 weeks.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.39 no.4 s.261
• /
• pp.261-268
• /
• 2006

Background: Current vascular prostheses are still inadequate for reconstruction of small-diameter vessels. Autologous pericardium can be a good alternative for this purpose as it already possesses good blood compatibility and shows a mechanical behavior similar to that of natural arteries. However, the clinical use of autologous pericardial tissue as a small-diameter vascular graft has limitations due to mixed outcomes from uncertain biological behavior and difficulty to gain reliable patency results in animal experiments. To study this issue, we implanted fresh and glutaraldehyde-treated autologous pericardium as small-diameter arterial grafts in dogs, and compared their time-related changes histologically. Material and Method: As a form of 5mm-diameter arterial graft, one pair of autologous pericardial tissue was used for comparison between the glutaraldehyde-treated and the glutaraldehyde-untreated grafts in the bilateral carotid arteries in the same dog. The patency of the grafts were evaluated at regular intervals with Doppler ultrasonography. After the predetermined periods of 3 days, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months, the grafts in each animal were explanted. The retrieved grafts were processed for light and electron microscopic analyses following gross observation. Result: Of 7 animals, 2 were excluded from the study because one died postoperatively due to bleeding and the other was documented as one side of the grafts being obstructed. All 10 grafts in the remaining 5 dogs were patent. Grossly, a variable degree of thromboses were observed in the luminal surfaces of the grafts at 3 days and 2 weeks, despite good patency. Pseudointimal smooth blood-contacting surfaces were developed in the grafts at f month and later. By light microscopy, mesothelial cell layers of the pericardial tissue were absent in all explanted grafts. Newly formed endothelial cell layers on the blood-contacting surface were observed in both the glutaraldehyde-treated and fresh grafts at 3 months and later. The collagen fibers became degraded by fragmentation in the fresh graft at 1 month and In the glutaraldehyde-treated graft at 3 months. At 6 months, the collagen layers were no longer visible in either the glutaraldehyde-treated or fresh grafts. By electron microscopy, a greater amount of coarse fibrin fibers were observed in the fresh grafts than in the glutaraldehyde-treated grafts and, more compact and well-arrayed layers were observed in the glutaraldehyde-treated grafts than in the fresh grafts. Conclusion: The glutaraldehyde-treated small-diameter pericardial arterial grafts showed a better endothelialization of the blood-contacting surface and a slower fragmentation of the collagen layers than the fresh grafts, although it has yet to be proven whether these differences are so significant as to affect the patency results between the groups.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.33 no.12
• /
• pp.941-947
• /
• 2000

Background: Central nervous system complication after coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG) is one of the major prognostic determinants and the use of the cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) may increase the incidence of this devastating complication. In this study, the outcomes after off-pump CABG were studied and compared with those following the conventional CABG using CPB. Material and Method: Among the consecutive isolated CABG's performed in SNUH during Feb. 1995 and Jun. 1999, 338 coronary artery bypass grafting were divided into two groups. 223 patients underwent CABG using the CPB(Group I), and 115 patients underwent CABG without CPB(OPCAB)(Group II). All patients enrolled in this study received extensive preoperative examinations including thorough neurologic examination before and after surgery, transcranial doppler study, carotid duplex ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance angiography if necessary. Central nervous system(CNS) complications were defined as stroke, seizure, metabolic or hypoxic encephalopathy and transient delirium after surgery. Result: There were 61 cases(27.3%) who developed postoperative CNS complication in Group I, whereas 8 cases(7.0%) of CNS complications developed postoperatively in group II(p<0.05). Statistically significant predictors of postoperative CNS complications in group I were age and the use of cardiac assist devices perioperatively. Conclusion: This study suggested that omitting the use of CPB in CABG resulted in significant decrease of the postoperative CNS complications. OPCAB should be more widely applied especially to the elderly who have preexisting cerebrovascular disease.