• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제57권5호
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• pp.217-221
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• 2014

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine whether school-aged children with Kawasaki disease (KD) have an increased risk for early atherosclerosis. Methods: The study included 98 children. The children were divided into the following groups: group A (n=19), KD with coronary arterial lesions that persisted or regressed; group B (n=49), KD without coronary arterial lesions; and group C (n=30), healthy children. Anthropometric variables and the levels of biochemical markers, including total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein A, apolipoprotein B, homocysteine, highsensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and brachial artery stiffness using pulse wave velocity were compared among the three groups. Results: There were no significant differences in blood pressure and body index among the three groups. Additionally, there was no sex-specific difference. Moreover, the levels of triglyceride, HDL-C, apolipoprotein A, and hs-CRP did not differ among the three groups. However, the levels of total cholesterol (P =0.018), LDL-C (P =0.0003), and apolipoprotein B (P =0.029) were significantly higher in group A than in group C. Further, the level of homocysteine and the aortic pulse wave velocity were significantly higher in groups A and B than in group C (P=0.0001). Conclusion: School-aged children after KD have high lipid profiles and arterial stiffness indicating an increased risk for early atherosclerosis.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.186-192
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• 1995

We measured plasma concentrations of high density lipoprotein, total cholesterol and triglycerides in 31 patients with history of kawasaki disease during acute stage and convalescence stage. High density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol concentrations were significantly lower(P<0.001) in samples taken within 11 days of the onset of illness($28.7{\pm}12.4mg/dl$ and $145.20{\pm}29.60mg/dl$) than in the second samples taken 1-2months after onset of disease($51.5{\pm}15.2mg/dl$ and $175.4{\pm}29.0mg/dl$). Change of triglycerides was not significant. There was no correlation between the serum cholesterol cencentration and coronary aneurysm and continued long term surveillance of much population is necessary to monitor lipid level and their relation to development of premature coronary atherosclerosis.

• Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.1-17
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• 2023

The Coronary Artery Calcium Data and Reporting System (CAC-DRS) is a standardized reporting method for calcium scoring on computed tomography. CAC-DRS is applied on a per-patient basis and represents the total calcium score with the number of vessels involved. There are 4 risk categories ranging from CAC-DRS 0 to CAC-DRS 3. CAC-DRS also provides risk prediction and treatment recommendations for each category. The main strengths of CAC-DRS include a detailed and meaningful representation of CAC, improved communication between physicians, risk stratification, appropriate treatment recommendations, and uniform data collection, which provides a framework for education and research. The major limitations of CAC-DRS include a few missing components, an overly simple visual approach without any standard reference, and treatment recommendations lacking a basis in clinical trials. This consistent yet straightforward method has the potential to systemize CAC scoring in both gated and non-gated scans.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.373-383
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• 2021

Atherosclerosis is the deposition of plaque in the main arteries. It is an inflammatory condition involving the accumulation of macrophages and various lipids (low-density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol, ceramide, S1P). Moreover, endothelial cells, macrophages, leukocytes, and smooth muscle cells are the major players in the atherogenic process. Sphingolipids are now emerging as important regulators in various pathophysiological processes, including the atherogenic process. Various sphingolipids exist, such as the ceramides, ceramide-1-phosphate, sphingosine, sphinganine, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), sphingomyelin, and hundreds of glycosphingolipids. Among these, ceramides, glycosphingolipids, and S1P play important roles in the atherogenic processes. The atherosclerotic plaque consists of higher amounts of ceramide, glycosphingolipids, and sphingomyelin. The inhibition of the de novo ceramide biosynthesis reduces the development of atherosclerosis. S1P regulates atherogenesis via binding to the S1P receptor (S1PR). Among the five S1PRs (S1PR1-5), S1PR1 and S1PR3 mainly exert anti-atherosclerotic properties. This review mainly focuses on the effects of ceramide and S1P via the S1PR in the development of atherosclerosis. Moreover, it discusses the recent findings and potential therapeutic implications in atherosclerosis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제12권3호
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• pp.297-305
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• 1979

Occlusive coronary artery disease presents a potential threat to a significant population in the United States. According to many case reports, the increasing incidence of coronary artery disease due to atherosclerosis is noted in Korean, recently. Operative vascular procedures have increased steadily in number over the past 20 years in the United States. There have been many isolated case reports about coronary artery surgery, but these had little clinical impact. Nowadays, major three coronary bypass surgery has developed principally at three cardiac centers in the United States since 1967. Among three coronary bypass operation, the aorta-coronary artery saphenous vein bypass graft was first demonstrated by Favolaro and Effler at the Cleveland Clinic in 1967. We experienced one case of coronary artery disease, which was treated successfully by aorta-coronary saphenous vein graft with mild hypothermia under extracorporeal circulation in May, 1977. Saphenous vein was removed from above the knee and was 2.5 mm in diameter. The left ventricle was not vented for the left ventricle was not overdistended. Temporary artificial pace-maker-Medtronic-was implanted for the prevention and treatment of post-operative arrhythmia and heart block in post-operative first day. He is a 57 year old male businessman who had been suffered from hypertension [200 mmHg in systolic pressure] since 4 years ago, who had intermittent conservative treatment at local clinic. He had been afflicted with severe chest pain with choking sensation for 50 days. This symptom was aggravated exposing cold weather, or cold water, but was respond to rest. Pre-operative ECG revealed no any other ischemic sign except sinus bradycardia. Significant S-T segment depression was noted at lead II, AVF after double 5 minutes exercise, indicating positive Master`s test. Serum cholesterol was slight elevated to 253 mg/dl. Final pre-operative diagnosis was made by coronary arteriogram, which showed about 1.0-cm segmental 90 % occlusive atherosclerotic lesion in the proximal part of right coronary artery above the origin of acute marginal artery. Left coronary artery revealed good patency and there was no collateral circulation between right and left coronary artery .Hospital course was not eventful. He was discharged with good result on the post-operative day. He has been free from chest pain for longer than 2 years. And also the arterial flow in the coronary bypass graft is auscultated with the pocket-sized ultrasonic velocity detector, which shows the patency of the coronary bypass graft good.

• International Journal of Vascular Biomedical Engineering
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.1-5
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• 2005

Background: Coronary atherosclerosis artery disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) which utilizes the saphenous vein graft, has helped in alleviating the suffering of these patients. Newer techniques are being developed to improve upon the techniques. Still there is significant number of failures, leading to re-grafting or re-vascularization. Some studies have helped in identifying the high and low shear stress regions. Further studies based on their realistic models are required. Material, methods and results: we developed the realistic model of fully blocked right coronary with bypass graft placed at angle of $5^0$ with curvature similar to that of artery. Pulsatile flow of birefringent solution through this model by polarized light was visualized. The images of complete flow field in the model were recorded and analyzed. Regions of high flow disturbances which are prone to further changes are identified. Existence of recirculation in the blocked coronary may initiate new blood-tissue interactions deleterious to bypass graft. Conclusion: Our study shows that by selecting the procedure to place bypass graft at minimum angle with curvature similar to that of artery and smooth sutures may improve the life span of the graft. This study also identified that coronary blocked regions contributing by recirculation flow at the proximal and distal regions of bypass which may require further studies.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권7호
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• pp.3661-3661
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• 2016

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.134-137
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• 2008

Atherosclerosis is characterized by a chronic inflammatory disease, and chemokines play an important role in both initiation and progression of atherosclerosis development. Leukotactin-1 (Lkn-1/CCLl5), a new member of the human CC chemokine family, is a potent chemoattractant for leukocytes. Our previous study has demonstrated that Lkn-1/CCL15 plays a role in the initiation of atherosclerosis, however, little is currently known whether Lkn-1/CCL15 is associated with the progression of atherosclerosis. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in human coronary atherosclerotic lesions playa crucial role in the progression of atherosclerosis by altering the vulnerability of plaque rupture. In the present study, we examined whether Lkn-1/CCLl5 modulates MMP-9 release, which is a prevalent form expressed by activated macrophages and foam cells. Human THP-1 monocytic cells and/or human peripheral blood monocytes (PBMC) were treated with phorbol myristate acetate to induce their differentiation into macrophages. Foam cells were prepared by the treatment of THP-1 macrophages with human oxidized LDL. The macrophages and foam cells were treated with Lkn-1/CCL15, and the levels of MMP-9 release were measured by Gelatin Zymography. Lkn-1/CCL15 significantly enhanced the levels of MMP-9 protein secretion from THP-1 monocytic cells-derived macrophages, human PBMC-derived macrophages, as well as macrophage-derived foam cell in a dose dependent manner. Our data suggest that the action of Lkn-1/CCL15 on macrophages and foam cells to release MMP-9 may contribute to plaque destabilization in the progression of atherosclerosis.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제9권3호
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• pp.123-131
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• 2003

Inflammation appears to have a major role in the development of atherosclerosis. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is involved in the inflammatory response via the generation of prostanoids that, in turn, are involved in the production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). This study hypothesized that a vascular infection with cytomegalovirus (CMV) may induce a chronic inflammatory reaction and activated inflammatory cells may express inflammatory mediators such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9). To confirm the hypothesis, the immunohistochemical stains for CMV late antigen, COX-2, MMP-9, macrophage, and T-lymphocyte were performed on CMV-infected atherosclerotic lesions. The immunoreactivity for COX-2 and MMP-9 was evident in all cases of atherosclerosis along with plaques, mainly in macrophages/foamy cells, intimal and medial smooth muscle cells, and endothelial cells of the intima. Within the intima, the increased immunoreactivity for COX-2 and MMP-9 was colocalized to the area stained with CMV late antigen. Sections from control specimens showed no immunoreactivity for CMV late antigen, COX-2 and MMP-9. These data seem to support the hypothesis that CMV may participate in a pathogenetic mechanism for atherogenesis or progression of atherosclerosis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제44권6호
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• pp.423-426
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• 2011

We report on two women who underwent myocardial revascularization associated with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) with different pathogenic patterns. The first woman presented with acute myocardial infarction, and preoperative angiograms demonstrated rapidly progressing coronary lesions, presumptive unstable plaque, and dissection. Operative findings, however, showed fresh thrombi in the coronary arteries, and she was diagnosed postoperatively as having APS. Her one-year angiogram demonstrated improved coronary lesions and a competitive flow pattern in the grafts. The second woman presented with unstable angina and had been treated for systemic lupus erythematosus and secondary APS for more than 14 years. She underwent myocardial revascularization due to accelerated coronary atherosclerosis. Her one-year angiogram demonstrated patent grafts.