• Proceedings of the Korea Information Processing Society Conference
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• 2011.04a
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• pp.89-91
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• 2011

Diabetes is a chronic disease which may lead to other life threatening health complications like heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease that diminished quality of life. In order to assists diabetic patients, we develop a smartphone application to monitor the regular medicine intake and exercise routines through repetitive user friendly and motivational reminders. Health-practitioners including doctors and nurses can frequently view and analyze the daily routine of patients through a web-interface. This paper presents architecture to improve the quality of life with android smart phone as user terminal, and integration of webbased application through web services for health care professionals. We also explain how each of the application interacts with each other and internal integration.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.7-19
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• 2000

Background :To assess the accuracy of Electron-Beam Tomography(EBT) in following evaluation of the pulmonary vascular system after a shunt operation in the cyanotic con-genital heart disease with pulmonary stenosis or pulmonary atresia. Material and Method : Sixteen patients(M:F=11:5) who received Blalock-Taussig(n=8) bidirectional cavo-pulmonary shunt(n=10) and unifocalization (n=2) were ncluded in the study. We evaluated the patency of the shunt the morphology of intrapericardial and hilar pulmonary arteries(PA) peripheral pulmonary vascularity by background lung attenuation and the abundance of arterial & venous collateral. Angiography(n=12) and echocardiography(n=20) were used as the gold standard for the comparison of EBT results. Result: EBT was consistent with angiogram/ echo in 100% of the evaluation for the patency of the shunt and in 12(by angiogram 100%) and 19(by echo 95%) for the detection the hypoplasia stenosis or interruption of central PA In measuring of PA EBT and angiogram corrlated(r=0.91) better than EBT-echo(r=0.88) or echo-angiogram(r=0.72) Abundant systemic arterial collateral were noted in 4 and venous collateral in 3 cases. In evaluating the peripheral pulmonary vascularity the homogenous and normal-ranged lung attenuation(m=6) decreased but homo-genous attenuation(n=1) segment-by-sgment heterogeneous attenuation(n=3) homogenous but asymmetrical attenuation(n=3) segment-by-segment heterogeneous attenuation(n=3) homogenous but asymmetrical attenuation(n=3) and venous congestion(n=2) were observed nd 12 of them were compatible with the blood flow pattern revealed by cardiac catheterization. Conclusion: EBT was accurate in the integrated evaluation of the pulmonary vascular system after the shunt including the patency of the shunt operaion the morphology and dimension of the central and hilar PAs and the loco-regional pulmonary flow in the lung parenchyma. It suggests the useful information about the need of secondary shunt operation the proper timing time for total repair and the need of interventional procedure prior to total repair.

• Vascular Specialist International
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.109-116
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• 2018

Purpose: Diabetic foot wound (DFW) is known as a major contributor of nontraumatic lower extremity amputation. We aimed to evaluate overall amputation rates and risk factors for amputation in patients with DFW. Materials and Methods: From January 2014 to December 2017, 141 patients with DFW were enrolled. We determined rates and risk factors of major amputation in DFW and in DFW with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD). In addition, we investigated rates and predictors for amputation in diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). Results: The overall rate of major amputation was 26.2% in patients with DFW. Among 141 DFWs, 76 patients (53.9%) had PAOD and 29 patients (38.2%) of 76 DFWs with PAOD underwent major amputation. Wound state according to Wagner classification, congestive heart failure, leukocytosis, dementia, and PAOD were the significant risk factors for major amputation. In DFW with PAOD, Wagner classification grades and leukocytosis were the predictors for major amputation. In addition, amputation was performed for 28 patients (38.4%) while major amputation was performed for 5 patients (6.8%) of 73 DFUs. Only the presence of osteomyelitis (OM) showed significant difference for amputation in DFU. Conclusion: This study represented that approximately a quarter of DFWs underwent major amputation. Moreover, over half of DFW patients had PAOD and about 38.2% of them underwent major amputation. Wound state and PAOD was major predictors for major amputation in DFW. Systemic factors, such as CHF, leukocytosis, and dementia were identified as risk factors for major amputation. In terms of DFU, 38.4% underwent amputation and the presence of OM was a determinant for amputation.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.280-293
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the risk factors for diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) to develop and evaluate the performance of a DFU prediction model and nomogram among people with diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods: This unmatched case-control study was conducted with 379 adult patients (118 patients with DM and 261 controls) from four general hospitals in South Korea. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire, foot examination, and review of patients' electronic health records. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to build the DFU prediction model and nomogram. Further, their performance was analyzed using the Lemeshow-Hosmer test, concordance statistic (C-statistic), and sensitivity/specificity analyses in training and test samples. Results: The prediction model was based on risk factors including previous foot ulcer or amputation, peripheral vascular disease, peripheral neuropathy, current smoking, and chronic kidney disease. The calibration of the DFU nomogram was appropriate (χ² = 5.85, p = .321). The C-statistic of the DFU nomogram was .95 (95% confidence interval .93~.97) for both the training and test samples. For clinical usefulness, the sensitivity and specificity obtained were 88.5% and 85.7%, respectively at 110 points in the training sample. The performance of the nomogram was better in male patients or those having DM for more than 10 years. Conclusion: The nomogram of the DFU prediction model shows good performance, and is thereby recommended for monitoring the risk of DFU and preventing the occurrence of DFU in people with DM.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.311-317
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• 2009

Ginkgo biloba (G. biloba) extract is a widely used phytomedicine for the oral treatment of peripheral vascular disease. Cilostazol is a synthetic antiplatelet and vasodilating agent for the treatment of intermittent claudication resulting from peripheral arterial disease. It is likely to use concomitantly G. biloba extract and cilostazol for the treatment of peripheral arterial disease, which raises a concern of increasing their adverse effects of herbal-drug interactions. To clarify any possible herbal-drug interaction between G. biloba extract and cilostazol, the effect of the G. biloba extract on the pharmacokinetics of cilostazol was investigated. As cilostazol is known to be eliminated mainly by cytochrome P450 (CYP)-mediated metabolism, we investigated the effects of G. biloba extract on the human CYP enzyme activities and the effect of G. biloba extract on the pharmacokinetics of cilostazol after co-administration of the two agents to male beagle dogs. The G. biloba extract inhibited more or less CYP2C8, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19 enzyme activities in the in vitro microsomal study with $IC_{50}$ values of 30.8, 60.5, and $25.2{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. In the pharmacokinetic study, co-administration with the G. biloba extract had no significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of cilostazol in dogs, although CYP2C has been reported to be responsible for the metabolism of cilostazol. In conclusion, these results suggest that there may not be a pharmacokinetic interaction between G. biloba extract and cilostazol.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.227-231
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• 2012

Background : The ankle brachial pressure index (ABI) is a simple, useful method for diagnosing peripheral artery disease (PAD). Although the ABI is an objective diagnostic method, it has limited reliability in certain scenarios. The aim of the present study was to determine the accuracy and reliability of the toe brachial index (TBI) as a diagnostic tool for detecting stenosis in PAD, associated with normal or low ABI values. Methods : ABI and TBI values were measured in 15 patients with diabetic gangrene who were suspected of having lower extremity arterial insufficiency. The ABI and TBI values were measured using a device that allowed the simultaneous measurement of systolic blood pressure in the upper and lower extremities. In addition, the ABI and TBI values were compared pre- and post-angiography. Results : Patients with an ABI of 0.9-1.3 showed almost no difference between the 2 measurements. The patients with TBI >0.6 had no arterial insufficiency. The patients with TBI <0.6 required vascular intervention with ballooning. After the angiography, the gangrenous wounds decreased in size more rapidly than they did prior to the intervention. Conclusions : Our findings suggest that TBI is the method of choice for evaluating lower limb perfusion disorders. This result requires further studies of TBI in a larger number of patients. Future long-term studies should therefore evaluate the utility of TBI as a means of screening for PAD and the present findings should be regarded as preliminary outcomes.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.212-218
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• 2010

Korean red ginseng (KRG) has been shown to enhance endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in experimental animals; however, little is known about its pharmacological effects on vascular stiffness in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial was carried out to determine whether KRG has beneficial effects on arterial stiffness, cardiovascular risk factors such as plasma lipid profiles and blood pressure (BP), and Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) activity. Twenty patients (mean age, 62.5 years) with stable angina pectoris were given KRG (2.7 g/day) and a placebo alternatively for 10 weeks. Blood biochemical analysis and pulse wave velocity (PWV) recording were performed on day 0 and after the completion of each treatment. ROCK activity was assessed based on the level of phospho-$Thr^{853}$ in the myosin-binding subunit of myosin light chain phosphatase, determined by Western blot analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. KRG significantly decreased the systolic BP, brachial ankle PWV, and heart femoral PWV in the patients (all p<0.05), but did not significantly alter the serum lipid profiles, including triglycerides and total, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The ROCK activity tended to decrease (p=0.068) following KRG treatment. The placebo did not significantly alter any of the variables. In conclusion, KRG decreased systolic BP and arterial stiffness, probably via the inhibition of ROCK activity, in patients with CAD, but had a neutral effect on serum lipid profiles. Our data suggest that KRG has a therapeutic effect on CAD.

• BMB Reports
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• v.46 no.7
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• pp.352-357
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• 2013

Atherosclerosis, which manifests as acute coronary syndrome, stroke, and peripheral arterial diseases, is a chronic inflammatory disease of the arterial wall. Prunella vulgaris, a perennial herb with a worldwide distribution, has been used as a traditional medicine in inflammatory disease. Here, we investigated the effects of P. vulgaris ethanol extract on TNF-${\alpha}$-induced inflammatory responses in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs). We found that P. vulgaris ethanol extract inhibited adhesion of monocyte/macrophage-like THP-1 cells to activated HASMCs. It also decreased expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, E-selectin and ROS, No production in TNF-${\alpha}$-induced HASMCs and reduced NF-${\kappa}B$ activation. Furthermore, P. vulgaris extract suppressed TNF-${\alpha}$-induced phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). These results demonstrate that P. vulgaris possesses anti-inflammatory properties and can regulate TNF-${\alpha}$-induced expression of adhesion molecules by inhibiting the p38 MAPK/ERK signaling pathway.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-4
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• 2007

Vertigo is an illusion of rotation, which results from an imbalance within the vestibular system. This review focuses on two common presentations of spontaneous vertigo: acute prolonged spontaneous vertigo and recurrent spontaneous vertigo. Common causes of acute prolonged spontaneous vertigo include vestibular neuritis, labyrinthitis, and brainstem or cerebellar stroke. The history and detailed neurological/neurotological examinations usually provide the key information for distinguishing between peripheral and central causes of vertigo. Brain MRI is indicated in any patient with acute vertigo accompanied by abnormal neurological signs, profound imbalance, severe headache, and central patterns of nystagmus. Recurrent spontaneous vertigo occurs when there is a sudden, temporary, and largely reversible impairment of resting neural activity of one labyrinth or its central connections, with subsequent recovery to normal or near-normal function. Meniere's disease, migrainous vertigo, and vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI) are common causes. The duration of the vertigo attack is a key piece of information in recurrent spontaneous vertigo. Vertigo of vascular origin, such as VBI, typically lasts for several minutes, whereas recurrent vertigo due to peripheral inner-ear abnormalities lasts for hours. Screening neurotological evaluations, and blood tests for autoimmune and otosyphilis are useful in assessment of recurrent spontaneous vertigo that are likely to be peripheral in origin.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.86-90
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• 2003

Alagille syndrome is a autosomal dominant disorder characterized by intrahepatic bile duct paucity and resultant chronic cholestasis in combination with cardiac(mainly peripheral pulmonary stenosis), skeletal, ocular, and facial abnormalities. In addition to the pulmonary stenosis, in large series, anecdotal reports of vascular lesions have concerned the renal artery, aorta, hepatic artery, carotid artery, celiac artery or subclavian artery. Theses diffuse vascular abnormalities, which appear to be a feature of Alagille syndrome, suggest Notch signaling pathway defects affect angiogenesis. The associations of Alagille syndrome with moyamoya disease, the chronic cerebrovascular occlusive disease, were reported and suggested as additional evidence of vasculopathy of Alagille syndrome. We report another 25 month-old Alagille syndrome girl who presented with acute left hemiparesis and was diagnosed with moyamoya disease through the cerebral angiographic study.