PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to review the daily practice of inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) in a tertiary referral center in Korea and to reveal the retrieval rate and the methods for improving it. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Through the electronic medical record system, a retrospective review was performed on 115 consecutive patients who underwent placement of retrievable IVCFs between February 2000 and January 2011 in Seoul National University Hospital. RESULTS: IVCF placement was done in 115 cases (113 patients). There were 68 men (59.1%), and the mean age was 58.5+/-15.5 years (range, 10-96 years). The affiliated departments were Vascular Surgery (57 cases, 49.6%), and Internal Medicine (20 cases, 17.4%). Advanced malignancy was the most commonly associated disease (n=30, 26%). The indications for IVCF placement were categorized; absolute indications in 36 cases (31.3%), relative indications in 78 cases (67.8%), and prophylactic use in 1 case (0.9%). The most common indications were thrombolysis/thrombectomy for iliocaval deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (n=55, 47.8). Of the 115 filters, 68 were retrieved (retrieval rate, 59%). The most common cause of non-retrieval was chronic high risk of venous thromboembolism in 24 patients (51%), followed by residual proximal DVT (n=7, 15%), and negligence by unknown reasons (n=6, 13%). CONCLUSION: To improve the retrieval rate, the number of follow-up losses to vascular specialists must be decreased, which can be achieved by establishment of a dedicated IVC filter clinic, implementation of a filter registry, and regular education for medical teams and patients along with their families.
Education ; Electronic Health Records ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Internal Medicine ; Korea ; Male ; Malpractice ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul ; Specialization ; Tertiary Care Centers* ; Vena Cava Filters* ; Venous Thromboembolism ; Venous Thrombosis

Retinyl palmitate (RP)-loaded pectinate micro- and nano-particles (PMP and PNP) were designed for stabilization of RP that is widely used as an anti-wrinkle agent in anti-aging cosmeceuticals. PMP/PNP were prepared with an ionotropic gelation method, and anti-oxidative activity of the particles was measured with a DPPH assay. The stability of RP in the particles along with pectin gel and ethanolic solution was then evaluated. In vitro release and skin permeation studies were performed using Franz diffusion cells. Distribution of RP in each skin tissue (stratum corneum, epidermis, and dermis) was also determined. PMP and PNP could be prepared with mean particle size diameters of 593~843 mum (PMP) and 530 nm (i.e., 0.53 mum, PNP). Anti-oxidative activity of PNP was greater than PMP due largely to larger surface area available for PNP. The stability of RP in PMP and PNP was similar but much greater than RP in pectin bulk gels and ethanolic solution. PMP and PNP showed the abilities to constantly release RP and it could be permeated across the model artificial membrane and rat whole skin. RP was serially deposited throughout the skin layers. This study implies RP loaded PMP and PNP are expected to be advantageous for improved anti-wrinkle effects.
Animals ; Diffusion ; Epidermis ; Ethanol ; Gels ; Membranes, Artificial ; Nanoparticles ; Particle Size ; Rats ; Skin*

DWP208 is a sodium succinate form of ZYM-201 which is a triterpenoid glycoside isolated from Sanguisorba officinalis, a medicinal plant prescribed for various diseases, such as duodenal ulcers and bleeding in East Asian counties. We demonstrated that this compound is able to normalize the altered lipid metabolism induced by hyperglycemia and a high fat diet. In this study, we determined whether hyperlipidemic conditions induced with chronically treated alcohol can also be restored by DWP208. Similar to our previous results, orally administered DWP208 (1 to 10 mg/kg) also ameliorated the hyperlipidemia that was induced by alcohol. This compound reversed the alcohol-induced hyperlipidemia including (i) up-regulated hyperlipidemic parameters such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), atherosclerotic index (AI), triglyceride, and total cholesterol, and (ii) down-regulated hyperlipidemic parameters such as absolute body weight, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in serum and liver. According to our data, the ameliorative activity of DWP208 is due to its indirect anti-oxidative activity as a result of which lipid peroxide and hydroxyl radical levels were reduced and the activity of SOD was enhanced. Therefore, our data strongly suggest that DWP208 can be used as a remedy against alcohol-induced hyperlipidemia.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Body Weight ; Cholesterol ; Diet, High-Fat ; Duodenal Ulcer ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hydroxyl Radical ; Hyperglycemia ; Hyperlipidemias* ; Lipid Metabolism ; Lipoproteins ; Liver ; Plants, Medicinal ; Sanguisorba ; Sodium* ; Succinic Acid* ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Triglycerides

We investigated the combined moisturizing effect of liposomal serine and a cosmeceutical base selected in this study. Serine is a major amino acid consisting of natural moisturizing factors and keratin, and the hydroxyl group of serine can actively interact with water molecules. Therefore, we hypothesized that serine efficiently delivered to the stratum corneum (SC) of the skin would enhance the moisturizing capability of the skin. We prepared four different cosmeceutical bases (hydrogel, oil-in-water (O/W) essence, O/W cream, and water-in-oil (W/O) cream); their moisturizing abilities were then assessed using a Corneometer(R). The hydrogel was selected as the optimum base for skin moisturization based on the area under the moisture content change-time curves (AUMCC) values used as a parameter for the water hold capacity of the skin. Liposomal serine prepared by a reverse-phase evaporation method was then incorporated in the hydrogel. The liposomal serine-incorporated hydrogel (serine level=1%) showed an approximately 1.62~1.77 times greater moisturizing effect on the skin than those of hydrogel, hydrogel with serine (1%), and hydrogel with blank liposome. However, the AUMCC values were not dependent on the level of serine in liposomal serine-loaded hydrogels. Together, the delivery of serine to the SC of the skin is a promising strategy for moisturizing the skin. This study is expected to be an important step in developing highly effective moisturizing cosmeceutical products.
Hyaluronic Acid* ; Hydrogel* ; Hydrogels* ; Liposomes ; Serine* ; Skin* ; Water