Cardiovascular System/pathology* ; Constriction, Pathologic/genetics* ; Point Mutation ; Neurofibromin 1/genetics* ; Animals ; Mice

Taurine is an abundant, β-amino acid with diverse cytoprotective activity. In some species, taurine is an essential nutrient but in man it is considered a semi-essential nutrient, although cells lacking taurine show major pathology. These findings have spurred interest in the potential use of taurine as a therapeutic agent. The discovery that taurine is an effective therapy against congestive heart failure led to the study of taurine as a therapeutic agent against other disease conditions. Today, taurine has been approved for the treatment of congestive heart failure in Japan and shows promise in the treatment of several other diseases. The present review summarizes studies supporting a role of taurine in the treatment of diseases of muscle, the central nervous system, and the cardiovascular system. In addition, taurine is extremely effective in the treatment of the mitochondrial disease, mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS), and offers a new approach for the treatment of metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, and inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis. The review also addresses the functions of taurine (regulation of antioxidation, energy metabolism, gene expression, ER stress, neuromodulation, quality control and calcium homeostasis) underlying these therapeutic actions.
Acidosis, Lactic ; Arthritis ; Brain Diseases ; Calcium ; Cardiovascular System ; Central Nervous System ; Cytoprotection ; Energy Metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Heart Failure ; Japan ; MELAS Syndrome ; Metabolic Diseases ; Mitochondrial Diseases ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Pathology ; Quality Control ; Taurine*

OBJECTIVES: Acceleration plethysmogram (APG) obtained from the second derivative of photoplethysmography (PPG) is used to predict risk factors for atherosclerosis with age. This technique is promising for early screening of atherosclerotic pathologies. However, extraction of the wave indices of APG signals measured from the fingertip is challenging. In this paper, the development of a wave detection algorithm including a preamplifier based on a microcontroller that can detect the a, b, c, and d wave indices is proposed. METHODS: The 4th order derivative of a PPG under real measurements of an APG waveform was introduced to clearly separate the components of the waveform, and to improve the rate of successful wave detection. A preamplifier with a Sallen-Key low pass filter and a wave detection algorithm with programmable gain control, mathematical differentials, and a digital IIR notch filter were designed. RESULTS: The frequency response of the digital IIR filter was evaluated, and a pulse train consisting of a specific area in which the wave indices existed was generated. The programmable gain control maintained a constant APG amplitude at the output for varying PPG amplitudes. For 164 subjects, the mean values and standard deviation of the a wave index corresponding to the magnitude of the APG signal were 1,106.45 and +/-47.75, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the proposed algorithm and preamplifier designed to extract the wave indices of an APG in real-time are useful for evaluating vascular aging in the cardiovascular system in a simple healthcare device.
Acceleration* ; Aging ; Atherosclerosis ; Cardiovascular System ; Delivery of Health Care ; Mass Screening ; Pathology ; Photoplethysmography ; Risk Factors ; Vascular Stiffness

Cardiovascular System ; pathology ; China ; Humans

OBJECTIVEThis review summarized the current advances in understanding the role of the novel gasotransmitter, sulfur dioxide (SO2), in the cardiovascular system.

DATA SOURCESArticles on the advances in the study of the role of endogenous sulfur dioxide in the cardiovascular system were accessed from PubMed and CNKI from 2003 to 2013, using keywords such as "endogenous sulfur dioxide" and "cardiovascular system".

STUDY SELECTIONArticles with regard to the role of SO2 in the regulation of cardiovascular system were selected.

RESULTSRecently, scientists discovered that an endogenous SO2 pathway is present in the cardiovascular system and exerts physiologically significant effects, such as regulation of the cardiac function and the pathogenesis of various cardiopulmonary diseases such as hypoxic pulmonary hypertension, hypertension, coronary atherosclerosis, and cardiac ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, in the cardiovascular system.

CONCLUSIONSEndogenous SO2 is a novel member of the gasotransmitter family in addition to the nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Studies indicated that it has a role in regulating the cardiovascular disease.

Animals ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cardiovascular System ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Sulfur Dioxide ; metabolism

Although metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality and the development of atherosclerosis, consensus is still lacking on the status of cardiovascular function and geometry in MetS patients. We investigated the relation between MetS and left ventricle (LV) geometry and function, carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and arterial stiffness in a community-based cohort of 702 adult subjects. Subjects were categorized into three groups according to the number of MetS components present, as defined by the Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines: 1) Absent (0 criteria), 2) Pre-MetS (1-2 criteria) or 3) MetS (> or =3 criteria). In female subjects, LV mass, LV mass/height(2.7), deceleration time, and aortic pulse wave velocity increased, and E/A ration decreased in a stepwise manner across the three groups. These changes were not observed in male subjects. The mean carotid IMT was higher in the MetS group than in the other two groups. The degree of MetS clustering is found to be strongly correlated with geometric eccentricity of LV hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction and arterial changes irrespective of age and blood pressure status, particularly in females. Waist circumference is found to have the most powerful effect on cardiovascular parameters.
Adult ; Aged ; Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology/*physiopathology ; Cardiovascular System/pathology/*physiopathology ; Carotid Arteries/anatomy & histology/physiology ; *Cohort Studies ; Female ; Heart Ventricles/anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome X/complications/*physiopathology ; Middle Aged ; *Rural Population ; Ventricular Function, Left/physiology

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes of vascular endothelial functions and general neuro-endocrine-immunity (NEI) network under the state of qi-deficiency syndrome induced by excessive idleness and to approach their internal relevance and illuminate initially the pathophysiological mechanism of vascular lesion induced by excessive idleness.

METHODSA total of 100 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the control group and the qi-deficiency syndrome model group, 50 rats in each group. The qi-deficiency syndrome model was established by feeding the animals with hyper-alimentation diet in combination with restricting movement for 10 weeks. Changes of common chemical signal molecules related to NEI and vascular endothelial functions were measured by the end of the experiment. Furthermore, their internal relevance was analyzed by the method of canonical correlation analysis.

RESULTSThe vascular endothelial structure and function were obviously injured in the model group. Compared with the control group, the chemical signal molecules, such as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), corticosterone (CORT), triiodothyronine (T3), tetraiodothyronine (T4), angiotensin II (Ang II), interleukin-1 (IL-1), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in peripheral blood of the model group (n=43) were changed significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Canonical correlation analysis showed that vascular endothelial dysfunction was correlated to the changes of these signal molecules in the NEI network.

CONCLUSIONSComfort-based lifestyle induced not only vascular endothelial dysfunction but also an imbalance of the NEI network. Vascular endothelial dysfunction and the imbalanced NEI network interacted with each other, and an imbalance of the NEI network may be the pathophysiologic basis for the genesis and development of vascular endothelial dysfunction, even diseases of the blood vessel.

Animals ; Aorta ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; ultrastructure ; Biomarkers ; analysis ; metabolism ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Endothelins ; metabolism ; Endothelium, Vascular ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Immune System ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiology ; Male ; Neuroimmunomodulation ; physiology ; Neurosecretory Systems ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiology ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Qi ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sedentary Lifestyle ; Syndrome ; Yin Deficiency ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology

Ginsenoside Rb1 is a representative component of panaxadiol saponins, which belongs to dammarane-type tritepenoid saponins and mainly exists in family araliaceae. It has been reported that ginsenoside Rb1 has diverse biological activities. In this paper, the research development in recent decade on its pharmacological effects of cardiovascular system, anti-senility, reversing multidrug resistance of tumor cells, adjuvant anti-cancer chemotherapy, promoting peripheral nerve regeneration, et al, are reviewed.
Aging ; drug effects ; Animals ; Cardiovascular System ; drug effects ; pathology ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; drug effects ; Ginsenosides ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Nerve Regeneration ; drug effects

To report a non-fatal case of reperfusion pulmonary edema (RPE) after the removal of a hepatocellular carcinoma embolus, which had caused an acute obstruction of the tricuspid valve and pulmonary vasculature during a hepatic lobectomy. Pulmonary embolism caused by hepatocellular carcinoma embolus is extremely rare, and, in the present case, it was associated with unusual clinical features. A 69-year-old ASA II woman with hepatocellular carcinoma was presented for an elective left hepatic lobectomy. During the surgery, the tumor embolus was dislodged from the interior of the lumen of the inferior vena cava (IVC), which then drifted into the tricuspid valve area and pulmonary vasculature. The patient showed the specific signs of acute pulmonary embolism, such as a reduction in end-tidal carbon dioxide, an increase in central venous pressure, and a decrease in arterial pressure. The patient exhibited the symptoms for about 10 minutes. After this period, however, cardiovascular variables became relatively stable, even during a mechanical obstruction due to cross-clamping the pulmonary artery for embolectomy. After several hours of pulmonary embolectomy, the patient experienced an episode of RPE. The ventilatory supports for the treatment of RPE were successful, and the patient recovered without any complications. The patient's case in the present study demonstrates that pulmonary embolism may occur as a result of a hepatocellular carcinoma extending into the IVC during operative management. The anesthesiologist should be careful of the possibilities of RPE after removal of the tumor embolus.
Vena Cava, Inferior ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Time Factors ; Reperfusion ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Pulmonary Embolism/diagnosis/radiography ; Pulmonary Edema ; Liver Neoplasms/*pathology ; Liver/pathology ; Humans ; Female ; Edema ; Cardiovascular System ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/*pathology ; Aged

This is the statistical analysis about the medicolegal autopsy cases performed by the Department of Forensic Medicine, Seoul National University Medical College during the last 5 years. 1. The total number of cases was 330, among which male took 256(77.5%) cases, female 74(22.5%) cases. The natural death took 134(40.6%) cases, unnatural death 177(53.6%) cases. For remaining 19(5.8%) cases the cause of death was known, although thorough analyses including microscopic examination, toxicology study were done. The thirties were most as 25.4% of the total cases, and the forties followed the second. 2. The number of autopsy showed severe variation annually or monthly in a year. 3. Among unnatural death, death by violent injury took 87(49.2%) cases, asphyxia 48(27.1%) cases, intoxication 17(9.6%) cases and death by thermal injuries or electric injuries 25(14.1%) cases. 4. Among natural death the abnormality in cardiovascular system were the most as 73(54.5%) cases, gastrointestinal system 38(28.4%) cases and central nervous system 12(8.9%) cases. 5. There were some differences between these and the data from other institute in the ratio of male to female, ratio of natural death to unnatural death and the ratio of specific cause of death among natural and unnatural death. 6. During this work, there were some difficulties in the aspect the irregularity of the work, in requesting toxicology and in the expense needed for the process. Considering the educational aspect for the students and the residents in pathology, performing medicolegal autopsy in medical college should be encouraged. The small number of autopsy and the closeness of the scene made the scene investigation possible in several cases, which is the ideal form that we must consider when we set up our system for the postmortem investigation.
Asphyxia ; Autopsy* ; Cardiovascular System ; Cause of Death ; Central Nervous System ; Electric Injuries ; Female ; Forensic Medicine ; Humans ; Male ; Pathology ; Seoul* ; Toxicology