Chonbuk National University

About: Chonbuk National University is a education organization based out in Jeonju, South Korea. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Apoptosis & Graphene. The organization has 14820 authors who have published 28884 publications receiving 554131 citations.

Endothelium-mediated control of vascular tone: COX-1 and COX-2 products

Abstract: Endothelium-dependent contractions contribute to endothelial dysfunction in various animal models of aging, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. In the spontaneously hypertensive rat, the archetypal model for endothelium-dependent contractions, the production of the endothelium-derived contractile factors (EDCF) involves an increase in endothelial intracellular calcium concentration, the production of reactive oxygen species, the predominant activation of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and to a lesser extent that of COX-2, the diffusion of EDCF towards the smooth muscle cells and the subsequent stimulation of their thromboxane A2-endoperoxide TP receptors. Endothelium-dependent contractions are also observed in various models of hypertension, aging and diabetes. They generally also involve the generation of COX-1- and/or COX-2-derived products and the activation of smooth muscle TP receptors. Depending on the model, thromboxane A2, PGH2, PGF2α, PGE2 and paradoxically PGI2 can all act as EDCFs. In human, the production of COX-derived EDCF is a characteristic of the aging and diseased blood vessels, with essential hypertension causing an earlier onset and an acceleration of this endothelial dysfunction. As it has been observed in animal models, COX-1, COX-2 or both isoforms can contribute to these endothelial dysfunctions. Since in most cases, the activation of TP receptors is the common downstream effector, selective antagonists of this receptor should curtail endothelial dysfunction and be of therapeutic interest in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed issue on Vascular Endothelium in Health and Disease. To view the other articles in this issue visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2011.164.issue-3

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for inoperable non-small cell lung cancer and metastases: preliminary report.

Abstract: PURPOSE: To assess technical feasibility, efficacy, and complications of percutaneous computed tomography (CT)-guided transthoracic radiofrequency (RF) ablation for treating inoperable non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and lung metastases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six patients with 27 NSCLCs and four patients with five lung metastases underwent RF ablation with cooled-tip electrodes with CT guidance. Patients were not candidates for surgery because of either advanced-stage disease (n = 20) and/or comorbid processes (n = 4) or refusal to undergo surgery (n = 6). The procedure was performed with the intent to cure in 10 (33%) patients with stage I tumors and as palliative therapy in 20 (67%) patients. Contrast material–enhanced CT was performed immediately, 1 month, and then every 3 months after RF ablation to evaluate the response to therapy. Time to death for each patient was calculated with Kaplan-Meier analysis, and the effect of tumor size and the extent of coagulation necrosis on time to death w...

Phenolic compound concentration and antioxidant activities of edible and medicinal mushrooms from Korea.

Abstract: A study was conducted to determine the content of phenolic compounds and the antioxidative activity of five edible and five medicinal mushrooms commonly cultivated in Korea. Phenolic compounds were analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography, and antioxidant activity was evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity and superoxide dismutase activity. A total of 28 phenolic compounds were detected in the mushrooms studied. The average total concentration of phenolic compounds was 326 μg/g, the average being of 174 μg/g in edible mushrooms and 477 μg/g in medicinal mushrooms. The average total flavonoids concentration was 49 μg/g, with averages of 22 and 76 μg/g in edible and medicinal mushrooms, respectively. The DPPH radical scavenging activities ranged between 15 (Pleurotus eryngii) and 70% (Ganoderma lucidum) when reaction time was for 1 min. When reaction time was 30 min, the values ranged between 5 (Pleurotus eryngii) and 78% (Agaricus bisporus). The SOD activity ave...