Soyoung Kim

Contrast echocardiography to assess left ventricular volume and function in Beagle dogs: comparison with 3-Tesla dual source parallel cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

This study was performed to evaluate the effect and feasibility of contrast echocardiography (CE) compared with unenhanced echocardiography (UE) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) to assess left ventricular (LV) volume and function, including end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), stroke volume (SV), and ejection fraction (EF) in six healthy Beagles. When the dogs were conscious, LV measurements using CE were significantly higher than those obtained using UE, except for EF, and were similar to the values obtained using CMRI. Additionally, EDV, SV, and EF obtained using UE from anesthetized dogs were significantly lower than those obtained using CE or CMRI. Measurements of EDV, SV and EF using CE were not significantly different from the corresponding measurements obtained using CMRI (31.13±2.18 vs. 32.88±1.17 mL, 18.41±1.25 vs. 17.92±0.96 mL, 59.29±2.29% vs. 53.33±1.69%, respectively). Inter-observer agreements for UE (0.74±0.05) were lower than those for CE (0.80±0.04) and CMRI (0.92±0.03). In conclusion, LV function was assessed reproducibly using CE, and the measurements obtained were consistent with reference standard measurements obtained using CMRI. Measurements made using CE agreed more closely with CMRI than those made using UE.

Comparative studies of bioactive organosulphur compounds and antioxidant activities in garlic (Allium sativum L.), elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasum L.) and onion (Allium cepa L.)

Abstract We evaluated organosulphur compounds in Allium vegetables, including garlic, elephant garlic and onion, using high-performance liquid chromatography. Among organosulphur compounds, elephant garlic had considerable γ-glutamyl peptides, and garlic had the highest alliin content. Onion had low level of organosulphur compounds than did elephant garlic and garlic. In addition, antioxidant capacities were evaluated by oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assay. The results showed that garlic had the highest antioxidant capacity, followed by elephant garlic and onion. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between antioxidant activities and organosulphur compounds (R > 0.77). Therefore, our results indicate that there was a close relationship between antioxidant capacity and organosulphur compounds in Allium vegetables.

Pulsed-Wave Doppler Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Hepatic Vein in Dogs with Tricuspid Regurgitation

This study was performed to identify the relationships between hepatic vein (HV) measurements, including flow velocity and waveform, using pulsed-wave (PW) Doppler ultrasonography, and the severity of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in dogs. The study included 22 dogs with TR and 7 healthy dogs. The TR group was subdivided into 3 groups according to TR jet profile obtained by echocardiography. The hepatic venous waveform was obtained and classified into 3 types. A variety of HV measurements, including the maximal velocities of the atrial systolic, systolic (S), end ventricular systolic, and diastolic (D) waves and the ratio of the S- and D- wave velocities (S/D ratio), were acquired. TR severity was significantly correlated with the S- (r = −0.380, p = 0.042) and D- (r = 0.468, p = 0.011) wave velocities and the S/D ratio (r = −0.747, p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed the highest sensitivity and specificity for the S/D ratio (89% and 75%, respectively) at a threshold of 0.97 with excellent accuracy (AUC = 0.911, p < 0.001). In conclusion, PW Doppler ultrasonography of the HV can be used to identify the presence of significant TR and to classify TR severity in dogs.

Mathematical model of transmission dynamics and optimal control strategies for 2009 A/H1N1 influenza in the Republic of Korea

A mathematical model for the transmission dynamics of the 2009 A/H1N1 influenza epidemic in the Republic of Korea is developed. The simulation period is separated into three consecutive periods based on the governments intervention strategies: the nonpharmaceutical strategy is used during Period 1. The nonpharmaceutical and antiviral strategies are executed during Period 2 and the vaccine strategy is added during Period 3. During Period 1, we estimate the reduction in the transmission rate due to the governments intervention policies as a difference between the data-fitted and uncontrolled transmission rate that is derived from the basic reproductive number, R0, of the model without intervention. This quantified reduced transmission rate is used as an upperbound of the nonpharmaceutical control for studying optimal control strategies, which is a new approach for determining the realistic upperbound of control. In this study, we also explore the real-time prediction of incidence using the mathematical model during the early stage of the epidemic. We investigate the impact of vaccination coverage and timing with respect to the cumulative incidence. The result implies that early vaccination plays a significant role for preventing the epidemic.

Mathematical model and intervention strategies for mitigating tuberculosis in the Philippines

Tuberculosis (TB) is the sixth leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the Philippines. Although significant progress has been made in the detection and cure of TB under the Directly Observed Treatment Short Course, battling against the disease is still a burdensome task. It demands a concerted effort for specific and effective interventions. In this work, a mathematical TB model fitted to the Philippine data is developed to understand its transmission dynamics. Different control strategies such as distancing, latent case finding, case holding, active case finding controls, and combinations thereof are investigated within the framework of optimal control theory. This study proposes optimal control strategies for reducing the number of high-risk latent and infectious TB patients with minimum intervention implementation costs. Results suggest that distancing control is the most efficient control strategy when a single intervention is utilized. However, full scale employment of the distancing control measure is a daunting task. This burden can be circumvented by the combination of other control interventions. Our noble finding in this study is that enhancing active case finding control instead of case holding control together with distancing and latent case finding control is shown to have significant potential for curtailing the spread of TB in the Philippines.

Multimodality imaging characteristics of tension pyopneumothorax secondary to pulmonary carcinoma in a cat

A 3-year-old Himalayan cat was presented with respiratory distress. Radiography showed multiple gas opacity foci, with the locations dependent on patient positioning, and severe pleural effusion with a contralateral mediastinal shift. A large volume of fluid and air was aspirated, and the fluid components were consistent with a nonseptic exudate. A pulmonary mass, pleural nodules, and an air-fluid interface with air bubbles trapped in fibrous septations were identified using thoracic ultrasonography and CT. The cat died 2 days after imaging studies. Necropsy revealed tension pyopneumothorax caused by pulmonary carcinoma and multiple pleural metastases.

Echocardiographic assessment of coronary artery flow in normal canines and model dogs with myocardial infarction.

This study was conducted to evaluate the usefulness of coronary arterial profiles from normal dogs (11 animals) and canines (six dogs) with experimental myocardial infarction (MI) induced by ligation of the left coronary artery (LCA). Blood velocity of the LCA and right coronary artery (RCA) were evaluated following transthoracic pulsed-wave Doppler echocardiography. The LCA was observed as an infundibular shape, located adjacent to the sinus of Valsalva. The RCA appeared as a tubular structure located 12 oclock relative to the aorta. In normal dogs, the LCA and RCA mean peak diastolic velocities were 20.84 ± 3.24 and 19.47 ± 2.67 cm/sec, respectively. The LCA and RCA mean diastolic deceleration times were 0.91 ± 0.14 sec and 1.13 ± 0.20 sec, respectively. In dogs with MI, the LCA had significantly (p < 0.01) lower peak velocities (14.82 ± 1.61 cm/sec) than the RCA (31.61 ± 2.34 cm/sec). The RCA had a significantly (p < 0.01) rapid diastolic deceleration time (0.71 ± 0.06 sec) than that found in the LCA (1.02 ± 0.22 sec) of MI dogs. In conclusion, these profiles may serve as a differential factor for evaluating cardiomyopathy in dogs.

Anti-inflammatory activity of the active components from the roots of Cosmos bipinnatus in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages.

We isolated a sesquiterpene lactone from the methanol extract of the roots of Cosmos bipinnatus, namely, MDI (a mixture of dihydrocallitrisin and isohelenin). The anti-inflammatory activity of MDI was evaluated using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. MDI significantly inhibited the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2. Consistent with these results, the production of NO and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was suggested to be suppressed by MDI in a concentration-dependent manner (IC50 value was 0.94 and 2.88u2009µgu2009mL−1 for NO and PGE2, respectively). In addition, MDI significantly inhibited the expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ and TNF-α. Furthermore, MDI attenuated DNA-binding activity of NF-κB by inhibiting the phosphorylation of IκB. These results indicate that MDI isolated from the roots of C. bipinnatus shows anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-stimulated murine macrophages by modulating the NF-κB pathway.