• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2017

Heartworm disease (HWD) in dogs is a life-threatening mosquito-borne disease resulting in right-sided congestive heart failure and inflammatory pulmonary disease. Due to complications from adulticidal therapy with melarsomine, slow kill protocol either with preventive dose of ivermectin or combined with doxycycline has been proposed for an alternative adultcidal therapy in dogs with HWD. Therefore, this study evaluated the clinical outcome of adultcidal therapy in dogs with class II stage of HWD after treating either American Heartworm Society (AHS) or slow kill protocol for 10 months. Clinical outcome after therapy was evaluated by clinical, radiographic and echocardiographic examination along with hematology before (D0) and after therapy (D300). Although clinical signs associated with HWD were all resolved after therapy in both groups, the infection was not cleared out 67% of dogs treated by slow kill protocol at the end of therapy. Furthermore, pulmonary arterial flow of acceleration time to ejection time ratio (AT/ET) and the right pulmonary artery distensibility index (RPADI) have been firstly used for detecting pulmonary hypertension in this study group. The pulmonary hypertension was more common in dogs with mild clinical signs, although tricuspid and pulmonary regurgitation were not detectable in most dogs in this study. Our study findings suggested that the slow kill protocol might not be efficacious enough to clear out HWD in dogs and more attention on the presence of pulmonary hypertension might be necessary for effective management of HWD in dogs.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.115-122
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• 1993

There is evidence that noradrenaline enhances spontaneous contractions dose-dependently in guinea-pig antral circular muscle. To investigate the mechanism of this excitatory action, slow waves and membrane currents were recorded using conventional microelectrode techniques in muscle strips and the whole cell patch clamp technique in isolated gastric myocytes. On recording slow waves, noradrenaline $(10^{-5}\;M)$ induced the hyperpolarization of the membrane potential, although the shape of the slow waves became tall and steep. Also, spike potentiaIs occurred at the peaks of slow waves. These changes were completely reversed by administration of phentolamine $(10^{-5}\;M),\;an\;{\alpha}-adrenoceptor$ blocker. Noradrenaline-induced hyperpolarization was blocked by apamin $(10^{-7}\;M)$, a blocker of a class of $Ca^{2+}\;-dependent\;K^+$ channels. To investigate the mechanisms for these effects, we performed whole cell patch clamp experiments. Norndrenaline increased voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}$ currents in the whole range of test potentials. Noradrenaline also increased $Ca^{2+}\;-dependent\;K^+$\;currents, and this effects was abolished by apamin. These results suggest that the increase in amplitude and the generation of spike potentials on slow waves was caused by the activation of voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channel via adrenoceptors, and hyperpolarization of the membrane potential was mediated by activation of apamin-sensitive $Ca^{2+}\;-dependent\;K^+\;channels$.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.533-542
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• 2015

Little human tissue data are available for slow waves and migrating motor complexes, which are the main components of small bowel motility. We investigated the electrophysiological and mechanical characteristics of human ileal motility, in vitro. Ileum was obtained from patients undergoing bowel resection. Electrophysiological microelectrode recordings for membrane potential changes and mechanical tension recordings for contraction from smooth muscle strips and ileal segments were performed. Drugs affecting the enteric nervous system were applied to measure the changes in activity. Slow waves were detected with a frequency of 9~10/min. There were no cross-sectional differences in resting membrane potential (RMP), amplitude or frequency between outer and inner circular muscle (CM), suggesting that electrical activities could be effectively transmitted from outer to inner CM. The presence of the interstitial cell of Cajal (ICC) at the linia septa was verified by immunohistochemistry. Contractions of strips and segments occurred at a frequency of 3~4/min and 1~2/min, respectively. The frequency, amplitude and area under the curve were similar between CM and LM. In segments, contractions of CM were associated with LM, but propagation varied with antegrade and retrograde directions. Atropine, $N^W$-oxide-L-arginine, and sodium nitroprusside exhibited different effects on RMP and contractions. There were no cross-sectional differences with regard to the characteristics of slow waves in CM. The frequency of contractions in smooth muscle strips and ileal segments was lower than slow waves. The directions of propagation were diverse, indicating both mixing and transport functions of the ileum.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.34-41
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• 2017

Objective: Two experiments were performed to evaluate the effects of coated slow-release urea on nutrient digestion, ruminal fermentation, nitrogen utilization, blood glucose and urea concentration (Exp 1), and average daily gain (ADG; Exp 2) of steers. Methods: Exp 1: Eight ruminally fistulated steers [$503{\pm}28.5kg$ body weight (BW)] were distributed into a d $4{\times}4$ Latin square design and assigned to treatments: control (CON), feed grade urea (U2), polymer-coated slow-release urea A (SRA2), and polymer-coated slow-release urea B (SRB2). Dietary urea sources were set at 20 g/kg DM. Exp 2: 84 steers ($350.5{\pm}26.5kg$ initial BW) were distributed to treatments: CON, FGU at 10 or 20 g/kg diet DM (U1 and U2, respectively), coated SRA2 at 10 or 20 g/kg diet DM (SRA1 and SRA2, respectively), and coated SRB at 10 or 20 g/kg diet DM (SRB1 and SRB2, respectively). Results: Exp 1: Urea treatments (U2+SRA2+SRB2) decreased (7.4%, p = 0.03) the DM intake and increased (11.4%, p<0.01) crude protein digestibility. Coated slow-release urea (SRA2+-SRB2) showed similar nutrient digestibility compwared to feed grade urea (FGU). However, steers fed SRB2 had higher (p = 0.02) DM digestibility compared to those fed SRA2. Urea sources did not affect ruminal fermentation when compared to CON. Although, coated slow-release urea showed lower (p = 0.01) concentration of $NH_3-N$ (-10.4%) and acetate to propionate ratio than U2. Coated slow-release urea showed lower (p = 0.02) urinary N and blood urea concentration compared to FGU. Exp 2: Urea sources decreased (p = 0.01) the ADG in relation to CON. Animals fed urea sources at 10 g/kg DM showed higher (12.33%, p = 0.01) ADG compared to those fed urea at 20 g/kg DM. Conclusion: Feeding urea decreased the nutrient intake without largely affected the nutrient digestibility. In addition, polymer-coated slow-release urea sources decreased ruminal ammonia concentration and increased ruminal propionate production. Urea at 20 g/kg DM, regardless of source, decreased ADG compared both to CON and diets with urea at 10 g/kg DM.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.102-104
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• 2007

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) is characterized by progressive cerebellar ataxia and slow saccades. A 40-year-old woman presented with progressive gait disturbance and ataxia over 15 years. Neurologic examination revealed scanning speech, ataxia, and hyporeflexia. Brain CT showed diffuse atrophy of the cerebellum. Electronystagmography demonstrated slowed saccades with normal accuracy and delayed latency. The diagnosis of SCA2 was confirmed by the genetic test. Documentation of slow saccades may help differentiation among SCA subgroups.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.55-64
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• 2023

Objectives This study was aimed to report improvement of Soeumin patient diagnosed with Alcoholic Polyneuropathy using Hyangbujapalmul-tang. Method The 41-year-old man had severe foot pain, sensory slow down and ataxic gait. The patient was diagnosed Soeumin and medicated with Hyangbujapalmul-tang three times a day. Clinical improvement was evaluated with blood test, ataxic gait evaluation, deep tendon reflex and visual analogue scale (VAS). Results The symptoms of foot pain, sensory slow down and ataxic gait were dramatically improved after treatment. Conclusions Constitutional treatment for foot pain, sensory slow down and ataxic gait diagnosed with Alcoholic Polyneuropathy are potentially effective.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.174-180
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• 2009

This study was carried out to establish an appropriate condition for the efficient cryopreservation of the mouse pronuclear embryo. In vitro cryopreservation of pronuclear embryos was carried out by slow freezing or vitrification methods and development rate of 2-cell, blastocyst and hatched blastocyst was measured as well as survival rate of the thawed pronuclear embryo. After slow freezing, vitrification and thawing of mouse pronuclear embryos, the survival rate and blastocyst development rate for the vitrification group was 97.3 and 53.4%, respectively, which was significantly higher as compared to the slow freezing group with 88.6 and 23.9%, respectively (p<0.05). Blastocyst developmental rate in each experimental group was significantly higher for 21 h in the post-hCG group at 40.5-57.0% than the 24 h post-hCG group at 40.5% (p<0.05). ICM (Inner cell mass) cell numbers of blastocyst-stage embryos during the different stages of mouse pronuclear embryos, slow freezing and vitrification period in the control and vitrification groups were 22.1${\pm}$2.7 and 17.0${\pm}$3.1-22.0${\pm}$3.2, respectively; hence, the slow freezing group (10.2${\pm}$2.0) had significantly higher cell numbers than those of the other two groups (p<0.05). Trophoblast (TE) cell number in the control group, 65.8${\pm}$12.6, was significantly higher than in the slow freezing group, 41.6${\pm}$11.1 (p<0.05). The total cell numbers in the control group and 21 h post hCG group were 87.9${\pm}$13.6 and 81.8${\pm}$14.1, respectively, and were significantly higher than for the slow freezing group (51.8${\pm}$12.6; p<0.05).

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.203-209
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• 2011

Objective: This study was performed to compare the efficiency of slow freezing and vitrification based on survival, development to blastocysts, and cell numbers of blastocysts. Changes in embryonic gene expression in fresh and frozen-thawed embryos were also examined. Methods: Eight-cell stage embryos were collected from superovulated female BDF1 mice. The collected embryos were randomly divided into three groups. One group was maintained as fresh controls (n=42), one was frozen by slow freezing (n=43), and one was cooled by vitrification (n=43). After thawing or cooling, survival rates, development to blastocyst, and cell numbers and inner cell mass (ICM) cell numbers of blastocysts were compared with those of the control group. The expressions of eight genes ($Rbm3$, $Birc5$, $Sod1$, $Sod2$, $Cirbp$, $Caspase3$, $Trp53$, $Hsp70.1$) were examined by real time-quantitative polymerase chain reaction in the fresh and frozen-thawed embryos. Results: There were no significant differences in the slow freezing and vitrification groups' survival rate after thawing (88.4% vs. 88.4%), development to blastocyst (100% vs. 97.4%), cell numbers ($107.0{\pm}21.0$ vs. $115.0{\pm}19.7$), or ICM cell numbers of blastocysts ($11.3{\pm}5.2$ vs. $11.1{\pm}3.7$). Cell numbers of blastocysts were significantly ($p$ <0.05) lower in the frozen-thawed embryos than the fresh embryos. There were no significant differences in the slow freezing and the vitrification groups' expressions of the eight genes. The expressions of $CirbP$ and $Hsp70.1$ were higher in the frozen-thawed embryos than in the fresh embryos but there were no significant differences. Conclusion: These results suggest that there were no significant differences between embryos that underwent slow freezing and vitrification.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.116-122
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• 2001

Purpose : To find sensitivity of MRI imaging methods to slow flow phantom study was performed with conventional Spin-Echo, gradient echo based Phase Contrast, fast GRASS, and heavily T2-weighted Fast Spin Echo pulse sequences. Materials and Methods : A siphon driven flow phantom was constructed with a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt catheter and a GE phantom to achieve continuous variable flow. Four different pulse sequences including Spin-Echo, Phase Contrast, GRASS and Heavily T2-weighted Fast Spin Echo were evaluated to depict slow flow in the range from 0.08 ml/min to 1.7 ml/min and to compare signal intensities between static fluid and flowing fluid. Results : In the slow flow above 0.17 ml/min conventional Spin-Echo showed superior apparent contrast between static and flowing fluid while GRASS was more sensitive to the very slow flow below 0.17 ml/mim. It was not accurate to calculate flow and velocity below 0.1 ml/min with a modified PC imaging. Conclusion : Four different MR pulse sequences demonstrated different sensitivity to the range of slow flow from 0.08 ml/min to 1.7 ml/min. This finding may be clinically useful to measure CSF shunt flow or detecting CSF collection and thrombosis.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.53-63
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• 2014

The objective of this study is to investigate the difference of ITV lengths and ITVs between 4DCT and Slow-CT images according to respiratory patterns using a respiratory motion phantom. The respiratory periods 1~4 s and target motion 1~3 cm were applied on each respiratory pattern. 4DCT and Slow-CT images were acquired for 3 times. 4DCT and Slow-CT ITVs were measured with contouring the target in the Eclipse RTP system. The measured ITV lenghts and ITVs in 4DCT and Slow-CT images were compared to the known values. For the ITV lengths and ITVs in the 4DCT, the difference of them were reduced as the respiratory period is longer and target motion is shorter. For the Slow-CT, there was same tendency with change in 4DCT ITV lengths and ITVs about target motion. However, the difference of ITV lengths and ITVs for the respiratory periods were the lowest in respiratory period 1 second and different slightly within respiratory period 2-4 seconds. According to the respiratory patterns, pattern A had the highest reproducibility. Pattern B, C and D were showed the difference similar to each other. However, for pattern E, the reproducibility was the lowest compared with other four patterns. The difference of ITV lengths and ITVs between Slow-CT and 4DCT was increased by increasing the respiratory periods and target motion for all respiratory patterns. When the difference of Slow-CT ITV lengths and ITVs were compared with that of 4DCT ITV lengths and ITVs, Slow-CT ITV lengths and ITVs were approximately 22 % smaller than 4DCT, and the representations of target were different in each pattern. In case of pattern A, B and C, length difference was 3 mm at S (superior) and I (inferior) direction, and the length difference of pattern D was 1.45 cm at only "I" direction whereas the length difference of pattern E was 5 mm longer in "S" direction than "I" direction. Therefore, the margin in SI directions should be determined by considering the respiratory patterns when the margin of Slow-CT is compensated for 4DCT ITV lengths. Afterward, we think that the result of this study will be useful to analyze the ITV lengths and ITVs from the CT images on the basis of the patient respiratory signals.