• Journal of IKEEE
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.108-116
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• 2007

This paper proposed an analyzable parameter and its analytic method to provide more accurate information than currently employed 4 channels system which uses pulse wave velocity (PWV) information of the volume pulse wave measured from 4 arterial channels for the characterization of arterial vessel. In order to verify the volume pulse waves on 4 sites were simultaneously acquired subjects aged from 12 to 81 years old. and the proposed parameters were extracted from time (UT) was then compared with blood pressure. Then, the regression analyses were done relationships among the proposed parameter and others, such as aging, pulse transit time pressure (BP). The followings are the results of linear regression analysis of the proposed parameter for total 50 normal subjects. We selected any two subjects (58 years and 27 years) and measured PPG (photoplethysmogram) and BP of before and after exercise. The coefficient of correlations between BP and UT observed was -0.928 for 50 years subject, and -0.922 for 20 years subject. For total 50 normal subjects, in case of correlation between the pulse transit time and BP, the result showed -0.170 on left side and -0.233 on right side, and the coefficient value of correlation between the pulse transit time and UT was -0.607 on left side and -0.510 on right side. UI is strongly correlated with the pulse transit time than BP. Hence, we believe that the proposed parameter is related with the index of arterial stiffness.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.777-785
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• 2007

In this paper, Finger-Toe Index (FTI) is proposed as an analytic parameter for the characterization of arterial vessel. Different from the currently being employed pulse wave velocity (PWV) information of the volume pulse wave measured from 4 arterial channels, the proposed FTI uses the ratio of the shorter of the two up-stroke time of PPG from fingers ($UT_{finger}$) and that of PPG (Photoplethysmography) from toes ($UT_{toe}$). To verify the usefulness of the proposed method, Finger-Toe Indexes were derived from the volume pulse waves acquired from 50 people under examination aged from 12 to 81 years old, and they were then compared with blood pressure ankle-brachial index (ABI). It was successfully demonstrated that the arterial stiffness can be estimated with respect to age and FTI is more strongly correlated with the pulse transit time than ABI. From the regression analysis, we also found that FTI has significant correlation PWV for a quantitative index of arterial stiffness and provides more accurate information than ABI for the characterization of arterial vessel.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.271-280
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• 2007

Tonicity-responsive enhancer binding protein(TonEBP) is a transcriptional factor essential in the function and development of the renal medulla. TonEBP plays a critical role in protecting renal medullary cells from the deleterious effect of hypertonicity. TonEBP is a key regulator of urinary concentration via stimulation of transcription of urea transporter(UT) in a manner independent of vasopressin. UT in the renal inner medulla is important for the conservation of body water due to its role in the urine concentrating mechanism. Mongolian gerbil(Meriones unguiculatus) has been as an model animal for studying the neurological disease such as stroke and epilepsy because of the congenital incomplete in Willis circle, as well as the investigation of water metabolism because of the long time-survival in the condition of water-deprived desert condition, compared with other species animal. In this study, we divide 3 groups of which each group include the 5 animals. In the study of 7 or 14 days water restricted condition, we investigated the TonEBP and UT-A by using a immunohistochemistry in the kidney. In the normal kidney, the distribution of TonEBP is generally localized on nuclei of inner medullary cells. Nuclear distribution of TonEBP is generally increased throughout the medulla in 7 and 14 days dehydrated group compared with control group. Increased nuclear localization was particularly dramatic in thin limbs. In control groups, UT-A was expressed in inner stripe of outer medulla(ISOM) and inner medulla(IM). UT-A was present in the terminal part of the short-loop of descending thin limbs (DTL) in ISOM and also present in the inner medullary collecting duct(IMCD), where the intensity of it gradually increased toward the papillary tip. In the dehydrated kidney, UT-A immunoreactivity was increased in the short-loop of DTL in ISOM and in the long-loop of DTL in the initial part of IM, where was expressed moderate positive reaction in the normal kidney. Also it was up regulated in the IMCD in initial & middle part of IM. However UT-A down regulated in the IMCD, where the intensity of it gradually decreased toward the papillary tip. These findings suggest that increased levels of TonEBP in medulla and UT-A in shot-loop of DTL and IMCD play a important role for maintain fluid balance in the water-deprived mongolian gerbil kidney.