• Molecules and Cells
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.189-197
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• 2006

Prolactin (PRL) is a pituitary hormone involved in various physiological processes, including lactation, mammary development, and immune function. To further investigate the in vivo and comparative endocrine roles of PRL, mouse PRL cDNA fused to the cytomegalovirus promoter, was introduced into muscle by direct injection. Previously we studied the function of rat PRL using the same protocol. PRL mRNA was detected in the muscle following injection by RT-PCR and subsequent Southern blot analysis. PRL was also detected and Western blot analysis revealed a relatively high level of serum PRL. In the pCMV-mPRL-injected female mice, the estrous cycle was extended, especially in diestrus stage and the uterus thickening that was shown in normal estrous stage was not observed. In the pCMV-mPRL-injected male mice, new blood vessels were first found at 5 weeks of age and fully developed blood vessels were found after 8 weeks in the testis. The number of Leydig cells increased within the testis and the testosterone level in serum was observed high. Finally, the number of white blood cells (WBCs) increased in the pCMV-mPRL-injected mice. The augmentation of WBCs persisted for at least 20 days after injection. When injection was combined with adrenalectomy, there was an even greater increase in number of WBCs, especially lymphocytes. This increase was returned normal by treatment with dexamethansone. Taken together, our data reveal that intramuscularly expressed mouse PRL influences reproductive functions in female, induces formation of new blood vessels in the testis, and augments WBC numbers. Of notice is that the Leydig cell proliferation with increased testosterone was conspicuously observed in the pCMV-mPRL-injected mice. These results also suggest subtle difference in function of PRL between mouse and rat species.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.203-208
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• 2023

A 13-year-old neutered male mixed-breed dog presented with generalized lymphadenopathy and erythematous cutaneous lesions in the ear pinnae. Fine-needle aspiration cytology of the lymph nodes revealed small to intermediate lymphocytes with a "hand mirror" configuration as the predominant cell type. Histopathological analysis of the lymph node showed an infiltrate of CD3-positive small lymphocytes compressing the follicles against the capsule owing to neoplastic cell expansion. Flow cytometric analysis revealed a homogeneous population of CD3+/CD4-/CD5+/CD8-/CD21+/CD34-/CD45- cells in both the peripheral blood and aspirated lymph nodes, which supports the diagnosis of T-zone lymphoma. Laboratory tests revealed lymphocytosis (14,144 cells/µL) in the peripheral blood. However, contrary to expectations, the bone marrow examination revealed no evidence of lymphocytic infiltration. T-zone lymphoma is an indolent lymphoma with a long survival period, and knowledge of its characteristics may affect disease staging and prognosis evaluation. Therefore, peripheral blood count as a sole screening tool for bone marrow metastasis should be used with caution.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.107-114
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• 2016

Maintenance of fasting blood glucose levels is important for glucose homeostasis. Disruption of feedback mechanisms are a major reason for elevations of glucose level in blood, which is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus that is mainly caused by malfunction of pancreatic beta-cell and insulin. The fasting blood glucose level has been known to be influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Mitochondria have many functions for cell survival and death: glucose metabolism, fatty acid oxidation, ATP generation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism, calcium handling, and apoptosis regulation. In addition to these functions, mitochondria change their morphology dynamically in response to multiple signals resulting in fusion and fission. In this study, we aimed to examine association between fasting blood glucose levels and variants of the genes that are reported to have functions in mitochondrial dynamics, fusion and fission, using a cohort study. A total 416 SNPs from 36 mitochondrial dynamics genes were selected to analyze the quantitative association with fasting glucose level. Among the 416 SNPs, 4 SNPs of PRKACB, 13 SNPs of PPP3CA, 6 SNPs of PARK2, and 3 SNPs of GDAP1 were significantly associated. In this study, we were able to confirm an association of mitochondrial dynamics genes with glucose levels. To our knowledge our study is the first to identify specific SNPs related to fasting blood glucose level.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Visualization
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.103-108
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• 2020

RBC (red blood cell) deformability is one of factors inducing blood shear thinning effect. Reduction of RBC deformability increases blood viscosity in high shear region. In this study, 3D printed chip with proper distribution of wall shear rate (WSR) was proposed to measure RBC deformability of blood samples. To fabricate 3D printed chip, the design of 3D printed chip determined through numerical simulation was modified based on the resolution of the 3D printer. For the estimation of pressure drop in the 3D printed chip, two bypass outlets with low and high WSR are exposed to atmospheric pressure through the needles. By positioning the outlet of needles in the gravity direction, the formation of droplets at bypass outlets can be captured by smartphone. Through image processing and fast Fourier transform (FFT) analysis, the frequency of droplet formation was analyzed. Since the frequency of droplet formation is related with the pressure at bypass, high pressure drop caused by reduction of RBC deformability can be estimated by monitoring the formation of blood droplets using the smartphone.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.86-92
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• 2004

In this paper miniaturized disposable micro/nanofluidic components applicable to bio chip, chemical analyzer and biomedical monitoring system, such as blood analysis, micro dosing system and cell experiment, etc are reported. This system includes various microfluidic components including a micropump, micromixer, DNA purification chip and single-cell assay chip. For low voltage and low power operation, a surface tension-driven micropump is presented, as well as a micromixer, which was implemented using MEMS technology, for efficient liquid mixing is also introduced. As bio-reactors, DNA purification and single-cell assay devices, for the extraction of pure DNA from liquid mixture or blood and for cellular engineering or high-throughput screening, respectively, are presented.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.194-201
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• 2017

This study was conducted to determine the valid time for accurate detection of complete blood cell count (CBC) in pig blood using an automatic blood corpuscle analyzer (Hemavet 950FS). Blood samples were collected from 34 pigs (Duroc) with a 60 kg (${\pm}3.5$) body weight. Ten specimens with CBC parameters in normal range and with no hemolysis were selected among 34 samples and used in this study. Regarding leukocytes parameters, white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil (NE), and lymphocyte (LY) counts showed a low daily variation (coefficient of variation, CV), whereas monocyte (MO), eosinophil (EO), and basophil (BA) CVs were significantly high (19.7, 56.9, and 53.3%, respectively). On the other hand, all parameters of erythrocytes and thrombocytes showed stable daily variation. All parameters of leukocytes and thrombocytes were significantly reduced as storage time passed (P<0.01 or 0.001), except for lymphocytes (P=0.535). However, no significant differences were observed in parameters of erythrocytes from blood up to 120 hours. From above results, we assert that Hemavet 950FS is useful in analyzing CBC, except for MO, EO, and BA. For accurate detection of leukocyte and thrombocyte parameters, analysis should be performed within 4 hours after blood collection when using Hemavet 950FS. On the other hand, parameters of erythrocytes could be stably detected for at least 120 hours after blood collection.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SC
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• v.44 no.2 s.314
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• pp.10-17
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• 2007

The echo signal on ultrasonic transducer is a mixed signal from tissues, blood vessel walls, blood cells and noise. In this mixed-signal, the signal reflected from tissues and blood vessel walls is called clutter. It is necessary to extract pure blood signal from this mixed-signal, when measuring blood flow velocity with medical ultrasonic system The quality of measured blood flow velocity is highly dependent on sufficient attenuation of the clutter signals. In this paper, we suggest a clutter rejection method using ICA For simulation, the echo signals are generated by Field n ultrasonic simulation program In this echo signals, independent signals are separated by using ICA Then the blood signal is obtained from the separated signals. Blood flow velocity is measured by 2D autocorrelation method. We compare ICA clutter rejection method with PCA-based eigen filter method using both measured blood flow velocity profiles by 2D autocorrelation. In simulation results, ICA clutter rejection method can be better applied measuring blood flow velocity in noisy echo signals.

• Korea-Australia Rheology Journal
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.85-90
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• 2004

The present study investigated the deformability of red blood cells (RBC) and its effect on whole blood viscosity using a laser-diffraction slit-rheometer (LDSR). The LDSR has been recently developed with significant advances in laser-diffractometry design, operation and data analysis. While shear stress levels in a slit flow are continuously decreasing, both the deformation of red blood cells and the shear stress were simultaneously measured. Additionally, the viscosity of whole blood was measured using the LDSR. The present study found that the whole blood viscosity is strongly dependent on the RBC deformability. The less deformable the RBCs are, the higher the blood viscosity is.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.3 no.1_2
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• pp.55-64
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• 1988

Experiments were performed on mice to investigate the influences of ampicillin and ethanol on the immune response. Ampicillin was injected intraperitoneally and ethanol was administered in the drinking water. Mice were sensitized and challenged with sheep red blood cells. Immune responses were evaluated by humoral immunity, cellular immunity, peripheral circulating white blood cell and phagocyte activity. 1. The combined administration of ampicillin and ethanol as compared to ampicillin had not influence on the weight of spleen, but increased the weight of thymus. 2. Humoral immune response was slightly reduced by ampicillin. Especially, the combined administration of ampicillin and ethanol significantly reduced hemclysin production. 3. Cellural immune response was reduced by ampicillin. The combine administration of ampicillin and ethanol significantly reduced cellural immune response. 4. Peripheral circulating white blood cell was reduced by the combined administration of ampicillin and ethanol as compared to ampicillin. 5. The combined administration of ampicillin and ethanol as compared to ampicillin had not influence on the phagocyte activity.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.3 no.1_2
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• pp.9-19
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• 1988

The effect of rancid perilla oil on the immune response in mice was studied. ICR male mice were divided into 5 groups and were fed on the experimental diets for 4 weeks. Mice were sensitized and challenged with sheep red blood cell. Immune responses were evaluated by antibody production, Arthus reaction, delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH), Rosette forming cell and macrophage activity. Biochemical items were measured by serum protein and serum albumin. The weight of spleen, thymus and liver were measured. The rancid perilla oil diets decreased humoral and cellular immune responses, the number of peripheral circulating white blood cells and total protein and serum albumin. These results showed that the high rancid perilla oil diet decreased more humoral and cellular immune response, the number of peripheral circulating white blood cells, and total protein and serum albumin than the low rancid perilla oil diet did.