• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.100-108
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• 2015

Purpose: Conventional methods for the prenatal detection of fetal RhD status involve invasive procedures such as fetal blood sampling and amniocentesis. The identification of cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) in maternal plasma creates the possibility of determining fetal RhD status by analyzing maternal plasma DNA. However, some technical problems still exist, especially the lack of a positive control marker for the presence of fetal DNA. Therefore, we assessed the feasibility and accuracy of fetal RHD genotyping incorporating the RASSF1A epigenetic fetal DNA marker from cffDNA in the maternal plasma of RhD-negative pregnant women in Korea. Materials and Methods: We analyzed maternal plasma from 41 pregnant women identified as RhD-negative by serological testing. Multiplex real-time PCR was performed by amplifying RHD exons 5 and 7 and the SRY gene, with RASSF1A being used as a gender-independent fetal epigenetic marker. The results were compared with those obtained by postnatal serological analysis of cord blood and gender identification. Results: Among the 41 fetuses, 37 were RhD-positive and 4 were RhD-negative according to the serological analysis of cord blood. There was 100% concordance between fetal RHD genotyping and serological cord blood results. Detection of the RASSF1A gene verified the presence of cffDNA, and the fetal SRY status was correctly detected in all 41 cases. Conclusion: Noninvasive fetal RHD genotyping with cffDNA incorporating RASSF1A is a feasible, reliable, and accurate method of determining fetal RhD status. It is an alternative to amniocentesis for the management of RhD-negative women and reduces the need for unnecessary RhIG prophylaxis.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2009.11a
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• pp.3.2-3.2
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• 2009

Microfluidics and BioMEMStechnology has increasingly been used as a tool for studying small volumes oftissue and even individual cells. One of the most important benefits ofmicrofluidic technology is the potential to build devices that analyze and sortmammalian cells. The "sorting problem" typically requires that a fewcells be selected and isolated from a larger population of hundreds, thousandsor even millions of other cells. For example, cancer tumor cells may resideamong a large population of healthy cells, but it would be of great interest toidentify, isolate and study only the cancer cells. In another application, onemay want to determine the number of white blood cells within a sample of blood.We have developed microfluidic devices that enable researchers to select cellsfrom a population by a variety of methods, including antibody staining,dielectrophoretic selection, and physical size selection. These devices haveapplications in cancer research where cancer cells must be identified fromnormal tissue, but where only small samples of tissue are available. In thistalk, we will present some of our microfluidic cell sorting devices, discusstheir physical principles, and their use in biological applications.

• International Journal of Vascular Biomedical Engineering
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.1-6
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• 2006

Microsystems create new opportunities for conventional cell analysis by combining microfluidics and flow cytometry. This article describes recent developments in conventional flow cytometers and related microfluidic flow cytometers to detect, analyze, and sort cells or particles. Flow cytometry strongly consisted of fluidics, optics and electronics requires a large space to equip various components, which are mostly the fluidic components such as compressor, fluid handling system. Adopting microfluidics into flow cytometry enables volume- and power-efficient, inexpensive and flexible analysis of particulate samples. In this paper, we review various efforts that take advantage of novel techniques to build microfluidic cell analysis systems with high-speed analytical capability. Highly integrated microfluidic cytometry shows great promise for basic biomedical and pharmaceutical research, and robust and portable point-of-care devices could be used in clinical settings.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.298-302
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• 2023

A 7-year-old neutered male, domestic shorthair cat presented anorexia and lethargy. The complete blood cell count revealed severe non-regenerative anemia, lymphocytic leukocytosis, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia. On the peripheral blood smear examination, medium to large lymphoblastic cells with moderate amounts of basophilic cytoplasm were observed in up to 70% of peripheral leukocytes. Feline leukemia and immunodeficiency viruses were not detected using a commercial diagnostic kit. While splenomegaly and blunt margins of the caudoventral liver were observed in abdominal radiography, changes in the intra-abdominal lymph nodes were not remarkable. Ultimately, flow cytometric immunophenotyping from the peripheral blood revealed a negative for B-cell markers (CD21-/CD79a-) and T-cell markers (CD3-/CD4-/CD5-/CD8-). Based on the hematological examination and the immunophenotyping assay, the cat was diagnosed with non-B, non-T acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Here, we report a rare case of non-B, non-T acute lymphoblastic leukemia to raise awareness and provide information on clinical symptoms and laboratory test and immunophenotyping analysis results.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.196-206
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• 2021

The main purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between the consumption of red ginseng-based 'SSR' for 30 days and the reduction in human fatigue, blood component changes, and immune cell activity in 35 human subjects. 'SSR' is composed of zinc oxide, folic acid, and D-α-tocopherol with red ginseng as the main component. According to the protocol criteria of the study, 35 subjects who understood the purpose of the study and signed an informed consent form were selected. The fatigue survey was conducted through a questionnaire, and after taking 'SSR', a decreased tendency of physical, mental, and neurosensory fatigue was observed. In hematological analysis, no significant changes were observed in the levels of WBC, RBC, and hemoglobin; however, AST (SGOT) and ALT (SGPT) levels were statistically significantly decreased. In immunological analysis, it was observed that the proliferative effect of T cells (CD3+CD4+) was greater than that of NK cells (CD16+CD56+). The collected data were subjected to t-test analysis using the SPSS 25.0 statistical program. The result from this study proposes that 'SSR' can be used as a functional food material as it reduces human fatigue and enhances immune function.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.575-586
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• 2005

FC(free choresterol) plays an important role in normal and pathophysiological cells including that of messenger molecule or dilator of blood vessels in such illnesses as artheriosclerosis, hypertension and myocardial infarction. Smooth muscle and endothelial cell functions in the arteria wall are unified by complex intercellular signalling processes. In arteria comprised of one layer of smooth muscle cells surrounding the endothelium, the close apposition of the two cell types enables a signal derived from one cell to rapidly diffuse to neighboring cells. Experimentation was conducted to investigate the potential contribution of Sohaphyangwon(SHHW) on levels of FC generated by goaded microphages, and mechanisms of protection against ACAT inhibitor. It was found that J774 macrophages, which normally do not express FC were expressed by oxLDL and ACAT inhibitor. SHHW protected cells were found to be resistant to oxLDL and delayed death following the FC. Inhibition of FC formation abolished the protective effect against ACAT inhibitor exposure. Cadiovascular diseases include abnormalities of blood vessels dysfunction of the renin-angiotension system. What relation herbal medicine may have with vessel endothelium necrosis was here studied. In Oriental Medicine, SHHW water extract used for diseases in relation to cardiovascular systems. The resistence to cardiovascular disease of ACAT inhibitor induced J774 macrophage cells were studied through analysis of cell morphological patterns and immunochemistry of SHHW. The results of this study suggest that SHHW has protective effects on the cardiovascular system, and that it is effective in both prevention and treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system, particularity against necrosis of blood.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.112-115
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• 2013

Purpose: To investigate the association between necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and red blood cell transfusions in very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants. Methods: We studied were 180 VLBW preterm infants who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of CHA Gangnam Hospital from January of 2006 to December of 2009. The subjects were divided into 2 groups: an NEC group (greater than stage II on the modified Bell's criteria) and a control group (less than stage II on the modified Bell's critieria). We defined red blood cell transfusion before NEC diagnosis as the frequency of transfusion until NEC diagnosis (mean day at NEC diagnosis, day 18) in the NEC group and the frequency of transfusion until 18 days after birth in the control group. Results: Of the 180 subjects, 18 (10%) belonged to the NEC group, and 14 (78%) of these 18 patients had a history of transfusion before NEC diagnosis. The NEC group received $3.1{\pm}2.9$ transfusions, and the control group received $1.0{\pm}1.1$ transfusions before the NEC diagnosis (P=0.005). In a multivariate logistic regression corrected for gestational age, Apgar score at 1 minute, the presence of respiratory distress syndrome, patent ductus arteriosus, premature rupture of membrane, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy and death were confounding factors. The risk of NEC increased 1.63 times (95% confidence interval, 1.145 to 2.305; P=0.007) with transfusion before the NEC diagnosis. Conclusion: The risk for NEC increased significantly with increased transfusion frequency before the NEC diagnosis.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.40-43
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• 2012

Recent genomewide association studies of large samples have identified genes that are associated with blood pressure. The Global Blood Pressure Genetics (Global BPgen) and Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genome Epidemiology (CHARGE) consortiums identified 14 loci that govern blood pressure on a genomewide significance level, one of which is $CASZ1$ confirmed in both Europeans and Asians. $CASZ1$ is a zinc finger transcription factor that controls apoptosis and cell fate and suppresses neuroblastoma tumor growth by reprogramming gene expression, like a tumor suppressor. To validate the function of $CASZ1$ in blood pressure, we decreased $Casz1$ mRNA levels in mice by siRNA. $Casz1$ siRNA reduced mRNA levels by 59% in a mouse cell line. A polyethylenimine-mixed siRNA complex was injected into mouse tail veins, reducing $Casz1$ mRNA expression to 45% in the kidney. However, blood pressure in the treated mice was unaffected, despite a 55% reduction in $Casz1$ mRNA levels in the kidney on multiple siRNA injections daily. Even though $Casz1$ siRNA-treated mice did not experience any significant change in blood pressure, our study demonstrates the value of $in$ $vivo$ siRNA injection in analyzing the function of candidate genes identified by genomewide association studies.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.43.1-43.8
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• 2023

Background: Meloxicam is used widely for exotic animal analgesia, but its toxicity in common raptor species in Thailand is unclear. Objectives: This study evaluated the single-dose effect of intramuscular meloxicam in common raptor species in Thailand for short-term and long-term periods. Methods: Twenty-two raptors were administered a single 1 mg/kg dose of meloxicam individually via intramuscular injection. The following were evaluated: clinical appearance, body weight, body condition score, body temperature, fecal appearance, complete blood cell count, and biochemistry panel before (day 0) and after the injection (1, 7, and 30 days). The collected samples were categorized into three groups: Brahminy kite (Haliastur indus) (n = 10), adult Barn owl (Tyto javanica) (n = 4), and juvenile Barn owl (n = 8). Results: None of the raptors in the study groups showed any abnormalities. The hematological profiles were significantly different in the short-term period (day 1 and day 7). The creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, and creatinine kinase increased in several groups. On the other hand, the packed cell volume decreased in the Brahminy kite and juvenile Barn owl groups. According to the findings, an intramuscular injection of 1 mg/kg meloxicam affected the blood biochemistry panel of the muscle, but the affected raptors recovered within one week. Conclusions: An intramuscular injection of meloxicam at a single 1 mg/kg dose in Brahminy kites and Barn owls was not associated with the morbidity, hepatotoxicity, gastrointestinal toxicity, and nephrotoxicity in the short- and long-term periods.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.131-138
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• 2013

Insulin resistance and pancreatic beta cell dysfunction have been established as being related to the diabetes. Lately, what is emphasizing is that those have been shown as something related to the metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), simple index is calculated on blood levels of fasting glucose and insulin. And HOMA has been widely validated and applied for insulin resistance and pancreatic beta cell dysfunction. We also assessed the factors relative to insulin resistance and ${\beta}$ cell function determined by HOMA. The data from the 2010 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used. Analysis was done for 3,465 nondiabetic subjects (male 1,357, female 2,108). At baseline, anthropometric measurements were done and fasting glucose, insulin, lipid (Total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and Triglycerides) profiles were measured. HOMA-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and beta cell function (HOMA ${\beta}$-cell) were calculated from fasting glucose and insulin levels. In male, the value of HOMA-IR and HOMA ${\beta}$-cell was the highest among 30's and decreased as the age increased. In female, the value of HOMA-IR increased with age, while HOMA ${\beta}$-cell decreased. High HOMA-IR and low HOMA ${\beta}$-cell were associated with the highest value of fasting glucose and systolic blood pressure. Low HOMA-IR and high HOMA ${\beta}$-cell showed the lowest concentration of fasting glucose and the highest concentration of HDL cholesterol. High HOMA-IR and high HOMA ${\beta}$-cell were connected with BMI, Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and Triglycerides. There was a negative correlation between HOMA ${\beta}$-cell and age. The correlation coefficients of HOMA-IR and HOMA ${\beta}$-cell showed the highest value among weight, BMI and WC.