• 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.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.117-125
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• 2019

Malarial infection induces tissue hypoxia in the host through destruction of red blood cells. Tissue hypoxia in malarial infection may increase the activity of $HIF1{\alpha}$ through an intracellular oxygen-sensing pathway. Activation of $HIF1{\alpha}$ may also induce vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to trigger angiogenesis. To investigate whether malarial infection actually generates hypoxia-induced angiogenesis, we analyzed severity of hypoxia, the expression of hypoxia-related angiogenic factors, and numbers of blood vessels in various tissues infected with Plasmodium berghei. Infection in mice was performed by intraperitoneal injection of $2{\times}10^6$ parasitized red blood cells. After infection, we studied parasitemia and survival. We analyzed hypoxia, numbers of blood vessels, and expression of hypoxia-related angiogenic factors including VEGF and $HIF1{\alpha}$. We used Western blot, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry to analyze various tissues from Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. In malaria-infected mice, parasitemia was increased over the duration of infection and directly associated with mortality rate. Expression of VEGF and $HIF1{\alpha}$ increased with the parasitemia in various tissues. Additionally, numbers of blood vessels significantly increased in each tissue type of the malaria-infected group compared to the uninfected control group. These results suggest that malarial infection in mice activates hypoxiainduced angiogenesis by stimulation of $HIF1{\alpha}$ and VEGF in various tissues.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.219-226
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• 2023

Transcranial doppler ultrasonography (TCD) applies a low frequency of 2 MHz to measure the blood flow velocity and waveform within the skull. Medical technologists at several hospitals are conducting these examinations, and education is being imparted in many schools and academic societies. However, the skill of the tester is of utmost importance when performing TCD. Technicians who are conducting the procedure for the first time have trouble locating the blood vessels, and some experienced personnel are worried because too many blood vessels are present. Since this procedure does not directly look at and measure blood vessels, there are several limitations and difficulties. Therefore, this study aims to provide some help by introducing precautions and suggestions for TCD technicians conducting the test.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.1484-1486
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• 2008

Characteristics of pulsatile flow in 3-dimensional elastic vessel wall should be investigated in order to understand the physiological blood flow in human body. In this study, the modelling of the physiological blood flow in the elastic blood vessel is proposed. Variation of the pressure and the velocity wavefroms are obtained using the FSI method

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.11-19
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• 2005

Objectives : This study focused on how the modem blood vessel is defined in Oriental medicine through literary investigation. Methods : Contents from 35 classical texts representing each era were analyzed for the expression of Hyeolmaek and affiliate information, as well as terms used for the current concept of blood vessel. Results : Following results were obtained through investigating literary information on Hyeolmaek. 1. In the Yellow Emperor's Classic, Hyeolmaek is associated with heart and widely used for physiological, pathological, diagnosis, and treatment purposes. 2. During the Song Dynasty, a term Cheonggeun (靑節). is used to describe the vein in the abdomen. 3. During the Ming Dynasty, terms such as Cheonggeun(靑節) and Cheongmaek(靑脈) were used. 4. The term Hyeolmaek was used inclusively for blood, blood vessels, arteries, veins, and as well as meridians.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.321-328
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• 1999

Pulmonary blood vessels with diameters of $200{\sim}400\;{\mu}m$ produce considerably more force in response to vasoconstrictor drugs than those which are either smaller or larger. We have therefore investigated whether or not hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) is more powerful in vessels of these diameters. We have also looked at the possibility that vessels from different regions of the lung respond differently. To do this we have grouped vessels according to their location within the lung as well as by size. We used a small vessel myograph (Cambustion AM10, Cambridge, UK) to study 208 preconstricted $(1\;{\mu}M\;PGF_{2{\alpha}})$ small pulmonary arteries $(300{\sim}800\;{\mu}m$ diameter when stretched to a tension equivalent to 25 mmHg transmural pressure) from 39 rats anaesthetized with 2% inspired halothane. A biphasic contraction was observed in response to hypoxia (ca. 25 mmHg $Po_2).$ The magnitudes of both the first, transient, phase (PT, peak tension) and of the second, sustained, phase (SST, steady state tension) were measured. The latter was measured 40 min after the start of hypoxia. The first phase was most pronounced in vessels with an average diameter of 423 ${\mu}m$ while the second phase was most pronounced in larger vessels (mean diameter 505 ${\mu}m).$ These maximal responses were all seen in vessels somewhat larger than reported by others. The responses of smaller vessels $(400{\sim}500\;{\mu}m)$ did not depend upon their location within the lung, but those of larger vessels $(600{\sim}700\;{\mu}m)$ showed regional differences. Those from the right lobe and those from the base of the lung gave the largest responses. It was especially noticeable that large vessels (631 ${\mu}m$ diameter) from the base of the right lung gave the biggest responses. Thus HPV seems to occur not in a uniform manner, dependent solely to the size of vessels, but it also depends to some degree on the region of the lung from which vessels have been taken. Furthermore, our results suggest that larger vessels, as well as smaller ones, may contribute significantly to HPV.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.277-282
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• 2015

This study was to investigate the effects of the hot compress pack on alleviating local muscular discomfort, stiffness in limbs as well as the chronic pains such as migraine in terms of hemodynamics. In this study, the hot compress band was put on the neck and the local physiological change on the stimulation site and the cranial blood circulation change were examined. We recruited healthy volunteers (n=8, mean age: 32.13 (4.61)), who participated in the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study. Local skin color and temperature were measured for the local effect of the hot compress band and the changes of intra-cranial and extra-cranial blood vessels were examined with MR angiography (MRA) images. The skin temperature increased from $36.4^{\circ}C$ at the rest condition to $36.7^{\circ}C$ and $37.1^{\circ}C$ after 15 min and 30 min stimulation, respectively. The change of the extra-cranial blood vessels between pre-stimulation and post-stimulation of 30 min was significantly increased (+38.8%), while the change of the intra-cranial blood vessels was negligible. In this study, we demonstrated that the hot compress band on the neck yielded the increase of local skin temperature on the stimulation site and it made an effect on the extracranial circulation. In conclusion, the stimulation with a hot compress could facilitate the blood circulation, causing to relieve the muscular discomfort, stiffness in limbs as well as the chronic pains such as migraine.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2009.06a
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• pp.3-3
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• 2009

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2016.10a
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• pp.915-918
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• 2016

Virtual testing devices are required due to rapid changes in the health care industry and the increase of the medical or nursing workforce. The importance of devices such as the simulator, blood vessels, and lab equipment for modeling blood flow to the heart is increasing too. In this study, we made heart pump by using a step motor and developed device which simulates arterial, venous blood pressure, and blood flow. We finally evaluated the function of proposed device. The proposed system is composed of the pump for simulating, the valve device to describe the resistance of the artery and vein, and a reducing device showing the characteristics of the venous system. We used BOXER pump for heart simulator and silicon tube for arterial and venous vessels, and designed a reducing device. We also used the pressure sensor to measure arterial blood pressure. For the evaluation of the proposed system, we selected a range of 50~100mmHg of the blood circuit 60 per minute and then compared the blood pressure of a person and the measured blood pressure.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.33-58
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• 2018

Objectives : Literatures related to Bianque are studied to discover the path of development and the impact of Bianque school's pulse diagnosis system. Methods : Texts regarding Bianque were searched in history books such as Shiji and Zhanguoce, and medical texts such as the medical books of Mawangdui Han Tomb, Huangdineijng, Maijing, and Qianjinyifang to understand how the Bianque school's pulse diagnosis system was developed. Results : 1. Bianque school's pulse diagnosis system was used to inspect the distribution pattern of blood vessels and discover the location of the disease including the palpatation realm such as only hard or only fall. 2. The system of inspection was created when the diagnosis method that uses the color of the pulse by using the color of blood vessels was added to the diagnostic method of pulse condition. 3. Adding the concept of pulse to the visual information that derives from pulse condition becomes pulsation. This is a diagnostic method that falls under the realm of palpation, and it was used to discover the location of disease. 4. The qi of pulse is motor that induces pulse, and this concept is used in order to understand how normal and abnormal pulsations appear, and to treat the circulation disorder of qi and blood. 5. Cubit skin examination is a method that comprehensively take into account the upper arm skin's cold and heat, slippery and roughness, and relax and tension state. This method was used together with other diagnostic methods. As described above, it seems that the diagnostic method with blood vessels used by Bianque school seems to have developed from Bianque's special inspection ability to the stage where it uses palpation, and then to the stage of cubit skin examination which uses both palpation and inspection.