• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.247-250
• /
• 1988

Laboratory information system (LIS) is a key tool to manage laboratory data in clinical pathology. Our department has developed an information system for routine hematology using down-sized computer system. We have used an IBM 486 compatible PC with 16MB main memory, 210 MB hard disk drive, 9 RS-232C port and 24 pin dot printer. The operating system and database management system were SCO UNIX and SCO foxbase, respectively. For program development, we used Xbase language provided by SCO foxbase. The C language was used for interface purpose. To make the system use friendly, pull-down menu was used. The system connected to our hospital information system via application program interface (API), so the information related to patient and request details is automatically transmitted to our computer. Our system interfaced with fwd complete blood count analyzers(Sysmex NE-8000 and Coulter STKS) for unidirectional data tansmission from analyzer to computer. The authors suggests that this system based on down-sized computer could provide a progressive approach to total LIS based on local area network, and the implemented system could serve as a model for other hospital's LIS for routine hematology.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.305-311
• /
• 2019

The objective of this study was to determine the safety test for propolis in Beagle based on blood count, serum biochemistry, and electrolyte. Total six beagle dogs were assigned to this experiment. To investigate the safety of propolis in beagle dogs, we performed oral administration of propolis (5%) for 8 weeks. Among six beagles, three beagle dogs were randomly allocated to the control group which were fed only regular fodder, and the other three dogs were assigned as the treatment group which were fed regular fodder and propolis (5%). No clinical signs were observed in neither group throughout the experimental period. During the experimental period, there were no significant change in feed intake, water consumption, and body condition. Also, there were no statistically significant differences in hematological and biochemical analyses between the control group and the treated group. Our safety study showed that oral consumption of propolis did not cause any toxicological effects in beagle dogs.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.26 no.5
• /
• pp.918-927
• /
• 2016

Cryptococcus neoformans is a life-threatening pathogenic yeast that causes devastating meningoencephalitis. The mechanism of cryptococcal brain invasion is largely unknown, and recent studies suggest that its extracellular microvesicles may be involved in the invasion process. The 14-3-3 protein is abundant in the extracellular microvesicles of C. neoformans, and the 14-3-3-GFP fusion has been used as the microvesicle's marker. However, the physiological role of 14-3-3 has not been explored. In this report, we have found that C. neoformans contains a single 14-3-3 gene that apparently is an essential gene. To explore the functions of 14-3-3, we substituted the promoter region of the 14-3-3 with the copper-controllable promoter CTR4. The CTR4 regulatory strain showed an enlarged cell size, drastic changes in morphology, and a decrease in the thickness of the capsule under copper-enriched conditions. Furthermore, the mutant cells produced a lower amount of total proteins in their extracellular microvesicles and reduced adhesion to human brain microvascular endothelial cells in vitro. Proteomic analyses of the protein components under 14-3-3-overexpressed and -suppressed conditions revealed that the 14-3-3 function(s) might be associated with the microvesicle biogenesis. Our results support that 14-3-3 has diverse pertinent roles in both physiology and pathogenesis in C. neoformans. Its gene functions are closely relevant to the pathogenesis of this fungus.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.12
• /
• pp.4869-4872
• /
• 2015

Background: Mutations of the FMS-like tyrosine kinase-3 (FLT3) receptor gene may promote proliferation via activation of multiple signaling pathways. FLT3-internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) is the most common gene alteration found in patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and has been associated with poor prognosis. Materials and Methods: We performed mutational analysis of exons 14-15 and 20 of the FLT3 gene in 54 AML patients using PCR-CSGE (conformational sensitive gel electrophoresis) followed by sequencing analysis to characterise FLT3 mutations in adult patients diagnosed with AML at Hospital USM, Kelantan, Northeast Peninsular Malaysia. Results: FLT3 exon 14-15 mutations were identified in 7 of 54 patients (13%) whereas no mutation was found in FLT3 exon 20. Six ITDs and one non-ITD mutation were found in exon 14 of the juxtamembrane (JM) domain of FLT3. FLT3-ITD mutations were associated with a significantly higher blast percentage (p-value = 0.008) and white blood cell count (p-value = 0.023) but there was no significant difference in median overall survival time for FLT3-ITD+/FLT3-ITD- within 2 years (p-value = 0.374). Conclusions: The incidence of FLT3-ITD in AML patients in this particular region of Malaysia is low compared to the Western world and has a significant association with WBC and blast percentage.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.14
• /
• pp.5983-5986
• /
• 2015

Background: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D insufficiency is very common in Pakistan and is often related to inferior prognosis in some cancers but limited data exist for hematopoietic malignancies. This study was conducted to determine the vitamin D insufficiency in B-chronic lymphoid leukemia (CLL) cases at the time of presentation and its possible correlation with clinical staging, hematological parameters and biochemical markers. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross sectional study was carried at Liaquat National Hospital from January 2011 to June 2013. Sixty patients with B-chronic lymphoid leukemia were enrolled. Complete blood count, vitamin D levels, serum urea, creatinine, uric acid and LDH levels were assessed. Data were compiled and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Results: Out of 60 patients, 42 (70%) were male and 18 (30%) were female. Mean age was $59.0{\pm}9.2years$. The frequency of vitamin D insufficiency was found to be 56.7%. Overall insufficiency was more frequently seen in male gender (40%). Vitamin D insufficiency demonstrated a positive association with low lactate dehydrogenase levels (P=0.005). No links were established with age, clinical stage, hematological and other biochemical markers. Conclusions: Vitamin D insufficiency is high compared with Western studies. Whether normalization of vitamin D insufficiency in deficient B-CLL patients could improve the clinical outcome or delay disease progression will require further studies.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.14
• /
• pp.6007-6010
• /
• 2015

Background: Chronic lymphoid leukemia (CLL) is a malignant hematopoietic disorder, the most common of all adult leukemias with a distinctive immunophenotype. It is well established that CLL patients can have autoimmune complications, amongst them autoimmune hemolytic anemia as the most frequent. This study was carried out to determine the frequency of direct Coombs Test positivity in CLL patients and its possible correlation with Rai staging, hematological parameters and biochemical markers. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross sectional study was carried at Liaquat National Hospital from January 2011 to June 2013. Sixty untreated patients with B- chronic lymphoid leukemia were enrolled. Complete blood count, direct Coombs test, serum urea, creatinine, uric acid and LDH levels were determined. Data were compiled and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Results: Out of 60 patients, 42(70%) were males and 18(30%) were females. Mean age was $59{\pm}9.2years$. Male to female ratio was 2.1: 1. The frequency of direct antiglobulin test (DAT) positivity was found to be 23.3%. The monospecific IgG was positive in 11 patients (18.3%); C3d positivity was evident in 1 patient (1.6%) and 2 patients (3.3%) had dual IgG and C3d positivity. The mean hemoglobin was $10.8{\pm}2.4gm/dl$. Significantly low mean hemoglobin of $8.3{\pm}3.0gm/dl$ was seen in Coombs positive patients compared with negative patients having a mean hemoglobin level of $11.7{\pm}1.6gm/dl$ (P<0.001). DAT positivity also demonstrated a positive association with advanced Rai stage III disease (P<0.01). No associations were noted with age, gender and biochemical markers. Conclusions: Direct Coombs test positivity in CLL in our patients, unlike in Western studies, appears relatively high, indicating significant autoimmune hemolytic anemia and advanced Rai stage in our setting. DAT positivity can be considered as a surrogative marker for advanced clinical disease.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.15
• /
• pp.6627-6632
• /
• 2015

Background: We conducted a study exploring the clinical safety and efficacy of decitabine in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), combined with a complex karyotype. Materials and Methods: From April 2009 to September 2013, a total of 35 patients with AML/MDS combined with a complex karyotype diagnosed in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were included for retrospective analysis. All patients were treated with decitabine alone ($20mg/m^2$ daily for 5 days) or combination AAG chemotherapy (Acla 20mg qod*4d, Ara-C $10mg/m^2$ q12h*7d, G-CSF $300{\mu}g$ qd, the dose of G-CSF adjusted to the amount in blood routinely). Results: In 35 patients, 15 exhibited a complete response (CR), and 6 a partial response (PR), the overall response rate (CR+PR) being 60% (21 of 35). Median disease-free survival was 18 months and overall survival was 14 months. In the 15 MDS patients with a complex karyotype, the CR rate was 53.3% (8 of 15); in 20 AML patients with complex karyotype, the overall response rate was 65% (13 of 20). The response rate of decitabine alone (22 cases) was 56.5% (13 of 22), while in the combination chemotherapy group (13 cases), the effective rate was 61.5% (8 of 13)(P>0.05). There are 15 patients with chromosome 7 aberration, after treatment with decitabine, 7 CR, 3 PR, overall response rate was 66.7% (10 of 15). Of 18 patients with 3 to 5 kinds of chromosomal abnormalities, 66.7% demonstrated a response; of 17 with more than 5 chromosomal abnormalities, 52.9% had a response. In the total of 35 patients, with one course (23 patients) and ${\geq}$two courses (12 patients), the overall response rate was 40.9% and 92.3% (P<0.05). Grade III to IV hematological toxicity was observed in 27 cases (75%). Grade III to IV infections were clinically documented in 7 (20%). Grades I to II non-hematological toxicity were infections (18 patients), haematuria (2 patients), and bleeding (3 patients). With follow-up until September 2013, 7 patients were surviving, 18 had died and 10 were lost to follow-up. In the 6 cases who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) all were still relapse-free survivors. Conclusions: Decitabine alone or combination with AAG can improve outcome of AML/MDS with a complex karyotype, there being no significant difference decitabine in inducing remission rates in patients with different karyotype. Increasing the number of courses can improve efficiency. This approach with fewer treatment side effects in patients with a better tolerance should be employed in order to create an improved subsequent chance for HSCT.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.18 no.8
• /
• pp.1169-1172
• /
• 2008

The purpose of this study was to establish blood reference values for miniature pigs from various growth ages before pre-puberty. 12 miniature pigs from two swine farms were sampled by jugular venipuncture. Routine hematological and biochemical determinations were performed using whole blood and serum. For the variables examined in each age group the means and the standard deviations were calculated. In hematological values, there are significant changes (p<0.05) in RBC, hematocrit and platelet values in each group. In RBC and hematocrit values, 4-week group shows the lowest level, whereas in platelet values, 4-week group shows the highest level. In biochemical values, there are significant chnges (p<0.05) in glucose and GGT in each group, and in other biochemical values there are no significant changes during growing periods. The values presented here may be useful for knowing the normal values for miniature pigs and also screening the normal pigs in the early days of their life and during the developemental stages.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.33 no.6
• /
• pp.362-367
• /
• 2016

The aim of the study was to evaluate ultrasonographic findings, affected age, hematology, blood chemistry and clinical signs according to open or closed cervix in 102 bitches presented for treatment of pyometra. The prevalence of pyometra according to breed was observed in Maltese 22.5%, Yorkshire Terrier 13.7% and Shih Tzu 12.7%. The mean age of dogs was $9.6{\pm}0.3years$, and open cervix pyometra was more prevalent than closed cervix pyometra. Clinical signs included anorexia, vaginal discharge, depression, polyuria/polydipsia, vomiting, and abdominal distension. The concentration of BUN and the activity of ALP in dogs with closed cervix pyometra were significantly higher than those in dogs with open cervix pyometra (p < 0.05). The white blood cell and neutrophils in dogs with closed cervix pyometra were significant higher than those in dogs with open cervix pyometra (p < 0.05). Ultrasonographic findings of the uterus with open or closed cervix pyometra showed variable patterns. The uterine wall was variable in appearance, from thick and irregular to smooth and thin. The uterine wall was thicker in open cervix pyometra than in closed cervix pyometra. The luminal cavity included smaller amount of anechoic fluid in open cervix pyometra than in closed cervix pyometra.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
• /
• v.38 no.5
• /
• pp.1282-1291
• /
• 2021

The aim of this study was to investigate the hematology and serum chemistry values on Sprague-Dawley rats, used sodium fluoride (NaF) for 5 weeks. Seven-week-old male rats were divided into nine groups and fed experimental diets with oral NaF treatment, basal diet group (BG), basal diet plus oral NaF groups (NF3~NF50). Concentrations of non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, uric acid in serum were significantly higher in the oral NaF groups than BG (𝛼=0.05). Total calcium (T-Ca) and phosphorus (Pi) concentrations was observed to be significant difference, it was decreased with an increase in the NaF levels (𝛼=0.05). Accordingly, sodium fluoride exposures and dose-response relationship, which was found on the bad influences in hematology. Such association is considered that the long-term fluoride exposure caused nephrotoxicity.