• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.40 no.6
• /
• pp.235-241
• /
• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the body temperature peripheral circulation with vibration shoes in healthy 10 adults. The magnetic vibration device with non-electric power was mounted in the midsole of the vibration shoes. The experiment was divided into two groups: vibration shoes and no vibration shoes. Subjects were randomly selected and measured body surface temperature by digital infrared thermal imaging (DITI) and non-invasive capillaries change by nailfold microscope (NFM). After walking in a treadmill for 15 minutes at 4.0 km/h speed wearing normal shoes or vibration shoes, DITI and NFM were measured. The walking with vibration shoes showed the body surface temperature shift from the proximal to the distal. In addition, the diameter of the nailfold capillary in the vibration shoes group was thicker and clearer due to the increased blood flow than that of the no vibration shoes group. The vibration shoes are easy to apply to anyone who can walk because it can give vibration stimulation by walking without additional time, cost, and effort in daily life. Further studies are needed to explain the physiological effects of vibration frequency and intensity on the long-term perspective of target subjects resulting from vascular dysfunction.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.44 no.2 s.138
• /
• pp.139-143
• /
• 2006

Peripheral gangrene, characterized by distal ischemia of the extremities, is a rare complication in patients with falciparum malaria. Patients with this complication have generally undergone early amputation of the affected areas. In this report, we describe 3 adult Thai patients presented at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Bangkok, with high grade of fever ranged 6-9 days, jaundice, acute renal failure, respiratory failure, alteration of consciousness and shock. Two patients had gangrene developed at the lower extremities on day 1 of hospitalization and 1 patient had gangrene developed on day 3. Blood smears revealed hyperparasitemia with Plasmodium falciparum. These patients were diagnosed as having severe malaria with peripheral gangrene. The resolution of gangrene was successfully achieved by treatment with artesunate and conservative treatment in 2 of 3 cases.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.75-81
• /
• 2003

Purpose : This study quantitatively evaluated the apoptosis In human peripheral blood lymphocytes using flow cytometry, and investigated the possibility of using this method, with a small amount of blood, and the time and dose dependence of radiation-induced apoptosls. Materials and Methods : Peripheral blood lymphocyes were isolated from the heparinized venous blood of 11 healthy volunteers, 8 men and 3 women, with each 10 ml of blood being divided Into IS samples. The blood lymphocytes were Irradiated using a linear accelerator at a dose rate of 2.4 Gy/min, to deliver doses of 0.5, 1, 2 and S Gy. The control samples, and Irradiated cells, were maintained in culture medium for 24, 48 and 72 hours fellowing the Irradiation. The number of apoptotic cells after the in vitro X-irradiation was measured by flow cytometry after Incubation periods of 24, 48 and 72 hours. We also observed the apoptotic cells using a DNA fragmentation assay and electron microscopy. Results : The rate oi spontaneous apoptosis increased in relation to the time interval following irradiation (1.761 ${\pm}$0.161, 3.563${\pm}$0.554, 11.098${\pm}$2.849, at 24, 48, and 72 hours). The apoptotli cells also increased In the samples irradiated with 0.5, 1, 2 and 5 Gy, In a radiation dose and time interval after Irradiation manner, with the apoptosls being too great at 72 hours after Irradiation. The dose-response curves were characterized by an Initial steep Increase In the number of apoptotic cells for Irradiation doses below 2 Gy, with a flattening of the curves as the dose approached towards 5 Gy. Conclusion :The flow cytometric assay technique yielded adequate data, and required less than 1 mL of blood. The time and dose dependence of the radiation-induced apoptosis, was also shown. It is suggested that the adequate time Interval required for the evaluation of apoptosis would be 24 to 48 hours after blood sampling.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.50 no.5
• /
• pp.599-606
• /
• 2001

Background : Since the advent of AIDS, tuberculosis has become a major public health problem in the western society. Therefore, it is essential that pulmonary tuberculosis be rapidly diagnosed. Light microscopic detection of acid-fast organisms in sputum has traditionally been used for rapidly diagnosing tuberculosis. However positive smears are only observed in about one-half to three-quarters of cases. Studies using PCR for diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosis disclosed several shortcomings suggesting an inability to distinguish between active and treated or inactive tuberculosis. In this study, the clinical significance of a PCR-based rapid technique for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA in peripheral blood was investigated. Materials and Methods : From July 1, 1998 through to August 30, 1999, 59 patients with presumed tuberculosis, who had no previous history of anti-tuberculosis medication use within one year prior to this study were recruited and followed up for more than 3 months. AFB stain and culture in the sputum and/or pleural fluids and biopsies when needed were performed. Blood samples from each of the 59 patients were obtained in order to identify Mycobacterium Tuberculosis DNA by a PCR test. Results : 1) Forty five out of 59 patients had a final diagnosis of tuberculosis ; Twenty eight were confirmed as having active pulmonary tuberculosis by culture or biopsy. Four were clinically diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis. The other 13 patients were diagnosed as having tuberculous pleurisy (9) and extrapulmonary tuberculosis (4). 2) Fourteen patients showed a positive blood PCR test. The PCR assay correctly identified active tuberculosis in 13 out of 14 patients. The overall sensitivity and specificity of this blood peR assay for diagnosing tuberculosis were 29% and 93%, respectively. The positive predictive value was 93%, the negative predictive value was 29% and the diagnostic accuracy was 44%.3) Six out of 14(43%) patients with blood PCR positive tuberculosis were immunologically compromised hosts. 4) A simple chest radiograph in blood PCR positive tuberculosis patients showed variable and inconsistent findings. Conclusion : A peripheral blood PCR assay for Mycobacterium tuberculosis is not recommended as a screening method for diagnosing active tuberculosis. However, it was suggested that the blood PCR assay could contribute to an early diagnostic rate due to its high positive predictive value.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.377-383
• /
• 1999

Polymorphonuclear (PMN) leucocytes are fundamental importance to the body's defense mechanism and play a major role in the local and systemic reactions to infectious disease. Investigation of the physiological and pathological role of the various leucocyte subtypes in host defence mechanisms is dependent upon the isolation of adequate numbers of viable, pure leucocyte fractions. This report describes the separate frequency of PMN leucocytes both from buffy coat layer and from packed RBC layer when bovine peripheral blood was treated with various anti-coagulants such as acid-citrate-dextrose(ACD), ethyldiaminetetraacetic acid(EDTA), sodium citrate and heparin. The separate frequencies of PMN leucocytes from buffy coat layer was 60.4$\pm$9.6%(heparin), 56.8$\pm$11.8%(sodium citrate), 30.6$\pm$14.1%(ACD) and 6.2$\pm$3.7%(EDTA), in order. Those from packed RBC layer monitored with EDTA, ACD, sodium citrate and heparin was 85.0$\pm$4.7%, 84.3$\pm$5.5%, 83.8$\pm$6.5% and 76.3$\pm$7.7%, respectively. The Ficoll-hypaque(FH) density gradient method was used to remove a small part of lymphocytes and/or monocytes from leucocytes in packed RBC layer. With the result that it increased separate frequency of PMN leucocytes from EDTA(89.9$\pm$2.4%), ACD(89.5$\pm$3.6%), and sodium citrate(83.6$\pm$10.3%) than heparin(68.4$\pm$13.9%). These results indicate that the use of EDTA and ACD as anticoagulant Is suitable for the separation of PMN leucocytes from bovine peripheral blood, and that the FH density gradient method is able to increase the separate frequency of PMN leucocytes from packed RBC layer.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.153-160
• /
• 2017

In this study, we aim to determine the in vivo effect of human umbilical cord blood-derived multipotent stem cells (hUCB-MSCs) on neuropathic pain, using three, principal peripheral neuropathic pain models. Four weeks after hUCB-MSC transplantation, we observed significant antinociceptive effect in hUCB-MSC-transplanted rats compared to that in the vehicle-treated control. Spinal cord cells positive for c-fos, CGRP, p-ERK, p-p 38, MMP-9 and MMP 2 were significantly decreased in only CCI model of hUCB-MSCs-grafted rats, while spinal cord cells positive for CGRP, p-ERK and MMP-2 significantly decreased in SNL model of hUCB-MSCs-grafted rats and spinal cord cells positive for CGRP and MMP-2 significantly decreased in SNI model of hUCB-MSCs-grafted rats, compared to the control 4 weeks or 8weeks after transplantation (p<0.05). However, cells positive for TIMP-2, an endogenous tissue inhibitor of MMP-2, were significantly increased in SNL and SNI models of hUCB-MSCs-grafted rats. Taken together, subcutaneous injection of hUCB-MSCs may have an antinociceptive effect via modulation of pain signaling during pain signal processing within the nervous system, especially for CCI model. Thus, subcutaneous administration of hUCB-MSCs might be beneficial for improving those patients suffering from neuropathic pain by decreasing neuropathic pain activation factors, while increasing neuropathic pain inhibition factor.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.227-242
• /
• 1994

The general pharmacological effects of a new anthracycline anticancer agent, DA-125 $[7-0-(2,\;6-dideoxy-2-fluoro-{\alpha}-L-talopyranosyl)-adriamycinone-14-{\beta}-alaninate{\cdot}HCI]$ were investigated in mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits and dogs. Intravenous administration of DA-125 presented no significant effects on the central and peripheral nervous systems of ICR mice except a decrease in the numbers of acetic acid-induced writhing response at a dose of 10 mg/kg. In anesthetized rats and dogs, DA-125 produced a transient depression of blood pressure and an increase in heart rate, but did not affect the peripheral blood flow in the isolated ear vessels of rabbits and the mechanical functions of the isolated hearts of guinea pigs. No significant effects were observed on the gastrointestinal functions and the contractilities of smooth muscle preparations obtained from guinea pig trachea, rabbit ileum, pregnant and non-pregnant uterus and vas deferens of rats. DA-125 Increased the contractility of the isolated ileum of guinea pigs in a dose range of $10^{-6}{\sim}10^{-9}g/ml$, and also increased, but weaker than adriamycin, the vascular permeability in rat skin. DA-125 had no effect on the kallikrein-induced increase in permeability and the permeability of the visceral organs. DA-125 did not adversely affect the liver function and the blood coagulation system, and did not induce hemolysis in vitro. It is concluded from the results that the general pharmachological effects of DA-125 are similar to or weaker than those of adriamycin, and that little adverse effects are anticipated with a therapeutic dose range.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.16
• /
• pp.6911-6917
• /
• 2014

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma is a complex and heterogeneous tumor with poor prognosis due to frequent intrahepatic spread and extrahepatic metastasis. The molecular mechanisms underlying HCC pathogenesis still remain obscure. Objectives: We aimed to investigate the abundance and the DNA binding activity of nuclear factor kappa B/p65 subunit in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with HCC and to assess its prognostic significance and association with hypoxia inducible factor one alpha (HIF-$1{\alpha}$) in blood. Subjects and methods: This study was carried out on 40 patients classified equally into liver cirrhosis (group I) and HCC (group II), in addition to 20 healthy volunteers (group III). All groups were subjected to measurement of NF-${\kappa}B$/P65 subunit expression levels by real time-PCR, and DNA binding activity was evaluated by transcription factor binding immunoassay. Serum HIF-$1{\alpha}$ levels were estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Significant increase of both the expression level and DNA binding activity of NF-${\kappa}B$/P65 subunit together with serum HIF-1 alpha levels was noted in HCC patients compared to liver cirrhosis and control subjects, with significant positive correlation with parameters for bad prognosis of HCC. In conclusion, NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling is activated in HCC and associated with disease prognosis and with high circulating levels of HIF-1 alpha.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.153-164
• /
• 1988

The potential role of endogenous opioid peptides (EOPS) in cardiovascular regulation has only recently been entertained. EOPS have been localized in brain, spinal cord, autonomic ganglia, particularly the adrenal gland, and many other peripheral tissues. There are at least five major types of opioid receptors; namely ${\mu},\;{\delta},\;k,\;{\sigma},\;and\;{\varepsilon}$ and Experimental evidence indicates that cardiovascular actions of the peptide are mediated primarily by ${\mu},\;{\delta}$ and k receptors, and that these receptor types may be allosterically coupled. In anesthetized rabbits met-enkephalin decreased blood pressure and heart rate, which closely paralleled a reduction in sympathetic discharge. Naloxone, but not naloxone methobromide, antagonized these effects, which suggests a central site of action of met-enkephalin. A number of autonomic agents, particularly adrenergic ${\alpha}$-and, ${\beta}-agonists$ and antagonists modify the cardiovascular actions of met-enkephalin. Experiments in reserpine-treated and adrenalectomized rats provide no evidence of sympathetic nervous system involvement in the pressor responses to intravenous injection of opioid peptides, but rather suggest a direct peripheral action. Finally, activation of a beta-endorphinergic pathway projecting from the arcuate nucleus to the nucleus tractos solitarii in rats can cause naloxone reversible hypotension and bradycardia. There is evidence to implicate this pathway in antihypertensive drug action and in the modulation of baroreflex activity.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.10
• /
• pp.4217-4224
• /
• 2014

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a slow growing but highly metastatic tumor, is highly prevalent in Northeast Thailand. Specific tests that predict prognosis of CCA remain elusive. The present study was designed to investigate whether peripheral blood leukocyte (PBL) transcriptional profiles might be of use as a prognostic test in CCA patients. Gene expression profiles of PBLs from 9 CCA and 8 healthy subjects were conducted using the Affymetrix HG_U133 Plus 2.0 GeneChip. We indentified informative PBLs gene expression profiles that could reliably distinguish CCA patients from healthy subjects. Of these CCA specific genes, 117 genes were up regulated and 60 were down regulated. The molecular and cellular functions predicted for these CCA specific genes according to the Gene Ontology database indicated differential PBL expression of host immune response and tumor progression genes (EREG, TGF ${\beta}1$, CXCL2, CXCL3, IL-8, and VEGFA). The expression levels of 9 differentially expressed genes were verified in 36 CCA vs 20 healthy subjects. A set of three tumor invasion related genes (PLAU, CTSL and SERPINB2) computed as "prognostic index" was found to be an independent and statistically significant predictor for CCA patient survival. The present study shows that CCA PBLs may serve as disease predictive clinically accessible surrogates for indentifying expressed genes reflective of CCA disease severity.