• Interdisciplinary Bio Central
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.12.1-12.7
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• 2010

The National Bio Resource Project-Rat (NBRP-Rat) comprises the largest bank of laboratory rat (Rattus norvegicus) strains in the world. Its main focus is to develop infrastructure that will facilitate the systematic collection, preservation, and provision of rat strains. To breed effectively more than 180 rat strains in living stock, we establish the genetic control system in which a systematic set of genetic diagnoses and genetic monitoring are included. Genetic monitoring is performed by using 20 polymorphic markers. Monitoring is carried out when a living animal stock is re-established by using cryopreserved embryos or sperm or when a rat strain is first introduced to the NBRP-Rat by a depositor. Additional monitoring is then carried out on each strain every two years. Genetic diagnosis is performed largely by employing the Amp-FTA method. Protocols which detail how to perform a genetic diagnosis of 11 transgenes and 24 mutations have been made. Among the mutations, nine can be detected by simple gel electrophoresis of the PCR products, 11 by restriction enzyme treatment of the PCR products, and four by direct PCR product sequencing. Using this genetic control system, the NBRP-Rat can guarantee the genetic quality of its rat strains.

• Progress in Superconductivity
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.147-151
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• 2010

We have developed a high-$T_c$ SQUID magnetocardiogram (MCG) system for small laboratory animals. White noise of the measurement system was about 30 fT/$Hz^{1/2}$ when measured in a magnetically shielded room. We optimized the measurement position to obtain clear MCG wave from rat's small heart by using grid measurements. With the optimization, the MCG signal was successfully detected with the peak amplitude of about 30 pT. We could observe well defined P-, QRS-, and T-waves from the rat MCG. The results suggest that the developed system has a strong potential to monitor the progress of the heart disease model by using a laboratory rat.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.215-216
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• 1995

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.896-907
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• 1999

The morphometrical characteristics such as external measurements and mandible size assessment in mice and rats have to be highly heritable and sufficiently variable between strains in order to calculate a strain specific profiles. The coat color of Korean wild rats were observed and morphometric analysis of external measurements were carried out on Korean wild rats compared to laboratory strains in order to clarify the genetic characteristics of Korean wild rats and to establish background data as a domestication of Korean wild rats for new laboratory strain. Korean wild rats were captured from Chunchon and Hoengsong. 4 inbred and 1 outbred strains of rats were used in this study for the comparison of genetic characteristic of Korean wild rats. Total body length, head length, tail length, hind foot length and ear length were measured and then statistical analysis were carried out by discrimiant analysis. The coat color of Korean wild rat showed golden white in ventral portion and dark agouti in dorsal portion. Korean wild rats could be distinguished from the other laboratory strains distinctly by morphogenetical analysis. There was significant variations among Korean wild rat compared to those of the other laboratory strains of rat. This study may provide that Korean wild rats have a unique genetic characterization compared to those of other inbred strains of rats based on morphogenetical characteristics by external measurements.

• BMB Reports
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.156-165
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• 2001

Leptin is a circulating non-glycosylated protein that is mainly produced in adipocytes. Leptin acts in the brain to regulate food intake and energy expenditure. Previously we reported our success in the isolation of a partial cDNA of the long form of the leptin receptor, OB-Rb, from rat spleen, and showed that leptin might also play a role in peripheral immune organs. In the present study, for the first time, the complete coding region of OB-Rb cDNA was cloned from rat splenocytes, and its nucleotide sequence was determined. The cDNA was then further expressed in E. coli and mammalian cells, thereby confirming the functional integrity of this receptor. Prokaryotically overexpressed OB-R protein was then used as an immunizing antigen in BALE/c mice to produce leptin receptor-specific antibodies. By using them, we confirmed the cell surface expression of OB-Rb in transfected CHO cells. It is our belief that the reagents, as produced in this study, will be of great use in further studies of the biological role of rat leptin.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.159-162
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• 2010

Although the tail vessels are frequently used for serial blood sampling in rat, the definition of its vasculature remains in dispute. Herein, we investigated the number of blood vessels in Sprague-Dawley rat tail using angiographic and histological methods. Our results showed rat tail has one dorsal vein, two lateral veins, one ventral artery and one ventral vein. In the conclusion, when deciding which site is best for collecting blood, it is critical to consider the structure and features of the blood vessels to be used. This study will also be helpful for investigators to understand the structure of blood vessels in rat tail.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.380-387
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• 2017

Berchemia berchemiaefolia (BB) are climbing plants or small to medium-sized trees that live in Africa, Asia and America. We performed the present study to investigate whether oral administration of Berchemia berchemiaefolia extract (BBE) protects SD rats from pain. The SD rat experimental groups were divided into four groups. Two of the animal model groups were fed on BBE (200 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg). We performed oral acute toxicity test to determine the optimal oral dose of BBE. To explore if BBE alleviated pain in the SD rat, we undertook the tail flick latency test and formalin test. Additionally, we conducted the anti-oxidative test. The findings of the present study suggest that Berchemia berchemiaefolia extract exhibits strong antioxidant and analgesic activities.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.190-195
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• 2007

In the present study, the author investigated to the cytotoxocity in cultured rat hepatocytes of Viscum album lectin. The cytotoxcity effect in Viscum album lectin on the activity of LDH was also investigated. Viscum album lectin significantly increased LDH leakage into medium of hepatocytes treated or untreated with $CCl_4$ (p<0.001). However, Viscum album lectin significantly increased LDH leakage from $CCl_4$-induced hepatocyte (p<0.001). There was a significant increase in LDH levels relative to the control group. Histological observation basically supported the result obtained from LDH assay. The livers of rats challenged with $CCl_4$ produced a marked increased cytoplasmic vacuoles and inflammatory cells in number, while the number of necrotic cells and swollen hepatocytes did not change significnatly. Rats administered DMSO alone did not alter the normal hepatic architecture. Histological observation of liver section in rat treated 72 hrs with either Viscum album lectin $CCl_4$-induced liver damage showed number of cytoplasmic vaculoe and necrotic cell. The number of inflammatory cell increased markedly. This results suggest to the conclusion that Viscum album lectin has a effect of hepatotoxicity activator.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.89-97
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• 1990

Neural regulation of phenylethanolamine N-meth-yltransferase (PNMT) was studied with reserpine as a neuronal agent in rat adrenal medulla. The enzyme activity assay and northern blot analysis were performed to determine whether the induction of PNMT activity after reserpine treatment was associated with elevation of mRNA coding for PNMT. The i.p. administration of reserpine (2.5 mg/kg) on alternate days fot 4 injections to rats brought about 30% increase of adrenal medullary PNMT activity and approximately 60% stimulation of the PNMT mRNA level in rat adrenal gland. A dose of 10 mg/kg of reserpine was chosen to perform optimum induction of PNMT activity in the rat adrenal gland based on the results of dose response curve of reserpine. Time course reserpine (10 mg/kg) effects on the rat adrenal medullary PNMT were as follows: 1. Peripheral PNMT activity reached maximum level after 7 days of drug treatment on alternate days. 2. Trans-synaptic stimulation by reserpine increased pretranslational activity of rat adrenal PNMT, but not translational activity. 3. Immunotitration of PNMT molecule after reserpine treatment indicated that reserpine produced an enzyme with greater antibody affinity than endogenous molecule in the rat adrenal gland.

• Progress in Superconductivity
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.124-128
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• 2011

We have developed a high-$T_C$ SQUID magnetometer system to measure magnetocardiograms of laboratory rats. White noise of the measurement system was about 50 fT/$Hz^{1/2}$ when measured in a magnetically shielded box. We optimized the measurement position to obtain clear MCG wave from rat's small heart by using grid measurements. With the optimization, the MCG signal was successfully detected with the peak amplitude of about 50 pT. We could observe well defined P-, QRS-, and T-wave from the rat MCG. The results suggest that the developed system has a strong potential to monitor the progress of heart disease model using laboratory rat.