• Korea-Australia Rheology Journal
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.109-115
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• 2007

A new microchip-based aggregometer that uses a stirring-aided disaggregation mechanism in a microchip was developed to measure red blood cell (RBC) aggregation in blood and RBC suspensions. Conventional methods of RBC disaggregation, such as the rotational Couette system, were replaced with a newly designed stirring-induced disaggregation mechanism. Using a stirrer in a microchip, the aggregated RBCs stored in a microchip can be easily disaggregated. With an abrupt halt of the stirring, the backscattered light intensity can be measured in a microchip with respect to time. The time recording of the backscattered light intensity (syllectogram) shows an exponential decreasing curve representing the RBC aggregation. By analyzing the syllectogram, aggregation indices such as AI and M were determined. The results showed excellent agreement with LORCA. The essential feature of this design is the incorporation of a disposable microchip and the stirring-induced disaggregation mechanism.

• Korea-Australia Rheology Journal
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.253-260
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• 2008

A method based on transient shear flow dynamics of red cell aggregates was developed to investigate reversible re-aggregation processes with decreasing shear flow. In the microchannel-flow aggregometry, the aggregated red blood cells that are subjected to continuously decreasing shear stress in microchannel flow were measured with the use of a laser-scattering technique. Both the laser-backscattered intensity and pressure were simultaneously measured with respect to time, resulting in shear stress ranging from $0{\sim}35\;Pa$ for a time period of less than 30 seconds. The time dependent recording of the backscattered light intensity (syllectogram) yielded an upward convex curve with a peak point, which reflected the transition threshold of aggregation in the RBC suspensions. Critical-time and critical-shear stress corresponding to the peak point were examined by varying the initial pressure-differential and the micro channel depth, and these results showed good potential for being used as new aggregation indices. In the present study, these newly proposed indices were also validated by differentiating the effect of fibrinogen on RBC aggregation and then these indices were compared to the conventional indices that were measured by a rotational aggregometer.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.61-69
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• 2018

Objective: In this study, the effects of saffron stigma against subacute diazinon (DZN) toxicity on enzymes levels, biochemical, hematological, histopathological and genotoxicity indices were studied in rats. Methods: Vitamin E (200 IU/kg) and the aqueous extract of saffron (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) were injected intraperitoneally three times per week alone or with DZN (20 mg/kg/day, orally) for 4 weeks. The hematological and biochemical parameters were evaluated at the end of 4 weeks. Results: Reticulocytes counts, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine phosphokinase, CPK-MB, gama glutamyl transferase (GGT), uric acid and micronucleus indices were increased significantly but total protein and RBC cholinesterase activity were decreased in the DZN-treated group. Saffron prevented the effect of DZN on GGT (50 mg/kg), LDH, CPK and CPK-MB (100 and 200 mg/kg) levels. An increased uric acid and reduced protein levels by DZN were prevented by vitamin E and some doses of saffron. A significant reduction was observed in platelets, RBC, hemoglobin and hematocrit indices in the DZN group. Saffron and vitamin E prevented this reduction. Vitamin E and saffron did not reduce the effect of DZN on RBC cholinesterase activity. The extract and vitamin E could not prevent DZN genotoxicity in the micronucleus assay. Other biochemical parameters and pathological evaluation did not show any abnormality in tissues of all groups. Conclusion: This study shows that vitamin E and saffron reduce DZN induced hematological and biochemical toxicity. However, they do not prevent the genotoxicity induced by DZN.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.281-287
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• 2016

Earlier studies conducted on lead-exposed workers have determined the reticulocyte count (RC) (%), but the parameters of Absolute Reticulocyte Count (ARC), Reticulocyte Index (RI), and Reticulocyte Production Index (RPI) were not reported. This study assessed the effect of lead (Pb) exposure on the status of reticulocyte count indices in workers occupied in lead battery plants. The present cross-sectional study was carried out on 391 male lead battery workers. The blood lead levels (BLL) were determined by using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The RC (%) was estimated by using the supravital staining method. The parameters, such as ARC, RI, and RPI, were calculated by using the RC (%) with the red cell indices (RBC count and hematocrit). The levels of RBC count and hematocrit were determined by using an ABX Micros ES-60 hematology analyzer. The levels of reticulocyte count indices - RC (%), ARC, RI, and RPI significantly increased with elevated BLL. The association between BLL and reticulocyte count indices was positive and significant. The results of linear multiple regression analysis showed that the reticulocyte count (${\beta}=0.212$, P < 0.001), ARC (${\beta}=0.217$, P < 0.001), RI (${\beta}=0.194$, P < 0.001), and RPI (${\beta}=0.208$, P < 0.001) were positively associated with BLL. The variable, smoking habits, showed a significant positive association with reticulocyte count indices: RC (%) (${\beta}=0.188$, P < 0.001), ARC (${\beta}=0.174$, P < 0.001), RI (${\beta}=0.200$, P < 0.001), and RPI (${\beta}=0.151$, P < 0.005). The study results revealed that lead exposure may cause reticulocytosis with an increase of reticulocyte count indices.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.190-194
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• 2018

Recently, the horse racing industry in Korea has developed rapidly with good betting turnover. One of the most important factors in enhancing the performance of racehorses is the study of equine exercise physiology. This study was performed to analyze the results of pre-race blood test on race day and evaluate its correlation with the race performance in Thoroughbred racehorses. Twenty-one, healthy 3- to 6-year-old Thoroughbred horses were used to collect blood samples and hematological and biochemical measurements were performed. Results were analyzed to identify its correlation with racing performance. Analysis of hematological profile of pre-race blood of the racehorses revealed that red blood cell indices including RBC, Hb, and PCV levels were elevated. Additionally, levels of AP, AST, and GGT were also elevated in pre-race blood of horses on race day. RBC, Hb, and PCV levels of high performance racehorses were significantly lower than those of low class racehorses. Moreover, the analysis of correlation between blood test results and racing ability-related categories have shown negative correlations for rating, placing strike rate, prize money per race, RBC, Hb, and PCV and positive correlations for G3F and PCV. Additionally, AST value was positively correlated to prize money per race. Thus, the results of this study show that red blood cell indices and AST are good parameters for evaluating racing performance of horses before the race.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2004

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of iron supplementation on iron-deficiency-related indices, oxidative stress and antioxidative enzyme activity in female marathoners. Fourteen teenage female marathoners participated in the study. Subjects were divided into two groups: mild anemic and control, depending on their hemoglobin (Hb) level. The mild anemic group had significantly lower RBC count and hematocrit (Hct) and Hb levels compared to the control group. The mild anemic group (〈12.5g Hb/dI, n=7) was given iron supplements (60mg Fe/day) for four weeks during the summer training period. RBC count, Hct and Hb levels showed an increasing tendency through iron supplementation, and significant differences in these variables between the anemic and control groups disappeared in the post-period. There was no difference in plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) between the anemic and control groups. However, catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity were significantly higher in the anemic group. The significant difference in enzyme activity between the groups disappeared in the post-period. In addition, superoxide dismutase activity significantly decreased after iron supplementation. In conclusion, antioxidative enzyme activity was up-regulated in an anemic condition and mild iron supplementation decreased the antioxidant enzyme activity of female marathoners while improving their anemic condition.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.1100-1116
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• 1995

Nutritional and health status was assessed in the 86 healthy elderly women who aged 65 through 96 and resided in nursing home in chonbuk area. Nutritional status was determined by dietary intake, anthropometric and hematological indices and hair elements. Correlation analysis among nutritional indices were performed to identify the factors which related specifically to nutritional status of the elderly. Nutrients intake below two-thirds of the RDA were Ca, riboflavin and niacin. Especially mean Ca intake was only 51.9% of RDA and most of nutrients intake were decreased as theri age increased. Height, body weight and mid upper arm circumference were decreased with age but W/H ratio did not differ among age groups. These data suggested that body fat accumulation did not change with age but lean body mass was decreased with age in the elderly. Waist circumference was positively correlated to dietary fat intake, and body weight, BMI, waist and hip circumferences and total body fat were positively correlated with serum LDC/HDL ratio. It could be concluded anthropometric indices were good indicator that reflect the lipid nutritional status in elderly women. Hematological indices, Hb, RBC, MCH, albumin, globulin, transferrin levels, belonged to normal ranges of aged women. However, the lowest Hb level showed in the oldest-old group(aged 85 and over years group). The avalilavilty of hair analysis to measure nutritional status was tested. There were not found any significant correlations between many kinds of nutritional indices and hair elements except hair Zn content which was positively correlated with BMI.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.387-393
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• 2006

Progressing to the iron deficiency anemia was experimentally induced in 4 clinically healthy dogs by repeated phlebotomy to characterize hematologic features, serum iron values, and RBC indices. Abnormal RBC morphologies were also evaluated semiquantitatively on Wright's-stained blood films. Hematologic abnormalities in early stage of anemia included decreased both hematocrit and hemoglobin, and reticulocytosis, with no changes in mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were represented. In intermediate stage, decreased serum iron concentration with microcytosis and hypochromia were prominent. In late stage, red cell distribution width and Mentzer's index were out of reference ranges in the majority of dogs. In this study microcytic anemia was appeared at the hemoglobin range of 5.1-7.2 g/dl. On most sampling days, platelet counts and white blood cells were within the reference ranges, with some minor variations. Iron deficiency was not necessarily associated with microcytic anemia. Judging from the sequential changes of both MCV and MCHC, 3 patterns of anemia were sequentially observed: initially normocytic normochromic, intermediate normocytic hypochromic or normocytic normochormic, and finally microcytic hypochromic. The most frequent morphologic abnormalities were target cells. Occasional elliptocyte, acanthocyte, stomatocyte, kinzocyte, dacrocyte and schistocyte were also noted on the blood films.

• Korea-Australia Rheology Journal
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.129-134
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• 2004

The aggregation characteristics of red blood cells (RBCs) were measured using a newly developed light-transmission slit rheometer. Conventional methods of RBC disaggregation such as the rotational Couette system were replaced with a pressure-driven slit flow system with a vibrational mechanism. Using a vibration generator, one can disaggregate the RBC aggregates stored in the slit. While shear stress decreases exponentially, instantaneous pressure and the transmitted light intensity were measured over time. Applying an abrupt shearing flow after disaggregation caused a rapid elongation of the RBCs followed by loss of elongation with the decreasing shear stress. While the shear stress is further decreasing, the RBCs start to re-aggregate and the corresponding transmitted intensity increases with time, from which the aggregation indices can be obtained using a curve-fitting program.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.149-156
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• 1999

This study was due to investigate the dietary intakes, serum lipids and other hematological indices in female adolescent smokers. The subjects were 85 smokers, whose average pack-year(smoking years on the basis of one pack of cigarettes per day) was 1.26 and 87 nonsmokers who were female high school students in Seoul. An anthropometric measreument was performed and % body fat was also analyzed by the Bioelectrical Impedance Fatness Analyzer(GIF-891). Dietary intakes and food habits were examined through questionnaires and nutrient intakes were analyzed by the Computer Aided. Nutritional analysis program for professional(CAN-pro). Serum TG, HDL-cholesterol and total-cholesterol levels were measured with test kits. Serum glucose, albumin, GOT and GPT were measured by automated dry chemistry system, SPOTCHEM 4410. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, RBC, WBC and MCV were determined by Semi Automated Microcell Counter(F-520). All data were statistically analyzed by SAS PC package program. There was no significant difference in the anthropometric measurements between smokers and nonsmokers. The caloric intake in adolescent smokers tended to be higher than that of nonsmokers but the difference was not statistically significant. In addition, there was no significant difference between smokers and nonsmokers in biochemical indices. Analysis of serum lipids showed that the serum levels of total-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol of nonsmokers were unexpectedly significantly higher(p<0.05) than those of smokers. Overall results indicate that smoking itself with short pack-year in healthy female adolescent did not seem to influence apparent health and nutritional status.