• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.47-52
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• 2003

The prostate gland contains numerous neuroendocrine cells that are believed to influence the function of the prostate gland. Our recent study demonstrated the expression of both ${\alpha}1$- and ${\alpha}2$-ARs, signaling the release of stored $Ca^{2+}$ and the inhibition of N-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels, respectively, in rat prostate neuroendocrine cells (RPNECs). In this study, the effects of NA on the resting membrane potential (RMP) of RPNECs were investigated using a whole-cell patch clamp method. Fresh RPNECs were dissociated from the ventral lobe of rat prostate and identified from its characteristic shape; round or oval shape with dark cytoplasm. Under zero-current clamp conditions with KCl pipette solution, the resting membrane potential (RMP) of RPNECs was between -35 mV and -85 mV. In those RPNECs with relatively hyperpolarized RMP (＜-60 mV), the application of noradrenaline (NA, $1{\mu}M$) depolarized the membrane to around -40 mV. In contrast, the RPNECs with relatively depolarized RMP (＞-45 mV) showed a transient hyperpolarization and subsequent fluctuation at around -40 mV on application of NA. Under voltage clamp conditions (holding voltage, -40 mV) with CsCl pipette solution, NA evoked a slight inward current (＜-20 pA). NA induced a sharp increase of cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ concentration ($[Ca^{2+}]_c$), measured by the fura-2 fluorescence, and the voltage clamp study showed the presence of charybdotoxin-sensitive $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ currents. In summary, adrenergic stimulation induced either depolarization or hyperpolarization of RPNECs, depending on the initial level of RMP. The inward current evoked by NA and the $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ current might partly explain the depolarization and hyperpolarization, respectively.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.94-95
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• 2003

Local cytosolic rises of $Ca^{2+}$ appears to be critical in the regulation of many cellular activities, including muscle contraction, neurotransmitter secretion, and cell death. Cardiac $Ca^{2+}$ signaling similarly begins with discrete and localized rises of $Ca^{2+}$($Ca^{2+}$ sparks) triggered by $Ca^{2+}$ current ($I_{Ca}$). The large local releases of $Ca^{2+}$ in turn modulate L-type $Ca_{v}$1.2( ${\alpha}_{1C}$ $Ca^{2+}$ channels, suggesting that discrete $Ca^{2+}$ cross-signaling may occur in the micro-domains of ${\alpha}_{1C}$/ryanodine receptors (RyRs). (omitted)

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.93-105
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• 1993

The present study was performed to investigate the properties of ionic currents elicited by voltage pulses in the unfertilized eggs of mouse and hamster by using the whole cell voltage clamp techniques and to find out if there are any differences in properties between eggs of the two rodents. In addition, the modulatory effect of G proteins and protein kinase C (PKC) on the ionic channels were observed. The inward current in hamster eggs was shown to be due to $Ca^{2+}\;current\;(i_{ca})$). The current voltage relations of these currents in hamster egg were analogous to those in mouse eggs. The amplitude of $i_{ca}$ in the hamster egg was larger than that in the mouse egg ($-3.12{\pm}1.07\;nA\;vs.\;-1.71{\pm}0.71\;nA,\;mean{\pm}\;SD$). These results suggest that the $Ca^{2+}$ channels in both kinds of eggs have similar channel properties but their density, and/or conduct ance per unit area is higher in hamster eggs than in mouse eggs. Outward currents in eggs of both mouse and hamster were carried by $K^+$. In hamster eggs, they appeared to comprise at least two components; a transient outward component ($i_{to}$) and a steady state component ($i_{\infty}.$ The $i_{to}$ was found to be dependent on intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration; whereas on the other hand $i_{\infty}\;was\;Ca^{2+}$-independent. $Ca^{2+}$ currents were increased in eggs treated with GTP (or $GTP{\gamma}S$) or fluoroaluminate ($AIF_4^-$). In the hamster egg these increments were antagonized by GDP (or $GDP{\beta}S$) application. In contrast to the enhancement of $i_{ca},\;i_k$ was reduced following GTP (or $GTP{\gamma}S$) perfusion in mouse eggs. The transient component ($i_{to}$) in hamster eggs was increased by adding GTP but decreased by phorbol ester, TPA or dioctanoyl glycerol (DOG). Simultaneous application of $GTP{\gamma}S$ and DOG suppressed $i_{to}$ more effectively than a single application or DOG or TPA. From the above results, we have shown that ionic currents elicited by voltage pulses existed in the unfertilized eggs of mouse and hamster. There are at least two types of currents, $i_{ca}\;and\;i_k$ in mouse eggs, while three types, $i_{ca},\;Ca^{2+}$-dependent $i_k$ and $Ca^{2+}$-independent $i_k$ exist in hamster eggs. ionic channels in these eggs may be regulated either directly by GTP and PKC or indirectly by the substances linked with GTP and PKC.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.3-10
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• 1979

Many excellent Al-Zn-In anode have been developed up to the present. But for the purpose of the better performance of Al-Zn-In anodes in sea water the effect of calcium silicon addition on anodic polarization and current capacity of Al-Zn-In anodes was measured and analysed in sea water and artificial sea water. The results and conclusions obtained are summarized as follows. 1) Being compared with Al-Zn-In anodes, Al-Zn-In anodes containing 0.05% calcium silicon had superior characteristics in both anodic polarization and current capacity. 2) Corrosion patterns of the anodes containing calcium silicon were much more uniform than those of Al-Zn-In anodes. 3) In this experiment the most useful anode was Al-4% Zn-0.03% In-0.05% (Ca-Si). It had a capacity of 2.60Amp-hr of current/g and a voltage of 1.13(SCE reference) at anodic current density 1,000 4{\mu}A/cm^2$.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 1992

We used the whole cell patch clamp technique to examine the ionic basis for the tail current after depolarizing pulse in single atrial myocytes of the rabbit. We recorded the tail currents during various repolarizations after short depolarizing pulse from a holding potential of -70 mV. The potassium currents were blocked by external 4-aminopyridine and replacement of internal potassium with cesium. The current was reversed to the outward direction above +10 mV. High concentrations of intracellular calcium buffer inhibited the activation of the current. Diltiazem and ryanodine blocked it too. These data suggest that the current is activated by intracellular calcium released from sarcoplasmic reticulumn. When the internal chloride concentration was increased, the inward tail current was increased. The current was partially blocked by the anion transport blocker niflumic acid. The current voltage curve of the niflumic acid sensitive current component shows outward rectification and is well fitted to the current voltage curve of the theoretically predicted chloride current calculated from the constant field equation. The currents recorded in rabbit atrial myocytes, with the method showing isolated outward Na Ca exchange current in ventricular cells of the guinea pig, suggested that chloride conductance could be activated with the activation of Na/ca exchange current. From the above results it is concluded that a chloride sensitive component which is activated by intracellular calcium contributes to tail currents in rabbit atrial cells.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 2002

Cryopreservation is commonly used for an efficient utilization of semen, oocytes and embryos but has disadvantage in the survival, development of the post-thawed eggs. The high risk in the survival, development of eggs after thawing is thought to be caused by inappropriate internal regulation of $Ca^{2+}$ and/or formation of intracellular ice crystals. In this experiment, we tested whether the $Ca^{2+}$ current (iCa), a decisive factor to $Ca^{2+}$ entry, was altered in post-thawed oocytes by using whole cell voltage clamp technique. The quality and survival rates of the oocytes derived from both fresh and frozen groups were examined by morphology and FDA-test. Vitrified oocytes (VOs) were incubated for 4 hr after thawing and then donated to this experiment. Ethyleneglycol-ficoll-galactose (EFG) was used as a cryoprotectant for vitrification. The membrane potential was held at -80 mV and step depolarizations of 250 ms were applied from -50 mV to 50 mV in 10 mV increments. The survival rates showed a higher in VOs vitrified with EFG containing $Ca^{2+}$ than in VOs vitrified with EFG under the $Ca^{2+}$-free condition (82.0% vs 14%). In group with/without $Ca^{2+}$, the survival rates were significantly (P<0.01) difference. In the fresh metaphase II oocytes (FOs), current-voltage (I-V) relationship showed that iCa began to activate at -40 mV and reached its maximum at -10 mV. With same voltage pulses, inward currents were elicited in VOs. I-V relationships observed in VOs were similar to those in FOs. Time constants of activation and inactivation of the inward current shown in VOs were not different to those in FOs. This accordance in I-V relations and time constants in FOs with those in VOs indicates that the inward currents in FOs are unaltered by vitrification and thawing. Therefore, vitrification with EFG does not play as a factor to deteriorate $Ca^{2+}$ entry across the membrane of the oocytes.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.130-134
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• 2000

Using the current-applied pressure-assisted (CAPk) process, we could obtain fully dense isotropic and anisotropic NdFeB magnets from rapidly quenched MQP-A powder. The Nd content is found to play an important role during the current applied (CA)-pressing and CA-deformation processes. The $(BH)_max$ of CA-pressed and CA-deformed magnets are 131 kJ/$m^3$ (16.5 MGOe) and 352 kJ/$m^3$(44.2 MGOe), respectively. The change in texture of CA-deformed anisotropic NdFeB magnets with thickness reduction was investigated by pole figures and the (006) texture was found to increase with greater thickness reductions. As the thickness reduction increases from 50% to 60% to 80%, $W_50$ (the average angle of the contour with 50% intensity) decreases from $76^\circ$to $62.5^\circ$to $17^\circ$.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.313-328
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• 1989

The electrophysiological properties of the inward current contributing to the late plateau phase of the action potential were investigated using the whole cell clamp technique and intracellular dialysis in single atrial cells isolated from the rabbit heart. The inward current was activated by various repolarizing pulses after a brief depolarizing pulse to +40 mV for 2 ms and its time course was similar to that of the late plateau of the action potential. The current was fully activated above the potential of -40 mV and abolished by intracellular EGTA. Ryanodine of $1{\mu}M$ also abolished the late plateau and the inward current. Reduced $Na_o\;to\;30%\;and\;20\;mM\;Na_1$ diminished the late plateau together with the inward current. Diltiazem blocked the activation of the current and Ni in the concentration of $40{\sim}200\;{\mu}M$ decreased the development of the late plateau and the inward current. Fully activated current-voltage relation of the inward current showed exponential voltage dependency which was steeper in more hyperplarizing range. The above findings suggest that the inward current was activated by intracellular calcium and contribute the late plateau phase of the action potential. It could be concluded that the inward current would be the inward component of Na-Ca exchange.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers C
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• v.49 no.10
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• pp.559-563
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• 2000

The $(Sr_{1-x}Ca_x)TiO_3(SCT)$ thin films are deposited on Pt-coated(Pt/TiN/$SiO_2$/Si) using RF sputtering method with substitutional contents of Ca. The maximum grain of thin films is obtained by substitution of Ca at 15[mol%]. Also the composition of SCT thin films were closed to stoichiometry(1.081∼1.117 in A/B/ ratio). The dielectric constant was increased with increasing the substitutional contents of Ca, while it was decreased if the substitutional contents of Ca exceeded over 15[mol%]. The dielectric constant changes almost linearly in temperature ranges of -80∼+90[^${\circ}C$]. The temperature properties of the dielectric loss have a stable value within 0.02 independent of the substitutional contents of Ca. All SCT thin films used in this study show the phenomena of dielectric relaxation with the increase of frequency, and the relaxation frequency is observed above 2000[kHz]. The current-voltage characteristics of SCT15 thin films showed the increasing leakage current as the measuring temperature increase.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.133-139
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• 1986

The effects of alternating voltage, $Cl^-$ ion and pH on the corrosion of Zn and Zn-Fe alloys have been investigated by using electrochemical techniques in $Ca(OH)_2$ solutions. The passive film $Zn(OH)_2$ was initially formed on the Zn surface and gradually transformed to $Ca(Zn(OH)_3)_2{\cdot}2H_2O$, which was identified with the X-ray diffraction method, SEM micrograph and EPMA. The passivity current increased with increasing alternating voltage and decrease AC frequency. ${\xi}$ phase in Zn-Fe alloys reduced the effects of AC. The effect of $Cl^-$ ion on the passivity current of Zn was similar to the AC effect, resulting in pits on Zn. It was also found that the passive region of Zn decreased rapidly below pH 10.3 of the solution.