• BMB Reports
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• v.42 no.11
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• pp.719-724
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• 2009

Recent studies have revealed that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) disturbance is involved in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders, contributing to the activation of the ER stress-mediated apoptotic pathway. Therefore, we investigated here the molecular mechanisms underlying the ER-mitochondria axis, focusing on calcium as a potential mediator of cell death signals. Using NT2 cells treated with brefeldin A or tunicamycin, we observed that ER stress induces changes in the mitochondrial function, impairing mitochondrial membrane potential and distressing mitochondrial respiratory chain complex Moreover, stress stimuli at ER level evoked calcium fluxes between ER and mitochondria. Under these conditions, ER stress activated the unfolded protein response by an overexpression of GRP78, and also caspase-4 and-2, both involved upstream of caspase-9. Our findings show that ER and mitochondria interconnection plays a prominent role in the induction of neuronal cell death under particular stress circumstances.

• Journal of KSNVE
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.1247-1258
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• 1999

This paper presents vibration control of a CD-ROM(compact disc-read only memory) drive feeding system consisting of a new type of CD-ROM mount using an electro-rheologocal(ER) fluid. Chemically treated starch particles and silicon oil are used for EF fluid, and its field-dependent yield stresses are experimentally distilled under both the shear and the flow modes. On the basis of the yield stress, an appropriate size of ER CD-ROM mount adapted to conventional feeding system is designed and manufactured. Vibration isolation performance of the proposed mount is evaluated in the frequency domain and compared with that of conventional rubber mount. The ER CD-ROM mount is then installed to the drive feeding system and the system equation of motion is derived. The skyhook controller is then incorporated with the fuzzy technique to improve the performance of ER CD-ROM mount. A set of fuzzy parameters and control rules are obtained from a relation between vertical displacement and pitching motion of the feedng system. Followingthe formulation of the fuzzy-skyhook controller, computer simulation is undertaken in order to evaluate vibration suppression of the CD-ROM drive feeding system subjected to various excitations.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.217-220
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• 2008

We have investigated the magnetic properties of $ErFe_2O_4$. Stoichiometric polycrystalline sample of $ErFe_2O_4$ was prepared by solid-state reaction method in a stream of CO/$CO_2$ gas. The X-ray power diffraction pattern shows that the diffraction peaks are indexed with respect to the rhombohedral structure with a space group of R3m. The temperature dependent magnetization for $ErFe_2O_4$ shows two-step phase transitions at about 220 and 250 K. The transition at 250 K is an antiferromagnetic transition and that at 220 K is a structural transition.

• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.120-128
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• 1996

We studied the red, green and blue upconverted emission in 1 at.% $Er^{3+}: LaF_3$ and 1 at.% $Er^{3+}:YAlO_3$ crystals y pumping in 780~820 nm range at 14 K and 295 K. A cw titanium-sapphire laser was used to pump the $^4I_{9/2}$ level in two materials. The spectral analysis of the emission from $^4F_{9/2},\;^4S_{3/2}$ and $^2P_{3/2}$ levels allowed to reveal the upconversion process with multi-step absorption and cross-relaxation energy transfer.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.346-351
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• 2012

Cells show various stress signs when they are challenged with severe physiological problems. Majority of such cellular stresses are conveyed to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and unfolded protein response (UPR) serves as typical defense mechanism against ER stress. This study investigated an interaction between ER stress agents using macropage cell line Raw 264.7. When activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the cell lines showed typical indicators of ER stress. Along with molecular chaperones, the activation process leads to the production of additional inflammatory mediators. Following activation, the macrophage cell line was further treated with TUN and characterized in terms of chaperone expression and cytokine secretion. When treated with TUN, the activated macrophage cell leads to increased secretion of IL-6 although expression of ER stress markers, GRP94 and GRP78 increased. The secretion of cytokines continued until the addition of BFA which inhibits protein targeting from ER to Golgi. However, secretion of cytokines was ceased upon dual treatments with BFA and TG. This result strongly implies that cells may differently deal with various polypeptides depending on the urgency in cellular function under ER stress. Considering IL-6 is one of the most important signal molecules in macrophage, the molecule might be able to circumvent ER stress and UPR to reach its targeting site.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.11-17
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to investigate early histological changes and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) expression in the dental pulp of the rat after Er:YAG laser preparation. Occlusal cavities were prepared in the upper first molars using either Er:YAG laser and conventional bur. At 48 hours after cavity preparation, the teeth were processed for hematoxylin-eosin stain and CGRP immunohistochemistry. The results were as follows : 1. The cavity floor by Er:YAG laser preparation was more irregular shape compared with those by bur preparation and there are some cracks in the directions of dentinal tubules. 2. There were more inflammatory cell infiltration and disruption of odontoblast in the dental pulp by Er:YAG laser preparation in comparison with the dental pulp by bur preparation. 3. CGRP expression in the pulp tissue by both Er:YAG laser and bur preparations were increased and higher than in the normal pulp. The expression pattern of CGRP was more strong in the pulp by Er:YAG laser preparation. These results indicate that Er:YAG laser is useful in the operative dentistry such as caries removal and cavity preparation if properly applied.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.241-246
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• 2012

$Yb^{3+}$, $Er^{3+}$ co-doped $SrMoO_4$ ($SrMoO_4$ : $Yb^{3+}/Er^{3+}$) specimens have been successfully synthesized via the complex citrate-gel method and their structural and optical properties were investigated in detail. Under 980 nm excitation, $SrMoO_4$ : $Yb^{3+}/Er^{3+}$ UC phosphors have been emitted strong green luminescence at 530 and 550 nm with weak red emission around 670 nm corresponding to the intra 4f transitions of $Er^{3+}$ ($^4F_{9/2}$, $^2H_{11/2}$, $^4S_{3/2}$) ${\rightarrow}$ $Er^{3+}$ ($^4I_{15/2}$). The optimal doping concentrations of $Er^{3+}$ and $Yb^{3+}$ ions were verified to 2/16 mol% and a possible upconversion mechanism depending on pump power dependence is studied in detail.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.6081-6084
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• 2013

Objective: Both estrogen receptors, ER alpha ($ER{\alpha}$) and ER beta ($ER{\beta}$), are expressed in 50-70% of breast cancer cases. The role of $ER{\alpha}$ as a prognostic marker in breast cancer has been well established as its expression is negative correlated with tumor size and lymph node metastasis. $ER{\beta}$ is also a favorable prognostic predictor although this is less well documented than for $ER{\alpha}$. Materials and Methods: To explore whether ERs independently or together might influence clinical outcome in breast cancer, the correlation between the ERs with the clinicopathological features was analyzed in 84 patients. Results: $ER{\alpha}$ expression negatively correlated with tumor stage (r=-0.246, p=0.028) and tended to be negatively correlated with lymph node status (r=-0.156, p=0.168) and tumor size (r=-0.246, p=0.099). Also, $ER{\beta}$ was negatively correlated with nodal status (r=-0.243, p=0.028), as was coexpression of $ER{\alpha}$ and $ER{\beta}$ (p=0.043, OR=0.194, 95% CI= 0.040-0.953). Conclusion: Coexpression of ERs might serve as an indicator of good prognosis in breast cancer patients.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.173-177
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• 2010

Thermal stabilizing effect of $Yb^{3+},\;Er^{3+}$ codoping into $TiO_2$ powder prepared by sol-gel method and its upconversion characteristics were analyzed. The effect of $TiO_2:Yb^{3+},\;Er^{3+}$ ions on crystallinity and phase transition was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The change of band-gap energy induced from Yb and Er codoping was analyzed by UV-Vis. The band-gap energy of $TiO_2$ have been slightly narrowed by $Yb^{3+},\;Er^{3+}$ codoping, which indicated that the $Yb^{3+},\;Er^{3+}$ ions can enhance the photo-catalytic property of $TiO_2$. green and red up-conversions of $Yb^{3+}$ and $Er^{3+}$ co-doped $Y_2O_3:Yb^{3+},\;Er^{3+}$ phosphor were analyzed by PL equipped with 980 nm laser.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.192-200
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• 2006

The aim of this study was to assess the microleakage underneath a pit and fissure sealant bonded to occlusal surfaces treated by Er:YAG laser To determine the most effective energy density of laser, fourteen specimens were irradiated from 50mJ to 300mJ at 3Hz. After irradiation, the lased specimens were observed under the scanning electron microscope. Thirty six non-carious extracted premolars were randomly assigned to four groups of nine teeth: group 1, no treatment on the occlusal surface; group 2, acid etching for 15 seconds; group 3, Er:YAG laser irradiation; group 4, acid etching followed by Er:YAG laser irradiation. The pits and fissures were sealed with unfilled sealant(Helioseal F) and the specimen teeth were thermo-cycled, immersed in 2% Rhodamine B solution, longitudinally sectioned and analyzed for microleakage with fluorescent microscope. The results were as follows: 1. Er:YAG lased surfaces with 50mJ, 3Hz showed a similar pattern of irregularity with acid etched enamel surfaces 2. The mean microleakage score increased in the order of group 2, 4, 3 and 1. There was no significant difference among group 1, 3 and 4(p>0.05), however group 2 showed significantly less microleakage compared with group 1 and 3. Conclusively, the laser irradiation seemed not enough to replace the acid etching for proper retention of pit and fissure sealants.