• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.81-90
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• 2000

The types of $K^+$ channel which determine the pattern of spontaneous action potential (SAP) were investigated using whole-cell variation of patch clamp techniques under current- and voltage-clamp recording conditions in rat clonal pituitary $GH_3$ cells. Heterogeneous pattern of SAP activities was changed into more regular mode with elongation of activity duration and afterhyperpolarization by treatment of TEA (10 mM). Under this condition, exposure of the class III antiarrhythmic agent E-4031 $(5\;{\mu}M)$ to $GH_3$ cells hardly affected SAP activities. On the other hand, the main $GH_3$ stimulator thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) still produced its dual effects (transient hyperpolarization and later increase in SAP frequency) in the presence of TEA. However, addition of $BaCl_2$ (2 mM) in the presence of TEA completely blocked SAP repolarization process and produced membrane depolarization in all tested cells. This effect was observed even in TEA-untreated cells and was not mimicked by higher concentration of TEA (30 mM). Also this barium-induced membrane depolarization effect was still observed after L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel was blocked by nicardipine $(10\;{\mu}M).$ These results suggest that barium-sensitive current is important in SAP repolarization process and barium itself may have some depolarizing effect in $GH_3$ cells.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.5
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• pp.495-504
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• 1997

Water transport is mediated by two distinct pathways, diffusional and channel-mediated water transport. The first molecular water channel was identified from human erythrocytes in 1992. Genetically-related proteins from other mammalian tissues have subsequently been identified to transport water, and the group is referred to as th "Aquaporins". Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is most abundant in the brain, which may be involved in CSF reabsorption and osmoregulation. However, ontogeny and regulatory mechanisms of AQP4 channels have not been reported. Northern blot analysis showed that AQP4 mRNA began to be expressed in the brain just before birth and that its expression gradually increased by PN7 and then decreased at adult level. AQP4 was expressed predominantly in the ependymal cells of ventricles in newborn rats. And then its expression decreased in ependymal cells and increased gradually in other regions including supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei. AQP4 is also expressed in the subfornical organ, in which the expression level is not changed after birth. Cryogenic brain injury did not affect expression of AQP4 mRNA, while ischemic brain injury decreased it. Osmotic water permeability of AQP4 channel expressed in Xenopus oocytes was inhibited by the pretreatment of BAPTA/AM and calmidazolium, a $Ca^{2+}/Calmodulin$ kinase inhibitor, in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that the expression and the function of AQP4 channel are regulated by developmental processes and various pathophysiological conditions. These results will contribute to the understanding of fluid balance in the central nervous system and the osmoregulatory mechanisms of the body.

• ETRI Journal
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.575-584
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• 2020

Electromagnetic (EM) waves used to send signals under seawater are normally restricted to low frequencies (f) because of sudden exponential increases of attenuation (𝛼) at higher f. The mathematics of EM wave propagation in seawater demonstrate dependence on relative permeability (𝜇_r), relative permittivity (𝜀_r), conductivity (𝜎), and f of transmission. Estimation of 𝜀_r and 𝜎 based on the W. Ellison interpolation model was performed for averaged real-time data of temperature (T) and salinity (S) from 1955 to 2012 for all oceans with 41 088 latitude/longitude points and 101 depth points up to 5500 m. Estimation of parameters such as real and imaginary parts of 𝜀_r, 𝜀_r', 𝜀_r", 𝜎, loss tangent (tan 𝛿), propagation velocity (V_p), phase constant (𝛽), and α contributes to absorption loss (L_a) for seawater channels carried out by using normal distribution fit in the 3 GHz-40 GHz f range. We also estimated total path loss (L_PL) in seawater for given transmission power P_t and antenna (dipole) gain. MATLAB is the simulation tool used for analysis.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.99-108
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• 1991

The effect of racemic Ketamine HCl was observed on excitable membranes of sciatic nerve fibres and toe muscles from frog. Ketamine significantly depressed the amplitude of the action potential, maximum rate of rise and that of fall of action potentials of sciatic nerve by dose-dependent and time-course manner, and also it produced the inhibition of $K^+-contracture$ in toe muscle. We used two different ways of sucrose gap method to to obtain the better results from sciatic nerve. We observed and compared the effect of ketamine on sciatic nerve with naloxone, 4-AP (4-aminopyridine) and TEA (Tetraethylammonium). Naloxone significantly but not totally blocked the effect of ketamine both on nerve and on skeletal muscle. 4-AP or TEA by itself had a significant depressant effect on the action potentials on nerve by central perfusion (extracellular perfusion), but both of these drugs did not much affect the action of Ketamine on nerve. The reversibility of effect of Ketamine (10 mM) was observed both on nerve and on skeletal muscles when exposed to drug for short duration. The effects of racemic ketamine described may provide to support that one of the mechanisms of the action of Ketamine on nerve and on muscles of frog might be related to non-specifically effect on receptors within the ion channels $(K^+-channel,\;Na^+-channel\;or\;slow\;Ca^{++}\;channel)$ at higher dose which produces anesthetic effect and also it interacts specifically with one of the opioid receptors or subtype of these receptors which is sensitive to Naloxone at lower dose which produces analgesia.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.7
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• pp.616-623
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• 2015

P2 receptors are membrane-bound receptors for extracellular nucleotides such as ATP and UTP. P2 receptors have been classified as ligand-gated ion channels or P2X receptors and G protein-coupled P2Y receptors. Recently, purinergic signaling has begun to attract attention as a potential therapeutic target for a variety of diseases especially associated with gastroenterology. This study determined the ATP and UTP-induced receptor signaling mechanism in feline esophageal contraction. Contraction of dispersed feline esophageal smooth muscle cells was measured by scanning micrometry. Phosphorylation of $MLC_{20}$ was determined by western blot analysis. ATP and UTP elicited maximum esophageal contraction at 30 s and $10{\mu}M$ concentration. Contraction of dispersed cells treated with $10{\mu}M$ ATP was inhibited by nifedipine. However, contraction induced by $0.1{\mu}M$ ATP, $0.1{\mu}M$ UTP and $10{\mu}M$ UTP was decreased by U73122, chelerythrine, ML-9, PTX and $GDP{\beta}S$. Contraction induced by $0.1{\mu}M$ ATP and UTP was inhibited by $G{\alpha}i_3$ or $G{\alpha}q$ antibodies and by $PLC{\beta}_1$ or $PLC{\beta}_3$ antibodies. Phosphorylated $MLC_{20}$ was increased by ATP and UTP treatment. In conclusion, esophageal contraction induced by ATP and UTP was preferentially mediated by P2Y receptors coupled to $G{\alpha}i_3$ and $G{\alpha}q$ proteins, which activate $PLC{\beta}_1$ and $PLC{\beta}_3$. Subsequently, increased intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ and activated PKC triggered stimulation of MLC kinase and inhibition of MLC phosphatase. Finally, increased $pMLC_{20}$ generated esophageal contraction.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.175-183
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• 1993

There are many report suggesting that influx and intracellular calcium concentration $([Ca^{2+}]_i)$ are related to cell signalling in various cells. However, it has not been reported that calcium channel activation is affected by the substances involved in signal transduction pathways in the mouse eggs. In this study, the effects of isoprenaline (ISP) and cyclic AMP on calcium influx through calcium channels were investigated to show their relationship with the signal transduction process in unfertilized mouse eggs. Using whole cell voltage clamp techniques, calcium currents, elicited by the depolarizing pulses of 300 ms duration (from -50 mV to 50 mV in 10 mV increments) from a holding potential of -80 mV, were recorded. The current-voltage (I-V) relation of calcium currents was shown to be bell-shaped; the current began to activate at -50 mV and reached its maximum $(-1.33{\pm}0.16\;nA:\;mean{\pm}S.E.,\;n=7)$ at -10 mV, then decayed at around 50 mV. Calcium currents were fully activated within $7\;ms{\sim}20\;ms$ and completely inactivated 200 ms after onset of the step pulse. ISP within the concentration ranges of $10^{-8}\;M{\sim}10^{-4}\;M$ dose-dependently increased the amplitude calcium current. The permeable cyclic AMP analogue,8-bromocyclic AMP, also increased its maximal amplitude by 46ft at $10^{-5}\;M$, while protein kinase inhibitor (PKI), which is known to inhibit 0.02 phosphorylating units of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) per microgram decreased calcium currents. Currents recorded in the presence of PKI were resistant to increase by the application of $10^{-5}\;M$. Also, PKI inhibited the calcium current increase elicited by ISP treatment. These results suggest that $\beta-adrenergic$ regulation of the calcium channel is mediated by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase. This signal transduction pathway might play a role in regulating $[Ca^{2+}]_i$, level due to the increase of calcium influx in mouse eggs.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.189-195
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• 2010

Water extracts from 20 medicinal plants, traditionally used for postmenopausal symptoms in Korea, were examined for their vasorelaxant activity in isolated rat thoracic aorta rings precontracted with norepinephrine (NE). Among the 20 medicinal plants, Cornus officinalis (CoEx, 0.3 mg/mL), Schisandra chinensis (ScEx, 0.3 mg/mL), Erythrina variegate (EvEx, 0.3 mg/mL), and Epimedium koreanum (EkEx, 0.3 mg/mL) showed rapid relaxation of endothelium-intact aorta ($69\pm4%$, $40\pm3%$, $25\pm2%$, and $23\pm3%$ of active tone induced by NE, respectively). In contrast, the extracts of Erythrina variegata (EvEx), Angelica gigas (AgEx), Pueraria thunbergiana (PtEx), and EkEx lead to gradual (i.e., long-term) relaxation to baseline in endothelium-intact vessels. The time to complete relaxation was 20～40 min. These 6 plant extracts were selected for the investigation of possible underlying mechanisms. The CoEx-, ScEx-, or EkEx-induced rapid relaxations were virtually abolished by endothelium denudation, and were significantly inhibited by pretreatment with nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor $N^G$-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, 10 ${\mu}M$), indicating that increased formation of NO might contribute to the endothelium-mediated relaxation. In long-term responses, the endothelium denudation did not affect PtEx-induced relaxation, whereas it delayed responses by EvEx and AgEx, and significantly inhibited the effect of EkEx. Among EvEx, AgEx, and PtEx, EvEx attenuated the $CaCl_2$-induced vasoconstriction in high-potassium depolarized medium, implying that EvEx is involved in inhibition of the extracellular calcium influx to smooth muscle through voltage dependent calcium channels. These results provide the scientific rationale for the interrelationships between the use of 20 medicinal plants and their effects on cardiovascular health in estrogen deficient conditions.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.481-491
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• 2023

The β subunits of high voltage-gated calcium channels (HGCCs) are essential for optimal channel functions such as channel gating, activation-inactivation kinetics, and trafficking to the membrane. In this study, we report for the first time the potent blood pressure-reducing effects of peptide fragments derived from the β subunits in anesthetized and non-anesthetized rats. Intravenous administration of 16-mer peptide fragments derived from the interacting regions of the β1 [cacb1(344-359)], β2 [cacb2(392-407)], β3 [cacb3(292-307)], and β4 [cacb4(333-348)] subunits with the main α-subunit of HGCC decreased arterial blood pressure in a dose-dependent manner for 5-8 min in anesthetized rats. In contrast, the peptides had no effect on the peak amplitudes of voltage-activated Ca²⁺ current upon their intracellular application into the acutely isolated trigeminal ganglion neurons. Further, a single mutated peptide of cacb1(344-359)-cacb1(344-359)_K357R-showed consistent and potent effects and was crippled by a two-amino acid-truncation at the N-terminal or C-terminal end. By conjugating palmitic acid with the second amino acid (lysine) of cacb1(344-359)_K357R (named K2-palm), we extended the blood pressure reduction to several hours without losing potency. This prolonged effect on the arterial blood pressure was also observed in non-anesthetized rats. On the other hand, the intrathecal administration of acetylated and amidated cacb1(344-359)_K357R peptide did not change acute nociceptive responses induced by the intradermal formalin injection in the plantar surface of rat hindpaw. Overall, these findings will be useful for developing antihypertensives.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.727-738
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• 2007

The present study investigation the geochemical characteristics of the stream sediments in the Unbong area was conducted to enable a understanding the natural background and a prediction the prospects of geochemical disaster as a result of that bed rocks(mylonitic granites, Kim et al., 1992). We systematically collected seventy three stream sediments samples by wet sieving along the primary channels. Major, trace and rare earth element(REE) concentrations, combined with mineralogical characteristics, were determined by XRD, XRF, ICP-AES and NAA analysis methods. Major element concentrations for the stream sediments in the Unbong area were $SiO_2\;36.94{\sim}65.39wt.%,\;Al_2O_3\;10.15{\sim}21.77wt.%,\;Fe_2O_3\;3.17{\sim}10.90wt.%,\;CaO\;0.55{\sim}5.27wt.%,\;MgO\;0.52{\sim}4.94wt.%,\;K_2O\;1.38{\sim}4.54wt.%,\;Na_2O\;0.49{\sim}3.36wt.%,\;TiO_2\;0.39{\sim}1.27wt.%,\;MnO\;0.04{\sim}0.22wt.%,\;P_2O_5\;0.08{\sim}0.54wt.%$. Trace and REE concentrations for the stream sediments were $Cu\;4.8{\sim}134ppm,\;Pb\;24.2{\sim}82.5ppm,\;Sr\;95.9{\sim}739ppm,\;V\;19.9{\sim}124ppm,\;Zr\;52.9{\sim}145ppm,\;Li\;25.2{\sim}3.3ppm,\;Co\;3.87{\sim}50.0ppm,\;Cr\;17.4{\sim}234ppm,\;Hf\;3.93{\sim}25.2ppm,\;Sc\;4.60{\sim}20.6ppm,\;Th\;3.82{\sim}36.9ppm,\;Ce\;45.7{\sim}243ppm,\;Eu\;0.89{\sim}2.69ppm,\;Yb\;1.42{\sim}5.18ppm$. According to the comparison of average major element concentrations, CaO, $Na_2O\;and\;K_2O$ contents are higher in stream sediments than in bed rocks(mylonitic granites, Kim et al., 1992) $Al_2O_3\;and\;SiO_2$ contents show good correlation both stream sediments and bed rocks(mylonitic granites, Kim et al., 1992). Yb and Eu in the stream sediments show a positive correlation with $SiO_2$. In contrast, the stream sediments display a negative correlation.

• Atmosphere
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.159-169
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• 2007

A comparison of the three land cover data sets (United States Geological Survey: USGS, International Geosphere Biosphere Programme: IGBP, and University of Maryland: UMd), derived from 1992-1993 Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer(AVHRR) data sets, was performed over the Asian continent. Preprocesses such as the unification of map projection and land cover definition, were applied for the comparison of the three different land cover data sets. Overall, the agreement among the three land cover data sets was relatively high for the land covers which have a distinct phenology, such as urban, open shrubland, mixed forest, and bare ground (>45%). The ratios of triple agreement (TA), couple agreement (CA) and total disagreement (TD) among the three land cover data sets are 30.99%, 57.89% and 8.91%, respectively. The agreement ratio between USGS and IGBP is much greater (about 80%) than that (about 32%) between USGS and UMd (or IGBP and UMd). The main reasons for the relatively low agreement among the three land cover data sets are differences in 1) the number of land cover categories, 2) the basic input data sets used for the classification, 3) classification (or clustering) methodologies, and 4) level of preprocessing. The number of categories for the USGS, IGBP and UMd are 24, 17 and 14, respectively. USGS and IGBP used only the 12 monthly normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), whereas UMd used the 12 monthly NDVI and other 29 auxiliary data derived from AVHRR 5 channels. USGS and IGBP used unsupervised clustering method, whereas UMd used the supervised technique, decision tree using the ground truth data derived from the high resolution Landsat data. The insufficient preprocessing in USGS and IGBP compared to the UMd resulted in the spatial discontinuity and misclassification.