• Proceedings of the Korean Biophysical Society Conference
• /
• 2003.06a
• /
• pp.38-38
• /
• 2003

The electrical properties of neurons are produced by the coordinated activity of ion channels (Hille, 1992). $K^{+}$ channels play a key role in shaping action potentials and in determining neural firing patterns. Small conductance $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^{+}$ (S $K_{Ca}$ ) channels are involved in modulating the slow component of afterhyperpolarization (AHP) (Kohler et al., 1996). Here we examine whether rat type 2 S $K_{Ca}$ (rSK2) channels can affect the shape of the action potential and the neural firing pattern, by overexpressing rat SK2 channels in Aplysia neuron R15. Our results show that rSK2 overexpression decreased the intraburst frequency and changed the regular bursting activity of neurons to an irregular bursting or beating pattern in R15, Furthermore, the overexpression of rSK2 channels increased AHP and reduced the duration of the action potential. Thus, our results suggest that ectopic S $K_{Ca}$ channels play an important role in regulating the filing pattern and the shape of the action potential.ntial.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.209-216
• /
• 2018

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitrogen species (RNS) are involved in cellular signaling processes as a cause of oxidative stress. According to recent studies, ROS and RNS are important signaling molecules involved in pain transmission through spinal mechanisms. In this study, a patch clamp recording was used in spinal slices of rats to investigate the action mechanisms of $O_2{^{{\bullet}_-}}$ and NO on the excitability of substantia gelatinosa (SG) neuron. The application of xanthine and xanthine oxidase (X/XO) compound, a ROS donor, induced inward currents and increased the frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSC) in slice preparation. The application of S-nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine (SNAP), a RNS donor, also induced inward currents and increased the frequency of sEPSC. In a single cell preparation, X/XO and SNAP had no effect on the inward currents, revealing the involvement of presynaptic action. X/XO and SNAP induced a membrane depolarization in current clamp conditions which was significantly decreased by the addition of thapsigargin to an external calcium free solution for blocking synaptic transmission. Furthermore, X/XO and SNAP increased the frequency of action potentials evoked by depolarizing current pulses, suggesting the involvement of postsynaptic action. According to these results, it was estblished that elevated ROS and RNS in the spinal cord can sensitize the dorsal horn neurons via pre- and postsynaptic mechanisms. Therefore, ROS and RNS play similar roles in the regulation of the membrane excitability of SG neurons.

• Korean Journal of Cognitive Science
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2003

The common features of the behavioral inhibition and the action monitoring that are considered as one of the executive functions were investigated using event-related brain potentials (ERPs) and source localization analysis. The electrophysiological correlates of behavioral inhibition and action monitoring ate analyzed when the subjects performed the Go/NoGo task. Two ERP components of behavioral inhibition termed as N200 and P300 in NoGo condition were differ from those of Go condition, that is the amplitudes of NoGo N200 and P300 are largest on the fronto-central region, which may reflect the inhibitory control of frontal lobe required in NoGo condition. The error-related negativity (ERN) observed on the fronto-central region when the subjects committed error was much larger in amplitude and faster in latency than those of the correct-related negativity (CRN), which may indicate that the signal of action monitoring is much more required for the error response. The correlation analysis for the ERP components of behavioral inhibition and action monitoring revealed the significant negative correlation among the latencies of NoGo N200 and P300 and the amplitude of ERN, which may reflects that the faster subjects inhibit response, the more monitor their own action. The close relationship between behavioral inhibition and action monitoring was also supported by the results of source localization analysis, which showed the common neural sources of NoGo N200 and ERN was anterior cingulate cortex.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.127-133
• /
• 2009

This study was designed to investigate the effects of high concentration of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate(EGCG) on the neuronal activity of rat substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons. Sprague-Dawley rats aged 14 to 16 days were decapitated under ether anesthesia. After treatment with pronase and thermolysin, the dissociated dopaminergic neurons were transferred into a chamber on an inverted microscope. Spontaneous action potentials and potassium currents were recorded by standard patch-clamp techniques under current and voltage-clamp modes respectively. 18 dopaminergic neurons(80%) revealed inhibitory responses to 40 and 100 ${\mu}M$ of EGCG and 4 neurons(20%) did not respond to EGCG. The spike frequency and resting membrane potential of these cells were decreased by EGCG. The amplitude of afterhyperpolarization was increased by EGCG. Whole potassium currents of dopaminergic neurons were increased by EGCG(n=10). These experimental results suggest that high concentration EGCG decreases the neuronal activity of the dopaminergic neurons by altering the resting membrane potential and afterhyperpolarization.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.46-52
• /
• 2010

This study was designed to investigate the effects of sphingosine-1-phosphate on the neuronal activity of rat medial vestibular nuclear neurons. Sprague-Dawley rats aged 14 to 16 days were decapitated under ether anesthesia. After treatment with pronase and thermolysin, the dissociated medial vestibular nuclear neurons were transferred into a chamber on an inverted microscope. Spontaneous action potentials and potassium currents were recorded by standard patch-clamp techniques under current and voltage-clamp modes respectively. 15 medial vestibular nuclear neurons revealed excitatory responses to 1 and $5\;{\mu}M$ of sphingosine-1-phosphate. The spike frequency and resting membrane potential of these cells were increased by sphingosine-1-phosphate. The amplitude of afterhyperpolarization was decreased by sphingosine-1-phosphate. Whole potassium currents of medial vestibular nuclear neurons were decreased by sphingosine-1-phosphate (n=12). Sphingosine-1-phosphate did not affect the charybdotoxin-treated potassium currents. These experimental results suggest that sphingosine-1-phosphate increases the neuronal activity of the medial vestibular nuclear neurons by altering the resting membrane potential and afterhyperpolarization.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.36-43
• /
• 1995

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the vastus medialis oblique muscle(VMO) had greater electrical activity than the vastus lateralis muscle(VL) when hip adduction and knee extension exercise were performed. Electrical activity of the VMO and VL was measured on 42 healthy subjects (28 men, 14 women) during maximal voluntary isometric contractions of hip adduction and knee extension by an EMG-BIOFEEDBACK. The results showed that the electromyographic activity of the VMO was significantly greater than that of the VL during the hip adduction exercise. Differences noted with knee extension by performing hip adduction exercises. Isometric hip adduction exercises, therefore, may be advisable in the treatment of patients with patellofemoral pain.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.5 no.6
• /
• pp.457-466
• /
• 2001

Glutamate is the most common excitatory amino acid in the brain. Responsiveness of dendrites to the glutamate greatly varies depending on the application sites. Especially, a point of the maximal response to the glutamate of the dendrite is called as 'hot spot'. In our experiment, the responsiveness of the hot spot to the glutamate was investigated in the CA1 pyramidal neuron of the rat hippocampal slice. CNQX, the antagonist of AMPA receptor, blocked 95% of membrane current to the glutamate focal application $(I_{gl}).$ Train ejection of glutamate on one point of the dendrite increased or decreased the amplitude of $I_{gl}$ with the pattern of train, and the changes were maintained at least for 30 min. In some cases, glutamate train ejection also induced calcium dependent action potentials. To evoke long-term change of synaptic plasticity, we adopted ${\theta}-burst$ in the glutamate train ejection. The ${\theta}-burst$ decreased the amplitude of glutamate response by 60%. However, after ${\theta}-burst$ glutamate train ejection, the calcium dependent action potential appeared. These results indicated that the focal application of glutamate on the neuronal dendrite induced response similar to the synaptic transmission and the trains of glutamate ejection modulated the change of AMPA receptor.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.161-166
• /
• 2014

Ginseng is widely used for its promising healing and restorative properties as well as for its possible tonic effect in traditional medicine. Nowadays, many studies focus on purified individual ginsenoside, an important constituent in ginseng, and study its specific mechanism of action instead of whole-plant extracts on cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Of the various ginsenosides, purified ginsenosides such as Rb1, Rg1, Rg3, Rh1, Re, and Rd are the most frequently studied. Although there are many reports on the molecular mechanisms and medical applications of ginsenosides in the treatment of CVDs, many concerns exist in their application. This review discusses current works on the countless pharmacological functions and the potential benefits of ginseng in the area of CVDs. Results: Both in vitro and in vivo results indicate that ginseng has potentially positive effects on heart disease through its various properties including antioxidation, reduced platelet adhesion, vasomotor regulation, improving lipid profiles, and influencing various ion channels. To date, approximately 40 ginsenosides have been identified, and each has a different mechanism of action owing to the differences in chemical structure. This review aims to present comprehensive information on the traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of ginseng, especially in the control of hypertension and cardiovascular function. In addition, the review also provides an insight into the opportunities for future research and development on the biological activities of ginseng.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.585-591
• /
• 2012

Objective: The aim of this study is to propose the contactless gesture-based interface on smart mobile devices for especially rhythm action games. Background: Most existing approaches about interactions of smart mobile games are tab on the touch screen. However that way is such undesirable for someone or for sometimes, because of the disabled person, or the inconvenience that users need to touch/tab specific devices. Moreover more importantly, new interaction can derive new possibilities from stranded game genre. Method: In this paper, I present a smart mobile game with contactless gesture-based interaction and the interfaces using computer vision technology. Discovering the gestures which are easy to recognize and research of interaction system that fits to game on smart mobile device are conducted as previous studies. A combination between augmented reality technique and contactless gesture interaction is also tried. Results: The rhythm game allows a user to interact with smart mobile devices using hand gestures, without touching or tabbing the screen. Moreover users can feel fun in the game as other games. Conclusion: Evaluation results show that users make low failure numbers, and the game is able to recognize gestures with quite high precision in real time. Therefore the contactless gesture-based interaction has potentials to smart mobile game. Application: The results are applied to the commercial game application.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.19-35
• /
• 1984

Since the first report of Drury and $Szent-Gy{\ddot{o}}rgyi$ in 1929, the inhibitory influences of adenosine on the heart have repeatedly been described by many investigators. These studies have shown that adenosine and adenine nucleotides have overall depressant effects, similar to those of acetylcholine. Heart beats become slow and weak. It is also well known that adenosine is a potent endogenous coronary vasodilator. Many investigations on the working mechanisms of adenosine have been focused mainly on the effects of the coronary blood flow. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying the inhibitory action of adenosine on sinus node are not well understood yet. Thus, this study was undertaken to examine the behavior of rabbit SA node under influence of adenosine. In these series of experiments three kinds of preparations were used: whole atrial pair, left atrial strip, and isolated SA node preparations. The electrical activity of SA node was recorded with conventional glass microelectrodes 30 to 50 $M{\Omega}$. The preparations were superfused with bicarbonate-buffered Tyrode solution of pH 7.35 and aerated with a gas mixture of $3%\;CO_2-97%\;O_2$ at $35^{\circ}C$. In whole atrial pair, adenosine suppressed sinoatrial rhythm in a dose-dependent manner. Effect of adenosine on atrial rate appeared at the concentration of $10^{-5}M$ and was enhanced in parallel with the increase in adenosine concentration. Inhibitory action of adenosine on pacemaker activity was more prominent in the preparation pretreated with norepinephrine, which can steepen the slope of pacemaker potential by increasing permeability of $Ca^{+2}$. Calcium ions in perfusate slowly produced a marked change in sinoatrial rhythm. Elevation of the calcium concentration from 0.3 to 8 mM increased the atrial rate from 132 to 174 beats/min, but over 10 mM $Ca^{+2}$ decreased. The inhibitory effect of adenosine on sinoatrial rhythm developed very rapidly. Atrial rate was recovered promptly from the adenosine-induced suppression by the addition of norepinephrine, but extra $Ca^{+2}$ was less suitable to restore the suppression of atrial rate. Adenosine suppressed also atrial contractility in the same dosage range that restricted pacemaker activity, even in the reserpinized preparation. In isolated SA node preparation, spontaneous firing rate of SA node at $35^{\circ}C$(mean{\pm}SEM, n=16) was $154{\pm}3.3\;beats/min. The parameters of action potentials were: maximum diastolic potential(MDP), $-73{\pm}1.7\;mV: overshoot(OS), $9{\pm}1.4\;mV: slope of pacemaker potential(SPP), $94{\pm}3.0\;mV/sec. Adenosine suppressed the firing rate of SA node in a dose-dependent manner. This inhibitory effect appeared at the concentration of $10^{-6}M$ and was in parallel with the increase in adenosine concentration. Changes in action potential by adenosine were dose-dependent increase of MDP and decrease of SPP until $10^{-4}M$. Above this concentration, however, the amplitude of action potential decreased markedly due to the simultaneous decrease of both MDP and OS. All these effects of adenosine were not affected by pretreatment of atropine and propranolol. Lowering extra $Ca^{2+}$ irom 2 mM to 0.3 mM resulted in a marked decrease of OS and SPP, but almost no change of MDP. However, increase of perfusate $Ca^{2+}$ from 2 mM to 6 or 8 mM produced a prominent decrease of MDP and a slight increase of OS and SPP. Dipyridamole(DPM), which is known to block the adenosine transport across the cell membrane, definately potentiated the action of adenosine. The results of this experiment suggest that adenosine suppressed pacemaker activity and atrial contractility simultaneously and directly, by decreasing $Ca^{2+}-permeability$ of nodal and atrial cell membranes.