• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.11-15
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• 2010

Background: In belly-tendon (bipolar) montage, reference (R2) electrode placed on muscle's tendon has traditionally been considered to be electrically inactive. However, recent studies have revealed that R2 electrode is not simply referential, but actively contributes to compound muscle action potential (CMAP) waveform morphology. These findings suggest that CMAP onset latency and amplitude may also be influenced by the position of R2 electrode. This study was performed in order to evaluate the effect of R2 electrode position on CMAP onset latency and amplitude. Methods: We performed motor nerve conduction studies of median, ulnar, tibial and peroneal nerves on bilateral limbs of 20 normal subjects. We used traditional bipolar and monopolar montage and compared their CMAP onset latencies and amplitudes. In bipolar montage, recording (R1) electrode was placed on mid-belly of muscle with R2 electrode on the tendon of the muscle. In monopolar montage, R1 electrode was placed on the same site of bipolar montage, while R2 electrode was placed on the contralateral limb. Results: The mean CMAP onset latencies of median and peroneal nerves in bipolar montage were significantly different (p<0.05) with those in monopolar montage. And those of ulnar and tibial nerves were not significantly different (p>0.05). The mean CMAP amplitudes of all the tested nerves except ulnar nerve were significantly different (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study shows that change in R2 electrode position can affect the CMAP onset latency and amplitude, and these differences seem to be related to the generation of far field potential by CMAP.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.237-250
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• 1999

In order to investigate the pharmacologic properties of New Wonbang Woohwangchungsimwon Pill(NSCH), effects of Wonbang Woohwangchungsimwon Pill (SCH) and NSCH were compared using various experimental models. In rat aorta, NSCH and SCH made the relaxation of blood vessels in maximum contractile response to phenylephrine (10-6 M) regardless to endothelium containing or denuded rings of the rat aorta. Furthermore, the presence of the inhibitors of NO synthase and guanylate cyclase did not affect significantly the relaxing effects of NSCH and SCH. NSCH and SCH inhibited the vascular contractions induced by acetylcholine, prostaglandin endoperoxide or peroxide in a dose-dependent manner. In conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), NSCH and SCH decreased significantly heart rate. These, at high doses, had a negative inotropic effects that was a decrease of left ventricular developed pressure and (-dp/dt)/(+dp/dt) in the isolated perfused rat hearts, and also decreased the contractile force and heart rate in the isolated rat right atria. In guinea-pig papillary muscle, these had no effects on parameters of action potential such as action potential amplitude (APA), $V_{max}$ and resting membrane potential (RMP) at low doses, whereas inhibitory the cardiac contractility at high doses. Furthermore, these had a significant inhibitory effects on palpitation of the heart in normotensive rats and SHRs. These had a significant inhibitory effects on palpitation of the heart in normotensive rats and SHRs. These results suggest that NSCH and SCH have weak cardiovascular effects, and that there is no significant differences between cardiovascular effects of two preparations.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.367-386
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• 2006

This paper describes the results of a numerical investigation of the large deflection behaviour of steel beams under fire conditions, taking into consideration the effect of catenary action provided by the surrounding structures. The main focus is on the development, validation and application of a simplified calculation method that may be adopted in design calculations. Because no experimental result is available for validation of the simplified calculation method, the finite element program ABAQUS has been used to simulate the large deflection behaviour of a number of steel beams so as to provide alternative results for validation of the proposed method. Utilising catenary action has the potential of eliminating fire protection to all steel beams without causing structural failure in fire. However, practical application of catenary action will be restricted by concerns over large beam deflection causing integrity failure of the fire resistant compartment and additional cost of strengthening the connections and the surrounding structures to resist the catenary forces in the steel beams. This paper will provide a discussion on practical implications of utilising catenary action in steel beams as a means of eliminating fire protection. A number of examples will then be provided to illustrate the type of steel framed structure that could benefit the most from exploiting catenary action in fire resistant design.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.7-15
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• 2004

Nitric oxide (NO) system has been implicated in a wide range of physiological functions in the nervous system. However, the role of NO in regulating the neural activity in the gustatory zone of nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) has not been established. The present study was aimed to investigate the role of NO in the gustatory NTS neurons. Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing about 50 g, were used. Whole cell patch recording and immunohistochemistry were done to determine the electrophysiological characteristics of the rostral gustatory nucleus of the tractus solitaries and distribution of NO synthases (NOS). Neuronal NOS (nNOS) immunoreactivity was strongly detected along the solitary tract extending from rostral to caudal medulla. Resting membrane potentials of NTS neurons were $-49.2{\pm}2\;mV$ and action potential amplitudes were $68.5{\pm}2\;mV$ with a mean duration measured at half amplitude of $1.7{\pm}0.3\;ms$. Input resistance, determined from the response to a 150 ms, -100 pA hyperpolarizing current pulse, was $385{\pm}15\;M{\Omega}$, Superfusion of SNAP or SNP, NO donors, produced either hyperpolarization (68%), depolarization (5%), or no effect (27%). The hyperpolarization was mostly accompanied by a decrease in input resistance. The hyperpolarization caused by SNAP or SNP increased the time to initiate the first action potential, and decreased the number of action potentials elicited by current injection. SNP or SNAP also markedly decreased the number of firing neural discharges of the spontaneous NTS neural activity under zero current. Superfusion of L-NAME, a NOS inhibitor, slightly depolarized the membrane potential and increased the firing rate of NTS neurons induced by current injection. ODQ, a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, ameliorated the SNAP-induced changes in membrane potential, input resistance and firing rates. 8-Br-cGMP, a non-degradable cell-permeable cGMP, hyperpolarized the membrane potential and decreased the number of action potentials. It is suggested that NO in the gustatory NTS has an inhibitory role on the neural activity of NTS through activating soluble guanylate cyclase.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.670-678
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• 2004

In oriental medicine, meridian is pathway of bio-energy, and basic an object of diagnosis/therapy. But, in western medicine, meridian has been accepted as action pathway of nerve-endocrine-immune system. Acupuncture effect has been regarded as not effect by transmission of bio-energy but action or response by stimulation. In this paper, when an acupuncturist's bio-energy is passed on(non-insulation) and when is not(insulation), we analysed electric potential on meridian/non-meridian to verify effect of acupuncture therapy. In the results, when bio-energy isn't passed on, bio-potential is reacted to only the first of 4 times acupuncture operating. But when bio-energy is passed on, it is reacted to 4 times, and potential on meridian is higher than that of on non-meridian. Electric potential for same acupuncture operating is different on non/meridians, which implies that physiological construction and bio-energy transmission material is different respectively. When is extracting acupuncture method, potential is higher than that of injection one. It implies that extracting method is more effect than injecting one, in aspect of acupuncture therapy effect. Therefore, acupuncture therapy effect is verified as effect of response by acupuncturist's bio-energy transmission rather than that by only acupuncture stimulus.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.373-385
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• 1994

Resistance to paraquat (1,1'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridilium ion) has developed in 12 species of 8 genera to which paraquat has been applied 6 to 10 times per year for 5 or more years. In recent years, tolerance to paraquat has been found in Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) Liboch. ex Fisch. & Mey. which has never been applied with any herbicides involving paraquat. In this review, we differentiate the terms, resistance and tolerance, on the basis of the paraquat-exposure history. Five hypotheses have been evaluated in several species as potential mechanisms of paraquat resistance and/or tolerance. In a species, the mode of action may be due to 1) reduced quantities of paraquat absorbed through the leaf surface, 2) detoxification of paraquat caused by the enhanced paraquat-metabolic activity, 3) rapid sequestration reducing level of paraquat at the site of action in chloroplast, 4) alteration of site of action in photosystem I resulting in interruption of electron transport to paraquat, and 5) rapid enzymatic detoxification of superoxide and other toxic forms of oxygen.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1994.04a
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• pp.88-93
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• 1994

The mechanisms controlling the intensity and duration of synaptic transmission are numerous. Once an action potential reaches a nerve terminal, the stored neurotransmitters are released in a quantum fashion into the synaptic cleft. At that point neurotransmitters can act on post-synaptic receptors to elicit an action on the post-synaptic cell or net at so-called auto-receptors that are located on the presynaptic side and which often regulate the further release of the neutotransmitter. Whereas the action of the neurotransmitter receptors is regulated by desensitization phenomenon, the major mechanism by which the intensity and duration of neurotransmitter action is presumably regulated by either its degradation or its removal from the synaptic cleft. In the central nervous system, specialized proteins located in fe plasma membrane of presynaptic terminals function to rapidly remove neurotransmitters from the synaptic cleft in a sodium chloride-dependent fashion. These proteins have been referred to as uptake sites or neurotransmitter transporters. Once taken up by the plasma membrane transporters, neurotransmitters are repackaged into secretory vesicles by distinct transporters which depend on a proton gradient.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.38-43
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• 1967

In order to explain the positive catalytic action of copper compound for the rate of leaching of zinc sulfide minerals, the electrode and redox potentials of both synthetic and natural sulfides were measured at various conditions of temperatures and pressures. The potentials of Chalcopyrite and copper sulfide were considerably higher than that of zinc sulfide, whereas lead sulfide and Galena had slightly lower potentials than that of zinc sulfide. At elevated temperatures and pressures, the same tendency was obtained. By means of comparing the calculated and measured values of potentials for sulfides, it was suggested that the electrode potentials in acid solution were generated by oxidation of sulfur ion. As a result, it was concluded that the catalytic action of copper compound in the leaching of synthetic zinc sulfide should be arised from the galvanic action between sulfides keeping intimate contact one another in which copper sulfide worked as cathodic and zinc sulfide as anodic part analogous to the metal corrosion under galvanic action.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.63-69
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• 1972

The effects of omission of buffers from Krebs-Ringer medium on contractile activity, membrane potentials and ATP content of electrically stimulated isolated rat atria were investigated. 1) Contractile status: A rapid and marked depression of the contractile activity of atria occurred when buffer-free medium was substituted for the normal Krebs-Ringer medium. 2) Electrical status: The omission of buffers from medium did not alter the resting or action potential magnitudes of atria. However, the action potential duration was on initial increase followed by a decrease in the buffer-free medium. 3) ATP concentration: The omission of buffers from medium resulted in a marked decrease in the ATP levels of atria. It has been also found in the present study that bicarbonate buffer plays an important role for the maintenance of the contractility and ATP levels of the heart. The contractile depression by the omission of buffers was not directly associated with electrical alterations in resting or action potentials of the heart. In the absence of bicarbonate-buffer, glucose no longer plays to maintain the contractile activity and the ATP levels of rat atria.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.1180-1186
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• 1999

A wide ranges of chemicals released into the environment have potential to interfere with physiological and development process by disrupting endocrine pathways. Endocrine system embraces a multitude of mechanisms of action, including effect on growth, behavior, reproduction and immune function. These environmental endocrine disruptors are present in environment and pose potential health consequences to human and wildlife. The best known form in endocrine distruptors involves substances which mimic or block the action of natural hormone in the body. Endocrine disruptor have been variously defined as exogenous agents that interfere with the synthesis, secretion, transport, metabolism, binding action or elimination of the natural hormones in the body which are responsible for the maintenance of homeostasis, reproduction developmental and/or behavior. Many compounds polluted into the environment by human activity are capable of disrupting the endocrine system of animals, including fish, wildlife, and humans. Among these chemicals are pesticides, industrial chemicals, and other anthropogenic products. It has been alleged that several adverse effects on human health are linked with exposure to chemicals which are claimed to be endocrine disrupters, that is, increased incidence of testicular, prostate and female breast cancer, time dependent reductions in sperm quality and quantity, increased incidence of cryptorchidism (undescended testicles) and hypospadias(malformation of the penis), altered physical and mental de velopment in children. This observation is currently the only example of chemically mediated endocrine disruption which has resulted in a clear effect at the population level.