• Clean Technology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.130-135
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• 2014

It is investigated that the surface properties of mercaptopyruvic-acid layer formed on gold surfaces may make an effect on the distribution of either gold particle adsorbed to the zirconia surface or vice versa. For the investigation, the atomic force microscope was used to measure the surface forces between the surfaces as a function of the salt concentration and pH value. The forces were quantitatively analyzed with the derjaguin-landau-verwey-overbeek (DLVO) theory to estimate the electrostatic properties, potential and charge density, of the surfaces for each condition of salt concentration and pH value. The estimatedvalue dependence on the salt concentration was explained with the law of mass action, and the pH dependence was interpreted with the ionizable groups on the surface. The salt concentration dependence of the surface properties, found from the measurement at pH 4 and 8, was predictable from the law. It was found that the mercaptopyruvic-acid layer had higher values for the surface charge densities and potentials than the zirconia surfaces at pH 4 and 8, which may be attributed to the ionizedfunctional-groups of the mercaptopyruvic-acid layer.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.545-553
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• 2020

Aripiprazole is a quinolinone derivative approved as an atypical antipsychotic drug for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It acts as with partial agonist activities at the dopamine D2 receptors. Although it is known to be relatively safe for patients with cardiac ailments, less is known about the effect of aripiprazole on voltage-gated ion channels such as transient A-type K⁺ channels, which are important for the repolarization of cardiac and neuronal action potentials. Here, we investigated the effects of aripiprazole on Kv1.4 currents expressed in HEK293 cells using a whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Aripiprazole blocked Kv1.4 channels in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC₅₀ value of 4.4 μM and a Hill coefficient of 2.5. Aripiprazole also accelerated the activation (time-to-peak) and inactivation kinetics. Aripiprazole induced a voltage-dependent (δ = 0.17) inhibition, which was use-dependent with successive pulses on Kv1.4 currents without altering the time course of recovery from inactivation. Dehydroaripiprazole, an active metabolite of aripiprazole, inhibited Kv1.4 with an IC₅₀ value of 6.3 μM (p < 0.05 compared with aripiprazole) with a Hill coefficient of 2.0. Furthermore, aripiprazole inhibited Kv4.3 currents to a similar extent in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC₅₀ value of 4.9 μM and a Hill coefficient of 2.3. Thus, our results indicate that aripiprazole blocked Kv1.4 by preferentially binding to the open state of the channels.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.505-516
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• 1996

The effects of application of dentin desensitizer containing glutaraldehyde (Gluma Desensitizer) and dentin adhesive system (All Bond 2) to the exposed dentin on the intradental nerve activity (INA) and the occluding aspects of dentinal tubules were investigated in cat canine teeth. Single pulp nerve units were dissected from the inferior alveolar nerve and indentified as $A{\delta}$-fiber units. The INAs elicited by 4M NaCl before and after the application of each experimental agent were compared. The morphological changes of exposed dentin surfaces and dentinal tubules in the dentin specimens used to record INAs were observed by SEM. The results obtained were as follows. 1. Eight $A{\delta}$-fiber units (conduction velocity: $8.0{\pm}4.0m$/sec) were identified. 4M NaCl evoked an irregular burst of action potentials which ceased immediately after washing. 2. In 4 $A{\delta}$-fiber units, the change of INA after the application of Gluma Desensitizer was $133.9{\pm}80.7%$ when it was compared with the INA before the application of the same agent. 3. In 4 $A{\delta}$-fiber units, application of All Bond 2 completely abolished the INA induced by 4M NaCl. 4. In specimens applied with Gluma Desensitizer, the formation of hybrid layer as well as the identification of resin penetration and reaction products with proteins in dentinal tubules were not clearly observed in interface between dentin and adhesive resin. In specimens applied with All Bond 2, the gap width of 2-$3{\mu}m$ was formed between exposed dentin and adhesive resin, and the hybrid layer and resin tags were not clearly formed either.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.377-381
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• 2012

The histidine-rich $Ca^{2+}$ binding protein (HRC) is a $Ca^{2+}$ binding protein in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). In this study, we examined whether the HRC is involved in the regulation of cardiac contraction and $Ca^{2+}$ signaling using HRC knock-out (KO) mouse ventricular myocytes. In field-stimulated single mouse ventricular myocytes, cell shortenings and $Ca^{2+}$ transients were measured using a video edge detection and a confocal $Ca^{2+}$ imaging, respectively. Compared with the wide-type (WT) myocytes, the magnitudes of cell shortenings were significantly larger in HRC KO cells (P<0.01, WT vs. KO). The rate of contraction and relaxation was significantly accelerated in HRC KO myocytes (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively, WT vs. KO). The magnitudes of $Ca^{2+}$ transients were increased by HRC KO (P<0.01, WT vs. KO). In addition, the decay of the $Ca^{2+}$ transient was faster in HRC KO cells than in wild-type cells P<0.01, WT vs. KO). These results suggest that HRC may suppress SR $Ca^{2+}$ releases and decay of $Ca^{2+}$ transients during action potentials, thereby attenuating ventricular contraction and relaxation.

• BioChip Journal
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.332-339
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• 2018

The future neuro-prosthetic devices would be required spikes data monitoring through sub-nanoscale transistors that enables to neuroscientists and clinicals for scalable, wireless and implantable applications. This research investigates the spikes monitoring through integrated CNT front-end amplifier for neuro-prosthetic diagnosis. The proposed carbon nanotube-based architecture consists of front-end amplifier (FEA), integrate fire neuron and pseudo resistor technique that observed high electrical performance through neural activity. A pseudo resistor technique ensures large input impedance for integrated FEA by compensating the input leakage current. While carbon nanotube based FEA provides low-voltage operation with directly impacts on the power consumption and also give detector size that demonstrates fidelity of the neural signals. The observed neural activity shows amplitude of spiking in terms of action potential up to $80{\mu}V$ while local field potentials up to 40 mV by using proposed architecture. This fully integrated architecture is implemented in Analog cadence virtuoso using design kit of CNT process. The fabricated chip consumes less power consumption of $2{\mu}W$ under the supply voltage of 0.7 V. The experimental and simulated results of the integrated FEA achieves $60G{\Omega}$ of input impedance and input referred noise of $8.5nv/{\sqrt{Hz}}$ over the wide bandwidth. Moreover, measured gain of the amplifier achieves 75 dB midband from range of 1 KHz to 35 KHz. The proposed research provides refreshing neural recording data through nanotube integrated circuit and which could be beneficial for the next generation neuroscientists.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.104-114
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• 2022

Background: Abnormalities of myelin, which increases the efficiency of action potential conduction, are found in neurological disorders. Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) demonstrates therapeutic efficacy against some of these conditions, however effects on oligodendrocyte (OL)s are not well known. Here, we examined the effects of KRG-derived components on development and protection of OL-lineage cells. Methods: Primary OL precursor cell (OPC) cultures were prepared from neonatal mouse cortex. The protective efficacies of the KRG components were examined against inhibitors of mitochondrial respiratory chain activity. For in vivo function of Rb1 on myelination, after 10 days of oral gavage into adult male mice, forebrains were collected. OPC proliferation were assessed by BrdU incorporation, and differentiation and myelination were examined by qPCR, western blot and immunocytochemistry. Results: The non-saponin promoted OPC proliferation, while the saponin promoted differentiation. Both processes were mediated by AKT and extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) signaling. KRG extract, the saponin and non-saponin protected OPCs against oxidative stress, and both KRG extract and the saponin significantly increased the expression of the antioxidant enzyme. Among 11 major ginsenosides tested, Rb1 significantly increased OL membrane size in vitro. Moreover, Rb1 significantly increased myelin formation in adult mouse brain. Conclusion: All KRG components prevented OPC deaths under oxidative stress. While non-saponin promoted proliferation, saponin fraction increased differentiation and OL membrane size. Furthermore, among all the tested ginsenosides, Rb1 showed the biggest increase in the membrane size and significantly enhanced myelination in vivo. These results imply therapeutic potentials of KRG and Rb1 for myelin-related disorders.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.239-250
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: Brugada syndrome (BrS) is an inherited arrhythmia syndrome that presents as sudden cardiac death (SCD) without structural heart disease. One of the mechanisms of SCD has been suggested to be related to the uneven dispersion of transient outward potassium current (I_to) channels between the epicardium and endocardium, thus inducing ventricular tachyarrhythmia. Artemisinin is widely used as an antimalarial drug. Its antiarrhythmic effect, which includes suppression of I_to channels, has been previously reported. We investigated the effect of artemisinin on the suppression of electrocardiographic manifestations in a canine experimental model of BrS. Methods: Transmural pseudo-electrocardiograms and epicardial/endocardial transmembrane action potentials (APs) were recorded from coronary-perfused canine right ventricular wedge preparations (n=8). To mimic the BrS phenotypes, acetylcholine (3 μM), calcium channel blocker verapamil (1 μM), and I_to agonist NS5806 (6-10 μM) were used. Artemisinin (100-150 μM) was then perfused to ameliorate the ventricular tachyarrhythmia in the BrS models. Results: The provocation agents induced prominent J waves in all the models on the pseudo-electrocardiograms. The epicardial AP dome was attenuated. Ventricular tachyarrhythmia was induced in six out of 8 preparations. Artemisinin suppressed ventricular tachyarrhythmia in all 6 of these preparations and recovered the AP dome of the right ventricular epicardium in all preparations (n=8). J wave areas and epicardial notch indexes were also significantly decreased after artemisinin perfusion. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that artemisinin has an antiarrhythmic effect on wedge preparation models of BrS. It might work by inhibition of potassium channels including I_to channels, subsequently suppressing ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.618-624
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Isoflavones are widely believed to be beneficial to human health, in relation to their antioxidant potentials. Exercise can cause an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants. This study was conducted in order to investigate the ability of isoflavones in amelioration of oxidative stress induced by exercise. MATERIALS/METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to one of four groups: isoflavone-free with no exercise (CON-sd), isoflavone-free with exercise (CON-ex), isoflavone-supplemented with no exercise (ISF-sd), and isoflavone-supplemented with exercise (ISF-ex). Animals exercised on the treadmill for 30 minutes per day, five days per week. TBARS as a marker of oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme activity, including SOD, GSH-px, and catalase were determined in liver tissue. Serum lipid profile was also examined. RESULTS: A significant effect of isoflavone alone was observed on abdominal fat pad mass. ISF-ex had significantly less abdominal fat pad than CON-ex. Both exercise and isoflavone treatment had significant effects on lowering plasma triglyceride (TG), thus, the ISF-ex group had a significantly lower TG level than the CON-sd group, by 30.9%. However, no differences were observed in plasma cholesterol, HDL-C, and cholesterol/HDL-C ratio. Exercise, isoflavone, and exercise-isoflavone interaction effects were significant on thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) (P = 0.001, 0.002, and 0.005, respectively). The CON-ex group showed a higher TBARS level than the other three groups. By contrast, in the ISF-ex group, TBARS was restored to the level of the ISF-sd or CON-sd group. Isoflavone had a significant effect on superoxide dismutase (SOD) (P = 0.022) and catalase activities (P = 0.049). Significantly higher SOD and catalase activities were observed in ISF-ex than CON-ex. SOD and catalase activities showed an inverse pattern of TBARS. Taken together, isoflavones increased the activities of SOD and catalase with concomitant decreases in TBARS, indicative of decreased oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS: Isoflavone supplementation enhances antioxidant action with attenuation of exercise-induced oxidative stress, as measured by decreases in TBARS, and inhibits body fat accumulation and plasma TG increase. Antioxidative effects ascribed to isoflavones may be partially exerted via enhancement of antioxidant enzyme activities.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.33-44
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• 1969

Electoromyographic studies were performed on the action of the muscles of the temporomandibular joints following exfoliation of the deciduous teeth. The subjects examined, being 50 children. between the age of 6 and 13 years, divided into 5 groups. They were; 1) Deciduous dentition were complete in the first group. 2) Deciduous incisors were missing in either upper or lower jaw in the second group. 3) Deciduous canine and molars were missing in the left side of either upper or lower jaw in the third group. 4) Deciduous canine and molars were missing in the right side of either upper or lower jaw in the fourth group. 5) Permanent dentition completed in the fifth group(except third molars). Electromyogram was recorded with 4 channel polygraph (Grass model VII modified for 7P3). Electrodes which were the cup-typed gold discs, 9 millimeters in the diameter, were located on the anterior, middle and posterior lobes of the temporal muscles, and also on the superficial and deep layers of the masseter muscles. Paired electrodes were held by electrode cream so that they were pressed on the skin surface at right angle, adhesive tape being used to anchor them. The distance of the pair electrodes was about 5 millimeters. The results obtained were as follow: 1) In rest position of mandible; All groups showed slight, electrical activities in the muscles involved, but in the middle lobe of temporal muscle they were slightly higher. 2) In molar occlusion of mandible; High activity-anterior lobe of temporal muscle and superficial layer of masseter muscle. Moderate activity-deep layer of masseter muscle. Low activity-middle and posterior lobes of masseter muscle. There were no differences among the first, the second and the fifth groups. In the third group the muscle activity was weaker than that of the right, and in the fourth group opposite characteristics was revealed. 3) In incisal bite of mandreble; Hight activity-superficial layer of masseter muscle. Modertae activity-deep layer of masseter muscle. Low activity-anterior, middle and posterior lobes of temporal muscle. The first, the third, the fourth and the fifth groups showed no differences but the second group showed less activity than those of others. 4) In protrusion of mandible; High activity-deep layer of masseter muscle Moderate activity-superficial layer of masseter muscle. Low activity-anterior, middle and posterior lobes of temporal muscle. In the first, the fourth and the fifth groups, there were no differences in the activities, but the second group showed less activity than the others. 5) In retrusion of mandible; High activity-deep layer of masseter muscle. Moderate activity-superficial layer of masseter muscle. Low activity-anterior, middle and posterior lobes of temporal muscle. In the first, the third, the fourth and the fifth groups, there were no differences but the second group showed less activity than the others. 6) In lateral excursion of the mandible (either direction); High activity-posterior lobe of temporal muscle. Moderate activity-anterior and middle lobes of temporal muscle. Low activity-superficial and deep layers of masseter muscle. The muscle action potentials were weaker than those of the right side in the third group and vice ver'sa in the fourth group. 7) In chewing movement; Temporal muscle activities were higher than those of masseter, especially in the middle lobe of temporal muscle the activity was highest. Right side muscle activities were higher than those of the left in the third group and, on the contrary, the left side was dominant over the right in the fourth group.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.761-766
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• 2020

Phenylamine derivatives are substances that have a biochemical action and are widely applied as psychotropic drugs. In particular, with regard to the quantitative analysis of substances such as ephedrine, amphetamine, pentermine, and dopamine, many previous studies such as electrochemical, vacuum ultraviolet method, and gas chromatography have been conducted. However, there have not been many studies on the structural characteristics of molecular units. Therefore, In this study, we used (HyperChem8.0's, HC) semi-empirical PM3 method to calculate the total energy, band gap, electrostatic potential, and net charge of ephedrine, amphetamine, pentamine and dopamine to investigate the chemical properties of each derivative according to the molecular structure change. The results showed that for total energy -43,171.8, -32,9538.3, -36,407.3 and -43,061.2 Kcal/mol, respectively, while for band gaps, 10.16379377, 9.9531666, 9.7878002 and 9.0589282 eV. Also, for electrostatic potentials, 1.301~-0.045, 1.694~0.299, 0.694~-0.158 and 1.587~-0.048 respectively. Finally, looking at the distribution of net charges, the oxygen atoms, nitrogen atoms and carbon atoms were -0.312~-0.242, -0.161~-0.051 and +0.13~-0.12 respectively. These results are expected to lead to chemical action centered on phenyl radicals and oxygen and nitrogen atoms common to phenethylamine derivatives.