• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SD
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• v.37 no.8
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• pp.28-34
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• 2000

Pyroelectric properties of the $Pb(Zr_{0.9}Ti_{0.1})O_3$ ceramics having the rhombohedral structure have been studied by using the dynamic measurement method. The pyroelectric responses of the $Pb(Zr_{0.9}Ti_{0.1})O_3$ ceramics are characterized in both low and high medulation frequency regions and their frequency depences are observed. In the low frequency region (2~200Hz), the change of polarization increases and shows the maximum since the reorientation rate of domains is higher than the modulation frequency. Inthe high frequency region (200~2000Hz), the pyroelectrci response decreases as the frequency increases, because the reorientation of domains is suppressed and so the change of polarization decreases. Pyroelectric coefficient, figure of merit, noise equivalent power and detectivity of the $Pb(Zr_{0.9}Ti_{0.1})O_3$ ceramics are measured as $1.6{\times}10^{-8}C/cm^2{\cdot},\;1.6{\times}10^{-11}C{\cdot}cm/J,\;2.4{\times}10^{-7}W/Hz^{1/2}\;and\;4.17{\times}10^6cm{\cdot}Hz^{1/2}/W$, respectively.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.113-118
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• 2006

In the primary sensory neuron of the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (MTN), the peripheral axon supplies a large number of annulospiral endings surrounding intrafusal fibers encapsulated in single muscle spindles while the central axon sends only a few number of synapses onto single ${\alpha}-motoneurons({\alpha}-MNs)$. Therefore, the ${\alpha}-{\gamma}$ linkage is thought to be very crucial in the jaw-closing movement. Spike activity in a ${\gamma}-motoneuron\;({\gamma}-MN)$ would induce a large number of impulses in single peripheral axons by activating many intrafusal fibers simultaneously, subsequently causing an activation of ${\alpha}-MNs$ in spite of the small number of synapses. Thus, the activity of ${\gamma}-MNs$ may be vital for modulation of jaw-closing movements. Independently of such a spindle activity modulated by ${\gamma}-MNs$, somatic depolarization in MTN neurons is known to trigger the oscillatory spike activity. Nevertheless, the trafficking of these spikes arising from the two distinct sources of MTN neurons is not well understood. In this short review, switching among multiple functional modes of MTN neurons is discussed. Subsequently, it will be discussed which mode can support the ${\alpha}-{\gamma}$ linkage. In our most recent study, simultaneous patch-clamp recordings from the soma and axon hillock revealed a spike-back-propagation from the spike-initiation site in the stem axon to the soma in response to a somatic current pulse. The persistent $Na^+$ current was found to be responsible for the spike-initiation in the stem axon, the activation threshold of which was lower than those of soma spikes. Somatic inputs or impulses arising from the sensory ending, whichever trigger spikes in the stem axon first, would be forwarded through the central axon to the target synapse. We also demonstrated that at hyperpolarized membrane potentials, 4-AP-sensitive $K^+$ current ($IK_{4-AP}$) exerts two opposing effects on spikes depending on their origins; the suppression of spike initiation by increasing the apparent electrotonic distance between the soma and the spike-initiation site, and the facilitation of axonal spike invasion at higher frequencies by decreasing the spike duration and the refractory period. Through this mechanism, the spindle activity caused by ${\gamma}-MNs$ would be safely forwarded to ${\alpha}-MNs$. Thus, soma spikes shaped differentially by this $IK_{4-AP}$ depending on their origins would reflect which one of the two inputs was forwarded to the target synapses.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.633-644
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• 2006

In last couple of decades the use of natural compounds like flavonoids as chemopreventive agents has gained much attention. Our current study focuses on identifying chemopreventive flavonoids and their mechanism of action on human prostate cancer cells. Human prostate cancer cells (PC3), stably transfected with activator protein 1 (AP-1) luciferase reporter gene were treated with four main classes of flavonoids namely flavonols, flavones, flavonones, and isoflavones. The maximum AP-1 luciferase induction of about 3 fold over control was observed with $20\;{\mu}M$ concentrations of quercetin, chrysin and genistein and $50\;{\mu}M$ concentration of kaempferol. At higher concentrations, most of the flavonoids demonstrated inhibition of AP-1 activity. The MTS assay for cell viability at 24 h showed that even at a very high concentration $(500\;{\mu}M)$, cell death was minimal for most of the flavonoids. To determine the role of MAPK pathway in the induction of AP-1 by flavonoids, Western blot of phospho MAPK proteins was performed. Four out of the eight flavonoids namely kaempferol, apigenin, genistein and naringenin were used for the Western Blot analysis. Induction of phospho-JNK and phospho-ERK activity was observed after two hour incubation of PC3-AP1 cells with flavonoids. However no induction of phospho-p38 activity was observed. Furthermore, pretreating the cells with specific inhibitors of JNK reduced the AP-1 luciferase activity that was induced by genistein while pretreatment with MEK inhibitor reduced the AP-1 luciferase activity induced by kaempferol. The pharmacological inhibitors did not affect the AP-1 luciferase activity induced by apigenin and naringenin. These results suggest the possible involvement of JNK pathway in genistein induced AP-1 activity while the ERK pathway seems to play an important role in kaempferol induced AP-1 activity.

• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.333-341
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• 1998

The novel integrated device, 1.55 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ DR-LD(distrbuted reflector laser diode) integrated EA-MOD (electro-absorption modulator) as light source, is proposed to improve the device yield and its operational performances. This device can be easily fabricated by the selective MOVPE technique and its fabrication processes are almost the same as the reported 1.55 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ DFB-LD(distributed feedback laser diode) integrated EA-MOD except the asymmetric gratings. The static and dynamic properties are investigated simultaneously by solving the transfer matrix method for light propagation, the time-dependent rate equation for carrier change and schr$\"{o}$dinger equation for QCSE (Quantum-Confined Stark Effect). The performances of the proposed device such as output power, chirp, and extinction ratio are compared with those of DFB-LD integrated EA-MOD. Under 10Gb/s NRZ modulation, we obtain that DR-LD integrated EA-MOD. is 30% higher in output power on the on-state, about 50% lower in chirp, and slightly larger in extinction ratio than DFB-LD integrated EA-MOD.-MOD.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.1-15
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• 2002

Excitation-contraction coupling in skeletal muscle is process by which depolarization of the muscle fiber membrane, elicited by a nerve action potential, triggers the release of $Ca^{2+}$ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum(SR). The resulting rise in intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration$([Ca^{2+}]_i)$ activates the troponin complex, thereby initiating the contraction of the muscle. The question remains as to what factors are involved in the inhibition of SR $Ca^{2+}$ release in fatigued muscle. The purpose of this study was determine whether ATP-sensitive $K^+(K_{ATP})$ channels are activated and contribute to decrease in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ during fatigue development in the mouse skeletal muscle. To elucidate a role of $K_{ATP})$ in relation to ECC, I measured the modulation effects of $K_{ATP})$ channel blocker(glibenclamide) and opener(pinacidil) on $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ after fatiguing electrical field stimulation(FEFS). Intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ signals were recorded by conforcal laser microscopy(LSM 410) and monitored using the fluorescent $Ca^{2+}$-Sensitive indicator Fluo-3 AM. The results of this study were as followed: 1. The relative [Ca2'li after FEFS in the pre-glibenclamide-treated group was higher than the control. And relative $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ after FEFS in the pre-glibenclamide-treated group was lower than the control. 2. The relative $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ after FEFS for 3 min in the control, pre-glibenclamide-treated group and pre-pinacidil-treated group showed a similar pattern; the gradually significant decrease in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$. But, these decreasing pattern was most significant in the control. These findings suggest a tight relationship between $K_{ATP})$ and $Ca^{2+}$ in ECC during fatigue. Therefore, 1 thought that activation of $K_{ATP})$ channels may be one of mechanisms of the fatigue in skeletal muscle.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.139-153
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• 2012

Objectives : NK cells are spontaneously cytotoxic lymphocytes. These are not only important parts in the first line of defence against bacterial and viral infections of outside, but they may also play a critical role in chronic viral diseases. NK cells kill their targets spontaneously, without the need for prior sensitization and class I MHC restriction by the regulation of cytolytic functions and secretion of a variety of cytokines, such as interleukin-12(IL-12), MCP-1, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, IFN-${\gamma}$. In addition, macrophage and NK cells cooperate through the production of cell mediates. These cooperation and modulation are one of major factors to prevent for evading immune surveillance of cancer. Hence, it could be assumed that if any candidate to enhance activities of macrophage and NK cell, it is considered as a potentially useful agents against cancer. Methods : In our study, to investigate effect of fermented soybean extracts by Lactic acid bacteria (SFE, soybean fermented extracts) work on intestinal immune cell to maintain general immune modulating and anti-cancer activity. We analyzed NK cytotoxicity assay and gene expressions of cytokine related with macrophage and NK cell activity. Results : In vitro experiment, SFE was verified as safety material for cell toxicicty to tumor cell strain without any toxicity of tumor growth inhibition and various cell strain. Effects of macrophage activity stimulating directly by SFE measured induced cytokine. The studies showed that IL-12 production by stimulation of SFE depended on concentration from 0.16mg/mL to 0.63mg/mL with non toxicity to cell, and it was the best activity at 0.63mg/mL. Besides, the effective concentration of SFE producing TNF-${\alpha}$ is similar to IL-12, but it was the best activity at 1.25mg/mL. The level of MCP-1, IL-6 and IFN-${\gamma}$ depended on concentration from 0.16mg/mL to 10mg/mL, IFN-${\gamma}$ showed the best activity at the effective concentration of 0.63mg/mL. With the result of NK cell activity measurement, the spleen cell of mouse injected SFE had 1.5 times higher killing effect than non injected cell. Conclusions : The result of this studies is that Soybean fermetated extracts(SFE) has possibility to immune aided material for the function not only inhibition of microbial infection to macrophage but also activity of adaption immune and cellular immune system.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.332-339
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• 2002

The pathogenesis of cholestatic liver injury as well as the modulation of hepatic fibrogenesis is causally associated with involvement of reactive oxygen species and free radical reactions. In this study, we investigated whether flavonoids (fustin, sulfuretin) which were isolated from Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RCS) have antioxidant and antihepatotoxicity effect under the biliary liver fibrosis condition. After surgery (control) and posttreated RCS methanol extract (250mg/kg), ethyl acetate extract (250mg/kg) and flavonoids were administered p.o. 10mg/kg/day in two weeks for control groups. The concentration of clinical parameters and product of hepatic lipid peroxidation and the hydroxyproline content were significantly increased in liver fibrosis developed rats. Among the clinical parameters of serum, value of ALT, AST, SDH, total bilirubin and ${\gamma}$ -GT in posttreated RCS components-group showed significantly lower than in control-group. The content of hydroxyproline in posttreated RCS components-group showed lower than in control group and then the value of MDA in posttreated RCS components-group was also significantly reduced to 40~60% of that in control group. The hepatic xanthine oxidase and aldehyde oxidate activities were posttreated RCS components-group showed significantly lower than in control-group. The hepatic SOD and glutathione peroxidase activities were posttreated RCS components-group showed significantly higher than in control-group. Hence we concluded that active components of fustin and sulfuretin which were isolated from R. verniciflua Stokes were hepatoprotective effect in experimental liver fibrosis.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.11 no.10
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• pp.1852-1857
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• 2007

The SSB modem performs the modulation process which converts the digital voltage level to the audible frequency band signal and the demodulation process which converts reversely the audible frequency signal to the digital voltage level. The modulator and the demodulator are implemented with a single DSP chip. Because of the SSB specific character, the distortion occurs when the frequency is changed. This distortion has no effect on voice communication but it has an significant effect on data communication. In other words, it is impossible to send data stream with adjacent 2 periods. Therefore, in case of using 2-tone FSK, it is needed to send at least 3 periods to transmit 1 bit. Therefore we implemented the modem using modified phase-delay shift keying to transmit 1 tone signal for high speed transmission. In the 1200[bps] mode, it generates 0, $187{\mu}s$, delay time at 1.3kHz symbol frequency, and in the 2400[bps] mode, 0, $70{\mu}s\;130{\mu}s\;200{\mu}s$, delay time at 1.5kHz symbol frequency. Finally, in the maximum 3600[bps] mode, it generates 0, $100{\mu}s\;160{\mu}s\;250{\mu}s$ 2.0kHz symbol frequency. The measured results of the implemented SSB modem shows a good transfer functional characteristic by spectrum analyzer, almost same bandwidth in pass band and 20dB higher SNR comparing the emu FACTOR and American CLOVER and in the experimental transmitting test, we verified the transmitted data is received correctly in platform.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.100 no.3
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• pp.367-373
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• 2011

The demand for Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) seeds has increased in Korea but their supply has been limited due to sporadic natural seed production. To enhance seed production, stem girdling was applied to 42-yearold Japanese larches, resulting in remarkable enhancement of strobilus production in terms of the rate of strobilusbearing tree and the number of strobilus per tree. Metabolic alterations in the girdled and the control trees were interrogated through GC/MS analysis. In the girdled tree, the contents of 14 individual metabolites including polar and non-polar compounds were significantly increased compared to the control. In the cambium and phloem tissues of girdled trees, the contents of pimaric acid, phosphoric acid, sucrose, and two different unknown compounds were enhanced, while the levels of malic acid, inositol, two different disaccharide, 11-trans-Octadecenoic acid and 4 different unknown compounds were decreased compared to the control. The girdled trees showed to be contained significantly higher amount of total nitrogen in the cambium and phloem tissues than that of control trees. Although the role of individual metabolites on enhanced strobilus production remains unclear, the approach presented in this study might provide useful information in elucidating metabolic network modulation induced by girdling and will be further applied for enhanced strobilus production in Japanese larch trees.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 2014

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the effects water extract of fermented new korean medicinal mixture, combinations of Mori Folium, Adenophorae Radix, Phllostachyos Folium and Citri Pericarpium (F-MAPC), on adipocyte differentiation, adipogenesis and glucose uptake using undiffernentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes and L6 myoblasts. Methods : Each herb and those mixture were respectively fermented and then extracted with water. We carried on MTT assay for check-up on cell toxicity, Oil Red O staining for determination of cell differentiation and intracelluar adipogenesis. Western blot analysis for measurement of pAMPK and pACC, $C/EBP{\alpha}$, $PPAR{\gamma}$ and Glut-4 protein expressions were performed. Results : F-MAPC showed significant inhibitory activity on adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes without affecting cell toxicity as assessed by measuring fat accumulation, and this effect was 2 fold higher in 0.2 mg/ml F-MAPC than that of the same dose of each fermented herbal extract alone. In addition, these effects were associated with modulation of adipogenic transcription factors, such as $C/EBP{\alpha}$, $PPAR{\gamma}$, as well as stimulated phosphorylations of AMPK and ACC. Translocation of Glut-4 was significantly increased by 10.2% in L6 cells treated with 0.2 mg/ml F-MAPC compared with that of control. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that F-MAPC may be an ideal candidate for therapy of obesity and diabetes by disturbing the differentiation into adipocytes, as well as the inducement of intramuscular glucose uptake from blood.