• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.185-191
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• 2005

The absorption of a P-gp substrate, rhodamine 123, from a liposomal dosage form was investigated across Caco-2 cell monolayers, rat intestines and rat intestinal Peyer's patches in Ussing chamber, Rhodamine 123 was incorporated into liposomes according to the standard evaporation method, which led to a production of liposomes with a mean diameter of 71.3 nm. The permeability (Papp of rhodamine 123 from a water solution across the monolayer was $2.45{\times}10^{-6}$ cm/s for $A{\leftrightarrow}B$ (apical to basal) and $14.0{\times}10^{-6}$ cm/s for $B{\leftrightarrow}A$ (basal to apical) directions, consistent with the fact that rhodamine 123 is one of the P-gp substrates. The transport of rhodamine 123 from the liposomal dosage form was much lower for both directions compared to the solution of rhodamine 123. The transport of rhodamine 123 across the rat intestine was also significantly decreased for both directions, I.e., influx and efflux, by the liposomal incorporation of the compound. The transport of rhodamine 123 across the Peyer's patch was substantially reduced by liposomal incorporation. No difference was found in the transport between the Peyer's patch and non-Peyer's patch. These observations suggest that the contribution of transport via Peyer's patches in the uptake of liposomes may be minimal, especially for rapidly absorbed compounds like rhodamine 123. Therefore, the increased absorption of P-gp substrates does not appear to be feasible by incorporating the compounds in liposomes, due to negligible involvement of Peyer's patches in the uptake of particulate dosage forms like liposomes. Liposomes may rather represent a sustained release dosage form of incorporated compounds.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.71 no.4
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• pp.407-416
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• 2019

Novel steel fibre reinforced ultra-lightweight cement composite (ULCC) with compressive strength of 87.3MPa and density of $1649kg/m^3$ was developed for the flat slabs in civil buildings. This paper investigated structural behaviours of ULCC flat slabs according to a 4-specimen test program under concentrated loading and some reported test results. The investigated governing parameters on the structural behaviours of the ULCC slabs include volume fraction of the steel fibre and the patch loading area. The test results revealed that ULCC flat slabs with and without flexure reinforcement failed in different failure mode, and an increase in volume fraction of the steel fibre and loading area led to an increase in flexural resistance for the ULCC slabs without flexural reinforcement. Based on the experiment results, the analytical models were developed and also validated. The validations showed that the analytical models developed in this paper could predict the ultimate strength of the ULCC flat slabs with and without flexure reinforcement reasonably well.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.229-236
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• 2014

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitrogen species (RNS) are implicated in cellular signaling processes and as a cause of oxidative stress. Recent studies indicate that ROS and RNS are important signaling molecules involved in nociceptive transmission. Xanthine oxidase (XO) system is a well-known system for superoxide anions ($O{_2}^{{\cdot}_-}$) generation, and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) is a representative nitric oxide (NO) donor. Patch clamp recording in spinal slices was used to investigate the role of $O{_2}^{{\cdot}_-}$ and NO on substantia gelatinosa (SG) neuronal excitability. Application of xanthine and xanthine oxidase (X/XO) compound induced membrane depolarization. Low concentration SNP ($10{\mu}M$) induced depolarization of the membrane, whereas high concentration SNP (1 mM) evoked membrane hyperpolarization. These responses were significantly decreased by pretreatment with phenyl N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN; nonspecific ROS and RNS scavenger). Addition of thapsigargin to an external calcium free solution for blocking synaptic transmission, led to significantly decreased X/XO-induced responses. Additionally, X/XO and SNP-induced responses were unchanged in the presence of intracellular applied PBN, indicative of the involvement of presynaptic action. Inclusion of GDP-${\beta}$-S or suramin (G protein inhibitors) in the patch pipette decreased SNP-induced responses, whereas it failed to decrease X/XO-induced responses. Pretreatment with n-ethylmaleimide (NEM; thiol-alkylating agent) decreased the effects of SNP, suggesting that these responses were mediated by direct oxidation of channel protein, whereas X/XO-induced responses were unchanged. These data suggested that ROS and RNS play distinct roles in the regulation of the membrane excitability of SG neurons related to the pain transmission.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.37-47
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• 1994

The effects of the novel compound GS-386 on the calcium current were investigated in rabbit atrial myocytes. The calcium current was recorded during various depolarizations of 200 ms duration from a holding potential of -40 mV using the whole cell patch clamp technique. The calcium current was activated from -30 mV, reached maximum amplitude at +10 mV and almost disappeared at +50 mV. Superfusion of GS-386 led to a reduction of the calcium current amplitude dose-dependently and $ED_{50}$ was $2.5{\times}10^{-7}M$. But the dependence of the calcium current on the membrane potential was not altered by GS-386. The inactivation of the calcium currents showed single exponential curves in both before and after application of GS-386. The inactivation time constants before and after application of GS-386 were almost the same(35 ms and 32.5 ms). The steady-state inactivation curve of the calcium current was not shifted by GS-386. The calcium currents both before and after application of GS-386 recovered completely in 1 sec and the recovery time constants were about 200 ms in both cases. From the above results it is concluded that the novel compound GS-386 has calcium antagonistic property decreasing the calcium current.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.63-66
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• 2012

Nevus comedonicus is a type of hamartoma that arises from a developmental anomaly of the mesodermal part of the pilosebaceous gland. In most cases of nevus comedonicus, an acne-like skin condition develops. Repeated inflammation can cause a morphological change to the cyst, papule, to abscess. We experienced a case of congenital nevus comedonicus, which led to the formation of large multiple cysts. A 50-year-old man was referred with a $12.5{\times}10cm$ lobulated mass on the posterior neck and upper back. The patient had a widespread presence of nevus comedonicus in the region ranging from the right superior chest to the posterior neck. The patient had a 30-year history of six prior excisions. A magnetic resonance imaging review led to a diagnosis of nevus comedonicus. Surgical treatment consisted of excision of the mass and wide excision for the patch type of nevus comedonicus around the neck. On histopathology, multiple masses were diagnosed as typical cysts containing keratinized tissue. The diffuse comedone lesions were diagnosed as nevus comedonicus. This case shows that large, multiple cysts can occur as a long-term complication of nevus comedonicus, and also highlights the importance of radical resection to prevent its further invagination.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.237-249
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• 2011

Land-use changes due to the socio-economic environment influence landscape patterns and processes, which affect habitats and biodiversity. This study considers the effects of such land-use changes, particularly on the traditional rural "Maeul" forested landscape, by analyzing landscape structure and vegetation changes. Three study areas were examined that have seen their populations decrease and age over the last few decades. Five types of plant life-forms (Raunkier life-forms) were distinguished to investigate ecosystem function. Principle component analysis was used to understand vegetation dynamics and community characteristics based on a vegetation similarity index. Ordination analysis transformed species-coverage data was introduced to clarify vegetation dynamics. Landscape indices, such as area metrics, edge metrics, and shape metrics, showed that spatial heterogeneity has increased over time in all areas. Pinus densiflora was the main land-use plant type in all study areas but decreased over time, whereas Quercus spp. increased. Over a decade, P. densiflora communities shifted to deciduous oak and plantation. These findings indicate that the impact of human activities on the Maeul landscape is twofold. While forestry activities caused heavy disturbances, the abandonment of traditional human activities has led to natural succession. Furthermore, it can be concluded that the type and intensity of these human impacts on landscape heterogeneity relate differently to vegetation succession. This reflects the cause and consequence of patch dynamics. We discuss an approach for sustainable landscape planning and management of the Maeul landscape based on traditional management.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.51-59
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• 1994

This study was carried out to elucidate the excitatory mechanisms of Substance P in the antral circular muscle, using isometric contraction recording, conventional microelectrode method and whole-cell patch clamp technique. Substance P produced tonic and phasic contractions in a dose-dependent manner and depolarized membrane potential with increased amplitude of slow waves in muscle strips. Voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}$ currents were increased by the application of Substance P from a holding potential of -60mV to 50mV in 10mV steps and this effect was blocked by the addition of an antagonist. Also Substance P increased transient and spontaneous oscillatory $K^+$ outward currents. The enhanced outward currents were abolished by apamin in dispersed single cells. These results suggest that the depolarization of membrane potential by Substance P activates voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channels, which represents an excitatory response in the antral circular muscle and led to an increase in $Ca^{2+}\;activated\;K^+\;currents$.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 1972

Interventricular Septal Defect is probably the most common congenital cardiac lesion. Despite rapid technical advances and increasing surgical experience the risk of surgical intervention for correction of Ventricular Septal Defect in infants with pulmonary hypertension remains formidable. Since Sirak et al [1959] reported a succesful case of two stage approach to their surgical correction, it has led to a policy of primary palliation,followed by complete correction as a secondary procedure, after age 3 to 4 years. Most surgeon prefer to perform complete correction of Ventricular Septal Defect when body weight exceeds 30 Lbs. and before development of so-called Eisenmengers complex, for the good postoperative results. Authors report 2 cases of Ventricular Septal Defect with pulmonary hupertenslon, who was underwent pulmonary artery banding as a palliative procedure in the Department of Surgery,Severance Hospital Yonsei University. Case 1:4 year old male, initially a complete correction of Ventricular Septal Defect was attempted by the help of mild hypothermia and extracorporeal circulation. During the procedure of a construction of an extracorporeal by- pass, a sudden cardiac arrest developed. After resuscitation of the heart,pulmonary artery banding was performed as a palliation. On the first postoperative day the patient developed generalized tonic convulsion, cyanosis, vomiting and eventually shock. Patient discharged home after a full recovery. Case 2.: 9 month old female, the pulmonary artery constricted with Teflon patch successfully. After the patients first postoperative day several cyanotic spells developed followed by 3 cardiac arrests. This repeated until when she expired with respiratory failure.

• Proceedings of the Microbiological Society of Korea Conference
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• 2000.10a
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• pp.15-23
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• 2000

The subcellular localization of the SopB protein, which is encoded by the Escherichia coli F plasmid and is involved in the partition of the single-copy plasmid, was directly visualized through the expression of the protein fused to the jellyfish green fluorescent protein (GFP). The fusion protein was found to localize to positions close but not at the poles of exponentially growing cells. Examination of derivatives of the fusion protein lacking various regions of SopB suggests that the signal for the cellular localization of SopB resides in a region close to its N terminus. Overexpression of SopB led to silencing of genes linked to, but well-separated from, a cluster of SopB-binding sites termed sopC. In this SopB-mediated repression of sopC-linked genes, all but the N-terminal 82 amino acids of SopB can be replaced by the DNA-binding domain of a sequence-specific DNA -binding protein, provided that the sopC locus is also replaced by the recognition sequence of the DNA-binding domain. These results suggest a mechanism of gene silencing: patches of closely packed DNA-binding protein is localized to specific cellular sites; such a patch can capture a DNA carrying the recognition site of the DNA -binding domain and sequestrate genes adjacent to the recognition site through nonspecific binding of DNA.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.353-361
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• 2005

The interaction of cyclosporine A (CsA), an immunosuppressant, with rat brain Kv1.5 (Kv1.5) channels, which were stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells, was investigated using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. CsA reversibly blocked Kv1.5 currents at +50 mV in a reversible concentrationdependent manner with an apparent $IC_{50}$ of 1.0μM. Other calcineurin inhibitors (cypermethrin, autoinhibitory peptide) had no effect on Kv1.5 and did not prevent the inhibitory effect of CsA. Fast application of CsA led to a rapid and reversible block of Kv1.5, and the onset time constants of the CsA-induced block were decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. The CsA-induced block of Kv1.5 channels was voltage-dependent, with a steep increase over the voltage range of channel opening. However, the block exhibited voltage independence over the voltage range in which channels were fully activated. The rate constants for association and dissociation of CsA were $7.0{\mu}M{-1}s^{-1}$ and $8.1s^{-1}$, respectively. CsA slowed the deactivation time course, resulting in a tail crossover phenomenon. Block of Kv1.5 by CsA was use-dependent. CsA also blocked Kv1.3 currents at +50 mV in a reversible concentration-dependent manner with an apparent $IC_{50}$ of $1.1{\mu}M$. The same effects of CsA on Kv1.3 were also observed in excised inside-out patches when applied to the internal surface of the membrane. The present results suggest that CsA acts directly on Kv1.5 currents as an open-channel blocker, independently of the effects of CsA on calcineurin activity.