• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제48권4호
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• pp.178-182
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• 2005

Nitric oxide (NO) produced from endothelial cells plays a critical role in vascular physiology. The regulation of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) involves various mechanisms including multiple Ser/Thr phosphorylations. Recently, eNOS-Ser617 was newly recognized to be phosphorylated in response to humoral factors including vascular endothelial growth factor. However, it remains unknown whether and how eNOS-Ser617 phosphorylation is stimulated by shear stress, the primary stimulus of endothelial NO production. This issue was explored in the present study using cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs). Over-expression of a constitutively active protein kinase B(Akt) mutant in BAECs increased Ser617 phosphorylation while constitutively active protein kinase A mutant had no effect. When BAECs were subjected to an arterial level of laminar shear stress, eNOS-Ser617 phosphorylation was clearly increased in a time-dependent manner. Shear stress also stimulated Akt phosphorylation at Thr308, one of the key regulatory sites. The time courses of eNOS-Ser617 and Akt-Thr308 phosphorylations appeared to be very similar. These results suggested that eNOS-Ser617 phosphorylation, mediated by Akt, is a physiological response to the mechanical shear stress, involved in the regulation of NO production in endothelial cells.

• Macromolecular Research
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.370-378
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• 2007

Mechanical stimulation is known to activate several cellular signal transduction pathways, leading to the induction of signaling molecules and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, thereby modulating cellular activities, such as proliferation and survival. In this study, primary human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) were seeded onto chitosan-based scaffolds, and then cultured for 3 weeks in a bioreactor under a cyclic strain of 1 Hz frequency. Compared to control samples cultured under static conditions, the application of a cyclic strain stimulated the proliferation of HDFs in I week, and by week 3 the thickness of the cell/scaffold composites increased 1.56 fold. Moreover, immunohistochemical staining of the culture media obtained from the cell/scaffold samples subjected to the cyclic strain, revealed increases in the expression and secretion of ECM proteins, such as fibronectin and collagen. These results suggest that the preconditioning of cell/scaffold composites with a cyclic strain may enhance the proliferation of HDFs, and even facilitate integration of the engineered artificial dermal tissue into the host graft site.

• 동력기계공학회지
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.42-49
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• 2013

The global movie industry is continuing rapid growth through application of the latest technology. 3D movies are being produced and shown for a more effective viewing experience. Special chairs for audiences are being experimentally manufactured and installed for the greatest viewing effect. This special chair has a structure that applies vibrating stimuli to specific parts of the body by attaching vibration transducers to theater chairs and synchronizing it with each scene of the movie. In a previous study, it has been confirmed that we can analyze the vibration transfer characteristics of sponge seats through the application of an experimental modal analysis method and obtain design variables easily. In this paper, we examine the major design parameters needed in the development of a foaming sponge seat in which auxiliary springs are inserted to improve the vibration transfer effect of a chair seat. Through analyzing several prototypes by applying experimentation as well as the experimental modal analysis method, it was confirmed that the effect of vibration transfer can be improved through the use of an auxiliary member.

• 한국멀티미디어학회논문지
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• 제20권9호
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• pp.1509-1518
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• 2017

Although several methods have been used to assess the pain levels, few practical methods for classifying presence or absence of the pain using pattern classifiers have been suggested. The aim of this study is to design an pattern classifier that classifies the presence or absence of the pain using electrocardiogram (ECG). We measured the ECG signal from 10 subjects with the painless state and the pain state(Induced by mechanical stimulation). The 10 features of heart rate variability (HRV) were extracted from ECG - MeanRRI, SDNN, rMSSD, NN50, pNN50 in the time domain; VLF, LF, HF, Total Power, LF/HF in the frequency domain; and we used the features as input vector of the pattern classifier's artificial neural network (ANN) / support vector machine (SVM) for classifying the presence or absence of the pain. The study results showed that the classifiers using ANN / SVM could classify the presence or absence of the pain with accuracies of 81.58% / 81.84%. The proposed classifiers can be applied to the objective assessment of pain level.

• 대한전기학회논문지:시스템및제어부문D
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• 제50권11호
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• pp.541-549
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• 2001

The term 'silent period(SP)' refers to a transitory, relative or absolute decrease electromyography(EMG) activity, evoked in the midst of an otherwise sustained contraction. Masseteric SP is elicited by a tap on the chin during isometric contraction of masseter muscle. In this paper, a new EMG signal generation model including SP in masseter muscle is proposed. This work is based on the anatomical structure of trigeminal nerve system that related on temporomandibular joint(TMJ) dysfunction. And it was verified by comparing the real EMG signals including SP in masseter muscle to the simulated signals by the proposed model. Through this studies, it was shown that SP has relation to variable neurophysiological phenomena. A proposed model is based on the control system theory and DSP(Digital Signal Processing) theory, and was simulated using MATLAB simulink. As a result, the proposed SP model generated EMG signals which are similar to real EMG signal including normal SP and an abnormal extended SP. This model can be applied to the diagnosis of TMJ dysfunction and can effectively explain the origin of extended SP.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• 제7권3호
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• pp.213-222
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• 2011

The native extracellular matrix (ECM) consists of an integrated fibrous protein network and proteoglycan-based ground (hydrogel) substance. We designed a novel electrospinning technique to engineer a three dimensional fiber-hydrogel composite that mimics the native ECM structure, is injectable, and has practical macroscale dimensions for clinically relevant tissue defects. In a model system of articular cartilage tissue engineering, the fiber-hydrogel composites enhanced the biological response of adult stem cells, with dynamic mechanical stimulation resulting in near native levels of extracellular matrix. This technology platform was expanded through structural and biochemical modification of the fibers including hydrophilic fibers containing chondroitin sulfate, a significant component of endogenous tissues, and hydrophobic fibers containing ECM microparticles.

• 복식문화연구
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.327-345
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• 2018

This study analyzes characteristics related to Kineticism found in different kinds of displays and arts in order to contemplate modern window displays. The standard of analysis is based on kinetic arts pioneer George Rickey's six display factors. Projection features and movements were categorized into "Direct movements," "Indirect movements," and "Relative movements." Results were obtained through analysis of different examples of each category. First, the most observed form of Kineticism was direct movements on the window display. Along with the development of science and techniques, a variety of divergent motional methods has arisen. After that followed indirect movement, which uses visual media and lights for presentation. The third was relative movements, which provides communication in practical experience; users' motion is used to provide modification in vision. Fourth, we observed that direct movements and indirect movements can express fluidity depending on materials, inducing a sense of tension within the window display through visual stimuli together with dynamism from mechanical exposure. Fifth, when direct movements pair with relative movements, it triggers customer participation; though it does not deliberately induce participation, the effects are beyond expectation. Sixth, if indirect movements meet relative movements, the motion of lights offers a major stimulation to the customers along with various expressions, thus achieving an interactive domain.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.135-140
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• 2006

Temperature signaling can be initiated by members of transient receptor potential (thermo-TRP) channels. Hot and cold substances applied to teeth usually elicit pain sensation. Since odontoblasts constitute a well-defined layer between the pulp and the mineralized dentin, being first to encounter thermal stimulation from oral cavity, they may be involved in sensory transduction process, in addition to their primary function as formation of dentin. We investigated whether thermo-TRP channels are expressed in a odontoblast cell line, MDPC-23. The expressions of thermo-TRP channels were examined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunohistochemistry, fluorometric calcium imaging. Analysis of RT-PCR revealed mRNA expression of TRPV1, TRPV2, TRPV4 and TRPM8, but no TRPV3, TRPA1. Immunohistochemical approach failed to detect TRPV1 expression. Whereas the application of 4-phorbol-12,13-didecanoate($10\;{\mu}M$, a TRPV4 agonist), menthol(1 mM, a TRPM8 agonist) and icilin($10\;{\mu}M$, a TRPM8 agonist) produced the enhancement of intracellular calcium concentration, capsaicin($1\;{\mu}M$, a TRPV1 agonist) did not. Our results suggest that subfamily of thermo-TRP channels expressed in odontoblasts may serve as thermal or mechanical transducer in teeth.

• Animal cells and systems
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• 제6권4호
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• pp.327-333
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• 2002

Among the silk glands in the black widow spider Latrodectus mactans, the ampullate one is the most predominant gland in both sexes, and is com-posed of three functional parts - excretory duct, storage ampulla and convoluted tail regions. This experiment was performed using mechanical pulling stimulation with electric motor equipment to reveal a correlation between silk usage and silk producing system in this poisonous spider. The mature secretory products in glandular epithelium are closely packed and appear as electron-opaque spherical vesicles. A part of the vesicles with fine fibrillar paracrystalline texture seems to store some proteins which will function at the time of final assembly into fibrils. Most of the secretory silk products which originated from the rough endoplasmic reticula of the glandular epithelial cells are grown by fusion with surrounding small vesi-cles. However, the Golgi complex does not seem to play an important role in this process of secretion. According to progressive maturation of secre-tory silk product, these granules are progressively filled with a fine fibrillar material, and thus appear much more electron-dense than those of earlier states. When the secretory product is extruded from the glandular cavity, the epithelium is rapidly changed to a thinner layer of tall columnar cells with less definitive cell membranes. After extruding there ave a few secre-tory droplets within these cells, thus causing this region to stain much lighter.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.183-192
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• 1997

Pressure pain thresholds are routinely used in orofacial pain research to evaluate the response of deep orofacial tissues to mechanical stimulation. Like other psychophysical measurements, however, this technique must stimulate cutaneous tissues before stimulating deeper tissues. This study aimed at evaluating the influence of the cutaneous hypoesthesia on the pressure pain threshold in 30 healthy volunteers. PPTs were determined with electric pressure algometry over masseter, temporalis anterior, sternocleidomastoid, and trapezius muscle before and after skin hypoesthesia. A local anesthetic cream and a control cream were applied following a placebo-controlled double-blind design and PPTs were reassessed. Two examiners measured PPTs two times on each muscles, randomly. And the EMG activity of all muscles were measured to evaluate the relationship with PPTs. The collected data were processed by SAS/STAT program. The obtained results were as follows : 1. There were a tendency to increase PPTs after than before cutaneous hypoesthesia, but, there were no significant difference statistically. 2. PPTs were consistently higher in anterior temporalis than in masseter muscle. 3. In all occasions, PPTs were higher in males than in females(p<0.001). 4. A statistically significant correlation was obtained from values of intra-examiners and inter-examiners in all measured muscles. 5. A significantly positive correlation was not found between PPT and functional EMG activity.