• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제3권2호
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• pp.119-125
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• 1999

Mammalian gastric smooth muscles generate spontaneous rhythmic contractions which are associated with slow oscillatory potentials (slow waves) and spike potentials. Spike potentials are blocked by organic $Ca^{2+}-antagonists,$ indicating that these result from the activation of L-type $Ca^{2+}-channel.$ However, the cellular mechanisms underlying the generation of slow wave remain unclear. Slow waves are insensitive to $Ca^{2+}-antagonists$ but are blocked by metabolic inhibitors or low temperature. Recently it has been suggested that Interstitial Cells of Cajal (ICC) serve as pacemaker cells and a slow wave reflects the coordinated behavior of both ICC and smooth muscle cells. Small segments of circular smooth muscle isolated from antrum of the guinea-pig stomach generated two types of electrical events; irregular small amplitude (1 to 7 mV) of transient depolarization and larger amplitude (20 to 30 mV) of slow depolarization (regenerative potential). Transient depolarization occurred irregularly and membrane depolarization increased their frequency. Regenerative potentials were generated rhythmically and appeared to result from summed transient depolarizations. Spike potentials, sensitive to nifedipine, were generated on the peaks of regenerative potentials. Depolarization of the membrane evoked regenerative potentials with long latencies (1 to 2 s). These potentials had long partial refractory periods (15 to 20 s). They were inhibited by low concentrations of caffeine, perhaps reflecting either depletion of $Ca^{2+}$ from SR or inhibition of InsP3 receptors, by buffering $Ca^{2+}$ to low levels with BAPTA or by depleting $Ca^{2+}$ from SR with CPA. They persisted in the presence of $Ca^{2+}-sensitive$ $Cl^--channel$ blockers, niflumic acid and DIDS or $Co^{2+},$ a non selective $Ca^{2+}-channel$ blocker. These results suggest that spontaneous activity of gastric smooth muscle results from $Ca^{2+}$ release from SR, followed by activation of $Ca^{2+}-dependent$ ion channels other than $Cl^-$ channels, with the release of $Ca^{2+}$ from SR being triggered by membrane depolarization.

• 대한기계학회논문집B
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.197-202
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• 2010

자발 진동하는 층류 예혼합 분젠 화염을 관찰하기 위하여 분기관을 가진 연소기를 제작 하였다. 특히, 조건에 따른 화염 거동을 살펴봤으며, 화염 표면적과 열발생 변동의 관계에 대하여 고찰하였다. 본 연구에서 사용된 당량비는 1.1 이고, 노즐 출구 평균 유속은 1.75 m/sec 이다. 연소 챔버와 분기관의 길이비(L.R.)는 연소기 내 압력 변동에 영향을 미치며, 결과적으로 화염 거동 특성이 달라짐을 관찰하였다. 또한, 간섭 필터의 유무에 따른 $OH^*$, $CH^*$, 그리고 화염 자발광은 정성적으로 유사한 거동을 나타냈으며, 자발 진동하는 층류 예혼합 분젠 화염의 화염 표면적 변동과 열발생 변동은 선형적인 관계를 가짐을 확인하였다.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• 제42권3호
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• pp.225-231
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• 2020

The aim of this study was to examine optimal induction method for carpospore release from Agarophyton vermiculophyllum cystocarps for seedling production. We tested the effects of environmental factors on carpospore release by using five different induction methods; spontaneous, desiccation, low temperature, desiccation+low temperature, and osmotic shock. Also, carpospores release was estimated at three temperatures (20, 25, and 30℃), and then under combinations of three day lengths (8, 12, and 16h) and two irradiances (30 and 60 μmol photons m^-2 s^-1), after pretreatment at desiccation+low temperature for 2 hr. The number of carpospores released was between 113 ~ 682 spores /cystocarp/day and it was maximal in the desiccation+low temperature treatment. Optimal environmental conditions for carpospore release of A. vermiculophyllum were 25℃, 16 h, and 60 μmol photons m^-2 s^-1. The present results suggest that massive carpospores for seedling production of A. vermiculophyllum could be obtained under a combination of 25℃, 16 h, and 60 μmol photons m^-2 s^-1 after pretreatment in the desiccation+low temperature.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.249-255
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• 2018

Echinacoside, an active compound in the herb Herba Cistanche, has been reported to inhibit glutamate release. In this study, we investigated the effects of echinacoside on spontaneous excitatory synaptic transmission changes induced by 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), by using the in vitro rat hippocampal slice technique and whole-cell patch clamp recordings from CA3 pyramidal neurons. Perfusion with echinacoside significantly suppressed the 4-AP-induced epileptiform activity in a concentration-dependent manner. Echinacoside reduced 4-AP-induced increase in frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) but it did not affect the amplitude of sEPSCs or glutamate-activated currents, implicating a presynaptic mechanism of action. Echinacoside also potently blocked sustained repetitive firing, which is a basic mechanism of antiepileptic drugs. These results suggest that echinacoside exerts an antiepileptic effect on hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons by simultaneously decreasing glutamate release and blocking abnormal firing synchronization. Accordingly, our study provides experimental evidence that echinacoside may represent an effective pharmacological agent for treating epilepsy.

• 턱관절균형의학회지
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.16-23
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• 2018

Positional Release Techniques (PRTs) are an umbrella term for manual therapies harnessing spontaneous musculoskeletal balancing mechanism of the body facilitated by finding and maintaining therapeutic position. PRT has its origin in the Strain Counterstrain (SCS) technique by Dr. Jones but encompasses diverse related techniques that stemmed off from the SCS. PRT emphasizes postural balance within the body and innate healing potential of the body including the postural balance of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This study briefly reviews concepts, history, and contemporary study reports on PRT with a focus on the yin-yang balance based approach of PRT.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.59-64
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• 2008

In our previous study, we found that spermine and putrescine inhibited spontaneous and acetylcholine (ACh)-induced contractions of guinea-pig stomach via inhibition of L-type voltage- dependent calcium current ($VDCC_L$). In this study, we also studied the effect of spermidine on mechanical contractions and calcium channel current ($I_{Ba}$), and then compared its effects to those by spermine and putrescine. Spermidine inhibited spontaneous contraction of the gastric smooth muscle in a concentration-dependent manner ($IC_{50}=1.1{\pm}0.11mM$). Relationship between inhibition of contraction and calcium current by spermidine was studied using 50 mM high $K^+$-induced contraction: Spermidine (5 mM) significantly reduced high $K^+$ (50 mM)-induced contraction to 37${\pm}$4.7% of the control (p<0.05), and inhibitory effect of spermidine on $I_{Ba}$ was also observed at a wide range of test potential in current/voltage (I/V) relationship. Pre- and post-application of spermidine (5 mM) also significantly inhibited carbachol (CCh) and ACh-induced initial and phasic contractions. Finally, caffeine (10 mM)-induced contraction which is activated by $Ca^{2+}$-induced $Ca^{2+}$ release (CICR), was also inhibited by pretreatment of spermidine (5 mM). These findings suggest that spermidine inhibits spontaneous and CCh-induced contraction via inhibition of $VDCC_L$ and $Ca^{2+}$ releasing mechanism in guinea-pig stomach.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제13권6호
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• pp.461-467
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• 2009

The auditory cortex (A1) encodes the acquired significance of sound for the perception and interpretation of sound. Nitric oxide (NO) is a gas molecule with free radical properties that functions as a transmitter molecule and can alter neural activity without direct synaptic connections. We used whole-cell recordings under voltage clamp to investigate the effect of NO on spontaneous GABAergic synaptic transmission in mechanically isolated rat auditory cortical neurons preserving functional presynaptic nerve terminals. GABAergic spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) in the A1 were completely blocked by bicuculline. The NO donor, S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), reduced the GABAergic sIPSC frequency without affecting the mean current amplitude. The SNAP-induced inhibition of sIPSC frequency was mimicked by 8-bromoguanosine cyclic 3',5'-monophosphate, a membrane permeable cyclic-GMP analogue, and blocked by 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide, a specific NO scavenger. Blockade of presynaptic $K^+$ channels by 4-aminopyridine, a $K^+$ channel blocker, increased the frequencies of GABAergic sIPSCs, but did not affect the inhibitory effects of SNAP. However, blocking of presynaptic $Ca^{2+}$ channels by $Cd^{2+}$, a general voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocker, decreased the frequencies of GABAergic sIPSCs, and blocked SNAP-induced reduction of sIPSC frequency. These findings suggest that NO inhibits spontaneous GABA release by activation of cGMP-dependent signaling and inhibition of presynaptic $Ca^{2+}$ channels in the presynaptic nerve terminals of A1 neurons.

• Animal cells and systems
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.199-204
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• 2007

HCN (hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated) channels, whose gene family consists of four subunits (HCN1-4), mediate depolarizing cation currents and contribute to controlling neuronal excitability. In the present study, immunohistochemical and electrophysiological approaches were used to elucidate the role of HCN channels in the cerebellum. Immunohistochemical labeling for HCN1 and HCN2 channels revealed localized expression of both channels at pinceau, the specialized structure of presynaptic axon terminals of basket cells. To determine the functional role of the presynaptic HCN channels, spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) were recorded from Purkinje cells, the main synaptic targets of basket cells in the cerebellum. While activation of HCN channels by 8-bromo-cAMP increased amplitude of spontaneous IPSCs, blockade of the activated HCN channels by subsequent ZD7288 application reduced the amplitude of spontaneous IPSCs to the level far below the control. Our results imply that modulation of HCN1 and HCN2 channels in presynaptic terminals of basket cells regulates neurotransmitter release, thereby controlling the excitability of Purkinje cells.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.271-274
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• 1999

Activated factor XII (FXIIc: Hageman factor) is a central component of the contact activation system of blood coagulation, fibrinolysis, and kinin formation. Although patients deficient in FXIIc (up to 50% of normal) do not show increased bleeding tendency, thrombotic complications were reported in 8% to 10% among these patients. The reduced generation of bradykinin resulting in diminished release of tissue plasminogen activator is proposed as a cause of thrombosis in factor XII (FXII)-deficient patients. Similarly, in patients with elevated levels of circulating antiphospholipid antibodies, hemostasis may be impaired resulting in excessive thrombophilia. Both vascular and placental thromboses because of antiphospholipid antibodies or FXIIc deficiency have been reported to be associated with recurrent fetal loss. We have experienced a case of factor XII deficiency in woman with recurrent spontaneous abortion. So we report this case with a brief review of literatures.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제20권6호
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• pp.533-538
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• 1997

Biflavonoid is one of unique classes of naturally-occurring bioflavonoid. Previously, certain biflavonoids were found to possess the inhibitory effects on phospholipase $A_2$ activity and lymphocytes $ proliferation^1$ suggesting their anti-inflammatory/immunoregulatory potential. In this study, effects of several biflavonoids on arachidonic acid release from rat peritoneal macrophages were investigated, because arachidonic acid released from the activated macrophages is one of the indices of inflammatory conditions. When resident peritoneal macrophages labeled with $[^{3}H]$arachidonic acid were activated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate(PMA) or calcium ionophore, A23187, radioactivity released in the medium was increased approximately 4.1-7.3 fold after 120 min incubation compared to the spontaneous release in the control incubation. In this condition, biflavonoids (10 uM) such as ochnaflavone, ginkgetin and isoginkgetin, showed inhibition of arachidonate release from macrophages activated by PMA (32.5-40.0% inhibition) or A23187 (21.7-41.7% inhibition). Amentoflavone showed protection only against PMA-induced arachidonate release, while apigenin, a monomer of these biflavonoids, did not show the significant inhibition up to 10 uM. Staurosporin (1 uM), a protein kinase C inhibitor, showed an inhibitory effect only against PMA-induced arachidonate release (96.8% inhibition). Inhibition of arachidonate release from the activated macrophages may contribute to an anti-inflammatory potential of biflavonoids in vivo.