• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 1998

${\alpha},\;{\beta}-Adrenergics$, and calcium channels were known to be related to inducing cardiac hypertrophy. Recently, it was reported that the cardiac renin-angiotensin system (RAS) was an important factor in ventricular hypertrophy. The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of ${\alpha},\;{\beta}-adrenergic$, and calcium channel blockers that might be involved in the regulation of cardiac RAS. The reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of renin gene in the perfused rat heart. Changes in angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity and cyclic AMP (cAMP) content which were thought to play a role in inducing cardiac hypertrophy were measured in the perfused rat heart. The expression of renin gene was not only increased by isoproterenol with metoprolol-pretreatment but also increased by vasopressin treatment in the presence of calcium channel blocker, nifedipine or verapamil. Either prazosin alone or norepinephrine with prazosin-pretreatment significantly increased the ACE activity. However, isoproterenol with metoprolol-pretreatment significantly decreased the ACE activity. On the other hand, the ACE activity was not changed by vasopressin, nifedipine, or verapamil treatments. The content of cAMP was significantly increased by either isoproterenol or vasopressin treatment. According to these results, renin gene expression was associated with ${\beta}2$ - adrenoceptor and calcium channel. ACE activity was associated with ${\alpha}-\;and{\beta}2$ - adrenoceptor. In conclusion, ${\beta}2$ - adrenoceptor was important in cardiac renin gene expression and ACE activity and ${\alpha},\;{\beta}$ -adrenergic, and calcium channel blockers might be involved in the regulation of cardiac RAS in a complicated way.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.614-618
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• 2001

Low-threshold T-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels are distinctive voltage-operated gates for external $Ca^{2+}$ entry around a resting membrane potential due to their low voltage activation. These phenomena have already been extensively studied due to their relevance in diverse physiological functions. Recently, three T-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel ${\alpha}$$_1$subunits were cloned and their biophysical properties were characterized after expression in mammalian expression systems. In this study, ${\alpha_IG} and {\alpha_IH}$ low-threshold $Ca^{2+}$ channels were expressed and characterized in Xenopus oocytes after adding 5' and 3'untranslated portions of a Xenopus ${\beta}$ globin to improve their expression levels. The added portions dramatically enhanced the expression levels of the ${\alpha_IG} and {\alpha_IH}$ T-type channels. When currents were recorded in 10 mM $Ba^{2+}$ as the charge carrier, the activation thresholds were about -60 mV, peak currents appeared at -20 mV, and the reversal potentials were between +40 and +45. The activation time constants were very similar to each other, while the inactivation time constants of the ${\alpha_IG}$ currents were smaller than those of ${\alpha_IH}$. Taken together, the electrophysiological properties of the ${\alpha_IG} and {\alpha_IH}$ channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes were similar to the previously reported characteristics of low-threshold $Ca^{2+}$ channel currents.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.141-157
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• 2010

Objectives : The aim of this study is to examine the effects of acupuncture at PC7(Daereung) on normal human EEG using power spectral analysis. Methods : EEG power spectrum exhibits site-specific and state-related differences in specific frequency bands. In this study, power spectrum was used as a measure of complexity. 30 subjects (16 males and 14 females; averaged age = 23.4 years) were engaged with thirty channel EEG study. Results : In $\alpha$(alpha) band, the power values at Fp1, Fp2, F7, F8 channels(p<0.05) during PC7 treatment were significantly decreased. But, the power values at Fz channel(p<0.05) during non-acupoint treatment was significantly decreased. In $\beta$(beta) band, the power values at Fp1, Fp2 channels(p<0.05) during PC7 treatment were significantly decreased. But, the power values at Fz channel(p<0.05) during non-acupoint treatment was significantly decreased and at F8, TCP2 channels(p<0.05) during non-acupoint treatment were increased. In $\theta$(theta) band, the power values at Fp1, Fp2, F7, F8 channels(p<0.05) during PC7 treatment were significantly decreased. But, the power values at Fz channel(p<0.05) during non-acupoint treatment was significantly decreased. In $\delta$(delta) band, the power values at Fp1, Fp2, F7, Fz, F8 channels (p<0.05) during PC7 treatment were significantly decreased. But, the power values at Fz channel (p<0.05) during non-acupoint treatment was significantly decreased. $\alpha/\beta$ values during PC7 treatment were decreased. $\beta/\theta$ values during PC7 treatment were decreased. Conclusion : These results suggest that acupuncture at PC7 induce the change on $\alpha$(alpha), $\beta$(beta), $\theta$ (theta), $\delta$(delta) wave values being decreased and and bothe $\alpha/\beta$ and $\beta/\theta$ values being decreased respectively. This is considered that acupuncture at PC7 affects the activity of cerebral cortex and endocrine system.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.87.2-87.2
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• 2014

Symbiotic stars and quasars exhibit prominent $H{\alpha}$ emission lines often accompanied with broad wings. $H{\alpha}$ emission nebulae in these objects are proposed to be optically thick to resonance scattering. The transfer of $H{\alpha}$ line photons are further complicated by the existence of another scattering channel leading to re-emission of $Ly{\beta}$. In this work are develop a Monte Carlo code to simulate the transfer of $H{\alpha}$ line photons incorporating the scattering channel into $Ly{\beta}$. We show various line profiles of $H{\alpha}$ and $Ly{\beta}$ emergent from our model nebulae. It is shown that temperature is a critical parameter which controls the ratio of emergent $Ly{\beta}$ flux to that of $H{\alpha}$.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.52-62
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• 2006

In previous reports we demonstrated that ginsenosides, active ingredients of Panax ginseng, affect some subsets of voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channels in neuronal cells expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. However, the major component(s) of ginseng that affect cloned $Ca^{2+}$ channel subtypes such as ${\alpha}_{1C}$(L)-, ${\alpha}_{1B}$(N)-, ${\alpha}_{1A}$(P/Q)-, ${\alpha}_{1E}$(R)- and ${\alpha}_{1G}$(T) have not been identified. Here, we used the two-microelectrode voltage clamp technique to characterize the effects of ginsenosides and ginsenoside metabolites on $Ba^{2+}$ currents ($I_{Ba}$) in Xenopus oocytes expressing five different $Ca^{2+}$ channel subtypes. Exposure to ginseng total saponins (GTS) induced voltage-dependent, dose-dependent and reversible inhibition of the five channel subtypes, with particularly strong inhibition of the ${\alpha}_{1G}$-type. Of the various ginsenosides, $Rb_1$, Rc, Re, Rf, $Rg_1$, $Rg_3$, and $Rh_2$, ginsenoside $Rg_3$ also inhibited all five channel subtypes and ginsenoside $Rh_2$ had most effect on the ${\alpha}_{1C}$- and ${\alpha}_{1E}$-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels. Compound K (CK), a protopanaxadiol ginsenoside metabolite, strongly inhibited only the ${\alpha}_{1G}$-type of $Ca^{2+}$ channel, whereas M4, a protopanaxatriol ginsenoside metabolite, had almost no effect on any of the channels. $Rg_3$, $Rh_2$, and CK shifted the steady-state activation curves but not the inactivation curves in the depolarizing direction in the ${\alpha}_{1B}$- and ${\alpha}_{1A}$-types. These results reveal that $Rg_3$, $Rh_2$ and CK are the major inhibitors of $Ca^{2+}$ channels in Panax ginseng, and that they show some $Ca^{2+}$ channel selectivity.

• 전기의세계
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.55-61
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• 1974

Nature of magnetic creep phenomena in low coercive force films(Ni 80%-Fe 20%) in form of narrow channels imbedded in high coercive force films is studied in this work. Aluminium is evaporated on the hot glass substrate and eched free in the shape of narrow channels by photoetoetching method. then, Permalloy(Ni 80%, Fe 20%) is deposited on these Aluminium substrate under the uniform field of 30(Oe) to introduce anisotropy. Permalloy film on Al has a high coercive force and one on the substrate devoid of Al has how coercive force. Magnetic revers domain which is introduced at the end of channel grows under the a.c field in hard axis direction, in spite of very weak d.c field in easy axis direction. This creeping is investigated as a function of external fields and channel widths. Permalloy film thickness is 500.angs.-900.angs. and channel widths are 40, 51, 65, 81, 115.mu. respectively. Creeping increases as external field increases while it decreases with channel width decrease. Creep velocity in channels depends on the a.c field along hard axis, d.c field along easy axis and channel widths and its range is 1-10cm/sec in this experiment. From study of dependence of creep velocity on channel width, it can be concluded that creep velocity is expressed in form of v=v$_{0}$ exp .alpha.(H-H$_{0}$) where .alpha. is a function of a.c field along hard axis and H is driving d.c field along easy axis, H$_{0}$ is not a coercive force of film as usuall expected but the d.c threshold field along easy axis which is a function of channel width. This characteristic is also confirmed by the study of dependence of creep velocity upon easy axis field strength. Value of .alpha. obtained is 1.3-2.3cm/sec We depending upon film charactor, hard axis field strength and frequency.uency.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.66-83
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• 2002

Recently, we have provided evidence that ginsenosides, the active components of Panax ginseng, utilize pertussis toxin (PTX)-insensitive $G{\alpha}_{q/11}-phospholipase\;C-{\beta}3(PLC-{\beta}3)$ signal transduction pathway for the enhancement of $Ca^{2+}-activated\;Cl^{-}$ current in the Xenopus oocyte (British J. Pharmacol. 132, 641-647, 2001; JBC 276, 48797-48802, 2001). Other investigators have shown that stimulation of receptors linked to $G{\alpha}-PLC$ pathway inhibits the activity of G proteincoupled inwardly rectifying $K^+$ (GIRK) channel. In the present study, we sought to determine whether ginsenosides influenced the activity of GIRK 1 and GIRK 4 (GIRK 1/4) channels expressed in the Xenopus oocyte, and if so, the underlying signal transduction mechanism. In oocyte injected with GIRK 1/4 channel cRNAs, bath-applied ginsenosides inhibited high potassium (HK) solution-elicited GIRK current $(EC_{50}:4.9{\pm}4.3\;{\mu}g/ml).$ Pretreatment of the oocyte with PTX reduced the HK solution-elicited GIRK current by $49\%,$ but it did not alter the inhibitory ginsenoside effect on GIRK current. Prior intraoocyte injection of cRNA(s) coding $G{\alpha}_q,\;G{\alpha}_{11}\;or\;G{\alpha}_q/G{\alpha}_{11},\;but\;not\;G{\alpha}_{i2}\;or\;G{\alpha}_{oA}$ attenuated the inhibitory ginsenoside effect. Injection of cRNAs coding $G{\beta}_{1{\gamma}2}$ also attenuated the ginsenoside effect. Similarly, injection of the cRNAs coding regulators of G protein signaling 1, 2 and 4 (RGS1, RGS2 and RGS4), which interact with $G{\alpha}_i\;and/or\;G{\alpha}_{q/11}$ and stimulates the hydrolysis of GTP to GDP in active GTP-bound $G{\alpha}$ subunit, resulted in a significant reduction of ginsenoside effect on GIRK current. Preincubation of GIRK channel-expressing oocyte in PLC inhibitor (U73122) or protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor (staurosporine or chelerythrine) blocked the inhibitory ginsenoside effect on GIRK current. On the other hand, intraoocyte injection of BAPTA, a free $Ca^{2+}$ chelator, had no significant effect on the ginsenoside action. Taken together, these results suggest that ginsenosides inhibit the activity of GIRK 1/4 channel expressed in the Xenopus oocyte through a PTX-insensitive and $G{\alpha}_{q/11}$-,PLC-and PKC-mediated signal transduction pathway.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.210-215
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• 2009

Background: Several studies have indicated that a nerve injury enhances the expression of the voltage-gated calcium channel ${\alpha}2{\delta}1$ subunit (Cav ${\alpha}2{\delta}1$) in sensory neurons and the dorsal spinal cord. This study examined whether NMDA receptor activation is essential for Cav ${\alpha}2{\delta}1$-mediated tactile allodynia in Cav ${\alpha}2{\delta}1$ overexpressing transgenic mice and L5/6 spinal nerve ligated rats (SNL). These two models show similar Cav ${\alpha}2{\delta}1$ upregulation and behavioral hypersensitivity, without and with the presence of other injury factors, respectively. Methods: The transgenic (TG) mice were generated as described elsewhere (Feng et al., 2000). The left L5/6 spinal nerves in the Harlan Sprague Dawley rats were ligated tightly (SNL) to induce neuropathic pain, as described by Kim et al. (1992). Memantine 2 mg/kg (10 ul) was injected directly into the L5/6 spinal region followed by $10{\mu}l$ saline. Tactile allodynia was tested for any mechanical hypersensitivity. Results: The tactile allodynia in the SNL rats could be reversed by an intrathecal injection of memantine 2 mg/kg at 1.5 hours. The tactile allodynia in the Cav ${\alpha}2{\delta}1$ over-expressing TG mice could be reversed by an intrathecal injection of memantine 2 mg/kg at 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 hours. Conclusions: The behavioral hypersensitivity was similar in the TG mice and nerve injury pain model, supporting the hypothesis that elevated Cav ${\alpha}2{\delta}1$ mediates similar pathways that underlie the pain states in both models. The selective activation of spinal NMDA receptors plays a key role in mediating the pain states in both the nerve-injury rats and TG mice.

• Proceedings of the Korean Biophysical Society Conference
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• 2003.06a
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• pp.42-42
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• 2003

Large-conductance $Ca^{2+}$-activated potassium channels ($BK_{Ca}$ are a widely distributed and play key roles in various cell functions. In nerve cells, $BK_{Ca}$ channels shorten the duration of action potentials and block $Ca^{2+}$ entry thereby repolarizing excitable cells after excitation. $BK_{Ca}$ channel opening has been postulated to confer neuroprotection during stroke, and has attracted attention as a means for therapeutic intervention in asthma, hypertension, convulsions, and traumatic brain injury. Several natural and synthetic compounds including a steroid hormone, $\beta$-estradiol, have been identified as the activators of $BK_{Ca}$ channels. Based on the structural features of the previously reported activators of $BK_{Ca}$ channels, we designed several lead compounds, synthesized chemically, and tested their functional activity on cloned $BK_{Ca}$ channels. The $\alpha$ subunit of rat $BK_{Ca}$ channel was expressed alone or with different $\beta$ subunits in Xenopus oocytes and the effects of the compounds were tested electrophysiological means. One of the lead compounds affected the activity of the $\alpha$ subunit of $BK_{Ca}$ channel in a $\beta$ subunit-specific manner. While the activity of B $K_{ca}$ channel $\alpha$ subunit was Potentiated, the channel composed of $\alpha$ and $\beta$1 subunits were inhibited by this compound. We are currently investigating the mechanism of the $\beta$ subunit-dependent effects and planning to localize the receptor site of the lead compound.f the lead compound.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.589-594
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• 1997

The neuronal voltage-sensitive calcium channels (VSCCs) are multisubunit complexes consisting of $\alpha_1,\;\alpha_2-\delta$ and $\beta$ subunits. Heterologous expression and biochemical studies have shown that the activity of VSCCs is regulated by their $\beta$ subunits in a $\beta$ subunit isoform-specific manner. To elucidate the $\beta$ subunit identity of the P/Q-type calcium channel encoded by an $\alpha_{1A}$ subunit, which is exclusively expressed in the Purkinje and granule cell of the cerebellum, we have examined the spatial and temporal expression patterns of $\beta$ subunits and compared them with those of $\alpha_{1A}$ subunit in the developing rat cerebellum. Reverse transcriptase- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Northern blot analysis have shown that $\beta_4$ subunit mRNA was prominently expressed in the cerebellum and much more abundant than any other distinct $\beta$ subunits. RNase protection assay has further demonstrated that the expression of $\alpha_{1A}$ and $\beta_4$ subunits increased during cerebellar development, while the amount of $\beta_2$ and $\beta_3$ mRNAs did not significantly change. In addition, a $\beta_4$ transcript was present in cultured cerebellar granule cells, but not in astrocyte cells, and the level of $\beta_4$ mRNA expression increased gradually in vitro seen as in vivo. Based on the spatial and temporal expression patterns of $\beta_4$ subunit, we conclude that $\beta_4$ may predominantly associate, but probably not exclusively, with the $\alpha_{1A}$ subunit in rat cerebellar granule cells.