• 대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.347-354
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• 2009

For the reliable transmission of meaningful visual information using prosthetic electrical stimulation, it is required to develop an effective stimulation strategy for the generation of electrical pulse trains based on input visual information. The characteristics of neuronal activities of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) evoked by electrical stimulation should be understood for this purpose. In this study, for the development of an optimal stimulation strategy for visual prosthesis, we analyzed the neuronal responses of RGCs in rd1 mouse, photoreceptor-degenerated retina of animal model of retinal diseases (retinitis pigmentosa). Based on the in-vitro model of epiretinal prosthesis which consists of planar multielectrode array (MEA) and retinal patch, we recorded and analyzed multiunit RGC activities evoked by amplitude-modulated electrical pulse trains. Two modes of responses were observed. Short-latency responses occurring at 3 ms after the stimulation were estimated to be from direct stimulation of RGCs. Long-latency responses were also observed mainly at 2 - 100 ms after stimulation and showed rhythmic firing with same frequency as the oscillatory background field potential. The long-latency responses could be modulated by pulse amplitude and duration. From the results, we expect that optimal stimulation conditions such as pulse amplitude and pulse duration can be determined for the successful transmission of visual information by electrical stimulation.

• 한국의학물리학회지:의학물리
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.20-26
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• 2007

망막질환에 의해 변성된 망막에서는 시냅스 조직의 구성이나 전기적 특성이 정상망막과는 크게 다를 것으로 예상된다. 그러므로 본 논문에서는 다채널기록법을 이용하여 정상 망막과 변성 망막에서 망막파형을 기록한 후 그 파형을 주성분 분석법과 독립성분분석법을 이용하여 비교 분석하였다. 주성분분석법은 망막파형 분석법으로 확립된 방법인 반면 독립성분분석법은 EEG 신호의 분석법으로는 확립된 방법이나 아직 망막파형 분석법으로 사용된 적이 없으므로 본 연구진이 최초로 적용하여 보았다. 본 연구진에 의해 프로그램된 독립성분분석법을 위한 toolbox를 사용하여 시공간적 분석을 실시한 결과 정상 마우스에서는 독립성분분석법 또한 주성분분석법과 같이 망막신경절세포 파형의 분석 방법으로서의 사용가능성을 발견하였다 그러나 rd/rd 마우스에서는 독립성분분석법으로 그린 공간지도상에서 다수의 강한 활성과 약한 활성이 혼재되어 나오는 복잡한 양상을 띄었다. 추후 어떠한 기전에 의해 변성망막의 공간지도가 이렇게 복잡한 양상을 띄는지에 관한 연구가 진행되어야 할 것으로 사료된다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.94-98
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• 2016

The objective of the present study was to elucidate the effect of bisphosphonates, anti-osteoporosis agents, on glucose uptake in retinal capillary endothelial cells under normal and high glucose conditions. The change of glucose uptake by pre-treatment of bisphosphonates at the inner blood-retinal barrier (iBRB) was determined by measuring cellular uptake of $[^3H]3$-O-methyl glucose (3-OMG) using a conditionally immortalized rat retinal capillary endothelial cell line (TR-iBRB cells) under normal and high glucose conditions. $[^3H]3$-OMG uptake was inhibited by simultaneous treatment of unlabeled D-glucose and 3-OMG as well as glucose transport inhibitor, cytochalasin B. On the other hand, simultaneous treatment of alendronate or pamidronate had no significant inhibitory effect on $[^3H]3$-OMG uptake by TR-iBRB cells. Under high glucose condition of TR-iBRB cells, $[^3H]3$-OMG uptake was increased at 48 h. However, $[^3H]3$-OMG uptake was decreased significantly by pre-treatment of alendronate or pamidronate compared with the values for normal and high glucose conditions. Moreover, geranylgeraniol (GGOH), a mevalonate pathway intermediate, increased the uptake of $[^3H]3$-OMG reduced by bisphosphonates pre-treatment. But, pre-treatment of histamine did not show significant inhibition of $[^3H]3$-OMG uptake. The glucose uptake may be down regulated by inhibiting the mevalonate pathway with pre-treatment of bisphosphonates in TR-iBRB cells at high glucose condition.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.175-183
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• 2007

정확한 세포의 구조 분석을 위해서는 조직을 가능한 한 자연 상태 그대로 보존하는 것이 무엇보다 중요하다. 그러나 지금까지 이용되고 있는 화학적인 고정방법은 조직의 변형을 유도하는 것으로 알려져 그 해결방법에 관한 연구가 활발히 진행되고 있다. 그 연구의 결과로 현재 급속 동결법이 제시되었고, 그 중 초고압동결법(high-pressure freezing method)는 가용 두께가 $200{\mu}m$로서 $10{\sim}15{\mu}m$정도인 침윤동결법(plunging method) 혹은 접촉동결법 (slamming method)보다 우수한 방법으로 보고되고 있다. 본 연구팀에는 노랑초파리(Drosophila melanogaster)의 레티나를 화학고정법과 고압동결법으로 고정하여 미세구조를 비교하였다. 먼저 120kV 전자현미경을 이용하여 각 세포 소기관을 비교하였고, 그 중 미토콘드리아의 형태변화를 좀 더 자세히 비교하기 위하여 초고압전자현미경을 이용하였다. 그 결과 급속동결 세포의 세포막과 미토콘드리아의 고정에서 특히 차이가 있음을 알 수 있었고, 이는 주로 탈수에 의한 구조변형 때문인 것으로 추측된다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.175-180
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• 2009

Taurine is the most abundant free amino acid in the retina and transported into retina via taurine transporter (TauT) at the inner blood-retinal barrier (iBRB). In the present study, we investigated whether the taurine transport at the iBRB is regulated by oxidative stress or disease-like state in a conditionally immortalized rat retinal capillary endothelial cell line (TR-iBRB) used as an in vitro model of iBRB. First, [$^3H$]taurine uptake and efflux by TR-iBRB were regulated in the presence of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$. [$^3H$]Taurine uptake was inhibited and efflux was enhanced under $Ca^{2+}$ free condition in the cells. In addition, oxidative stress inducing agents such as tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), diethyl maleate (DEM) and glutamate increased [$^3H$]taurine uptake and decreased [$^3H$]taurine efflux in TR-iBRB cells. Whereas, 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1), which is known to NO donor decreased [$^3H$]taurine uptake. Lastly, TR-iBRB cells exposed to high glucose (25 mM) medium and the [$^3H$]taurine uptake was reduced about 20% at the condition. Also, [$^3H$]taurine uptake was decreased by cytochalasin B, which is known to glucose transport inhibitor. In conclusion, taurine transport in TR-iBRB cells is regulated diversely at extracellular $Ca^{2+}$, oxidative stress and hyperglycemic condition. It suggested that taurine would play a role as a retinal protector in diverse disease states.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.291-297
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• 2022

Dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a type of progressive blindness that is primarily due to dysfunction and the loss of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The accumulation of N-retinylidene-N-retinylethanolamine (A2E), a by-product of the visual cycle, causes RPE and photoreceptor degeneration that impairs vision. Genes associated with dry AMD have been identified using a blue light model of A2E accumulation in the retinal pigment epithelium and transcriptomic studies of retinal tissue from patients with AMD. However, dry macular degeneration progresses slowly, and current approaches cannot reveal changes in gene transcription according to stages of AMD progression. Thus, they are limited in terms of identifying genes responsible for pathogenesis. Here, we created a model of long-term exposure to identify temporally-dependent changes in gene expression induced in human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19) exposed to blue light and a non-cytotoxic dose of A2E for 120 days. We identified stage-specific genes at 40, 100, and 120 days, respectively. The expression of genes corresponding to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) during the early stage, glycolysis and angiogenesis during the middle stage, and apoptosis and inflammation pathways during the late stage was significantly altered by A2E and blue light. Changes in the expression of genes at the late stages of the EMT were similar to those found in human eyes with late-stage AMD. Our results provide further insight into the pathogenesis of dry AMD induced by blue light and a novel model in vitro with which relevant genes can be identified in the future.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.154-159
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• 2007

The objective of this retrospective study was to investigate the prevalence of retinal diseases in dogs presented to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Seoul National University from April 2004 to December 2005. Sixty-five dogs (120 eyes) with retinal diseases involving blindness were included in this study. Age, breed, and gender data for all breeds were collected from medical records documenting vision loss. Generalized progressive retinal atrophy (gPRA) was the most common manifestation. Other prevalent findings included sudden acquired retinal degeneration (SARD) and retinal detachment (RD). Bilateral gPRA was found in 32 dogs with a female-to-male ratio of 1 : 1. The mean $age{\pm}SD$ of all dogs in this group was $4.66{\pm}2.30$ years with a range of 3 to 12 years. Breeds with highest prevalence of gPRA were Miniature Schnauzer (24/32, $mean{\pm}SD$ age: $3.79{\pm}0.78$ yr) and Poodle (2/32, $6.50{\pm}0.71$ yr). Twelve dogs (24 eyes) were diagnosed with SARD bilateraly, ranging from 3 to 13 years of age ($mean{\pm}SD:\;6.91{\pm}2.61$ yr). There were no abnormalities in fundus of 11 dogs at presentation. Electroretinography (ERG) without anesthesia was performed in 7 dogs, and all response was totally extinguished. Retinal detachment was identified in 21 dogs (32 eyes): 11 bilateral and 10 unilateral (7 right eye, 3 left eye). The most common breed was Shih Tzu (15/21, $mean{\pm}SD$ age: $4.39{\pm}3.24$ yr). Four other breeds comprised the remaining 6 cases (8 eyes). The everall mean age of the group was: $4.18{\pm}2.89$ years (range 0.8 to 14 years) with a female-to-male ratio of 1 : 1.1 (10 females, and 11 males).

• 한국동물학회지
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• 제1권2호
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• pp.17-24
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• 1958

Since Kesser first described in 1934 the functional change of the autonomic nervous system caused by certain visible rays many researchers have unanimously approved that animals flashed with a red visible ray develop parasympathicotony while those flashed with a blue visible ray develop sympathicotony. On the other hand through studies made by our colleagues it is now well known that the inner-movement of the retinal pigments of frogs is stimulated in sympathicotony and is in reverse inhibited in parasimpathicotony. It is almost evident that the mechanism by which the inner-movement of the retinal pigments is due to sympathicotony derived from the excessive secretion of adrenalin. In addition , through may recent experiments on the pharmacological action of various medicines on the retinal pigments reaction of tadpoles , ranging from the excessive secretion of adrenalin. In addition , through my recent experiments on the pharmacologtical action of various medicines on the retinal pigments reaction of tadploes, raging from every developmental stage , Ifound that the movement of the retinal pigments by adrenalin is predominant in the earlier developmental stages of taopoles around 11 mm of body length, whereas other medicines fail to give any responce to the retinal pigments in such an earlier stage. When tadpoles grown to body length of 15-16m the retinal pigments move to the complete light position while kept in adrenalin solution. Based on these facts it might be well to consider that if tadpoles were grown under the visible rays for a given period, they might show a functional change of the autonomic nervous system and thereby cause of certain change in the physciological phases of the retinal reaction. Experiments were undertaken to find this matter and also to discover the simultaneous effects of the visible radiations on the developmental process of tadpoles. The results summarized as follows ; 1. The longest wave of visible rav has an effective reaction on the growth of body length of taopoles, while the shortest wave of visible ray causes the same for the metamorphoric differentiation of tadpoles. 2. When keeping two groups of tadpoles the first group of 15 mm body length grown for the period of one week and the latter group of 20 mm body length grown for two weeks under the various visible rays. swimming in adrenalin solution, the inner-movement of the retinal pigment occurs in both groups. The movement of pigments of the first group is accelerated in a sequence of blue ray \ulcorner green ray > brown ray> red ray, and that of the latter group is also accelerated in a sequence of blue ray>green ray > brown ray and red ray. 3. When keeping tow groups of tadpoles, the first group of 20 mm body length grown for the period of two weeks, the latter group of 25 m body length grown for three wheeks, under the various visible rays in sunlight, the inner-movement of the retinal pigments occurs in both groups. The movement of pigments of the first group is accelerated in a sequence of blue ray> green ray>brown ray and red ray, and that of the latter group is also accelerated in a sequence of blue ray > brow ray>red ray. 4. In order words, there facts manifest that tadpoles grown under the various visible rays reveal functional disturbances of the autonomic nervous system, at the time of 15 mm body length by adrenalin solution, which is a unique indicator illustrating the status of sympathicotony, and at the time of 20 mm body length by sunlight. This means that the longest visible ray cause sympathicotony, while the shortest visible ray causes parasympathicotony.

• 한국의학물리학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국의학물리학회 2006년도 제33회 추계학술대회 발표논문집
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• pp.154-154
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• 2006

• 한국가시화정보학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국가시화정보학회 2002년도 마이크로/바이오 가시화기술부문 학술강연회
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• pp.51-78
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• 2002

A number of research groups worldwide are studying electronic implants that can be mounted on retinal optic nerve/visual cortex to restore vision of patients suffering from retinal degeneration. The implants consist of a neural interface made of biocompatible materials, one or more integrated circuits for stimuli generation, a camera, an image processor, and a telemetric channel. The realization of these classes of neural prosthetic devices is largely due to the explosive development of micro- and nano-electronics technologies in the late $20^{th}$ century and biotechnologies more recently. Animal experiments showed promise and some human experiments are in progress to indicate that recognition of images can be obtained and improved over time. We, at NBS-ERC of SNU, have started our own retinal implant project in 2000. We have selected polyimide as the biomaterial for an epi-retinal stimulator. In-vitro and in-vivo biocompatibility studies have been performed on the electrode arrays. We have obtained good affinity to retinal pigment epithelial cells and no harmful effect. The implant also showed very good stability and safety in rabbit eye for 12 weeks. We have also demonstrated that through proper stimulation of inner retina, meaning vision can be obtained.