• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.219-227
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• 2024

Objectives: The pulp is the center of the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels. The condition in which the pulp becomes inflamed due to caries or periodontitis is called pulpitis. Pulpitis is a difficult-to-treat disease and causes peripheral nerve tissue changes and severe pain; however, the relationship between neuronal activity and voltage-gated sodium channel 1.7 (Nav1.7) expression in the trigeminal ganglion (TG) during pulpitis has not been well studied. In this study, we found that experimentally induced pulpitis activates Nav1.7 expression in the periphery, leading to neuronal overexpression in the TG. Thus, we sought to identify ways to regulate this process. Methods: Acute pulpitis was induced in rat maxillary molars by treating the pulp with allyl isothiocyanate (AITC). Three days later, in vivo optical imaging was used to record and compare neural activities in the TG. Western blotting was used to identify molecular changes in terms of the expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Fos, transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), and collapsin response mediator protein-2 (CRMP2) in the brain stem. Results: The results confirmed the neurological changes in the TGs of the pulpitis model, and histological and molecular biological evidence confirmed that increased Nav1.7 expression induced by pulpitis leads to pain. Furthermore, selective inhibition of Nav1.7 resulted in changes in neural activity, suggesting that pulpitis induces increased Nav1.7 expression, and that effective control of Nav1.7 could potentially reduce pain. Conclusions: The inhibition of overexpressed Nav1.7 channels may modulate nociceptive signal processing in the brain and effectively control pain associated with pulpitis.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.117-128
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• 2022

In this study, we have examined pyrethroid actions on sodium channels in the pest insect Heliothis virescens. The synthetic pyrethroid permethrin increased steady-state sodium current in H. virescens central neurons and prolonged tail currents (I_Na-tail) due to extreme slowing of sodium channel deactivation. Prolongation of I_Na-tail was evident at permethrin concentrations as low as 60 nM, which modified ~1.7% of sodium channels and 10 μM permethrin modified about 30% of channels. The average time constant (τ₁) of tail current decay was ~335 ms for permethrin-modified channels. These modified channels activated at more negative potentials and showed slower activation kinetics, and failed to inactivate. Permethrin modification of sodium channels was dramatically potentiated by the α scorpion toxin LqhαIT, showing positive cooperativity between two binding sites. The amplitude of the tail current induced by 0.3 μM permethrin was enhanced ~8-fold by LqhαIT (200 pM). Positive cooperativity was also observed between permethrin and the insect-specific scorpion toxin AaIT as 10 nM permethrin potentiated the shift of voltage dependence caused by AaIT (~2-fold).

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.139-146
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• 2014

Sodium borohydride ($NaBH_4$) is considered as a secure metal hydride for hydrogen storage and supply. In this study, the interfacial friction of two-phase flow in the dehydrogenation of aqueous $NaBH_4$ solution in a microchannel with a hydraulic diameter of $461{\mu}m$ is investigated for designing a dehydrogenation chemical reactor flow passage. Because hydrogen gas is generated by the hydrolysis of $NaBH_4$ in the presence of a ruthenium catalyst, two different flow phases (aqueous $NaBH_4$ solution and hydrogen gas) exist in the channel. For experimental studies, a microchannel was fabricated on a silicon wafer substrate, and 100-nm ruthenium catalyst was deposited on three sides of the channel surface. A bubbly flow pattern was observed. The experimental results indicate that the two-phase multiplier increases linearly with the void fraction, which depends on the initial concentration, reaction rate, and flow residence time.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.381-387
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• 2017

Dehydrogenation from the hydrolysis of a sodium borohydride ($NaBH_4$) solution has been of interest owing to its high theoretical hydrogen storage capacity (10.8 wt.％) and potentially safe operation. An experimental study has been performed on the catalytic reaction rate and pressure drop of a $NaBH_4$ solution over both a single microchannel with a hydraulic diameter of $300{\mu}m$ and a staggered array of micro pin fins in the microchannel with hydraulic diameter of $50{\mu}m$. The catalytic reaction rates and pressure drops were obtained under Reynolds numbers from 1 to 60 and solution concentrations from 5 to 20 wt.％. Moreover, reacting flows were visualized using a high-speed camera with a macro zoom lens. As a result, both the amount of hydrogenation and pressure drop are 2.45 times and 1.5 times larger in a pin fin microchannel array than in a single microchannel, respectively.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.151-156
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• 2013

Crystallization of $CaCO_3$ is practiced on a polymethylsiloxane (PDMS) - based microfluidic system. Liquid- liquid reaction was investigated by mixing calcium chloride ($CaCl_2$) and sodium carbonate ($Na_2CO_3$) solution to crystallize $CaCO_3$. Aspartic acid (Asp) was added to investigate the morphology change such as vaterite and calcite. Suitable ratio of $Na_2CO_3$ and $CaCl_2$ was searched for initial seed formation. Christmas tree model was used as microfluidic device to form concentration gradient of $Na_2CO_3$ and $CaCl_2$. After observing microfluidic channel by using optical microscope, we found that seeds of $CaCO_3$ were formed under the condition that the ratio of $Na_2CO_3$ and $CaCl_2$ was 2:1. Morphology of crystals were also observed as $CaCO_3$ crystals grow. When Asp was added, vaterite crystal was more frequently found in two morphologies (vaterite and calcite) and seed formation and crystal growth were inhibited.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2001.05a
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• pp.325-328
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• 2001

정상적인 뉴런의 활성전위는 외부에서 일정한 자극이 인가되었을 때 세포막을 기준으로 하여 각 이온간의 농도 차에 의해 발생한다. 최근에 관심이 되어지고 있는 쇼크에 의한 세포가 손상이 발생할 경우, 즉 신호를 받아들이고 전달하는 뉴런 중에서 축색에 이온채널이 이상증세를 발생하면 신경 전달 흐름을 흐트러지게 하여 이웃한 정상세포에게 커다란 영향을 미치게 된다. 이것은 병리학적인 중요한 역할을 하는 축색 내에 이상이 발생하였다고 가정을 하지만 이 가정을 뒷받침 해 주는 증거는 매우 적다고 보고되고 있다. 최근 연구에서 손상된 축색의 모델은 쇼크이후에 이온의 칼륨 채널에 blocking 현상이 발생하여 나트륨 이온이 다수 유입됨을 고려하고있다. 이에 본 연구에서는 쇼크나 충격에 의해 축색의 손상을 입을 경우 운동신경의 변형으로부터 병리학적인 중요한 이상결과를 일으킬 수 있는 상태를 고려하여 신경모델을 설계해 시뮬레이션 해 보았다.

• Proceedings of the Membrane Society of Korea Conference
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• 1997.04b
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• pp.29-29
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• 1997

ZSM-5계 제올라이트는 직경이 약 6${\AA}$인 균일한 3차원 채널 형태의 기공을 형성하므로 이를 이용한 기체 분리막은 분자체가름(molecular sieving)이나 미세기공확산(micropore diffusion) 및 표면확산(surface diffusion) 메커니즘에 의해 최근 지구 온난화의 주범으로 지목되고 있는 CO$_2$ 기체에 대해 높은 분리 효율을 기대할 수 있으므로 ZSM-5 복합분리막의 제조 및 기체 투과 특성과 CO$_2$ 분리 특성에 대해 연구하였으며 다음과 같은 결과를 얻을 수 있었다. 콜로이달 실리카 졸에 질산 알루미늄, 수산화 나트륨 및 TPABr을 첨가한 혼합졸과 물유리를 증류수로 희석한 후 TPBr을 첨가한 용액을 각각 150~180${\AA}$의 온도 범위의 오토클레이브에서 수열 처리하여 ZSM-5와 실리카라이트를 합성하였다. 합성 제올라이트의 결정 구조는 사방정이었으나 450${\AA}$에서 하소하였을 때에는 단사정으로 전이됨과 동시에 채널 속을 채우고 있던 TPABr이 제거되면서 제올라이트의 3차원 채널 형태의 기공 구조가 생성되었다. 제올라이트 결정의 형상과 크기는 실리카 공급원과 반응용액/졸의 농도에 따라 매우 민감하게 변화되었다. 하소 제올라이트의 비표면적은 약 360 m$^2$/g 이었다. 합성 제올라이트의 표면은 소수성인 반면에 높은 CO$_2$ 흡착능을 갖고 있어서 CO$_2$ 분리용 막의 재료로써 적합하였다.

• International Area Studies Review
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.417-444
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• 2009

In October 2005, the Russian government started an investigation if safeguard measures against the importation of Korean sodium cyanide products could be taken. With Russia being a non-WTO member country, the Korean side found themselves in different situation from previous negotiation cases with developed or WTO member countries. Although several elements of trade negotiation theories such as goal setting, bargaining power, and relationship could apply, new constraints of limited information access and uncertainty of administrative procedures should be overcome. Combination of the governmental negotiation, assistance of the Russian consumer group, and the application of related laws led the Russian authority to dismiss the case. I suggest that there be some built-in channels for gathering information of non-WTO member countries.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.11
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• pp.1232-1235
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• 2008

Imipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA), is used for the treatment of non-polar depression and nocturnal enuresis in children in whom an organic pathology has been excluded, anxiety disorders, and neuropathic pain. Clinical toxicity following the treatment of TCAs, including imipramine, is well known. The anticholinergic effects initially present include a dry mouth, ileus, dilated pupils, urinary retention, and mild sinus tachycardia. The central nervous system toxicity includes delirium, agitation, restlessness, hallucinations, convulsions, and CNS depression or coma. However, the most life-threatening toxicity remains the development of cardiac dysrhythmias. Conduction delays such as QRS and corrected QT prolongation, wide QRS complex tachycardia, and the Brugada electrocardiographic pattern have been reported. Sodium bicarbonate decreases QRS widening and suppresses dysrhythmias by providing excess sodium to reverse the TCA-induced sodium-channel blockade and possibly by binding directly to the myocardium. There are no pediatric case reports on imipramine or other TCA associated toxicity in Korea. Here, we describe a patient who presented with convulsions, tachycardia with a wide QRS complex, a Brugada electrocardiographic pattern, and anuresis associated with an accidental overdose of imipramine and the outcome of treatment with sodium bicarbonate.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.7
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• pp.771-774
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• 2008

Familial hypokalemic periodic paralysis (hypoPP) is a rare inherited channelopathy that often presents with episodic weakness accompanied by hypokalemia. Thus far, mutations in the gene encoding two ion channels (CACNL1A3, L-type calcium channel alpha-1 subunit and SCN4A, a sodium channel type IV alpha subunit) have been identified. Several cases of familial hypoPP in children have been reported in Koreans, but there are only a few cases with identified mutations. We report a 12-year-old boy and his affected mother with hypoPP who has a heterozygous G to A substitution at codon 1239 in exon 30 of the CACNL1A3 gene that causes a change from arginine to histidine (Arg1239His, CACNL1A3). This mutation is common among Caucasians; however, it has not yet been reported in Koreans. The patients were treated with oral acetazolamide and potassium replacement and were instructed to avoid precipitating factors. After the medication and lifestyle modification, the paralytic attacks significantly decreased.