• 대한전기학회논문지
• /
• 제44권7호
• /
• pp.889-894
• /
• 1995

The structural changes of the merocyanine monolayer LB (Langmuir Blodgett) films were investigated. These changes were compared with the typical changes of the molecular structures of merocyanine solutions. The structural changes of quinoid/benzenoid were attained by exposure to atmosphere gases (HCl gas, N $H_{3}$ gas). The photoisomerization was not observed for the monolayer LB film due to their state of $M_{trans}$. But we could obtain the cis/trans photoisomerization characteristics reversibly, after the films were changed to M $H^{+}$$_{trans}$ structure by exposure to HCl gas. We also found that the cis/trans photoisomerization of the LB monolayer films show the memory characteristics.s.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
• /
• 제19권2호
• /
• pp.61-67
• /
• 2015

The immediate early gene c-fos has long been known as a molecular marker of neural activity. The neuron's activity is transformed into intracellular calcium influx through NMDA receptors and L-type voltage sensitive calcium channels. For the transcription of c-fos, neural activity should be strong enough to activate mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway which shows low calcium sensitivity. Upon translation, the auto-inhibition by Fos protein regulates basal Fos expression. The pattern of external stimuli and the valence of the stimulus to the animal change Fos signal, thus the signal reflects learning and memory aspects. Understanding the features of multiple components regulating Fos signaling is necessary for the optimal generation and interpretation of Fos signal.

• International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sciences
• /
• 제14권3호
• /
• pp.215-221
• /
• 2013

The basic quantitative tool for the study of hypersonic rarefied flows is the direct simulation Monte Carlo method (DSMC). The DSMC method requires a large amount of computer memory and performance and is unreasonably expensive at the first stage of spacecraft design and trajectory analysis. A possible solution to this problem is approximate engineering methods. However, the Monte Carlo method remains the most reliable approach to compare to the engineering methods that provide good results for the global aerodynamic coefficients of various geometry designs. This paper presents the calculation results of aerodynamic characteristics for spacecraft vehicles in the free molecular, the transitional and the continuum regimes using the local engineering method. Results and methods would be useful to calculate aerodynamics for new-generation hypersonic vehicle designs.

• 한국정보디스플레이학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 한국정보디스플레이학회 2005년도 International Meeting on Information Displayvol.I
• /
• pp.433-435
• /
• 2005

We have studied the realigning behavior of liquid crystal molecules in liquid crystalline polymer/liquid crystal(LCP/LC) system when they are exposed to external stimulation such as bending and pressing. The birefringence of the LCP/LC in a flexible display device was measured as a function of bending or pressing deformation. The microscopic dynamic behavior of main chain, side chain, and the LC were characterized by FTIR and polarization optical microscopy. When the device is deformed in scattering memory state, liquid crystal(LC) director is found to align from randomly oriented domain state(scattering state) to homeotropic state.

• BMB Reports
• /
• 제42권8호
• /
• pp.475-481
• /
• 2009

Emerging data demonstrate pivotal roles for brain insulin resistance and insulin deficiency as mediators of cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration, particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD). Insulin and insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) regulate neuronal survival, energy metabolism, and plasticity, which are required for learning and memory. Hence, endogenous brain-specific impairments in insulin and IGF signaling account for the majority of AD-associated abnormalities. However, a second major mechanism of cognitive impairment has been linked to obesity and Type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Human and experimental animal studies revealed that neurodegeneration associated with peripheral insulin resistance is likely effectuated via a liver-brain axis whereby toxic lipids, including ceramides, cross the blood brain barrier and cause brain insulin resistance, oxidative stress, neuro-inflammation, and cell death. In essence, there are dual mechanisms of brain insulin resistance leading to AD-type neurodegeneration: one mediated by endogenous, CNS factors; and the other, peripheral insulin resistance with excess cytotoxic ceramide production.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• 제28권5호
• /
• pp.381-388
• /
• 2020

Methamphetamine (METH) is a highly addictive psychostimulant and one of the most widely abused drugs worldwide. The continuous use of METH eventually leads to drug addiction and causes serious health complications, including attention deficit, memory loss and cognitive decline. These neurological complications are strongly associated with METH-induced neurotoxicity and neuroinflammation, which leads to neuronal cell death. The current review investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying METH-mediated neuronal damages. Our analysis demonstrates that the process of neuronal impairment by METH is closely related to oxidative stress, transcription factor activation, DNA damage, excitatory toxicity and various apoptosis pathways. Thus, we reach the conclusion here that METH-induced neuronal damages are attributed to the neurotoxic and neuroinflammatory effect of the drug. This review provides an insight into the mechanisms of METH addiction and contributes to the discovery of therapeutic targets on neurological impairment by METH abuse.

• 한국반도체및디스플레이장비학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 한국반도체및디스플레이장비학회 2005년도 추계 학술대회
• /
• pp.27-30
• /
• 2005

A nanoelectromechanical (NEM) switching device based on carbon nanotube (CNT) was investigated using atomistic simulations. The model schematics for a CNT based three-terminal NEM switching device fabrication were presented. for the CNT-based three-terminal NEM switch, the interactions between the CNT-lever and the drain electrode or the substrate were very important. When the electrostatic force applied to the CNT-lever was the critical point, the CNT-lever was rapidly bent because of the attractive foroe between the CNT-lever and the drain. The energy curves for the pull-in and the pull-out processes showed the hysteresis loop that was induced by the adhesion of the CNT on the copper, which was the interatomic interaction between the CNT and the copper.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• 제44권6호
• /
• pp.392-400
• /
• 2021

It has been more than a year since severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) first emerged. Many studies have provided insights into the various aspects of the immune response in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Especially for antibody treatment and vaccine development, humoral immunity to SARS-CoV-2 has been studied extensively, though there is still much that is unknown and controversial. Here, we introduce key discoveries on the humoral immune responses in COVID-19, including the immune dynamics of antibody responses and correlations with disease severity, neutralizing antibodies and their cross-reactivity, how long the antibody and memory B-cell responses last, aberrant autoreactive antibodies generated in COVID-19 patients, and the efficacy of currently available therapeutic antibodies and vaccines against circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants, and highlight gaps in the current knowledge.

• BMB Reports
• /
• 제54권3호
• /
• pp.149-156
• /
• 2021

The well-known second messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) regulates the morphology and physiology of neurons and thus higher cognitive brain functions. The discovery of exchange protein activated by cAMP (Epac) as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Rap GTPases has shed light on protein kinase A (PKA)-independent functions of cAMP signaling in neural tissues. Studies of cAMP-Epac-mediated signaling in neurons under normal and disease conditions also revealed its diverse contributions to neurodevelopment, synaptic remodeling, and neurotransmitter release, as well as learning, memory, and emotion. In this mini-review, the various roles of Epac isoforms, including Epac1 and Epac2, highly expressed in neural tissues are summarized, and controversies or issues are highlighted that need to be resolved to uncover the critical functions of Epac in neural tissues and the potential for a new therapeutic target of mental disorders.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제15권12호
• /
• pp.5043-5047
• /
• 2014

Nowadays increasing effectiveness in cancer therapy and investigation of formation of new strategies that enhance antiproliferative activity against target organs has become a subject of interest. Although the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis can not be fully explained, it is known that cell suicide program existing in their memory genetically is activated by pathophysiological conditions and events such as oxidative stress. Low pressure (hypobaric) conditions that create hypoxia promote apoptosis by inhibiting cell cycling. In this study, determination of the effects of fractional hypobaric applications at different times on HeLa cells at cellular and molecular levels were targeted. Experiments were carried out under hypobaric conditions (35.2 kPa) in a specially designed hypobaric cabin including 2% $O_2$ and 98% N. Application of fractional hypobaric conditions was repeated two times for 3 hours with an interval of 24 hours. At the end of the implementation period cells were allowed to incubate for 24 hours for activation of repair mechanisms. Cell kinetic parameters such as growth rate (MTT) and apoptotic index were used in determination of the effect of hypobaric conditions on HeLa cells. Also in our study expression levels of the Bcl-2 gene family that have regulatory roles in apoptosis were determined by the RT-PCR technique to evaluate molecular mechanisms. The results showed that antiproliferative effect of hypobaric conditions on HeLa cells started three hours from the time of application and increased depending on the period of exposure. While there was a significant decrease in growth rate values, there was a significant increase in apoptotic index values (p<0.01). Also molecular studies showed that hypobaric conditions caused a significant increase in expression level of proapoptotic gene Bax and significant decrease in antiapoptotic Bfl-1. Consequently fractional application of hypobaric conditions on HeLa cell cultures increased both antiproliferative and apoptotic effects and these effects were triggered by the Bax gene.