• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.108-115
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• 2009

The superlattice infrared photodetector (SLIP) with an active layer of 8/8-ML InAs/GaSb type-II strained-layer superlattice (SLS) of 150 periods was grown by MBE technique, and the proto-type discrete device was defined with an aperture of $200-{\mu}m$ diameter. The contrast profile of the transmission electron microscope (TEM) image and the satellite peak in the x-ray diffraction (XRD) rocking curve show that the SLS active layer keeps abrupt interfaces with a uniform thickness and a periodic strain. The wavelength and the bias-voltage dependences of responsivity (R) and detectivity ($D^*$) measured by a blackbody radiation source give that the cutoff wavelength is ${\sim}5{\mu}m$, and the maximum Rand $D^*$ ($\lambda=3.25{\mu}m$) are ${\sim}10^3mA/W$ (-0.6 V/13 K) and ${\sim}10^9cm.Hz^{1/2}/W$ (0 V/13 K), respectively. The activation energy of 275 meV analyzed from the temperature dependent responsivity is in good agreement with the energy difference between two SLS subblevels of conduction and valence bands (HH1-C) involving in the photoresponse process.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.3 no.6
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• pp.632-637
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• 1993

The optical properties and electrochromism of amorphous $WO_3$ thin films were studied. $WO_3$ thin films with thickness of 3000$\AA$~6000$\AA$ were deposited by vacuum evaporat.ion. All these films were transparent and found to be amorphous in structure by X-ray diffraction analysis and the visible wave length refractive indices were found to be between 1.9 and 2.1 and the optical energey gap to be 3.25 eV. Electrochromic devices were made consisting of IT0 transparent electrode, $WO_3$ thin films, $LiCIO_4$- propylene carbonate and Pt counter electrode. In terms of their operation, the amorphous $WO_3$ films were colored blue by a double injection of electrons from the transparent electrode and lithium ions from the $LiCIO_4$-propylene carbonate organic electrolyte and made colorless by electrochemical oxidation reaction. The electrochromic properties of $WO_3$ thin films including coloration and bleaching, optical density and response time were all found to be strongly dependent on the film deposition condition, electrolyte concentration, sheet resistance of the transparent electrode and applied voltage.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.324-331
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• 2013

Channels formed by the co-assembly of the KCNQ1 subunit and the mink (KCNE1) subunit underline the slowly activating delayed rectifier $K^+$ channels ($I_{Ks}$) in the heart. This $K^+$ channel is one of the main pharmacological targets for the development of drugs against cardiovascular disease. Panax ginseng has been shown to exhibit beneficial cardiovascular effects. In a previous study, we showed that ginsenoside Rg3 activates human KCNQ1 $K^+$ channel currents through interactions with the K318 and V319 residues. However, little is known about the effects of ginsenoside metabolites on KCNQ1 $K^+$ alone or the KCNQ1 + KCNE1 $K^+$ ($I_{Ks}$) channels. In the present study, we examined the effect of protopanaxatriol (PPT) and compound K (CK) on KCNQ1 $K^+$ and $I_{Ks}$ channel activity expressed in Xenopus oocytes. PPT more strongly inhibited the $I_{Ks}$ channel currents than the currents of KCNQ1 $K^+$ alone in concentration- and voltage-dependent manners. The $IC_{50}$ values on $I_{Ks}$ and KCNQ1 alone currents for PPT were $5.18{\pm}0.13$ and $10.04{\pm}0.17{\mu}M$, respectively. PPT caused a leftward shift in the activation curve of $I_{Ks}$ channel activity, but minimally affected KCNQ1 alone. CK exhibited slight inhibition on $I_{Ks}$ and KCNQ1 alone $K^+$ channel currents. These results indicate that ginsenoside metabolites show limited effects on $I_{Ks}$ channel activity, depending on the structure of the ginsenoside metabolites.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SD
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• v.48 no.11
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• pp.1-8
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• 2011

One of the most important parameters that limit maximum output power of transistor is breakdown. InAlAs/InGaAs/GaAs Metamorphic HEMTs (MHEMTs) have some advantages, especially for cost, compared with InP-based ones. However, GaAs-based MHEMTs and InP-based HEMTs are limited by lower breakdown voltage for output power even though they have good microwave and millimeter-wave frequency performance with lower minimum noise figure. In this paper, InAlAs/$In_xGa_{1-x}As$/GaAs MHEMTs are simulated and analyzed for breakdown. The parameters affecting breakdown are investigated in the fabricated 0.1-${\mu}m$ ${\Gamma}$-gate MHEMT device having the modulation-doped $In_{0.52}Al_{0.48}As/In_{0.53}Ga_{0.47}As$ heterostructure on the GaAs wafer using the hydrodynamic transport model of a 2D commercial device simulator. The impact ionization and gate field effect in the fabricated device including deep-level traps are analyzed for breakdown. In addition, Indium mole-fraction-dependent impact ionization rates are proposed empirically for $In_{0.52}Al_{0.48}As/In_xGa_{1-x}As$/GaAs MHEMTs.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2002

It has been suggested that $Ca^{2+}$ sensitization mechanisms might contribute to myogenic tone, however, specific mechanisms have not yet been fully identified. Therefore, we investigated the role of protein kinase C (PKC)- or RhoA-induced $Ca^{2+}$ sensitization in myogenic tone of the rabbit basilar vessel. Myogenic tone was developed by stretch of rabbit basilar artery. Fura-2 $Ca^{2+}$ signals, contractile responses, PKC immunoblots, translocation of PKC and RhoA, and phosphorylation of myosin light chains were measured. Stretch of the resting vessel evoked a myogenic contraction and an increase in the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration $([Ca^{2+}]_i)$ only in the presence of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$. Stretch evoked greater contraction than high $K^+$ at a given $[Ca^{2+}]_i.$ The stretch-induced increase in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and contractile force were inhibited by treatment of the tissue with nifedipine, a blocker of voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channel, but not with gadolinium, a blocker of stretch-activated cation channels. The PKC inhibitors, H-7 and calphostin C, and a RhoA-activated protein kinase (ROK) inhibitor, Y-27632, inhibited the stretch-induced myogenic tone without changing $[Ca^{2+}]_i.$ Immunoblotting using isoform-specific antibodies showed the presence of $PKC_{\alpha}$ and $PKC_{\varepsilon}$ in the rabbit basilar artery. $PKC_{\alpha},$ but not $PKC_{\varepsilon},$ and RhoA were translocated from the cytosol to the cell membrane by stretch. Phosphorylation of the myosin light chains was increased by stretch and the increased phosphorylation was blocked by treatment of the tissue with H-7 and Y-27632, respectively. Our results are consistent with important roles for PKC and RhoA in the generation of myogenic tone. Furthermore, enhanced phosphorylation of the myosin light chains by activation of $PKC_{\alpha}$ and/or RhoA may be key mechanisms for the $Ca^{2+}$ sensitization associated with myogenic tone in basilar vessels.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea TE
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2002

The effects of the addition of either monoclinic $ZrO_2$($ZrO_2$(m)) or tetragonal $ZrO_2$($ZrO_2$(t)) containing 5.35wt% $Y_2O_3$ on the physical properties and electrical conductivity of TEX>$Al_2O_3$ were investigated. The addition of $ZrO_2$(m) and $ZrO_2$(t) increased sintered density of $Al_2O_3$. The Vickers hardness also increased as addition of >($ZrO_2$(t) increased going through a maximum at 20wt% and the hardness of the specimens was found to be dependent on the sintered density. The addition of $ZrO_2$(t) improved the hardness of $Al_2O_3$-$ZrO_2$ systems and the $ZrO_2$(m) addition showed the better effect on the thermal shock property of $Al_2O_3$-$ZrO_2$ systems than that of the $ZrO_2$(t) addition. Above 15wt% addition of $ZrO_2$(t), the electrical conductivity is gradually increased with increasing applied voltage but not effects by addition of $ZrO_2$(m).

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.474-481
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• 2004

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most prevalent oral cancer, which is characterized by its low survival rate, high malignancy, mortality with facial defects, and poor prognosis. Exact cause and pathogenesis of the squamous cell carcinoma is still unknown. Various routes including smoking, radiation, and viral infections predispose its genesis, and recent studies revealed that genetic defects which fail to prevent cancer proliferation play a role. Generally, a cancer develops from the decreased rate of apoptosis which is an active and voluntary cell death, and from the altered cell cycles. Anticancer effect can be obtained by recovering the apoptotic process, and by suppressing the cell cycles. Among the apoptosis related factors, bcl-2, caspase-9, and VDAC (voltage-dependent anion channel)are produced in mitochondria of the cell. Cyclosporin-A is known to induce apoptosis through its activation with VDAC. This study was to reveal the anticancer effect of Cyclosporin A to the oral squamous cell carcinoma. The inverted microscope was used to find alterations in the tissue, and sensitivity test to the anticancer cells was performed with MTT (Tetrazolium-based colorimetric) assay. Following cell line culture of primary and metastastic oral squamous cell carcinoma, electrophoresis was performed with extracted total RNA. Finally, semi-quantitative study was carried out through RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction). The results of this study are as follows: 1. The inverted microscopic observation revealed a poorly defined cytoplasm at $2000ng{\sim}3000ng/ml$, indistinct nucleus, and apoptosis. 2. The Growth of cancer cells was decreased at 1000ng/ml of cyclosporin-A. No cancer cell growth was observed at over 2000ng/ml concentration of cyclosporin-A, and at one week, growth of cancer cells was ceased. 3. The MTT assays were decreased as cyclosporin-A concentration was increased. This means that the activation of succinyl dehydrogenase in mitochondria was decreased following administration of cyclosporin A. 4. A result of RT-PCR showed that amount of mRNA of VDAC-2 was decreased half times at a cyclosporine-A concentration of 2000ng/ml. In bcl-2, amount of mRNA was significantly decreased 1/5 times at 2000ng/ml. caspase-9, however, showed slight increase compared to the control group. From the results obtained in this study, administration of cyclosporin-A to the cell lines of oral squamous cell carcinoma induced alterations in morphology and growth of the cells as its concentration increased. Since apoptosis related factors such as VDAS-2, bcl-2, and caspase-9 also showed distinct alterations on their mRNAs, further research on cyclosporin A as an anti-cancer agent will be feasible.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.29-38
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• 2000

The signal transduction pathway for most neurotransmitter induced inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ channels in sympathetic neurons involves a G-protein mediated, membrane-delimited mechanism without the participation of any known protein kinase. However, activation of protein kinase C (PKC) has been proposed as one of the intracellular mechanisms mediating some neurotransmitter induced $Ca^{2+}$ channel inhibition. In the present study, we investigated the effects of phorbol-12, 13-dibutyrate (PDBu) on $Ca^{2+}$ channel currents of acutely dispersed neurons from adult rat superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons using whole cell variant of the patch clamp technique. PDBu (500 nM), the activator of PKC, increased $Ca^{2+}$ channel currents and retarded the deactivation of tail currents. The effects of PDBu were voltage dependent and the maximal increase in the current amplitudes was observed between -10 to 10 mV (n=4). PDBu attenuated $Ca^{2+}$ current inhibition induced by norepinephrine (NE), which modulates $Ca^{2+}$ channels via a pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive pathway. Inhibition of PDBu by staurosporine (1 $\mu$M) blocked the effects of PDBu on current amplitudes and NE-induced G-protein mediated inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ currents. Further experiment should be done to know if G-protein or $Ca^{2+}$ channel itself is the target of PKC phosphorvlation.phosphorvlation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.87-94
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• 2005

It is not clear whether $Ca^{2+}-induced$ $Ca^{2+}$ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is involved in the regulation of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) release. Previously, we have shown that nifedipine increased ANP release, indicating that $Ca^{2+}$ entry via voltage-gated L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel activation decreases ANP release. The purpose of the present study was two-fold: to define the role of SR $Ca^{2+}$ release in the regulation of ANP release and whether $Ca^{2+}$ entry via L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel is prerequisite for the SR-related effect on ANP release. Experiments were performed in perfused beating rabbit atria. Ryanodine, an inhibitor of SR $Ca^{2+}$ release, increased atrial myocytic ANP release ($8.69{\pm}3.05$, $19.55{\pm}1.09$, $27.31{\pm}3.51$, and $18.91{\pm}4.76$% for 1, 2, 3, and $6{\mu}M$ ryanodine, respectively; all P<0.01) with concomitant decrease in atrial stroke volume and pulse pressure in a dose-dependent manner. In the presence of thapsigargin, an inhibitor of SR $Ca^{2+}$ pump, ryanodine-induced increase in ANP release was not observed. Thapsigargin attenuated ryanodine-induced decrease in atrial dynamic changes. Blockade of L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel with nifedipine abolished ryanodine-induced increase in ANP release ($0.69{\pm}5.58$% vs. $27.31{\pm}3.51$%; P＜0.001). In the presence of thapsigargin and ryanodine, nifedipine increased ANP release and decreased atrial dynamics. These data suggest that $Ca^{2+}$-induced $Ca^{2+}$ release from the SR is inversely involved in the regulation of atrial myocytic ANP release.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.17-22
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• 2011

Quercetin mainly exists in the skin of colored fruits and vegetables as one of flavonoids. Recent studies show that quercetin, like other flavonoids, has diverse pharmacological actions. However, relatively little is known about quercetin effects in the regulations of ligand-gated ion channels. In the previous reports, we have shown that quercetin regulates subsets of homomeric ligand-gated ion channels such as glycine, 5-$HT_{3A}$ and ${\alpha}7$ nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. In the present study, we examined quercetin effects on heteromeric neuronal ${\alpha}3{\beta}4$ nicotinic acetylcholine receptor channel activity expressed in Xenopus oocytes after injection of cRNA encoding bovine neuronal ${\alpha}3$ and ${\beta}4$ subunits. Treatment with acetylcholine elicited an inward peak current ($I_{ACh}$) in oocytes expressing ${\alpha}3{\beta}4$ nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Co-treatment with quercetin and acetylcholine inhibited $I_{ACh}$ in oocytes expressing ${\alpha}3{\beta}4$ nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. The inhibition of $I_{ACh}$ by quercetin was reversible and concentration-dependent. The half-inhibitory concentration ($IC_{50}$) of quercetin was $14.9{\pm}0.8\;{\mu}M$ in oocytes expressing ${\alpha}3{\beta}4$ nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. The inhibition of $I_{ACh}$ by quercetin was voltage-independent and non-competitive. These results indicate that quercetin might regulate ${\alpha}3{\beta}4$ nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and this regulation might be one of the pharmacological actions of quercetin in nervous systems.