• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 1992

Effects of pH, $PCO_2$, and adenosine on the vascular contractility were investigated in the pig coronary arteries. The helical strips of isolated coronary arteries were immersed in the HEPES or $HCO_3^-/CO_2$-buffered Tyrode's solution equilibrated with 100% $O_2\;or\;95%\;O_2-5%\;CO_2\;at\;35^{\circ}C$. The contraction was recorded isometrically using a force transducer. The amplitudes of contraction induced by ACh, high $K^+$, and electrical Held stimulation (EFS) were decreased by elevating extracellular pH (pHo) and were increased by lowering pHo. A shift from $0%\;CO_2\;to\;5%\;CO_2$ at constant pHo (pH 7.4) reduced the contractions induced by ACh, high $K^+$, EFS. However the contraction induced by 100mM $K^+$ was less influenced by the change of pHo or $CO_2$. The contraction induced by ACh in $Ca^{2+}$free Tyrode's solution as well as the contraction developed by the addition of extracellular of $Ca^{2+}$ were decreased by lowering pHo and were increased by elevating pHo. High $K^+$ (25mM) induced contraction at pH 6.8 was not returned to the level of the contraction at pH 7.4 by the elevation of extracellular. calcium $[Ca^{2+}]_o$. Adenosine-induced relaxation was more significant with 5% $CO_2$ than 0% $CO_2$ in the high $K^+$-induced contraction and was more significant with low pHo than high pHo in the contraction induced by EFS. From the above results, it is suggested that $H^+$ and $CO_2$ inhibit $Ca^{2+}$ influx as well as $Ca^{2+}$ release from intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ storage sites and enhance the relaxing effect of adenosine in the pig coronary artery.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.479-486
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• 2008

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) play an indispensable role in activation of the myogenic program, which is responsive to mechanical stimulation. Although there is accumulating evidence of mechanical force-mediated cellular responses, the role of MAPK in regulating the myogenic process in myoblasts exposed to cyclic stretch is unclear. Cyclic stretch induced the proliferation of C2C12 myoblasts and inhibited their differentiation into myotubes. In particular, it induced persistent phosphorylation of p38 kinase, and decreased the level of phosphorylation of extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK). Partial inhibition of p38 phosphorylation increased cellular levels of MyoD and p-ERK in stretched C2C12 cells, along with increased myotube formation. Treatment with $10{\mu}M$ PD98059 prevented myogenin expression in response to a low dose of SB203580 ($3{\mu}M$) in the stretched cells, suggesting that adequate ERK activation is also needed to allow the cells to differentiate into myotubes. These results suggest that cyclic stretch inhibits the myogenic differentiation of C2C12 cells by activating p38-mediated signaling and inhibiting ERK phosphorylation. We conclude that p38 kinase, not ERK, is the upstream signal transducer regulating cellular responses to mechanical stretch in skeletal muscle cells.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.39-46
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• 1997

In this paper, the PA(PhotoAcoustic) signals excited in metals by Xef, KrF excimer laser pulse were detected by a PZT transducer, and its transforming machanism and directivity patterns were analysed. The laser energy density in irradiation spot divides the PA trasnsorming machanism to be classified into thermoelastic and plasma regime, and the transforming machanisms in two regimes are different from each other. Based on theoretical model, it is predicted that shear wave is greater than longitudinal in the thermoelastic regime and longitudinal is greater than shear wave by reaction force in plasma regime. These predictions were verified through experiments by using of the XeF excimer pulsed laser of 480nm center-wavelength and the KrF excimer pulsed laser of 248nm. Also, for its directivity pattern, an arrival angle of the maximum longitudinal energy was around $60^{\circ}$ and maximum shear energy was around $30^{\circ}$ in the thermoelastic regime, and an arrival angle of maximum longitudinal energy was shown on nomal to the surface and maximum shear energy was represented in about $30^{\circ}$ in plasma regime.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.33-39
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• 1977

It has been reported that administration of Ginseng powder to the Guinea pig reduces anaphylactic shook induced by horse serum (Lee, 1939). However, Lee et al. (1960) and Paik et al. (1976) have demonstrated that Ginseng increases capillary permeabilites and histamine release from the mast cell. These facts suggest that Ginseng acts directly on the bronchial muscle causing it to dilate. Recently, a number of investigators(Kidakawa & Iwasiro 1963; Takagi et al. 1973) have reported that Ginseng reverses acetylcholine- or histamine- induced contraction in the isolated Guinea pig ileum. We, therefore, undertook the present study to examine if Ginseng relaxes the spasm of bronchial muscle induced by acetylcholine or histamine. We have also attempted to identify the mechanism of the Ginseng effect. Male Guinea Pig was sacrificed by a blow on the head, The trachea was removed and sectioned with scissors into about 12 rings. After the 'C' shaped ring of cartilage was sectioned the one end of ring was tied to the bottom of the incubation bath and the other end was connected to a force transducer (FTO 3C) to record tension on a Polygraph. When the antispasmodic action of Ginseng effect was first examined in the normal trachea which was not treated by the drug. And then the Ginseng effect was tested in the muscle treated by histamine hydrochloride, acetylcholine hydrochloride or barium chloride. The results indicate that Ginseng alcohol extract relaxes the contraction of isolated tracheal muscle induced by histamine $(1{\mu}g/ml{\sim}10{\mu}g/ml)$, acetylcholine $(1{\mu}g/ml{\sim}5{\mu}g/ml)$ and barium chloride (1.5 mg/ml). The mechanism of this action is in Pa.1 due to nonspecific antimuscarinic and antihistaminic effect and in part by predominant action in the adrenergic ${\beta}-receptor$ although the ${\alpha}-receptor$ is also involved. We, therefore, conclude that Ginseng can be act as a bronchodilator.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.43-52
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• 1986

The influences of extracellular $Ca^{2+}\;and\;K^+$ upon the spike action potentials were studied in isolated uterine strips of rat. Regular, rhythmic uterine contractions were induced by the administration of oxytocin$(0.2{\sim}0.5\;I.U.)$, and recorded with force transducer. Spike action potentials were extracellularly measured by use of suction electrode, and compared with those recorded intracellularly by glass microelectrode. The results obtained were as follows : 1) The frequency and duration of spike bursts, and the number of spikes in a burst could be analyzed by use of both methods. But the absolute values of membrane potential were not measurable with the suction electrode. 2) The duration of contraction$(CD_{90};\;the\;duration\;of\;90%\;relaxation)$ was lengthened from the control 17.0 sec to 20.6 sec, in parallel with the increase of spike number from the control 21 to 26, as the increase in $Ca^{2+}$ concentration from 2 to 4 mM. 3) The amplitude and frequency of contractions were gradually decreased, simultaneously with the decrease in the number of spikes in a burst, when the $Ca^{2+}-antagonist$, verapamil was administered cumulatively. 4) The number of spikes was changed from the control 15 to 7, in cabs of the administration of ver)'low dose of verapamil$(10^{-6}\;g/l)$. 5) Increase in the numbers of spike bursts was well matched to the increase in frequency of contractions when extracellular $K^+$ was increased.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.55-61
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• 2000

The present study was conducted to investigate the possible role of the sympathetic nervous system in two-kidney, one clip (2K1C) and deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertension. 2K1C and DOCA- salt hypertension were made in Sprague-Dawley rats. Four weeks after induction of hypertension, systolic blood pressure measured in conscious state was significantly higher in 2K1C $(216{\pm}18\;mmHg)$ and DOCA-salt $(205{\pm}29\;mmHg)$ groups than that in control $(128{\pm}4\;mmHg).$ The third branches (＜300 ${\mu}m$ in outer diameter) of the mesenteric artery were isolated and cut into ring segments of $2{\sim}3$ mm in length. Each ring segment was mounted in tissue bath and connected to a force displacement transducer for measurement of isometric tension. The arterial rings were contracted by application of norepinephrine (NE) in a dose-dependent manner. The amplitude of the NE-induced contraction of the vessels was significantly larger in hypertension than in control. The NE-induced contraction was significantly enhanced by neuropeptide Y (NPY) in hypertension. Reciprocally, NPY-elicited vasocontraction was increased by NE in hypertension. These results suggest that the sympathetic nervous system contributes to the development of 2K1C and DOCA-salt hypertension.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.267-274
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• 2008

Since first discovered in chick skeletal muscles, stretch-activated channels (SACs) have been proposed as a probable mechano-transducer of the mechanical stimulus at the cellular level. Channel properties have been studied in both the single-channel and the whole-cell level. There is growing evidence to indicate that major stretch-induced changes in electrical activity are mediated by activation of these channels. We aimed to investigate the mechanism of stretch-induced automaticity by exploiting a recent mathematical model of rat atrial myocytes which had been established to reproduce cellular activities such as the action potential, $Ca^{2+}$ transients, and contractile force. The incorporation of SACs into the mathematical model, based on experimental results, successfully reproduced the repetitive firing of spontaneous action potentials by stretch. The induced automaticity was composed of two phases. The early phase was driven by increased background conductance of voltage-gated $Na^+$ channel, whereas the later phase was driven by the reverse-mode operation of $Na^+/Ca^{2+}$ exchange current secondary to the accumulation of $Na^+$ and $Ca^{2+}$ through SACs. These results of simulation successfully demonstrate how the SACs can induce automaticity in a single atrial myocyte which may act as a focus to initiate and maintain atrial fibrillation in concert with other arrhythmogenic changes in the heart.

• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.175-180
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• 2013

We developed the contamination prevention module of an optical window for an In-Situ Particle Monitor (ISPM) system. the core part of the module is the generator of an ultrasonic wave and the module is to remove particles stuck to the window by the transfer of the wave force to the window surface. In order to enhance transfer efficiency of the waves the frequency of the ultrasonic wave was optimized and a low impedance material (plexiglass) and a soft sealing material (Si rubber) were used. The ISPM with the developed module was installed at the exhaust line of a BPSG CVD equipment and the effect of the module was verified.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.541-549
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• 2008

Background: Vasoconstrictor-induced reduction in arterial graft diameter can cause significant flow deprivation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of vasodilator pretreatment on vasoconstrictor-induced blood vessel spasm in vitro. Material and Method: Rabbit brachial arteries (BA) and celiac arteries (CA) were cut into rings $(3{\sim}4mm)$ and suspended with a force displacement transducer (TSD $125C^{(R)}$, Biopac Inc. USA) in a tissue bath filled with 5 mL modified Krebs solution bubbled with 5% $CO_2$ and 95% $O_2\;at\;38^{\circ}C$. The rings were contracted with vasoconstrictors, and the developed tension changes were considered control values. The rings were then pre- treated with $30{\mu}M$ nitroglycerin, nicardipine, verapamil, and papaverine, respectively, for 40 minutes and rinsed with the physiologic buffered salt solution three times every 15 min. The vasoconstrictor-induced tension changes after the previous procedure were considered experimental values. Data are expressed as the percentage tension induced by vasoconstrictors before and after pretreatment with vasodilators. Result: Nicardipine depressed vasoconstriction induced by norepinephrine, angiotensin II (All), and U46619 in both the BA and the CA more significantly than did nitroglycerin (p<0.01) and verapamil (p<0.05). Verapamil depressed vasoconstriction induced by 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT), All, and U46619 in the BA and by 5HT in the CA more significantly than did nitroglycerin (p<0.01). Conclusion: These findings suggest that both nicardipine and verapamil effectively depressed vasoconstrictor action. Nicardipine is thought to be more effective than verapamil for the prevention of vasoconstrictor action.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.79-84
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• 2002

In this study, a cylindrical ultrasound applicator is developed for the treatment of vagina and rectum in combination with high dose rate brachytherapy. A cylindrical transducer (PZT-8, 1=1.5 cm, thickness=1.5mm OD=2.5 cm) was used as an energy source for induction of hyperthermia. Three single-element applicators were constructed to examine the performance of the PZT material. Vector impedance was measured to determine driving frequency. The efficiencies of the elements were determined using a radiation force technique to evaluate the feasibility of using the applicator as a hyperthermia source. A multi-element ultrasound applicator was designed using the PZT-8 material for the treatment of vagina. Results from the vector impedance measurements showed maximum magnitude at 1.78, 1.77, and 1.77 MHz for applicator 1,2, and 3, respectively. The radiation force measurements showed that the acoustic power of 40 watts was obtained in all three elements. The average efficiencies of the elements were 61.4, 65.2, and 54.0% for element 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The designed ultrasound hyperthermia applicator could be used in combination with high dose rate brachytherapy for the treatment of vagina and rectum. The use of this applicator with intracavitary brachytherapy could offer improved tumor control by increasing radiosensitiyity of the tumor.