• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 1999

We sought to find out the mechanism of vascular relaxation by extracellular $K^+$ concentration $([K^+]_o)$ in the cerebral resistant arteriole from rabbit. Single cells were isolated from the cerebral resistant arteriole, and using voltage-clamp technique barium-sensitive $K^+$ currents were recorded, and their characteristics were observed. Afterwards, the changes in membrane potential and currents through the membrane caused by the change in $[K^+]_o$ was observed. In the smooth muscle cells of cerebral resistant arteriole, ion currents that are blocked by barium, 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), and tetraethylammonium (TEA) exist. Currents that were blocked by barium showed inward rectification. When the $[K^+]_o$ were 6, 20, 60, and 140 mM, the reversal potentials were $-82.7{\pm}1.0,\;-49.5{\pm}1.86,\;-26{\pm}1.14,\;-5.18{\pm}1.17$ mV, respectively, and these values were almost identical to the calculated $K^+$ equilibrium potential. The inhibition of barium-sensitive inward currents by barium depended on the membrane potential. At the membrane potentials of -140, -100, and -60 mV, $K_d$ values were 0.44, 1.19, and 4.82 ${\mu}M,$ respectively. When $[K^+]_o$ was elevatedfrom 6 mM to 15 mM, membrane potential hyperpolarized to -50 mV from -40 mV. Hyperpolarization by $K^+$ was inhibited by barium but not by ouabain. When the membrane potential was held at resting membrane potential and the $[K^+]_o$ was elevated from 6 mM to 15 mM, outward currents increased; when elevated to 25 mM, inward currents increased. Fixing the membrane potential at resting membrane potential and comparing the barium-sensitive outward currents at $[K^+]_o$ of 6 and 15 mM showed that the barium- sensitive outward current increased at 15 mM $K^+.$ From the above results the following were concluded. Barium-sensitive $K^+$?channel activity increased when $[K^+]_o$ is elevated and this leads to an increase in $K^+-outward$ current. Consequently, the membrane potential hyperpolarizes, leading to the relaxation of resistant arteries, and this is thought to contribute to an increase in the local blood flow of brain.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.207-218
• /
• 1988

Effects of 1, 4-dihydropyridine compounds, such as nifedipine, nisoldipine, nitrendipine, and nimodipine which were calcium antagonists on the normal and Ca-dependent, slow channel mediated action potentials in the guinea pig's papillary muscle were investigated. The glass microelectrode was impaled into a papillary muscle cell for measurements of potential changes with the simultaneous tracing of isometric contraction. The concentration of Ca antagonists were 1 mg/l (nifedipine and nisoldipine), 2 mg/l (nitrendipine and nimodipine), which showed the maximal inhibition of isometric contraction (above 90%) and simultaneous effects on the normal action potentials and only the halves of those concentrations were sufficient to observe the effects on the calcium action potentials. The data for analysis were only chosen when the microelectrode was maintained in a cell throughout the experiments. 1, 4-Dihydropyridine compounds decreased the action potential duration but did not affect the resting membrane potential, overshoot, and upstroke velocity of the normal action potentials with the decrease in the isometric contraction. And with the decrease in the area and amplitude of isometric contraction, the area, amplitude, upstroke velocity and duration of Ca action potential was decreased. But the differences in the effects of the Ca antagonists were not observed. Therefore it is inferred that the changes in normal and Ca action potential induced by the 1, 4-dihydropyridine compounds with a common chemical structure would be caused by the slow inward Ca-current, not by a fast Na-current.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.337-342
• /
• 2006

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are pacemaker cells that activate the periodic spontaneous depolarization (pacemaker potentials) responsible for the production of slow waves in gastrointestinal smooth muscle. The effects of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) on the pacemaker potentials in cultured ICCs from murine small intestine were investigated by whole-cell patch-clamp techniques. Addition of VIP (50 nM-$1{\mu}M$) decreased the amplitude of pacemaker potentials and depolarized resting membrane potentials. To examine the type of receptors involved in ICC, we examined the effects of the $VIP_1$ agonist and found that it had no effect on pacemaker potentials. Pretreatment with $VIP_1$ antagonist ($1{\mu}M$) for 10 min also did not block the VIP (50 nM)-induced effects. On the other hand exposure to 1H-(1,2,4)oxadiazolo(4,3-A)quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, $100{\mu}M$), an inhibitor of guanylate cyclase, prevented VIP inhibition of pacemaker potentials. Similarly KT-5823 ($1{\mu}M$) or RP-8-CPT-cGMPS ($10{\mu}M$), inhibitors of protein kinase G (PKG) blocked the effect of VIP (50 nM) on pacemaker potentials as did N-nitro-L-arginine (L-NA, $100{\mu}M$), a non-selective nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor. These results imply that the inhibition of pacemaker activity by VIP depends on the NO-cGMP-PKG pathway.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.33-40
• /
• 1991

For the observations of both the membrane properties and the excitability on the unfertilized eggs of female mice, changes of the membrane resistance and the membrane potential by hyerpolarizing current stimulation were recorded. As current-voltage relation was linear over the entire range (-180mV~+60mV), membrane resistance($R_m$) was calculated from the amplitude of electrotonic potential to a given stimulus current. Also the presence of anode-break excitation was confirmed. The results were as follows; 1. There was a linear relation between the membrane resistance and resting membrane potential, the expected input resistance was 61. 4M$\Omega$(resting membrane potential was $-18.9{\pm}8.7mV$, mean${\pm}$SD, n=30). 2. Transient depolarization with overshoot was generated just after hyperpolarizing current stimulus and showed the dependency of stimulus duration. 3. Transient depolarization lasted over 30ms, amplitude of these depolarization was increased by high $Ca^{{+}{+}}$(20mM) and inhibited by $Ca^{{+}{+}}$-antagonist, $Mn^{{+}{+}}$. 4. From the above results, it was suggested that the unfertilized mouse egg showed the characteristics of the excitable cell.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.22-32
• /
• 2001

The numerical investigation of obliquely incident wave interactions with fully submerged dual buoy/porous-membrane floating breakwaters placed in parallel with spacing is studied based on linear potential theory and Darcy's law. The numerical solutions are obtained by using a discrete-membrane dynamic model and second-kind modified Bessel function distribution over the entire boundaries of fluid regions. First, numerical solutions for an idealized dual submerged system without buoys are obtained. Second, a more practical dual submerged system with membrane tension provided by buoys at its tops is investigated by the multi-domain boundary element method particularly devised for dual buoy/porous-membrane problems with gaps. The velocity potentials of wave motion are coupled with porous-membrane deformation, and solved simultaneously since the boundary condition on porous-membrane is not known in advance. The effects of varying permeability on membranes and wave characteristics are discussed for the optimum design parameters of systems previously studied. The inclusion of permeability on membrane eliminates the resonances that aggravate the breakwater performance. The system is highly efficient when waves generated by the buoys and membranes were mutually canceled and its energy at resonance frequency dissipates through fine pores on membranes.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
• /
• 2017.05a
• /
• pp.44-45
• /
• 2017

There are various national standards designed to test the physical properties of waterproofing materials for the respective countries based on each of their environmental parameters, variables and requirements. The problems of these standard systems can be outlined in the following: (1) there are too many test methods and criteria to satisfy in order assess one waterproofing membrane system, and (2) there is currently no known method to compile the separate testing results to provide a comprehensive report on waterproofing system durability. This paper outlines and compares the performance testing results of various types of asphalt waterproofing membrane systems and discusses the potentials of a complex environmental deterioration analysis method.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.233-241
• /
• 1995

The nonapeptide bradykinin has been shown to exhibit an array of biological activities including relaxation/contraction of various smooth muscles. In order to investigate the effects of bradykinin on the contractility and the electrical activity of antral circular muscle of guinea-pig stomach, the isometric contraction and membrane potential were recorded. Also, using standard patch clamp technique, the $Ca^{2+}-activated$ K currents were recorded to observe the change in cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ concentration. $0.4 {\mu}M$ bradykinin induced a triphasic contractile response (transient contraction-transient relaxation-sustained contraction) and this response was unaffected by pretreatment with neural blockers (tetrodotoxin, atropine and guanethidine) or with apamin. Bradykinin induced hyperpolarization of resting membrane potential and enhanced the amplitude of slow waves and spike potentials. The enhancement of spike potentials was blocked by neural blockers. Both the bradykinin-induced contractions and changes in membrane potential were reversed by the selective $B_2$-receptor antagonist $(N{\alpha}-adamantaneacetyl-_{D}-Arg-[Hyp, Thy,_{D}-Phe]-bradykinin)$. In whole-cell patch clamp experiment, we held the membrane potential at -20 mV and spontaneous and transient changes of Ca-activated K currents were recorded. Bradykinin induced a large transient outward current, consistent with a calcium-releasing action of bradykinin front the intracellular calcium pool, because such change was blocked by pretreatment with caffeine. Bradykinin-induced contraction was also blocked by pretreatment with caffeine. From these results, it is suggested that bradykinin induces a calciumrelease and contraction through the $B_{2}$ receptor of guinea-pig gastric smooth muscle. Enhancement of slow wave activity is an indirect action of bradykinin through enteric nerve cells embedded in muscle strip.

• Proceedings of the Korean Biophysical Society Conference
• /
• 2001.06a
• /
• pp.17-17
• /
• 2001

It is well known that myocardial stretch causes changes in electrical signalling and contractility of the heart. For example, mechanical stretch depolarises the membrane potential of cardiac cells and alters the shape of action potentials. As a result, these effects either accelerate the frequency of heart rate or induce arrhythmias of the heart.(omitted)

• Membrane and Water Treatment
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.1-23
• /
• 2012

The coupling of anaerobic biological process and membrane separation could provide excellent suspended solids removal and better biomass retention for wastewater treatment. This coupling improves the biological treatment process while allowing for the recovery of energy through biogas. This review gives a basic description of the anaerobic wastewater treatment process, summarizes the state of the art of anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs), and describes the current research trends and needs for the development of AnMBRs. The research interest on AnMBR has grown over the conventional anaerobic processes such as upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB). Studies on AnMBRs have developed different reactor configurations to enhance performances. The AnMBR performances have achieved comparable status to other high rate anaerobic reactors. AnMBR is highly suitable for application with thermophilic anaerobic process to enhance performances. Studies indicate that the applications of AnMBR are not only limited to the high strength industrial wastewater treatment, but also for the municipal wastewater treatment. In recent years, there is a significant progress in the membrane fouling studies, which is a major concern in AnMBR application.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.214-223
• /
• 2004

The study examines the anti-cancer effects of the hot water extract of Mylabris phalerata(MP) using SNU-C5 cell lines. Microscopic analysis showed that 12 hours after MP treatment, the number of dead cells increased prominently. Significant cell death was observed 12, 24, and 48 hours after MP treatment through trypan blue exclusion testing. This suggests that MP is time-dependently cytotoxic. Mitotracker Red CMXRos staining and flowcytometry revealed that MP decreased mitochondrial membrane potentials. The absence of peaks on PI staining showed that DNA damage occurred in MP treated cells. Taken together, measurements suggest that MP has a strong anti-cancer effect on SNU-5 cell lines, and that this is likely to be due to the destruction of mitochondria and DNA damage.