• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.289-297
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• 1996

Excitatory amino acids (EAA) are thought to play an important role in producing cell death associated with ischemic and traumatic spinal cord injury. The present study was carried out to determine if the response characteristics of spinal sensory neurons in segments adjacent to degeneration sites induced by EAA are altered following these morphological changes. Intraspinal injections of quisqualic acid (QA) produced neuronal degeneration and spinal cavitation of gray matter. The severity of lesions was significantly attenuated by pretreatment with a non-NMDA antagonist NBQX. In extracellular single unit recordings, dorsal horn neurons in QA injected animal showed the increased mechanosensitivity, which included a shift to the left in the stimulus-response relationship, an increased background activity and an increase in the duration of after-discharge responses. Neuronal responses, especially the C-fiber response, to suprathreshold electrical stimulation of sciatic nerve also increased in most cases. These results suggest that altered functional states of neurons may be responsible for sensory abnormalities, e.g. allodynia and hyperalgesia, associated with syringomyolia and spinal cord injury.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.294-298
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• 1998

The feature of neuropathic pain may occur in the absence of any apparent stimulus and be exaggerated in either amplitude or duration. Peripheral nerve injury may produce neuropathic pain and opioids have been shown to be relatively unsatisfactory for the treatment of most cases of neuropathic pain. The NMDA receptor system is involved in transmission and modulation of nociceptive information. We treated patients with severe pain, hyperaesthesia and allodynia with epidural injection of NMDA receptor antagonist, ketamine (10 mg) and morphine (0.5 mg) or other opioid. The combinations provided effective pain management in 23 patients with neuropathic pain.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.115-128
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• 2018

Understanding the process of spatial perception plays a significant role in the design process as well as in the use of actual spaces. The perception of spatial depth can vary according to the space composition and design even there is no change in the actual size of the space. The properties of 3-dimensional space are its width, height, and depth; however, compared to the perception of spatial width and height, little research and theories exist on spatial depth perception. The reasons may be there less interest lies in the effect of spatial depth perception than that of spaciousness or height of space. This study is an investigation of the process of spatial depth perception using an eye-tracking device with stimuli developed through Computer Graphics. A total of 44 interior design major students participated in the eye tracking experiment; and they looked at three images comprised of an identical room with only changes in the rear wall condition. The results show that a significant difference in the fixation duration per stimulus exists. In addition, a significant difference exists on the fixation duration per stimulus according to the participants' answer of the deepest space. The result of this study can help identify factors for spatial depth perception, validate the assumption on it, and provide knowledge on how to acquire desirable spatial depth by utilizing the research result.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.13-23
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• 1982

Effects of external pH and potassium concentrations on the electrical and mechanical properties were investigated on rabbit papillary muscle. Papillary muscles were perfused in horizontal chamber with Tris Tyrode solutions and action potential along with isometric tension was recorded simultaneously. Potassium concentrations were varied between 1 and 12 mM at low(6.9), normal(7.4) and high (7.9) external pH. The following results were obtained: 1) On rasing the potassium concentration from 1 to 12 mM resting membrane potentials decreased from $-88.8{\pm}2.8$ to $-66.4{\pm}1.2\;mV$ at normal pH and the amplitude of action potential decreased from $115.1{\pm}0.7$ to $97.5{\pm}2.8\;mV$. On lowering the potassium concentration, membrane hyperpolarized and at 1 mM potassium concentration resting potentials were $-107{\pm}2.2\;mV$. Duration of action potential especially $APD_{60}{\sim}APD_{90}$ increased($APD_{90}$: $214{\pm}15.8\;ms$ at 1 mM $K^+$ to $287{\pm}18.1\;ms$ at 12 mM $K^+$). 2) During acidosis membranes hyperpolarized by more than 20 mV within 1 min. and then slow recovery was observed during the following 10 min. During alkalosis membranes depolarized about 10 mV, which were maintained until washing with normal Tyrode solutions. 3) On lowering the external pH(7.9-6.5), duration of action potential increased progressively and it was most prominent at pH 6.5 and $K^+$ 1mM. 4) Magnitude of developed tension was $0.6{\pm}0.14\;g/mm^2$ at normal pH and potassium concentration (stimulus frequency : 60/min). Relative isometric tension to normal value increased along the increment of stimulus frequency($44.2{\pm}4.2%$ at 6/min to $271{\pm}86.7%$ at 180/min). Force-frequency relations were altered quantitatively during the perfusion with different external pH solutions. 5) Developed tension did not show marked variation within the range of $2{\sim}8\;mM$ potassium concentrations. Positive inotropism was observed at less than 2 mM $K^+$ and negative inotropism beyond 12 mM $K^+$ concentrations. From the above results we concluded that the effects of potassium ion concentration on electrical and mechanical properties of rabbit papillary muscle are related to the changes in surface negative charge due to acid base disturbances.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2007

Altered environmental gravity, including both hypo- and hypergravity, may result in space adaptation syndrome. To explore the characteristics of this adaptive plasticity, the expression of immediate early gene c-fos mRNA in the vestibular related tissues following an exposure to hypergravity stimulus was determined in rats. The animals were subjected to a force of 2 g (twice earth's gravity) for 1, 3, or 12 h, and were examined poststimulus at 0, 2, 6, 12, and 24 h. RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) and real-time quantitative RT-PCR were adopted to analyze temporal changes in the expression of c-fos mRNA. The hypergravity stimulus increased the expression of c-fos mRNA in the vestibular ganglion, medial vestibular nucleus, inferior vestibular nucleus, hippocampus, cerebellum, and cortex. The peak expression occurred at 0 h poststimulation in animals stimulated with hypergravity for 1 h, and at 6 h poststimulus in those stimulated for 3 h. In contrast, those stimulated for 12 h exhibited dual peaks at 0 and 12 h poststimulus. Bilateral labyrinthectomy markedly attenuated the degree of c-fos mRNA expression. Glutamate receptor antagonist also dramatically attenuated the degree of c-fos mRNA expression. These results indicate that expression of c-fos mRNA in response to hypergravity occurs in the vestibular related tissues of the central nervous system, in which peripheral vestibular receptors and glutamate receptors play an important role. The temporal pattern of c-fos mRNA expression depended on the duration of the hypergravity stimulus.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.169-176
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• 1983

It is well known that the acupuncture has been used effectively for the relief of certain types of pain. Although the precise mechanism of action of acupuncture analgesia is unknown, it is generally accepted that their analgesic properties are related to the activation of endogenous opiate system in central nervous system. And it is suggested that pain-relieving properties of acupunture may be related to a stimulation of peripheral nerve underlying the acupuncture point on the skin. However, the efficacy of acupuncture has no relationship between the site of pain and the acupuncture point. Consequently, the present study was undertaken to investigate electroacupuncture analgesia in relation to the site of peripheral nerve stimulation. Cats were decerebrated ischemically and the flexion reflex as an index of pain was elicited by stimulating the sural nerve (20V, 0.5 msec duration) and recored as a compound action potential from the nerve innervated to the posterior biceps femoris muscle in the ipsilateral hindlimb. Bilateral common peroneal nerve and contralateral superficial radial nerve were selected as the site of peripheral nerve stimulation. For the stimulation of peripheral nerve, a stimulus of 20 V intensity, 2 msec-duration and 2 Hz-frequency was applied for 60 min respectively. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1) Both stimulation of contralateral common peronal nerve and contralateral superficial radial nerve did not change the flexion reflex and there were no significant differences between them. 2) Stimulation of ipsilateral common peroneal nerve markedly depress the flexion reflex, the effect being reversed by naloxone application. These results suggest that stimulation of ipsilateral common peroneal nerve has the analgesic effect but both stimulation of contralteral common peroneal nerve and contralateral superficial radial nerve to the pain site where flexion reflex was elicited have no analgesic effect.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.73-81
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• 1981

Experiments were conducted in ischemic decerebrate cats to study the effects of electroacupuncture and electrical stimulation of peripheral nerve on pain reaction. Flexion reflex was used as an index of pain. The reflex was elicited by stimulating the sural nerve(20 V, 0.5 msec duration) and recorded as a compound action potential from the nerve innervated to the semitendinosus muscle. Electroacupuncture was performed, using a 23-gauge hyperdermic needle, on the tsusanli point in the lateral upper tibia of the ipsilateral hindlimb. The common peroneal nerve was selected as a peripheral nerve which may be associated with electroacupuncture action, as it runs through the tissue portion under the tsusanli point. Both for electroacupuncture and the stimulation of common peroneal nerve a stimulus of 20 V-intensity, 2 msec-duration and 2 Hz-frequency was applied for 60 min. The results are summerized as follows: 1) The electroacupuncture markedly depressed the flexion reflex; this effect was eliminated by systemic application of naloxone $(0.02{\sim}0.12\;mg/kg)$, a specific narcotic antagonist. 2) Similarly, the electrical stimulation of the common peroneal nerve significantly depressed the flexion reflex, the effect being reversed by naloxone. 3) When most of the afferent nerves excluding sural nerve in the ipsilateral hindlimb were cut, the effect of electroacupuncture on the flexion reflex was not observed. Whereas direct stimulation of the common peroneal nerve at the proximal end from the cut resulted in a significant reduction of the flexion reflex, again the effect was reversible by naloxone application. 4) Transection of the spinal cord at the thoracic 12 did not eliminate the effect of peripheral nerve stimulation on the flexion reflex and its reversal by naloxone, although the effect was significantly less than that in the animal with spinal cord intact. These results suggest that: 1) the analgesic effect of an electroacupuncture is directly mediated by the nervous system and involves morphine-like substances in CNS, 2) the site of analgesic action of electroacupuncture resides mainly in the brainstem and in part in the spinal cord.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.73-79
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• 2008

Retinal prosthesis is regarded as the most feasible method for the blind caused by retinal diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP) or age related macular degeneration (AMD). Recently Korean consortium launched for developing retinal prosthesis. One of the prerequisites for the success of retinal prosthesis is the optimization of the electrical stimuli applied through the prosthesis. Since electrical characteristics of degenerate retina are expected to differ from those of normal retina, we performed voltage stimulation experiment both in normal and degenerate retina to provide a guideline for the optimization of electrical stimulation for the upcoming prosthesis. After isolation of retina, retinal patch was attached with the ganglion cell side facing the surface of microelectrode arrays (MEA). $8{\times}8$ grid layout MEA (electrode diameter: $30{\mu}m$, electrode spacing: $200{\mu}m$, and impedance: $50k{\Omega}$ at 1 kHz) was used to record in-vitro retinal ganglion cell activity. Mono-polar electrical stimulation was applied through one of the 60 MEA channel, and the remaining channels were used for recording. The electrical stimulus was a constant voltage, charge-balanced biphasic, anodic-first square wave pulse without interphase delay, and 50 trains of pulse was applied with a period of 2 sec. Different electrical stimuli were applied. First, pulse amplitude was varied (voltage: $0.5{\sim}3.0V$). Second, pulse duration was varied $(100{\sim}1,200{\mu}s)$. Evoked responses were analyzed by PSTH from averaged data with 50 trials. Charge density was calculated with Ohm's and Coulomb's law. In normal retina, by varying the pulse amplitude from 0.5 to 3V with fixed duration of $500{\mu}s$, the threshold level for reliable ganglion cell response was found at 1.5V. The calculated threshold of charge density was $2.123mC/cm^2$. By varying the pulse duration from 100 to $1,200{\mu}s$ with fixed amplitude of 2V, the threshold level was found at $300{\mu}s$. The calculated threhold of charge density was $1.698mC/cm^2$. Even after the block of ON-pathway with L-(1)-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (APB), electrical stimulus evoked ganglion cell activities. In this APB-induced degenerate retina, by varying the pulse duration from 100 to $1200{\mu}s$ with fixed voltage of 2 V, the threshold level was found at $300{\mu}s$, which is the same with normal retina. More experiment with APB-induced degenerate retina is needed to make a clear comparison of threshold of charge density between normal and degenerate retina.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.117-123
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• 2005

The immune response to any stimulus is complex, requiring coordinated action by several types of cells in a tightly regulated sequence. Thus, a physical stress such as exercise may act at any number of points in the complex sequence of events collectively termed the immune response. Although exercise causes many propound changes in parameters of immune function, the nature and magnitude of such changes rely on several factors including the immune parameters of interest; type, intensity, and duration of exercise; fitness level or exercise history of the subject; environmental factors such as ambient temperature and humidity. Although regular moderate exercise appears to be important factor for increasing immunity, Athletes are susceptible to illness, in particular upper respiratory track infection, during periods of intense training and after competition. In addition, in elite athletes, frequent illness is associated with overtraining syndrome, a neuroendocrine disorder resulting from excessive training. Through this paper, we want to investigate the effects of exercise on the immunosuppression such as exercise induced lymphopenia, asthma, anaphylaxis, URT (upper respiratory track), and TB (tuberculosis) infection. and also, we want to suggest a direct mechanism, protection and therapy of exercise induced immunosuppression.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.5-31
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• 1983

Author studied the changes of experimental bite marks using a special apparatus which was equipped with adults human resin dental model(in accordance with the time elapsed). The experimental bite marks were made in the forearm of 20 healthy men and in the buttock of 10 Durac pigs with various pressure. In making the experimental bite marks, the left forearm was pressed with a load of 70kgs and 130kgs for 3 seconds, and 5 of the 10 pigs were sacrigiced immediately after making the bite marks. Through visual examinations, photographs and rubber base impressions of bite marks, following results were obtained : 1. The durations of measurable indentation of the experimental bite marks in the forearm of living human subject were depended upon the degree of the pressure and the length of the pressure time applied in making the bite marks. 2. As a physiological responds to a physical stimulus of biting, indentation, bruising, edema and subepithelial bleeding were observed in the experimental bite marks in the forearm of living human. And the experimental bite marks in the buttok of pigs which were sacrificed immediately after making the bite showed only indentation and subepithelial bleeding in addition to postmortem changes. 3. The duration of measurable indentation of the experimental bite marks in the buttock of pigs which were sacrificed immediatly after making the bite were much longer than those of the living pigs. 4. All of the measurements of the experimental bite marks were not matched completly with those of the model which was used in making the bite marks.