• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제43권2호
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• pp.97-104
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• 2008

Objective: Transient receptor potential vanilloid subfamily type 1 (TRPV1), a most specific marker of the nociceptive primary afferent, is expressed in peptidergic and non-peptidergic primary afferents innervating skin and viscera. However, its expression in sensory fibers to skeletal muscle is not well known. In this study, we studied the neurochemical characteristics of TRPV1-positive primary afferents to skeletal muscles. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with total $20{\mu}l$ of 1% fast blue (FB) into the gastrocnemius and erector spinae muscle and animals were perfused 4 days after injection. FB-positive cells were traced in the L4-L5 (for gastrocnemius muscle) and L2-L4 (for erector spinae muscle) dorsal root ganglia. The neurochemical characteristics of the muscle afferents were studied with multiple immunofluorescence with TRPV1, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and $P2X_3$. To identify spinal neurons responding to noxious stimulus to the skeletal muscle, 10% acetic acids were injected into the gastrocnemius and erector spinae muscles and expression of phospho extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK) in spinal cords were identified with immunohistochemical method. Results: TRPVl was expressed in about 49% of muscle afferents traced from gastrocnemius and 40% of erector spinae. Sixty-five to 60% of TRPV1-positive muscles afferents also expressed CGRP. In contrast, expression of $P2X_3$ immnoreaction in TRPV1-positive muscle afferents were about 20%. TRPV1-positive primary afferents were contacted with spinal neurons expressing pERK after injection of acetic acid into the muscles. Conclusion: It is consequently suggested that nociception from skeletal muscles are mediated by TRPV1-positive primary afferents and majority of them are also peptidergic.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제45권6호
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• pp.413-424
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• 2022

Suppressor of mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (SMAD) 4 is a pluripotent signaling mediator that regulates myriad cellular functions, including cell growth, cell division, angiogenesis, apoptosis, cell invasion, and metastasis, through transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)-dependent and -independent pathways. SMAD4 is a critical modulator in signal transduction and functions primarily as a transcription factor or cofactor. Apart from being a DNA-binding factor, the additional SMAD4 mechanisms in tumor suppression remain elusive. We previously identified methyl malonyl aciduria cobalamin deficiency B type (MMAB) as a critical SMAD4 binding protein using a proto array analysis. This study confirmed the interaction between SMAD4 and MMAB using bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assay, proximity ligation assay (PLA), and conventional immunoprecipitation. We found that transient SMAD4 overexpression down-regulates MMAB expression via a proteasome-dependent pathway. SMAD4-MMAB interaction was independent of TGF-β signaling. Finally, we determined the effect of MMAB downregulation on cancer cells. siRNA-mediated knockdown of MMAB affected cancer cell metabolism in HeLa cells by decreasing ATP production and glucose consumption as well as inducing apoptosis. These findings suggest that SMAD4 controls cancer cell metabolism by regulating MMAB.

• 한국산업융합학회 논문집
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• 제25권6_2호
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• pp.1071-1081
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• 2022

As the demand for high-rise buildings increases, the demand for high-speed elevators is also increasing. In order to make a high-speed elevator, a method is needed to reduce the weight of the elevator's components, which is a constraint on the increase in speed. As a measure to reduce the weight, it is possible to remove the traveling cable for power and signal supply. Since the weight of the traveling cable varies depending on the position of the carriage, it is difficult to compensate the weight using the counter weight. The power supply is a structure in which a brush-rail type power input terminal is installed in the elevator hoistway to receive power in a contact-type manner while the carriage is moving. If a small-capacity ESS is installed in a passenger car, power can be supplied uninterruptedly inside the passenger car. A small-capacity ESS charging system to be applied to such an elevator system is required to perform several functions. First, the passenger Car must be able to charge as much as possible even during high-speed operation. A control algorithm with high responsiveness is required because charging starts and ends repeatedly by the partially installed input power stage. In addition, if the input-side line impedance is large due to the structure of the system and the response characteristic is increased, the stability of the system may be lowered. Accordingly, in this paper, we propose a control algorithm that has a stable steady-state output while having a fast response in a transient state. To verify the proposed control algorithm, simulation was conducted using PSIM, and the performance of the controller was verified by manufacturing a prototype buck conveter charger.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제54권12호
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• pp.4431-4440
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• 2022

An advanced nuclear reactor based on molten salts including a molten salt reactor and pyroprocessing needs a sensitive monitoring system suitable for operation in harsh environments with limited access. Multi-element detection is challenging with the conventional technologies that are compatible with the in-situ operation; hence laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has been investigated as a potential alternative. However, limited precision is a chronic problem with LIBS. We increased the precision of LIBS under high temperature by protecting optics using a gas protective layer and correcting for shotto-shot variance and lens-to-sample distance using a laser-induced acoustic signal. This study investigates cerium as a surrogate for uranium and corrosion products for simulating corrosive environments in LiCl-KCl. While the un-corrected limit of detection (LOD) range is 425-513 ppm, the acoustic-corrected LOD range is 360-397 ppm. The typical cerium concentrations in pyroprocessing are about two orders of magnitude higher than the LOD found in this study. A LIBS monitoring system that adopts these methods could have a significant impact on the ability to monitor and provide early detection of the transient behavior of salt composition in advanced molten salt-based nuclear reactors.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.56.1-56.13
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• 2023

Background: Cold atmospheric plasma is a novel innovative approach for wound care, and it is currently underrepresented in veterinary medicine. Objectives: To investigate the efficacy and safety of using cold atmospheric microwave plasma (CAMP) as an adjunct therapy for wound healing in dogs and cats. Methods: Wound healing outcomes were retrospectively analyzed using clinical records of client-owned dogs and cats who were first managed through standard wound care alone (pre-CAMP period) and subsequently via CAMP therapy (CAMP period). The degree of wound healing was estimated based on wound size and a modified wound scoring system. Results: Of the 27 acute and chronic wounds included in the analysis, 81.48% showed complete healing after the administration of CAMP as an adjunct therapy to standard care. Most wounds achieved complete healing in < 5 weeks. Compared with the pre-CAMP period, the rate of wound healing significantly increased every week in the CAMP period in terms of in wound size (first week, p < 0.001; second week, p = 0.012; third week, p < 0.001) and wound score (first week, p < 0.001; second week, p < 0.001; third week, p = 0.001). No adverse events were noted except for mild discomfort and transient erythema. Conclusions: CAMP is a well-tolerated therapeutic option with immense potential to support the treatment of wounds of diverse etiology in small animal practice. Further research is warranted to establish specific criteria for CAMP treatment according to wound characteristics.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2001

목적 : 혈관조영상 잠재혈관기형(angiographically occult vascular malformation, AOVM)의 치료에 정위방사선수술을 적용하여 병변의 영상학적 반응과 임상 경과, 치료에 대한 부작용을 분석하여 AOVM의 치료 시 정위방사선수술의 역할을 정립하고자 한다. 대상 및 방법 : 1995년 2월부터 1999년 12월까지 AOVM으로 진단 받은 11명(12병변)의 환자에 대하여 선형가속기를 이용한 정위방사선수술을 시행하였다. 모든 병변은 자기공명영상에서 병변의 중심부에는 이질적인 고신호를 보이며, 저신호의 테두리로 둘러 쌓여 경계가 분명한 혈관기형 소견을 보였다. 정위방사선수술 시 처방선량은 회전중심점 선량 기준으로 67~80% (중앙값 80%) 등선량곡면에 13~25 Gy (중앙값 16 Gy)이었으며, 모두 단일 회전중심점을 이용하였고, 8~20mm (중앙값 14 mm) 크기의 원형 콜리메이터를 사용하였다. 결과 : 추적관찰 기간은 12~56개월(중앙값 42개월)이었다. 재출혈이 일어난 경우는 3예로 치료 후 5, 6, 12개월 때 각 1차례씩 발생하였고 이후 추가적인 재출혈은 없었다. 정위방사선수술로 인한 조직괴사는 2예에서 발생하였으며, 모두 영구적인 신경학적 후유증을 초래하였다. 임상증세를 동반하지 않은 채 T2 강조영상에서 병변 주위의 부종이 관찰된 경우도 1예 발생하였다. 결론 : 정위방사선수술을 이용한 AOVM의 치료는 재출혈을 효과적으로 방지할 수 있는 치료방법으로 생각된다. 그러나 동정맥기형에 비하여 신경학적 후유증이 발생할 확률이 높기 때문에 치료 환자의 선택과 처방선량의 결정 시에는 보다 신중한 고려가 필요하다.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제10권3호
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• pp.159-168
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• 2006

설치류를 포함한 대부분의 포유동물은 페로몬 반응을 중개하는 두 개의 화학감각 시스템(chemosensory system)을 갖고 있는데, 각각 주후각시스템(main olfactory system, MOS)과 부후각시스템(accesory olfactory system, AOS)이다. MOS에 속하는 화학감각뉴런들은 주후각 상피 내에 위치하며, AOS에 속하는 화학감각뉴런들은 비강 윗부분의 서골비기관(vomeronasal organ, VNO)에 위치한다. 공기 중의 비휘발성 페로몬 성분들은 구개 위쪽으로 열린 관을 통해 VNO의 내강으로 이동한다. 페로몬 수용체 단백질들은 크게 두 개의 슈퍼패밀리 V1R과 V2R로 나뉘는데, 이들은 구조적으로 큰 차이가 있으며 MOS에서 발현되는 후각 수용체들과는 무관하다. 이들은 7개의 막관통 도메인을 갖는 G-단백질 결부 단백질(seven transmembrane domain G-protein coupled proteins, V1R은 $G_{{\alpha}i2}$와, 그리고 V2R은 $G_{0\;{\alpha}}$와 연관)이다. V2R은 비고전적 MHC Ib 유전자 산물인 M10과 기타 8개의 M1 패밀리 단백질들과 함께 작용한다. 그 외 VNO 뉴런의 중요한 구성 분자는 TrpC2로, 이는 transient receptor potential(TRP)의 양이온 채널 단백질이며 세포내 신호전달과정에서 중요한 역할을 할 것으로 추정된다. 포유동물의 화학적 의사소통과정에서 페로몬은 작용 모드 또는 효과에 따라 4종류로 분류할 수 있는데, 프라이머(primer), 신호자(signaler), 조정자(modulator) 그리고 방출자(releaser)이다. 근본적으로 이들 화학신호에 대한 반응들은 개체 간, 심지어는 한 개체 내에서도 다양할 수 있다. 이러한 다양성은 페로몬이 스테로이드 호르몬들과 함께 또는 단독으로, 신경전달물질들과 같은 비스테로이드 요인들의 후각정보 처리 과정에 미치는 각종 조절의 차이에 의해 나타날 수 있다. 이러한 조절은 유리한 사회적, 환경적인 조건들을 갖도록 수용자의 생식 축에 미치는 영향을 증강 또는 촉진한다. 가장 좋은 예는 수컷 생쥐의 소변 중의 테스토스테론 의존적인 주요 요단백질(major urinary proteins, MUPs)에 의한 임신방지효과(Bruce 효과)이다. 흥미롭게도 생쥐 GnRH 뉴런은 냄새와 페로몬 양자 모두로부터 페로몬 신호를 수용하는 것 같다. 비록 상당한 논란의 소지는 있지만, 그간의 연구들은 생식과 기타 여러 기능들 사이에 복잡한 상호교차 관계가 있음을 시사한다. 여기서 GnRH 뉴런은 다양한 원천으로부터의 정보를 통합하고, 다시 다양한 뇌기능을 조절하는 것으로 보인다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.218-224
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• 2015

Endocannabinoids can affect multiple cellular targets, such as cannabinoid (CB) receptors, transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily V, member 1 (TRPV1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$($PPAR{\gamma}$). The stimuli to induce adipocyte differentiation in hBM-MSCs increase the gene transcription of the $CB_1$ receptor, TRPV1 and $PPAR{\gamma}$. In this study, the effects of three endocannabinoids, N-arachidonoyl ethanolamine (AEA), N-arachidonoyl dopamine (NADA) and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG), on adipogenesis in hBM-MSCs were evaluated. The adipocyte differentiation was promoted by AEA whereas inhibited by NADA. No change was observed by the treatment of non-cytotoxic concentrations of 2-AG. The difference between AEA and NADA in the regulation of adipogenesis is associated with their effects on $PPAR{\gamma}$ transactivation. AEA can directly activate $PPAR{\gamma}$. The effect of AEA on $PPAR{\gamma}$ in hBM-MSCs may prevail over that on the $CB_1$ receptor mediated signal transduction, giving rise to the AEA-induced promotion of adipogenesis. In contrast, NADA had no effect on the $PPAR{\gamma}$ activity in the $PPAR{\gamma}$ transactivation assay. The inhibitory effect of NADA on adipogenesis in hBM-MSCs was reversed not by capsazepine, a TRPV1 antagonist, but by rimonabant, a $CB_1$ antagonist/inverse agonist. Rimonabant by itself promoted adipogenesis in hBM-MSCs, which may be interpreted as the result of the inverse agonism of the $CB_1$ receptor. This result suggests that the constantly active $CB_1$ receptor may contribute to suppress the adipocyte differentiation of hBM-MSCs. Therefore, the selective $CB_1$ agonists that are unable to affect cellular $PPAR{\gamma}$ activity inhibit adipogenesis in hBM-MSCs.

• 전자공학회논문지SC
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• 제43권5호
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• pp.89-100
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• 2006

두꺼워진 경동맥 내중막 두께는 일과성 뇌 허혈, 뇌졸중, 그리고 심근경색과 같은 관상동맥질환을 예고하는 독립적 인자로서 매우 중요하다. 경동맥 내중막 두께를 측정하기 위한 기존의 영상처리 방법은 전체 초음파 영상 가운데 수작업에 의해 구획을 임의로 설정한 다음, 그 부분만의 색도분포 미분치 산출에 의한 구간 분할로 두께를 추정하는 것이었기 때문에 임의성에 의한 한계는 물론이고 구간별 색도분포가 혼재하는 경우 정확한 두께 측정에는 역부족이었다. 우리는 본 논문을 통하여 경동맥과 같이 영상입력 대상물이 일관된 벡터 형성 특성을 갖고 관측영상의 화소 색도 집합의 원소들 또한 그 고유한 방향성을 내재하고 있는 경우, 이를 층위별로 군집 처리하여 원하는 특징을 효과적으로 추출하는 새로운 영상처리기술을 소개한다 우리는 보다 정확한 측정을 위해, 인체를 구성하고 있는 장기나 혈관과 같은 여러 조직이 동일조직 내에서 타조직과 다른 층위적 특성이 있음에 착안하여, 이의 초음파영상을 수직 및 수평축으로 성분 분석하여 차별된 군집들로 분류해 내고 군집들 사이의 색도 특성과 상호 연관을 수학적으로 규명한 다음, 특징별로 축진행에 따른 순차적인 영역처리를 시행함으로서 혈관 조직에 대한 층위적 형성 판별과 혈관 막(膜)들의 정확한 두께측정이 가능함을 보이고 영상 분석과 실험을 통해 입증하였다. 이러한 접근 방법은 경동맥영상과 같이, 영역간 색도분포의 혼재와 문턱치 산출의 어려움에도 불구하고 일관된 벡터 흐름과 방향성을 형성하고 있는 영상인 경우, 그 영역처리와 특징추출에 효과가 높으므로 응용이 가능하다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.78-83
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• 2005

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin(TCDD) has previously shown to induce neurotoxicity through intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ increase in rat neurons. In this study we investigated the role and signaling pathway of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ in TCDD-induced inhibition of neuronal cell proliferation in SK-N-SH human neuronal cells. We found that TCDD(10nM) rapidly increased the level of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$, which was completely blocked by the extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ chelation with EGTA (1 mM) or by pretreatment of the cells with the non-selective cation channel blocker. flufenamic acid (200 ${\mu}M$). However, pretreatment of the cells with dantrolene (25 ${\mu}M$) and TMB-8(10 ${\mu}M$), intracellular $Ca^{2+}$-release blockers, or a voltage-sensitive $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocker, varapamil (100 ${\mu}M$), failed to block the TCDD-induced $Ca^{2+}$ increase in the cells. In addition, TCDD induced a rapid and transient activation of phatidvlinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2(ERK1/2), which was ingnificantly blocked by the pretreatment with BAPTA, an intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ chelator, and LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor. Furthermore, inhibitors of PI3K, ERK, or an intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ chelator further potentiated the anti-proliferative effect of TCDD in the cells. Collectively, the results suggest that intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ and PI3K-dependent activation of ERK 1/2 may be involved in the TCDD-induced inhibition of cell proliferation in SK-N-SH human neuronal cells.