It is well established that excitation contraction (EC) coupling in cardiac myocytes is mediated by the entry of calcium ions (Ca 2 ) from the bathing medium into the cell cytoplasm (Fabiato, 1985), which then triggers calcium-induced calcium release (CICR) from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). More recently, it was proposed that a second, quite separate, EC-coupling process, mediated by an eff...

It is well established that excitation contraction (EC) coupling in cardiac myocytes is mediated by the entry of calcium ions (Ca 2 ) from the bathing medium into the cell cytoplasm (Fabiato, 1985), which then triggers calcium-induced calcium release (CICR) from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). More recently, it was proposed that a second, quite separate, EC-coupling process, mediated by an eff...

We studied GABAergic signaling in astrocytes of olfactory bulb slices using confocal Ca(2+) imaging and two-photon Na(+) imaging. GABA evoked Ca(2+) transients in astrocytes that persisted in the presence of GABA(A) and GABA(B) receptor antagonists, but were suppressed by inhibition of GABA uptake by SNAP 5114. Withdrawal of external Ca(2+) blocked GABA-induced Ca(2+) transients, and depletion ...

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of CS injection, percutaneous pulley release and conventional open surgery for treating trigger finger in terms of cure, relapse and complication rates. METHODS One hundred and thirty-seven patients with a total of 150 fingers were randomly assigned and allocated into one of the treatment groups, with treatments allocated into 1...

Cardiomyocyte contraction depends on rapid changes in intracellular Ca(2+). In mammals, Ca(2+) influx as L-type Ca(2+) current (ICa) triggers the release of Ca(2+) from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release (CICR) is critical for excitation-contraction coupling. In fish, the relative contribution of external and internal Ca(2+) is unclear. Here, we characterized the role...

Achieving the combination of delayed and immediate release of a vaccine from a delivery device without applying external triggers remains elusive in implementing single administration vaccination strategies. Here a means of vaccine delivery is presented, which exploits osmosis to trigger delayed burst release of an active compound. Poly(ε-caprolactone) capsules of 2 mm diameter were prepared by...

The nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) is the principal integrating relay in the processing of visceral sensory information. Functional nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) have been found on presynaptic glutamatergic terminals in subsets of caudal NTS neurons. Activation of these receptors has been shown to enhance synaptic release of glutamate and thus may modulate autonomic sensory-mo...

In this work, we illustrate a simple chelation-based strategy to trigger DNA release from DNA-incorporated multilayer films, which were fabricated through the layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of DNA and inorganic zirconium (IV) ion (Zr(4+)). After being incubated in several kinds of chelator solutions, the DNA multilayer films disassembled and released the incorporated DNA. This was most probably ...

Cytosolic calcium concentration in resting cardiac myocytes locally fluctuates as a result of spontaneous microscopic Ca(2+) releases or abruptly rises as a result of an external trigger. These processes, observed as calcium sparks, are fundamental for proper function of cardiac muscle. In this study, we analyze how the characteristics of spontaneous and triggered calcium sparks are related to ...