Determining the contribution of a single type of ion channel to information processing within a neuron requires not only knowledge of the properties of the channel but also understanding of its function within a complex system. We studied the contribution of slow delayed rectifier K+ channels to neural coding in Drosophila photoreceptors by combining genetic and electrophysiological approaches ...

The Erwinia ligand-gated ion channel (ELIC) is a bacterial homologue of vertebrate Cys-loop ligand-gated ion channels. It is activated by GABA, and this property, combined with its structural similarity to GABA(A) and other Cys-loop receptors, makes it potentially an excellent model to probe their structure and function. Here we characterise the pharmacological profile of ELIC, examining the ef...

Activation of ionotropic gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA(A)) receptors depolarizes neurons that have high intracellular [Cl(-)], causing inhibition or excitation in different cell types. The depolarization often leads to inactivation of voltage-gated Na channels, but additional ionic mechanisms may also be affected. Previously, a simulated model of spider VS-3 mechanosensory neurons sugges...

A primary cell culture was developed for efferent dorsal unpaired median (DUM) neurons of the locust. The isolated somata were able to generate Tetrodotoxin (TTX)-sensitive action potentials in vitro. The alpha-like scorpion toxin BmK M1, from the Asian scorpion Buthus martensi Karsch, prolonged the duration of the action potential up to 50 times. To investigate the mechanism of action of BmK M...

Although a variety of lymphoid and myeloid precursors can generate thymic dendritic cells (DCs) under defined experimental conditions, the developmental origin(s) of DCs in the steady state thymus is unknown. Having previously used selective combinations of normal, parabiotic, and radioablated mice to demonstrate that blood-borne prothymocytes are imported in a gated and competitive manner, we ...

Cardiac fibroblasts regulate myocardial development via mechanical, chemical, and electrical interactions with associated cardiomyocytes. The goal of this study was to identify and characterize voltage-gated K(+) (Kv) channels in neonatal rat ventricular fibroblasts. With the use of the whole cell arrangement of the patch-clamp technique, three types of voltage-gated, outward K(+) currents were...

Introduction: Radiation-induced cardiovascular damage is a potential side effect of radiation therapy in patients with left-sided breast cancer. This prospective study compares the severity and reversibility of perfusion and functional abnormalities before, and six months after, 3D-Conformal radiation therapy treatment in left-side breast cancer patients with conventional and h...

Introduction: Gated SPECT myocardial perfusion scanning has new capabilities in addition to its main applications such as left ventricular dyssynchrony using phase analysis. Phase analysis has been investigated through various software including Emory Cardiac Toolbox (ECTb) and Quantitative Gated SPECT (QGS). The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of reconstruction par...