Astrocytes are one of the most abundant cell types in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS), and astrocyte swelling is the primary event associated with brain edema. Glutamate, the principal excitatory amino acid neurotransmitter in the CNS, is released at high levels after brain injury including cerebral ischemia. This leads to astrocyte swelling, which we previously demonstrated is relat...

The defense of cell volume against excessive shrinkage or swelling is a requirement for cell function and organismal survival. Cell swelling triggers a coordinated homeostatic response termed regulatory volume decrease (RVD), resulting in K(+) and Cl(-) efflux via activation of K(+) channels, volume-regulated anion channels (VRACs), and the K(+)-Cl(-) cotransporters, including KCC3. Here, we sh...

We hypothesized that high extracellular K(+) concentration ([K(+)](o))-mediated stimulation of Na(+)-K(+)-Cl(-) cotransporter isoform 1 (NKCC1) may result in a net gain of K(+) and Cl(-) and thus lead to high-[K(+)](o)-induced swelling and glutamate release. In the current study, relative cell volume changes were determined in astrocytes. Under 75 mM [K(+)](o,) astrocytes swelled by 20.2 +/- 4....

The role of Ca++ in cell death is controversial. Extracellular Ca++ influx and calpain activation occurred during the late phase of renal proximal tubule cell injury produced by the mitochondrial inhibitor antimycin A. Chelation of intracellular Ca++, extracellular Ca++, the calcium channel blocker nifedipine, calpain inhibitor 1 and the dissimilar calpain inhibitor PD150606 blocked antimycin A...

We tested the possible role of endogenous protein kinase C (PKC) in the regulation of native volume-sensitive organic osmolyte and anion channels (VSOACs) in acutely dispersed canine pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC). Hypotonic cell swelling activated native volume-regulated Cl(-) currents (I(Cl.vol)) which could be reversed by exposure to phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (0.1 microM) or by ...

Imaging analysis techniques were used to examine changes in the intrinsic optical properties in hippocampal brain slices that occurred during synaptic activity evoked by Schaffer collateral stimulation in CA1. Repetitive synaptic activity was associated with an increase in light transmission in the synaptic region in stratum radiatum. The effect was seen at wavelengths of light between 450 and ...

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is caused by a deficiency in C1 esterase inhibitor and is characterized by sudden attacks of edema associated with discomfort and pain. The disease places patients at risk for disability and death if left untreated. Symptom severity and frequency can be extremely variable even among affected members of the same family. Attacks are not associated with inflammation or ...

soil is known as the base material for many structure, on the other hand, some soils cause problems for some structures such as roads. some types of soils absorb moisture and swell then they may shrink when losing water. the changes of moisture in these soil samples cause changes their volume and pressure to layers of the pavement and eventually leads to destruction of roads. therefore, it is n...