The mechanisms by which voltage-gated channels sense changes in membrane voltage and energetically couple this with opening of the ion conducting pore has been the source of significant interest. In voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels, much of our knowledge in this area comes from Shaker-type channels, for which voltage-dependent gating is quite rapid. In these channels, activation and deacti...

The aims of the study are to develop a non-invasive animal model of circular motion exercise and to evaluate the effect of this type of exercise on bone turnover in young rats. The circular motion exercise simulates isometric exercise using an orbital shaker that oscillates at a frequency of 50 Hz and is capable of speeds from 0-400 rpm. A cage is fixed on top of the shaker and the animals are ...

Charged residues in the S4 transmembrane segment play a key role in determining the sensitivity of voltage-gated ion channels to changes in voltage across the cell membrane. However, cooperative interactions between subunits also affect the voltage dependence of channel opening, and these interactions can be altered by making substitutions at uncharged residues in the S4 region. We have studied...

the oromandibular-limb hypogenesis syndrome comprises a group of anomalies which simultaneously affect the mandible, tongue, and maxilla with or without reductive limb anomalies. it is characterized by failure of development of the intraoral region and distal extremities. multiple and variable deformities of the mandible, maxilla and tongue may occur in combination with a variety of limb defect...

pediatric traumatic limb amputations are rare and their acute and long term management can be challenging in this subgroup of patients. the lengthy and costly hospital stays, and resulting physical and psychological implications leads to significant morbidity. we present a summary of treatment principles and the evidence base supporting the management options for this entity. the initial manage...

introduction: depending on mode, intensity and length of application, and stage of development, the low-frequency electromagnetic fields (lfes) can induce a wide variety of biological effects in organisms. the chick limb bud is a powerful experimental system for study pattern formation in vertebrate embryo. the aim of this study was to examine the effects of an application lfes (50hz, 50g) on c...

Abnormal biomechanical properties of the sacroiliac joints are believed to be related to low back and pelvic pain. Presently, physiotherapists judge the condition of the sacroiliac joints by function and provocation tests, and palpation. No objective measuring device is available. Research is ongoing to identify the biomechanical properties of the sacroiliac joints from the dynamic behaviour of...

Recent evidence suggest that exposure to volatile anesthetic agents causes a change in conductance through an undelineated potassium channel. With recently developed genetic and molecular techniques the Drosophila melanogaster (D.m.) genome can be manipulated to study the role that potassium ion channel function plays in anesthetic action. The IA potassium channel is encoded by the Shaker (Sh) ...

The musculo-skeletal response of athletes to various activities during training exercises has become a critical issue in order to optimize their performance and minimize injuries. However, dynamic and kinematic measures of an athlete's activity are generally limited by constraints in data collection and technology. Thus, the choice of reliable and accurate sensors is crucial for gathering data ...

Four subfamilies of voltage-gated K"*" channels {Shaker, Shal, Shab and Shaw) have been defined that are present in many species to regulate neuronal excitability. The well characterized simple leech nervous system is ideal to study the roles K+ channels have in regulating neuronal circuits. As a starting point for studies to examine the role of K+ channels in well defined leech circuitry, we r...