BACKGROUND The electrical activity of the atrioventricular node (AVN) is functionally heterogeneous, but how this relates to distinct cell types and the 3-dimensional structure of the AVN is unknown. To address this, we have studied the expression of Na(V)1.5 and other Na+ channel isoforms in the AVN. METHODS AND RESULTS The rat AVN was identified by Masson's trichrome staining together with ...

The transitional zone between the ventral part of the piriform cortex and the anterior cortical nucleus of the amygdala, named the cortex-amygdala transition zone (CxA), shows two differential features that allow its identification as a particular structure. First, it receives dense cholinergic and dopaminergic innervations as compared to the adjacent piriform cortex and amygdala, and second, i...

Though remarkably robust, articular cartilage becomes susceptible to damage at high loading rates, particularly under shear. While several studies have measured the local static and steady-state shear properties of cartilage, it is the local viscoelastic properties that determine the tissue's ability to withstand physiological loading regimens. However, measuring local viscoelastic properties r...

background and aims: immunohistochemical tests are one of the most important tests, which are under study to determine the prognosis of the cancers such as transitional cell carcinoma. by the time, flexible cystoscopy and urine cytology are the routine tests for following up the patients with transitional cell carcinoma, which are both operator dependent. on the other hand, cystoscopy is an inv...

Transitional B cells turn over rapidly in vivo and are sensitive to apoptosis upon BCR ligation in vitro. However, little direct evidence addresses their tolerance sensitivity in vivo. A key marker used to distinguish these cells is IgD, which, through alternative RNA splicing of H chain transcripts, begins to be coexpressed with IgM at this stage. IgD is also expressed at high levels on naive ...

Rodent whisking is an exploratory behavior that can be modified by sensory feedback. Consistent with this, many whisker-sensitive cortical regions project to agranular motor [motor cortex (MI)] cortex, but the relative topography of these afferent projections has not been established. Intracortical microstimulation (ICMS) evokes whisker movements that are used to map the functional organization...

BACKGROUND During the last decade, new Neogene fossil assemblages from South America have revealed important clues about the evolution of seabird faunas in one of the major upwelling systems of the world: the Humboldt Current. However, most of this record comes from arid Northern Chile and Southern Peru and, in consequence, our knowledge of the evolutionary history of seabirds in the temperate ...

PURPOSE To evaluate the effects of prostatic anatomical factors on male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and the peak flow rate (Qmax) in patients with small prostate volume (PV). MATERIALS AND METHODS Records were obtained from a prospectively maintained database of first-visit men with LUTS. Patients whose total PV (TPV) was greater than 30 mL were excluded; 444 patients were enrolled in...

PURPOSE The thulium laser is the most recently introduced technology for the surgical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Until recently, most thulium laser enucleation of the prostate (ThuLEP) was performed by use of the three-lobe technique. We introduce a novel one-lobe enucleation technique for ThuLEP called the "All-in-One" technique. We report our initial experiences here. ...