Primary afferent depolarizations (PADs) are associated with presynaptic inhibition and antidromic discharges in both vertebrates and invertebrates. In the present study, we have elaborated a realistic compartment model of a primary afferent from the coxobasipodite chordotonal organ of the crayfish based on anatomical and electrophysiological data. The model was used to test the validity of shun...

Crystalline silicon thin film (c-Si TF) solar cells with an active layer thickness of a few micrometers may provide a viable pathway for further sustainable development of photovoltaic technology, because of its potentials in cost reduction and high efficiency. However, the performance of such cells is largely constrained by the deteriorated light absorption of the ultrathin photoactive materia...

PURPOSE To report of photic retinopathy induced by plasma arc welding, and the OCT (optical coherence tomography) results of damaged retinal lesions. METHODS We describe a case report of a 37-year-old male, working in the steel industry, who presented with central scotoma in both eyes. RESULTS On his first visit, one day after performing plasma arc welding with protective gear at work, his ...

The synthesis of inorganic-organic composites and mesoporous materials with structures and functions over different length scales has ramifications in diverse areas, such as large-molecule catalysis, biomolecule separations, miniaturization of electronic devices, chromatographic supports, the formation of semiconductor nanostructures, and the development of medical implants.1-8 The use of organ...

Methods have been developed for primary culture of large identified Aplysia neurons. Aplysia ganglia were treated with neutral protease to soften the connective tissue sheath. Individual neurons were isolated either by manipulation with tungsten needles or by tying off their axons with fine nylon filament and were immobilized in a chick plasma clot or a solution of methylcellulose. Somata up to...

We highlight recent reviews and reports on the use of micro and nanosystems to solve biological problems. The matching length scale allows microand nanotechnology to create tools for engineering biological systems at molecular and cellular levels. Simple microdevices such as reactors, microchannels and concentration generators with features on the order of micrometers make the implementation of...

The amount of cytoplasmic receptor for the steroid hormone, estradiol (E2), was determined in 46 nuclei and subdivisions of rat brain. Individual nuclei were removed from 300-micrometers frozen sections according to the punch-out method of Palkovits (Palkovits, M. (1973) Brain Res. 59: 449-450), and the content of E2 receptor was measured with a sensitive radioligand binding method. Cytoplasmic...

In the present study, endothelin (ET) agonists and receptor selective antagonists were used to characterize ET receptors mediating constriction in guinea pig mesenteric veins (250-300 micrometers diameter) in vitro. The contribution of ET-evoked vasodilator release to venous tone was also explored. Computer-assisted video microscopy was used to monitor vein diameter. Endothelin-1 (ET-1), endoth...

We have observed large pores in the membrane of giant vesicles in an aqueous medium. The lifetime of the pores can reach 2 min and their size (a few micrometers) enables their visualization by fluorescence microscopy. These pores are obtained thanks to a destabilization of the membrane due to the synergistic action of a cone-shaped and nitrobenzodiazole (NBD) labeled phospholipid illuminated in...