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Capsaicinoids are a family compounds in peppers that explicitly trigger the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) ion channel. TRPV1 of the body signals the brain that a food is spicy. It has been reported that capsaicinoid concentration can vary widely in peppers. In this study, the capsaicinoid concentration as a function of pepper color, pepper type, and the amount of nitrogen content in soil was determined from peppers bought or grown in Tennessee. Capsaicinoid concentration was determined in three different pepper types, including Jalapeno, Serrano, and Cayenne. A solid-liquid extraction was used to isolate the capsaicinoids, followed by UV-VIS spectroscopy to determine the amount of capsaicinoids in each pepper. The concentration of capsaicinoids in Jalapeno and Serrano peppers were not significantly different according to a pairwise t-test. However, Cayenne peppers have a lower concentration of capsaicinoids than Jalapeno or Serrano pepper. Our data indicated that the color of the pepper did not affect capsaicinoid concentration. Other factors, such as nitrogen content in fertilizer, can affect capsaicinoid concentration. Therefore, Cayenne peppers were planted by using store-bought seeds. After the seeds germinated, the plants were given different fertilizers. Miracle Gro fertilizer with 12% and 18% levels of nitrogen were used to treat the plants while the control did not receive fertilizer. According to the ANOVA followed by a Tukey comparison test, the results indicate that the capsaicinoid produced from plants treated with no fertilizer and plants treated with 12% nitrogen fertilizer were significantly different., Introduction Hot peppers or chilis are used in the food industry as flavoring and coloring agents in many different types of cuisines and products. Peppers are important economically as they [...]

Purpose: This study presents the results of acoustic and kinematic analyses of word-initial semivowels (/r, l, w/) produced by second-language (L2) speakers of English whose native language is Korean. In addition, the relationship of acoustic and kinematic measures to the ratings of foreign accent was examined by correlation analyses. Method: Eleven L2 speakers and 10 native speakers (first language [L1]) of English read The Caterpillar passage. Acoustic and kinematic data were simultaneously recorded using an electromagnetic articulography system. In addition to speaking rate, two acoustic measures (ratio of third-formant [F3] frequency to second-formant [F2] frequency and duration of steady states of F2) and two kinematic measures (lip aperture and duration of lingual maximum hold) were obtained from individual target sounds. To examine the degree of contrast among the three sounds, acoustic and kinematic Euclidean distances were computed on the F2-F3 and x-y planes, respectively. Results: Compared with L1 speakers, L2 speakers exhibited a significantly slower speaking rate. For the three semivowels, L2 speakers showed a reduced F3/F2 ratio during constriction, increased lip aperture, and reduced acoustic Euclidean distances among semivowels. Additionally, perceptual ratings of foreign accent were significantly correlated with three measures: duration of steady F2, acoustic Euclidean distance, and kinematic Euclidean distance. Conclusions: The findings provide acoustic and kinematic evidence for challenges that L2 speakers experience in the production of English semivowels, especially /r/ and /w/. The robust and consistent finding of reduced contrasts among semivowels and their correlations with perceptual accent ratings suggests using sound contrasts as a potentially effective approach to accent modification paradigms., Although accents are acknowledged as a natural component of spoken language, the strong market and need for foreign accent management services remain, as a foreign accent may affect a speaker's [...]

Since the 1970s, the potential benefit of fish intake in terms of noncommunicable diseases has been one of the most important themes in disease prevention. Epidemiological studies have revealed the extent to which fish consumption affects the incidence of and mortality from diseases. Meta-analyses summarized the effect of fish and long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid intake on noncommunicable diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases in Western countries. However, few reviews have spotlighted the effect of fish intake in East-Asian countries that have high population levels of fish intake such as Japan. We narratively reviewed the epidemiological studies concerned with the associations of fish and long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid intake with risk of noncommunicable diseases, mainly of cardiovascular disease, among Japanese, whose fish intake has been twice or more than that of most Westerners. Overall, fish or long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid intake may be beneficial for prevention of noncommunicable diseases, especially coronary heart disease and heart failure in Japanese as well as in Westerners. However, the beneficial effects of their intakes seemed to be nonlinear and varied according to disease severity and culture. Studies on other noncommunicable disease were also narratively reviewed., Author(s): Mitsumasa Umesawa [sup.1] [sup.2] , Kazumasa Yamagishi [sup.2] [sup.3] , Hiroyasu Iso [sup.2] [sup.4] Author Affiliations: (1) Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, Mibu, Japan (2) Department of Public [...]

Background Total serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] is considered the best marker of vitamin D status and used routinely in clinical practice. However, 25(OH)D is predominantly bound to vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP), and it has been reported that the free-25(OH)D and 25(OH)D loosely bound to albumin fraction correlates better with clinical outcomes. Methods We assessed total-25(OH)D, measured free-25(OH)D, and calculated free-25(OH)D and their relationship with VDBP and biomarkers of mineral metabolism in 61 children (22 CKD 2-3, 18 dialysis, and 21 post-transplant). Results Total-25(OH)D concentrations were comparable across the three groups (p = 0.09), but free- and bioavailable-25(OH)D (free- and albumin-25(OH)D) were significantly lower in the transplant group (both: p = 0.01). Compared to CKD and dialysis patients, the transplant group had significantly higher VDBP concentrations (p = 0.03). In all three groups, total-25(OH)D concentrations were positively associated with measured free-, calculated free-, and bioavailable-25(OH)D. Multivariable regression analysis showed that total-25(OH)D was the only predictor of measured free-25(OH)D concentrations in the dialysis group ([beta] = 0.9; R.sup.2 = 90%). In the transplant group, measured free-25(OH)D concentrations were predicted by both total-25(OH)D and VDBP concentrations ([beta] = 0.6, - 0.6, respectively; R.sup.2 = 80%). Correlations between parathyroid hormone with total-25(OH)D and measured and calculated free-25(OH)D were only observed in the transplant group (all: p < 0.001). Conclusions In transplanted patients, VDBP concentrations were significantly higher compared to CKD and dialysis patients, and consequently, free-25(OH)D concentrations were lower, despite a comparable total-25(OH)D concentration. We suggest that free-25(OH)D measures may be required in children with CKD, dialysis, and transplant, with further research required to understand its association with markers of mineral metabolism., Author(s): Evgenia Preka [sup.1] [sup.2] , Mandy Wan [sup.1] [sup.3] , Karen L Price [sup.2] , David A Long [sup.2] , Helen Aitkenhead [sup.4] , Rukshana Shroff [sup.1] [sup.2] Author [...]

SCN5A encodes the voltage-gated [Na.sup.+] channel [Na.sub.v]1.5 that is responsible for depolarization of the cardiac action potential and rapid intercellular conduction. Mutations disrupting the SCN5A coding sequence cause inherited arrhythmias and cardiomyopathy, and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) linked to SCN5A splicing, localization, and function associate with heart failure-related sudden cardiac death. However, the clinical relevance of SNPs that modulate SCN5A expression levels remains understudied. We recently generated a transcriptome-wide map of microRNA (miR) binding sites in human heart, evaluated their overlap with common SNPs, and identified a synonymous SNP (rs1805126) adjacent to a miR-24 site within the SCN5A coding sequence. This SNP was previously shown to reproducibly associate with cardiac electrophysiological parameters, but was not considered to be causal. Here, we show that miR-24 potently suppresses SCN5A expression and that rs1805126 modulates this regulation. We found that the rs1805126 minor allele associates with decreased cardiac SCN5A expression and that heart failure subjects homozygous for the minor allele have decreased ejection fraction and increased mortality, but not increased ventricular tachyarrhythmias. In mice, we identified a potential basis for this in discovering that decreased 5cn5a expression leads to accumulation of myocardial reactive oxygen species. Together, these data reiterate the importance of considering the mechanistic significance of synonymous SNPs as they relate to miRs and disease, and highlight a surprising link between SCN5A expression and nonarrhythmic death in heart failure., Introduction The onset and clinical course of heart failure is shaped by a complex interplay of environmental and genetic factors that influence a host of biological processes, including gene regulatory [...]

Polychaete worms are rich sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and are increasingly incorporated into aquaculture broodstock diets. Conventionally, the build-up of PUFA in polychaetes was considered passive, with direct accumulation along the food web, originating with microalgae and other primary producers. However, it has been argued that polychaetes (and other multicellular eukaryotes) are capable of PUFA biosynthesis through the elongation and desaturation of precursor lipids. We further test this hypothesis in the ecologically and economically important nereid polychaete Alitta virens by adopting a stable isotope labelling approach. Worms were fed a .sup.13C-1-palmitic acid (C16:0) enriched diet with the resulting isotopically enriched lipid products identified over a 7-day period. The data showed strong evidence of lipid elongation and desaturation, but with a high rate of PUFA turnover. A putative biosynthetic pathway is proposed, terminating with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) via arachidonic (AA) and eicosapentaenoic acids (EPA) and involving a [DELTA]8 desaturase., Author(s): Supanut Pairohakul [sup.1] [sup.3] , Peter J. W. Olive [sup.1] , Matthew G. Bentley [sup.2] , Gary S. Caldwell [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.1006.7, 0000 0001 0462 7212, School [...]

Heart failure (HF) has been referred to as the cardiovascular epidemic of our time. Understanding the molecular determinants of HF disease progression and mortality risk is of utmost importance. In this issue of the JCI, Zhang et al. uncover an important link between clinical HF mortality risk and a common variant that regulates SCN5A expression through microRNA-dependent (miR-dependent)mechanisms. They also demonstrate that haploinsufficiency of SCN5A is associated with increased accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a genetically engineered murine model. Their data suggest that even modest depression of SCN5A expression may promote pathologic cardiac remodeling and progression of HF., SCN5A expression in HF HF represents a final common pathway for a wide range of inherited and acquired cardiac conditions (1). Disease progression consists of a series of maladaptive responses, [...]

ABSTRACT Background: Essential oil from Cananga odorata (ylang-ylang essential oil, YYO) is usually used in reducing blood pressure, improving cognitive functioning in aromatherapy in human. Few reports showed its effect [...]

ABSTRACT Background: The increasing incidence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) infections has created a need for new effective drugs that also target extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) and/or augment the activities of [...]

The cardiovascular effects of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) are modulated by inputs from peripheral sensors and other brain regions. However, it currently remains unknown whether the manual acupuncture (MA) stimulation of different acupuncture points evokes different responses by the heart and vasculature, a phenomenon known as 'site specificity'. Sixty healthy subjects were randomly divided into a control group and MA stimulation groups at the lower leg, ear, abdomen, and forearm. MA was performed at 1 Hz for 2 min. A depressor response was observed only in the lower leg stimulation group, in which mean blood pressure significantly decreased from 83.4 [+ or -] 10.1 to 80.9 [+ or -] 11.7 mmHg (p < 0.003). A bradycardic response was elicited in all MA stimulation groups. There was no significant differences in the magnitude of the bradycardic response between groups. MA-induced cardiovascular responses, which may be mediated by the modulation of ANS, differ depending on acupuncture points. Keywords: Acupuncture, Blood pressure, Heart rate, Author(s): Hidehiro Nakahara[sup.1], Toru Kawada[sup.2], Shin-ya Ueda[sup.3], Eriko Kawai[sup.4], Hiromi Yamamoto[sup.5], Masaru Sugimachi[sup.2] and Tadayoshi Miyamoto[sup.6] Introduction Acupuncture is an alternative non-pharmacological modality for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases with [...]

Mangrove leaf litter, the dominant food of the detritivorous sesarmid crab Parasesarma erythodactyla, is highly deficient in nitrogen and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. We experimentally investigated potential contributions of the gut microbiota to the nutrition of P. erythodactyla by providing crabs with .sup.13C- and .sup.15N-labelled substrates that could lead to biosynthesis of key amino acids and fatty acids. Antibiotic treatment suppressed the gut microbiota of the crabs by reducing bacteria density to 9 and 52 % of those in the non-treated crabs in the amino acid and fatty acid experiments, respectively. Compound-specific isotopic analysis revealed significant .sup.13C-enrichments in threonine (Thr), isoleucine (Ile), phenylalanine (Phe), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in crabs fed .sup.13C-enriched glucose and palmitic acid, respectively, suggesting that these essential nutrients were de novo synthesized in the crab. Antibiotic treatment affected the incorporation of .sup.13C-label to Thr, suggesting an involvement of the gut microbes in the biosynthesis of this amino acid. On the contrary, levels of .sup.13C-enrichment in Ile, Phe, and DHA in crabs with intact and suppressed gut microbiota were comparable, suggesting that these compounds may be synthesized endogenously by the crab. Differences between crabs with and without an intact gut microbiota, however, may have been undetectable because of the high variability in .sup.13C-enrichment of these compounds and the incomplete removal of gut micro-organisms in the antibiotic-treated crabs. Genetic and biochemical capacities enabling the gut microbes to de novo synthesize Ile, Phe, and DHA, therefore, need to be verified by additional approaches., Author(s): T. H. Hanh Bui[sup.1] [sup.2] , Shing Yip Lee[sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) Australian Rivers Institute and School of Environment, Griffith University Gold Coast campus, 4222, Southport, QLD, Australia (2) [...]

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of vegetable oil enrichment of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells on their biochemical and biophysical properties. For this, RPE cells were incubated with 4 different vegetables oils (olive oil, corn oil, argan oil, and camelina oil). The cytotoxicity of these vegetable oils was assessed in vivo on 8-week-old mice and in vitro by using the neutral red and YO-PRO-1 tests. Membrane fluidity was evaluated by fluorescence anisotropy using the fluorescent probe diphenylhexatriene, and membrane fatty acid composition was assessed by gas chromatography. None of the oils tested displayed cytotoxic effects. In vitro, omega-3 rich oils improved membrane fluidity by 47% compared with the control cells. The omega-3 PUFA content within membranes decreased by 38% to 55% when cells were incubated separately with olive oil, corn oil, or argan oil, and increased when cells were incubated with a mixture of those oils, or with camelina oil alone (50% and 103% increase, respectively). Our results show that the fatty acids in vegetable oil incorporate into retinal cells and increase the plasma membrane fluidity. Key words: retinopathy, retina cells, vegetable oils. L'objectif de cette etude etait d'etudier l'effet de l'enrichissement des cellules de l'epithelium pigmentaire de la retine (RPE) avec de huiles vegetales sur leurs proprietes biochimiques et biophysiques. Quatre differentes huiles vegetales (huile d'olive, l'huile de mais, l'huile d'argan et d'huile de cameline) ont ete incubees avec les cellules RPE de la retine. La cytotoxicite de ces huiles vegetales a ete evaluee in vivo sur des souris agees de 8 semaines et in vitro en utilisant les tests du rouge neutre et YO-PRO-1. La fluidite de la membrane a ete evaluee par la mesure de l'anisotropie de fluorescence a l'aide une sonde fluorescente; le diphenylhexatriene, la composition de la membrane en acides gras a ete evaluee par chromatographie en phase gazeuse. Aucune des huiles testees ne presente un effet cytotoxique. In vitro, les huiles riches en omega-3 ameliorent la fluidite de la membrane de 47% par rapport aux cellules temoins. La teneur des AGPI omega-3 dans les membranes diminue de 38% a 55%, lorsque les cellules ont ete incubees separement avec de l'huile d'olive, l'huile de mais ou l'huile d'argan et augmente lorsque les cellules ont ete incubees avec de l'huile de cameline ou un melange de ces huiles (une augmentation de 103% et 50%, respectivement). Nos resultats montrent que les acides gras des huiles vegetales s'incorporent dans les cellules de la retine et accroissent la fluidite de la membrane plasmique. Mots-cles: la retinopathie, les cellules de la retine, les huiles vegetales., Introduction Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) performs functions crucial to the maintenance of the visual system (Nakashima et al. 2005). RPE regulates the lipid metabolism of the photoreceptors by catalysis of [...]

The abrupt cessation of effective cardiac function due to an aberrant heart rhythm can cause sudden and unexpected death at any age, a syndrome called sudden cardiac death (SCD). Annually, [...]

This study investigates the effects of astaxanthin (ASX) on insulin signaling and glucose metabolism in the liver of mice fed a high fat and high fructose diet (HFFD). Adult male Mus musculus mice of body mass 25-30 g were fed either normal chow or the HFFD. After 15 days, mice in each group were subdivided among 2 smaller groups and treated with ASX (2 mg x [(kg body mass).sup.-1]) in olive oil for 45 days. At the end of 60 days, HFFD-fed mice displayed insulin resistance while ASX-treated HFFD animals showed marked improvement in insulin sensitivity parameters. ASX treatment normalized the activities of hexokinase, pyruvate kinase, glucose-6-phosphatase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, glycogen phosphorylase, and increased glycogen reserves in the liver. Liver tissue from ASX-treated HFFD-fed animals showed increased tyrosine phosphorylation and decreased serine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrates (IRS)-1 and -2. ASX increased IRS 1/2 and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) association and serine phosphorylation of Akt. In addition, ASX decreased HFFD-induced serine kinases (c-jun N-terminal kinase-1 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1). The results suggest that ASX treatment promotes the IRS-PI3K-Akt pathway of insulin signaling by decreasing serine phosphorylation of IRS proteins, and improves glucose metabolism by modulating metabolic enzymes. Key words: hepatic insulin resistance, insulin signaling, astaxanthin, unbalanced diet, glucose metabolism. Cette etude examine les effets de l'astaxanthine (ASX) sur la signalisation de l'insuline et le metabolisme du glucose dans le foie de souris soumises a une diete riche en gras et en fructose (DRGF). Des souris males adultes d'un poids corporel de 25-30 g ont ete nourries soit a la moulee normale ou soumises a une DRGF. Apres quinze jours, les souris de chaque groupe ont ete divisees en deux et traitees avec l'ASX (2 mg x [(kg de poids corporel).sup.-1]) dans l'huile d'olive pendant 45 jours. A la fin des 60 jours, les souris soumises a la DRGF presentaient une resistance a l'insuline alors que les animaux soumis a la DRGF et traites a l'ASX presentaient une nette amelioration des parametres de sensibilite a l'insuline. Le traitement a l'ASX normalisait l'activite de l'hexokinase, de la pyruvate kinase, de la glucose-6-phosphatase, de la fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase, de la glycogene phosphorylase et augmentait la reserve de glycogene du foie. La phosphorylation sur tyrosine etait accrue dans le tissu hepatique des animaux traites a l'ASX soumis a la DRGF alors que la phosphorylation sur serine des substrats du recepteur de l insuline 1 et 2 (IRS-1, IRS-2) etait diminuee. L'ASX augmentait l'association de l'IRS1/2 a la phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) et la phosphorylation sur serine d'Akt. De plus, l'ASX diminuait les serine kinases induites par la DRGF (la c-jun N-terminal kinase et la extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1). Ces resultats suggerent que le traitement a l'ASX favorise la voie de signalisation de l'insuline IRS-PI3K-Akt en diminuant la phosphorylation sur serine des proteines IRS, et ameliore le metabolisme du glucose en modulant les enzymes metaboliques. Mots-cles : resistance a l'insuline hepatique, signalisation de l'insuline, astaxanthine, diete desequilibree, metabolisme du glucose. [Traduit par la Redaction], Introduction The consumption of a high calorie diet that is rich in both fat and refined sugar is suggested to be a key factor that accounts for the rising prevalence [...]

Ion channel function is fundamental to the existence of life. In metazoans, the coordinate activities of voltage-gated [Na.sup.+] channels underlie cellular excitability and control neuronal communication, cardiac excitation-contraction coupling, and skeletal muscle function. However, despite decades of research and linkage of [Na.sup.+] channel dysfunction with arrhythmia, epilepsy, and myotonia, little progress has been made toward understanding the fundamental processes that regulate this family of proteins. Here, we have identified [β.sub.IV]-spectrin as a multifunctional regulatory platform for [Na.sup.+] channels in mice. We found that [β.sub.IV]-spectrin targeted critical structural and regulatory proteins to excitable membranes in the heart and brain. Animal models harboring mutant [β.sub.IV]-spectrin alleles displayed aberrant cellular excitability and whole animal physiology. Moreover, we identified a regulatory mechanism for [Na.sup.+] channels, via direct phosphorylation by [β.sub.IV]-spectrin-targeted calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII). Collectively, our data define an unexpected but indispensable molecular platform that determines membrane excitability in the mouse heart and brain., Introduction Membrane excitability requires the coordinate function of precisely synchronized signaling networks. Inherent to this precision are evolved molecular pathways that compartmentalize specific signaling molecules to ensure tight spatial and [...]

ABSTRACT Anoectochilus formosanus HAYATA, a Chinese herb, is a valued folk medicine for fever, pain, and diseases of the lung and liver. Allergic asthma is characterized by increased serum IgE [...]

Voltage-activated sodium ([Na.sub.v]) channels are crucial for the generation and propagation of nerve impulses, and as such are widely targeted by toxins and drugs. The four voltage sensors in [Na.sub.v] [...]

Phenotypic overlap of type 3 long QT syndrome (LQT3) with Brugada syndrome (BrS) is observed in some carriers of mutations in the Na channel SCN5A. While this overlap is important for patient management, the clinical features, prevalence, and mechanisms underlying such overlap have not been fully elucidated. To investigate the basis for this overlap, we genotyped a cohort of 44 LQT3 families of multiple ethnicities from 7 referral centers and found a high prevalence of the E1784K mutation in SCN5A. Of 41 E1784K carriers, 93% had LQT3, 22% had BrS, and 39% had sinus node dysfunction. Heterologously expressed E1784K channels showed a 15.0-mV negative shift in the voltage dependence of Na channel inactivation and a 7.5-fold increase in flecainide affinity for resting-state channels, properties also seen with other LQT3 mutations associated with a mixed clinical phenotype. Furthermore, these properties were absent in Na channels harboring the T1304M mutation, which is associated with LQT3 without a mixed clinical phenotype. These results suggest that a negative shift of steady-state Na channel inactivation and enhanced tonic block by class IC drugs represent common biophysical mechanisms underlying the phenotypic overlap of LQT3 and BrS and further indicate that class IC drugs should be avoided in patients with Na channels displaying these behaviors., Introduction Congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) is characterized by the prolongation of the QT interval on surface ECGs and an increased risk of potentially fatal ventricular arrhythmias, especially torsade de [...]

Introduction Organ transplantation across a species barrier--xenotransplantation--has been attempted for over a century. Given the rapidly increasing gap between the organs required and those available for transplantation, over the last [...]

The main objective of the current study was to investigate the behavior of ablation plasma which was produced by irradiating pulsed ion-beam with a solid target of Al thin foil. The technique used here was called a forward expansion--beams irradiation and the ablation plasma expansion are in an opposite direction. A one-dimensional hydrodynamic model was used to simulate the dynamic of the target with a thickness of 9 [micro]m and the plasma. In this model, the internal energy together with both of the latent heat of fusion phenomenon and the latent heat of vapor are also taken into account. Physical parameters are presented in terms of ablated plasma temperature, pressure and the energy deposition distribution. Key words: Ablated plasma, numerical analysis, pulsed ion-beam, INTRODUCTION Ion-beams have been used for various applications, particularly in material sciences, such as evaporation, ion implementation and ion sputtering depending on voltage and current. For example, several megavolts intense [...]

In heart failure (HF), [Ca.sup.2+]/calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII) expression is increased. Altered [Na.sup.+] channel gating is linked to and may promote ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VTs) in HF. Calmodulin regulates [Na.sup.+] channel [...]

Phospholipase [A.sub.2] ([PLA.sub.2]) generates arachidonic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and lysophospholipids from neural membrane phospholipids. These metabolites have a variety of physiological effects by themselves and also are substrates for the [...]

Abstract: Shiga toxin (Stx) produced by enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli is a critical factor in the onset of hemolytic uremic syndrome. The current study was designed to assess whether n-3 and [...]

Author(s): Michael C. Sanguinetti (corresponding author) [1]; Martin Tristani-Firouzi [2, 3] Potassium-selective channels have diverse structures and functions. Roles for them include maintenance of the resting membrane potential in all [...]

Voltage-gated sodium channels (NaChs) are relevant targets for pain, epilepsy, and a variety of neurological and cardiac disorders. Traditionally, it has been difficult to develop structure-activity relationships for NaCh inhibitors [...]

Abstract Updated guidelines on the diagnosis of acute allograft rejection including criteria for biopsy specimen adequacy were published in 1999. We sought to determine the adequacy of specimens in paediatric [...]

doi:10.1152/physreve.00002.2005.--The heart is a rhythmic electromechanical pump, the functioning of which depends on action potential generation and propagation, followed by relaxation and a period of refractoriness until the next impulse [...]

doi:10.1152/physrev.00024.2004.--Voltage-gated sodium channels open (activate) when the membrane is depolarized and close on repolarization (deactivate) but also on continuing depolarization by a process termed inactivation, which leaves the channel refractory, [...]

Abstract Objective: This study tested whether FC-77, a perfluorochemical, inhibits inflammatory responses in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. The possible anti-inflammatory mechanisms involved were also investigated. Methods: RAW 264.7 [...]

Abstract Throughout childhood and adolescence, skeletal growth results in site-specific increases in trabecular and cortical dimensions and density. Childhood osteoporosis can be defined as a skeletal disorder characterized by compromised [...]

I. Introduction II. Long QT Syndrome III. [Na.sub.+] Channelopathies: [I.sub.Na], the Fast Voltage-Gated [Na.sub.+] Channel A. Mutations can result in multiple phenotypes B. The heterogeneous myocardial substrate C. Mutations and/or [...]

Author(s): S. D. Bentley (corresponding author) [1]; K. F. Chater [2]; A.-M. Cerdeño-Tárraga [1]; G. L. Challis [2, 3]; N. R. Thomson [1]; K. D. James [1]; D. E. Harris [...]

Deletion of amino-acid residues 1505-1507 (KPQ) in the cardiac SCN5A Na[sup.+] channel causes autosomal dominant prolongation of the electrocardiographic QT interval (long-QT syndrome type 3 or LQT3). Excessive prolongation of the action potential at low heart rates predisposes individuals with LQT3 to fatal arrhythmias, typically at rest or during sleep. Here we report that mice heterozygous for a knock-in KPQ-deletion (SCN5A[sup.[DELTA]/+]) show the essential LQT3 features and spontaneously develop life-threatening polymorphous ventricular arrhythmias. Unexpectedly, sudden accelerations in heart rate or premature beats caused lengthening of the action potential with early afterdepolarization and triggered arrhythmias in Scn5a[sup.[DELTA]/+] mice. Adrenergic agonists normalized the response to rate acceleration in vitro and suppressed arrhythmias upon premature stimulation in vivo. These results show the possible risk of sudden heart-rate accelerations. The Scn5a[sup.[DELTA]/+] mouse with its predisposition for pacing-induced arrhythmia might be useful for the development of new treatments for the LQT3 syndrome., Author(s): Dieter Nuyens [1]; Milan Stengl [2]; Saran Dugarmaa [4]; Tom Rossenbacker [1]; Veerle Compernolle [1]; Yoram Rudy [5]; Jos F. Smits [3]; Willem Flameng [6]; Colleen E. Clancy [5]; [...]

Author(s): Hanno L. Tan [1, 2, 3]; Margreet T. E. Bink-Boelkens [3, 4]; Connie R. Bezzina [1, 5]; Prakash C. Viswanathan [2]; Gertie C. M. Beaufort-Krol [4]; Peter J. van [...]

Emerging evidence suggests that the gut microbiota has a critical role in both the maintenance of human health and the pathogenesis of many diseases. Modifying the colonic microbiota using functional foods has attracted significant research effort and product development. The pioneering concept of prebiotics, as introduced by Gibson and Roberfroid in the 1990s, emphasized the importance of diet in the modulation of the gut microbiota and its relationships to human health. Increasing knowledge of the intestinal microbiota now suggests a more comprehensive definition. This paper briefly reviews the basics of the prebiotic concept with a discussion of recent attempts to refine the concept to open the door for novel prebiotic food ingredients, such as polyphenols, minerals and vitamins. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2016) 70, 1348-1353; doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2016.119; published online 6 July 2016, Author(s): R E Steinert [1]; M Sadaghian Sadabad [2]; H J M Harmsen [2]; P Weber [1] Introduction Emerging evidence suggests that the gut microbiota has a critical role in [...]

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), an omega-3 fatty acid abundant in fish oil, protects endothelial cells (EC) from lipotoxicity and triggers EC NO release. The latter is related to an elevation of cytosolic Ca.sup.2+. Although EPA has been shown to cause human EC cytosolic Ca.sup.2+ elevation, the mechanism is unclear. Microfluorimetric imaging was used here to measure free cytosolic Ca.sup.2+ concentration. EPA was shown to cause intracellular Ca.sup.2+ release in mouse cerebral cortex endothelial bEND.3 cells; interestingly, the EPA-sensitive intracellular Ca.sup.2+ pool(s) appeared to encompass and was larger than the Ca.sup.2+ pool mobilized by sarcoplasmic-endoplasmic reticulum Ca.sup.2+-ATPase inhibition by cyclopiazonic acid. EPA also opened a Ca.sup.2+ influx pathway pharmacologically distinct from store-operated Ca.sup.2+ influx. Surprisingly, EPA-triggered Ca.sup.2+ influx was Ni.sup.2+-insensitive; and EPA did not trigger Mn.sup.2+ influx. Further, EPA-triggered Ca.sup.2+ influx did not involve Na.sup.+-Ca.sup.2+ exchangers. Thus, our results suggest EPA triggered unusual mechanisms of Ca.sup.2+ release and Ca.sup.2+ influx in EC. Keywords: Eicosapentaenoic acid, Endothelial cells, Ca.sup.2+ release, Ca.sup.2+ influx, Author(s): King-Chuen Wu[sup.1,2], Kar-Lok Wong[sup.3], Mei-Ling Wang[sup.4], Lian-Ru Shiao[sup.4], Iat-Lon Leong[sup.5], Chi-Li Gong[sup.4], Ka-Shun Cheng[sup.3,6], Paul Chan[sup.7] and Yuk-Man Leung[sup.4] Introduction Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), an omega-3 fatty acid, is a [...]

KEY WORDS: high pressure, microbial ecology, growth physiology, membranes, PTk diagram CONTENTS INTRODUCTION DEEP-SEA HABITATS METHODS OF SAMPLING FOR MICROBIOLOGY HIGH PRESSURE LABORATORY TECHNIQUES Pressure Vessels Colony Formation at High [...]

To the Editor: In November 2007, a 69-year-old man with fever was hospitalized at the Northern Hospital in Marseilles, France. He also had diabetes, high blood pressure, and alcohol and [...]