Common human SCN5A polymorphisms have altered electrophysiology when expressed in Q1077 splice variants.

Background: Eight common (>0.5%) polymorphisms of SCN5A have been described in the US population. Every human also continuously generates two wild-type (WT) splice variants, one with a glutamine residue at position 1077 (Q1077) and one lacking this glutamine (Q1077del).

A trafficking defective, Brugada syndrome-causing SCN5A mutation rescued by drugs.

Background: The human cardiac SCN5A gene encodes for the alpha subunit of the human cardiac voltage-dependent sodium channel hNav1.5 [Neuron 28 (2) (2000) 365] and carries inward Na current (INa). Mutations in SCN5A cause arrhythmia syndromes including Brugada syndrome (BrS) and congenital long QT syndrome subtype 3 (LQT3).

[Counteraction against alcoholism in religious letters of 18th century].

The Polish historiography talks at length about the problem of alcoholism in Poland in the 18th century. Estimates were made about the scale and consumption of alcoholic beverages. Many records are available today, mainly in the form of diaries, which describe the extent of drunkenness at that time.

Fluorescent microscopy of hematoporphyrin derivative in the nude mouse tumor model.

Mechanisms for localization of hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) within malignant tissue and for tumor necrosis after photodynamic therapy have not yet been established with certainty. We describe a modified freeze-drying technique to study these mechanisms. Normal tissues and squamous cell carcinoma xenografts were examined in nude mice after administration of HPD.

The nude mouse xenograft system: a model for photodetection and photodynamic therapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Mechanisms for hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) localization in malignant tissue and in photodynamic therapy (PDT) have not been established. The authors' experience with human cancer xenografts in nude mice as a tumor system for the experimental study of these mechanisms is described. Human mucosal head and neck squamous cell carcinoma was successfully transplanted to nude mice in 29 per cent of trials and serially passed through multiple generations in three tumor lines.