A muscarinic, GIRK channel-mediated inhibition of inspiratory-related XII nerve motor output emerges in early postnatal development in mice.

In neonatal rhythmic medullary slices, muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) activation of hypoglossal (XII) motoneurons that innervate the tongue has a net excitatory effect on XII inspiratory motor output. Conversely, during rapid eye movement sleep in adult rodents, XII motoneurons experience a loss of excitability partly due to activation of mAChRs. This may be mediated by activation of G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels.

Consuming Genistein Improves Survival Rates in the Absence of Laxative in ΔF508-CF Female Mice.

Genistein is a naturally occurring isoflavone found in soy. Genistein has been shown to increase the open probability of the most common cystic fibrosis (CF) disease-associated mutation, ∆F508-CFTR. Mice homozygous for the ∆F508 mutation are characterized with severe intestinal disease and require constant laxative treatment for survival.