SK- and h-current contribute to the generation of theta-like resonance of rat substantia nigra pars compacta dopaminergic neurons at hyperpolarized membrane potentials.

Oscillation activities are the feature of neural network and correlated to different physiological states. The theta (θ) oscillation (2-7 Hz) has been reported in the basal ganglia, and the intrinsic resonance properties of individual neurons have provided a basis for this network oscillation. The basal ganglia neurons receive comprehensive modulation arising from dopaminergic (DA) neurons located in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), but how the oscillation is regulated in SNc DA neurons remains poorly understood.

Membrane resonance and its ionic mechanisms in rat subthalamic nucleus neurons.

The oscillatory activity in the basal ganglia is believed to have an important function, but little is known about its actual mechanisms. We studied the resonance characteristics of subthalamic nucleus (STN) neurons and their ionic mechanisms using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in rat brain slices. A swept-sine-wave current with constant amplitude and linearly increasing frequency was applied to measure the resonance frequency (f(res)) of STN neurons.

[Influence of epidural ropivacaine in combination with fentanyl for labor analgesia on the clinical outcome of labor].

Objective: To investigate the effect of epidural ropivacaine in combination with fentanyl for labor analgesia on the clinical outcome of labor.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted involving 281 healthy primiparas, including 106 undergoing spontaneous labor who received epidural 0.15% ropivacaine in combination with fentany (1microg/ml) and 175 without epidural analgesia.