Intracellular calcium signaling induced by thapsigargin in excitable and inexcitable cells.

Signaling between intracellular Ca2+ stores and cell membrane channels or transporters is important to Ca(2+)-based second messenger systems. Two hypotheses, the capacitative and the Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+)-influx models have been proposed to explain aspects of this signaling. In this study, we examined the applicability of these models in neuroendocrine (PC12), neuronal (dorsal root ganglion), immune (spleen), and fibroblast (3T3) cells.

Correctness of racial coding of American Indians and Alaska Natives on the Washington State death certificate.

Underestimation of death rates for specific races can obscure health problems and impair the ability of public programs to prevent premature death and disability. For accurate race-specific death rates, the racial classification of both the population at risk and the decreased population must be accurately ascertained. However, studies suggest that the American Indian (AI) and Alaska Native (AN) races may be not be accurately recorded on the death certificate.

Interactions between cellular respiration and thermoregulation in the paramecium.

An important adaptation to hypoxia is a regulated reduction in body temperature because it lowers metabolic rate when oxygen supply is limited. Although this beneficial response occurs in organisms ranging from protozoans to mammals, little is known of the cellular mechanisms responsible for the hypoxia-induced reduction in temperature. Using the unicellular protozoan, Paramecium caudatum, we showed that inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation with sodium azide (NaN3) under normoxic conditions mimics the thermoregulatory effects of hypoxia, causing this species to select a lower temperature in a thermal gradient (P < 0.

Alcohol-induced changes in the immune response: immunological effects of chronic ethanol intake are genetically regulated.

Experimental evidence on the immunomodulating effects of ethanol is contradictory and, in animals, the immunological effects of long-term alcohol intake may depend on the age of animal, amount of alcohol consumed, and nutritional composition of the administered diet. In this study, immunological effects of pair-feeding a 35% ethanol-containing Bio-Serv liquid diet for 6 weeks were evaluated using two major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-compatible inbred strains of rats (F344 and LEW). Food intake, rate of gain in body weight, and percentages of B cells, T cells, and T cell subtypes were not affected by ethanol intake.

Characteristics of CD4+ T cells which transfer murine AIDS (MAIDS).

The murine acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (MAIDS) is caused in susceptible C57BL/6 (B6) mice by a defective murine leukemia virus (MuLV) and resembles human AIDS in several respects. The disease is characterized by hypergammaglobulinemia, polyclonal B cell activation, lymphadenopathy, and generalized immunosuppression within 5-8 weeks postinfection. The virus has been shown to infect B cells and macrophages and both T and B cells are required for MAIDS development.

A new function for lactate in the toad Bufo marinus.

In the amphibian Bufo marinus, progressive hypoxia below a critical PO2 elicits a transient 50% increase in O2 consumption that coincides with the onset of lactate formation. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that lactate causes the observed rise in metabolic rate. Arterial bolus infusions of pH-neutral sodium lactate solutions (4 mmol/kg body wt) in toads maintained under hypoxia actually elicit a similar increase in metabolic rate.

Responses of salivary acinar cells to intracellular alkalinization.

Responses of rat submandibular acini to intracellular alkalinization were investigated. Intracellular alkalinization was induced by addition of NH4Cl or methyl amines, or by prepulse with Na butyrate. Only partial recovery occurred following Na butyrate prepulse or methylated amine addition, but full recovery was observed following addition of NH4Cl.

Role of central chemoreceptors in behavioral thermoregulation of the toad, Bufo marinus.

We tested the hypothesis that hypercapnia will induce behavioral hypothermia in toads and that central chemoreceptors are involved in this response. Animals were tested in an enclosed temperature gradient supplied with different gas mixtures. Fractional inspired CO2 (FICO2) between 0 and 0.

Characterization of cDNA encoding basic fibroblast growth factor of the marsupial Monodelphis domestica.

We have isolated and characterized a 1,593-bp cDNA containing the coding region of the basic fibroblast growth factor (BFGF) gene of a marsupial, the opossum Monodelphis domestica. The encoded protein is 156 amino acids long. The BFGF gene of M.

Enhanced pyrimidine dimer repair in cultured murine epithelial cells transfected with the denV gene of bacteriophage T4.

The patch size for excision repair of ultraviolet radiation (UV)-induced pyrimidine dimers was determined in cultured murine epithelial cells with normal and enhanced pyrimidine dimer repair capabilities. Cells with enhanced pyrimidine dimer repair were produced by transfecting 308 cells with the denV gene of bacteriophage T4; this gene encodes the enzyme endonuclease V. Pyrimidine dimer repair following exposure to UV from an FS-40 sunlamp was determined by micrococcal dimer-specific nuclease digestion and alkaline sucrose ultracentrifugation.

Smoking prevalence during pregnancy for women who are and women who are not Medicaid-funded.

Maternal smoking has been related to a number of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Although maternal smoking prevalence has decreased over time, certain populations have retained a high smoking prevalence and remain at high risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study used the Washington State First Steps Program Database to estimate the difference in maternal smoking prevalence between mothers whose prenatal or delivery care was Medicaid-funded and mothers whose care was not Medicaid-funded.

Muscarinic signaling pathway in submandibular cells of adult and early postnatal rats.

Elements of the muscarinic signal transduction pathway were compared in submandibular acinar cells of 1-day-old, 1-week-old, and adult rats after exposure to concentrations of acetylcholine ranging from 0.05 to 10 microM. Formation of inositol trisphosphate (IP3) and intracellular Ca2+ were comparable in cells from the three age groups after exposure to agonist concentrations < 1 microM.