Coupled gating of skeletal muscle ryanodine receptors is modulated by Ca2+, Mg2+, and ATP.

Coupled gating (synchronous openings and closures) of groups of skeletal muscle ryanodine receptors (RyR1), which mimics RyR1-mediated Ca(2+) release underlying Ca(2+) sparks, was first described by Marx et al. (Marx SO, Ondrias K, Marks AR. Science 281: 818-821, 1998).

Optogenetic regulation of leg movement in midstage chick embryos through peripheral nerve stimulation.

Numerous disorders that affect proper development, including the structure and function of the nervous system, are associated with altered embryonic movement. Ongoing challenges are to understand in detail how embryonic movement is generated and to understand better the connection between proper movement and normal nervous system function. Controlled manipulation of embryonic limb movement and neuronal activity to assess short- and long-term outcomes can be difficult.

Activation characteristics of transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 and its role in nociception.

Transient receptor potential (TRP) ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) is a Ca(2+)-permeant, nonselective cationic channel. It is predominantly expressed in the C afferent sensory nerve fibers of trigeminal and dorsal root ganglion neurons and is highly coexpressed with the nociceptive ion channel transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1). Several physical and chemical stimuli have been shown to activate the channel.

Medical problems of the elderly in nonmetropolitan Illinois.

Are the medical problems of the ambulatory elderly in a nonmetropolitan area different from the problems of the metropolitan elderly? What relation does the availability of physician resources in a nonmetropolitan area have to the care delivered to the elderly? The study involved an analysis of 965 patient records sampled from the office practices of 16 family practitioners and 12 general surgeons. Data were extracted using the survey instrument developed for the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (DHEW, 1974). Results were obtained describing patient status, presenting problems, principal diagnoses, reasons for visit, and disposition.