BACKGROUND Cytosol Ca2+ overload plays a vital role in ischemic neuronal damage, which is largely contributed by the Ca2+ influx through L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (L-VGCCs) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) type glutamate receptors. In this article, L-VGCCs were activated by depolarization to investigate the cross-talk between NMDA receptors and L-VGCCs. METHODS Depolarization was i...

Several lines of evidence suggest that neuronal mitochondria accumulate calcium when the cytosolic free Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) is elevated to levels approaching approximately 500 nM, but the spatial, temporal, and quantitative characteristics of net mitochondrial Ca uptake during stimulus-evoked [Ca(2+)](i) elevations are not well understood. Here, we report direct measurements of d...

Glucose and insulin are important regulators of islet beta-cell growth and function by activating signaling pathways resulting in transcriptional changes that lead to adaptive responses. Several immediate early genes have been shown to be rapidly induced by glucose-activated depolarization in islet beta-cells. The current studies address aspects of glucose-regulated transcription: 1) the number...

The diurnal pattern of the vertical distribution of biogenic pollen in the lower troposphere was investigated by LIDAR. Meteorological data were taken at the ground. Pollen concentrations were measured at the surface using a Burkard 7-day-recording volumetric spore sampler. Aerosol extinction coefficients and depolarization ratios at 532 nm were obtained from LIDAR measurements in spring (4 May...

Cortical spreading depolarization is a metabolically costly phenomenon that affects the brain in both health and disease. Following severe stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, or traumatic brain injury, cortical spreading depolarization exacerbates tissue damage and enlarges infarct volumes. It is not known, however, whether spreading depolarization also occurs in the retina in vivo. We report now ...

Introduction: The functional effects of orexin-B on the calcium spikes and excitability of the neuronal soma membrane of garden snail, Helix aspersa were studied. Methods: Conventional intracellular recording, under the current clamp conditions was performed to examine the effects of orexin-B on the configuration and electrophysiological properties of calcium spikes. Results: Application o...