Speed of Ca2+ channel modulation by neurotransmitters in rat sympathetic neurons

We have measured the onset and recovery speed of inhibition of N-type Ca2+ channels in adult rat superior cervical ganglion neurons by somatostatin (SS), norepinephrine (NE), and oxotremorine-M (oxo-M, a muscarinic agonist), using the whole cell configuration of the patch-clamp method with 5 mM external Ca2+. With a local perfusion pipette system that changed the solution surrounding the cell within 50 ms, we applied agonists at various times before a brief depolarization from -80 mV that elicited I(Ca). At concentrations that produced maximal inhibition, the onset time constants for membrane-delimited inhibition by SS (0.5 microM), NE (10 microM), and oxo-M (20 microM) were 2.1, 0.7, and 1.0 s, respectively. The time constants for NE inhibition depended only weakly on the concentration, ranging from 1.2 to 0.4 s in the concentration range from 0.5 to 100 microM. Inhibition by oxo-M (20 microM) through a different G-protein pathway that uses a diffusible cytoplasmic messenger had a time constant near 9 s. The recovery rate constant from membrane-delimited inhibition was between 0.09 and 0.18 s(-1), significantly higher than the intrinsic GTPase rate of purified G protein Go, suggesting that Ca2+ channels or other proteins in the plasma membrane act as GTPase activating proteins. We also measured the rate of channel reinhibition after relief by strong depolarizing prepulses, which should reflect the kinetics of final steps in the inhibition process. In the presence of different concentrations of NE, reinhibition was four to seven times faster than the onset of inhibition, indicating that the slowest step of inhibition must precede the binding of G protein to the channel. We propose a kinetic model for the membrane-delimited NE inhibition of Ca2+ channels. It postulates two populations of receptors with different affinities for NE, a single population of G proteins, and a single population of Ca2+ channels. This model closely simulated the time courses of onset and recovery of inhibition and reinhibition, as well as the dose-response curve for inhibition of Ca2+ channels by NE.     

Identification and Ds-tagged isolation of a new gene at the Cf-4 locus of tomato involved in disease resistance to Cladosporium fulvum race 5

Hexokinase type I (HK I; ATP: D-hexose 6-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.1), the predominant glucose-phosphorylating enzyme in red blood cells, exists in human erythrocytes in multiple molecular forms that differ in isoelectric point and are separable by ion-exchange chromatography. The major forms, designated HK Ia, Ib and Ic, have similar kinetic properties but are characterized by different age-dependent decay and different intracellular distribution in reticulocytes. HK Ib, which elutes between HK I and HK II in the DEAE ion-exchange chromatography, appears to be unique to RBCs and different from any other hexokinase isozyme previously described. Indeed, Murakami and Piomelli recently reported the presence of a specific HK isozyme (named HKr) expressed in K562 cells and in human reticulocytes and, moreover, the resolution of the human HK I gene structure provided the direct evidence of an erythroid-specific exon 1. To further investigate the microheterogeneity of HK I in human RBCs we established a prokaryotic expression system for the HKr isozyme, using the pET plasmid, inducible with IPTG. The recombinant HKr, expressed in bacterial cells as a catalytically active enzyme, was purified to homogeneity by a combination of DEAE ionexchange chromatography followed by hydrophobic interaction chromatography and dye-ligand affinity chromatography. The kinetic and chromatographic properties of the homogeneous recombinant HKr suggest that this erythroid-specific HK isozyme in fact corresponds to the HK isoform previously described in human RBCs and referred to as HK Ib.     

Quantitative Measurement of Cortical Surface Features in Localization-Related Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.

Differences in cortical surface features between healthy controls (n = 48) and patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (n = 46), ages 14-59, were characterized by means of advanced quantitative MRI processing techniques. Cortical surface features of interest included gyral and sulcal curvature, cortical depth, and total cortical surface area. Epilepsy patients and controls differed on measures of gyrification; the abnormalities generalized despite the focal nature of the primary epileptic process. Changes in cortical surface features were associated with increasing chronological age in both groups. Abnormalities in gyrification were associated with cognitive performance and with other morphometric measurements (e.g., surface cerebral spinal fluid). These findings are related to the literature regarding morphometric changes associated with temporal lobe epilepsy and normal aging. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A Cube Model for Competency Development: Implications for Psychology Educators and Regulators.

This article provides a conceptual framework for training in professional psychology focused on the construct of competency. The authors present a 3-dimensional competency model delineating the domains of knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values that serve as the foundation required of all psychologists, the domains of functional competencies that broadly define what psychologists do, and the stages of professional development from doctoral education to lifelong learning through continuing education. The goal in presenting this model is to provide a conceptual frame of reference for those responsible for psychology education, credentialing, and regulation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Differentiation of Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria innocua by 16S rRNA genes and intraspecies discrimination of Listeria monocytogenes strains by random amplified polymorphic DNA polymorphisms

Differences in the 16S rRNA genes (16S rDNA) which can be used to discriminate Listeria monocytogenes from Listeria innocua have been detected. The 16S rDNA were amplified by polymerase chain reaction with a set of oligonucleotide primers which flank a 1.5-kb fragment. Sequence differences were observed in the V2 region of the 16S rDNA both between L. monocytogenes Scott A and L. innocua and between different L. monocytogenes serotypes. Although L. monocytogenes SLCC2371 had the same V2 region sequence as L. innocua, the two species were different within the V9 region at nucleotides 1259 and 1292, in agreement with previous studies (R.-F. Wang, W.-W. Cao, and M.G. Johnson, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 57:3666-3670, 1991). Intraspecies discrimination of L. monocytogenes strains was achieved by using the patterns generated by random amplified polymorphic DNA primers. Although some distinction can be made within the L. monocytogenes species by their 16S rDNA sequence, a far greater discrimination within species could be made by generating random amplified polymorphic DNA patterns from chromosomal DNA. By using a number of 10-bp primers, unique patterns for each isolate which in all cases examined differentiate between various L. monocytogenes serotypes, even though they may have the same 16S rRNA sequences, could be generated.     

Noncoherent decorrelative detection for nonorthogonal multipulsemodulation over the multiuser Gaussian channel

This paper introduces the problem of noncoherent detection for nonorthogonal multipulse modulation in the context of the synchronous multiuser Gaussian channel. Each user sends an M-ary information symbol by transmitting one of M possibly nonorthogonal waveforms. Furthermore, the M signals of one user are allowed to be correlated with the signals of all other users. A key idea proposed here is that of a noncoherent decorrelative receiver front end. Like its counterpart in single-pulse modulation, this front end eliminates multiuser interference. It therefore reduces the multiuser detection problem into decoupled single-user problems over equivalent noise-enhanced single-user channels. Each equivalent single-user channel is rather general and can be described as one where the waveforms employed are not only correlated, but are also of unequal energies. Several new results pertaining to the design and analysis of optimum and suboptimum noncoherent detectors for this single-user channel are obtained. In the multiuser channel, these detectors constitute the post-decorrelative processing units for each user     

Image simulation using Monte Carlo methods: Electron beam and detector characteristics

The rapid increase of computer speed allows using Monte Carlo simulation procedures for the analysis of complicated structures not only in a line scan mode but also in a three-dimensional approach similar to the scanning procedure in a scanning electron microscope. Simulation of image formation is a vital link in performing image analysis to obtain precise measurements, to provide the necessary connection between image parameters and structural dimensions, and to reflect important microscope beam and detector parameters. Monte Carlo simulation based on a single-scattering procedure was used for backscattered electron image simulation of three-dimensional multilayer and multielement structures. The procedure takes into account the effect of a solid state detector's electrical and angular characteristics and the effect of the electron beam dimensions on the image quality and artifacts.     

The effect of task complexity on reaction times in memory scanning and visual discrimination in Parkinson's disease

Within the context of the bradyphrenia debate, two experiments designed to measure the cognitive speed of Parkinson patients (PD) were conducted with 58 subjects. The experiments took the form of a high-speed memory scanning task using memory sets consisting of one-six words or one-six abstract figures. In a visual discrimination task, two simultaneously presented abstract images had to be compared, the complexity of the images being varied through four stages. Motor response was constant, reaction time was the dependent variable. PD differed from matched controls in the level (significant only in scanning) but in neither experiment in the slope of reaction time curves. Interaction group x complexity (MANOVA) was not significant. Correlations between disease parameters and a 'complexity effect' measure were low throughout. However, the link to general intelligence was significant. The findings contradict the conventional bradyphrenia hypothesis.