Modulation of high-voltage activated Ca2+ channels in the rat periaqueductal gray neurons by mu-type opioid agonist

The effect of mu-type opioid receptor agonist, D-Ala2,N-MePhe4,Gly5-ol-enkephalin (DAMGO), on high-voltage-activated (HVA) Ca2+ channels in the dissociated rat periaqueductal gray (PAG) neurons was investigated by the use of nystatin-perforated patch recording mode under voltage-clamp condition. Among 188 PAG neurons tested, the HVA Ca2+ channels of 38 neurons (32%) were inhibited by DAMGO (DAMGO-sensitive cells), and the other 80 neurons (68%) were not affected by DAMGO (DAMGO-insensitive cells). The N-, P-, L-, Q-, and R-type Ca2+ channel components in DAMGO-insensitive cells shared 26.9, 37.1, 22.3, 7.9, and 5.8%, respectively, of the total Ca2+ channel current. The channel components of DAMGO-sensitive cells were 45.6, 25.7, 21.7, 4.6, and 2.4%, respectively. The HVA Ca2+ current of DAMGO-sensitive neurons was inhibited by DAMGO in a concentration-, time-, and voltage-dependent manner. Application of omega-conotoxin-GVIA occluded the inhibitory effect of DAMGO approximately 70%. So, HVA Ca2+ channels inhibited by DAMGO were mainly the N-type Ca2+ channels. The inhibitory effect of DAMGO on HVA Ca2+ channels was prevented almost completely by the pretreatment of pertussis toxin (PTX) for 8-10 h, suggesting that DAMGO modulation on N-type Ca2+ channels in rat PAG neurons is mediated by PTX-sensitive G proteins. These results indicate that mu-type opioid receptor modulates N-type HVA Ca2+ channels via PTX-sensitive G proteins in PAG neurons of rats.     

Cationic comb-type copolymers for DNA analysis

Genetic diagnoses, such as single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) typing, allow elucidation of gene-based physiological differences, such as susceptibility to diseases and response to drugs, among individuals. Many detection technologies, including allele-specific hybridization, allele-specific primer extension and oligonucleotide ligation, are being used to discriminate SNP alleles. These methods still have many unsolved practical issues. In general they require adequate and specific hybridizations of primer or probe DNAs with target DNAs. This frequently needs optimization of the probe/primer structures and operating conditions. In nature, highly homology-sensitive hybridization is assisted by a nucleic acid chaperone that reduces the energy barrier associated with breakage and reassociation of nucleic base pairs. Here we report a simple, quick, precise but enzyme-free method for SNP analysis. The method uses cationic comb-type copolymers (CCCs) producing high nucleic acid chaperone activities. A single-base mismatch in 20-mer DNA can be detected within a few minutes at ambient temperatures (25-37 degrees C). Even without careful optimization processes, the method has the sensitivity to detect the mismatches causing subtle changes (Delta T(m) equals approximately 1 degree C) in duplex thermal stability. CCCs may have various bioanalytical applications where precise hybridization of nucleic acids is needed.     

Frequency- and time-domain analyses of nonuniform lossy coupledtransmission lines with linear and nonlinear terminations

A new technique for the frequency- and time-domain characterization of nonuniform coupled transmission lines is presented in this paper. In the frequency domain, a method-of-moments-based approach is used to compute the 2N×2N scattering parameter matrix of the N-coupled lines using special frequency-dependent basis functions that give good accuracy over very large bandwidths. In the time domain, the structure's S-parameters are used as its Green's function and are combined with source and terminating load conditions to obtain its transient response. The proposed method can account for loss and is particularly suitable for wideband microwave component designs and ultrahigh-speed/large-bandwidth digital interconnects, including nonlinear terminating loads. A detailed formulation of both the frequency- and time-domain approaches is presented. Several examples of two- and three-line structures are analyzed and the results are compared to published results and other computer-aided-design simulations     

A performance analysis of a four‐leg inverter in two AC motor drives with independent vector control

This paper presents a performance analysis of a four‐leg inverter (FLI) in driving two motors with vector control. We show that an expanded two‐arm modulation (ETAM) known as a modulation method of a five‐leg inverter is applicable for the four‐leg inverter and we theoretically analyze a performance analysis of the four‐leg inverter in driving two motors with vector control. © 2006 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.