Roles and regulation of the cardiac sodium channel Nav1.5: Recent insights from experimental studies

During the past decade, Nav1.5, the main voltage-gated Na+ channel in the heart, has been shown to be involved in many cardiac diseases. Genetic variants in the gene SCN5A, encoding Nav1.5, have been linked to various cardiac phenotypes, such as the congenital and acquired long QT syndromes, Brugada syndrome, conduction slowing, sick sinus syndrome, atrial fibrillation, and even cases of dilated cardiomyopathy. This unexpected phenotypic diversity may reflect that Nav1.5 is not only restricted to the initiation of the action potential and rapid cardiac conduction, but may also be involved in other, not-yet elucidated, functions. Despite the fact that our understanding of the regulation of expression, localization, and function of Nav1.5 is deepening, we are still far from a comprehensive view. Much of our current knowledge has been obtained by carrying out experiments using "cellular expression systems”, e.g. host cells expressing exogenous Nav1.5. Although very informative, these techniques are limited, in that Nav1.5 is not expressed in the physiological cellular environment of a cardiac cell. Recently, however, there have been several studies published which used approaches closer to "normal” or pathological physiology. In an attempt to summarize recently published data, this article will review the phenotypes of genetically-modified mouse strains where Nav1.5 expression and activity are directly or indirectly modified, as well as the regulation of Nav1.5 function using native cardiac myocytes. Despite obvious limitations, the reviewed studies provide an overview of the complex multi-factorial and multi-protein regulation of Nav1.

On the Stereochemistry of the Lone-Pair Electrons in AX6E-Systems: Dynamically Distorted Anion in (NH4)2SeBr6, Statically Distorted Anion in l, 3-Propanediammonium-Hexabromoselenate(IV) (C3N2H12)SeBr6

Using 293 K diffractometer intensity data, the crystal structures of (NH4)2SeBr6 (1) and [H3N(CH2)3NH3]SeBr6 (2) have been determined by single crystal X-ray technique and refined to a final Rw of 0.049 and 0.040, respectively. The dark red crystals of 1 are cubic (space group Fm3m) with a = 10.478(2) Å and Z = 4. This structure contains SeBe62- octahedra (point symmetry m3̄m, distance Se-Br: 2.577(2) Å in an antifluorite type arrangement of cations and anions. In contrast, the SeBr fi 2-ion in 2 is statically distorted (approximate point symmetry 3m, distance Se-Br min. 2,547(2), max. 2.595(2) Å. The dark red crystals are orthorhombic (space group Pnma) with a = 17.795(3), b = 7.5037(6), c = 10.476(1) Å and Z = 4. The results agree with the rules for the appearance of a static/dynamic stereochemical effect of the lone pair electrons given for TeX62- (X = Cl, Br, I) species (W. Abriel, Acta Crystallogr. B 42, 449 (1986)). Consequently these rules can be extended considering SeX62- as well. Basic structural data for all compounds containing AX62- ions (A = Se, Te; X = Cl, Br, I) known to date are given including the ⊿-values (R. D. Shannon, Acta Crystallogr. A 32, 751 (1976)) as a measure for the distortion of the octahedral anion

Analyzing the Minority Experience Through Poetic Inquiry

Poetic inquiry is the process by which the author unearths key words from the data and strategically truncates these words into poetic structures.The following poems utilize this process in order to articulate the findings of a two-year qualitative study investigating the minority experience at a predominantly white institution (PWI).This qualitative study employed eight semi-structured interviews and was conducted at a mid-sized, public University in the Chesapeake region of the United States. All participants identified as a racial minority on the predominantly white campus and their varied experiences represent the heterogeneity of the minority experience on campus. Keywords: minorities, predominantly white institutions, campus environment, poetic inquir

The California Way: An Analysis of California’s Immigrant-Friendly Changes to its Criminal Laws

Immigration falls exclusively within the federal government’s purview, and states are generally prohibited from legislating in the area of immigration. At the same time, however, a large number of individuals are subject to deportation, denial of admission, and denial of immigration benefits based upon convictions of state crimes, over which states generally have exclusive authority. At a time when both the federal government and some states seem determined to expand the immigration consequences of even relatively minor criminal con- duct, is there anything states can do to protect their noncitizen re- sidents? Surprisingly, yes, quite a bit. California, for example, considers the term “Californian” to cover all of its residents, whether they are citizens, lawful permanent residents, or present without law- ful status. This approach has led the state to enact a series of changes to its criminal statutes to reduce, in thoughtful and innovative ways, the immigration effect of some criminal conduct. Because the Califor- nia Legislature is not the final authority in determining whether a criminal history will result in immigration consequences, its changes are only as effective as their implementation by California courts and recognition by the federal immigration authorities

Vibronische Kopplung und dynamisch verzerrte Strukturen in Hexahalogenotelluraten(IV): Ergebnisse aus Tieftemperatur-Röntgenbeugungsuntersuchungen (300—160 K) und aus FTIR-spektroskopischen Experimenten (300—5 K) [1]

From theoretical considerations a dynamically distorted octahedron as a result of vibronic coupling between the ground state and the first excited state should exist for 14 electron AX6E systems like TeX62- . A high symmetry crystal field yielding at least a center of symmetry for the Te position stabilizes this fluctuating structure, otherwise statical distortion will be observed. From X-ray diffraction experiments on antifluorite type compounds A2TeX6 (A = Rb. Cs: X = Cl, Br) the averaged structure (m3̅m symmetry) of the anions was found even at very low temperatures. The thermal parameters are not significantly different from those of similar SnX62 compounds. Distortions therefore are very small and are evident from FTIR spectroscopic meas­urements only. Here very broad T1u-deformation vibration bands are observed down to tempera­tures <10 K without splitting: Astatically distorted species could not be frozen out. In contrast to XeF6 for TeX62- the energy gap between the threefold, fourfold or sixfold minima of the potential surface (according to the symmetry of one component of the T1u-vibration) is very small and shifted to temperatures lower than reached with the devices used for these experiments