Purpose: Retigabine is a novel anticonvulsant drug that not only augments gamma-aminobutyric acid mechanisms, but also opens voltage gated K+ channels (KCNQ). In this study we investigated the effects of retigabine on detrusor activity in rats. Materials and Methods: To conscious, female Sprague-Dawley rats undergoing continuous cystometry retigabine was given intravenously (0.5, 1 and 5 mg/kg(-1)

An experimental and theoretical study of the effect of flow maldistribution from port to channel on the thermal performance of single and multipass plate heat exchangers is presented. In general, flow maldistribution brings about an increase in pressure drop and decrease of the thermal performance in heat exchangers. This deterioration is found to depend on flow rate, number of channels, and port

ere should be fitness costs associated with the defense, otherwise it should be permanent. Thus, in the absence of predators and with limited resources, defended individuals are expected to be outcompeted by individuals lacking the costly defense. Crucian carp, Carassius carassius, increase in body depth in response to chemical stimuli from piscivorous fish, and the deeper body constitutes a morph

Observations of mercury lines in the HgMn stars chi Lupi and HR 7775 made with the Hubble Space Telescope Goddard High Resolution Spectrograph are presented and analyzed. In chi Lupi we find that all observed lines are consistent with the same isotopic mixture (essentially pure (204)Hg). Strong ionization anomalies are present, with UV Hg I lines being too weak and Hg III lines too strong for the

Objective: In this study we aimed to estimate the magnitude of a possible increase in risk of adverse outcome in fetuses with normal karyotype and increased nuchal translucency (NT), and to determine bow well NT measurements can distinguish between fetuses with normal and adverse outcome. Methods: We studied 16260 consecutive fetuses with normal karyotype derived from an unselected pregnant popula

An extensive research program on combustible wall lining materials has been carried out in Sweden. Several lining materials were tested in full scale room tests and 1/3 scale model room tests for two different scenarios, A and B. Scenario A refers to the case where walls and ceiling are covered by the lining material, scenario B where lining materials are mounted on walls only. A model is presente

Culture of dispersed smooth muscle cells is known to cause rapid modulation from the contractile to the synthetic cellular phenotype. However, organ culture of smooth muscle tissue, with maintained extracellular matrix and cell-cell contacts, may facilitate maintenance of the contractile phenotype. To test the influence of culture conditions, structural, functional, and biochemical properties of r

Many promising robotics research results were obtained during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Some examples include Cartesian force control and advanced motion planning. Now, 20 years and many research projects later, many technologies still have not reached industrial usage. An important question to consider is how this situation can be improved for future deployment of necessary technologies. To

This study examines processes of transnational alliance-building among political parties in the European Union (EU). It is associated with theories of transnational relations, neofunctionalist integration theory and domestic politics approaches to international co-operation and integration. The overall aim of the study is to contribute to the understanding and growth of knowledge of transnational

With the application of a homology screening strategy, including PCR amplification and southern blot hybridization, a novel cDNA was cloned from rat liver and anterior pituitary libraries. It was found to encode a 371-amino acid protein which has the characteristics of a heptahelix receptor and shows structural identity to members of the chemoattractant receptor family. A primary receptor message