https://apha.confex.com/apha/responses/129am/165.pdf

Effects of environmental change on emerging parasitic diseases.

Forced expression of gap junction proteins, connexins, enables gap junction-deficient cell lines to propagate intercellular calcium waves Here, we show that ATP secretion from the poorly coupled cell lines, C6 glioma, HeLa, and U373 glioblastoma, is potentiated 5- to 15-fold by connexin expression ATP release required purinergic receptor-activated intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and was inhibited by Cl− channel blockers Calcium wave propagation also was reduced by purinergic receptor antagonists and by Cl− channel blockers but insensitive to gap junction inhibitors These observations suggest that cell-to-cell signaling associated with connexin expression results from enhanced ATP release and not, as previously believed, from an increase in intercellular coupling

https://www.pnas.org/content/pnas/95/26/15735.full.pdf

Connexins regulate calcium signaling by controlling ATP release.

Comparative Biology of Calcium Signaling during Fertilization and Egg Activation in Animals

Talents that selectively facilitate the acquisition of high levels of skill are said to be present in some children but not others. The evidence for this includes biological correlates of specific abilities, certain rare abilities in autistic savants, and the seemingly spontaneous emergence of exceptional abilities in young children, but there is also contrary evidence indicating an absence of early precursors of high skill levels. An analysis of positive and negative evidence and arguments suggests that differences in early experiences, preferences, opportunities, habits, training, and practice are the real determinants of excellence.

/pdf/innate-talents-reality-or-myth-4mpttqghes.pdf

Innate talents: reality or myth?

Biophysical signaling, an integral regulator of long-term cell behavior in both excitable and non-excitable cell types, offers enormous potential for modulation of important cell functions. Of particular interest to current regenerative medicine efforts, we review several examples that support the functional role of transmembrane potential (Vmem) in the regulation of proliferation and differentiation. Interestingly, distinct Vmem controls are found in many cancer cell and precursor cell systems, which are known for their proliferative and differentiation capacities, respectively. Collectively, the data demonstrate that bioelectric properties can serve as markers for cell characterization and can control cell mitotic activity, cell cycle progression, and differentiation. The ability to control cell functions by modulating bioelectric properties such as Vmem would be an invaluable tool for directing stem cell behavior toward therapeutic goals. Biophysical properties of stem cells have only recently begun to be studied and are thus in need of further characterization. Understanding the molecular and mechanistic basis of biophysical regulation will point the way toward novel ways to rationally direct cell functions, allowing us to capitalize upon the potential of biophysical signaling for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.

Role of Membrane Potential in the Regulation of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation

Partial table of contents: CO2 and the Greenhouse Effect: Present Assessment and Perspectives (H. Oeschger) Chemical Pollution of the Environment: Past, Present and Future (M. Hoffmann) River Rhine: From Sewer to the Spring of Life (A. Zehnder) Assessing the Greenhouse Effect in Agriculture (R. Rabbinge, et al.) Food Quality and Human Nutrition (W. James) Human Tropical Diseases in a Changing Environment (D. Bradley) Human Respiratory Disease: Environmental Carcinogens and Lung Cancer Risk (J. Kleinjans, et al.) Radiation-Induced Disease (M. Bobrow) Global Epidemiology (P. Elliott) Environmental and Health Problems of Developing Countries (D. Bradley) Evolution and Environmental Change (J. Edwards) Indexes.

Environmental change and human health

Calcium Waves and Development Subcellular Organization of Calcium Signalling in Hepatocytes and the Intact Liver Calcium Puffs in Xenopus Oocytes Spiral Calcium Waves: Implications for Signalling Local Calcium Spiking in Pancreatic Acinar Cells Pancreatic Calcium Waves and Secretion Calcium Signalling During Chemotaxis Calcium Signalling and Localization of Endoplasmic Reticulum in Ascidian Oocytes Calcium Signalling in Cardiac Muscle Cells Calcium Sparks in Cardiac Muscle Intercellular Calcium Waves Mediated by Inositol Trisphosphate the Triggering of Astrocytic Calcium Waves by NMDA-induced Neuronal Activation Calcium Oscillations in Neurons Calcium Signalling During Mammalian Fertilization Regulation of Nuclear Calcium Concentration.

Calcium waves, gradients and oscillations

Partial table of contents: Giftedness and Intelligence: One and the Same? (D. Detterman). Psychological Profiles of the Mathematically Talented: Some Sex Differences and Evidence Supporting Their Biological Basis (C. Benbow & D. Lubinski). Genetics and High Cognitive Ability (R. Plomin & L. Thompson). The Early Lives of Child Prodigies (M. Howe). Musical Ability (J. Sloboda). Boys and Girls Who Reason Well Mathematically (J. Stanley). Scientific Ability (K. Heller). Accelerating Language Acquisition (W. Fowler, et al.). Can We Create Gifted People? (K. Ericsson, et al.). Closing Remarks (R. Atkinson). Indexes.

Kate Ackrill

Papers

Environmental change and human health

Calcium waves, gradients and oscillations

The Origins and Development of High Ability

Ciba Foundation Symposium 178 - The Origins and Development of High Ability

Ciba Foundation Symposium 188 - Calcium Waves, Gradients and Oscillations