We identified major subunits of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) involved in excitatory postsynaptic potential and intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)]i) increase in the major pelvic ganglion (MPG) neurons of the male rat. ACh elicited fast inward currents in both sympathetic and parasympathetic MPG neurons. Mecamylamine, a selective antagonist for alpha3beta4 nAChR, potently inhibited the ACh-induced currents in sympathetic and parasympathetic neurons (IC(50); 0.53 and 0.22 microM, respectively). Furthermore, alpha-conotoxin AuIB (10 microM), a new selective antagonist for alpha3beta4 nAChR, blocked more than 80% of the ACh-induced currents in MPG neurons. Conversely, alpha-bungarotoxin, alpha-methyllycaconitine, and dihydro-beta-erythroidine, known as blockers of the alpha7 or alpha4beta2, did not show selective blocking effects on MPG neurons. ACh transiently increased [Ca(2+)]i which was subsequently abolished in the extracellular Ca(2+)-free environment. Simultaneous recording of [Ca(2+)]i and ionic currents revealed that ACh increased [Ca(2+)]i under the conditions of the voltage-clamped (at -80 mV) state, and this resulted from the influx through nAChR itself. ACh-induced [Ca(2+)]i increase was blocked by mecamylamine (10 microM), but was not affected by atropine (1 microM). RT-PCR analysis showed that, among subunits of nAChR, alpha3 and beta4 were predominantly expressed in MPG. We suggest that activation of alpha3 and beta4 nAChR subunits in MPG neurons induce fast inward currents and [Ca(2+)]i increase, possibly mediating a major role in pelvic autonomic synaptic transmission.

: Purinergic stimulation has inhibitory activity on glucose-dependent insulin secretion through the activation of the P2X7 receptor, whereas it has enhancing effect through the activation of the P2Y11 receptor in HIT-T15 cells.

Purpose:The purpose of this study was to identify the characteristics of doctoral dissertations in nursing science submitted since 2000. Method: Three-hundred and five dissertations of six schools of nursing published from 2000 to 2006 in Korea were analyzed with the categories of philosophy, method, body of knowledge, research design, and nursing domain. Result: In philosophy, 82% of all dissertations were identified as scientific realism, 15% were relativism, and 3% were practicism. Two-hundred and fifty dissertations (82%) were divided into a quantitative methodology and 55 dissertations (18%) were qualitative methodology. Specifically, 45% were experimental, 23% methodological, 13% survey and 17% qualitative designed researches. Prescriptive knowledge was created in 47% of dissertations, explanatory knowledge in 29%, and descriptive knowledge in 24%. Over 50% of all research was studied with a community-based population. In the nursing domain, dissertations of the practice domain were highest (48.2%). Conclusion: Dissertations since 2000 were markedly different from the characteristics of the previous studies (1982)(1983)(1984)(1985)(1986)(1987)(1988)(1989)(1990)(1991)(1992)(1993)(1994)(1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999) in the increase of situation-related, prescriptive and community-based population studies. A picture of current nursing science identified in this study may provide a future guideline for the doctoral education for nursing.

The results revealed that relieving general weakness should be given high priority in nursing interventions for patients undergoing cancer treatment. In addition, nursing programs should be developed that can reinforce family support.

The results show that it is necessary to develop more alternative linkages for nursing practice and this will lead to expanding nursing knowledge.