Background and purpose: P2X7 receptors are ATP-gated cation channels mediating important functions in microglial cells, such as the release of cytokines and phagocytosis. Electrophysiological evidence that these receptors also occur in CNS astroglia is rare and rather incomplete. Experimental approach: We used whole-cell patch-clamp recordings to search for P2X7 receptors in astroglial-neuronal co-cultures prepared from the cerebral cortex of rats. Key results: All the astroglial cells investigated responded to ATP with membrane currents, reversing around 0 mV. These currents could be also detected in isolated outside-out patch vesicles. The results of the experiments with the P2X [a,bmethylene ATP and 2′-3′-O-(4-benzoyl) ATP] and P2Y receptor agonists [adenosine 5′-O-(2-thiodiphosphate), uridine 5′-diphosphate, uridine 5′-triphosphate (UTP) and UDP-glucose] suggested the involvement of P2X receptors in this response. The potentiation of ATP responses in a low divalent cation or alkaline bath, but not by ivermectin, made it likely that a P2X7 receptor is operational. Blockade of the ATP effect by the P2X7 antagonists Brilliant Blue G, calmidazolium and oxidized ATP corroborated this assumption. Conclusions and implications:Rat cultured cortical astroglia possesses functional P2X7 receptors. It is suggested that astrocytic P2X7 receptors respond to high local ATP concentrations during neuronal injury.

BackgroundA tight regulation of the Wnt-signaling network, activated by 19 Wnt molecules and numerous receptors and co-receptors, is required for the establishment of a complex organism. Different branches of this Wnt-signaling network, including the canonical Wnt/β-catenin and the non-canonical Wnt/PCP, Wnt/Ror2 and Wnt/Ca2+ pathways, are assigned to distinct developmental processes and are triggered by certain ligand/receptor complexes. The Wnt-signaling molecules are closely related and it is still on debate whether the information for activating a specific branch is encoded by specific sequence motifs within a particular Wnt protein. The model organism Xenopus offers tools to distinguish between Wnt-signaling molecules activating distinct branches of the network.ResultsWe created chimeric Wnt8a/Wnt11 molecules and could demonstrate that the C-terminal part (containing the BS2) of Wnt8a is responsible for secondary axis formation. Chimeric Wnt11/Wnt5a molecules revealed that the N-terminus with the elements PS3-1 and PS3-2 defines Wnt11 specificity, while elements PS3-1, PS3-2 and PS3-3 are required for Wnt5a specificity. Furthermore, we used Xenopus dorsal marginal zone explants to identify non-canonical Wnt target genes regulated by the Wnt5a branch and the Wnt11 branch. We found that pbk was specifically regulated by Wnt5a and rab11fip5 by Wnt11. Overexpression of these target genes phenocopied the overexpression of their regulators, confirming the distinct roles of Wnt11 and Wnt5a triggered signaling pathways. Furthermore, knock-down of pbk was able to restore convergent extension movements in Wnt5a morphants.ConclusionsThe N-terminal part of non-canonical Wnt proteins decides whether the Wnt5a or the Wnt11 branch of the Wnt-signaling network gets activated. The different non-canonical Wnt branches not only regulate cellular behavior, but, surprisingly, also regulate the expression of different target genes. One of these target genes, pbk, seems to be the relevant target gene executing Wnt5a-mediated regulation of convergent extension movements.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12915-016-0278-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background: Opportunities for care improvement exist within virtual care, which continues to emerge as an increasingly viable heath care option. Problem: Competing care priorities presented a challenge to nurse leaders, resulting in a modern solution to optimize resources using virtual care. Methods: A new model of care delivery, the virtual discharge (VDC) protocol, was established as a partnership between bedside nurses and a virtual nurse team. Interventions: Using existing telehealth technology, virtual nurses delivered remote discharge education to patients on a 30-bed orthopedic unit. Results: During the pilot, 269 VDC sessions totaled more than 101 hours of discharge education. Patient satisfaction communication scores improved significantly, and patients maintained a low 7-day readmission rate. Conclusion: This care model using emerging technology to deliver effective discharge education was highly satisfactory for patients and bedside nurses. Nurse leaders should seek opportunities to maximize the benefits of virtual technology in health care.