Chronic contractile activity of skeletal muscle induces an increase in mitochondria located in proximity to the sarcolemma [subsarcolemmal (SS)] and in mitochondria interspersed between the myofibrils [intermyofibrillar (IMF)]. These are energetically favorable metabolic adaptations, but because mitochondria are also involved in apoptosis, we investigated the effect of chronic contractile activ...

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in vasocontractile responses in atherosclerosis, using abdominal aortic strips isolated from Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbits and Japanese White (control) rabbits. The aortic strips from WHHL rabbits showed a significantly lower contractile response to angiotensin II than that in strips from control rabbits. The contractil...

Although peripapillary staphyloma and morning glory disc anomaly are rarely encountered, accurate differential diagnosis based on disc appearance is essential because of their similar presentations [1]. However, few cases of contractile peripapillary staphyloma and contractile morning glory disc anomaly have been reported. This study describes a rare case of contractile peripapillary staphyloma...

herein we report a case of primary leiomyosarcoma of testis, which was believed to originate from normal testicular structures.  it contained smooth muscle cells, blood vessels and contractile cells of the seminiferous tubules.  no evidence of tumor spread was found. treatment consisted of orchiectomy with high ligation of the spermatic cord.  the patient received no adjuvant therapy and there ...

ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel openers have a relaxation effect due to the lower cellular membrane potential and inhibit calcium influx. There has been considerable interest in exploring KATP channel openers in the treatment of various diseases such as cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and urinary system disease and premature labor. The purpose of this study was to synthesize 3,3,6,6-tet...

BACKGROUND Progressive left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction due to hypertension (HTN) alters left atrial (LA) contractile function in a predictable manner. While increased LA size is a marker of LV diastolic dysfunction and has been shown to be predictive of adverse cardiovascular outcomes, the prognostic significance of altered LA contractile function is unknown. METHODS A consecutive...

This study investigations the phenomenon of sustained mechanical alternans (SMA) through the use of quantitative criteria. Discrete analysis is used to demonstrate that the hemodynamic variables during SMA are governed by a simple mathematical relation. The analysis shows that the value of the slope created by the two alternating beats on the stroke volume (SV)-end-diastolic volume (EDV) plane ...

This investigation tested the notion that fatiguing stimulation induces intrinsic changes in the contractile apparatus and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and that these changes are initiated by elevated intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). Immediately after stimulation of frog semitendinosus muscle, contractile apparatus and SR function were measured. Despite a large decline in tetanic forc...

AIM Stretch is essential for maintaining the contractile phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells, and small non-coding microRNAs are known to be important in this process. Using a Dicer knockout model, we have previously reported that microRNAs are essential for stretch-induced differentiation and regulation of L-type calcium channel expression. The aim of this study was to investigate the im...

An incomplete understanding of the molecular events that regulate the myometrial transition from the quiescent pregnant state to the active contractile state during labor has hindered the development of improved therapies for preterm labor. During myometrial activation, proteins that prime the smooth muscle for contraction are upregulated, allowing maximal responsiveness to contractile agonists...