The role of gap junctions in endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF)-mediated relaxation of human arteries was assessed using connexin mimetic peptides (CMPs) designated (37,43)Gap27, (40)Gap27, and (43)Gap26 according to homology with the major vascular connexins (Cx37, Cx40, and Cx43). Resistance arteries were obtained from subcutaneous fat biopsies of healthy pregnant women undergo...

In order to describe the relative predominance of lactate oxidation and fermentation under conditions of biological sulfate reduction, kinetic constants ( max and Ks) were determined. Chemostat cultures under various conditions were employed. The kinetics of sulfate reduction and lactate utilization were investigated at residence times 1 to 5 d and feed sulfate concentrations of 1.0 to 10.0 g l...

OBJECTIVES The recommended zolpidem starting dose was lowered in females (5 mg vs. 10 mg) since side effects were more frequent and severe than those of males; the mechanism underlying sex differences in pharmacokinetics (PK) is unknown. We hypothesized that such differences were caused by known sex-related variability in alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) expression. METHODS Male, female, and castr...

We tested the hypothesis that overstretching the myocardium could induce and/or exacerbate contractile dysfunction via stretch-activated (SA) ion channels. Maximum developed tension (T(max)), normalized to a control value, was compared in guinea pig papillary muscles held at one of three resting lengths (physiological stretch, overstretch, and unloaded) for 85 min. Overstretched muscles exhibit...

Infection with Leishmania major is enhanced when the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis salivary peptide maxadilan (MAX) is injected along with the parasite. Here we determined the effect that MAX has on the secretion of cytokines and nitric oxide (NO) and on parasite survival in macrophages (MPhis). The cytokines produced by MPhis can enhance a type 1 response, which will increase NO and the killi...

PURPOSE To assess the effects of K(+)-channel blockers on bradykinin-induced relaxations in porcine ciliary artery. METHODS Vascular isometric forces were measured with a myograph system. Ciliary vascular rings were precontracted with thromboxane A2 analog (U 46619, 10(-7) M) to assess dose-dependent (10(-10)-3 x 10(-6) M) bradykinin-induced relaxation after addition of one of the following: ...

In this paper, bi-matrix games are investigated based on L-R fuzzy variables. Also, based on the fuzzy max order several models in non-symmetrical L-R fuzzy environment is constructed and the existence condition of Nash equilibrium strategies of the fuzzy bi-matrix games is proposed. At last, based on the Nash equilibrium of crisp parametric bi-matrix games, we obtain the Pareto and weak Pareto...

This study was designed to investigate the effect of exercise intensity on cardiorespiratory fitness and coronary heart disease risk factors. Maximum oxygen consumption (Vo(2 max)), lipid, lipoprotein, and fibrinogen concentrations were measured in 64 previously sedentary men before random allocation to a nonexercise control group, a moderate-intensity exercise group (three 400-kcal sessions pe...

Maximal aerobic capacity (Vo(2max)) decreases progressively with age, primarily because of a reduction in maximal cardiac output (Q(max)). This age-associated decline in Vo(2max) may be partially mediated by the development of oxidative stress that can suppress beta-adrenergic-receptor responsiveness and, consequently, reduce Q(max). To test this hypothesis, Vo(2max) (indirect calorimetry) and ...