In this study we examined the mechanism whereby atrial natriuretic peptide secretion is increased when the frequency of contraction is raised from 2 to 5 Hz. We tested the hypothesis that calcium plays a significant role in the frequency-stimulated response. Using superfused rat left atria, we found that lowering the superfusate calcium concentration from 1.8 to 0.2 mmol/L abolished the frequen...

Aldehyde fixation continues to be useful to prepare synapses for freeze-fracture, but it may increase the rate of transmitter release. The effects of different aldehyde fixatives on spontaneous quantal release (m.e.p.p.s), and on the corresponding synaptic vesicle exocytosis at frog nerve-muscle synapses were investigated with the hope of finding a way to minimize side effects of fixation. Incr...

Phonatory control by laryngeal movement is discussed by summarizing our two previous studies regarding the role of vertical larynx movement based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) observation. The first study focuses on a fundamental frequency (F0) control mechanism involving vertical larynx movement. Mid-sagittal images were recorded during vowel productions with a descending musical scale. ...

Objective(s): Dietary phytate is known to protect against azoxymethane (AOM)-induced preneoplastic lesions.  The present study was designed to determine whether dietary phytate affects mutation frequency in colon epithelial cells challenged with azoxymethane in vivo, through lowering the formation of O6-methyl guanosine (O6-MeG) and 8-hydroxy deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) ad...

BACKGROUND No definite consensus has been established about the optimal pressure for artificial pneumoperitoneum when performing laparoscopic surgery. It has been postulated that lowering intra-peritoneal pressure levels while performing general laparoscopic surgery would lower surgical complications including post-operative pain, but data remain scarce about significant operative complications...