Role of pituitary adenylyl cyclase-activating polypeptide in intracellular calcium dynamics of neurons and satellite cells in rat superior cervical ganglia.

Pituitary adenylyl cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a bioactive peptide with diverse effects in the nervous system. The present study investigated whether stimulation of PACAP receptors (PACAPRs) induces responses in neurons and satellite cells of the superior cervical ganglia (SCG), with special reference to intracellular Ca ([Ca]) changes. The expression of PACAPRs in SCG was detected by reverse transcription-PCR.

P2Y purinoceptors mediate ATP-induced changes in intracellular calcium and amylase release in acinar cells of mouse parotid glands.

Adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) can act as an extracellular signal that regulates various cellular functions. The present study aimed to determine which purinoceptors play a role in ATP-induced changes in intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)]i) and amylase secretion in mouse parotid glands. ATP induced a steep increase in [Ca(2+)]i in acinar cells.

Evaluation of transcutaneous and end-tidal carbon dioxide levels during inhalation sedation in volunteers.

Measurement of end-tidal carbon dioxide (PETCO2) is useful because of its noninvasiveness, continuity, and response time when sudden changes in ventilation occur during inhalation sedation. We compared the accuracy of PETCO2 using a nasal mask and nasal cannula with the accuracy of transcutaneous carbon dioxide (TC-CO2) and determined which method is more useful during inhalation sedation in volunteers. We used a modified nasal mask (MNM) and modified nasal cannula (MNC) for measurement of PETCO2.

Effect of lidocaine on swine lingual and pulmonary arteries.

Purpose: Lidocaine has a biphasic action on smooth muscle of peripheral blood vessels, with vasoconstriction at low concentrations and vasodilation at higher concentrations. Many in vivo studies have demonstrated the effects of lidocaine on aortic or coronary arteries in several animals, but there are few reports about the effect on peripheral vessels. This study was designed to investigate the direct effects of lidocaine on peripheral vessels, namely swine lingual and pulmonary arterial rings.

Features of distinct contractions induced with a high and a low concentration of KCl, noradrenaline, and histamine in swine lingual artery.

We investigated the features of swine lingual artery contraction induced with different strengths of stimulation. Endothelium-denuded artery rings were contracted with two concentrations of KCl, noradrenaline, and histamine with or without Y-27632, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), 2,2-diphenyl-1,3,2-oxaza-borolidine internal salt (2- APB), and extracellular Ca2+. While stored at 5 degrees C up to 3 days, artery rings remained active to strong stimulation but became inactive to weak stimulation if prior warming was lacking.