Rhythmic Contractions of Lymph Vessels and Lymph Flow Are Disrupted in Hypertensive Rats.

Background: Hypertension increases the risk of lymphedema in patients with comorbidities, but whether hypertension directly compromises lymph vessel (LV) function and lymph flow is unclear. We compared the contractions of mesenteric LVs ex vivo and lymph flow in vivo between normotensive and Ang II (angiotensin II)-induced hypertensive rats and explored the ionic basis of contractile patterns. Key studies were recapitulated in spontaneously hypertensive rats and control Wistar-Kyoto rats.

A case-control study of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor use and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias among male and female patients aged 65 years and older supporting the need for a phase III clinical trial.

Background: Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5i) have been evaluated as a novel treatment for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD), but two recent cohort studies have offered opposing conclusions.

Methods: We performed an unmatched case-control study using electronic medical records from a large healthcare system to evaluate the association of PDE5i use and ADRD in patients ≥65 years old.

Results: Odds of PDE5i exposure were 64.

Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist inhibits arthrofibrosis in a post-traumatic knee immobilization model.

Background: Therapies for arthrofibrosis after knee surgery are needed to prevent loss of joint function. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonists (IL-1RA) have shown promise in treating established arthrofibrosis in pilot clinical studies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of intra-articular injection of IL-1RA to prevent knee joint contracture in a post-traumatic knee immobilization model.

Metoprolol Impairs 1-Adrenergic Receptor-Mediated Vasodilation in Rat Cerebral Arteries: Implications for -Blocker Therapy.

The practice of prescribing -blockers to lower blood pressure and mitigate perioperative cardiovascular events has been questioned because of reports of an increased risk of stroke. The benefit of -blocker therapy primarily relies on preventing activation of cardiac 1-adrenergic receptors (ARs). However, we reported that 1ARs also mediate vasodilator responses of rat cerebral arteries (CAs), implying that -blockers may impair cerebral blood flow under some conditions.

Using a Facebook group to facilitate faculty-student interactions during preclinical medical education: a retrospective survey analysis.

Background: Strong learner-teacher relationships are associated with more successful learning outcomes. With shortened modular curricula and increased availability of online resources, fostering faculty interaction with preclinical medical students has become more challenging. We sought to enhance learner-teacher relationships by engaging in discussion with preclinical medical students in their own online space.