Model studies of the role of mechano-sensitive currents in the generation of cardiac arrhythmias.

Mechano-electrical feedback is studied by incorporating linear, instantaneously activating mechano-sensitive conductances into single cardiac cell models, as well as one- and two-dimensional cardiac network models. The models qualitatively reproduce effects of maintained mechanical stretch on experimentally measured action potential characteristics such as amplitude, maximum diastolic potential, peak upstroke velocity, and conduction velocity. Models are also used to simulate stretch-induced depolarizations, action potentials, and arrhythmias produced by pulsatile volume changes in left ventricle of dog.

Anti-prostatic activity of bifluranol, a fluorinated bibenzyl.

1 Endocrine and anti-fertility studies were carried out on a fluorinated bibenzyl, bifluranol, in rats and mice. 2 A potent anti-prostatic activity of bifluranol was shown to be comparable to diethylstilboestrol (DES). In contrast, its oestrogenic potency by the oral route was about eight times less than that of DES.

Effects of blood glucose levels on aspirin-induced gastric mucosal damage.

In female rats aspirin-induced gastrin mucosal damage was increased and glycoprotein synthesis decreased by fasting and by insulin administration. Glucose added to the drinking water during the fasting period reduced mucosal damage and increased glycoprotein synthesis to control levels. Alloxan diabetes did not affect mucosal damage or glycoprotein synthesis.