5HT(2A) and 5HT(2B) receptors contribute to serotonin-induced vascular dysfunction in diabetes.

Although 5HT(2A) receptors mediate contractions of normal arteries to serotonin (5HT), in some cardiovascular diseases, other receptor subtypes contribute to the marked increase in serotonin contractions. We hypothesized that enhanced contractions of arteries from diabetics to 5HT are mediated by an increased contribution from multiple 5HT receptor subtypes. We compared responses to selective 5HT receptor agonists and expression of 5HT receptor isoforms (5HT(1B), 5HT(2A), and 5HT(2B)) in aorta from nondiabetic (ND) compared to type 2 diabetic mice (DB, BKS.

Altered contribution of RhoA/Rho kinase signaling in contractile activity of myometrium in leptin receptor-deficient mice.

In late gestation, enhanced myometrial contractility is mediated in part through increased Rho/Rho kinase. Since leptin, which is elevated in pregnancy and obesity, can directly depress myometrial function, we hypothesized that in leptin receptor-deficient mice, myometrial contractility would be greater in late pregnancy due to increased Rho/Rho kinase activity. To test this, we correlated RhoA and Rho kinase expression to contractility in myometrium from nonpregnant (NP) and late-pregnant (P18) heterozygous leptin receptor-deficient mice (db/+) vs.

Sex-dependent differences in Rho activation contribute to contractile dysfunction in type 2 diabetic mice.

The objective of this study was to determine if mechanisms involved in vascular dysfunction in type 2 diabetes differ with sex. Vascular reactivity, expression, and activation of rhoA and rho kinase were measured in aorta from male and female nondiabetic C57BLKS/J and diabetic BKS.Cg-m(+/+) Lepr(db)/J (db/db) mice, a model of type 2 diabetes.

In vitro biomechanical comparison of pedicle screws, sublaminar hooks, and sublaminar cables.

Object: Three types of posterior thoracolumbar implants are in use today: pedicle screws, sublaminar titaniumcables, and sublaminar hooks. The authors conducted a biomechanical comparison of these three implants in human cadaveric spines.

Methods: Spine specimens (T5-12) were harvested, radiographically assessed for fractures or metastases, and their bone mineral density (BMD) was measured.