T-type voltage-gated Ca channels do not contribute to the negative feedback regulation of myogenic tone in murine superior epigastric arteries.

T-type voltage-gated Ca channels (CaV3.2 VGCC) have been hypothesized to control spontaneous transient outward currents (STOCs) through large-conductance Ca-activated K channels (BK), and contribute to the negative-feedback regulation of myogenic tone. We tested this hypothesis in superior epigastric arteries (SEAs) isolated from male C57BL/6 mice.

Increased amplitude of inward rectifier K currents with advanced age in smooth muscle cells of murine superior epigastric arteries.

Inward rectifier K channels (K) may contribute to skeletal muscle blood flow regulation and adapt to advanced age. Using mouse abdominal wall superior epigastric arteries (SEAs) from either young (3-6 mo) or old (24-26 mo) male C57BL/6 mice, we investigated whether SEA smooth muscle cells (SMCs) express functional K channels and how aging may affect K function. Freshly dissected SEAs were either enzymatically dissociated to isolate SMCs for electrophysiological recording (perforated patch) and mRNA expression or used intact for pressure myography.

Screening, prevalence, and risk factors for cervical lesions among HIV positive and HIV negative women in Swaziland.

Background: Cervical Cancer (CC) is the number one cancer among women in sub-Saharan Africa. Although CC is preventable, most women in developing countries do not have access to screening.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors for cervical lesions using visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) among 112 HIV positive and 161 negative women aged 18-69 years.