Through modulation of cardiac Ca handling, UCP2 affects cardiac electrophysiology and influences the susceptibility for Ca -mediated arrhythmias.

What is the central question of this study? Knockdown of UCP2 reduces mitochondrial Ca uptake. This suggests that Ucp2 knockout mice need to have additional effects on cytosolic Ca handling to prevent Ca overload. However, the specific mechanisms and their impact on cardiac electrophysiology remain speculative.

Characteristics of coronary artery disease among patients with atrial fibrillation compared to patients with sinus rhythm.

Background: With a high prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), CAD is one of the main risk factors for AF. However, little is known about the characteristics of CAD in AF patients, especially whether a specific anatomical distribution of coronary artery stenoses might predispose an individual to AF via atrial ischemia remains speculative. To address this issue, we evaluated the potential associations between angiographic characteristics of CAD and AF.

Aquaporin expression and localization in the rabbit eye.

Aquaporins (AQPs) are important for ocular homeostasis and function. While AQP expression has been investigated in ocular tissues of human, mouse, rat and dog, comprehensive data in rabbits are missing. As rabbits are frequently used model organisms in ophthalmic research, the aim of this study was to analyze mRNA expression and to localize AQPs in the rabbit eye.

Brain and Retinal Pericytes: Origin, Function and Role.

Pericytes are specialized mural cells located at the abluminal surface of capillary blood vessels, embedded within the basement membrane. In the vascular network these multifunctional cells fulfil diverse functions, which are indispensable for proper homoeostasis. They serve as microvascular stabilizers, are potential regulators of microvascular blood flow and have a central role in angiogenesis, as they for example regulate endothelial cell proliferation.