Involvement of sodium-glucose cotransporter-1 activities in maintaining oscillatory Cl currents from mouse submandibular acinar cells.

In salivary acinar cells, cholinergic stimulation induces elevations of cytosolic [Ca] to activate the apical exit of Cl through TMEM16A Cl channels, which acts as a driving force for fluid secretion. To sustain the Cl secretion, [Cl] must be maintained to levels that are greater than the electrochemical equilibrium mainly by Na-K-2Cl cotransporter-mediated Cl entry in basolateral membrane. Glucose transporters carry glucose into the cytoplasm, enabling the cells to produce ATP to maintain Cl and fluid secretion.

Molecular mechanisms in palatal rugae development.

Background: Periodic patterning of iterative structures is diverse across the animal kingdom. Clarifying the molecular mechanisms involved in the formation of these structures helps to elucidate the genetic commonality of developmental processes, as organs with these structures are believed to share the same molecular mechanisms and fundamental processes. Palatal rugae are periodic corrugated structures on the hard palate and are conserved in all mammals.

Primary cilia in murine palatal rugae development.

Periodic patterning of iterative structures is a fundamental process during embryonic development, since these structures are diverse across the animal kingdom. Therefore, elucidating the molecular mechanisms in the formation of these structures promotes understanding of the process of organogenesis. Periodically patterned ridges, palatal rugae (situated on the hard palate of mammals), are an excellent experimental model to clarify the molecular mechanisms involved in the formation of periodic patterning of iterative structures.

Continuous Intravenous Morphine Infusion for Severe Dyspnea in Terminally Ill Interstitial Pneumonia Patients.

Objective: The aims of this study were to evaluate the efficacy and safety of continuous morphine infusion for dyspnea in patients with acute exacerbation (AE) of end-stage interstitial pneumonia (IP).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study. Based on the subjective clinical effectiveness ratings of "good," "moderate," "poor," or "unknown," the efficacy of continuous morphine infusion treatment was evaluated as defined as symptom relief that was "good" or "moderate.

Marked Improvement with Pirfenidone in a Patient with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

A man in his mid-60's with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and hepatitis B-related liver cirrhosis developed exertional dyspnea and a dry cough lasting for three months. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) showed increasing bilateral ground-glass opacity superimposed on the usual interstitial pneumonia pattern. Six months after starting pirfenidone therapy, the partial pressure of arterial oxygen at rest increased from 81 to 101 torr, the predicted forced vital capacity (FVC) value increased from 75% to 94% and the ground-glass opacity on HRCT improved.