Activation of Ca1.2 and BK is involved in the downregulation of caffeine-induced contraction in mice mesenteric arteries.

Aims: Caffeine is a methylxanthine with multiple actions in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), including the increase in the intracellular Ca (Ca) concentration by the activation of ryanodine receptors (RyRs). The present study aimed at investigating the participation of Ca-influx through different Ca-channels on the transient contraction (TC) induced by caffeine in mice mesenteric arteries.

Main Methods: Second-order of mesenteric arteries was isolated from male Swiss mice.

Coracohumeral distance and coracoid overlap as predictors of subscapularis and long head of the biceps injuries.

Background: Subscapularis (SS) lesions are often underdiagnosed because of an incomplete understanding of contributing factors but also because of a greater difficulty in SS tear diagnosis with magnetic resonance imaging or physical examination. In this setting, predicting factors can be useful tools in these injuries' management. The goal of this study was to determine the influence of the coracohumeral distance (CHD) and coracoid overlap (CO) in anterior rotator cuff lesions, as well as to determine the CHD and CO values that can accurately predict SS and long head of the biceps (LHB) injuries.

The flavonoid dioclein is a selective inhibitor of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase type 1 (PDE1) and a cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) vasorelaxant in human vascular tissue.

The inhibitory effect of the flavonoid dioclein was assessed on purified vascular cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase isoforms (EC 3.1.4.

Angiotensin II increases evoked release at the frog neuromuscular junction through a receptor sensitive to A779.

Receptor mediated presynaptic modulation is a ubiquitous mechanism involved in synaptic plasticity. Here we show that angiotensin II increased quantal content at the frog neuromuscular junction. This presynaptic effect of angiotensin II was insensitive to losartan and PD123319, but was antagonized by a more potent partial agonist of the amphibian angiotensin receptor, L162313.

A lyophilized aqueous extract of Maytenus ilicifolia leaves inhibits histamine-mediated acid secretion in isolated frog gastric mucosa.

Lyophilized aqueous extract of Maytenus ilicifolia leaves (LAEMIL) is commonly used in Brazilian folk medicine in the treatment of dyspepsia as well as gastric ulcers. We have investigated the effect and the possible mechanism of action of the LAEMIL on acid secretion in isolated frog gastric mucosa incubated in an Ussing chamber. It was observed that LAEMIL (7-28 mg%) as well as cimetidine (125-4,000 microM), a well-known histamine H2 receptor antagonist, decreased basal acid secretion in a concentration-dependent manner.