A selective inhibitor of the sperm-specific potassium channel SLO3 impairs human sperm function.

To fertilize an oocyte, the membrane potential of both mouse and human sperm must hyperpolarize (become more negative inside). Determining the molecular mechanisms underlying this hyperpolarization is vital for developing new contraceptive methods and detecting causes of idiopathic male infertility. In mouse sperm, hyperpolarization is caused by activation of the sperm-specific potassium (K) channel SLO3 [C.

The Relationship Between Ambulatory Arterial Stiffness Index and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Women.

Background: The ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI) obtained during ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) has been cited as an independent predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) including cardiovascular death, stroke and worsening chronic kidney disease (CKD) among mixed-sex adult populations. This study aimed to determine the relationship between AASI and MACE and its predictive precision in women.

Methods: This work follows the guidelines of the STROBE initiative for cohort studies.

Right ventricular contractile reserve in tetralogy of Fallot patients with pulmonary regurgitation.

Background: The right ventricular (RV) contractile reserve is a measure of the dynamic function of the RV and is a sensitive indicator of volume load. This can be measured noninvasively using the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) during exercise. We studied the RV contractile reserve of patients after tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair with varying degree of RV dilation and pulmonary regurgitation (PR), and compared them to a control group.

Percutaneous coronary intervention to anomalous right coronary artery and retained piece of guidewire in the coronary vasculature.

The incidence of anomalous origin of the coronary arteries varies between 0.2% and 1.2%; the anomalous right coronary artery accounting for 6--27% of all the cases.