Liver infarctions as the first manifestation of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome in pregnancy: a case report.

Background: The differential diagnosis of abdominal pain in pregnant women is broad. Liver diseases as the origin of abdominal pain in pregnancy are rare, and severe forms occur in less than 0.1% of pregnancies.

Elevated blood pressure linked to primary hyperaldosteronism and impaired vasodilation in BK channel-deficient mice.

Background: Abnormally elevated blood pressure is the most prevalent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The large-conductance, voltage- and Ca2+-dependent K+ (BK) channel has been proposed as an important effector in the control of vascular tone by linking membrane depolarization and local increases in cytosolic Ca2+ to hyperpolarizing K+ outward currents. However, the BK channel may also affect blood pressure by regulating salt and fluid homeostasis, particularly by adjusting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.