Notch signaling regulates the differentiation of bone marrow-derived cells into smooth muscle-like cells during arterial lesion formation.

Bone marrow- (BM-) derived cells can differentiate into smooth muscle-like cells (SMLC), resulting in vascular pathogenesis. However, the molecular mechanism of the differentiation remains unknown. We have recently reported that Notch signaling promotes while a Notch target HERP1 inhibit the differentiation of mesenchymal cells to SMC.

Respiratory muscle electromyogram and mouth pressure during isometric contraction.

When extra-diaphragmatic muscles are activated progressively under approximately isometric conditions, we expect a corresponding increase in respiratory muscle output. Therefore, we examined relative recruitment shown as the latency to onset of EMG activity, and the relationship between mouth pressure and electromyogram activity of the neck accessory and transversus abdominis (TRANS) muscles during respiratory maneuvers against occlusion. Fine wire electrodes were inserted into the scalene (SCLN), sternocleidomastoid (STERNO), trapezius (TRAPZ) and TRANS in six awake, healthy subjects.

Nitric oxide released from iNOS in polymorphonuclear leukocytes makes them deformable in an autocrine manner.

The objective of this study was to determine whether endogenous nitric oxide (NO) derived from reaction catalyzed by the inducible isoform of NO synthase (iNOS: NOS II) in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) makes the PMNs deformable. Previous studies have shown that NO increases the deformability of PMNs and decreases the sequestration of PMNs in the lungs. However, there was little information regarding the effect of PMN-derived NO on the cells' deformability.

Expression of neurotrophins and their receptors in peripheral lung cells of mice.

Neurotrophins play an essential role in nerve systems. Recent reports indicated that neurotrophins [nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), and neurotrophin-4/5 (NT-4/5)] have numerous effects on non-neural cells, especially on immune cells. However, whether lung cells express neurotrophins and/or their receptors (TrkA for NGF, TrkB for BDNF and NT-4/5, and TrkC for NT-3) has never been systematically investigated.

Successful treatment of renovascular hypertension due to fibromuscular dysplasia by intravascular ultrasound-guided atherectomy.

A 22-year-old man presented with renovascular hypertension, based on a stenosis of the distal portion of the right renal artery with a "string of beads"-like appearance. An intravascular ultrasound image at the renal artery lesion revealed irregularity of the vascular wall. Directional atherectomy was performed and histopathology of atherectomised tissues showed medial fibroplasia, a common type of fibromuscular dysplasia.