Different calcium storage pools in vascular smooth muscle cells from spontaneously hypertensive and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the distribution of intracellular free calcium may be impaired in primary hypertension. DESIGN: Cytosolic free calcium and stored calcium were investigated in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). METHODS: The concentrations of intracellular and stored calcium were investigated in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells from spontaneously hypertensive rats aged 6 months from the Münster strain (SHR) and from age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Vascular smooth muscle cells were grown on coverslips, and fluorescence measurements of the intracellular calcium concentration were performed using fura-2. The different effects of thapsigargin, a selective Ca-ATPase inhibitor, and of angiotensin II (Ang II) on the calcium storage pools were investigated. RESULTS: In the absence of external calcium thapsigargin produced a dose-dependent transient increase in the concentration of intracellular calcium in vascular smooth muscle cells. The thapsigargin-induced maximum peak increase in the concentration of intracellular calcium was not significantly different in SHR and WKY rats. After depletion of the thapsigargin-sensitive calcium pools the addition of 100 nmol/l Ang II produced a rise in the concentration of intracellular calcium in vascular smooth muscle cells from SHR and WKY rats. Using vascular smooth muscle cells from the SHR the Ang II-induced increase in the concentration of intracellular calcium was not significantly different in the presence and absence of thapsigargin, indicating that the calcium pools depleted by thapsigargin and Ang II do not overlap significantly in vascular smooth muscle cells from SHR. In contrast, in the WKY rats the response to Ang II was significantly diminished after depletion of the thapsigargin-sensitive pool. When Ang II and thapsigargin were administered in the reverse order, i.e. Ang II before thapsigargin, the thapsigargin response was diminished in the WKY rats but not in the SHR. CONCLUSION: SHR differ from WKY rats in having vascular smooth muscle cells that contain thapsigargin-sensitive calcium storage pools that are distinct from the Ang II-sensitive calcium pools.     

Quantitative determination of constituents in various licorice roots by means of high performance liquid chromatography

During the course of our studies on the chemical constituents of botanically identified Chinese licorice roots of various origins, we have identified 15 kinds of saponins and 49 kinds of flavonoids (including flavonoid glycosides). With these chemical constituents at hand, we have carried out the chemical evaluation studies of licorice roots available in Japan by means of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In the HPLC analysis using an ODS reversed-phase column, a combination of 1% aqueous acetic acid and acetonitrile was used as the mobile phase in a gradient solvent system, and the eluate was monitored with UV absorption at 254 nm (for saponins with a diene or a conjugated carbonyl moiety, liquiritin, and liquiritin apioside) or at 350 nm (for other flavonoid constituents). By our analytical method described here, quantitative analyses of saponin and flavonoid constituents were effected simultaneously. We have found an interesting piece of information concerning the origin of parent plants and their characteristic constituents such as saponins and flavonoids.     

Increase in cardiodepressant factor release from the posterior pituitary lobe after angiotensin II infusion into the internal carotid artery

In this study, I consider variables associated with an individual's most recent move into his or her current residence as predictors of neighborhood attachment. Using the 1978-1979 Seattle Community Attachment Survey, I find that elements of the mobility experience such as an individual's past history of migration, the motivations for moving, the amount of time involved in the move, and the distance traveled during the move have an effect on short- and long-term neighborhood attachment patterns independent of residential stability and investment predictors. The findings imply that psychosocial factors such as familiarity with the environment, increased premove exposure to the new environment, and perceived control during instances of transition have some impact on individuals' postmove attitudes and behaviors, and suggest that researchers should look beyond traditional "types of people" explanations of urban neighborhood attachment.     

Characterizing research activities from the time of their introduction: nurses' reports

My interest in developing this study came from a previous work (Ricci, 1994) about scientific research meaning for Pharmacy and Nursing students. After its conclusion, it was necessary to know scientific research historical evolution pointing out the epoch and factors which contributed for its development. Aiming at reconstituting Nursing research historical evolution, trying to find the moment of its development in the profession, identify the reactions research introduction in the course and the assistance in opinions of docent nurses. For this, a semi-structured interview has been used. The population for this study was of nurses who lived the 60's and 70's. At first I obtained a list of nine names of nurses, but according to the theoretical reference, data became saturated along the interview, therefore the final sample was of only four nurses. The definition of generated themes from nurses speeches analysis was presented. The analysis allowed the discovery of two themes: STARTING ON RESEARCH and NEEDING REFRESH. The data revealed the difficulties that the docent nurses experienced by the time of research and postgraduation introductions. It has been observed that the arguments used by those nurses are the same used today by assistance nurses who want to investigate (Cassiani, 1994). However, the main difference lays on the fact that for the docent nurses there was a demand and for the assistance ones there is an internal need that not always is appraised and stimulated in service.     

Development and application of ultrasonic surgical instruments

In this paper, a new approach for designing ultrasonic surgical instruments (USI) is presented. These medical instruments convert an ultrasonic signal into a mechanical vibration by utilizing a magnetostrictive method and have been found to be very useful for various medical procedures. The implemented system consists of an ultrasonic generator, a transducer, and waveguide instruments. The generator produces a high-current ultrasonic signal. The transducer converts this signal into a mechanical vibration. By use of the waveguide instrument, the vibration can be propagated and amplified. This new type of USI possesses a comprehensive ability to stop bleeding, cut bone tissues, regulate frequency automatically, control temperature, etc. The results from animal experiments and from human clinical operations show that the developed USI has the advantages in various aspects over the conventional equipment.