IP3 receptor orchestrates maladaptive vascular responses in heart failure

Patients with heart failure (HF) have augmented vascular tone, which increases cardiac workload, impairing ventricular output and promoting further myocardial dysfunction. The molecular mechanisms underlying the maladaptive vascular responses observed in HF are not fully understood. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) control vasoconstriction via a Ca²⁺-dependent process, in which the type 1 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R1) on the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) plays a major role. To dissect the mechanistic contribution of intracellular Ca²⁺ release to the increased vascular tone observed in HF, we analyzed the remodeling of IP3R1 in aortic tissues from patients with HF and from controls. VSMC IP3R1 channels from patients with HF and HF mice were hyperphosphorylated by both serine and tyrosine kinases. VSMCs isolated from IP3R1^VSMC–/– mice exhibited blunted Ca²⁺ responses to angiotensin II (ATII) and norepinephrine compared with control VSMCs. IP3R1^VSMC–/– mice displayed significantly reduced responses to ATII, both in vivo and ex vivo. HF IP3R^1VSMC–/– mice developed significantly less afterload compared with HF IP3R1^fl/fl mice and exhibited significantly attenuated progression toward decompensated HF and reduced interstitial fibrosis. Ca²⁺-dependent phosphorylation of the MLC by MLCK activated VSMC contraction. MLC phosphorylation was markedly increased in VSMCs from patients with HF and HF mice but reduced in VSMCs from HF IP3R1^VSMC–/– mice and HF WT mice treated with ML-7. Taken together, our data indicate that VSMC IP3R1 is a major effector of increased vascular tone, which contributes to increased cardiac afterload and decompensation in HF.     

Status of occupational cancer in Lithuania

Because industrialization in Lithuania started only about 50 years ago, occupational cancer is only now becoming an important issue. This article describes the situation of occupational cancer in Lithuania: research, exposures to carcinogens, regulation, and legal practice. Epidemiologic studies of work-related cancers have shown increased risks among cement, textile, and asbestos-cement workers. In 1997, 28% of employed workers in Lithuania were exposed to carcinogens. A legislation system regulating exposures to carcinogens, harmonized with European Directives, has recently been created. In 1995-2003, there were 5,652 new cases of occupational diseases. However, occupational cancers are seriously underdiagnosed--only one case of cancer was diagnosed as occupational. Establishment of a system that would enable diagnosis, certification, and compensation of cases of occupational neoplasms is essential in Lithuania.     

The psychosocial factors at work related to depression among female white-collar workers in Vilnius (Lithuania)

Objectives  

The aim of this study is to establish which psychosocial factors at work are related to depression among female white-collar workers in Vilnius.     

Catalyst-Less and Transfer-Less Synthesis of Graphene on Si(100) Using Direct Microwave Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition and Protective Enclosures

In this study, graphene was synthesized on the Si(100) substrates via the use of direct microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). Protective enclosures were applied to prevent excessive plasma etching of the growing graphene. The properties of synthesized graphene were investigated using Raman scattering spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. Synthesis time, methane and hydrogen gas flow ratio, temperature, and plasma power effects were considered. The synthesized graphene exhibited n-type self-doping due to the charge transfer from Si(100). The presence of compressive stress was revealed in the synthesized graphene. It was presumed that induction of thermal stress took place during the synthesis process due to the large lattice mismatch between the growing graphene and the substrate. Importantly, it was demonstrated that continuous horizontal graphene layers can be directly grown on the Si(100) substrates if appropriate configuration of the protective enclosure is used in the microwave PECVD process.     

Altersbestimmung mithilfe von Wachstumslinien des Zahnzements

The biological age of an individual can be estimated using the incremental lines in dental cementum. In the present study the relationship between the number of incremental lines and the chronological age of an individual was evaluated. Histological sections were made from 227 permanent teeth (178 individuals, 89 males, 89 females, average age 47.5 years), analysed under 20–40× magnification, photographed and evaluated using a digital visual analysis system. The biological age was estimated using the total number of lines counted and the average age at tooth eruption. The number of incremental lines was strongly correlated with the chronological age (r=0.95, p=0.001). The average standard deviation between estimated biological age and chronological age was 5.5 years (11.75%). The precision of the method decreased with increasing age. The regression analysis gave a higher degree of error than traditional methods. The best results were obtained from the total number of incremental lines and the average age at tooth eruption. Digital analysis systems led to better results.     

The Localization of the Supraorbital Notch or Foramen is Crucial for Headache and Supraorbital Neuralgia Avoiding and Treatment

The aim of this study was to provide the morphological and morphometric data of the supraorbital foramina or notches related to sex, side, and the climatic conditions where the population lived. It was hypothesized that the distribution of the occurrence and location of these openings depends on climatic conditions in which the population lived. Orbits from 866 dried skulls obtained from three climatic regions: warm, temperate, and cold were examined. The examination concentrated on the configuration (notch/foramen) and on the distances to the reference points: nasion, frontomalare orbitale, infraorbital foramen and the superior orbital rim. In 14.3% of cases a smooth supraorbital rim was observed while different variants of the structures were observed in 85.7% of the cases. In cold climatic conditions, supraorbital foramina were found in the highest frequency (35.4%). In warm and temperate climates, the observed frequencies of supraorbital foramen were the lowest (18.8% and 19.9%, respectively). Frequency of supraorbital notches was the lowest of those skulls from a cold climate (44.0%) and the highest in those from a warm climate (59.0%). These results support the hypothesis that the occurrence of the supraorbital notches is greater in populations from warm compared with cold regions. This would provide a greater exit route for the neurovascular bundle and this may be related to the thermoregulatory processes in the supraorbital region. Furthermore, knowledge of precise locations of supraorbital structures is important when a supraorbital nerve block is given, for example, in the treatment of migraine headaches. Anat Rec, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.