[Quality of life and risk factors in patients with herpes zoster].

Objective: To evaluate the quality of life and influencing factors of patients with herpes zoster (HZ) seen in hospitals. Methods: Based on Zoster Brief Pain Inventory (ZBPI) and Five-level EuroQol Five-dimensional Questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L), a cross-sectional survey was conducted to evaluate the pain severity and quality of life of 332 HZ cases seen in 22 hospitals of Lu'an City (Anhui Province), Zibo City (Shandong Province) and Tongchuan City (Shaanxi Province) from October to December 2021. The censored least absolute deviations (CLAD) model was used to analyze the related factors affecting the changes of patients' health utility values. Results: The 45.5% of 332 HZ cases were male. The median (Q1,Q3) age was 59 (50, 68) years. 59.64% of them assessed by ZBPI had moderate to severe pain in the past 24 hours (worst pain score≥5), and that of PHN cases was 84.8%(39/46). 77.7% (258/332), 77.4% (257/332) and 74.1% (246/332) of all patients reported that pain interfered with sleep, mood and general activities, respectively. Aging [ß40-49y (95%CI)=-0.11 (-0.15, -0.08); ß50-59y (95%CI)=-0.03 (-0.05, 0.00); ß60-69y (95%CI)=-0.09 (-0.12, -0.06); ß70-90y(95%CI)=-0.16 (-0.19, -0.12)], working status (unemployed) [ßfarmer (95%CI)=0.15 (0.13, 0.18); ßretirees(95%CI)=0.21 (0.18, 0.24); ßemployee (95%CI)=0.13 (0.10, 0.16) ], complications[ßPHN (95%CI)=-0.08 (-0.13, -0.04); ßother complications (95%CI)=-0.12 (-0.15, -0.08)], within 30 days after onset [ß(95%CI)=-0.01 (-0.03, 0.01)] and treatment [ßother complications (95%CI)=-0.09 (-0.11, -0.06)] were related factors for the decline of health utility value (all P values <0.05). Conclusions: More than half of the patients with HZ had moderate to severe pain in the past 24 hours, which had a serious negative impact on the physical and mental health of the patients. Elderly patients, acute patients and patients with complications had lower health utility values and worse health status. We suggest that eligible people be vaccinated with HZ vaccine as soon as possible.

Photocatalytic membrane combined with biodegradation for toluene oxidation.

Photocatalytic membrane coupled to biodegradation offers potential for degrading volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in photocatalytic membrane biofilm reactor. An intimately coupled photocatalysis and biodegradation reactor was operated in continuous operation for 500 days to treat simulated waste gas containing toluene. Toluene removal efficiency obtained 99%, with the elimination capacity of 550 g m-3·h-1. Membrane photocatalysis coupled to biodegradation was created to improve toluene removal from 11 to 20%. The dominant genera were Lysinibacillus, Hydrogenophaga, Pseudomonas at 30 d, Rudaea, Dongia, Litorilinea at 230 d xyl, Tod, Tcb, Bed, Tmo, Tbu, Tou, Dmp, Cat were functional genes of toluene metabolism, as shown by16S rDNA and metagenomic sequencing. Photocatalysis destroyed part of the toluene into biodegradable intermediates that were immediately mineralized by microorganisms in biofilm, some toluene was directly degraded by toluene degrading bacterial community into carbon dioxide and water. The novel hybrid photocatalytic membrane biofilm reactor is a cost-effective and robust alternative to VOCs treatment.

Comparison of cryobiopsy and forceps biopsy for the diagnosis of mediastinal lesions: A randomised clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is the standard approach for lung cancer staging. However, its diagnostic utility for other mediastinal diseases might be hampered by the limited tissue retrieved. Recent evidence suggests the novel sampling strategies of forceps biopsy and cryobiopsy as auxiliary techniques to EBUS-TBNA, considering their capacity for larger diagnostic samples. METHODS: This study determined the added value of forceps biopsy and cryobiopsy for the diagnosis of mediastinal diseases. Consecutive patients with mediastinal lesions of 1 cm or more in the short axis were enrolled. Following completion of needle aspiration, three forceps biopsies and one cryobiopsy were performed in a randomised pattern. Primary endpoints included diagnostic yield defined as the percentage of patients for whom mediastinal biopsy led to a definite diagnosis, and procedure-related complications. RESULTS: In total, 155 patients were recruited and randomly assigned. Supplementing EBUS-TBNA with either forceps biopsy or cryobiopsy increased diagnostic yield, with no significant difference between EBUS-TBNA plus forceps biopsy and EBUS-TBNA plus cryobiopsy (85.7 % versus 91.6 %, P = 0.106). Yet, samples obtained by additional cryobiopsies were more qualified for lung cancer molecular testing than those from forceps biopsies (100.0 % versus 89.5 %, P = 0.036). When compared directly, the overall diagnostic yield of cryobiopsy was superior to forceps biopsy (85.7 % versus 70.8 %, P = 0.001). Cryobiopsies produced greater samples in shorter procedural time than forceps biopsies. Two (1.3 %) cases of postprocedural pneumothorax were detected. CONCLUSIONS: Transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy might be a promising complementary tool to supplement traditional needle biopsy for increased diagnostic yield and tissue harvesting. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR2000030373.

Higher peripheral neutrophil and monocyte counts are independent indicators of the presence and severity of proteinuria in apparently normal adults.

BACKGROUND: Proteinuria reflects disrupted renal function in which enhanced immuno-inflammation activity plays a key role. So far, information concerning the relations between proteinuria and peripheral different leucocyte counts is limited. We thereby conducted this study aiming to obtain comprehensive information of the issue. METHODS: Study subjects were participants of a health check programme from 2000 to 2002. Additional two enrolment criteria were (i) leucocyte analysis was checked with a same blood cell counter and (ii) urinalysis showed no pyuria or haematuria. Data of subjects were retrospectively collected and analysed by using sas program. RESULTS: Higher neutrophil and monocyte counts, but not lymphocyte count, were significantly associated with both the presence and the severity of proteinuria (all P < 0.0001, n= 12 225). Such associations maintained significant after adjustments of age, sex, body mass index, mean blood pressure and blood levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol, triglycerides and creatinine (all P< or = 0.001, n= 12 225). There was a sharp increase in the incidence of proteinuria in association with a neutrophil count > or =4.50 x 10(9)/L (P< or = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Our study showed that in apparently normal adults the presence and the severity of proteinuria could be reflected by the peripheral neutrophil and monocyte counts, but not the lymphocyte count. These findings, together with the documented inflammatory basis of proteinuria and the diverse pathophysiological roles of differential leucocytes, suggest that peripheral differential leucocyte counting may be useful in predicting the course of an existing proteinuria. Perspective longitudinal follow-up studies are needed to test this presumption.

Expression of aberrant beta-catenin and impaired p63 in craniopharyngiomas.

Craniopharyngiomas are rare, histologically benign, non-neuroepithelial epithelial tumors arising from the sellar region, the molecular pathogenesis of CPs is yet not understood. The aim of the present study was to assess expression of aberrant beta-catenin and impaired p63 in 66 craniopharyngiomas included 51 adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas and 15 squamous papillary craniopharyngiomas. On immunohistochemistry, 47 out of 51 adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas, but not squamous papillary craniopharyngiomas, showed strong nuclear/cytoplasmic expression for beta-catenin predominantly in compactly cohesive epithelial cells within the whorl-like arrays where ki-67 was almost absent and rarely in palisaded cells where ki-67 was mainly present. P63 overexpression was observed in 45 out of 51 adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas and 14 out of 15 squamous papillary craniopharyngiomas. P63 stained not only in the nuclei of basal layer cells but also within the whorl-like arrays in adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas and uniformly in squamous papillary craniopharyngiomas. Using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction techniques to correlate p63 protein expression with p63 mRNA levels, TAp63 isoforms mRNA was reduced, whereas DeltaNp63 mRNA elevated at levels in 5 snap frozen tissue samples with multiple large p63 positive cell clusters compared with normal tissues. In conclusion, the present study confirmed that the two variants of CPs have genetically not only distinctive but also common feature. It demonstrated that cytoplasm/nuclear beta-catenin accumulation is an exclusively characteristic morphology of adaCPs. P63 immunohistochemical overexpression were found in both adaCPs and spCPs variant when analyzed in the same study. Taken together, the impaired p63 expression may be attributed to elevated DeltaNp63 mRNA and reduced TAp63mRNA in CPs.

Bioconversion of Hg0 into HA-Hg for simultaneous removal of Hg0 and NO in a denitrifying membrane biofilm reactor.

Bacterial mercury oxidation coupled to denitrification offers great potential for simultaneous removal of elemental mercury (Hg0) and nitric oxide (NO) in a denitrifying membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR). Four potentially contributory mechanisms tested separately, namely, membrane gas separation, medium absorption, biosorption and biotransformation, which contributed 4.9%/7.2%, 8.1%/8.9%, 38.8%/9.5% and 48.2%/84.9% of overall Hg0/NO removal in MBfR. Herein, Hg0 bio-oxidation, oxidative Hg0 biosorption and denitrification played leading roles in simultaneous removal of Hg0 and NO. Living microbes performed simultaneous Hg0 bio-oxidation and denitrification, in which Hg0 as electron donor was biologically oxidized to oxidized mercury (Hg2+), while NO as the terminal electron acceptor was denitrified to N2. The Hg2+ further complexed with humic acids in extracellular polymeric substances via functional groups (-SH, -OH, -NH- and -COO-) and formed humic acids bound mercury (HA-Hg). Non-living microbial matrix performed oxidative Hg0 biosorption, in which Hg0 may be physically adsorbed by cellular matrix, then non-metabolically oxidized to Hg2+ via oxidative complexation with -SH in humic acids and finally cleavage of S-H bond and surface charge transfer led to formation of HA-Hg. Therefore, bioconversion of Hg0 to HA-Hg by Hg0 bio-oxidation and oxidative Hg0 biosorption coupled with NO denitrification to N2 dynamically cooperated to accomplish simultaneous removal of Hg0 and NO in MBfR.

Association of major adverse cardiovascular events and cardiac troponin-I levels following percutaneous coronary intervention: a three-year follow-up study at a single center.

OBJECTIVE: Major adverse cardiovascular events occurrences of patients with different cardiac troponin-I (cTnI) levels following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remained controversial. The prognostic relevance and risk factors of PCI-related myocardial infarction (MI) were not very clear as well. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our study included 249 coronary artery disease patients without preoperative cTnI elevation who successfully accepted PCI from 2013 to 2014. A three-year follow-up was conducted for each patient. The patients were divided into PCI-related MI group and non-PCI-related MI group. Risk factors of PCI-related MI were first explored. The occurrence of MACE was recorded. The prognostic relevance between PCI-related MI (PMI) group and non-PCI-related MI group, as well as different postoperative cTnI levels, were compared. RESULTS: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), age, Gensini Score, total stent length, and intra-operative complication were found positively correlated with PCI-related MI occurrence, while hemoglobin and prior PCI history were negatively correlated. After 3-year follow-up, the Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed MACE occurrence was significantly increased in PCI-related MI group. Comparing to patients with normal postoperative cTnI, MACE occurrence was increased in patients with a 10×upper limit of normal (ULN)≤cTnI<70×ULN and cTnI≥70×ULN, while there was no difference in patients with 1×ULN≤cTnI<5×ULN and 5×ULN≤cTnI<10×ULN. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis revealed PMI, NT-proBNP, and left ventricular ejection function (LVEF)<50% were positively correlated with MACE occurrence, while maximum inflation pressure and apoA-I were negatively correlated. CONCLUSIONS: Prognosis of PCI-related MI was poor, as well as in patients with postoperative cTnI≥10×ULN. Among the risk factors of PMI, LDL-C, age, Gensini Score, total stent length, and intra-operative complication were positively correlated with PCI-related MI occurrence, while hemoglobin and prior PCI history were negatively correlated.

Simultaneous mercury oxidation and NO reduction in a membrane biofilm reactor.

This work demonstrates bacterial oxidation of mercury (Hg0) coupled to nitric oxide (NO) reduction in a denitrifying membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR). In 93 days' operation, Hg0 and NO removal efficiency attained 90.7% and 74.1%, respectively. Thauera, Pseudomonas, Paracoccus and Pannonibacter played dual roles as Hg0 oxidizers and denitrifiers simultaneously. Denitrifying bacteria and the potential mercury resistant bacteria dominated the bacterial community. Denitrification-related genes (norB, norC, norD, norE, norQ and norV) and enzymatic Hg0 oxidation-related genes (katG, katE) were responsible for bacterial oxidation of Hg0 and NO reduction, as shown by metagenomic sequencing. XPS, HPLC-ICP-MS and SEM-EDS indicated the formation of a stable mercuric species (Hg2+) reasulting from Hg0 oxidation in the biofilm. Bacterial oxidation of Hg0 was coupled to NO reduction in which Hg0 served as the initial electron donor while NO served as the terminal electron acceptor and thereby redox between Hg0 and NO was formed. MBfR was capable of both Hg0 bio-oxidation and denitrifying NO reduction. This research opens up new possibilities for application of MBfR to simultaneous flue gas demercuration and denitration.

The strength and periodicity of D. melanogaster circadian rhythms are differentially affected by alterations in period gene expression.

The per gene of D. melanogaster influences or participates in the generation of biological rhythms. Previous experiments have identified the head as the location from which per exerts its effect on circadian rhythms. To localize further this region and to examine the effects of altered levels and altered spatial expression patterns of the per gene on circadian rhythms of locomotor activity, we have characterized transformed lines containing per gene constructs missing substantial cis-acting regulatory information. The data suggest that wild-type levels of per gene expression are necessary in only a small fraction of the nervous system for near wild-type periods, whereas a larger fraction of per-expressing cells in the brain contributes to the strength of the circadian rhythms.

Senescence and telomere shortening induced by novel potent G-quadruplex interactive agents, quindoline derivatives, in human cancer cell lines.

Agents stabilizing G-quadruplexes have the potential to interfere with telomere replication by blocking the elongation step catalysed by telomerase or telomerase-independent mechanism and could therefore act as antitumor agents. In this study, we found that quindoline derivatives interacted preferentially with intramolecular G-quadruplex structures and were novel potent telomerase inhibitors. Treatment with quindoline derivatives reproducibly inhibited telomerase activity in human leukemia K562 cells and colon cancer SW620 cells. N'-(10H-Indolo [3,2-b] quinolin-11-yl)-N, N-dimethyl-propane-1,3-diamine (SYUIQ-5), (one of quindoline derivatives), when added to K562 and SW620 cell culture at nonacute cytotoxic concentrations, increased time of population doublings of K562 and SW620 cells, induced a marked cessation in cell growth and cellular senescence phenotype after 35 and 18 days, respectively. Growth cessation was accompanied by a shortening of telomere length, and induction of p16, p21 and p27 protein expression. However, another compound SYUIQ-7 with greater IC(50) for telomerase had no obvious cellular effect in nonacute cytotoxic concentrations. These results indicate that quindoline derivatives as novel potent G-quadruplex interactive agents induce senescence and telomere shortening in cancer cells and therefore are promising agents for cancer treatment.

[Screening for precursors of colorectal cancer].

Screening has been proven to be effective for the control of colorectal cancer (CRC). The target of CRC screening is shifting from CRC to colorectal neoplasia (CN), the precursors of CRC. Based on the the latest national guideline, the Consensus of Screening for CRC and CN, and the recent research of precursors both at home and abroad. This paper summarizes the progress in the research of risk factors, risk prediction model, screening strategy optimization, colonoscopy quality control, sessile serrated adenoma identification and follow up as well as the recognition of precursors.

Synthesis, DNA binding and cytotoxicity of new pyrazole emodin derivatives.

A series of new anthrapyrazoles were derived from emodin by attaching various cationic alkyl amino side chains onto a pyrazole ring which had been incorporated into the anthraquinone chromophore. Compared with emodin, the derivatives had significantly higher DNA binding affinity based on interaction with calf thymus DNA, and much more potent cytotoxicity against different tumor cells. The derivatives with a mono-cationic alkyl side chain exhibited the highest DNA binding affinity and cytotoxicity.

An AU at the first base pair of helix 3 elevates the catalytic activity of hepatitis delta virus ribozymes.

A mutational analysis of the helix 3 (H3) region of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) ribozymes disclosed that an AU at the first base pair of H3 elevates the catalytic activity of various cis- and trans-acting HDV ribozymes. A GC to AU substitution at this position of H3, which is located at the junction of three of the four helices of the pseudoknot-like structure model, altered the structure of HDV ribozymes. This substitution in the H3 did not change the independence of the cleavage rate to pH nor the sensitivity to formamide treatment of the ribozymes.

Correlations between peripheral differential leukocyte counts and carotid atherosclerosis in non-smokers.

Substantial evidence clearly indicates the immuno-inflammatory nature of atherosclerosis and the important roles of monocytes and other leukocytes in atherogenesis. The relationship between atherosclerosis and the peripheral monocyte count, however, has been equivocal and uncertain so far. One possible reason may be an opposing effect of different major risk factors of atherosclerosis on the monocyte count, e.g. smoking increases the monocyte count while hypercholesterolemia is accompanied by a lower monocyte count. Since smoking is well shown to increase leukocyte counts prominently in weeks, our study included only non-smokers who participated in a health check program at our hospital from 1996 to 1998 and had received a carotid duplex study with extra payment. Our results revealed the followings: In male non-smokers (n=571), the presence of carotid atherosclerosis was associated with significant increases in the counts of all leukocyte, neutrophil, and monocyte (P<0.005,<0.001 and <0.05, respectively), and, after adjustments for age and body mass index, there were significant positive links between these three leukocyte counts and the severity of carotid atherosclerosis, judged by either the sum score of all carotid plaques or the score of the most severe carotid plaque. On the contrary, in female non-smokers (n=614), there was no significant link between differential leukocyte counts and either the presence or severity of carotid atherosclerosis. These results are compatible with recently recognized sex differences in the mechanism and pathophysiology of atherosclerosis, and together with relevant results in the literature, suggest that monocytes and neutrophils are the main types of leukocytes involved in atherosclerosis.

Human corneal epithelial basement membrane and integrin alterations in diabetes and diabetic retinopathy.

Corneas of diabetic patients have abnormal healing and epithelial adhesion, which may be due to alterations of the corneal extracellular matrix (ECM) and basement membrane (BM). To identify such alterations, various ECM and BM components and integrin receptors were studied by immunofluorescence on sections of normal and diabetic human corneas. Age-matched corneas from 15 normal subjects, 10 diabetics without diabetic retinopathy (DR), and 12 diabetics with DR were used. In DR corneas, the composition of the central epithelial BM was markedly altered, compared to normal or non-DR diabetic corneas. In most cases the staining for entactin/nidogen and for chains of laminin-1 (alpha1beta1gamma1) and laminin-10 (alpha5beta1gamma1 was very weak, discontinuous, or absent over large areas. Other BM components displayed less frequent changes. The staining for alpha3beta1 (VLA-3) laminin binding integrin was also weak and discontinuous in DR corneal epithelium. Components of stromal ECM remained unchanged even in DR corneas. Therefore, distinct changes were identified in the composition of the epithelial BM in DR corneas. They may be due to increased degradation or decreased synthesis of BM components and related integrins. These alterations may directly contribute to the epithelial adhesion and wound healing abnormalities found in diabetic corneas.

Basement membrane abnormalities in human eyes with diabetic retinopathy.

Vascular and parenchymal basement membranes (BMs) are thickened in diabetes, but alterations in individual BM components in diabetic eyes, especially in diabetic retinopathy (DR), are obscure. To identify abnormalities in the distribution of specific constituents, we analyzed cryostat sections of human eyes obtained at autopsy (seven normal, five diabetic without DR, and 13 diabetic with DR) by immunofluorescence with antibodies to 30 BM and extracellular matrix components. In non-DR eyes, no qualitative changes of ocular BM components were seen. In some DR corneas, epithelial BM was stained discontinuously for laminin-1, entactin/nidogen, and alpha3-alpha4 Type IV collagen, in contrast to non-DR corneas. Major BM alterations were found in DR retinas compared to normals and non-DR diabetics. The inner limiting membrane (retinal BM) of DR eyes had accumulations of fibronectin (including cellular) and Types I, III, IV (alpha1-alpha2), and V collagen. The BM zone of new retinal blood vessels in neovascularized areas accumulated tenascin and Type XII collagen, whereas normal, diabetic, and adjacent DR retinas showed only weak and irregular staining. In preretinal membranes, perlecan, bamacan, and Types VI, VIII, XII, and XIV collagen were newly identified. Diabetic BM thickening appears to involve qualitative alterations of specific BM markers at an advanced disease stage, with the appearance of DR.

Regional mapping of the gene for familial Mediterranean fever on human chromosome 16p13.

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessively inherited inflammatory disorder characterized by recurrent short episodes of fever, peritonitis, arthritis, and pleuritis. Recently, linkage was demonstrated between FMF and the VNTR probes 3'HVR and 5'HVR of the alpha-globin complex at 16p13.3 (theta = 0.06-0.10, Lodmax = 9.76-14.47) and the insertion/deletion polymorphism detected by the probe CMM65 of D16S84 (theta = 0.04, Lodmax = 9.17). We have now mapped the FMF gene between the two flanking markers D16S283/D16S291 (theta = 0.038) and D16S80 (theta = 0.159). The proximity of the microsatellite markers in D16S283 and D16S291 to the FMF gene allows preclinical diagnosis in most pedigrees with affected individuals.

Electroacupuncture in rats: evidence for naloxone and naltrexone potentiation of analgesia.

Low frequency electroacupuncture (EA) analgesia has been thought to be mediated by endogenous opioids. Among other lines of evidence, it has been reported that EA stimulation delivered at 2 and 2-15 Hz in rats could be blocked or partially antagonized by naloxone (NAL) and naltrexone (NTX). In contrast, experiments in one of our laboratories (D.J.M.) showed that NAL did not inhibit 2 Hz, and even potentiated 125 Hz EA analgesia. In an attempt to resolve these discrepancies, we conducted joint experiments in the U.S.A. and in China using the methods which previously yielded NAL reversibility of EA analgesia. In no experiment did opiate antagonists block or reduce EA analgesia. On the contrary, we found that, in most experiments, NAL and NTX potentiated 2 and 2-15 Hz EA analgesia respectively. The potentiation occurred independently of laboratory methods, geographic location of the experiment, strain (Chinese or American), tail temperature, sex, and weight of rats. This potentiation suggests the existence of an opioid anti-analgesic system or that NAL and NTX acquired analgesic properties following EA. These results indicate that EA analgesia in rats is a variable phenomenon even when laboratory methods are rigorously replicated. The EA stimulation may activate multiple conflicting neural circuits which interact and ultimately modulate the analgesic outcome.

Effects of hyperlipidemia on the vascular reactivity in the Wistar-Kyoto and spontaneously hypertensive rats.

We studied the effects of hyperlipidemia on the vascular responsiveness in aortas isolated from control rats and rats receiving a high cholesterol-high fat (HC-HF) diet (1% cholesterol and 20% olive oil). The total plasma cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)-, low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, VLDL-, LDL-, high density lipoprotein (HDL)-triglyceride levels were markedly elevated in HC-HF chow fed Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) compared to the respective normal chow fed control rats. The increase in plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels were time-dependent. Higher levels of cholesterol and triglyceride were observed in SHR compared to WKY. In the aortic arches and abdominal aortas obtained from the SHR and WKY fed the HC-HF chow for 8 week, evoked intimal lesions were more pronounced than those noted after 4 weeks of HC-HF chow fed. The aortic arches of SHR and WKY were significantly more affected by the intimal lesion (surface area damage and fatty streak formation) than the abdominal aortas of the respective rat strain. The damage of surface area and thickness of fatty streaks were significantly augmented with the period the rats were fed the HC-HF diet. In the denuded aortic arches of the WKY and of rats receiving HC-HF diet for 8 weeks, significantly attenuated ED50 values and augmented maximal responses for phenylephrine (0.01-30 microM)-induced contraction were obtained.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)