Platelet-activating factor (PAF) enhances guinea pig detrusor smooth muscle contractile activities by stimulating voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels and store-operated Ca2+ channels.

We investigated the extracellular Ca2+ influx pathways involved in platelet-activating factor (PAF)-enhanced guinea pig detrusor smooth muscle (DSM) contractile activities. One micromolar PAF-enhanced DSM contractile activities were completely inhibited by extracellular Ca2+ removal and strongly suppressed by voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel (VDCC) inhibitors. PAF-enhanced DSM contractile activities remaining in the presence of verapamil (10 µM) were not inhibited by LOE-908 (30 µM, an inhibitor of receptor-operated Ca2+ channels (ROCCs)), but were almost completely inhibited by SKF-96365 (30 µM, an inhibitor of store-operated Ca2+ channels (SOCCs) and ROCCs). These results suggest that VDCCs and SOCCs are responsible for PAF-enhanced DSM contractile activities.

Exploring the effectiveness of an internet-based program for reducing caregiver distress using the iCare Stress Management e-Training Program.

OBJECTIVE: Determine if the online iCare Stress Management e-Training Program reduces stress, bother, depression, and poor life quality for dementia family caregivers (CGs). METHOD: CGs (N = 150) were randomly assigned to the iCare Condition (ICC) or to the Education/Information-Only Condition (EOC) for a 3-month period. Change in self-report measures of stress (PSS) (primary outcome), caregiver bother(RMBPC), depression (CES-D), and quality of life (PQOL) (secondary outcomes) was determined, along with usage of new information in one's own caregiving. RESULTS: A mixed ANOVA revealed that change in perceived stress was significant for the ICC but not the EOC (p = .017). Changes in the other measures were not significant. More caregivers in the ICC used the materials in their own caregiving situation than those in the EOC. Roughly one-third of the caregivers enrolled in the study dropped prior to completion. CONCLUSION: Results are promising, but the high dropout is a concern. Future efforts to improve dropout rate and increase participant engagement are warranted. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to present an evidence-based intervention for CGs via the Internet.

Docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid strongly inhibit prostanoid TP receptor-dependent contractions of guinea pig gastric fundus smooth muscle.

The inhibitory effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and linoleic acid (LA) on the contractions induced by five prostanoids and U46619 (a TP receptor agonist) were examined in guinea pig gastric fundus smooth muscle (GFSM). Tension changes were isometrically measured, and the mRNA expression of prostanoid receptors was measured by RT-qPCR. DHA and EPA significantly inhibited contractions induced by the prostanoids and U46619, whereas LA inhibited those induced by prostaglandin D2 and U46619. The mRNA expression levels of the prostanoid receptors were TP ≈ EP3  >> FP > EP1 . The inhibition by DHA, EPA, and LA was positively correlated with that by SQ 29,548 (a TP receptor antagonist) but not with that by L-798,106 (an EP3 receptor antagonist). DHA and EPA suppressed high KCl-induced contractions by 35% and 25%, respectively, and the contractions induced by the prostanoids and U46619 were suppressed by verapamil, a voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel (VDCC) inhibitor, by 40%-85%. Although LA did not suppress high KCl-induced contractions, it suppressed U46619-induced contractions in the presence of verapamil. However, LA did not show significant inhibitory effects on U46619-induced Ca2+ increases in TP receptor-expressing cells. In contrast, LA inhibited U46619-induced contractions in the presence of verapamil, which was also suppressed by SKF-96365 (a store-operated Ca2+ channel [SOCC] inhibitor). These findings suggest that the TP receptor and VDCC are targets of DHA and EPA to inhibit prostanoid-induced contractions of guinea pig GFSM, and SOCCs play a significant role in LA-induced inhibition of U46619-induced contractions.

[Two cases of intravascular diffuse large B-cell lymphoma diagnosed by transbronchial lung biopsy].

We encountered 2 cases of intravascular diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (IVL) diagnosed by transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB). The first patient reported fatigue and dyspnea on exertion, but chest radiography and computed tomography (CT) did not reveal any abnormalities. The other patient was referred to our hospital because of incidental findings of abnormalities on her chest radiograph. She felt well, and her physical examination was unremarkable. IVL is a rare type of extranodal lymphoma characterized by the presence of lymphoma cells only in the lumenas of small vessels. Major clinical symptoms such as fever, cough, dyspnea, and loss of body weight are not diagnostic, and chest radiographic findings are also nonspecific. Antemortem diagnosis is relatively difficult, and the prognosis is reported to be relatively poor, but it has been reported that long-term survival may result in patients treated with combination chemotherapy. Therefore, TBLB is a useful procedure for early diagnosis of IVL, and may contribute to good outcome.