12 research outputs found

    K(+) Currents Activated by Depolarization in Cardiac Fibroblasts

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    K(+) currents expressed in freshly dispersed rat ventricular fibroblasts have been studied using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. Depolarizing voltage steps from a holding potential of −90 mV activated time- and voltage-dependent outward currents at membrane potentials positive to ∼−30 mV. The relatively slow activation kinetics exhibited strong dependence on the membrane potential. Selected changes in extracellular K(+) concentration ([K(+)](o)) revealed that the reversal potentials of the tail currents changed as expected for a K(+) equilibrium potential. The activation and inactivation kinetics of this K(+) current, as well as its recovery from inactivation, were well-fitted by single exponential functions. The steady-state inactivation was well described by a Boltzmann function with a half-maximal inactivation potential (V(0.5)) of −24 mV. Increasing [K(+)](o) (from 5 to 100 mM) shifted this V(0.5) in the hyperpolarizing direction by −11 mV. Inactivation was slowed by increasing [K(+)](o) to 100 mM, and the rate of recovery from inactivation was decreased after increasing [K(+)](o). Block of this K(+) current by extracellular tetraethylammonium also slowed inactivation. These [K(+)](o)-induced changes and tetraethylammonium effects suggest an important role for a C-type inactivation mechanism. This K(+) current was sensitive to dendrotoxin-I (100 nM) and rTityustoxin Kα (50 nM)

    A mathematical model of electrotonic interactions between ventricular myocytes and fibroblasts

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    Functional intercellular coupling has been demonstrated among networks of cardiac fibroblasts, as well as between fibroblasts and atrial or ventricular myocytes. In this study, the consequences of these interactions were examined by implementing the ten Tusscher model of the human ventricular action potential, and coupling it to our electrophysiological models for mammalian ventricular fibroblasts. Our simulations reveal significant electrophysiological consequences of coupling between 1 and 4 fibroblasts to a single ventricular myocyte. These include alterations in plateau height and/or action potential duration (APD) and changes in underlying ionic currents. Two series of simulations were carried out. First, fibroblasts were modeled as a spherical cell with a capacitance of 6.3 pF and an ohmic membrane resistance of 10.7 GΩ. When these “passive” fibroblasts were coupled to a myocyte, they caused slight prolongation of APD with no changes in the plateau, threshold for firing, or rate of initial depolarization. In contrast, when the same myocyte-fibroblast complexes were modeled after addition of the time- and voltage-gated K+ currents that are expressed in fibroblasts, much more pronounced effects were observed: the plateau height of the action potential was reduced and the APD shortened significantly. In addition, each fibroblast exhibited significant electrotonic depolarizations in response to each myocyte action potential and the resting potential of the fibroblasts closely approximated the resting potential of the coupled ventricular myocyte

    A mathematical model of electrotonic interactions between ventricular myocytes and fibroblasts

    No full text
    ABSTRACT Functional intercellular coupling has been demonstrated among networks of cardiac fibroblasts, as well as between fibroblasts and atrial or ventricular myocytes. In this study, the consequences of these interactions were examined by implementing the ten Tusscher model of the human ventricular action potential, and coupling it to our electrophysiological models for mammalian ventricular fibroblasts. Our simulations reveal significant electrophysiological consequences of coupling between 1 and 4 fibroblasts to a single ventricular myocyte. These include alterations in plateau height and/or action potential duration (APD) and changes in underlying ionic currents. Two series of simulations were carried out. First, fibroblasts were modeled as a spherical cell with a capacitance of 6.3 pF and an ohmic membrane resistance of 10.7 GV. When these ''passive'' fibroblasts were coupled to a myocyte, they caused slight prolongation of APD with no changes in the plateau, threshold for firing, or rate of initial depolarization. In contrast, when the same myocyte-fibroblast complexes were modeled after addition of the time-and voltage-gated K 1 currents that are expressed in fibroblasts, much more pronounced effects were observed: the plateau height of the action potential was reduced and the APD shortened significantly. In addition, each fibroblast exhibited significant electrotonic depolarizations in response to each myocyte action potential and the resting potential of the fibroblasts closely approximated the resting potential of the coupled ventricular myocyte

    Understanding the Customer Experiences from the Perspective of Guests and Hotel Managers: Empirical Findings from Luxury Hotels in Istanbul, Turkey

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    Customer experience has been acknowledged as an important factor affecting positive customer behaviors such as loyalty and recommendation. The hospitality industry is also considered to be among the experience-intensive services. This study aims to explore hospitality experiences from guests' and managers' perspectives through a qualitative study. A total of 33 luxury hotel guests and 14 hospitality managers in Istanbul, Turkey, were interviewed to determine factors affecting guest experiences. The content was then analyzed according to two major factorsphysical environment and social interactionsunder which eight major categories were grouped. The findings imply that ambiance, space/function/amenities, design, and signs/symbols/artifacts may be considered main themes under the physical environment factor, whereas under the social interactions factor, the guests' experiences can be grouped under interactions with staff (professionalism, attentiveness/customization, attitude) and interactions with other guests. The results offer valuable insights to managers regarding dimensions of guest experiences and possible misperceptions. The study also suggests various implications and directions for future research
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