7 research outputs found
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Sensitivity of myometrium to CGRP changes during gestation
The uterus is innervated by calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) immunoreactive neurons, and CGRP inhibits spontaneous and evoked contractions in the uterus and fallopian tubes. Using isometric force measurements on myometrial strips, it was determined that the sensitivity of the myometrium to CGRP is dependent on the gestational and hormonal state of the animal. CGRP inhibition of acetylcholine (ACh)-induced contractions was drastically reduced at parturition compared to earlier stages of gestation in mice. In addition, the inhibitory effect of CGRP varied during the estrous cycle. This inhibition was the lowest at estrus, then gradually increased as the cycle advanced, and reached a maximum at diestrus.The level of inhibition exerted by CGRP paralleled the expression of a novel protein recently implicated in CGRP receptor activation, the CGRP-receptor component protein (CGRP-RCP). The mouse CGRP-RCP cDNA was isolated from uterus, and expression of the CGRP-RCP was monitored during gestation by northern and western blot analysis. While no significant change in CGRP-RCP mRNA levels during gestation and post partum was found, CGRP-RCP protein was greatly diminished at parturition. This diminution correlated with the loss of CGRP inhibition of ACh-induced contractions at term, observed in the force experiments.The signal transduction pathway whereby CGRP inhibits myometrial contractility, including the expression of CGRP-RCP, appears to be regulated by the hormonal events of the estrus cycle and gestation. A role for CGRP and CGRP-RCP in modulation of myometrial smooth muscle contractility during gestation is suggested
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Study of universal behavior for the single-impurity Kondo problem
First, the magnetization equation {\cal M}\sb{i}={\cal M}\sb{i}(H) obtained by the application of Bethe Ansatz technique to the exchange Hamiltonian, is expanded to fourth power in coupling constant, for the weakly interacting high-magnetic field, low-temperature regime.Next, a perturbative treatment of the exchange model of the Kondo problem is presented. Calculations of the partition function and free energy are carried out, using conventional perturbation theory. This leads to a series expansion for the impurity magnetization, up to fourth-order in coupling constant. Once again, this analysis is for the weakly interacting, high-magnetic field (still the cutoff of the order of Fermi energy) and low-temperature regime.Comparison between {\cal M}\sb{i} obtained via Bethe Ansatz (where a cutoff scheme D is employed), to that obtained by application of conventional perturbation theory (where the momentum cutoff scheme ( scheme) is applied), enables one to examine universality of physical quantities. In particular, it will be established that once the calculations are carried to high enough order of perturbation theory (fourth-order in coupling constant), the magnetization equation is non-universal.</p
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Relaxation of myometrium by calcitonin gene-related peptide is independent of nitric oxide synthase activity in mouse uterus
Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease in the United States: Three Case Reports and Review of the Literature
Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease (KFD), also known as histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, is a benign, self-limiting disease that manifests primarily as cervical lymphadenopathy but may include low-grade fever, headache, and fatigue. There is a higher incidence of KFD in women aged 20-35 years and in Asian populations. A PubMed search revealed 590 articles that described KFD. Of these, 22 cases have been fully described in the United States. Ten of the 22 (45%) patients were male and 12 (55%) were female, with 20% Caucasian, 20% Asian American, and the remaining 60% of other ethnic backgrounds. In this study, we describe an additional 3 cases of KFD and discuss the diagnosis, pathology, and management of KFD