In this paper, we applied a new theoretical model of uterine contraction to a large panel of human pregnant and nonpregnant myometrial strips, treated or not by corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH). This model is based on a fine analysis of the contraction curves. This analysis yielded four mathematical parameters (beta, theta, tau 1, and tau 2) related to excitability, duration of plateau ph...

Conclusion: In response to chronic reduction in uterine perfusion due to inadequate placentation, TNFα and IL-2 activates the endothelin system in placenta and vice-versa whereas IL-6 inhibits endothelium dependent NO-cyclic guanine monophosphate mediated relaxation pathway leading to development of systemic hypertension. This further compromises feto-placental circulation. It might be conclud...

Endothelial-dependent regulation of vascular tone occurs in part via protein kinase G1α-mediated changes in smooth muscle myofilament sensitivity to Ca(2+). Tissue-specific differences in PKG-dependent relaxation have been attributed to altered expression of myofilament-associated proteins that are substrates for PKG binding. These include the alternative splicing of the myosin targeting subuni...

We have examined factors concerned with the maintenance of uterine quiescence during pregnancy and the onset of uterine activity at term in an animal model, the sheep, and in primate species. We suggest that in both species the fetus exerts a critical role in the processes leading to birth, and that activation of the fetal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is a central mechanism by which the ...

The discrete regulation of vascular tone in the human uterine and placental circulations is a key determinant of appropriate uteroplacental blood perfusion and pregnancy success. Humoral factors such as estrogen, which increases in the placenta and maternal circulation throughout human pregnancy, may regulate these vascular beds as studies of animal arteries have shown that 17β-estradiol, or ag...

River plume fronts off NW Iberia during autumn 2002 are examined based on the gradient of the mixed layer depth (MLD) in threedimensional model data and on sea surface temperature gradients in Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) imagery. The method reveals new aspects of the dynamics of fronts in the area. The strong gradient of the MLD between the plume and the adjacent ocean serv...

the relationship between relaxation and rhythmic exercises with regard to functional neuroplasticity mechanism is a subject that has been studied in recent researches. the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of rhythmic exercises on the depth of relaxation in national judo athletes. 30 male athletes of national judo team were randomly selected and divided into three groups: cont...