The responses of isolated cat papillary muscles and left atrial strips to a variety of procedures were classified systematically according to the induced changes in peak tension (T), mean rate of tension development (AT/At), and time to peak tension (TTP). Increasing temperature from 25° to 37°C augmented AT/At but reduced TTP reciprocally so that T remained constant. Increased frequency of con...

Interleukin (IL)-22 is a STAT3-activating cytokine displaying characteristic AU-rich elements (ARE) in the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of its mRNA. This architecture suggests gene regulation by modulation of mRNA stability. Since related cytokines undergo post-transcriptional regulation by ARE-binding tristetraprolin (TTP), the role of this destabilizing protein in IL-22 production was inve...

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rapidly progressive hematological syndrome defined by the pentad of thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, neurologic abnormalities, fever and renal dysfunction. TTP has been associated with major surgical procedures and specific medications. However, there is no known previously reported case in which acute TTP occurred after a percu...

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are the mainstay of anti-inflammatory therapy. Modulation of posttranscriptional regulation (PTR) of gene expression by GCs is a relevant yet poorly characterized mechanism of their action. The RNA-binding protein tristetraprolin (TTP) plays a central role in PTR by binding to AU-rich elements in the 3'-untranslated region of proinflammatory transcripts and accelerating th...

AIMS CD36-mediated uptake of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) plays a pivotal role in macrophage foam-cell formation and atherogenesis. Previously we reported on intermedin (IMD), a novel member of the calcitonin gene-related peptide family, in atherosclerotic plaque reducing atherogenesis in apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE(-/-)) mice. Here, we studied the role of IMD in CD36-mediated ...

We describe a case of severe myocardial ischaemia in the setting of thrombotic thrombocytopoenic purpura (TTP). In this report, we discuss the potential difficulties in the diagnosis and management of acute myocardial ischaemia with TTP, particularly relating to the use of antiplatelet agents. We also highlight the importance of careful monitoring during plasma exchange for TTP when acute myoca...

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) in pregnancy is rare, and can be a diagnostic challenge because of its clinical similarity to pre-eclamptic disorders. Without treatment, mortality rate of TTP is more than 90%, therefore early recognition of TTP is important. Treatment with plasma transfusions and plasmapheresis decreases the mortality rate to 20% [1]. We report a case of TTP discovere...

The Traveling Thief Problem (TTP) is a novel problem that combines the well-known Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP) and Knapsack Problem (KP). In this paper, the complexity of the local-searchbased heuristics for solving TTP is analyzed, and complexity reduction strategies for TTP are proposed to speed up the heuristics. Then, a two-stage local search process with fitness approximation schemes i...

Mitochondrial dynamics play critical roles in maintaining mitochondrial functions. Here, we report a novel mechanism for regulation of mitochondrial dynamics mediated by tristetraprolin (TTP), an AU-rich element (ARE)-binding protein. Overexpression of TTP resulted in elongated mitochondria, down-regulation of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, reduced membrane potential, cytochrome c rel...