INTRODUCTION Endothelin-1, a vasoconstrictor peptide, influences cartilage metabolism mainly via endothelin receptor type A (ETA). Along with the inflammatory nonapeptide vasodilator bradykinin (BK), which acts via bradykinin receptor B1 (BKB1) in chronic inflammatory conditions, these vasoactive factors potentiate joint pain and inflammation. We describe a preclinical study of the efficacy of ...

The in vitro activity of rifampin alone and in combination with oxacillin was determined for 75 Staphylococcus aureus strains (64 susceptible and 11 resistant to oxacillin). Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were determined by broth microdilution; antibiotic combinations were evaluated by microdilution checkerboard and time-kill studies. The...

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent arrhythmia and its incidence is on the rise. AF causes significant morbidity and mortality leading to rising AF-related health care costs. There is experimental and clinical evidence from animal and human studies that suggests a role for the renin angiotensin system (RAS) in the etiopathogenesis of AF. This review appraises the current understandin...

Introduction: Previous studies have shown that the cannabinoid system is involved in anxiety.In addition, transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1 (TRPV1) channels are new targets for the development of anxiolytics. The present study investigated the possible interaction between the cannabinoid and vanilloid systems on anxiety-like behavior in rats. Methods: Four different groups of male ...

Objective(s): Stroke is known as a main cause of mortality and prolonged disability in adults. Both transient receptor potential V1 (TRPV1) channels and toll-like receptors (TLRs) are involved in mediating the inflammatory responses. In the present study, the effects of TRPV1 receptor activation and blockade on stroke outcome and gene expression of TLR2 and TLR4 were assessed following permanen...

Nef is the viral gene product employed by the majority of primate lentiviruses to overcome restriction by tetherin (BST-2 or CD317), an interferon-inducible transmembrane protein that inhibits the detachment of enveloped viruses from infected cells. Although the mechanisms of tetherin antagonism by HIV-1 Vpu and HIV-2 Env have been investigated in detail, comparatively little is known about tet...

It is thought that allogrooming is practised strategically in order to establish, maintain and reinforce social bonds between group members, exchanging one altruistic behaviour for a different form of reciprocated benefit at a later date. Correlational evidence supports this, but evidence of causality is lacking. We reduced parasite loads in eight meerkat Suricata suricatta groups, generating a...

Although increased extracellular matrix (ECM) is pathogenic in a variety of chronic tissue injuries, reduced and/or disrupted ECM may be detrimental in atherosclerosis and rather destabilize existing atherosclerotic lesions. This study therefore assessed the effects of angiotensin II (AngII) antagonism on ECM components of advanced atherosclerosis. Twenty-four-week-old apolipoprotein E-deficien...