Violence suffered by Venezuelan immigrant female sex workers: an intersectional view.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize and analyze violence committed against Venezuelan immigrant female sex workers, from the perspective of an intersectional look at social class, gender and race-ethnicity. METHOD: Exploratory study with a qualitative approach. Data sources: interviews with 15 Venezuelan immigrant women sex workers and 37 Brazilian online media reports that addressed the topic. Data were submitted to thematic content analysis, with the support of Qualitative Data Analysis (WebQDA) software. RESULTS: Thematic analysis of data from reports and interviews allowed the emergence of three empirical categories: Structural violence and reasons that led to prostitution: a question of social class; Among the forms of violence, the most feared: physical violence; Violence based on gender and race-ethnicity. CONCLUSION: The study made it possible to recognize that Venezuelan immigrant women who are sex workers in Brazil are subject to different types of violence and exploitation. This scenario is due to a reality of life and work that is based on the exploitation of female workers who experience the consequences of the interweaving of subalternities characteristic of their social insertion of class, gender and race-ethnicity.

Violence suffered by Venezuelan immigrant female sex workers: an intersectional view / Violencia sufrida por trabajadoras sexuales inmigrantes venezolanas: una mirada interseccional / Violências sofridas por mulheres imigrantes venezuelanas profissionais do sexo: um olhar interseccional

ABSTRACT Objective: To characterize and analyze violence committed against Venezuelan immigrant female sex workers, from the perspective of an intersectional look at social class, gender and race-ethnicity. Method: Exploratory study with a qualitative approach. Data sources: interviews with 15 Venezuelan immigrant women sex workers and 37 Brazilian online media reports that addressed the topic. Data were submitted to thematic content analysis, with the support of Qualitative Data Analysis (WebQDA) software. Results: Thematic analysis of data from reports and interviews allowed the emergence of three empirical categories: Structural violence and reasons that led to prostitution: a question of social class; Among the forms of violence, the most feared: physical violence; Violence based on gender and race-ethnicity. Conclusion: The study made it possible to recognize that Venezuelan immigrant women who are sex workers in Brazil are subject to different types of violence and exploitation. This scenario is due to a reality of life and work that is based on the exploitation of female workers who experience the consequences of the interweaving of subalternities characteristic of their social insertion of class, gender and race-ethnicity.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Caracterizar y analizar la violencia ejercida contra trabajadoras sexuales inmigrantes venezolanas, desde una mirada interseccional de clase social, género y raza-etnia. Método: Estudio exploratorio con enfoque cualitativo. Fuentes de datos: entrevistas con 15 trabajadoras sexuales inmigrantes venezolanas y 37 informes de medios en línea brasileños que abordaron el tema. Los datos fueron sometidos al análisis de contenido temático, con el apoyo del software Qualitative Data Analysis (WebQDA). Resultados: El análisis temático de los datos de los informes y entrevistas permitió la emergencia de tres categorías empíricas: Violencia estructural y motivos que llevaron a la prostitución: una cuestión de clase social; Entre las formas de violencia, las más temidas: la violencia física; Violencia basada en el género y la raza-etnia. Conclusión: El estudio permitió reconocer que las mujeres inmigrantes venezolanas que ejercen el trabajo sexual en Brasil están sujetas a diferentes tipos de violencia y explotación. Este escenario obedece a una realidad de vida y de trabajo que se fundamenta en la explotación de los trabajadores que experimentan las consecuencias del entrecruzamiento de subalternidades propias de su inserción social de clase, género y raza-etnia.

RESUMO Objetivo: Caracterizar e analisar violências praticadas contra mulheres imigrantes venezuelanas profissionais do sexo, na perspectiva de um olhar interseccional de classe social, gênero e raça-etnia. Método: Estudo exploratório de abordagem qualitativa. Fontes dos dados: entrevistas com 15 mulheres imigrantes venezuelanas trabalhadoras do sexo e 37 reportagens da mídia online brasileira que abordavam o tema. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de conteúdo temática, com o apoio do software Qualitative Data Analysis (WebQDA). Resultados: A análise temática dos dados das reportagens e das entrevistas permitiu a emergência de três categorias empíricas: Violência estrutural e motivos que levaram à prostituição: uma questão de classe social; Entre as violências, a mais temida: a violência física; Violências baseadas no gênero e na raça-etnia. Conclusão: O estudo permitiu reconhecer que mulheres imigrantes venezuelanas profissionais do sexo no Brasil estão sujeitas a diferentes tipos de violência e exploração. Este cenário deve-se a uma realidade de vida e trabalho que se fundamenta na exploração de trabalhadoras que vivenciam as consequências do entrelaçamento das subalternizações características da sua inserção social de classe, gênero e raça-etnia.

Vasodilatory action of trans-4-methoxy-ß-nitrostyrene in rat isolated pulmonary artery.

Trans-4-methoxy-ß-nitrostyrene (T4MN) induced more potent vasorelaxant effects in resistance arteries from hypertensive rats than its parent drug, ß-nitrostyrene 1-nitro-2-phenylethene (NPe). To better understand the influence of insertion of the electron-releasing methoxy group in the aromatic ring of NPe, we investigated vasorelaxant effects of T4MN in isolated pulmonary artery and compared them with those of NPe in view of the potential interest of T4MN in pulmonary arterial hypertension. T4MN and NPe both caused concentration-dependent vasorelaxation in pulmonary artery rings pre-contracted with either phenylephrine (1 µmol/L) or KCl (60 mmol/L), an effect unaffected by endothelium removal. In endothelium-intact preparations pre-contracted with phenylephrine, the vasorelaxant effect of T4MN was more potent than that of NPe. However, unlike NPe, this effect was significantly reduced following pretreatment with 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) (10 µmol/L, a guanylate cyclase inhibitor) or tetraethylammonium (5 mmol/L, a potassium channel blocker). T4MN abolished the CaCl2 -induced contractions in pulmonary artery preparations stimulated with phenylephrine (PHE) under Ca2+ -free conditions in the presence of verapamil, to preferentially activate receptor-operated calcium channels. From these findings, we propose that T4MN evokes endothelium-independent vasorelaxant effects in isolated rat pulmonary artery, partially by inhibiting Ca2+ influx through L-type Ca2+ channels, as well as by activating soluble guanylate cyclase and potassium channels. The present results suggest the therapeutic potential of T4MN in treating pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Vasorelaxant effect of trans-4-chloro-ß-nitrostyrene, a synthetic nitroderivative, in rat thoracic aorta.

Previously, we showed that 1-nitro-2-phenylethene, a nitrostyrene derivative of 1-nitro-2-phenylethane, induced vasorelaxant effects in rat aorta preparations. Here, we studied mechanisms underlying the vasorelaxant effects of its structural analog, trans-4-chloro-ß-nitrostyrene (T4CN), in rat aortic rings. Increasing concentrations of T4CN (0.54-544.69 µm) fully and similarly relaxed contractions induced by phenylephrine (PHE, 1 µm) or KCl (60 mm) in endothelium-intact aortic rings with IC50 values of 66.74 [59.66-89.04] and 79.41 [39.92-158.01] µm, respectively. In both electromechanical and pharmacomechanical couplings, the vasorelaxant effects of T4CN remained unaltered by endothelium removal, as evidenced by the IC50 values (108.35 [56.49-207.78] and 65.92 [39.72-109.40] µm, respectively). Pretreatment of endothelium-intact preparations with L-NAME, ODQ, glibenclamide, or TEA did not change the vasorelaxant effect of T4CN. Under Ca2+ -free conditions, T4CN significantly reduced the phasic contractions induced by caffeine or PHE, as well as the contractions due to exogenous CaCl2 in aortic preparations stimulated with PHE (in the presence of verapamil). These results suggest that in rat aortic rings, T4CN induced vasorelaxation independently from the activation of soluble guanylate cyclase/cGMP pathway, an effect that may be related to the electrophilicity of the substituted chloro-nitrostyrene. This vasorelaxation seems to involve inhibition of both calcium influx from the extracellular milieu and calcium mobilization from intracellular stores mediated by IP3 receptors and by ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ channels.

Imigração de venezuelanos e os desafios enfrentados por enfermeiros da atenção primária à saúde / Immigration of venezuelans and the challenges faced by nurses of primary health care

Objetivo: Identificar os desafios enfrentados por enfermeiros para cuidar de imigrantes venezuelanos na Atenção Primária à Saúde. Método: Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo realizado com nove enfermeiros de unidades básicas de saúde do município de Boa Vista, Roraima. A estratégia adotada para produção dos dados foi uma entrevista semiestruturada. Os achados foram analisados segundo Bardin e organizados em categorias. Resultados: Foram evidenciadas 163 unidades de registros decodificadas em três dimensões: Superlotação dos serviços básicos em saúde, sobrecarga de trabalho nas atividades do enfermeiro e incompreensão do sistema de saúde brasileiro por parte do imigrante venezuelano. Conclusão: Os desafios enfrentados pelos enfermeiros de Roraima na produção do cuidado com imigrantes venezuelanos no contexto da Atenção Primária à Saúde incidiram em aspectos estruturais, humanos, políticos e relacionais. (AU)

Objective: To identify the nurses's challenges for caring venezuelan immigrants in primary health care. Methods: This is a qualitative study conducted with nine nurses from basic health units in Boa Vista city, Roraima. The strategy adopted for data production was a semi-structured interview. The findings were analyzed according to Bardin and organized in categories. The raw data were recorded and their contents were transcribed and the analysis according to Bardin. Results: 163 units of records were decoded in three dimensions: overcrowding of basic health services, work overload in nurses' activities and misunderstanding of the Brazilian health system by the venezuelan immigrant. Conclusion: Challenges faced by nurses in Roraima to the production of care for venezuelan immigrants in primary health care context focused on structural, human, political and relational aspects. (AU)

Objetivos: Identificar los desafíos enfrentados por enfermeros para cuidar inmigrantes venezolanos en la atención primaria em salud. Métodos: Se trata de un estudio cualitativo realizado con nueve enfermeros de unidades básicas de salud en el municipio de Boa Vista, Roraima. La estrategia adoptada para la producción de los datos fue una entrevista semiestructurada. Los hallazgos fueron analizados de acuerdo con Bardin y organizados en categorías. Resultados: Fueron evidenciadas 163 unidades de registros decodificados en tres dimensiones: hacinamiento de los servicios básicos en salud, sobrecarga de trabajo en las actividades del enfermero y incomprensión del sistema de salud brasilero por parte del inmigrante venezolano. Conclusión Los desafíos enfrentados por los enfermeros de Roraima en la producción de cuidado con inmigrantes venezolanos en el contexto de la atención primaria en salud afectaron en aspectos estructurales, humanos, políticos y relacionales. (AU)

Aspectos gerais da vida de imigrantes em abrigos para refugiados / General aspects of immigrants' lives in refugee shelters / Aspectos generales de la vida de inmigrantes en lugares de acogida para refugiados

Objetivo: Conhecer os aspectos gerais da vida de imigrantes venezuelanos em abrigos, com enfoque na alimentação, acesso aos serviços de saúde e principais fatores que motivaram a imigração para o Brasil. Métodos: Estudo qualitativo-exploratório, realizado no segundo semestre de 2019, mediante aplicação de 22 entrevistas semiestruturadas, com a participação de imigrantes abrigados em Boa Vista, Roraima, Brasil. Utilizou-se a técnica de análise de conteúdo para análise dos dados, emergindo quatro categorias temáticas: Viver no abrigo; Alimentação no abrigo; Saúde no abrigo e Escolha do Brasil como destino. Resultados: Não obstante os impasses, há sentimentos de gratidão por viver no Brasil. Viver no abrigo é ruim e difícil, pois o ambiente das barracas é quente, pequeno e com pouca privacidade, porém ressaltam que é melhor que viver nas ruas. Quanto à alimentação no abrigo, o suporte nutricional é satisfatório, com o fornecimento de três refeições balanceadas diariamente, embora às vezes insuficiente. Os participantes estão satisfeitos com os cuidados interdisciplinares em saúde e a distribuição de medicamentos, no entanto reclamam que o acesso aos serviços de saúde é limitado. A escolha do Brasil para imigrar deu-se pela sua posição econômica na América do Sul e, portanto, achavam que teriam mais chance de empregabilidade, bem como acesso à educação, à saúde e, pela proximidade geográfica a seu país. Conclusão: O estudo permitiu conhecer as principais razões que levaram os participantes a escolherem o Brasil como destino, além dos aspectos gerais da vida nos abrigos, com foco em saúde e alimentação.

Objective: To know the general aspects of Venezuelan immigrants' life in shelters, with a focus on food, access to health services, and main factors that motivated immigration to Brazil. Methods: This is a qualitative-exploratory study, carried out in the second semester of 2019, using 22 semi-structured interviews, with the participation of immigrants sheltered in Boa Vista, Roraima, Brazil. The content analysis technique was used for data analysis, with four thematic categories emerging: Living in the shelter, Food at the shelter, Health at the shelter, and Choice of Brazil as a destination. Results: Despite the impasses, there are feelings of gratitude for living in Brazil. Living in the shelter is bad and difficult, as the environment in the tents is warm, small, and with little privacy, but they emphasize that it is better than living on the streets. As for the food at the shelter, nutritional support is satisfactory, with the provision of three balanced meals daily, although sometimes it is insufficient. Participants are satisfied with interdisciplinary health care and medication distribution; however, they complain that access to health services is limited. The choice of Brazil to immigrate was due to its economic position in South America and, therefore, they thought they would have a better chance of employability, as well as access to education, health, and, due to the geographical proximity to their country. Conclusion: The study allowed knowing the main reasons that led the participants to choose Brazil as a destination, in addition to the general aspects of life in shelters, focusing on health and food.

Objetivo: Conocer los aspectos generales de la vida de inmigrantes venezolanos en lugares de acogida sobre la alimentación, el acceso a los servicios de salud y los principales factores que les han motivado para migrar a Brasil. Métodos: Estudio cualitativo-exploratorio realizado en el segundo semestre de 2019 con la aplicación de 22 entrevistas semiestructuradas y la participación de inmigrantes refugiados de Boa Vista, Roraima, Brasil. Para el análisis de datos se utilizó la técnica del análisis de contenido del cual emergieron cuatro categorías temáticas: Vivir en el refugio; Alimentación del refugio, Salud del refugio y Elección de Brasil para su destino. Resultados: No obstante las dificultades, los inmigrantes tienen gratitud por vivir en Brasil. Vivir en el refugio es malo y difícil pues el ambiente de las chabolas es cálido, pequeño y con poca privacidad, sin embargo, resaltan que es mejor que vivir en la calle. Sobre la alimentación del refugio, el soporte nutricional es satisfactorio con tres comidas a diario de nutrición equilibrada pero a veces insuficiente. Los participantes están satisfechos con los cuidados interdisciplinares de salud y la distribución de medicamentos, sin embargo, reclama que el acceso a los servicios de salud es limitado. La elección de Brasil para inmigrar se dio por la posición económica en la América de Sur y, por lo tanto, ellos creían tener más oportunidad de empleos bien como el acceso a la educación y la salud y, además, por la proximidad geográfica de su país. Conclusión: El estudio permitió conocer las principales razones que contribuyeron para que los participantes eligiesen Brasil como su destino, además de los aspectos generales de la vida de los refugios en especial la salud y la alimentación.

Impacto da migração venezuelana na rotina de um hospital de referência em Roraima, Brasil / Impact of the venezuelan migration in the routine of a reference hospital in Roraima State, Brazil / Impacto de la migración venezolana en la rutina de un hospital de referencia en el Estado de Roraima, Brasil

A migração venezuelana é uma problemática da atualidade que se intensificou em Roraima, acarretando demandas nos serviços públicos de saúde. O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar o impacto da migração na assistência em um hospital de referência de Roraima. Consiste em um trabalho qualitativo que utilizou vinte entrevistas semiestruturadas com os profissionais do hospital. Percebe-se que não houve o incremento de quantitativo profissional e do aporte de insumos; planejamento prévio; ou melhorias na infraestrutura para se adequar à nova realidade. Muitos imigrantes vivem em situação de vulnerabilidade social e as diferenças culturais e comportamentais são elementos que dificultam a assistência em saúde. A imigração impacta negativamente na assistência, contudo, apenas potencializando os problemas crônicos já existentes desse hospital.(AU)

The Venezuelan migration is a current issue that has intensified in Roraima, Brazil, overburdening public health services. The proposal of this estudy was to analyze the impact of migration in healthcare in a reference hospital of Roraima, Brazil. It was a qualitative research comprised comprised of twenty semistructured interviews with professionals who work at the hospital. We noticed there was no change in the number of professionals, in the supply of input, in planning, and in infrastructure improvements to adapt to this new reality. Many migrants live in social vulnerability situation, and cultural and behavioral differences hinder the provision of healthcare. Therefore, migration negatively impacts healthcare, but it only intensifies chronic issues that already exist in that hospital.(AU)

La migración venezolana es una problemática de la actualidad que se intensificó en el Estado de Roraima, causando demandas en los servicios públicos de salud. La investigación tuvo como objetivo analizar el impacto de la migración en la asistencia en un hospital de referencia de Roraima, Brasil. Consiste en un trabajo cualitativo, por medio de veinte entrevistas semiestructuradas con los profesionales del hospital. Se percibe que no hubo el aumento de cuantitativo profesional, ni de la aportación de insumos, ni planificación previa o mejoras en la infraestructura para adecuarse a la nueva realidad. Muchos emigrantes viven en situación de vulnerabilidad social y las diferencias culturales y comportamentales son elementos que dificultan la asistencia de la salud. Por lo tanto, la migración causa un impacto negativo en la asistencia, aunque potencializando los problemas crónicos ya existentes en el hospital.(AU)

Reflexos da imigração venezuelana na assistência em saúde no maior hospital de Roraima: análise qualitativa / Reflexes of Venezuelan immigration on health care at the largest hospital in Roraima, Brazil: qualitative analysis

Resumo O crescente fluxo de imigração venezuelana provocou discussões acerca da inserção dessa comunidade no território brasileiro. Atualmente, o sistema de saúde roraimense tem o desafio de efetivar a universalização do acesso à saúde ao imigrante. Logo, este estudo objetiva conhecer as repercussões desse fenômeno sob a ótica de profissionais de saúde. Para isso, trata-se de um estudo qualitativo com abordagem exploratória que analisou a percepção dos técnicos de enfermagem do maior hospital de Roraima sobre os reflexos da imigração nos serviços de saúde e na qualidade da assistência. A análise das entrevistas semiestruturadas foi pautada na técnica de avaliação de conteúdo, sendo elencadas categorias. Por meio de análise da categoria de entraves na assistência de saúde, observaram-se problemas estruturais, como as fragilidades de infraestrutura e a carência de profissionais técnicos, resultando na sobrecarga de trabalho, e étnicos-culturais, como a barreira linguística, que representa um fator limitante para a realização de um atendimento de saúde com qualidade, além da maior fragilidade na condição de saúde dos imigrantes. Os achados deste trabalho podem auxiliar o estado de Roraima a refletir criticamente acerca do emprego correto dos investimentos na saúde, para garantir eficácia, dignidade e humanidade aos imigrantes, bem como aos brasileiros.

Abstract The growing flow of Venezuelan immigration has provoked discussions about the insertion of this community in Brazilian territory. Currently, the health system of Roraima has the challenge of effecting the universalization of access to the immigrant population. Therefore, this study aims to understand the repercussions of this phenomenon from the perspective of health professionals. As such, this is a qualitative study with an exploratory approach that analyzed the perception of nursing technicians of the largest hospital in Roraima about the effects of immigration on health services and quality of care. The analysis of semi-structured interviews was based on the content evaluation technique, and categories were listed. Through the categorical analysis of obstacles in health care, we observed structural problems, such as frailties in infrastructure and lack of technical professionals, resulting in work overload, as well as ethnocultural problems, such as the language barrier, which represents a limiting factor for performing quality health care, in addition to the greater frailty in the health condition of immigrants. The findings of this study may help the state of Roraima to reflect critically on the correct use of investments in health, to ensure efficacy, dignity and humanity to immigrants, as well as Brazilians.

Trans-4-methoxy-ß-nitrostyrene relaxes rat thoracic aorta through a sGC-dependent pathway.

1-Nitro-2-phenylethene (NPe) induces a more potent vasorelaxant effect in rat aorta than its structural analog 1-nitro-2-phenylethane, but mediated through a different mechanism, independent of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulation. We hypothesized that introducing an electron donor into the aromatic moiety might stabilize NPe, enhancing its potency and/or interaction with sGC. Therefore, trans-4-methoxy-ß-nitrostyrene (T4MN) was synthesized, and mechanisms underlying its vasorelaxant effects were studied in rat aortic ring preparations. In endothelium-intact preparations, T4MN fully relaxed contractions induced by phenylephrine (PHE) with a potency similar to that of its parent drug, NPe. This vasorelaxant effect that was unchanged by endothelium removal, pretreatment with L-NAME, indomethacin, or MDL-12,330A, but was significantly reduced by tetraethylammonium, 4-aminopyridine, methyl blue, or ODQ. Under Ca2+-free conditions, T4MN did not alter contractions evoked by caffeine, but significantly reduced, in an ODQ-preventable manner, those induced by either PHE or extracellular Ca2+ restoration following depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores in thapsigargin-treated aortic preparations. Under the same conditions, T4MN also reduced contractions induced by protein kinase C activator phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate with a potency similar to that evoked by this nitroderivative against PHE-induced contractions. In conclusion, T4MN induces potent vasorelaxation in rat aorta by stimulating the sGC-cGMP pathway through a NO-independent mechanism. Introduction of a methoxy group into the aromatic moiety apparently stabilizes NPe, thereby enhancing its interaction with sGC.

Mechanism of the vasorelaxant effect induced by trans-4-methyl-ß-nitrostyrene, a synthetic nitroderivative, in rat thoracic aorta.

Mechanisms underlying the vasorelaxant effects of trans-4-methyl-ß-nitrostyrene (T4MeN) were studied in rat aortic rings. In endothelium-intact preparations, T4MeN fully and similarly relaxed contractions induced by phenylephrine (PHE) (IC50  = 61.41 [35.40-87.42] µmol/L) and KCl (IC50  = 83.50 [56.63-110.50] µmol/L). The vasorelaxant effect of T4MeN was unchanged by endothelium removal, pretreatment with L-NAME, indomethacin, tetraethylammonium, ODQ or MDL-12,330A. Under Ca2+ -free conditions, T4MeN significantly reduced with a similar potency: (i) phasic contractions induced by PHE, but not by caffeine; (ii) contractions due to CaCl2 in aortic preparations stimulated with PHE (in the presence of verapamil) or high KCl; (iii) contractions evoked by the restoration of external Ca2+ levels after depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores in the presence of thapsigargin. In contrast, T4MeN was more potent at inhibiting contractions evoked by the tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, sodium orthovanadate, than those induced by the activator of PKC, phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate. These results suggest that T4MeN induces an endothelium- independent vasorelaxation that appears to occur intracellularly through the inhibition of contractions that are independent of Ca2+ influx from the extracellular milieu but involve phosphorylation of tyrosine residues.

Vasorelaxant effects of 1-nitro-2-phenylethene in rat isolated aortic rings.

Previously, we showed that nitro-2-phenylethane is a vasorelaxant constituent of the essential oil of Aniba canelilla. Here, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the vascular effects of 1-nitro-2-phenylethene (NPe), a structural analog of 1-nitro-2-phenylethane obtained synthetically, in rat isolated thoracic aortic preparations. At 0.1-100 µg/mL, NPe similarly relaxed endothelium-intact or endothelium-denuded aortic preparations pre-contracted with 60mM KCl or with phenylephrine (PHE, 1 µM). Vasorelaxant effects of NPe against PHE-induced contractions remained unaffected following blockade of potassium channels by TEA, and inhibition of either nitric oxide synthase by l-NAME, cyclooxygenase by indomethacin or guanylate cyclase by ODQ. In preparations maintained under Ca(2+)-free conditions, NPe significantly reduced the contractions induced (i) by PHE, but not those evoked by caffeine, (ii) by CaCl2 in either PHE (in the presence of 1 µM verapamil)- or KCl-stimulated preparations, (iii) by extracellular Ca(2+) restoration in thapsigargin-treated aortic preparations, and (iv) by the activator of protein kinase C phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate or the inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatase sodium orthovanadate. It is concluded that NPe induced an endothelium-independent vasorelaxation with potency greater than its structural analog 1-nitro-2-phenylethane. Such action appears to occur intracellularly probably through inhibition of contractile events that are clearly independent of Ca(2+) influx from the extracellular milieu.