Aim: The role of islet nitric oxide (NO) production in insulin releasing mechanisms is unclear. We examined whether the beneficial effects of the imidazoline derivative RX 871024 (RX) on beta-cell function might be related to perturbations of islet NO production. Methods: Experiments were performed with isolated islets or intact mice challenged with glucose or carbachol with or without RX treatmen

Self-incompatibility (SI) in the Brassicaceae plant family is controlled by the SRK and SCR genes situated at the S locus. A large number of S haplotypes have been identified, mainly in cultivated species of the Brassica and Raphanus genera, but recently also in wild Arabidopsis species. Here, we used DNA sequences from the SRK and SCR genes of the wild Brassica species B. cretica, together with p

Aberrant activation of c-Kit is involved in a number of human diseases including cancers and leukemias. Certain receptor tyrosine kinases, such as epidermal growth factor receptor, have been shown to indirectly recruit Cbl through the adapter protein Grb2, leading to receptor ubiquitination and degradation. In order to study the role of Grb2 in c-Kit degradation, a series of mutations of the Grb2

The formation of nanostructures with controlled size and morphology has been the focus of intensive research in recent years(1-10). Such nanostructures are important in the development of nanoscale devices and in the exploitation of the properties of nanomaterials(9). Here we show how tree-like nanostructures ('nanotrees') can be formed in a highly controlled way. The process involves the self-ass

This paper presents an argument for considering issues of class in analyses of communicative planning projects. In these projects, class interests tend to be obscured by the contemporary preoccupation with the class-ambiguous category of “community”. Through a case study of a project of urban redevelopment at King’s Cross in London, we conceptualize and map class interests in an urban redevelopmen

Some pathogens have evolved to produce proteins, called B-cell superantigens, that can interact with human immunoglobulin variable regions, independently of the combining site, and activate B lymphocytes that express the target immunoglobulins. However, the in vivo consequences of these interactions on human B-cell numbers and function are largely unknown. Using transgenic mice expressing fully hu

The local structure of Zn(II) adsorbed at the water-manganite (gamma-MnOOH) interface has been investigated by extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. Adsorption experiments were carried out within the pH range 6.17-9.87 and surface coverages of 0.9 to 9.7 mu mol/m(2).Zn(II) coordination was observed to change from six to four as pH was increased. This was indicated by a cha

The quantitative analysis of beam radiation received on a solar concentrator may be understood by evaluating the projected solar height angle or profile angle along the north-south vertical plane. This means that all the sunrays projected along the north-south vertical plane will be intercepted by a collector provided the projection angle lies within the acceptance angle. The Meteonorm method of c

The hottest developments in the fields of cancer research, neuroscience, genomics and proteomics, anti-virals and more, with a pick of the key research papers in these areas.

The structures of three closely related heterodimetallic cyano complexes, [(NC)(5)Pt-Tl(CN)(n)](n-) (n = 1-3), formed in reactions between [Pt-II(CN)(4)](2-) and Tl-III cyano complexes, have been studied in aqueous solution. Multinuclear NMR data ((TI)-T-205, Pt-195, and C-13) were used for identification and quantitative analysis. X-ray absorption spectra were recorded at the Pt and TlLIII edges.

Small oligomers formed early in the process of amyloid fibril formation may be the major toxic species in Alzheimer's disease. We investigate the early stages of amyloid aggregation for the tau fragment AcPHF6 (Ac-VQIVYK-NH2) using an implicit solvent all-atom model and extensive Monte Carlo simulations of 12, 24, and 36 chains. A variety of small metastable aggregates form and dissolve until an a

Purpose of review An exploration of the evidence that a history of migration is a risk factor for schizophrenia and an evaluation of those studies that seek an explanation for this. Recent findings A meta-analysis found an increased risk for schizophrenia among first-generation and second-generation migrants and found a particularly high risk for migrants from countries where the majority of the p

The Seychelles Warbler Acrocephalus sechellensis is a rare island endemic which, from 1920 to 1988, occurred only on Cousin Island (29 ha) in the Seychelles. Despite the saturated nature of this population and the possibility of obtaining higher reproductive success on new nearby islands, inter-island dispersal by Seychelles Warblers is extremely rare (0.10%). We test the hypothesis that Seychelle

Capsazepine as well as its derivatives and analogues are general inhibitors of constriction of human small airways. From a systematic variation of the capsazepine structure, divided into four regions, SARs were established. This paper concerns the chlorination of the A-ring as well as the replacement of the catechol with bioisosteric groups. It is revealed that chlorination of the A-ring has a pro

Eosinophils are a characteristic component of the inflammatory response seen in several diseases, including allergic asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. After activation, eosinophil-derived products may exert proinflammatory effects and cause considerable tissue damage. In the present study, we investigated innate interactions between the respiratory tract pathogen nontypeable Haemop

When several individuals simultaneously provide for offspring, as in families, the effort of any one individual will depend on the efforts of the other family members. This conflict of interest among family members is made more complicated by their relatedness because relatives share genetic interest to some degree. The conflict resolution will also be influenced by the differences in reproductive

INTRODUCTION: Competitive breath-hold divers can accomplish previously unbelievable performances; e.g., the current world record for apnea during rest ("static apnea") is 11 min 35 s. However, whether such performances are associated with a risk for hypoxic brain damage has not been established. CASE REPORT: A breath-hold diver's competitive performance resulted in a loss of consciousness, after w