Synaptogenesis, the formation of functional synapses, is a crucial step for the development of the central nervous system. Among the genes involved in this process are cell adhesion molecules, such as protocadherins and neuroligins, which are essential factors for the identification of the appropriate partner cell and the formation of synapses. In this work, we studied the expression and the genet

Glucagon, secreted by the a-cells of the pancreatic islets, is the most important glucose-increasing hormone of the body. The precise regulation of glucagon release remains incompletely defined but has been proposed to involve release of inhibitory factors from neighbouring P-cells (paracrine control). However, the observation that glucose can regulate glucagon secretion under conditions when insu

A major bottleneck in understanding zoonotic pathogens has been the analysis of pathogen co-infection dynamics. We have addressed this challenge using a novel direct sequencing approach for pathogen quantification in mixed infections. The major zoonotic food-borne pathogen Campylobacter jejuni, with an important reservoir in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of chickens, was used as a model. We inve

Excessive secretion of glucagon is a major contributor to the development of diabetic hyperglycemia. Secretion of glucagon is regulated by various nutrients, with glucose being a primary determinant of the rate of alpha cell glucagon secretion. The intra-islet action of insulin is essential to exert the effect of glucose on the alpha cells since, in the absence of insulin, glucose is not able to s

The tumor growth phenotype was characterized in relation to concentration of circulating estradiol, estradiol receptor (ER) activation and progesterone receptor (PgR) induction. Ten tumor pieces from an ER and PgR positive human endometrial adenocarcinoma grown in non-oophorectomized nude mice for one year were randomly selected to grow during a preparation phase of 4 weeks either in oophorectomiz

Morphologic and physiologic changes taking place in carbon-limited submerged cultures of Aspergillus nidulans DeltaflbA and fadA(G203R) strains were studied. Loss-of-function mutation of the flbA gene resulted in an altered germination with unusually thick germination tubes, "fluffy" pellet morphology, as well as a reduced fragmentation rate of hyphae during autolysis. In the fadA(G203R) mutant st

osteoarthritis, risedronate, knee, bisphosphonates, cartilage

For most animals their foraging environment consists of a patch network. In random environments there are no spatial autocorrelation at all, while in fine-grained systems positive autocorrelations flip to negative ones and back again against distance. With increasing grain size the turnover rate of spatial autocorrelation slows down. Using a cellular automaton with foragers having limited informat

Quality of life (QoL) assessment in children with coagulation disorders is a relatively unstudied area. While hemophilia-specific questionnaires (such as Haemo-QoL) are available, no instrument for children with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) has been validated yet. A disease-specific questionnaire for children with ITP was therefore developed (ITP-QoL) in three phases: (a) a preparator

This paper outlines how an understanding of the processes of building cognitive and sociopolitical legitimacy is relevant to the formation of a biorefining sector. First we describe a number of theoretical insights into challenges faced by emerging industries and how these can relate to the formation of a biorefining sector. Second, we present the conduct and results of an initial exploration of u

The oxyntic mucosa is rich in ECL cells. They secrete histamine and chromogranin A-derived peptides, such as pancreastatin, in response to gastrin and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP). Secretion is initiated by Ca2+ entry. While gastrin stimulates secretion by opening L-type and N-type Ca2+ channels, PACAP stimulates secretion by activating L-type and receptor-operated Ca2+ c

Patients with severely deforming rheumatoid arthritis and impaired function of the upper extremity are often unable to use conventional walking aids. This report describes 42 such patients who were equipped with altogether 75 individually manufactured, lightweight walking aids (12 crutches, 12 forearm-crutches, 39 crutch-sticks and 12 sticks). A plaster cast of the patient's grip as well as analys

An ab initio study of the role of electronic curve crossing of benzene S-1 state in the photo dissociation dynamics of the iodobenzene and effect of fluorination is presented. Two dissociative life times observed in iodobenzene is attributed to the coupled repulsive potential energy curves of the low-lying n-sigma*, pi-sigma*, pi-pi* states. The direct channel is attributed to the alkyl like trans

Losses of pelagic diatom production resulting from silica limitation have not only been blamed for toxic algal blooms, but for the reduction in ability of coastal food webs to support higher trophic levels. Recent research has shown the importance of advective seepage water fluxes of dissolved silica (DSi) from freshwater marshes to pelagic waters during moments of riverine Si-limitation. In this

The workshop was organised to discuss the validity and limitations of existing functional markers of Se status in human subjects and to identify future research priorities in this area. Studies presented as part of this workshop investigated: the bioavailability of Se from different dietary sources; potential functional markers of Se status; individual variation in response to Se; the effect of ma

This article considers the social organization of responses among human service staff to changes in public policy, using a study of a Swedish treatment center for juveniles as an illustration. The stance toward a new treatment ideology, "family-work," was not one of either accepting or rejecting the new policy; the staff conveyed both embracing and distancing. Policy innovations, it is argued, cre