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The human melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4r) was successfully expressed in Sf9 cells using the baculovirus infection system. N- and C-terminally His-tagged receptors generated B-max values of 14 and 23 pmol receptor/mg membrane protein, respectively. The highest expression level obtained with the C-terminally His-tagged MC4r corresponded to 0.25 mg active receptor/litre culture volume. Addition of a v
To examine pathways of glutamate and glutamine metabolism in the ectomycorrhizal fungus Paxillus involutus, tracer kinetic experiments were performed using L-[U-C-14]glutamate and L-[U-C-14]glutamine and the enzyme inhibitors methionine sulfoximine (MSX), azaserine (AZA) and aminooxyacetate (AOA). When [C-14]glutamate was supplied to fungal cultures, 25% of the radioactivity of the amino acid frac
Background: Thrombomodulin (TM) is predominantly a vascular endothelial cell plasma membrane glycoprotein that, via distinct structural domains, interacts with multiple ligands, thereby modulating coagulation, fibrinolysis, complement activation, inflammation and cell proliferation. We previously reported that by mediating signals that interfere with mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear fa
Both subjects with a low likelihood for coronary artery disease (CAD) and patients with normal findings on coronary angiography have been used as reference populations in non-invasive stress testing, including myocardial perfusion scintigraphy. Both of these criteria of normality--low likelihood of CAD and normal coronary angiography--have been criticised, and consensus on this issue is lacking. T
Cell matrix adhesion is required for cell proliferation and survival. Here we report that mutation by gene targeting of the cytoplasmic tail of beta(1) integrin leads to defective proliferation and survival both in vivo and in vitro. Primary murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) derived from mutant homozygotes display defective cell cycle coupled to impaired activation of the FAK-P13K-Akt and Rac-JN
For the creation of sub-micron emulsions in fluids of low viscosity the high pressure homogenizer (HPH) is usually chosen. One way of obtaining deeper knowledge of exactly what happens in the active region is to visualize it. In this work, a drop deformation and break-up visualization system based on a modified Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) system is described. The system reproduces the gap in
Diabetic control was evaluated in 50 consecutive patients attending a community care centre, either by clinical criteria or by determination of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1). Two methods used for the determination of HbA1 were found to give similar results, namely ion exchange chromatography and agar gel electrophoresis. On a group basis, good correlation was observed between HbA1 samples analyse
A microformat imaging technique in combination with registration of chemiluminescence by a charge-coupled device, CCD camera, were applied for the detection of the herbicide atrazine by two immunoenzyme assay formats - microplate and membrane assays. For the microplate (ELISA) case the detection limit was 95 pg mL(-1), giving a 9.5-fold enhancement in comparison with a traditional colorimetric ass
Administration of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) has been shown to decrease plasma concentrations of apolipoprotein B (apoB) containing lipoproteins, including lipoprotein(a), in man. However, the mechanism behind this hypolipidemic effect is unknown. This study aimed at distinguishing between the main possibilities (increased elimination or decreased production of lipoproteins) using HepG2 ce
To estimate the metabolic costs of regrowth of reproductive organs and formation of eggs, we compared the resting metabolic rate (RMR) of female great tits (Parus major) during the periods of ovarian recrudescence, egg laying, nestling feeding and during winter. We found RMR of individual females, as measured in an open circuit respirometer during night, to be significantly higher during all the b
Batch and continuous reactors inoculated with white-rot fungi were operated in order to study decolorization of textile dyes. Synthetic wastewater containing either Reactive Blue 4 (a blue anthraquinone dye) or Reactive Red 2 (a red azo dye) was used during the first part of the study while real wastewater from a textile industry in Tanzania was used in the later part. Trametes versicolor was show
Appropriate neurogenesis and patterning of the forebrain requires the transcription factor Pax6, yet it is largely unknown how Pax6 exerts its effects at the molecular level. To characterize Pax6-mediated regulation of gene expression during murine forebrain neurogenesis, we performed microarray analysis with tissue from the dorsal Pax6-dependent telencephalon and the ventral Pax6-negative telence
The Younger Dryas interval during the Last Glacial Termination was an abrupt return to glacial-like conditions punctuating the transition to a warmer, interglacial climate. Despite recent advances in the layer counting of ice-core records of the termination, the timing and length of the Younger Dryas remain controversial. Also, a steep rise in the concentration of atmospheric radiocarbon at the on
Helicobacter pylori attaches via lectins, carbohydrate binding proteins, to the carbohydrate residues of gastric mucins. Guinea-pigs are a suitable model for a H. pylori infection and thus the carbohydrate composition of normal and H. pylori infected gastric mucosa was investigated by lectin histochemistry. The stomach of all infected animals showed signs of an active chronic gastritis in their mu
Inhibitor of DNA binding (Id) proteins function as inhibitors of members of the basic helix-loop-helix family of transcription factors and have been demonstrated to play an important role in regulating lymphopoiesis. However, the role of these proteins in regulation of myelopoiesis is currently unclear. In this study, we have investigated the role of Id1 and Id2 in the regulation of granulopoiesis
Exposure of the skin to certain phenols or catechols such as 4-tert-butylphenol (TBP) and 4-tert-butylcatechol (TBC) may cause leukoderma. These substances are used in the polymer industry and numerous cases have been reported. Several theories of the mechanism for chemical leukoderma have been suggested. In the present study, TBP and TBC are shown to be oxidised by tyrosinase. The oxidation of TB
Cigarette smoking has inconsistently been associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. One of the enzymes responsible for the detoxification of the carcinogenic compounds present in tobacco smoke is glutathione S-transferase-mu (GST-mu). The gene that codes for this enzyme is GSTM1. In this study, we evaluated the associations and interaction between GSTM1 deletion, smoking behaviour an
