This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.spinger.com/00266.”
“Background

and Purpose Ectonucleotidases control extracellular nucleotide levels and consequently, their (patho)physiological responses. Among these enzymes, nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase-1 (NTPDase1), 2, 3 and 8 are the major ectonucleotidases responsible for nucleotide hydrolysis at the cell surface under buy Dactolisib physiological conditions, and NTPDase1 is predominantly located at the surface of vascular endothelial cells and leukocytes. Efficacious inhibitors of NTPDase1 are required to modulate responses induced by nucleotides in a number of pathological situations such

as thrombosis, inflammation and cancer. Experimental Approach Here, we present the synthesis and enzymatic characterization of five 8-BuS-adenine nucleotide derivatives as potent and selective inhibitors of NTPDase1. Key Results The compounds 8-BuS-AMP, 8-BuS-ADP and 8-BuS-ATP inhibit recombinant human and mouse NTPDase1 by mixed type inhibition, predominantly competitive with Ki values <1M. In contrast to 8-BuS-ATP which could be hydrolyzed by other NTPDases, the other BuS derivatives AG14699 were resistant to hydrolysis by either NTPDase1, 2, 3 or 8. 8-BuS-AMP and 8-BuS-ADP were the most potent and selective inhibitors of NTPDase1 expressed in human umbilical vein endothelial cells as well as in situ in human and mouse tissues. As expected, as a result

of their inhibition of recombinant selleck human NTPDase1, 8-BuS-AMP and 8-BuS-ADP impaired the ability of this enzyme to block platelet aggregation. Importantly, neither of these two inhibitors triggered platelet aggregation nor prevented ADP-induced platelet aggregation, in support of their inactivity towards P2Y1 and P2Y12 receptors. Conclusions and Implications The 8-BuS-AMP and 8-BuS-ADP have therefore potential to serve as drugs for the treatment of pathologies regulated by NTPDase1.”
“Advances in the optimization of in vitro-transcribed mRNA are bringing mRNA-mediated therapy closer to reality. In cultured cells, we recently achieved high levels of translation with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-purified, in vitro-transcribed mRNAs containing the modified nucleoside pseudouridine. Importantly, pseudouridine rendered the mRNA non-immunogenic. Here, using erythropoietin (EPO)-encoding mRNA complexed with TransIT-mRNA, we evaluated this new generation of mRNA in vivo. A single injection of 100 ng (0.005 mg/kg) mRNA elevated serum EPO levels in mice significantly by 6 hours and levels were maintained for 4 days. In comparison, mRNA containing uridine produced 10-100-fold lower levels of EPO lasting only 1 day. EPO translated from pseudouridine-mRNA was functional and caused a significant increase of both reticulocyte counts and hematocrits.

These observations suggest that kallikrein can have antihypertensive function in physiological situations where sodium retention can trigger blood pressure elevation.”
“We investigated the relationship between the day-night blood pressure (BP) dip and the early morning BP surge in an cohort of 3012 initially untreated subjects with essential hypertension. The day-night reduction in systolic

BP showed a direct association RSL3 price with the sleep trough (r=0.564; P<0.0001) and the preawakening (r=0.554; P<0.0001) systolic BP surge. Over a mean follow-up period of 8.44 years, 268 subjects developed a major cardiovascular event (composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, and heart failure requiring hospitalization) and 220 subjects died. In a Cox model, after

adjustment for predictive covariates, including age, sex, diabetes mellitus, cigarette smoking, total cholesterol, left ventricular Saracatinib datasheet hypertrophy on ECG, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and average 24-hour systolic BP, a blunted sleep trough (<= 19.5 mm Hg; quartile 1) and preawakening (<= 9.5 mm Hg; quartile 1) BP surge was associated with an excess risk of events (hazard ratio, 1.66 [95% CI, 1.14-2.42]; P=0.009; hazard ratio, 1.71 [95% CI, 1.12-2.71]; P=0.013). After adjustment for the same covariates, neither the dipping pattern nor the measures of early morning BP surge were independent predictors of mortality. In conclusion, in initially untreated subjects with hypertension, a blunted day-night BP dip was associated with a blunted morning BP surge and vice versa. In these subjects, a blunted morning BP surge was an independent

predictor of cardiovascular events, whereas an excessive BP surge did not portend an increased risk of events. (Hypertension. 2012;60:34-42.)”
“Cryptococcus neoformans usually causes MRT67307 molecular weight disease in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. This descriptive study was based on a retrospective review of 33 HIV-uninfected patients with disseminated cryptococcosis from 1998 to 2005. An underlying condition associated with immunocompromise was documented in 30 patients (90.9%), including liver cirrhosis (36.4%), diabetes mellitus (33.3%) and autoimmune disease (27.3%). Disseminated cryptococcosis carried a high mortality rate in this series, reaching 63% overall, with a median survival of 21 days. All patients (12/12) with liver cirrhosis died within the first month after the diagnosis of cryptococcosis. Otherwise, high Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score, female gender and smoking history were associated with worse one-month outcome.”
“This work showed the effect of pheromone plantaricin A (PlnA) on the proliferation and migration of the human keratinocytes NCTC 2544.

There is a decrease in the incidence of high-grade PIN in patients treated with combination androgen deprivation therapy (LHRH agonist and anti-androgen). Changes include increased apoptosis, decreased mitotic activity, less conspicuous nucleoli, and basal-layer prominence. Treatment with the Sa-reductase inhibitor finasteride

results in a significant decrease in the incidence of high-grade PIN. The effect of 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors and selective estrogen receptor modulators on histopathologic evaluation ZD1839 cell line remains unclear, as the number of cases evaluated is small, but new data will be forthcoming with completion of multiple clinical trials.”
“Eleven new protolimonoids, chisopanins A-K (1-11), were isolated from the twigs of Chisocheton paniculatus, as well as thirteen known (12-24) protolimonoids. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, X-ray crystallographic analysis, and chemical methods.

Chisopanins A and B (1 and 2) possessing uncommon hemiketal tetrahydropyran ring at C-17 showed the most potent inhibitory activities on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated inflammation factor-release with IC(50) values at 5.4 and 7.9 mu M for NO, and at 26.9 and 30.7 mu M for TNF-alpha, respectively. In addition, compounds 5-7, 9, 12, 13, and 20 were potent to inhibit NO production with IC(50) value lower than 10 mu M. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“The SN-38 chemical structure interaction of native calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) with quercetin-terbium(III)[Q-Tb(III)] complex at physiological pH was monitored by UV absorption spectrophotometry, circular dichroism, fluorescence spectroscopy, and viscosimetric techniques. The complex displays binding properties to the CT-DNA and was found to interact with CT-DNA through outside binding, demonstrated

by a hypochromic effect of Q-Tb(III) on the UV spectra of CT-DNA and the calculated association constants (K). Also, decrease in the specific viscosity of CT-DNA, decrease in the fluorescence intensity of Q-Tb(III) solutions in the presence of increasing amounts of CT-DNA, and detectable changes in the circular dichroism spectrum of CT-DNA are other evidences to indicate that Q-Tb(III) complex interact with CT-DNA through outside binding.”
“Dopamine D3 receptors (D3Rs) have been implicated in behavioral sensitization to various Selleck Alvespimycin drugs of abuse, but their role in ethanol (EtOH) sensitization has not been directly examined. We used D3R knockout (D3 KO) mice to examine whether the D3R plays a permissive role in EtOH and amphetamine (AMPH) sensitization. We also investigated whether EtOH sensitization is accompanied by alterations in D3R mRNA expression or binding.\n\nAfter comparing EtOH sensitization in C57Bl/6 mice and DBA/2 mice, D3 KO, wild type (WT), and for comparison, D1 and D2 KOs received five biweekly injections of EtOH (2.2 g/kg, i.p.) or saline. Another group of D3 KOs and WT controls received six times AMPH (1.

Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Osteoarthritis Research Society International.”
“Hb E-Saskatoon and Hb G-Coushatta are rare hemoglobin variants that are not a health problem. Herein we present a Turkish woman that was diagnosed as homozygous Hb E-Saskatoon (only the second such case reported buy Ulixertinib from Turkey) and a Turkish boy diagnosed as heterozygote

Hb E-Saskatoon. Additionally, 2 Turkish sisters diagnosed as heterozygote Hb G-Coushatta are presented. (Turk J Hematol 2011; 28: 323-6)”
“Purpose: Titanium dioxide (TiO(2)), a photocatalyst, is known to decompose various organic compounds under ultraviolet (UV) illumination by generating various radicals, which is useful for killing bacteria. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the photocatalytic bactericidal effects of variously treated titanium surfaces

on Streptococcus sanguinis SL1. Materials and Methods: Specimens were fabricated from grade 4 commercially pure titanium, GM6001 10 mm in diameter and 2 mm in thickness. Three different surfaces were prepared: anodized (AO) at 270 V, heat-treated (HT), and machined (MA). Surface analysis was performed using con focal laser scanning microscope, scanning electron microscopy, and thin-film x-ray diffractometry. The antibacterial activities were assessed by comparing adhesion and survival rates of S sanguinis on various surfaces under UV illumination. Results: The AO surface was rougher than the HT and MA surfaces. The AO surface showed TiO(2) peaks of anatase structure, while the HT surface showed TiO(2) peaks of rutile structure in x-ray diffractometry. HT and AO surfaces showed significantly decreased bacterial adhesion under UV illumination (AO and HT > control, AO > MA). In addition, bacterial adhesion GS-7977 decreased more significantly with extended UV illumination time. With respect to survival rates of bacteria, AO and HT showed a significant reduction over time compared to MA. The photocatalytic

bactericidal effect was maximal on the AO titanium, followed by HT and MA. Conclusions: The photo-induced bactericidal efficacy of TiO(2) films is dependent on their surface characteristics. INT J ORAL MAXILLOFAC IMPLANTS 2011;26:39-44″
“Purpose: Screening for impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is recommended for adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Whether glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) can be used for screening in this patient population is unknown. We sought to determine the utility of HbA1c and 2-hour OGTT for diagnosing dysglycemia in adolescents with PCOS. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of 68 adolescents with PCOS seen in the Boston Children’s Hospital Division of Adolescent Medicine between 2008 and 2011 and not known to have diabetes.

“
“The concept of hormesis in plants is critically reviewed, taking growth stimulation by low concentrations of toxic trace elements as a reference. The importance of both non-adaptive and adaptive mechanisms underlying ion-induced hormetic growth responses is highlighted. The activation of defense mechanisms by metal ions and pathogenic elicitors and the cross talk between

the signals induced by metal ions and biotic stressors are considered. The production of reactive oxygen species and, consequently, the induction of stress-induced antioxidants, Anlotinib solubility dmso are key mechanisms in metal ion-induced hormesis in plants. It is concluded that in the current scientific literature, hormesis is used as an “umbrella” term that includes a wide range of different mechanisms. It is recommended that the term hormesis be used in plant toxicology as a descriptive term for the stimulated phase in growth response curves that is induced by low concentrations of toxic metal ions without evidence of the underlying mechanisms. If the mechanisms underlying the stimulated growth phase have been identified, specific terms, such as amelioration, defense gene activation, priming or acclimation, should be used. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“The complex nature of plant resistance to adverse environmental conditions, such as salinity and drought

requires a better understanding of the stress-induced changes that may be involved in tolerance mechanisms. Here we investigate stress-related morpho-physiological effects during vegetative and buy STI571 reproductive growth in two Japonica rice cultivars (Bomba and Bahia) exposed to a range of NaCl concentrations from the seedling stage. The stress-related detrimental effects were observed either earlier or to a higher extent in cv. Bomba than in Bahia. Damages to the photosynthetic apparatus were related to loss of chlorophyll (Chl) and to a decrease of the maximum potential efficiency of PSII (F-v/F-m), affecting negatively net CO2 assimilation rate (P-N). Stress-related leaf anatomical alterations were Z-VAD-FMK supplier analysed during the vegetative and reproductive stages. The size of bulliform cells as well

as dimensions related to the vascular system increased under mild stress but decreased in the longer term or under higher stress level. The pattern of the anatomical alterations observed at the reproductive stage under 20 mM NaCl was reflected in poor panicle development and yield loss, with effects more pronounced in cv. Bomba than in Bahia. In summary, our results show that some physiological and, particularly, leaf anatomical responses induced by NaCl stress are distinctive indicators of sensitivity to salt stress in rice cultivars.”
“Trichosporon species are rare etiologic agents of invasive fungal infection in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. We report 2 well-documented cases of Trichosporon inkin invasive infection in SOT patients.

Here we investigate how the activity of the corresponding glycosyltransferase

(GT) in Arabidopsis thaliana (atDGD2) depends on local bilayer properties by analyzing structural and activity features of recombinant protein. Fold recognition and sequence analyses revealed a two-domain GT-B monotopic structure, present in other plant and bacterial glycolipid GTs, such as the major chloroplast GalGalDAG GT atDGD1. Modeling led to the identification of catalytically important residues in the active site of atDGD2 by site-directed mutagenesis. The DGD synthases share unique bilayer interface segments containing conserved tryptophan residues that are crucial for activity and for membrane association. DZNeP datasheet More detailed localization studies and liposome binding analyses indicate differentiated anchor and substrate-binding functions for these separated enzyme interface regions. Anionic phospholipids, but not curvature-increasing nonbilayer lipids, strongly stimulate enzyme activity. From our studies, we propose a model for bilayer “control” of enzyme activity, where two tryptophan segments act as interface anchor points to keep the substrate region close to the membrane surface. Binding of the acceptor substrate is achieved by interaction of positive Selleck SBE-β-CD charges in a surface cluster of lysines, arginines, and histidines with the surrounding anionic

phospholipids. The diminishing phospholipid fraction during phosphate shortage stress will then set the new GalGalDAG/phospholipid balance by decreasing stimulation of atDGD2.”
“Anabaena sp. TPCA-1 supplier strain PCC 7120 is a filamentous cyanobacterium that can fix N-2 in differentiated cells called heterocysts. Anabaena open reading frames alr4167 and alr3187 encode, respectively, an ATPase subunit, BgtA, and a composite protein bearing periplasmic substrate-binding and transmembrane domains, BgtB, of an ABC-type high-affinity

basic amino acid uptake transporter (Bgt). Open reading frame alr4167 is clustered with open reading frames alr4164, alr4165 and alr4166 that encode a periplasmic substrate-binding protein, NatF, and transmembrane proteins NatG and NatH respectively. The NatF, NatG, NatH and BgtA proteins constitute an ABC-type uptake transporter for acidic and neutral polar amino acids (N-II). The Bgt and N-II transport systems thus share the ATPase subunit, BgtA. These transporters together with the previously characterized ABC-type uptake transporter for proline and hydrophobic amino acids (N-I) account for more than 98% of the amino acid transport activity exhibited by Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120. In contrast to N-I that is expressed only in vegetative cells, the Bgt and N-II systems are present in both vegetative cells and heterocysts. Whereas Bgt is dispensable for diazotrophic growth, N-II appears to contribute together with N-I to the diazotrophic physiology of this cyanobacterium.

Such experience-dependent effects on lower-level sensory processing are compatible with more integrated, hierarchically organized pathways to language and the brain. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“The biochemical mechanisms controlling the diverse functional

outcomes of human central memory (CM) and effector memory (EM) T-cell responses triggered through the T-cell check details receptor (TCR) remain poorly understood. We implemented reverse phase protein arrays to profile TCR signaling components in human CD8 and CD4 memory T-cell subsets isolated ex vivo. As compared with CD4 CM cells, EM cells express statistically significant increased amounts of SLP-76 and reduced levels of c-Cbl, Syk, Fyn, and LAT. Moreover, in EM

cells reduced expression of negative regulator c-Cbl correlates with expression of c-Cbl kinases (Syk and Fyn), PI3K, and LAT. Importantly, consistent with reduced expression of c-Cbl, EM cells display a lower functional threshold than CM cells. Increasing c-Cbl content of EM cells to the same level as that of CM cells using cytosolic transduction, we impaired their proliferation and cytokine production. This regulatory mechanism depends primarily on c-C,bl E3 ubiquitin ligase activity as evidenced by the weaker impact of enzymatically deficient c-Cbl C381 A mutant on EM cell functions. Our study reports c-Cbl as a critical regulator of the functional responses of memory T cell subsets and identifies for the first time in humans a mechanism controlling the functional heterogeneity of memory CD4 cells.”
“Interferon GSK2126458 regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) is an essential transcriptional regulator of

the interferon genes. IRF3 is constitutively present in a latent conformation in the cell cytoplasm. In cells infected by Sendai virus, IRF3 becomes phosphorylated, homodimerizes, translocates to the nucleus, binds to target genes and activates transcription by interacting with CBP/p300 co-activators. In this study, we report that in non-infected cells IRF3 is post-translationally modified by S-glutathionylation. Upon viral-infection, 5-Fluoracil order it undergoes a deglutathionylation step that is controlled by the cytoplasmic enzyme glutaredoxin-1 ( GRX-1). In virus-infected GRX-1 knockdown cells, phosphorylation, homodimerization and nuclear translocation of IRF3 were not affected, but the transcriptional activity of IRF3 and the expression of interferon-beta (IFN beta), were severely reduced. We show that deglutathionylation of IRF3 is necessary for efficient interaction of IRF3 with CBP, an event essential for transcriptional activation of the interferon genes. Taken together, these findings reveal a crucial role for S-glutathionylation and GRX-1 in controlling the activation of IRF3 and IFNb gene expression.”
“A 69-year-old man was admitted to our hospital in October 2003, for further examination of two liver tumors.

Methods: The modified hydrotalcite intercalated

with fluoride ions (LDH-F), used as filler, was prepared via ion exchange procedure and characterized by X-ray Buparlisib inhibitor diffraction and FT-IR spectroscopy. The LDH-F inorganic particles (0.7, 5, 10, 20 wt.%) were mixed with a photoactivated Bis-GMA/TEGDMA (45/55 wt/wt) matrix and novel visible-light cured composites were prepared. The dynamic thermo-mechanical properties were determined by dynamic mechanical analyzer. The release of fluoride ions in physiological solution was determined using a ionometer. Total DNA content was measured by a PicoGreen dsDNA quantification kit to assess the proliferation rate of hDPSCs. Alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) was measured in presence of fluoride resins. Results: Incorporation of even small mass fractions (e.g. 0.7 and 5 wt.%) of the fluoride LDH in Bis-GMA/TEGDMA dental resin significantly improved the mechanical properties of the pristine resin, in particular at

37 degrees C. The observed reinforcement increases on increasing learn more the filler concentration. The release of fluoride ions resulted very slow, lasting months. ALP activity gradually increased for 28 days in hDPSCs cell grown, demonstrating that low concentrations of fluoride contributed to the cell differentiation. Conclusions: The prepared composites containing different amount CH5424802 of hydrotalcite filler showed improved mechanical properties, slow fluoride release

and promoted hDPSCs cell proliferation and cell differentiation. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“The liver is the major organ for the metabolism of protein, fat and carbohydrate. A nutritional approach is required in the treatment of cirrhosis, which is frequently complicated with protein-energy malnutrition. Several advanced treatment approaches for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been established in the past decade. HCC is often complicated by cirrhosis, so treatment of the underlying liver diseases is also necessary to improve the prognosis. Branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) granules were developed originally for the treatment of hypoalbuminemia associated with decompensated cirrhosis. However, subsequent studies found various other pharmacological actions of this agent. We review the clinical significance of therapy using BCAA granules in patients receiving different treatment approaches for cirrhosis and HCC based on the published work as well as our own data.”
“Infants infected with HIV-1 after the first month of life have a lower viral set-point and slower disease progression than infants infected before 1 month. We investigated the kinetics of HIV-1-specific CD8(+) T lymphocyte secretion of interferon (IFN)-gamma in infants infected before 1 month of life compared with those infected between months 1 and 12 (late infection).

In this study, we assayed 27 variations of this gene in 456 individuals from 6 chicken populations to observe linkage disequilibrium pattern, the tag SNP, and genetic diversity. Among the 6 populations, Taihe Silkies exhibited no characteristic between the square of the correlation

coefficient of gene frequencies (r(2)) and physical distance. The other populations including Red jungle Fowls, Xinghua chickens, Ningdu Sanhuang chickens (NDH), Baier Huang chickens, and Leghorn layers exhibited conspicuous characteristic of decreasing r(2) value over physical learn more distance. Linkage disequilibrium decayed more rapidly in Red jungle Fowls, Xinghua, and NDH than in Baier Huang and Leghorn layers. Allelic frequencies and genotype distributions in the 5 populations showed that A-38600G, I-38463D, T-32751C, A-16105G, A-6543G, C-6539T, and A+2794G were possibly associated with broodiness. Besides the above 7 sites, another 2 sites that might be associated with broodiness were screened by 2-tailed test. All 9 sites were used for association analyses with broodiness in 644 NDH chickens. A significant association (P < 0.05) was found between A-16105G and broody frequency (%), and the T+619C in intron 1 was significantly associated with duration of broodiness (P < 0.05). These findings suggested

that the DRD2 gene Selleckchem Pevonedistat should be included in future genetic studies of chicken broodiness and 2 SNP of A-16105G and T+619C might be markers for breeding against broodiness.”
“Limitations of adenoviral (Ad) vectors for cancer gene therapy could be overcome by their combination with pharmaceutical technologies. Here we show that an enzyme-responsive liposomal formulation could significantly enhance the tumor cell transduction abilities and reduce the immunogenicity of Ad vectors. In the current research, the enzymatically cleavable PEG-lipids composed of a PEG/matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-substrate peptide/cholesterol (PPC) were synthesized and

characterized by H-1 NMR and TOF MS ES+. The obtained MMP-cleavable lipids were inserted into the anionic liposomal Ad vectors (AL-Ad) by the post-insertion method. The results of in vitro infection assays indicated that the enzymatically cleavable formulation (PPC-AL-Ad) displayed a much higher gene expression than naked Ad5 and the non-cleavable Liproxstatin-1 in vitro PEG-lipid modified Ad vectors in tumor cells. More importantly, PPC-AL-Ad induces a lower production of neutralizing antibody and lower innate immune response, as well as significantly reduced liver toxicity in vivo. These findings suggest that PPC-AL-Ad is a promising system for gene delivery in tumor therapy. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Introduction: There is a shortage of therapeutical agents for invasive cervical cancer in late stages of development; however, a number of promising molecules are currently in early phases of development.

In addition, they presented a significant effect on bleeding time. Qualitative studies in thrombin-induced washed platelet aggregation in the presence of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) suggested a phosphodiesterase-2 (PDE2) like effect for LASSBio-785, LASSBio-788 and LASSBio-789. They were able to increase the cGMP levels in non-stimulated platelets, in SNP-stimulated platelets MLN4924 inhibitor and in the presence of 1-H- [1, 2,4] oxadiazolo [4, 3-a] quinoxalin- 1- one (ODQ). The antiplatelet aggregation activity exerted by thienylacylhydrazone

derivatives seems to be related to cyclic nucleotides regulation and TXA(2) synthesis inhibition. The structural modification of compound LASSBio-294 led to the optimization of its pharmacological properties and to the discovery of new potent

antiplatelet prototypes selleck chemicals llc with an antithrombotic potential. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Formation of amyloid-beta (A beta)(1-42) amyloid fibrils, a characteristic feature of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), was monitored in situ through atomic force microscopy (AFM). Well-structured amyloid fibrils slowly formed in solution within 24 hours for which high quality AFM pictures could be obtained. Remarkably, addition of either copper(II) or zinc(II) ions to the incubation medium, even at extremely low molar ratios, dramatically changed the A beta(1-42) aggregation profile and prevented fibril formation. Aggregates of different morphology appeared in accordance with previous observations: small globular aggregates upon addition of zinc; ill-structured micro-aggregates in the case of copper. The implications of these AFM results are discussed in the context of current concepts for AD metallobiology.”
“PrLZ is a novel recent isolated gene and specific expression in prostate tissues. PrLZ expression was specifically elevated in prostate embryonic tissues and androgen independent

prostate cancer cells, suggesting it might be association with the embryonic development and malignancy progression. However, the function and mechanism of PrLZ during the progression of prostate cancer remain blurred. Our present studies showed PrLZ expression might enhance the proliferation and invasion capability find more in vitro and also increase the tumorigenicity in situ prostate cancer animal model, which is indicated PrLZ expression contributed to the malignancy progression of prostate cancer. In addition, PrLZ also might up regulate androgen receptor (AR) expression and increase the PSA expression, a putative downstream target gene of AR, which indicated PrLZ mediated the malignancy progression of prostate cancer was associated with androgen signals. (C) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.”
“Refractive errors represent the leading cause of correctable vision impairment and blindness in the world with an estimated 2 billion people affected.