Clinical brain MR imaging prescriptions in Talairach space: technologist- and computer-driven methods.

Background And Purpose: Variability in patient head positioning may yield substantial interstudy image variance in the clinical setting. We describe and test three-step technologist and computer-automated algorithms designed to image the brain in a standard reference system and reduce variance.

Methods: Triple oblique axial images obtained parallel to the Talairach anterior commissure (AC)-posterior commissure (PC) plane were reviewed in a prospective analysis of 126 consecutive patients.

Novel cobalt-catalyzed carbonylation of 2-aryl-2-oxazolines.

Catalytic ring-expanding carbonylation of 2-aryl-2-oxazolines is reported as a novel method for the synthesis of 4,5-dihydro-1,3-oxazin-6-ones. Various observations suggest the involvement of cobalt radicals as the catalytically active species. [reaction: see text]

BH3-domain mimetic compound BH3I-2' induces rapid damage to the inner mitochondrial membrane prior to the cytochrome c release from mitochondria.

The Bcl-2 family proteins are major regulators of cell survival and death in human leukaemia. BH3-containing peptides induce apoptosis by binding to the hydrophobic pocket of the anti-apoptotic proteins, such as Bcl-2 or Bcl-XL. A small cell-permeable compound, BH3I-2' (3-iodo-5-chloro-N-[2-chloro-5-((4-chlorophenyl)sulphonyl)phenyl]-2-hydroxybenzamide), has been recently reported to have a function similar to Bak BH3 peptide.

Androgen receptor activity at the prostate specific antigen locus: steroidal and non-steroidal mechanisms.

Ligand-activated androgen receptors (ARs) occupy target genes and recruit histone modifiers that influence transcriptional competency. In LNCaP prostate cancer cells, the natural ligand 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) activates transiently transfected AR-responsive promoter constructs; concurrent treatment with the protein kinase A activator forskolin enhanced AR stimulation induced by DHT. Additional treatment with the cytokine IL-6, purportedly an AR activator, markedly inhibited receptor activity.

Role of Smac in human leukaemic cell apoptosis and proliferation.

Smac (or DIABLO) is a recently identified, novel proapoptotic molecule, which is released from mitochondria into the cytosol during apoptosis. Smac functions by eliminating the caspase-inhibitory properties of the inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAP), particularly XIAP. In this study, we stably transfected both full-length (FL) and mature (MT) Smac genes into the K562 and CEM leukaemic cell lines.

Nicotine trapping causes the persistent desensitization of alpha4beta2 nicotinic receptors expressed in oocytes.

To determine whether prolonged nicotine exposure persistently inactivates rat alpha4beta2 nicotinic receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes, we measured the voltage-clamped alpha4beta2 response to acetylcholine (ACh) before and 24 h after, 1-h or 12-h incubations in 10 microm nicotine. A 12-h incubation in 10 microm nicotine depressed the alpha4beta2 ACh response for 24 h without affecting total or surface alpha4beta2 expression. To determine whether oocyte-mediated nicotine release caused this depression, we co-incubated an alpha4beta2-expressing oocyte with an un-injected one (pre-incubated in 10 microm nicotine for 12 h) for 24 h and measured the change in the alpha4beta2 ACh response.

[Study on the sealing capability of a calcium phosphate root canal filling material].

To evaluate the sealing potential of self-designed root canal filling material made of calcium phosphate cement (alpha-TCP/TTCP, CPC), the apices of root canals of six adult dogs were purposely perforated and enlarged up to the No 40 instrument. Then CPC was used to fill the root canal. Mean while either calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) paste or hydroxyapatite (HA) paste was used as control.

Role of DNA methylation in the suppression of Apaf-1 protein in human leukaemia.

Apaf-1 protein deficiency occurs in human leukaemic blasts and confers resistance to cytochrome-c-dependent apoptosis. Demethylation treatment with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5aza2dc) increased the sensitivity of the K562 leukaemic cell line to UV light-induced apoptosis in association with increased Apaf-1 protein levels. There was no correlation between Apaf-1 protein expression and Apaf-1 mRNA levels after the demethylation treatment.

Living alternating copolymerization of N-alkylaziridines and carbon monoxide as a route for synthesis of poly-beta-peptoids.

The title copolymerization catalyzed by BnCOCo(CO)4 affords poly-beta-alanoids in excellent yields and selectivity. The poly-beta-alanoids have narrow molecular weight distributions, controllable molecular weights, and definite end groups.

Liposomal encapsulation diminishes daunorubicin-induced generation of reactive oxygen species, depletion of ATP and necrotic cell death in human leukaemic cells.

In this study, we tested the mechanisms of daunorubicin (DNR)- and the liposomal encapsulated daunorubicin (DaunoXome or DNX)-induced killing in three human leukaemic cell lines, K562, K/Bax and CEM. DNX showed less cytotoxicity in leukaemic cells than conventional DNR. The intracellular accumulation of DNX was 10 times less than conventional DNR during exposure to drugs for up to 5 h.