E-cadherin and β-catenin adhesion proteins correlate positively with connexins in colorectal cancer.

The majority of solid cancers present with qualitative and quantitative aberrations of adhesion proteins, including E-cadherin and β-catenin, and connexin (Cx) gap junction proteins, which is consistent with alterations in the expression and location of such proteins in neoplastic cells. Since there are no data on the correlation between adhesion proteins and Cxs in human colorectal cancer (CRC), the aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression and correlation between these proteins. Tissue specimens were obtained from 151 cases of surgically removed colorectal adenocarcinomas.

Low frequency of mutations with strongly deleterious but nonlethal fitness effects.

Most experimentally detectable effects of mutations in cellular organisms are either lethal or mildly deleterious. A possible explanation for the paucity of strongly detrimental but nonlethal mutations is that the processes constituting cellular metabolism are either essential or largely redundant. Alternatively, the partition between lethal and inconspicuous mutations exists within important biological processes.

Preparation and Characterization of Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Composite Materials Using the Amphoteric Property of Amino Acids: Amino Acid Intercalated Layered Double Hydroxide and Montmorillonite.

Deprotonated and protonated forms of L-tyrosine or L-phenylalanine were intercalated by Zn-Al hydrotalcite (HT) and Na-montmorillonite (Na-mont), respectively. The intercalated materials were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, BET measurements, and FT-IR spectroscopy. Intercalation was successful as the increased basal spacings attested.