Prospective large-scale field study generates predictive model identifying major contributors to colony losses.

Over the last decade, unusually high losses of colonies have been reported by beekeepers across the USA. Multiple factors such as Varroa destructor, bee viruses, Nosema ceranae, weather, beekeeping practices, nutrition, and pesticides have been shown to contribute to colony losses. Here we describe a large-scale controlled trial, in which different bee pathogens, bee population, and weather conditions across winter were monitored at three locations across the USA.

Protection of pancreatic beta-cells from various stress conditions is mediated by DJ-1.

Pancreatic beta-cells are vulnerable to multiple stresses, leading to dysfunction and apoptotic death. Deterioration in beta-cells function and mass is associated with type 2 diabetes. Comparative two-dimensional gel electrophoresis from pancreatic MIN6 cells that were maintained at varying glucose concentrations was carried out.

Cellular processes underlying maturation of P19 neurons: Changes in protein folding regimen and cytoskeleton organization.

Embryonal carcinoma P19 cells provide an ideal model to study molecular programs along differentiation. Upon induction by retinoic acid (RA), the cells undergo a program of differentiation that generates functioning neurons within 60 h. RA induced cells that were plated as sparse (1000 cells/mm(2)) or dense (4000 cells/mm(2)) cultures showed a marked difference in the culture morphology with the dense cultures exhibiting rapid maturation and accelerated neurite outgrowth.

Evolutional insights on uncharacterized SARS coronavirus genes.

The complete genome of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and many of its variants has been determined by several laboratories. The genome contains fourteen predicted open reading frames (ORFs). However, a function had been clearly assigned for only six of these ORFs, in the viral replication, transcription and structural constituents.

PROCEED: A proteomic method for analysing plasma membrane proteins in living mammalian cells.

Elucidating the profile of extracellular integral membrane proteins on live cells is vital for uncovering diagnostic disease biomarkers, therapeutic agents and drug receptor candidates. Exploring the realm of these proteins has proved to be an intricate task, mainly due to their hydrophobic nature and low abundance. Furthermore, the level of purity achieved by classical methods of purification and cell fractionation is insufficient.