Measurement of urinary 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2-deoxyguanosine in a novel point-of-care testing device to assess oxidative stress in children.

Background: 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG), also known as 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), is an oxidatively damaged nucleobases of DNA and is excreted into urine. Therefore, its urinary level is used as a sensitive marker for oxidative stress (OS). Although it can be measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), its application to clinical pediatrics remains limited.

Molecular characterization of structure and tissue distribution of chicken neurotensin receptor.

Neurotensin, a tridecapeptide, is distributed in a wide range of tissues and exhibits multiple functions through its receptors. Hitherto molecular characterization of the neurotensin receptor has been reported in mammalian, amphibian, and fish species but not in avian species. In this study, we cloned the cDNA encoding chicken neurotensin receptor from the duodenum and characterized its primary structure, biological activity and distribution in the gastrointestinal tract.

Opening of holes in liposomal membranes is induced by proteins possessing the FERM domain.

The destabilization of vesicles caused by interactions between lipid bilayers and proteins was studied by direct, real-time observation using high-intensity dark-field microscopy. We previously reported that talin, a cytoskeletal submembranous protein, can reversibly open stable large holes in giant liposomes made of neutral and acidic phospholipids. Talin and other proteins belonging to the band 4.

Does fear of falling relate to low physical function in frail elderly persons?: associations of fear of falling, balance, and gait.

Falls are a major public health problem for older people. Recent research suggests that fear of falling may be a more pervasive and serious problem than falls among the elderly. The present study was conducted to determine whether frail elderly persons with fear of falling have lower physical function.

Complete sequencing and characterization of 21,243 full-length human cDNAs.

As a base for human transcriptome and functional genomics, we created the "full-length long Japan" (FLJ) collection of sequenced human cDNAs. We determined the entire sequence of 21,243 selected clones and found that 14,490 cDNAs (10,897 clusters) were unique to the FLJ collection. About half of them (5,416) seemed to be protein-coding.