Protein aggregation during overexpression limited by peptide extensions with large net negative charge.

Folding of the human coxsackie and adenovirus receptor immunoglobulin (Ig) variable-type domain (CAR D1) during overexpression in the Escherichia coli cytoplasm was shown previously to be partially rescued by fusion to a 22-residue C-terminal peptide. Here, peptide sequence features required for solubilization and folding of CAR D1 and similar Ig variable-type domains from two other human membrane proteins were investigated. Peptide extensions with net negative charge > -6 fully solubilized CAR D1, and approximately half of the peptide-solubilized protein was correctly folded.

Superiority of autogenous arteriovenous hemodialysis access: maintenance of function with fewer secondary interventions.

The National Kidney Foundation Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (NKF K/DOQI) guidelines have advocated autogenous arteriovenous fistulae as a primary procedure for hemodialysis access. This study compared the clinical outcomes between autogenous and prosthetic arteriovenous hemodialysis accesses, determining factors contributing to primary and secondary patency and function. Associated risk factors and number of interventions required to maintain secondary patency in each cohort were also assessed.

Formula feeding potentiates docosahexaenoic and arachidonic acid biosynthesis in term and preterm baboon neonates.

Infant formulas supplemented with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) are now available in the United States; however, little is known about the factors that affect biosynthesis. Baboon neonates were assigned to one of four treatments: term, breast-fed; term, formula-fed; preterm (155 of 182 days gestation), formula-fed; and preterm, formula+DHA/ARA-fed. Standard formula had no DHA/ARA; supplemented formula had 0.

Crystal structures of pinoresinol-lariciresinol and phenylcoumaran benzylic ether reductases and their relationship to isoflavone reductases.

Despite the importance of plant lignans and isoflavonoids in human health protection (e.g. for both treatment and prevention of onset of various cancers) as well as in plant biology (e.

A putative DNA helicase and novel oligoribonuclease in the Diachasmimorpha longicaudata entomopoxvirus (DlEPV).

Diachasmimorpha longicaudata entomopoxvirus (DlEPV) is a symbiotic entomopoxvirus (EPV) of the parasitic wasp Diachasmimorpha longicaudata. It has a double-stranded DNA genome of 250-300 kb and is >60% A-T rich. We describe ten ORFs (RI-35-1 to -10) contained within a 5.

Dual origin of the renal tubules in Drosophila: mesodermal cells integrate and polarize to establish secretory function.

Organs are made up of cells from separate origins, whose development and differentiation must be integrated to produce a physiologically coherent structure. For example, during the development of the kidney, a series of interactions between the epithelial mesonephric duct and the surrounding metanephric mesenchyme leads to the formation of renal tubules. Cells of the metanephric mesenchyme first induce branching of the mesonephric duct to form the ureteric buds, and they then respond to signals derived from them.

Ophthalmologic findings as predictors of carotid artery disease.

Vascular events that occur in the brain also occur in the eye, giving rise to different ophthalmologic manifestations that range from amaurosis fugax to complete blindness due to central retinal artery occlusion. The objective of this study was to ascertain the relative frequency and predictive value of ocular findings suggestive of carotid occlusive disease in patients being investigated for carotid endarterectomy. The charts of 366 patients undergoing carotid angiography for evaluation of cerebrovascular or visual symptoms over a 5-year period were reviewed.

Arterial grafts in microscope-assisted pedal bypass for limb salvage.

Leg amputations are associated with marked morbidity and mortality in the atherosclerotic population. The survival in patients undergoing lower extremity amputations is 50% at 3 years and 30% at 5 years. Despite excellent reported results with pedal bypass, some patients are "nonbypassable" with traditional techniques because of very small, short target vessels in the pedal arch.

Developmental compartments and planar polarity in Drosophila.

Background: Planar polarity refers to the asymmetry of a cell within the plane of the epithelium; for example, cells may form hairs that point in a posterior direction, or cilia may beat in one way. This property implies that cells have information about their orientation; we wish to understand the nature of this information. Relevant also is the body plan of insects, which, in the ectoderm and somatic mesoderm, consists of a chain of alternating anterior and posterior compartments - basic units of development with independent cell lineage and subject to independent genetic control.

Middle aortic syndrome: distal thoracic and abdominal coarctation, a disorder with multiple etiologies.

Background: Congenital coarctation of the thoracic aorta at the ligamentum arteriosum or the aortic arch is well recognized. But a much less common variety (0.5% to 2.

Towards a model of the organisation of planar polarity and pattern in the Drosophila abdomen.

The abdomen of adult Drosophila consists of a chain of alternating anterior (A) and posterior (P) compartments which are themselves subdivided into stripes of different types of cuticle. Most of the cuticle is decorated with hairs and bristles that point posteriorly, indicating the planar polarity of the cells. Here we research the link between pattern and polarity.

Culturally sensitive care of the Muslim patient.

The number of Muslims in the United States is growing. This article outlines a few of the major beliefs in Islam. Religious and philosophical factors that affect health care are discussed, and practical suggestions are made for nursing actions that lead to culture care preservation, culture care accommodation, and culture care restructuring.

Significant utilization of dietary arachidonic acid is for brain adrenic acid in baboon neonates.

Dietary arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) utilization in-vivo for carbon recycling into de-novo lipogenesis and conversion to n-6 long chain polyunsaturates was investigated in baboon neonates using [U-(13)C]20:4n-6. Neonates consuming a formula typical of human milk received a single oral dose of [(13)C]arachidonic acid in sn-2 position of either triglyceride or phosphatidylcholine at 18-19 days of postnatal life. Neonate brain, retina, liver, and plasma were obtained 10 days later (28-29 days of life).

Phenotype/genotype associations for yield and salt tolerance in a barley mapping population segregating for two dwarfing genes.

Barley traits related to salt tolerance are mapped in a population segregating for a dwarfing gene associated with salt tolerance. Twelve quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were detected for seven seedling traits in doubled haploids from the spring barley cross Derkado x B83-12/21/5 when given saline treatment in hydroponics. The location of QTLs for seedling growth stage (leaf appearance rate), stem weight prior to elongation, and tiller number are reported for the first time.

A direct pyrophosphatase-coupled assay provides new insights into the activation of the secreted adenylate cyclase from Bordetella pertussis by calmodulin.

Continuous recording of the activity of recombinant adenylate cyclase (CyaA) of Bordetella pertussis (EC ) by conductimetric determination of enzyme-coupled pyrophosphate cleavage has enabled us to define a number of novel features of the activation of this enzyme by calmodulin and establish conditions under which valid activation data can be obtained. Activation either in the presence or absence of calcium is characterized by a concentration-dependent lag phase. The rate of formation and breakdown of the activated complex can be determined from an analysis of the lag phase kinetics and is in good agreement with thermodynamic data obtained by measuring the dependence of activation on calmodulin concentration, which show that calcium increases k(on) by about 30-fold.

Straight-chain acyl-CoA oxidase knockout mouse accumulates extremely long chain fatty acids from alpha-linolenic acid: evidence for runaway carousel-type enzyme kinetics in peroxisomal beta-oxidation diseases.

Extremely long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (ELCPs) with >24 carbons and four or more double bonds are normally found in excitatory tissues but have no known function, and are greatly increased in brain and other tissues of humans with peroxisomal disorders. Straight-chain acyl-CoA oxidase (AOX) catalyzes the first, rate-limiting step of peroxisomal beta-oxidation of very-long-chain saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. We have studied the polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism of AOX knockout mice (AOX-/- as a model of human AOX deficiency (pseudo-neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy), and as a genetic tool to test the putative peroxisomal beta-oxidation involvement in polyunsaturated fatty acid synthesis.

Seven Wnt homologues in Drosophila: a case study of the developing tracheae.

Sequencing of the Drosophila genome has revealed that there are "silent" homologues of many important genes-family members that were not detected by classic genetic approaches. Why have so many homologues been conserved during evolution? Perhaps each one has a different but important function in every system. Perhaps each one works independently in a different part of the body.

Wingless signalling: more about the Wingless morphogen.

Recent work on pattern formation in the Drosophila embryo reveals a new mechanism which shapes the gradient of the secreted morphogen, Wingless: Wingless protein is degraded more rapidly on one side of its source than on the other.

Morphogens: how big is the big picture?

Morphogens are in the front line just now. Here I trace how the concept of a morphogen has evolved over the past 100 years and step a little beyond what we already know.