Ortho- and retronasal olfactory performance in rhinosurgical procedures: a longitudinal comparative study.

Purpose: Testing olfaction should be an integral part of a clinical work-up in rhinosurgical procedures. Importantly, intact olfactory experience also includes retronasally perceived odors (retronasal olfaction). This study aimed at comprehensively assessing olfaction in patients undergoing rhinosurgical procedures in a comparative manner and evaluating relations to patient-reported outcome measurements (PROMs).

Loss of SED1/MFG-E8 results in altered luminal physiology in the epididymis.

SED1/MFG-E8, herein referred to as SED1, is a bimotif adhesive protein with ascribed functions in a range of cell-cell interactions, including sperm-egg binding. In the male reproductive tract, SED1 is secreted by the initial segment of the epididymis, where it coats sperm and subsequently facilitates binding to the egg zona pellucida. We have recently reported that SED1-null epididymides show an unexpected incidence of spermatic granulomas, reflecting breakdown of the epithelium and a consequent autoimmune response against sperm antigens.

PIKE-A is required for prolactin-mediated STAT5a activation in mammary gland development.

PI 3-kinase enhancer A (PIKE-A) is critical for the activation of Akt signalling, and has an essential function in promoting cancer cell survival. However, its physiological functions are poorly understood. Here, we show that PIKE-A directly associates with both signal transducer and activator of transcription 5a (STAT5a) and prolactin (PRL) receptor, which is essential for PRL-provoked STAT5a activation and the subsequent gene transcription.

SED1/MFG-E8: a bi-motif protein that orchestrates diverse cellular interactions.

MFG-E8 was initially identified as a principle component of the Milk Fat Globule, a membrane-encased collection of proteins and triglycerides that bud from the apical surface of mammary epithelia during lactation. It has since been independently identified in many species and by many investigators and given a variety of names, including p47, lactadherin, rAGS, PAS6/7, and BA-46. The acronym SED1 was proposed to bring cohesion to this nomenclature based upon it being a Secreted protein that contains two distinct functional domains: an N-terminal domain with two EGF-repeats, the second of which has an integrin-binding RGD motif, and a C-terminal domain with two Discoidin/F5/8C domains that bind to anionic phospholipids and/or extracellular matrices.

Composition and significance of detergent resistant membranes in mouse spermatozoa.

Mammalian spermatozoa acquire the ability to fertilize an oocyte as they ascend the female reproductive tract. This process is characterized by a complex cascade of biophysical and biochemical changes collectively know as "capacitation." The attainment of a capacitated state is accompanied by a dramatic reorganization of the surface architecture to render spermatozoa competent to recognize the oocyte and initiate fertilization.