Detection of endogenous NPY release determined by novel GRAB sensor in cultured cortical neurons.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is an abundantly expressed peptide in the nervous system. Its widespread distribution along with its receptors, both centrally and peripherally, indicates its broad functions in numerous biological processes. However, the low endogenous concentration and diffuse distribution of NPY make it challenging to study its actions and dynamics directly and comprehensively.

The Scaffold Protein PICK1 as a Target in Chronic Pain.

Well-tolerated and effective drugs for treating chronic pain conditions are urgently needed. Most chronic pain patients are not effectively relieved from their pain and suffer from debilitating drug side effects. This has not only drastic negative consequences for the patients' quality of life, but also constitute an enormous burden on society.

Coding variants identified in patients with diabetes alter PICK1 BAR domain function in insulin granule biogenesis.

Bin/amphiphysin/Rvs (BAR) domains are positively charged crescent-shaped modules that mediate curvature of negatively charged lipid membranes during remodeling processes. The BAR domain proteins PICK1, ICA69, and the arfaptins have recently been demonstrated to coordinate the budding and formation of immature secretory granules (ISGs) at the trans-Golgi network. Here, we identify 4 coding variants in the PICK1 gene from a whole-exome screening of Danish patients with diabetes that each involve a change in positively charged residues in the PICK1 BAR domain.

Processing Strategies for High-Performance Schottky Contacts on n-Type Oxide Semiconductors: Insights from InO.

Preparation of rectifying Schottky contacts on n-type oxide semiconductors, such as indium oxide (InO), is often challenged by the presence of a distinct surface electron accumulation layer. We investigated the material properties and electrical transport characteristics of platinum contact/indium oxide heterojunctions to define routines for the preparation of high-performance Schottky diodes on n-type oxide semiconductors. Combining the evaluation of different Pt deposition methods, such as electron-beam evaporation and (reactive) sputtering in an (O and) Ar atmosphere, with oxygen plasma interface treatments, we identify key parameters to obtain Schottky-type contacts with high electronic barrier height and high rectification ratio.

Faceting control by the stoichiometry influence on the surface free energy of low-index bcc-In2O3 surfaces.

The faceting of In2O3(0 0 1), (0 1 1), and (1 1 1) grown by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy on yttria-stabilised zirconia was investigated under different growth conditions-conventionally used oxygen-rich growth conditions with and without heavy Sn-doping, and indium-rich growth conditions-by in situ reflection high-energy electron diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and atomic force microscopy. In a simple thermodynamic model that considers surface free energy only, the observed faceting is compared to recent theoretical predictions of the surface tension (also termed surface free energy) anisotropy and the related equilibrium crystal shape derived from a Wulff construction. These predictions and our comparison include the variation with growth-condition-dependent oxygen chemical potential.

Application of polystyrene-bound invertase to continuous sucrose hydrolysis on pilot scale.

Invertase from baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) covalently bound to a macroporous polystyrene anion-exchange resin via glutaraldehyde was applied to continuous sucrose hydrolysis in packed bed-reactors. The process was scaled up from 3-mL laboratory reactors via 0.3-L reactors to pilot-scale 50-L reactors without significant loss of efficiency.

Further evidence of benefits of a (non-randomised) breast cancer screening programme: the DOM project.

Study Objective: The aim was to demonstrate the benefits of breast cancer screening on mortality.

Design: The study was an evaluation of a breast cancer screening programme by means of different approaches: (1) a case-control study, breast cancer deaths being the cases; (2) comparing the numbers of breast cancer deaths in screened and unscreened women; (3) comparing breast cancer mortality before and after start of the programme; (4) comparing breast cancer mortality in different large cities; (5) comparing screening activity with mortality reduction.

Setting: The setting was a breast cancer screening programme in the city of Utrecht, the DOM project, for women aged 50-64 years old at intake, birth cohort 1911-1925.

Abdominal fat predominance in women is associated with a decreased prevalence of the high risk P2, DY mammographic breast patterns.

Body fat distribution was studied in relation to mammographic breast morphology in a cross-sectional sample of 583 women aged 41-75 years participating in the DOM project, a regional breast cancer detection project in Utrecht, the Netherlands. The waist/hip ratio (WHR) was used as an indicator of body fat topography. Mammographic breast morphology was categorized according to the parenchymal breast patterns (N1, P1, P2, DY) as defined by Wolfe.

Breast cancer screening, with particular reference to the concept of 'high risk' groups.

An overview is presented of the salient aspects of the DOM-project of breast cancer screening carried out in the city of Utrecht, the Netherlands. Results on stage at diagnosis, case-fatality, and mortality rates suggest that the program has been effective. Attention is devoted to the issue whether knowledge about risk factors for breast cancer is helpful in making a screening program more effective or efficient.

Monitoring laboratory performance by statistical analysis of rescreening cervical smears.

The rescreening of cervical cytology smears, although inadequate both for checking the reliability of an individual screener and for the detection of false negatives, nonetheless represents an indispensable tool for assessing morphologic diagnostic criteria and monitoring laboratory performance. Interobserver and intraobserver concordance in a given laboratory determine the reliability of diagnostic criteria and disclose the possibility of improving diagnostic consistency. The various aspects of rescreening are discussed, and a simple statistical procedure for a quantitative comparison of screening reproducibility is described.

Analysis of the diagnostic performance in breast cancer screening by relative operating characteristics.

In medical usage, relative operating characteristics (ROC) refer to the symptoms, signs, and laboratory values used for making a diagnosis. Diagnosis analysis by ROC measures diagnosis performance independently of the diagnostic criteria used, thus revealing the arbitrary character of diagnosis. In order to carry out ROC analysis, the diagnosis has to be graded in levels of certainty of the presence of disease (or suspicion of a lesion).

Diagnosis analysis in breast cancer and cervical cancer screening.

Assessment of the accuracy of diagnostic procedures has been made independent of the diagnostic criteria used by means of Relative Operating Characteristics (ROC) analysis. A ROC curve describes the mutual relationship between the sensitivity and specificity of a diagnostic decision on the basis of various diagnostic criteria. The construction of such ROC curves is made possible if diagnoses are graded into levels of certainty.

Evaluation of screening for breast cancer in a non-randomised study (the DOM project) by means of a case-control study.

In 1974 a non-randomised study of the effect of mass screening by physical examination and xeromammography on mortality from breast cancer was started. Of the 20 555 eligible women in the city of Utrecht born between 1911 and 1925 (aged 50-64 at the start of the study), 14 796 attended for screening. Four rounds of screening were carried out.

Breast cancer risk associated with reproductive factors and breast parenchymal patterns.

In a population-based study of 23,511 women 50-67 years of age at the time of first screening, a striking relationship was found between parity and age at first childbirth, on the one hand, and two radiologic aspects of breast parenchymal pattern (dysplasia and prominent duct pattern), on the other. These relationships appeared to be causal.

The DOM project for the early detection of breast cancer, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

This report describes the short-term results of a population-based screening programme--the DOM project--during the years 1975-1980. Screening was offered to all women in the city of Utrecht (The Netherlands) and 11 neighbouring areas who were born between 1911 and 1925. Further evaluation will be reported in future publications.

[Screening for breast cancer (author's transl)].

This is a report on the breast cancer screening project carried out in the city of Utrecht/Netherlands. Women aged 50 to 64 were examined by clinical examination and xeromammography. The predictice value of recommendation for biopsy was 42% (sensitivity 94%, specificity 99%).