Intrinsic Disorder-Based Design of Stabilizing Disulphide Bridge in Gαo Protein.

In this study, we have used an approach that allows us to determine in what region of the polypeptide chain of protein it is required to insert a disulphide bond in order to stabilize it. In our previous paper [Melnik et al., JBSD.

Double suppression of the Gα protein activity by RGS proteins.

Regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins accelerate GTP hydrolysis on G protein α subunits, restricting their activity downstream from G protein-coupled receptors. Here we identify Drosophila Double hit (Dhit) as a dual RGS regulator of Gαo. In addition to the conventional GTPase-activating action, Dhit possesses the guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor (GDI) activity, slowing the rate of GTP uptake by Gαo; both activities are mediated by the same RGS domain.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of Drosophila melanogaster Gαo-subunit of heterotrimeric G protein in complex with the RGS domain of CG5036.

Regulator of G-protein signalling (RGS) proteins negatively regulate heterotrimeric G-protein signalling through their conserved RGS domains. RGS domains act as GTPase-activating proteins, accelerating the GTP hydrolysis rate of the activated form of Gα-subunits. Although omnipresent in eukaryotes, RGS proteins have not been adequately analysed in non-mammalian organisms.

Receptor-selective retinoids inhibit the growth of normal and malignant breast cells by inducing G1 cell cycle blockade.

Despite advances in treatment, breast cancer continues to be the second leading cause of cancer mortality in women. Statistics suggest that while focus on treatment should continue, chemopreventive approaches should also be pursued. Previous studies have demonstrated that naturally occurring retinoids such as 9-cis retinoic acid (9cRA) can prevent breast cancer in animal models.

Evaluation of a district-wide screening programme for diabetic retinopathy utilizing trained optometrists using slit-lamp and Volk lenses.

Background: Debate exists about the optimum way to screen for diabetic retinopathy. Cameras produce a permanent record, but offer patients less choice about when and where to be screened. Optometrists offer flexibility but sensitivity and specificity of schemes have varied considerably, perhaps because of variability in screening methodology and that there is frequently no quality assurance programme.

Role of retinoid receptors in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer.

Retinoids are vitamin A-related compounds that have been found to prevent cancer in animals and humans. In this review, we discuss the role of retinoids and their receptors in the treatment and prevention of breast cancer. The retinoid receptors are expressed in normal and malignant breast cells, and are critical for normal development.

Comparative efficacies of amphotericin B, triazoles, and combination of both as experimental therapy for murine trichosporonosis.

We assessed the activities of amphotericin B deoxycholate, liposomal amphotericin B, fluconazole, and SCH 39304 against 10 strains of Trichosporon beigelii in mice with hematogenous infections. Cyclophosphamide-immunosuppressed CF1 male mice were challenged intravenously with a lethal inoculum of T. beigelii (5 x 10(6) conidia per mouse) and were assigned to different treatment groups or were left untreated.

Comparison of glucose/electrolyte and maltodextrin/glycine/glycyl-glycine/electrolyte oral rehydration solutions in cholera and watery diarrhoea in adults.

One hundred and eight male adults (mean age 33 +/- 1.7 years) presenting with watery diarrhoea of less than 48 hours duration at home prior to hospitalization and with clinically evident (grade II, severe) dehydration were admitted into a randomized double-blind clinical trial; 54 were treated with standard oral rehydration solution (ORS)--WHO formulation containing citrate--and 54 with an improved ORS formulation which contained, in addition to the standard formula, maltodextrin 20 g (instead of glucose), glycine 4 g and glycyl-glycine 4 g. Patients with clinical cholera were given tetracycline 500 mg q.

Effect of boiled-rice feeding in childhood cholera on clinical outcome.

Forty-eight children, aged 2-5 years, presenting with watery diarrhoea of less than 48 h duration at home prior to hospitalization, were admitted into a randomized controlled clinical trial, 24 children being treated during the first 24 h of admission with oral rehydration solution (ORS) alone and 24 children being given 'ORS plus boiled-rice feeding'. The latter group received boiled-rice to supply at least 55 kcal/kg/d (about 150 g boiled-rice per feed, given four times daily). Vibrio cholerae were isolated by stool culture on admission from all children.

Clinical trial of berberine in acute watery diarrhoea.

Four hundred adults presenting with acute watery diarrhoea were entered into a randomised, placebo controlled, double blind clinical trial of berberine, tetracycline, and tetracycline and berberine to study the antisecretory and vibriostatic effects of berberine. Of 185 patients with cholera, those given tetracycline or tetracycline and berberine had considerably reduced volume and frequency of diarrhoeal stools, duration of diarrhoea, and volumes of required intravenous and oral rehydration fluid. Berberine did not produce an antisecretory effect.

Effect on clinical outcome of breast feeding during acute diarrhoea.

The effects of oral rehydration fluid alone and of oral rehydration fluid plus breast feeding on the course and outcome of acute diarrhoea were assessed in two groups of 26 children aged under 2 years. Children who continued to be breast fed during treatment with oral rehydration solutions passed significantly fewer diarrhoeal stools. They also passed, on average, a smaller volume of diarrhoeal stools and recovered from diarrhoea sooner after the start of treatment.