Impaired insulin secretion and glucose tolerance in beta cell-selective Ca(v)1.2 Ca2+ channel null mice.

Insulin is secreted from pancreatic beta cells in response to an elevation of cytoplasmic Ca(2+) resulting from enhanced Ca(2+) influx through voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels. Mouse beta cells express several types of Ca(2+) channel (L-, R- and possibly P/Q-type). beta cell-selective ablation of the gene encoding the L-type Ca(2+) channel subtype Ca(v)1.

Three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound of the subendometrial blood flow under the administration of a contrast agent (Levovist).

Methods: Based on the results from 42 IVF patients on the day of oocyte aspiration, our study tested the hypothesis that 3-D Doppler ultrasound of the endometrium supported by a contrast agent possesses advantages over a conventional 3-D Doppler ultrasound examination. We also determined whether the subendometrial blood flow indices measured under continuous infusion of Levovist (Schering, Berlin, Germany) were an indicator of a successful implantation.

Results: It was demonstrated that, after the administration of Levovist, all subendometrial blood flow parameters (e.

Influence of induced fit in the interaction of Bacillus subtilis trp RNA-binding attenuator protein and its RNA antiterminator target oligomer.

In the presence of excess tryptophan, tryptophan-activated TRAP (trp RNA-binding attenuator protein) binds to a specific target in the trp-leader transcript, which induces the formation of a transcription terminator and transcription halts in the leader region. In the absence of tryptophan, TRAP does not bind RNA, an antiterminator forms, and the operon is expressed. Although the ternary complex involving TRAP (Bacillus stearothermophilus), tryptophan, and the RNA target has recently been crystallized, efforts to obtain structural data for the apo-form of TRAP (in any species) have not been successful.

TROSY-NMR studies of the 91kDa TRAP protein reveal allosteric control of a gene regulatory protein by ligand-altered flexibility.

The tryptophan biosynthesis genes of several Bacilli are controlled through terminator/anti-terminator transcriptional attenuation. This process is regulated by tryptophan-dependent binding of the trp RNA-binding attenuation protein (TRAP) to the leader region of the trp operon mRNA, precluding formation of the antiterminator RNA hairpin, and allowing formation of the less stable terminator hairpin. Crystal structures are available of TRAP in complex with tryptophan and in ternary complex with tryptophan and RNA.

Specificity of TRAP-RNA interactions: crystal structures of two complexes with different RNA sequences.

The trp RNA-binding attenuation protein (TRAP) regulates expression of the tryptophan biosynthetic genes in bacilli by binding to the leader region of the nascent trp operon mRNA. When activated by binding tryptophan, the 11-subunit circular TRAP molecule binds to a target sequence consisting of 11 (G/U)AG repeats, separated by two or three variable 'spacer' nucleotides. Reported here are two crystal structures of TRAP bound to RNAs containing 11 GAG repeats separated by UU and CC spacer nucleotides, determined at 1.

Delay between fusion pore opening and peptide release from large dense-core vesicles in neuroendocrine cells.

Peptidergic neurotransmission is slow compared to that mediated by classical neurotransmitters. We have studied exocytotic membrane fusion and cargo release by simultaneous capacitance measurements and confocal imaging of single secretory vesicles in neuroendocrine cells. Depletion of the readily releasable pool (RRP) correlated with exocytosis of 10%-20% of the docked vesicles.

End-of-life competencies and the NCLEX-RN examination.

With the aging of the population, health care workers must be prepared to deal with clients and families facing end-of-life (EOL) issues. Nurses, as one of the primary providers of care and the largest professional group to provide care, can make a significant impact on EOL care. This article uses 15 nursing competencies that have been identified as important in providing high-quality care to clients and the families of clients at the end of life and delineates where these competencies are addressed in the 1998 NCLEX-RN Test Plan.

Importance of the 3' untranslated region of ornithine decarboxylase mRNA in the translational regulation of the enzyme.

Translational regulation of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), which catalyses the first step in the biosynthesis of polyamines, appears to be an important mechanism in the strong feedback control as well as in the hypotonic induction of the enzyme. However, the exact mechanisms are not yet understood. The ODC mRNA has long 5' and 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) which may be involved in the translational control of the enzyme.

Expression of tissue factor in high-grade carotid artery stenosis: association with plaque destabilization.

Background And Purpose: The procoagulant protein tissue factor (TF) has been implicated in thromboembolic complications associated with advanced atherosclerosis. In this study, we investigated whether TF expression in high-grade stenoses of the internal carotid artery (ICA) is associated with clinical features of plaque destabilization and addressed the relationship between TF expression and plaque inflammation.

Methods: In 36 consecutive patients undergoing surgery for high-grade ICA stenosis, clinical evidence of plaque instability was provided by the recent occurrence of ischemic symptoms attributable to the stenosis and the detection of cerebral microembolism by means of transcranial Doppler ultrasound monitoring of the ipsilateral middle cerebral artery.

Isolation of black tea pigments using high-speed countercurrent chromatography and studies on properties of black tea polymers.

Isolation of theaflavins and epitheaflavic acids from black tea using high-speed countercurrent chromatography (HSCCC) on a preparative scale is demonstrated. HSCCC also enabled the isolation of a polymeric fraction from black tea. According to Roberts' classification, the polymeric fraction mainly consisted of SII thearubigins (TR).

The National Council Licensure Examinations/differential item functioning process.

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc., is committed to administering licensure examinations that test minimum, essential entry level nursing competence. The item development process used by the National Council includes extensive procedures that are designed to minimize the possibility that test items contain factors unrelated to the purpose of the examination.

Anti-inflammatory action of pale sulfonated shale oil (ICHTHYOL pale) in UVB erythema test.

Objective And Design: In a clinical research institute the anti-inflammatory effect of pale sulfonated shale oil versus hydrocortisone was investigated in a placebo-controlled clinical trial using a double-blind design and random assignment of the treatments to the test fields.

Subjects: 20 male and female volunteers with healthy skin in the test areas participated in this trial.

Treatment: All subjects received different concentrations of pale sulfonated shale oil (2% and 4%), the active ingredient-free vehicle and a reference product containing 0.

Understanding the NCLEX Diagnostic Profile Report.

A Diagnostic Profile Report (DP) is sent to every NCLEX examination candidate who fails, in an effort to help the candidate identify strengths and weaknesses. A candidate may require assistance to make the best use of the information in preparing to take the NCLEX examination again. A nurse educator who is knowledgeable about interpreting the DP is able to help the graduate maximize these preparation efforts.

The NCLEX-RN examination is changing: are you ready?

The NCLEX-RN Test Plan has been revised. The test plan retains "Client Needs" as the major content dimension and integrates "Phases of the Nursing Process" into all areas. Client Needs are divided into four categories.

NCLEX-RN: from job analysis study to examination.

The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) is used by boards of nursing in licensure decision making and must be job related and reflect current entry-level nursing practice. This article describes the rigorous process used to develop the licensure examination for registered nurses.