Temporal clustering of gene expression links the metabolic transcription factor HNF4α to the ER stress-dependent gene regulatory network.

The unfolded protein response (UPR) responds to disruption of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) function by initiating signaling cascades that ultimately culminate in extensive transcriptional regulation. Classically, this regulation includes genes encoding ER chaperones, ER-associated degradation factors, and others involved in secretory protein folding and processing, and is carried out by the transcriptional activators that are produced as a consequence of UPR activation. However, up to half of the mRNAs regulated by ER stress are downregulated rather than upregulated, and the mechanisms linking ER stress and UPR activation to mRNA suppression are poorly understood.

Effects of angiotensin II on the cerebral circulation: role of oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress has emerged as a key component of many diseases that affect the vasculature. Oxidative stress is characterized as a cellular environment where the generation of oxidant molecules overwhelms endogenous anti-oxidant defense mechanisms. NADPH oxidases are a family of enzymes whose primary purpose is generation of reactive oxygen species (oxidant molecules) and therefore are likely to be key contributors to oxidative stress.

Effects of age, sex, and neuropsychological performance on financial decision-making.

The capacity to make sound financial decisions across the lifespan is critical for interpersonal, occupational, and psychological health and success. In the present study, we explored how healthy younger and older adults make a series of increasingly complex financial decisions. One-hundred sixteen healthy older adults, aged 56-90 years, and 102 college undergraduates, completed the Financial Decision-Making Questionnaire, which requires selecting and justifying financial choices across four hypothetical scenarios and answering questions pertaining to financial knowledge.

Functional chest pain: nociception and visceral hyperalgesia.

Functional chest pain is a common, yet poorly understood entity. The focus of this review is to explore the evolving research and clinical approaches with a particular emphasis on the sensory or afferent neuronal dysfunction of the esophagus as a key player in the manifestation of this pain syndrome. Although once regarded as a psychologic or esophageal motility disorder, recent advances have shown that many of these patients have visceral hyperalgesia.

Impaired endothelium-dependent responses and enhanced influence of Rho-kinase in cerebral arterioles in type II diabetes.

Background And Purpose: Although the incidence of type II diabetes is increasing, very little is known regarding vascular responses in the cerebral circulation in this disease. The goals of this study were to examine the role of superoxide in impaired endothelium-dependent responses and to examine the influence of Rho-kinase on vascular tone in the cerebral microcirculation in type II diabetes.

Methods: Diameter of cerebral arterioles (29+/-1 microm; mean+/-SE) was measured in vivo using a cranial window in anesthetized db/db and control mice.