Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein, an epithelial chloride channel expressed in the airways, pancreas, testis, and other tissues. A central question is how defective CFTR function in CF leads to chronic lung infection and deterioration of lung function. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain lung disease in CF, incl...

until 2000 it was believed that gonadotropin-releasing hormone (gnrh) was the sole regulator of hypophyseal gonadotropes. in 2000, the discovery of a gonadotropin inhibitory hormone (gnih) initiated a revolution in the field of reproductive physiology. identification of gnih homologues in mammals, the arginine-phenylalanine- amide (rfamide)-related peptides (rfrps), indicated a similar function...

Different studies have addressed the predictive role of nighttime hemodynamics on cardiovascular and renal outcomes, although nocturnal blood pressure (BP) phenotypes (i.e. nondipping pattern and absolute nocturnal BP) have been found to be predictive of worse health outcomes. Furthermore, differences in both examined populations - ranging from healthy and younger subjects to those with overt c...

tween Insulin Sensitivity and Cardiovascular Risk (RISC) study. Diabetes Care. 2010;33(9):2090-2097. 8. Succurro E, Arturi F, Lugarà M, et al. One-hour postload plasma glucose levels are associated with kidney dysfunction. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2010;5 (11):1922-1927. 9. Strandberg TE, Strandberg A, Rantanen K, Salomaa VV, Pitkälä K, Miettinen TA. Low cholesterol, mortality, and quality of life...

Pulmonary heart disease (PHD) refers to altered structure or function of the right ventricle occurring in association with abnormal respiratory function. Although nearly always associated with some degree of PH, the degree, nature, severity, and causality of PH in relation to the PHD is not necessarily linear and direct. Abnormal gas exchange is a fundamental underpinning of PHD, affecting pulm...

The regulation of cell migration is essential to animal development and physiology. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans shape the interactions of morphogens and guidance cues with their respective receptors to elicit appropriate cellular responses. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans consist of a protein core with attached heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycan chains, which are synthesized by glycosyltransfera...

Unregulated overproduction of parathyroid hormone (PTH) from an abnormal parathyroid gland is the origin of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Patients who have an elevated serum calcium concentration have a problem in one or more of their parathyroid glands. To understand this disease state adequately and provide appropriate treatment, a thorough understanding of parathyroid embryology, anato...