The stability of the random field Ising model (RFIM) against spin glass (SG) fluctuations, as investigated by Mézard and Young, is naturally expressed via Legendre transforms, stability being then associated with the non-negativeness of eigenvalues of the inverse of a generalized SG susceptibility matrix. It is found that the signal for the occurrence of the SG transition will manifest itself i...

Stress granules (SG) are translationally silent sites of RNA triage induced by environmental stresses including viral infection. Here we show that HIV-1 Gag blocks SG assembly irrespective of eIF2α phosphorylation and even when SG assembly is forced by overexpression of Ras-GAP SH3 domain-binding protein (G3BP1) or TIAR. The overexposed loops in the amino-terminal capsid domain of Gag and host ...

BACKGROUND Striae gravidarum (SG) are atrophic linear scars that represent one of the most common connective tissue changes during pregnancy. SG can cause emotional and psychological distress for many women. Research on risk factors, prevention, and management of SG has been often inconclusive. METHODS We conducted a literature search using textbooks, PubMed, and Medline databases to assess r...

The subgenomic (sg) mRNAs of arteriviruses (order Nidovirales) form a 5'- and 3'-coterminal nested set with the viral genome. Their 5' common leader sequence is derived from the genomic 5'-proximal region. Fusion of sg RNA leader and "body" segments involves a discontinuous transcription step. Presumably during minus-strand synthesis, the nascent RNA strand is transferred from one site in the g...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible favorable effect of desloratadine-montelukast combination on salivary glands (SG) function in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) using SG scintigraphy. The study population consisted of 64 patients with AR and 28 healthy controls: 14 males and 14 females, with mean age 32.3±8.6 years. The patients were divided into two groups: the untreated p...

Nuclear hormone receptors have important roles in the regulation of metabolic and inflammatory pathways. The retinoid-related orphan receptor alpha (Rorα)-deficient staggerer (sg/sg) mice display several phenotypes indicative of aberrant lipid metabolism, including dyslipidemia, and increased susceptibility to atherosclerosis. In this study we demonstrate that macrophages from sg/sg mice have i...

In this study, we investigated the protective effects of processed Panax ginseng, sun ginseng (SG) against the UVB-irradiation on epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts. Pretreatment of SG in HaCaT keratinocytes and human dermal fibroblasts reduced UVB-induced cell damage as seen by reduced lactate dehydrogenase release. We also found that SG restored the UVB-induced decrease in anti-ap...

Mosquito salivary glands (SG) play an essential role in food digestion and pathogen transmission. The function of the salivary components during infection is poorly understood. In this study, female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were infected with dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2) via an artificial membrane feeding apparatus. The mosquito SGs were examined for DENV-2 infection for 14 days post-infect...

To enhance our understanding of the autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD), patients from six genetically distinct forms (LGMD2A to LGMD2F) were studied with antibodies directed against four sarcoglycan subunits (alpha-, beta-, gamma-, delta-SG), dystrophin, beta-dystroglycan (beta-DG) and merosin. All patients with LGMD2A and 2B had a mild clinical course while those with a ...

BACKGROUND Studies concerning spectral gradient acoustic reflectometry (SG-AR) have analyzed middle ear effusion only as 1 entity. The usefulness of SG-AR to detect specific otoscopic diagnoses of otitis media in young children is unknown. METHODS Among 515 children aged 6-35 months, we compared SG-AR with pneumatic otoscopy and evaluated the proportions of 5 manufacturer-recommended SG-AR le...