Four highly purified synthetic peptides encompassing segments of the 68-86 region [for the numbering system used, see Eylar, E.H., Brostoff, S., Hashim, G., Caccam, J. & Burnett, P. (1971) J. Biol. Chem. 246, 5770-5784] of myelin basic protein (MBP), a region known to induce experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in Lewis rats, were used to define and compare structure-function relations...

RATIONALE Squid is an important seafood resource for Asian and European countries. With the continuous development of processed squid products, an effective traceability system has become increasingly prominent. Here, we attempt to trace the fishery products of the main target species, jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas), by using biochemical tracers. METHODS Carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios (δ13...

The catalase reaction has been studied in detail by using myoglobin (Mb) mutants. Compound I of Mb mutants (Mb-I), a ferryl species (Fe(IV)=O) paired with a porphyrin radical cation, is readily prepared by the reaction with a nearly stoichiometric amount of m-chloroperbenzoic acid. Upon the addition of H2O2 to an Mb-I solution, Mb-I is reduced back to the ferric state without forming any interm...

PPAR gamma is activated by diverse ligands and regulates the differentiation of many cell types. Based on evidence that activation of PPAR gamma 2 by rosiglitazone stimulates adipogenesis and inhibits osteoblastogenesis in U-33/gamma 2 cells, a model mesenchymal progenitor of adipocytes and osteoblasts, we postulated that the increase in marrow fat and the decrease in osteoblast number that occ...

G2A is a G protein-coupled receptor that is predominantly expressed in lymphoid tissues and macrophages. G2A can be induced by diverse stimuli to cause cell cycle arrest in the G(2)/M phase in pro-B and T cells. G2A is also expressed in macrophages within atherosclerotic lesions, suggesting G2A involvement in atherosclerosis. Recently, G2A was discovered to possess proton-sensing ability. In th...

AIMS To detect and characterize the acoustic energy generated by microbubble (MB) formation in an isolated tissue preparation. MB formation during radiofrequency (RF) ablation indicates excessive tissue heating and may precede explosive 'pops'. Currently, MB formation can only be detected with echocardiography. We hypothesized that MB formation can be detected with high-sensitivity phonocardiog...

DNA methylation by DNA methyltransferases in CpG-rich promoter regions of genes is a well-described component of epigenetic silencing in human cells. Dysregulation of this process in cancer cells may lead to hypermethylation of promoter CpG islands, thus disabling transcription initiation of certain genes, such as tumor suppressor genes. Reversing epigenetic silencing and up-regulating genes in...

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are emerging as novel cell-based delivery agents; however, a thorough investigation addressing their therapeutic potential in medulloblastomas (MB) has not been explored to date. In this study, we engineered human MSC to express a potent and secretable variant of a tumor specific agent, tumor necrosis factor-apoptosis-inducing ligand (S-TRAIL) and assessed the abili...