We investigated the structural requirements for bombesin (BB)-like peptides to stimulate amylase secretion in rat pancreatic acini and examined the responsible intracellular signal transduction pathways. The tetradecapeptide BB-(1-14) was a full agonist, whereas the heptapeptide BB-(8-14) did not evoke amylase secretion. The mammalian BB analog neuromedin C decapeptide [NMC-(5-14)] was as poten...

BACKGROUND Concentrations of soluble (s)ST2 predict prognosis in heart failure. We recently found changing doses of β-blocker (BB) may affect sST2 concentrations. It remains unclear whether sST2 concentrations identify benefit of BB therapy, however. METHODS AND RESULTS A total of 151 subjects with heart failure attributable to left ventricular systolic dysfunction were examined in this post ...

Diabetes-prone (DP) BioBreeding (BB) rats develop spontaneous autoimmune diabetes. DP-BB thymocyte export is reduced, and most thymic emigrants disappear rapidly from peripheral lymphoid tissues. DP-BB rats are consequently lymphopenic and circulate severely reduced numbers of T cells. Peripheral T cells present are phenotypically immature (Thy1+) and appear activated. We hypothesized that DP-B...

BACKGROUND Safer storage practices may reduce injury rates by limiting youth access to firearms. OBJECTIVE To determine if a firearm safety counseling and gun lock distribution program improved storage practices. DESIGN Community-based before-after trial. SETTING Urban county in central North Carolina. PARTICIPANTS One hundred twelve adult gun owners recruited through a mass media adver...

Antibodies specific for the brain isoenzymes (BB) of creatine kinase were prepared by the injection of the highly purified rabbit enzyme into roosters. The antibodies were found to cross-react only partially with BB of rat, guinea pig, sheep, monkey, and man, demonstrating that these proteins are not entirely identical with respect to their antigenic sites. A greater degree of species specifici...

The aim of this study was to investigate beneficial effect of aqueous extract of Phyllanthus fraternus (AEPF) on bromobenzene (BB) induced changes on cytosolic glutathione S-transferase (GST) isozymes in rat liver. Administration of BB significantly decreased the activity of GST, however, prior administration of AEPF prevented the BB induced decrease in GST activity. Further the cytosolic GSTs ...

Between 1985 and 1991 the homicide rate in the United 'States increased by nearly 25 percent, from 7.9 to 9.8 per 100,000 residents. Almost all of this increase was accounted for by additional gun homicides committed against and by young males. Although the homicide rate has declined substantially during the 1990s, homicide in the United States is still dominated by young people and firearms an...