The dynamic properties of microtubules (MTs) are important for a wide variety of cellular processes, including cell division and morphogenesis. MT assembly and disassembly in vivo are regulated by cellular factors that influence specific parameters of MT dynamics. Here, we describe the characterization of a previously reported MT assembly inhibitor activity from Xenopus oocytes [Gard and Kirsch...

In a simple representative consumer model, vaccines and drug treatments yield the same revenue for a pharmaceutical manufacturer, implying that the firm would have the same incentive to develop either ceteris paribus. In a more realistic model with heterogeneous consumers who vary with respect to the probability of contracting the disease, the revenue equivalence between vaccines and treatments...

Reactions with alumina and platinum crucibles were studied during the preparation of Bi2Sr2Ca1Cu2Oy “2212” glasses. In particular, reactions with Al2O3 are of interest since alumina is a potential substrate material in applications of this superconductor. Glasses processed using alumina crucibles were completely homogeneous and free of secondary phases although the material contained 2.26 at. %...

In an oligopoly, prior to choosing quantities/prices, each ̄rm has an opportunity to form pair-wise collaborative links with other ̄rms. These pair-wise links lower costs of production of the ̄rms which form a link. The collection of pair-wise links de ̄nes a collaboration network. We study stable and e±cient networks under di®erent types of market competition. We ̄nd that except under extreme c...

OBJECTIVE To quantify benefit and harm of epidural analgesia, compared with systemic opioid analgesia, in adults having surgery under general anesthesia. BACKGROUND It remains controversial whether adding epidural analgesia to general anesthesia decreases postoperative morbidity and mortality. METHODS We searched CENTRAL, EMBASE, PubMed, CINAHL, and BIOSIS till July 2012. We included random...

E2F-1 regulates the transcription of genes required for DNA synthesis. Previously, we have reported that UCN-01 suppresses E2F-1 protein expression without any noticeable effect on its mRNA level in gastric cancer cell line SK-GT5 (Clin. Cancer Res., 4: 2201-2206, 1998). In this study, we investigated the mechanism responsible for the suppression of E2F-1 expression by UCN-01 in SK-GT5 cells. A...