Amphiphysin family members are implicated in synaptic vesicle endocytosis, actin localization and one isoform is an autoantigen in neurological autoimmune disorder; however, there has been no genetic analysis of Amphiphysin function in higher eukaryotes. We show that Drosophila Amphiphysin is localized to actin-rich membrane domains in many cell types, including apical epithelial membranes, the...

An important subgroup of human neurodegenerative diseases is associated with abnormal expansions of glutamine repeats found in several otherwise unrelated proteins (Zoghbi and Orr 2000). Interest in these polyglutamine diseases is fueled both by their clinical significance and by the belief that lessons gleaned from these relatively rare conditions will apply to other more prevalent human neuro...

BACKGROUND Each month the endometrium becomes inflamed, and the luminal portion is shed during menstruation. The subsequent repair is remarkable, allowing implantation to occur if fertilization takes place. Aberrations in menstrual physiology can lead to common gynaecological conditions, such as heavy or prolonged bleeding. Increased knowledge of the processes involved in menstrual physiology m...

Studies of striatal physiology and motor control have increasingly relied on the use of bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgenic mice expressing fluorophores or other genes under the control of genetic regulatory elements for the dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) or dopamine D2 receptor (D2R). Three recent studies have compared wild-type, D1R, and D2R BAC transgenic mice, and found significant...

Abnormal uterine bleeding is the most common reason women seek gynecologic care, and many of these women present to an emergency department for evaluation. It is essential that emergency clinicians have a thorough understanding of the underlying physiology of the menstrual cycle to appropriately manage a nonpregnant woman with abnormal bleeding. Evidence to guide the management of nonpregnant p...

purpose: dry eye syndrome is a multifactorial disorder of the tear film and ocular surface that results in eye discomfort, visual disturbance, and often ocular surface damage. studies suggest that the prevalence of clinically diagnosed dry eye syndrome (des) is 0.4%. to 0.5%, which is highest among women and the elderly. the burden of des can be substantial, affecting visual function, daily act...

ghrelin, a peptide hormone, has several functions, of which the best known is its growth hormone (gh)-releasing effect in the pituitary. it also increases appetite and feeding behavior. recent studies have implicated ghrelin in the regulation of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and immune function, and suggest a role for ghrelin in bone physiology. in this study, the effect of chronically admi...