The advances in proteomics over the last decade have made it possible for a more detailed study of protein posttranslational modifications. Posttranslational modification of proteins is an important signaling mechanism regulating vital pathways ranging from transcription to translation, in metabolism, cell survival, and cell death. Posttranslational modification of proteins has commonly been as...

The contractile vacuole complex of Paramecium multimicronucleatum transforms into membrane-bound vesicles on excision from the cell. The I-V relationship was linear in a voltage range of -80 to +80 mV in all vesicles, despite being derived from different parts of the contractile vacuole complex. No voltage-gated unit currents were observed in membrane patches from the vesicles. Vesicles derived...

Comparisons of the sensitivities of parameters for assessing left ventricular performance in man were made in 38 patients. The parameters compared were the ejection fraction, ventriculographic contraction patterns, the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, and the contractile indices including the contractile element velocity at 10 mm Hg (Vce 10) and maximal contractile element velocity (Vma...

The aim of this study was to evaluate temporal changes in brain natriuretic petide (BNP) levels during exercise stress-echocardiography in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy with respect to the left ventricular contractile reserve. We studied 55 consecutive patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (mean age, 55 ± 10 years, 49 (89.1%) male). All patients underwent exercise stress-echocardiography ...

Depending on its duration, temporary myocardial ischemia leads to a disturbance of myocardial function before irreversible cellular necrosis is developed. Mechanical, electrical, and metabolic disturbances were suggested to be possible mechanisms accounting for the altered mechanical performance in ischemic hearts. To further investigate the alteration of myocardial energy metabolism on the sub...

Cardiovascular disorders continue to constitute major causes of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. In this study, the effect of chronic administration of sesame (Sesamum indicum L) seed feeding was studied on aortic reactivity of streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats. Male diabetic rats received sesame seed-mixed food at weight ratios of 3% and 6% for 7 weeks, one week after diabetes in...