We show that the number α = (1+ √ 3 + 2 √ 5)/2 with minimal polynomial x4−2x3+x−1 is the only Pisot number whose four distinct conjugates α1, α2, α3, α4 satisfy the additive relation α1 + α2 = α3 + α4. This implies that there exists no two non-real conjugates of a Pisot number with the same imaginary part and also that at most two conjugates of a Pisot number can have the same real part. On the...

We show that the number α = (1 + √ 3 + 2 √ 5)/2 with minimal polynomial x4 − 2x3 + x − 1 is the only Pisot number whose four distinct conjugates α1, α2, α3, α4 satisfy the additive relation α1+α2 = α3+α4. This implies that there exists no two non-real conjugates of a Pisot number with the same imaginary part and also that at most two conjugates of a Pisot number can have the same real part. On ...

Lactic acid bacteria possess a diversity of glucansucrase (GS) enzymes that belong to glycoside hydrolase family 70 (GH70) and convert sucrose into α-glucan polysaccharides with (α1 → 2)-, (α1 → 3)-, (α1 → 4)- and/or (α1 → 6)-glycosidic bonds. In recent years 3 novel subfamilies of GH70 enzymes, inactive on sucrose but using maltodextrins/starch as substrates, have been established (e.g. GtfB o...

Background Alpha-1 antitrypsin (α1-AT) is a member of the serine protease inhibitors (serpins) family. Liver cells are the major source of synthesis and secretion of (α1-AT) into the blood. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that α1-AT is expressed and secreted by many types of malignant cells. Studies have indicated that serum levels of (α1-AT) increase in a good number of malignant diseases. ...

Intestinal muscle undergoes stretch intermittently during peristalsis and persistently proximal to obstruction. The influence of this pervasive biomechanical force on developing smooth muscle cell function remains unknown. We adapted a novel in vitro system to study whether stretch modulates transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and type I collagen protein and component α1 chain [α1(I) collage...

OBJECT Antiangiogenic treatments are beginning to give promising outcomes in many vascular diseases including tumor angiogenesis. In this current study the antiangiogenic and pro-apoptotic actions of α1(IV)NC1 and its N- and C- peptides α1S1(IV)NC1, α1S2(IV)NC1 were investigated in-vitro and in-vivo. STUDY METHOD Endothelial cells (ECs) were treated with α1(IV)NC1, α1S1(IV)NC1, α1S2(IV)NC1 an...

Background: Transforming growth factor α (TGF-α) is a 50 amino acid peptide with potent proliferative and cytoprotective activity present in gastric mucosa and juice. Aims: To determine the forms and biological activity of natural and recombinant TGF-α following incubation with acid pepsin. Patients: Human gastric juice was obtained under basal conditions from patients taking acid suppressants ...

UNLABELLED α1-Adrenoceptor expression on nociceptors may play an important role in sympathetic-sensory coupling in certain neuropathic pain syndromes. The aim of this study was to determine whether α1-adrenoceptor expression was upregulated on surviving peptidergic, nonpeptidergic, and myelinated nerve fiber populations in the skin after chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve in rats....

BACKGROUND Statins can cause tubular proteinuria by inhibiting tubular reabsorption of urinary proteins. To distinguish between microalbuminuria originating from glomerular leakage of albumin and tubular microalbuminuria due to statin therapy, the α1-microglobulin/albumin ratio is evaluated in patients taking statins and compared to untreated patients. METHODS Ten apparently healthy subjects ...

The glucansucrase GTFA of Lactobacillus reuteri 121 produces an α-glucan (reuteran) with a large amount of alternating (α1 → 4) and (α1 → 6) linkages. The mechanism of alternating linkage formation by this reuteransucrase has remained unclear. GTFO of the probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC 55730 shows a high sequence similarity (80%) with GTFA of L. reuteri 121; it also synthesizes ...