According to current understanding, cytoplasmic events including activation of protease cascades and mitochondrial permeability transition (PT) participate in the control of nuclear apoptosis. However, the relationship between protease activation and PT has remained elusive. When apoptosis is induced by cross-linking of the Fas/APO-1/CD95 receptor, activation of interleukin-1beta converting enz...

background:  sternocostoclavicular joint (sccj) swelling is an underdiagnosed, albeit important entity in clinical practice. the present study was conducted in order to identify the incidence and common causes of this entity.  methods:  patients presenting to the orthopaedic clinic with a swelling of the sternocostoclavicular joint, during the study period of two years were included, and detail...

cationic copolymer gels of acrylamide and [(methacrylamido) propyl] trimethyl ammonium chloride (maptac) were synthesized by free radical aqueous solution polymerization. the taguchi method, a robust experimental design, was employed for the optimization of the synthesis based on the equilibrium swelling capacity of the hydrogels. based on taguchi method a standard l16 orthogonal array with fiv...

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) due to C1-inhibitor de ciency is a rare autosomal dominant disease characterized by recurrent episodes of transient localized swelling of the subcutaneous and/or mucosal tissues that can occur anywhere in the body. Acute abdominal pain due to mucosal swelling of the gut is one of the most common presentations of HAE, leading frequently to unnecessary abdominal surger...

Collecting duct cells swell when exposed to arginine vasopressin (AVP) in the presence of a transepithelial osmolality gradient. We investigated the mechanisms of AVP-induced cell swelling in isolated, perfused rat inner medullary collecting ducts (IMCDs) using quantitative video microscopy and fluorescence-based measurements of transepithelial water transport. We tested the roles of transepith...

Astrocytes, the major type of non-neuronal cells in the brain, play an important functional role in extracellular potassium ([K(+)](o)) and pH homeostasis. Pathological brain states that result in [K(+)](o) and pH dysregulation have been shown to cause astrocyte swelling. However, whether astrocyte volume changes occur under physiological conditions is not known. In this study we used two-photo...