BACKGROUND To present an episodic random utility model that unifies time trade-off and discrete choice approaches in health state valuation. METHODS First, we introduce two alternative random utility models (RUMs) for health preferences: the episodic RUM and the more common instant RUM. For the interpretation of time trade-off (TTO) responses, we show that the episodic model implies a coeffic...

background: there is evidence that mesangial cell structural changes contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. to gain better insight into the mechanisms responsible for this issue, present study focused on effect of cord blood mononuclear cells (mncs) derived cd133 positive cells on mesangial cell structure and function. materials and methods: the animals were randomly divided in...

Spermatogenesis is a complex differentiation process that involves genetic and epigenetic regulation, sophisticated hormonal control, and extensive structural changes in male germ cells. RNA nuclear and cytoplasmic bodies appear to be critical for the progress of spermatogenesis. The chromatoid body (CB) is a cytoplasmic organelle playing an important role in RNA post-transcriptional and transl...

Background: There is evidence that mesangial cell structural changes contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. To gain better insight into the mechanisms responsible for this issue, present study focused on effect of cord blood mononuclear cells (MNCs) derived CD133 positive cells on mesangial cell structure and function. Materials and Methods: The animals were randomly divided in...

BACKGROUND Lei and Spradling in a recent study published in PNAS failed to detect 'germline cysts' by elegant studies using lineage tracing approach and thus concluded that adult mouse ovaries lack stem cells. They proposed that primordial follicle pool generated during fetal life is sufficient to sustain oogenesis and that there is no renewal of oocytes during adult life. Contrary to their res...

The respiratory tract contains numerous peptides secreted from special pulmonary epithelial cells whichare called endocrine cells. The function of neuroendocrine cells is modulated by amines. Serotonin has strong vasomotor and bronchomotor effects in the airway mucosa. The objective of this study was to determine presence and distribution of serotonin-positive endocrine cells in respiratory tra...