We have evaluated the muscarinic acetylcholine family of G protein-coupled receptors (mAChRs) for their oncogenic potential. These receptors are preferentially expressed in postmitotic cells, transducing signals specified by their endogenous agonist, the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Cells transfected with individual human mAChR genes were morphologically indistinguishable from parental NIH 3...

DNA extraction is the first step in many molecular biology protocols. However, we hypothesized that DNA from a preserved specimen can leak into its preservative medium, allowing the medium itself to be directly PCR-amplified. We successfully tested this idea on mescal-the alcoholic beverage famous for the "worm" (a caterpillar) that is placed in the bottle of many brands-and indeed obtained amp...

Glaucoma is a common cause of irreversible blindness with increasing prevalence. Some of glaucoma patients will also experience dry eye. Dry eye is the most frequent side effect related to benzalkonium chloride (BAC)-containing eye drop used for glaucoma patients. In addition, glaucoma and dry eyes have shared risk factors that are old age and female. Dry eye among glaucoma patients need to be ...

The performance of treated wood in the field is ultimately affected by retention and penetration of preservative in wood. In the present study, a new preservative system ZiBOC and a commercially used preservative copper-chrome-arsenate (CCA) were used for evaluation of treatability of Melia composita by the vacuum pressure method at different pressure levels in unsealed and end sealed specimens...

The ability to isolate and identify causative agents of urinary tract infections relies primarily on the quality of the urine sample that is submitted to the microbiology. The most important factors are the method of collection, the maintenance of viability of the potential pathogens during transport, and standardization of the culturing of the urine sample. This report is a composite of severa...

ophthalmia neonatorum is generally defined as conjunctivitis occurring within one month of life. the sources of this infection are environmental organisms or the organisms colonized in the birth canal. untreated infection can cause blindness, especially if the corresponding organisms areneisseria gonorrhoeae, or chlamydia trachomatis. povidone-iodine ophthalmic solution is an effective antibact...

Subconjunctival gentamicin was identified as the cause of conjunctival chemosis and capillary closure in a recent study conducted in this department. The gentamicin preparation used in the study contained preservatives. The current prospective study was set up to investigate the role of preservatives in the conjunctival toxicity of subconjunctival gentamicin. Seventy five patients undergoing ca...