ß-catenin is a key component of the Wnt signaling pathway and the abnormal accumulation of ß-catenin is characteristic of various types of cancer. Here we demonstrate that overexpression of Sox4 enhances ß-catenin/TCF activity by increasing the stability of ß-catenin. Sox4 increased the protein level of ß-catenin and its target gene cyclin D1 in a dose-dependent manner. An siRNA experiment for ...

In this issue a provocative study authored by Jesús Rodrı́guez Baño and colleagues asserts that the b-lactam/b-lactamase inhibitor (BLBLI) combinations piperacillin/tazobactam and amoxicillin/clavulanate are suitable for the treatment of certain patients with bloodstream infections due to Escherichia coli possessing extended-spectrum b-lactamases (ESBLs). The authors examined patients with infec...

Since its discovery and purification in 1971, DNA polymerase ß (Pol ß) is one of the most well-studied DNA polymerases. Pol ß is a key enzyme in the base excision repair (BER) pathway that functions in gap filling DNA synthesis subsequent to the excision of damaged DNA bases. A major focus of our studies is on the cellular roles of Pol ß. We have shown that germline and tumor-associated variant...

ß-Glucogallin (1 -O-galloyl-ß-D-glucopyranose), 1,6-Di-O-galloyl-ß-D-glucopyranose, Acyltransferase, Gallotannin Biosynthesis, Quercus robur Cell-free extracts from oak (Quercus robur) leaves catalyze the transfer of the galloyl-moiety of ß-glucogallin (1-O-galloyl-ß-D-glucopyranose) specifically to the 6-position of the same compound, yielding 1,6-di-O-galloyl-ß-D-glucopyranose, an intermediat...

BACKGROUND Traumatic brain injury (TBI) sets in motion cascades of biochemical changes that result in delayed cell death and altered neuronal architecture. Studies have demonstrated that inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) effectively reduces apoptosis following a number of stimuli. The Wnt family of proteins, and growth factors are two major factors that regulate GSK-3 activity. I...

ß -carotene is a human nutrient found in plants or animals. It is also can be synthesized chemically. It is lipid-soluble, and is yellow, orange or red in color. ß-Carotene can be cleaved into vitamin A in vivo. The most abundant form of ß-carotene in human serum is trans isomer; cis isomers such as 9-cis ß-carotene, 13-cis ß-carotene, and 15-cis ß-carotene are only present in trace amounts. ß-...

Keywords: Amp C ß lactamase Extended spectrum ß lactamase Metallobetalactamase Multidrug resistant organisms Ventilator associated pneumonia. Aims: Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP) is the most frequent intensive care unit (ICU) acquired infection. Due to the increasing incidence of multidrug resistant organisms (MDR) in the ICU, early and correct diagnosis of VAP is an urgent challenge for...

.............................................................................6 ORIGINAL PAPERS....................................................................7 ABBREVIATIONS.....................................................................8 INTRODUCTION.......................................................................9 The structure of a pancreatic islet................................

Although many endo-ß-1,4-glucanases have been isolated in invertebrates, their cellulolytic systems are not fully understood. In particular, gastropod feeding on seaweed is considered an excellent model system for production of bioethanol and renewable bioenergy from third-generation feedstocks (microalgae and seaweeds). In this study, enzymes involved in the conversion of cellulose and other p...