c-Kit and its ligand stem cell factor (SCF) are important for β-cell survival and maturation; meanwhile, interactions between the Fas receptor (Fas) and Fas ligand are capable of triggering β-cell apoptosis. Disruption of c-Kit signaling leads to severe loss of β-cell mass and function with upregulation of Fas expression in c-Kit(Wv/+) mouse islets, suggesting that there is a critical balance b...

A novel hopanoid, 30-(5'-adenosyl)hopane, was isolated from the purple non-sulphur bacterium Rhodopseudomonas acidophila and identified. The significance of this triterpenoid in terms of bacteriohopanepolyol biosynthesis, membrane reinforcement and possible interactions with nucleic acids is discussed.

The mesoscale variability of water vapour (WV) in the troposphere is a highly complex phenomenon and modelling and monitoring the WV distribution is a very important but challenging task. Any observation technique that can reliably provide WV distribution is essential for both monitoring and predicting weather. The global navigation satellite system (GNSS) tomography technique is a powerful too...

WorldView commercial imaging satellites comprise a constellation developed by DigitalGlobe Inc. (Longmont, CO, USA). Worldview-3 (WV-3), currently planned for launch in 2014, will have 8 spectral bands in the Visible and Near-Infrared (VNIR), and an additional 8 bands in the Short-Wave-Infrared (SWIR); the approximately 1.0–2.5 μm spectral range. WV-3 will be the first commercial system with bo...

[1] Fansler RF. Laparoscopy in the management of Meckel's diverticulum. Surg Laparosc Endosc 1996;6(30):231–3. [2] Landor JH, Armstrong JH, Dickerson OB. Neonatal obstruction of bowel caused by accidental clamping of small omphalocele. Report of 2 cases. South Med J 1963;56:1236–8. [3] Asabe K, Oka Y, Kai H, Shirakusa T. Iatrogenic ileal perforation: an accidental clamping of a hernia into the ...

This study evaluated the bioactive effects of Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil on behavior and mortality Ascia monuste orseis caterpillars. The experiment was conducted at laboratory under controlled conditions using a completely randomized design with six treatments, represented by A. caterpillars fed collard leaves treated 0 (control), 5, 10, 20, 30, or 40 mg mL−1 oil. Each treatment cons...