3,127 research outputs found
Renal and vascular benefits of C-peptide: Molecular mechanisms of C-peptide action
C-peptide has long been thought to be an inert byproduct of insulin production, but it has become apparent, and accepted, that C-peptide has important biological properties. C-peptide displays beneficial effects in many tissues affected by diabetic complications, such as increased peripheral blood flow and protection from renal damage. However, the mechanisms mediating these effects remain unclear. C-peptide interacts with cellular membranes at unidentified sites distinctive of the insulin family of receptors, and signals to multiple targets known to play a role in diabetes and diabetic complications, such as Na+/K+-ATPase and NOS. In general, the physiological and molecular effects of C-peptide resemble insulin, but C-peptide also possesses traits separate from those of insulin. These basic studies have been confirmed in human studies, suggesting that C-peptide may lend itself to clinical applications. However, the molecular and physiological properties of C-peptide are not completely elucidated, and large clinical studies have not begun. In order to further these goals, we critically summarize the current state of knowledge regarding C-peptide’s renal and vascular effects and the molecular signaling of C-peptide
The Fermi surface of CeCoIn5: dHvA
Measurements of the de Haas - van Alphen effect in the normal state of the
heavy Fermion superconductor CeCoIn5 have been carried out using a torque
cantilever at temperatures ranging from 20 to 500 mK and in fields up to 18
tesla. Angular dependent measurements of the extremal Fermi surface areas
reveal a more extreme two dimensional sheet than is found in either CeRhIn5 or
CeIrIn5. The effective masses of the measured frequencies range from 9 to 20
m*/m0.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, submitted to PRB Rapid
A weight-efficient design strategy for cutouts in composite transport structures
Two design procedures for composite panels with cutouts are described and illustrated by example applications. One of these procedures uses a specialized cutout analysis code to obtain preliminary sizing information for the panel laminate, cutout padup, and cutout stiffener reinforcements. The other procedure uses a finite element based structural optimization code to develop a minimum weight panel design. The best features of both procedures form the basis of a design strategy for weight-efficient cutout panels
Heavy holes: precursor to superconductivity in antiferromagnetic CeIn3
Numerous phenomenological parallels have been drawn between f- and d-
electron systems in an attempt to understand their display of unconventional
superconductivity. The microscopics of how electrons evolve from participation
in large moment antiferromagnetism to superconductivity in these systems,
however, remains a mystery. Knowing the origin of Cooper paired electrons in
momentum space is a crucial prerequisite for understanding the pairing
mechanism. Of especial interest are pressure-induced superconductors CeIn3 and
CeRhIn5 in which disparate magnetic and superconducting orders apparently
coexist - arising from within the same f-electron degrees of freedom. Here we
present ambient pressure quantum oscillation measurements on CeIn3 that
crucially identify the electronic structure - potentially similar to high
temperature superconductors. Heavy pockets of f-character are revealed in
CeIn3, undergoing an unexpected effective mass divergence well before the
antiferromagnetic critical field. We thus uncover the softening of a branch of
quasiparticle excitations located away from the traditional spin-fluctuation
dominated antiferromagnetic quantum critical point. The observed Fermi surface
of dispersive f-electrons in CeIn3 could potentially explain the emergence of
Cooper pairs from within a strong moment antiferromagnet.Comment: To appear in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
Trisomy 19 ependymoma, a newly recognized genetico-histological association, including clear cell ependymoma
Ependymal tumors constitute a clinicopathologically heterogeneous group of brain tumors. They vary in regard to their age at first symptom, localization, morphology and prognosis. Genetic data also suggests heterogeneity. We define a newly recognized subset of ependymal tumors, the trisomy 19 ependymoma. Histologically, they are compact lesions characterized by a rich branched capillary network amongst which tumoral cells are regularly distributed. When containing clear cells they are called clear cell ependymoma. Most trisomy 19 ependymomas are supratentorial WHO grade III tumors of the young. Genetically, they are associated with trisomy 19, and frequently with a deletion of 13q21.31-31.2, three copies of 11q13.3-13.4, and/or deletions on chromosome 9. These altered chromosomal regions are indicative of genes and pathways involved in trisomy 19 ependymoma tumorigenesis. Recognition of this genetico-histological entity allows better understanding and dissection of ependymal tumors
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