Discovery and progress in our understanding of the regulated secretory pathway in neuroendocrine cells

In this review we start with a historical perspective beginning with the early morphological work done almost 50 years ago. The importance of these pioneering studies is underscored by our brief summary of the key questions addressed by subsequent research into the mechanism of secretion. We then highlight important advances in our understanding of the formation and maturation of neuroendocrine secretory granules, first using in vitro reconstitution systems, then most recently biochemical approaches, and finally genetic manipulations in vitro and in vivo

Plasminogen Alleles Influence Susceptibility to Invasive Aspergillosis

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a common and life-threatening infection in immunocompromised individuals. A number of environmental and epidemiologic risk factors for developing IA have been identified. However, genetic factors that affect risk for developing IA have not been clearly identified. We report that host genetic differences influence outcome following establishment of pulmonary aspergillosis in an exogenously immune suppressed mouse model. Computational haplotype-based genetic analysis indicated that genetic variation within the biologically plausible positional candidate gene plasminogen (Plg; Gene ID 18855) correlated with murine outcome. There was a single nonsynonymous coding change (Gly110Ser) where the minor allele was found in all of the susceptible strains, but not in the resistant strains. A nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (Asp472Asn) was also identified in the human homolog (PLG; Gene ID 5340). An association study within a cohort of 236 allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients revealed that alleles at this SNP significantly affected the risk of developing IA after HSCT. Furthermore, we demonstrated that plasminogen directly binds to Aspergillus fumigatus. We propose that genetic variation within the plasminogen pathway influences the pathogenesis of this invasive fungal infection

Band structures and shape coexistence in 187Pt

High-spin states in 187Pt have been studied by means of γ-ray spectroscopy techniques. Known bands have been significantly extended and new bands have been found. The band structures are discussed in the framework of the cranking model and negative-parity states are compared with calculations performed with a semi-microscopic axial-rotor plus one-quasiparticle coupling model. Shape coexistence is observed from low excitation energy

High-spin states and deformation properties in 187Pt

High-spin states in 187Pt have been studied by means of γ-ray spectroscopy techniques. Known bands have been significantly extended and new bands have been found. The band structures are briefly discussed.Fil: Cardona, Maria Angelica. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Hojman, Daniel Leonardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Aguilar, A.. Florida State University; Estados UnidosFil: Cluff, W.T.. Florida State University; Estados UnidosFil: Hinners, T.. Florida State University; Estados UnidosFil: Hoffman, C.R.. Florida State University; Estados UnidosFil: Lagergren, K.. Florida State University; Estados UnidosFil: Lee, S.. Florida State University; Estados UnidosFil: Perry, M.. Florida State University; Estados UnidosFil: Pipidis, A.. Florida State University; Estados UnidosFil: Riley, M.A.. Florida State University; Estados UnidosFil: Tabor, S.L.. Florida State University; Estados UnidosFil: Tripathi, V.. Florida State University; Estados Unido

Band structures and shape coexistence in

High-spin states in 187Pt have been studied by means of γ-ray spectroscopy techniques. Known bands have been significantly extended and new bands have been found. The band structures are discussed in the framework of the cranking model and negative-parity states are compared with calculations performed with a semi-microscopic axial-rotor plus one-quasiparticle coupling model. Shape coexistence is observed from low excitation energy