Search results for "Philosophy of Science"

Regulation of Protein-DNA Interactions at the Interferon-gamma Gene Promoter by Corticosteroids

1998

Mycophenolate mofetil for treatment of active inflammatory bowel disease. Clinical and immunological studies.

1998

Zwecksetzungen und Zielvorstellungen in den Wirtschafts- und Soziallehren des 18. und 19. Jahrhunderts

1982

The essay examines the natural law economics of the eighteenth century and the evolutionist economics of the nineteenth century by focusing on their methods for achieving a common, nebulously articulated goal: individual fulfillment and the happiness and welfare of mankind in a free, harmoniously ordered society. Illustrating the theoretical and, in practice, effective theories derived from natural law are cammeralism, the economic philosophy of the Physiocrats, and economic liberalism. It is emphasized that these theories do not represent a linear sequence of ideas in which one set of ideas „triumphed” over a preceding one. They show instead three different consequences reflecting the inte…

Expression of IAPs and alternative splice variants in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and cells.

2005

IAPs (inhibitors of apoptosis proteins) might have a major role in the apoptotic resistance that marks many cancers. The studies on IAPs in human HCC have focused on survivin or XIAP, indicating that their new or increased expression in this tumor is associated with a more unfavorable prognosis. The present results corroborate these findings, emphasizing the role that the coordinated expression of different IAPs and alternative splice variants might play in the adverse biology of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Induction of apoptosis and inhibition of cell growth in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells by COX-2 inhibitors

2005

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of nonselective (indomethacin) and selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors (NS-398, nimesulide, and CAY10404) on cell growth, cell cycle distribution, and apoptosis in three human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines (HepG2, HuH-6, and HA22T/VGH) with different characteristics of differentiation and biological behavior. The four COX inhibitors showed a dose-dependent growth-inhibitory effect in all the cell lines. No substantial arrests in the progression of the cells through the cell cycle were observed after treatment of HuH-6 or HA22T/VGH for 48 h with the various inhibitors. On the other hand, there were significant increases …

Expression of WISPs and of their novel alternative variants in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

2005

WISPs (Wnt-induced secreted proteins) are members of the CCN (CTGF/Cyr61/Nov) family involved in fibrotic disorders and tumorigenesis. They have a typical structure composed of four conserved cysteine-rich modular domains, but variants of CCN members lacking one or more modules, generated by alternative splicing or gene mutations, have been described in various pathological conditions. WISP genes were first described as downstream targets of the Wnt signaling pathway, which is frequently altered in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the present study, WISP mRNA expression was analyzed by RT-PCR in four human HCC cell lines (HepG2, HuH-6, HuH-7, HA22T/VGH). Our results show for the fir…

α-Secretase Activity of the Disintegrin Metalloprotease ADAM 10: Influences of Domain Structure

2001

Disintegrin metalloproteases from different organisms form the ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloprotease) family. All members display a common domain organization and possess four potential functions: proteolysis, cell adhesion, cell fusion, and cell signaling. Members of the ADAM family are responsible for the proteolytic cleavage of transmembrane proteins and release of their extracellular domain. The proteolytic process is referred to as ectodomain shedding, which is activated by phorbol esters and inhibited by hydroxamic acid-based inhibitors. We have shown that the disintegrin metalloprotease ADAM 10 has both constitutive and regulated alpha-secretase activity. Expression of a dominant n…

Mind-body medicine: stress and its impact on overall health and longevity.

2005

During evolution, DNA viruses have captured a broad array of cellular genes involved in immune recognition and growth control that are nonessential for viral replication. The encoded virokines and viroceptors may act as mimetics or antagonists of their cellular homologues, altering signal transduction and cell communication towards survival of virus-infected cells. Human herpesvirus type 8 (HHV8) is the most recently identified human oncogenic herpesvirus. It is associated with Kaposi's sarcoma and lymphoproliferative diseases, such as pleural effusion lymphomas and multicentric Castleman's disease. HHV8 has captured a unique number of cellular regulatory genes, which redirect gene expressi…

AIDS and the Central Nervous System: Examining Pathobiology and Testing Therapeutic Strategies in the SIV-Infected Rhesus Monkey

1993

Nicotinic receptor function in the mammalian central nervous system.

1995

The diversity of neuronal nicotinic receptors (nAChRs) in addition to their possible involvement in such pathological conditions as Alzheimer's disease have directed our research towards the characterization of these receptors in various mammalian brain areas. Our studies have relied on electrophysiological, biochemical, and immunofluorescent techniques applied to cultured and acutely dissociated hippocampal neurons, and have been aimed at identifying the various subtypes of nAChRs expressed in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS), at defining the mechanisms by which CNS nAChR activity is modulated, and at determining the ion permeability of CNS nAChR channels. Our findings can be sum…