Therefore CB2 expressed in neurons effectively mimics the actions of CB1. Thus neuronal CB2 is well suited to integrate into conventional neuronal endocannabinoid signaling processes, with its specific role determined by its unique and highly inducible expression profile. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Tortuous arteries and veins Selleck Quizartinib are commonly observed in humans and animals. While mild tortuosity is asymptomatic, severe tortuosity can lead to ischemic attack in distal organs. Clinical observations have linked tortuous arteries and veins with aging, atherosclerosis, hypertension,

genetic defects and diabetes mellitus. However, the mechanisms of their formation and development are poorly understood. This review summarizes the current clinical and biomechanical studies on the initiation, development and treatment of tortuous blood vessels. We submit a new hypothesis that mechanical instability and remodeling could be mechanisms for the initiation and development of these tortuous vessels. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel”
“The design of beta-barrels has always been a formidable challenge for de novo protein design. For instance, a persistent problem is posed by the intrinsic tendency to associate given by free edges. From the opposite standpoint

provided by the redesign of natural motifs, we believe that the intestinal fatty acid binding protein ( IFABP) framework allows room for intervention, giving rise to abridged GSK2118436 forms from which lessons on beta-barrel architecture and stability could be learned. In this context, Delta 98 Delta (encompassing residues 29-126 of IFABP) emerges as a monomeric variant that folds properly, retaining functional activity,

despite lacking extensive stretches involved in the closure of the beta-barrel. Spectroscopic probes ( fluorescence and circular dichroism) support the existence of a form preserving the essential determinants of the parent structure, albeit endowed with enhanced flexibility. Chemical and physical perturbants click here reveal cooperative unfolding transitions, with evidence of significant population of intermediate species in equilibrium, structurally akin to those transiently observed in IFABP. The recognition by the natural ligand oleic acid exerts a mild stabilizing effect, being of a greater magnitude than that found for IFABP. In summary, Delta 98 Delta adopts a monomeric state with a compact core and a loose periphery, thus pointing to the nonintuitive notion that the integrity of the beta-barrel can indeed be compromised with no consequence on the ability to attain a native-like and functional fold.”
“In this review we attempt to clarify the notion of what is meant by the term antibacterial surfaces and categorise the approaches that are commonly used in the design of antibacterial surfaces.