Expression of the multi-PDZ protein Pdzd2 (PDZ domain-containing protein 2) is enriched in pancreatic islet beta cells, but not in exocrine or alpha cells, suggesting a role for Pdzd2 in the regulation of pancreatic beta-cell function. To explore the in vivo function of Pdzd2, Pdzd2-deficient mice were generated. Homozygous Pdzd2 mutant mice were viable and their gross morphology appeared normal. Interestingly, Pdzd2-deficient mice showed enhanced glucose tolerance in intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests and their plasma insulin levels indicated increased basal insulin secretion after fasting. Moreover, insulin release from mutant pancreatic islets was found to be twofold higher than from normal islets. To verify the functional defect in vitro, Pdzd2 was depleted in INS-1E cells using two siRNA duplexes. Pdzd2-depleted INS-1E cells also displayed increased insulin secretion at low concentrations of glucose. Our results provide the first evidence that Pdzd2 is required for normal regulation of basal insulin secretion. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Background: Lumbar disc disease (LDD) is one of the leading causes of disability in the working-age population. A functional single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), +1184T -> C, in exon 8 of the cartilage intermediate layer protein gene ( CILP) was recently identified as a risk factor for LDD in the Japanese population (odds ratio (OR) 1.61, 95% CI 1.31 to 1.98), with implications for impaired transforming growth factor beta 1 signalling. Aim: To validate this finding in two different ethnic cohorts with LDD. Methods: This SNP and flanking SNPs were analysed in 243 Finnish patients with symptoms of LDD and 259 controls, and in 348 Chinese subjects with MRI-defined LDD and 343 controls. Results and conclusion: The results showed no evidence of association in the Finnish (OR = 1.35, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.87; p = 0.14) or the Chinese (OR = 1.05, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.43; p = 0.71) samples, suggesting that cartilage intermediate layer protein gene is not a major risk factor for symptoms of LDD in Caucasians or in the general population that included individuals with or without symptoms.

The width of the neutral kaon with respect to its decay to a positively charged kaon, an electron, and an antineutrino is calculated. The branching ratios for the decay of K-L and K-S mesons to K+e-e are found to be about 4 x 10(-9) and 10(-11) respectively. The calculations presented in this article are also valid for neutral antikaons decaying to a negatively charged kaon, a positron, and a neutrino.

Recent theoretical studies of the e(+)e(-) -> K+K-gamma process are described. Three main reaction mechanisms are considered: the initial state radiation, the final state radiation and the strong interaction between the outgoing K+K- mesons. The K(+)K(-)effective mass distributions are derived for three different models which in past have been used for a description of the e(+) e(-) -> pi(+)pi(-)gamma data. Also the numerical results for the angular photon and kaon distributions are presented. A new model of the e(+) e(-) -> M1M2 gamma reactions is outlined which can serve for multichannel analyses of the radiative processes with a production of two pseudoscalar mesons M-1 and M-2.

The {R, s +1, k}- and {R, s +1, k, *}-potent matrices have been studied in several recent papers. We continue these investigations from a spectral point of view. Specifically, a spectral study of {R, s + 1, k} -potent matrices is developed using characterizations involving an associated matrix pencil (A, R). The corresponding spectral study for {R, s+ 1, k, *}-potent matrices involves the pencil (A*, R). In order to present some properties, the relevance of the projector I - AA(#). where A(#) is the group inverse of A is highlighted. In addition, some applications and numerical examples are given, particularly involving Pauli matrices and the quaternions. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.