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Due to a vast distribution of creatine kinase in the human tissue this enzyme plays a paramount role in the synthesis of high energy source - ATP (adenosine triphosphate) molecule. Creatine kinase enzyme has three major forms, CKMM - muscle-type creatine kinase; CKBB - brain-type creatine kinase; CKMB - mitochondrial-type creatine kinase. It is shown, that particularly brain isoform of the enzyme is involved in the development of neurodegenerative dieses. We have cloned the gene of CKBB using bacteria and mammalian expression vectors. These constructs should be suitable for protein expression of the protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the dynamic stability of a rotating cantilever pipe conveying fluid with a crack and tip mass is investigated by numerical method. That is, the effects of the rotating the rotating angular velocity, the mass ratio, the crack and tip mass on the critical flow velocity for flutter instability of system are studied. The equations of motion of rotating pipe are derived by using the extended Hamilton's principle. The crack section of pipe is represented by a local flexibility matrix connecting two undamaged pipe segments. The crack is assumed to be in the first mode of fracture and always opened during the vibrations. Finally, the stability maps of the cracked rotating pipe system as a rotating angular velocity and mass ratio β are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study confirms the presence of iron, co-localized with Aß plaques, in PS/APP mouse brain, using Perls‘ stain for Fe3+ supplemented by 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB) and Aß immunohistochemistry in histological brains sections fixed with formalin or methacarn. In this study, the fixation process and the slice thickness did not interfere with the Perls’ technique. The presence of iron in ß-amyloid plaques in PS/APP transgenic mice, a model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology, may explain previous reports of reductions of transverse relaxation time (T2) in MRI studies and represent the source of the intrinsic Aß plaque MR contrast in this model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provide unique quality to attain neurochemical, physiological, anatomical, and functional information noninvasively. These techniques have been increasingly applied to biomedical research and clinical usage in diagnosis and prognosis of diseases. The ability of MRS to detect early yet subtle changes of neurochemicals in vivo permits the use of this technology for the study of cerebral metabolism in physiological and pathological conditions. Recent advances in MR technology have further extended its use to assess the etiology and progression of neurodegeneration. This review focuses on the current technical advances and the applications of MRS and MRI in the study of neurodegenerative disease animal models including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's, Huntington's, and Parkinson's diseases. Enhanced MR measurable neurochemical parameters in vivo are described in regard to their importance in neurodegenerative disorders and their investigation into the metabolic alterations accompanying the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]