ASPH

Aspartyl/asparaginyl beta-hydroxylase (HAAH) is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the ASPH gene.

Function

This gene is thought to play an important role in calcium homeostasis. Alternative splicing of this gene results in five transcript variants which vary in protein translation, the coding of catalytic domains, and tissue expression. Variation among these transcripts impacts their functions which involve roles in the calcium storage and release process in the endoplasmic and sarcoplasmic reticulum as well as hydroxylation of aspartic acid and asparagine in epidermal growth factor-like domains of various proteins.

Clinical significance

As early as 1996, the over-expression of HAAH was recognized as an indicator of carcinoma in humans. Further research has correlated elevated HAAH levels (variously in affected tissue or blood serum) with hepatocellular (liver) carcinomaadenocarcinoma (pancreatic cancer),colorectal cancer,prostate cancer. and lung cancer. The pancreatic study showed elevated HAAH only in diseased tissue, but not in adjacent normal and inflamed tissue.

Lumix

Lumix is Panasonic's brand of digital cameras, ranging from pocket point-and-shoot models to digital SLRs.

Compact digital cameras DMC-LC5 and DMC-F7 were the first products of the Lumix series, released in 2001. They are equipped with Leica lenses.

Indeed, many Lumix models are fitted with Leica lenses (e.g. Nocticron or Elmarit lenses), designed by Leica's German optical engineers, and are assembled in Japan. Others are rebranded as Leica cameras with different cosmetic stylings. Leica had a similar relationship with Minolta in the past, where late model Leica SLRs (and some 35 mm point-and-shoot models) were strongly based on Minolta bodies.

Most Lumix cameras use differing releases of the Panasonic Venus Engine for digital image processing; the original version (2002) was followed by II (2004), Plus (2005), III (2006), IV (2008), HD, V (2009), and VI, HD II, FHD (2010).

Panasonic produces most of Leica's branded digital point and shoot cameras in Japan, but not film cameras, the Leica M8 or Leica M9 digital rangefinder cameras, the X1 and X2 digital cameras or the Digital Modul R digital camera back for the Leica R9 film SLR.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 is a digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera adhering to the joint Olympus and Panasonic Micro Four Thirds System (MFT) system design standard. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 is the eighth Panasonic MFT camera introduced under the standard and the thirteenth model MFT camera introduced by either Olympus or Panasonic, as of the G3 product announcement date.

The G3 includes full HD video recording capability in AVCHD format in accordance with the MFT system design standard. The G3 is not the successor to the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 but is sold alongside it, placing the G2 in the entry-level position that the now-discontinued G10 once occupied. The G series cameras are designed primarily for users interested in still photography, with the more expensive GH series geared towards users who are interested in greater video functionality. Significantly, the G3 design departs from previous G-series designs with a smaller size, new sensor design and increased processing power.