Cloning and mapping of the U2af1-rs2 gene with a high transmission distortion in interspecific backcross progeny

We have cloned and analyzed the mouse U2af1-rs2 gene based on its sequence similarity to the imprinted gene U2af1-rs1 (SP2). Sequence analysis of this U2af1-rs2 cDNA revealed that it contained an open reading frame encoding a protein of 462 amino acid residues. The predicted amino acid sequence showed 72.7 and 35.8% identity to the U2af1-rs1 and U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein auxiliary factor, respectively. Interspecific backcross analysis showed this gene to map to the distal region of the X chromosome and also indicated that there was significant distortion of transmission ratio of the U2af1-rs2 allele in the backcrossed progeny from (C57BL/6J x Mus spretus)F1 females mated to Mus spretus males.     

Asbestos fiber analysis in seven asbestosis cases

OBJECTIVE: Smoking is a risk factor for the development of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy, an inflammatory process primarily affecting the fibroblasts in extraocular muscles. We wished to determine whether the extraocular muscle fibroblasts are more sensitive than dermal fibroblasts to T-cell derived cytokines, as a reason for this anatomical localization, and whether hypoxia alters fibroblast function, as one explanation for the susceptibility conferred by smoking. DESIGN: Fibroblasts derived from the skin or extraocular muscles of healthy subjects were cultured with cytokines under normal (5% CO2:95% air) and hypoxic (5% CO2:95% N2) conditions. MEASUREMENTS: Glycosaminoglycan, protein and DNA synthesis were measured by assessing incorporation of D-6-3H-glucosamine, 3H-amino acids, and 3H-thymidine respectively. RESULTS: alpha-interferon and interleukin-6 had no effect on fibroblasts. gamma-interferon, tumour necrosis factor and interleukin-1 stimulated glycosaminoglycan synthesis; this effect was greater in orbital than in dermal fibroblasts with gamma-interferon and interleukin-1 (P < 0.05). The same cytokines stimulated total protein with a greater response in orbital fibroblasts with gamma-interferon. Interleukin-1 inhibited DNA synthesis in orbital fibroblasts but stimulated DNA synthesis in dermal fibroblasts (P < 0.01); tumour necrosis factor also displayed a differential effect (P < 0.01). Hypoxia caused a significant increase in glycosaminoglycan, protein and DNA synthesis in both types of fibroblasts, under both basal and cytokine-treated conditions (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Extraocular muscle fibroblasts respond differently from dermal fibroblasts following cytokine stimulation, which may explain in part the anatomical localization of ophthalmopathy. Hypoxia stimulates fibroblasts and this could contribute, as an enhancing factor, to the adverse effects of smoking on thyroid eye disease.     

Physiological significance of plasma sulfoconjugated dopamine in patients with hypertension--clinical and experimental studies

Sulfoconjugated catecholamines, especially dopamine sulfate, have recently attracted much attention because of the possibility of their conversion to active free dopamine by tissue arylsulfatase. In the present study, we have measured the plasma levels of free and sulfoconjugated dopamine in patients with hypertension and have investigated the physiological significance of sulfoconjugation. Results showed that the plasma level of dopamine sulfate in patients with essential hypertension was higher than the level in control subjects, and was highest in patients with renal hypertension. However, the plasma level of free dopamine showed no significant difference between patients with hypertension and normal subjects. Moreover, after normalization of blood pressure in hypertensive patients with medication, the plasma levels of conjugated dopamine decreased to almost the control value. In the experimental study, dopamine sulfate inhibited angiotensin II-induced aldosterone release from bovine adrenal cortical cells to a similar extent as produced by free dopamine. From these results, we have concluded that plasma sulfoconjugated dopamine may regulate free dopamine in the plasma of patients with hypertension, and it may have some physiological effects on blood pressure regulation.     

An addressable microelectrode array for electrochemical detection

Column and row electrodes on two different glass substrates were orthogonally arranged in order to assemble an addressable microelectrode device for the purpose of comprehensive electrochemical detection. Amperometric signal at the individual crossing point of the column and row electrodes was detected separately on the basis of redox cycling of localized electroactive species occurring between the electrodes. The addressable microelectrode device was simple and could be easily assembled; however, it comprised as many as 10 x 10 addressable detection points on a single chip. The basic electrochemical performance of the device was investigated by using the ferricyanide/ferrocyanide redox couple. Electrochemical responses at 100 individual points could be collected within 22 s. The present device was successfully used for imaging the spots of alkaline phosphatase on the array substrate. The results indicate that the device can be applied to comprehensive and high-throughput detection and imaging of biochemical species.     

Single-shot surface profiling by local model fitting

A new surface profiling algorithm called the local model fitting (LMF) method is proposed. LMF is a single-shot method that employs only a single image, so it is fast and robust against vibration. LMF does not require a conventional assumption of smoothness of the target surface in a band-limit sense, but we instead assume that the target surface is locally constant. This enables us to recover sharp edges on the surface. LMF employs only local image data, so objects covered with heterogeneous materials can also be measured. The LMF algorithm is simple to implement and is efficient in computation. Experimental results showed that the proposed LMF method works very well.     

HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER WITH POLYCONDENSATION IN RESIN FILM DURING DRYING

ABSTRACT

In a drying process of dielectric resin films coated on electric conductive substances, phenomena such as polymerization of monomers, by-products yield, shrinkage and stress generation lake place simultaneously in addition to heat and mass transfer. For the enhancement of the drying with high efficiency and high quality, it is important to understand the drying mechanism. In this paper, the characteristics of heat and mass transfer in the resin film including polycondensation reaction are presented. The apparent drying rate of polyamideimide varnish films was measured in two different heating modes of radiation and convection. The reaction rate of polycondensation was analyzed both by the thermogravimetry and the differential scanning calorimetry. The apparent drying rate began to drop remarkably when the reaction rate became significant. It implies that the diffusion of the solvent is inhibited by skinning at the surface. Applying the Vrentas/Duda free-volume diffusion model to the prediction of diffusivity, the heat and mass transfer in the resin film were analyzed theoretically with a reasonable accuracy.     

Modulation of Spin-Crossover Behavior in an Elongated and Flexible Hofmann-Type Porous Coordination Polymer

Three porous coordination polymers {Fe(dpa)[Pt(CN)₄]·G·nH₂O} (1-G; dpa = 1,2-di(4-pyridyl)ethane, G = dpa, bibenzyl (bbz) and stilbene (stb)) have been prepared by using a long and flexible ligand dpa. These compounds formed analogous 3-D elongated Hofmann-type frameworks based on 2-D planar layers extended by Pt–CN–Fe linkages with dpa as flexible pillar ligands. 1-dpa showed a characteristic three-step spin transition (ST) in the temperature range 180–240 K. The ST behavior was reversibly modulated by dehydration and hydration processes in keeping with the three steps. 1-bbz and 1-stb exhibited a gradual three-step ST over the range 80–200 K and an abrupt ST with T _c = 163 K. The guest-dependent cooperativity of the ST behavior is discussed by considering the flexibility of the framework and guest molecules.     

Burning rate anomaly of composite propellant grains

In this study, characteristics of the burning rate anomaly in composite propellant grains are investigated. The burning rate anomaly has been known as the “midweb anomaly” or the “hump effect.” This paper describes some results of an experimental study on effects of propellant formulations, casting processes, and viscosity of the propellant slurry on the phenomena. According to some past studies, it has been suggested that the geometry of the “isochrone surface” of the propellant slurry affects the local burning rate. To investigate the effect of the isochrone surface, visualization of the isochrone surface in composite propellant grains is carried out. A relation between the geometry and the local burning rate measured in motor firing tests and strand tests is proposed. As a result, besides the common static characteristics of the burning rate anomaly, i.e., the pressure hump effect and the nonisotropic characteristic of the local burning rate, a peculiar burning rate distribution in connection with the isochrone surface is obtained.