Mineralocorticoid hormone receptor and the epithelial sodium channel in a human leukemic cell line

A Cell extract from the HEL (human erythroblastic leukemia) cell line was positive for both the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) and the mineralocorticoid receptor (MCR) as glycosylated 82-84 kDa bands, and a single 102 kDa band, respectively, in Western blots using polyclonal antibodies raised against these proteins. The immunofluorescent labeling of the MCR in all cell lines showed a nucleocytoplasmic localization of the receptor whereas the ENaC was exclusively membrane-bound. These results were confirmed by confocal microscopy. The expression of the MCR in HEL cells was evident as a predicted band of 843 bp (234 amino acids) after total RNA from HEL cells had been reverse transcribed and then amplified by PCR; the ENaC was similarly evident as a predicted band of 520 bp. In both cases, near 100% identity was observed between the deduced amino acid sequences of the PCR products and those from known human sources. The multiplication of HEL cells was influenced by antagonists (RU 26752, ZK 91587) targeted for specificity to the MCR and this was reversed by the natural hormone aldosterone. These steroids also provoked chromatin condensation in the HEL population.     

The control of protein release from poly(DL-lactide co-glycolide) microparticles by variation of the external aqueous phase surfactant in the water-in oil-in water method

A unique feature of p21 that distinguishes it from the other cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors is its ability to associate with the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), an auxiliary factor for DNA polymerases delta and epsilon. While it is now well established that inhibition of cyclin/CDK complexes by p21 can result in G1 cell cycle arrest, the consequences of p21/PCNA interaction on cell cycle progression have not yet been determined. Here, we show, using a tetracycline-regulated system, that expression of wild-type p21 in p53-deficient DLD1 human colon cancer cells inhibits DNA synthesis and causes G1 and G2 cell cycle arrest. Similar effects are observed in cells expressing p21CDK-, a mutant impaired in the interaction with CDKs, but not in cells expressing p21PCNA-, a mutant deficient for the interaction with PCNA. Analysis of cells treated with a p21-derived PCNA-binding peptide provides additional evidence that the growth inhibitory effects of p21 and p21CDK result from their ability to bind to PCNA. Our results suggest that p21 might inhibit cell cycle progression by two independent mechanisms, inhibition of cyclin/CDK complexes, and inhibition of PCNA function resulting in both G1 and G2 arrest.     

The promotion of CO electro-oxidation on platinum-bismuth as a model for surface mediated oxygen transfer

The results of electrochemical studies of CO oxidation on clean and bismuth modified Pt(1 1 0)-(1×2) and Pt(1 1 1) surfaces and a supported platinum catalyst are compared. The effect of sub-monolayers of bismuth is to increase the CO oxidation potential on Pt(1 1 0)-(1×2), and decrease it on Pt(1 1 1). This primarily reflects the rather low potential for CO oxidation characteristic of the more open packed Pt(1 1 0)-(1×2) surface, and the higher potential characteristic of the close packed Pt(1 1 1) face. The oxidation potential of CO in the intermixed CO/Bi phases on the single crystals is very similar. The effect of bismuth on the supported platinum catalyst is to increase the CO oxidation potential by a similar amount to that found for Pt(1 1 0)-(1×2). In addition, modification by bismuth results in a concomitant reduction in the CO tolerance of the commercial catalyst. CO oxidation on the catalyst exhibits poisoning by bismuth in a similar fashion to Pt(1 1 0)-(1×2), and the bismuth redox couple on the catalyst is the same as that found on Pt(1 1 0)-(1×2). High coverages of bismuth on the catalyst do not appear to reduce its activity for hydrogen oxidation. These results are discussed in the context of the requirement for surface mediated oxygen transfer during CO electro-oxidation.     

Development of a thermoelectric self-powered residential heating system

Self-powered heating equipment has the potential for high overall energy efficiency and can provide an effective means of providing on site power and energy security in residential homes. It is also attractive for remote communities where connection to the grid is not cost effective. Self-powered residential heating systems operate entirely on fuel combustion and do not need externally generated electricity. Excess power can be provided for other electrical loads. To realize this concept, one must develop a reliable and low maintenance means of generating electricity and integrate it into fuel-fired heating equipment. In the present work, a self-powered residential heating system was developed using thermoelectric power generation technology. A thermoelectric module with a power generation capacity of 550 W was integrated into a fuel-fired furnace. The thermoelectric module has a radial configuration that fits well with the heating equipment. The electricity generated is adequate to power all electrical components for a residential central heating system. The performance of the thermoelectric module was examined under various operating conditions. The effects of heat transfer conditions were studied in order to maximize electric power output. A mathematical model was established and used to look into the influence of heat transfer coefficients and other parameters on electric power output and efficiency.     

ARFTG June 2009

Automatic Radio Frequency Techniques Group (ARFTG) is a technical organization interested in all aspects of RF and microwave test and measurement.     

USING OTOLITH CHEMISTRY TAGS AND GROWTH PATTERNS TO DISTINGUISH MOVEMENTS AND PROVENANCE OF NATIVE FISH IN THE GRAND CANYON

Fish otolith and water chemistry were assessed in the Grand Canyon reach of the Colorado River and its tributaries. Aqueous strontium and selenium (in ratio to calcium) and carbon stable isotopic ratios were identified as markers with excellent potential to track the provenance and movements of the endangered humpback chub Gila cypha. Although otolith δ¹³C and Sr/Ca varied proportionately to water chemistry and provided a framework for detailed study of humpback chub movements, otolith Se/Ca showed ambiguous tracking of known water chemistries. As an application, we document the natal source and movement dynamics of n = 10 humpback chub and compare these findings from otolith microchemistry with the current paradigm of humpback chub spawning ecology. We found that seven of ten fish follow the current early life history paradigm and were spawned in the Little Colorado River and subsequently emigrated to the main stem Colorado River as juveniles. However, the otolith markers of three fish suggest an alternative early life trajectory with unknown provenance. Age and growth analyses demonstrate seasonally higher growth rates in the warmer Little Colorado River compared with the Colorado River. Combining natural markers with age and growth reconstructions provides a powerful tool for assessing the habitat use and success of humpback chub in the Grand Canyon. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Telemetry reveals limited exchange of walleye between Lake Erie and Lake Huron: Movement of two populations through the Huron-Erie corridor

Immigration and emigration of individuals among populations influence population dynamics and are important considerations for managing exploited populations. Lake Huron and Lake Erie walleye (Sander vitreus) populations are managed separately although the interconnecting Huron-Erie Corridor provides an unimpeded passageway. Acoustic telemetry was used to estimate inter-lake exchange and movement within St. Clair River and Detroit River. Of 492 adult walleyes tagged and released during 2011 and 2012, one fish from Tittabawassee River (Lake Huron; 1 of 259, 0.39%) and one individual from Maumee River (Lake Erie; 1 of 233, 0.43%) exchanged lakes during 2011–2014. However, both fish returned to the lake where tagged prior to the next spawning season. The one walleye from Maumee River that moved to Lake Huron made repeated round-trips between Lake Erie and Lake Huron during three consecutive years. Of twelve fish tagged in the Tittabawassee River detected in the Huron-Erie Corridor, few (n = 3) moved south of Lake St. Clair to the Detroit River. Ten walleye tagged in the Maumee River entered the Huron-Erie Corridor, and five were detected in the St. Clair River. Our hypothesis that walleye spawning in Maumee River, Lake Erie, served as a source population to Lake Huron (“sink population”) was not supported by our results. Emigration of walleye to Lake Huron from other populations than the Maumee River, such as those that spawn on in-lake reefs, or from Lake St. Clair may contribute to Lake Huron walleye populations.     

Bronchial reactivity: interaction between vagal stimulation and inhaled histamine

The interaction between the effects of vagal stimulation and inhaled histamine on the bronchi was studied in anesthetized dogs. Reactivity was assessed by measuring changes in bronchial caliber visualized with tantalum bronchograms. In seven vagotomized dogs the bronchoconstrictor response to a combination of electrical stimulation of the vagus nerves and inhaled histamine solution produced a mean reduction in airway diameter (Daw) of 2.21 mm which was significantly greater than the additive results of the two stimuli applied separately (mean decrease in Daw 0.29 +/- 0.91 mm). In three dogs the effect of vagal stimulation was to produce a shift in the dose-response curve to inhaled histamine. These results indicate that the effect of the base-line bronchomotor tone must be considered in the evaluation of the effect of vagal blockade on airway reactivity. An increase in the resting degree of bronchomotor tone may contribute to the hyperreactivity observed in patients with asthma.