Licorice-induced hypertension and syndromes of apparent mineralocorticoid excess

Excessive ingestion of licorice induces a syndrome of hypokalemia and hypertension that reflects increased activation of renal mineralocorticoid receptors by cortisol. A similar syndrome of cortisol-dependent mineralocorticoid excess occurs in congenital deficiency of the enzyme 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, which normally inactivates cortisol to cortisone. It has been shown that licorice inhibits 11 beta-dehydrogenase, preventing local inactivation of cortisol and allowing cortisol inappropriate access to intrinsically nonspecific renal mineralocorticoid receptors. Further studies with licorice and its derivatives have revealed a widespread role for 11 beta-dehydrogenase in regulating tissue sensitivity to cortisol. Deficient 11 beta-dehydrogenase activity provides a novel pathogenetic mechanism for hypertension, and current research suggests that several common forms of hypertension can be explained by the mechanisms that operate in licorice-induced hypertension.     

Molecular cloning, sequencing, and expression of the 36 kDa protein present in pars planitis. Sequence homology with yeast nucleopore complex protein

PURPOSE: Patients with active pars planitis have increased levels of a 36 kDa protein (p-36) in their circulation. The current studies were undertaken to determine the primary structure of this protein. METHODS: A degenerate oligonucleotide probe based on the amino terminal sequence of p-36 was used to identify a clone from a human spleen cDNA library. The cDNA insert was subcloned into the EcoR1 site of pUC-19, and both strands were sequenced. Southern blot analysis was used to study the genomic hybridization pattern. p-36 cDNA was subcloned in a pSG5 expression vector, and the construct was used to transfect COS-7 cells. RESULTS: The cDNA sequence contained an open reading frame of 966 base pairs encoding a protein of 322 amino acids, an untranslated region of 322 base pairs, and 2693 base pairs at the 5' and 3' ends, respectively. The deduced amino acid sequence showed 96.8% identity with the carboxy-terminal region of a yeast nucleopore complex protein, nup 100. Southern blot analysis of human genomic DNA revealed a simple hybridization pattern. Transfection of p-36 cDNA in COS-7 cells resulted in the presence of p-36 mRNA and expression of protein. CONCLUSIONS: The 36 kDa protein (p-36) detected at increased levels in the blood of patients with active pars planitis was cloned from a human spleen cDNA library. Its deduced amino acid sequence is homologous with the carboxy-terminal region of a nucleopore complex protein. Thus, we refer to this protein as nup36.     

Characterization of silicon oxynitride films using ion beam analysis techniques

Heavy-ion elastic recoil detection analysis (HIERDA) is the ideal technique for quantitative analysis of silicon oxynitride films on silicon because of its unique ability to measure simultaneously all elements of interest (i.e., H, C, N, O and Si), thereby permitting key parameters such as the O/N-ratio to be determined in a single measurement. However, high-energy accelerators suitable for such HIERDA measurements are becoming much less readily available. Hence, the present paper investigates and calibrates an alternative IBA technique for simultaneous O, N and C analysis – namely, the use of (d,p) and (d,) nuclear reactions. Under optimum analysis conditions (850 keV deuterons and 150° detector angle), the Si background level sets a lower detection limit of 1×10¹⁶ nitrogen atoms/cm² and 3×10¹⁵ oxygen atoms/cm². H analysis is carried out separately, using low-energy ERDA and a 2 MeV ⁴He beam. Absolute cross-sections have been obtained for each of the (d,p) and (d,) groups. Comparison with data in the recent Handbook of Modern Ion Beam Materials Analysis shows reasonable agreement (10–15%) for the (d,p) reactions on oxygen and carbon. However, in the case of nitrogen, the measured cross-section values are 70% larger than the Handbook data. Several silicon oxynitride samples have been analyzed, first at UWO using 850 keV deuterons, and subsequently at ANU using HIERDA and a 200 MeV Au beam. The resulting O/N-ratios agree to within 10%. The relative importance of radiation damage effects is briefly discussed.     

Errors resulting from the reflectivity of calibration targets

For a microwave total-power radiometer, we consider the error introduced by neglecting the difference in the antenna reflection coefficient between when it views a distant scene and when it views a nearby calibration target. An approximate expression is presented for the error, and measurements are described that enable one to estimate the resulting uncertainty in the measured brightness temperature. The measurement results are presented for several combinations of antenna and calibration target. The resulting uncertainty ranges from about 0.1 K to several kelvins for the representative cases considered.     

Behavior of a Class of Complex Systems: the Effect of System Size on Properties of Terminal Cycles

Abstract

System size is an important variable in large, intricately structured systems. Such systems offer a greater scope of effect to size than do simpler types. Considering the potential usefulness of complex abstract systems as models of real-world systems, it becomes important 1) to determine the effect of size on behaviors of such systems, and 2) to seek procedures that indicate the effects of size indirectly. These two inquiries are undertaken in this paper for a basic class of complex system. An insensitivity of behavioral rhythm to change in system size, and a conjecture relating system size to system structure are examined.     

Measuring Agility and Architectural Integrity

Most organizations that depend on software are pursuing more flexible architectures and more agile life-cycle processes to increase business flexibility. What does agility look like, and how do we measure it? A truly agile project or organization should experience changes that are more straightforward and more predictable. Consequently, improvements are best measured by gauging the change trends in software baselines. A well-accepted tenet of software engineering states, "The later you are in the life cycle, the more expensive things are to fix." This iron law, an artifact of a waterfall culture, should not apply if you have transformed to agile software delivery with a well-architected system. This bold assertion is the root of the metric patterns presented in this paper.     

Grain Floatation During Equiaxed Solidification of an Al-Cu Alloy in a Side-Cooled Cavity: Part I—Experimental Studies

Experimental studies were performed to investigate the role and influence of grain movement on macrosegregation and microstructure evolution during equiaxed solidification. Casting experiments were performed with a grain-refined Al-Cu alloy in a rectangular sand mold. For the aluminum alloy studied, the equiaxed grains are lighter than the bulk melt and thus float up. Experiments were designed to investigate floatation phenomena of equiaxed grains in the presence of thermosolutal convection. Cooling curves were recorded at key locations in both the casting and the chill. Quantitative image analysis and spatial chemical analysis were performed on the solidified casting to observe the chemical and microstructural inhomogeneity created by the melt convection and solid floatation. Several notable features that can be attributed to grain movement were observed in temperature histories, macrosegregation patterns, and microstructures. In our experiments, the floatation of grains influences the thermal conditions and the overall flow direction in the casting cavity. In some cases, the induced flow resulting from the grain movement caused a flow reversal. This in turn influences the solidification direction, microstructure evolution, and the overall macrosegregation behavior.     

Emulsifier Effects on Pasting Properties of Wheat Flour Extrudates with/without Sucrose and Shortening

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of emulsifier types and concentrations, plus the addition of sucrose and shortening on wheat flour extrudates. Ground extrudate pasting properties were measured in the rapid viscoanalyser (RVA). Four pasting parameters were determined from the RVA curve: peak time (PT), peak viscosity (P), breakdown viscosity (H), and initial slope (IS). Emulsifier types and the addition of sucrose and shortening significantly affected PT, P, H, and IS. Emulsifier concentration significantly influenced PT and H. Emulsifiers significantly increased PT and H and decreased P and IS. Glyceryl monostearate had the greatest effects on these parameters. Sucrose and shortening generally enhanced the effects of emulsifiers on pasting properties.