Transcription of brain natriuretic peptide and atrial natriuretic peptide genes in human tissues

We have compared the expression of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) genes in various human tissues using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction technique. Tissues of three human subjects, obtained at autopsy, were analyzed. BNP transcripts could be detected in the central nervous system, lung, thyroid, adrenal, kidney, spleen, small intestine, ovary, uterus, and striated muscle. ANP transcripts could also be demonstrated in various human extracardiac tissues including several endocrine organs. In all peripheral tissues, the level of both natriuretic peptide transcripts was approximately 1-2 orders of magnitude lower than in cardiac ventricular tissues. This distribution is in marked contrast to the much lower level of ANP and BNP transcripts present in extracardiac rat tissues (generally less than 1/1000 of ventricles). These data suggest differential expression of the two natriuretic peptide genes in cardiac and extracardiac tissues in man. Furthermore, the presence of local synthesis of ANP and BNP in various peripheral organs suggests paracrine and/or autocrine function of these natriuretic peptides

Vacuum Decay in CFT and the Riemann-Hilbert problem

We study vacuum stability in 1+1 dimensional Conformal Field Theories with external background fields. We show that the vacuum decay rate is given by a non-local two-form. This two-form is a boundary term that must be added to the effective in/out Lagrangian. The two-form is expressed in terms of a Riemann-Hilbert decomposition for background gauge fields, and its novel "functional" version in the gravitational case.Comment: 16 pages, 3 figure

Finite temperature SU(2) gauge theory: critical coupling and universality class

We examine SU(2) gauge theory in 3+1 dimensions at finite temperature in the vicinity of critical point. For various lattice sizes in time direction ($N_\tau=1,2,4,8$) we extract high precision values of the inverse critical coupling and critical values of the 4-th order cumulant of Polyakov loops (Binder cumulant). We check the universality class of the theory by comparing the cumulant values to that of the 3D Ising model and find very good agreement. The Polyakov loop correlators for the indicated lattices are also measured and the string tension values extracted. The high precision values of critical coupling and string tension allow us to study the scaling of dimensionless $T_c/\sqrt{\sigma}$ ratio. The violation of scaling by <10% is observed as the coupling is varied from weak to strong coupling regime.Comment: 17 pages, 9 figures, minor correction

Detection of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) transcript in the rat heart and immune organs

Previous studies suggested the expression of mRNA, coding for CNP, exclusively in the central nervous system. In the present study, using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique instead of the less sensitive Northern blot hybridization, CNP-specific sequences have also been detected in rat atria and ventricles of the heart as well as in organs of the immune system (thymus, spleen and lymph nodes). Parallel PCR-assays documented ANP-mRNA in these tissues. To verify specificity of the PCR-products, Southern blots have been hybridized with a third internal oligonucleotide and amplification products have been sequenced. The relative level of CNP-mRNA in these tissues was estimated to be in the range of 1-9% of total brain CNP transcripts. The results suggest that the peptide may have a peripheral as well as a central site of action. In light of its pronounced effect on cell proliferation, particular interest should focus on a possible role of CNP in the immune system

Excess reserves and the new challenges for monetary policy

Interest on reserves allows the Federal Reserve to pursue an appropriate monetary policy even with a high level of excess reserves. However, a banking system flush with excess reserves can raise the risk of monetary policy getting behind the curve.Inflation (Finance) ; Monetary policy

Results of long-term synoptic monitoring of Jupiter's decametric radiation

Results of the analysis of the large, homogeneous set of measurements of Jupiter's emission at 16.7 and 22.2 MHz for the apparitions during the period 1966-1974 were presented. An update of the radio rotation period determination which includes provision for beaming effects due to variations in the Jovicentric declination of the earth was presented. Some estimates of the magnitude of possible long-term variations in the rotation period were also discussed. The data clearly shows the Io-independent emission features associated with the System III central meridian longitudes of all three major Io-related source regions. There is also some evidence for heretofore unrecognized Io-related emission features which are apparently independent of the central meridian longitude. The possibility of three kinds of emission are suggested: (1) Io-stimulated, sharply beamed emission, (2) Io-independent, sharply beamed emission, and (3) Io-stimulated, broadly beamed emission