Renalase, a catecholamine-metabolising enzyme?

Recently, a new FAD-dependent amine oxidase, renalase, was described. It was secreted by the kidney into the blood and shown to have significant cardiovascular actions, which were attributed to its catecholamine-metabolising activity. The authors concluded that renalase might be an important regulatory factor in human (patho)physiology. The catecholamine-metabolising activity of renalase in plasma contrasts with previous investigations where catecholamines were found to be stable in human plasma, provided autoxidation is prevented by an antioxidant. The claim of catecholamine-metabolising activity of renalase was based on the generation of H2O2 during incubation of the enzyme with catecholamines. Careful inspection and calculations of the data lead to the conclusion that the rate of H2O2 generation is far too low to be ascribed to enzymatic conversion of catecholamines by renalase. Renalase may well have important cardiovascular functions, but there is no proof that its actions are mediated through catecholamine-metabolising activity

Extra-planar gas in the spiral galaxy NGC 4559

We present 21-cm line observations of the spiral galaxy NGC 4559, made with the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope. We have used them to study the HI distribution and kinematics, the relative amount and distribution of luminous and dark matter in this galaxy and, in particular, the presence of extra-planar gas. Our data do reveal the presence of such a component, in the form of a thick disk, with a mass of 5.9 x 10^8 Mo (one tenth of the total HI mass) and a mean rotation velocity 25-50 km/s lower than that of the thin disk. The extra-planar gas may be the result of galactic fountains but accretion from the IGM cannot be ruled out. With this study we confirm that lagging, thick HI layers are likely to be common in spiral galaxies.Comment: 17 pages, 10 figures. Accepted for publication in A&

Cappuccino and specific heat versus heat of vaporization

A cappuccino is prepared by adding about 50 mL frothing, foaming milk to a cup of espresso. Whole milk is best for foaming and the ideal milk temperature when adding it to the espresso is 65 °C. The espresso itself may be warmer than that. During the heating the milk should not burn, as that would spoil the taste. The best way is to heat the milk slowly while stirring to froth the milk and create foam. But modern cappuccino machines in restaurants do not have time for slow heating. Could we heat the milk by just adding hot water? That’s the question we pose to our high school students first. How many mL of 90 °C hot water would be needed to heat 50 mL of milk from a refrigerator temperature (say 4 °C) to 65 °C? Assume that the specific heat of milk is the same as that of water. Students answer the question on a worksheet and practice their computation skills. The answer: 122 g. This would mean an unacceptable dilution of the milk, 2.5 mL of water for every mL of milk. What would the answer be if we use boiling hot water of 100 °C? Students calculate again, then the answer is 87 g, still an unacceptable dilution. What then? What if we use steam

Cappuccino and specific heat versus heat of vaporization

A cappuccino is prepared by adding about 50 mL frothing, foaming milk to a cup of espresso. Whole milk is best for foaming and the ideal milk temperature when adding it to the espresso is 65 °C. The espresso itself may be warmer than that. During the heating the milk should not burn, as that would spoil the taste. The best way is to heat the milk slowly while stirring to froth the milk and create foam. But modern cappuccino machines in restaurants do not have time for slow heating. Could we heat the milk by just adding hot water?

Heritability of daytime cortisol levels in children

INTRODUCTION Cortisol is a steroid hormone secreted by the outer cortex of the adrenal gland. Its secretion is stimulated by ACTH (adrenocorticotrophic hormone), produced in the pituitary in response to corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), a product from neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus.After its release, the major part of cortisol binds to the plasma proteins corticosteroid binding globulin (CBG, or transcortin) and albumin, which prevents the hormone from penetrating the membranes of their target cells. About 3--5% of the total cortisol is the unbound, biologically active fraction. This active fraction has permissive, suppressive, stimulatory, and preparative action effects in the realms of cardiovascular function, fluid volume and hemorrhage, immunity and inflammation, metabolism, neurobiology, and reproductive physiology (Sapolsky, Romero, and Munck, 2000). Although cortisol is mainly known for its pivotal role in generating an adequate response to phy

Characterisation and cross-amplification of polymorphic microsatellite loci in ant-associated root-aphids

Twenty-six polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed for four species of ant-associated root-aphids: Geoica utricularia, Forda marginata, Tetraneura ulmi and Anoecia corni. We found up to 9 alleles per locus, with an average of 4.8. We also report polymorphic cross-amplification of eleven of these markers between different pairs of study species. Furthermore, we tested previously published aphid microsatellites and found one locus developed for Pemphigus bursarius to be polymorphic in G. utricularia. These microsatellite markers will be useful to study the population structure of aphids associated with the ant Lasius flavus and possibly other ants. Such studies are relevant because: 1. L. flavus mounds and their associated flora and fauna are often key components in protected temperate grasslands, and 2. L. flavus and its diverse community of root-aphids provide an interesting model system for studying the long-term stability of mutualistic interactions

Semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO): from cell to circulation

Semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) is a multi-functional enzyme widely present in nature. It converts primary amines into their corresponding aldehydes, while generating H(2)O(2) and NH(3). In mammals, SSAO circulates in plasma, while a membrane-bound form (often referred to as vascular adhesion protein-1, VAP-1) is found in many tissues and organs, especially in adipocytes and vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells. In recent years, evidence has been accumulating that SSAO has a role in protein cross-linking, formation of advanced glycation end-products, atherogenesis, glucose regulation and leukocyte extravasation at inflammation sites. Plasma SSAO is quite stable in healthy adults, but is elevated in diabetes mellitus (both type 1 and type 2), congestive heart failure and liver cirrhosis. The origin of circulating SSAO remains unclear, but recent evidence from clinical studies and from (transgenic) animal studies suggests that adipocytes and vascular endothelial cells may be the most important source. Studies with cell cultures show evidence that the membrane-bound SSAO can be split off from the cells, thus giving rise to the (truncated) circulating form of SSAO. In some pathological conditions the diseased organ may be the main source of the elevated plasma SSAO. Little is known as yet about the regulation of plasma SSAO. Thyroid hormone appears to play a (modest) role in this respect. Further evidence from clinical, animal and cell-culture studies, helped by the new availability of selective SSAO inhibitors, is needed to shed more light on the question of the regulation of SSAO

Variation in gene copy number and polymorphism of the human salivary amylase isoenzyme system in Caucasians

The polymorphic patterns of human salivary amylase of a large number of individuals of Caucasian origin were determined by using isoelectric focusing and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Nine different salivary amylase protein variants were found; three of them are recorded for the first time and their heredity is shown. Some of the variants are encoded by haplotypes expressing three allozymes. Most variants display low frequencies. Analysis of the relative intensities of variant-specific isozyme bands, combined with segregation analysis, show that extensive quantitative variation is present in the population. The numbers of salivary amylase genes in some families showing quantitative variation at the protein level have been estimated by the polymerase chain reaction. We present evidence that quantitative variations in amylase protein patterns do not always reflect variations in gene copy number but that other mechanisms are also involved. © 1992 Springer-Verlag

Sleep patterns in congenital dopamine beta-hydroxylase deficiency

Sleep patterns of two young female patients with congenital dopamine beta-hydroxylase deficiency are described. In this orthostatic syndrome central and peripheral noradrenergic failure occurs as a result of impaired beta-hydroxylation of dopamine. Consequently, the levels of dopamine and its metabolites are elevated. The relative importance of noradrenaline deficit in the face of dopamine excess for sleep-regulatory mechanisms can be inferred from the sleep pattern of these patients. No subjective sleep complaints were reported. The sleep patterns showed a high percentage of slow-wave sleep in both patients (29% and 34% of sleep period time) and a relatively low to normal percentage of REM sleep (18% and 21%). A normal cyclic REM sleep pattern was observed. Alpha-delta sleep occurred during light sleep (15% and 8%); consequently, the amount of stage 2 sleep was reduced. These results indicate that functional insufficiency of the noradrenergic system in two patients with dopamine beta-hydroxylase deficiency is not associated with profound changes in the (REM) sleep pattern. This supports a modulatory or permissive role for noradrenaline in REM sleep mechanisms

Modelling the HI halo of the Milky Way

Aims: we studied the global distribution and kinematics of the extra-planar neutral gas in the Milky Way. Methods: we built 3D models for a series of Galactic HI layers, projected them for an inside view, and compared them with the Leiden-Argentina-Bonn 21-cm observations. Results: we show that the Milky Way disk is surrounded by an extended halo of neutral gas with a vertical scale-height of 1.6[+0.6/-0.4] kpc and an HI mass of 3.2[+1.0/-0.9]x10^8 solar masses, which is 5-10% of the total Galactic HI. This HI halo rotates more slowly than the disk with a vertical velocity gradient of -15[+/-4] km/s/kpc. We found evidence for a global infall motion, both vertical (20[+5/-7] km/s) and radial (30[+7/-5]km/s). Conclusions: the Milky Way HI halo shows properties similar to the halos of external galaxies and is compatible with being predominantly produced by supernova explosions in the disk. It is most likely composed of distinct gas complexes with masses of 10^4-10^5 solar masses of which the Intermediate Velocity Clouds are the local manifestations. The classical High Velocity Clouds appear to be a separate population.Comment: 13 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in A&