Abstract-The renin-angiotensin system is a major regulator of body sodium, predominantly through the actions of intrarenal angiotensin II of unclear origin. We show that polarized epithelium of the proximal tubule synthesizes and secretes angiotensinogen at its apical side and that the protein can be detected in urine as a function of dietary sodium. Furthermore, we demonstrate that renin is expressed and secreted in a restricted nephron segment, the connecting tubule, also in a sodium-dependent fashion. A paracrine renin-angiotensin system operating along the entire nephron may contribute to long-term arterial pressure regulation by integrating distant tubular sodium-reabsorbing functions.(Hypertension. 1999;34:1265-1274.)

Preliminary evidence suggests that consumption of Porphyridium cruentum (PC) biomass results in hypocholesterolaemic effects; however, mechanisms responsible have not been elucidated. The aim of the present study was to determine whether PC biomass lowers circulating cholesterol concentrations, dose dependently, in hamsters fed hypercholesterolaemic diets for 28 d and determine whether cholesterol biosynthesis is affected. Biomass added to diets at 2·5, 5 and 10 % resulted in 14, 38 and 53 % reductions (P,0·001) in total plasma cholesterol, respectively, compared with a control diet. Similarly, non-HDL-cholesterol concentrations in the 5 and 10 % PC groups were reduced (P, 0·001) 28 and 45 %, respectively, v. controls. These effects were unrelated to cholesterol fractional synthesis rate (FSR), as this did not differ between either treatment or control animals. PC consumption had no effect on food intake, plasma glucose concentrations or energy expenditure, but percentage of body fat was lower (P,0·001) in the 5 and 10 % PC groups compared with controls. These data show that PC reduces total plasma cholesterol and non-HDL-cholesterol when incorporated into the diet at levels as low as 2·5 %. The mechanism of action for this reduction may be related to increased excretion since food intakes and cholesterol FSR were not reduced in the animals receiving the PC. In conclusion, the use of PC biomass reduces circulating cholesterol, dose dependently, in hypercholesterolaemic hamsters but not via reductions in cholesterol FSR. There is potential for the use of this biomass as a functional ingredient to aid in the management of blood cholesterol concentrations.

No abstract

Knowing where licence and option leads come from can optimize the productivity in university technology transfer offices. This article presents the sources of over 1,100 leads for licences and options from six different institutions: the University of Florida; the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Oak Ridge National Laboratory; the Oregon Health Sciences University; Tulane University; and the University of Utah. Data from each of the six offices confirm the authors' suspicions that the majority of the leads come from inventors. The methodology used to gather the data is also described.