Evaluation of neutron sources for ISAGE-in-situ-NAA for a future lunar mission

For a future Moon landing, a concept for an in-situ NAA involving age determination using the (40)Ar-(39)Ar method is developed. A neutron source (252)Cf is chosen for sample irradiation on the Moon. A special sample-in-source irradiation geometry is designed to provide a homogeneous distribution of neutron flux at the irradiation position. Using reflector, the neutron flux is likely to increase by almost 200%. Sample age of 1Ga could be determined. Elemental analysis using INAA is discussed.

Abstract 5352: A high percentage of Merkel cell carcinomas is biologically associated with Merkel cell polyomavirus

Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) DNA has been detected by PCR in 75-100% of Merkel cell carcinomas (MCC), an aggressive neuroendocrine skin cancer. MCPyV is a 5.4 kb DNA virus that expresses tumor (T) antigen in tumor tissues. The aim of this study was to analyze which subset of MCC is biologically associated with MCPyV using various viral detection methods.

Genomic DNA isolated from paraffin-embedded tissue of 61 MCC was analyzed by MCPyV-specific PCR. Using a 5kb MCPyV DNA probe, the physical status of MCPyV was determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using tyramide signal amplification and ApoTome microscopy. Expression of large T antigen was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) using monoclonal antibody CM2B4 (kindly provided by Y. Chang).

A total of 44 of 61 (72%) MCC were positive for MCPyV by PCR. 34 of these 44 cases (77%) were also positive for MCPyV by FISH and 28 (64%) showed strong nuclear large T antigen expression by IHC. In contrast, none of the 17 PCR-negative tumors showed FISH signals and only 1 case showed a weak immunostaining for large T antigen. FISH analysis showed in 16 cases (47%) tumor nuclei with a single punctate signal indicating viral integration. In 8 of these tumors also areas were observed with a granular pattern with >1 nuclear signals varying significantly in size and intensity, indicating the presence of episomal viral DNA and/or RNA. In the remaining 18 cases (53%) an exclusive granular FISH pattern was observed.

Our data indicate that a subset of MCC is caused by MCPyV as determined by PCR, FISH and IHC analysis (46% is positive with all 3 detection methods). FISH and IHC showed a strong positive and negative concordance. FISH signal evaluation furthermore suggests viral integration in half of the positive MCC and a non-clonal viral persistence in the remaining positive cases. Further studies have to validate these findings and elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying MCV-positive and -negative MCC development.

Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010 because the presenter was unable to attend.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5352.

Leucoencephalopathy with cerebral calcinosis in a young chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) - a case report

CASE HISTORY

A 4-year-old chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) had a clinical history of a 2-year progressive central nervous dysfunction including convulsions and severe paralysis.

RESULTS

Gross pathology revealed cerebral atrophy, ventricular enlargement and a severe encephalomalacia with extensive calcifications. Histologically, the white matter showed diffuse demyelination as well as vascular and perivascular calcifications which also involved the basal ganglia. Blood vessels with less distinctive calcium deposits exhibited periodic acid Schiff positive hyalinosis. Large areas of necrosis, hemorrhage and intense gliosis were also present. Activation of astrocytes and macrophages was confirmed by immunohistochemical methods.

CONCLUSIONS

The etiology of the leucoencepalopathy could not be ascertained by macroscopic, histological and immunohistochemical examinations. Potential differential diagnoses include the rarely occurring Fahr's disease in humans, arteriosclerosis, storage disease and the Aicardi-Goutières syndrome. Based on the results of the postmortal examinations Fahr's disease is regarded as the most likely diagnosis in the present case of the chimpanzee.

Changes in brain metabolism after ECT-positron emission tomography in the assessment of changes in glucose metabolism subsequent to electroconvulsive therapy--lessons, limitations and future applications

BACKGROUND

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been used as an effective treatment option in severe and treatment resistant cases of depression for decades. However the mode of action of ECT is still not fully understood. Advances in neuroimaging created new possibilities to understand the functional changes of the human brain.

METHODS

Literature review of studies assessing possible changes in cerebral glucose metabolism pre- and post-ECT by PET, identified by PubMed.

RESULTS

Studies were limited by small sample size, inhomogeneous study population with uni- and bipolar depressive patients and methodological inconsistencies. Despite considerable variance, reduction in glucose metabolism after ECT in bilateral anterior and posterior frontal areas represented the most consistent findings.

CONCLUSIONS

Future research into this issue should include larger and more consistent cohorts of patients. Assessing clinical improvement of depression after ECT should allow to correlate changes in brain glucose metabolism with functional scores. Follow up PET scans after six or twelve months should be performed to test if changes in brain metabolism are persistent.

HRTP, Prolonged Ergometer Exercise, and Single Sculling

The use of the heart rate turn point (HRTP) to set target heart rate (THR) for prolonged rowing ergometer (E) and single scull rowing (R) was evaluated. Ten trained subjects (age 21.3 +/- 4.0 yrs; VO (2max) 4.77 +/- 0.62 l . min-1) performed incremental exercise tests and 30-min prolonged E and R. Expired air and heart rate (HR) were measured continuously. During E and R, blood lactate concentration (La) was measured at rest and after 5, 10, 20, and 30 min. HRTP and V (E)TP (2) were determined as the deflection point of the heart rate performance curve and the second TP in minute ventilation (V. (E)). No significant differences were found for work rate (W), HR, and VO (2) between HRTP and V. (E)TP (2) and they were significantly related (r = 0.94, p < 0.001; r = 0.96, p < 0.001). Mean HR, VO (2), VCO (2), and V. (E) were not significantly different between E and R. La remained at a steady state in both E and R but was slightly higher in E. Tidal volume (V (T)) was found to be lower and breathing rate (BR) was significantly higher in R. HR at HRTP from an incremental rowing ergometer exercise test is valid to establish a THR consistent with constant metabolic training intensity in prolonged ergometer and single scull rowing.

Plasma adiponectin response to sculling exercise at individual anaerobic threshold in college level male rowers

The purpose of the investigation was to study plasma adiponectin response to a single exercise session in male rowers. Eight college level, single scull rowers (VO2max: 5.01+/-0.43 l.min-1; age: 21.5+/-4.5 yrs; height: 184.9+/-5.0 cm; body mass: 78.5+/-8.4 kg; body fat: 11.8+/-1.2%) participated in this study. Venous blood samples were obtained before, immediately after, and following the first 30 min of recovery of constant load on-water rowing over a distance of 6.5 km (approximately 30 min) at the individual anaerobic threshold (75.2+/-2.9% of VO2max). Adiponectin was unchanged (p>0.05) immediately after the exercise. However, adiponectin was significantly increased above the resting value after the first 30 min of recovery (+14.7%; p<0.05). Similarly, leptin was unchanged immediately after exercise and was significantly decreased after the first 30 min of recovery (-18.2%; p<0.05). Plasma insulin was significantly reduced immediately after exercise and remained significantly lower during the first 30 min of recovery period. Glucose increased with exercise and returned to the pre-exercise level after the first 30 min of recovery. Basal adiponectin was significantly related to VO2max (r=-0.62; p=0.034). However, there was no relationship between basal adiponectin and other measured variables. Similarly, basal leptin demonstrated no relationship with other measured variables. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that plasma adiponectin is sensitive in the first 30 min of recovery to the effects of relatively short-term exercise at individual anaerobic threshold when all major muscle parts are involved.

[Case report of successful therapy of necrotizing fasciitis using a device of vacuum assisted closure]

Successful wound management is reported in a case of extended and life threatening necrotizing fasciitis of the leg of a poly-morbid older woman by use of standards of septic surgery (sufficient excision of necrotic tissue, use of bacteria adapted antibiotics, programmed wound revisions) and use of an industrial supplied device of vacuum assisted closure (V.A.C.).

Oral magnesium therapy, exercise heart rate, exercise tolerance, and myocardial function in coronary artery disease patients

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have demonstrated that in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) upward deflection of the heart rate (HR) performance curve can be observed and that this upward deflection and the degree of the deflection are correlated with a diminished stress dependent left ventricular function. Magnesium supplementation improves endothelial function, exercise tolerance, and exercise induced chest pain in patients with CAD.

PURPOSE

We studied the effects of oral magnesium therapy on exercise dependent HR as related to exercise tolerance and resting myocardial function in patients with CAD.

METHODS

In a double blind controlled trial, 53 male patients with stable CAD were randomised to either oral magnesium 15 mmol twice daily (n = 28, age 61+/-9 years, height 171+/-7 cm, body weight 79+/-10 kg, previous myocardial infarction, n = 7) or placebo (n = 25, age 58+/-10 years, height 172+/-6 cm, body weight 79+/-10 kg, previous myocardial infarction, n = 6) for 6 months. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), the degree and direction of the deflection of the HR performance curve described as factor k<0 (upward deflection), and the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were the outcomes measured.

RESULTS

Magnesium therapy for 6 months significantly increased intracellular magnesium levels (32.7+/-2.5 v 35.6+/-2.1 mEq/l, p<0.001) compared to placebo (33.1+/-3.1.9 v 33.8+/-2.0 mEq/l, NS), VO2max (28.3+/-6.2 v 30.6+/-7.1 ml/kg/min, p<0.001; 29.3+/-5.4 v 29.6+/-5.2 ml/kg/min, NS), factor k (-0.298+/-0.242 v -0.208+/-0.260, p<0.05; -0.269+/-0.336 v -0.272+/-0.335, NS), and LVEF (58+/-11 v 67+/-10%, p<0.001; 55+/-11 v 54+/-12%, NS).

CONCLUSION

The present study supports the intake of oral magnesium and its favourable effects on exercise tolerance and left ventricular function during rest and exercise in stable CAD patients.

Intravenous mirtazapine is safe and effective in the treatment of depressed inpatients

Mirtazapine is a third-generation antidepressant with a dual mode of action. The oral administration has been shown to be effective and safe in the treatment of depressed patients. In this multicenter naturalistic study, we assessed the safety, tolerability, and therapeutic efficacy of intravenously administered mirtazapine in 80 moderately to severely depressed inpatients during a treatment period of 14 days. We found a significant decrease of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale total score compared to baseline. Side effects were mild and transient. Our data indicate that intravenous mirtazapine is an effective, safe and well-tolerated treatment for depressed inpatients.

Novel shielding materials for space and air travel

The reduction of dose onboard spacecraft and aircraft by appropriate shielding measures plays an essential role in the future development of space exploration and air travel. The design of novel shielding strategies and materials may involve hydrogenous composites, as it is well known that liquid hydrogen is most effective in attenuating charged particle radiation. As precursor for a later flight experiment, the shielding properties of newly developed hydrogen-rich polymers and rare earth-doped high-density rubber were tested in various ground-based neutron and heavy ion fields and compared with aluminium and polyethylene as reference materials. Absorbed dose, average linear energy transfer and gamma-equivalent neutron absorbed dose were determined by means of LiF:Mg,Ti thermoluminescence dosemeters and CR-39 plastic nuclear track detectors. First results for samples of equal aerial density indicate that selected hydrogen-rich plastics and rare-earth-doped rubber may be more effective in attenuating cosmic rays by up to 10% compared with conventional aluminium shielding. The appropriate adaptation of shielding thicknesses may thus allow reducing the biologically relevant dose. Owing to the lower density of the plastic composites, mass savings shall result in a significant reduction of launch costs. The experiment was flown as part of the European Space Agency's Biopan-5 mission in May 2005.

[Personality profile and psychic deviations in offenders examined for psychiatric-forensic appraisal]

Personality is one factor within the multidimensional structure of conditions involved in the development of an offender. The aim of this study is to contribute to a better accuracy of discrimination of risk factors and prediction of delinquent behaviour. For psychiatric-forensic opinions, social, forensic and psychiatric history as well as type of the last offence and its course for adjudged delinquents (n=128) was recorded. For determining personality structure, the "Freiburger Personlichkeitsinventar" (FPI-R) and the "Fragebogen zur Erfassung von Aggressivitatsfaktoren" (FAF) was used. Psychiatric diagnosis was based on criteria of ICD-10. Using a hierarchical cluster analysis including the dimensions of the FPI-R, three personality profiles could be separated. First offenders and re-offenders could be discriminated by family environment and age at the first delict. The importance of classification for risk estimation of delinquent behaviour and its significance for providing forensic opinions is discussed.

Sexuality in multiple sclerosis

Sexuality and partnership have an important influence on the quality of life of every person and also on people with chronic disorders such as multiple sclerosis. The findings in literature show high evidence that people with multiple sclerosis experience high levels of sexual dysfunction, most of them with hypoactive sexual behaviour often associated with dissatisfaction in relationship, and also the partners seem to show lower sexual and partnership satisfaction. The most common problems in women are lack of sexual interest and decreased libido, often with problems in orgasmic capacity, while men report erectile dysfunction and also lack of sexual interest. The impact of the level of disability and duration of the illness remains unclear. Positive familial support can often help the patient in coping with the illness, nonetheless problems with changing roles and multiple-sclerosis-minimizing can improve the need of contacts to outstanding persons.

[Electron microscopic investigation of CD4+ lymphocyte cell line C8166 after infection with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)]

The SIV infection of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) is the most appropriate animal model in HIV research. The permanent human T-cell line C8166 is used for in vitro SIV propagation. This paper describes ultrastructural features of the cells after infection with SIVmac. The C8166 cells are ultrastructurally characterized by a heterogenous morphology which is independent of the infection. SIV induced cell syncytia are observed 18 hours after infection. Viral particles and budding occur 48 hours p.i with a peak at the day 8. Viral particles present the typical lentiviral morphology. Using the monoclonal antibody anti SIVp28 and ultra small (0.8 nm) immunogold-silver enhancement technique, we are able to demonstrate SIV antigen immunoelectron microscopically. Therefore, this ultrastructural method is suitable to detect SIV antigen in in vivo experiments with C8166 cells from day 8 p.i. serving as positive control.