Distributions of charged hadrons associated with high transverse momentum particles in pp and Au+Au collisions at sqrt[sNN]=200 GeV

Charged hadrons in [EQUATION: SEE TEXT] associated with particles of [EQUATION: SEE TEXT] are reconstructed in pp and Au+Au collisions at sqrt[sNN]=200 GeV. The associated multiplicity and p magnitude sum are found to increase from pp to central Au+Au collisions. The associated p distributions, while similar in shape on the nearside, are significantly softened on the awayside in central Au+Au relative to pp and not much harder than that of inclusive hadrons. The results, consistent with jet quenching, suggest that the awayside fragments approach equilibration with the medium traversed.

Multistrange Baryon elliptic flow in Au+Au collisions at square root of sNN=200 GeV

We report on the first measurement of elliptic flow v2(pT) of multistrange baryons Xi- +Xi+ and Omega- + Omega+ in heavy-ion collisions. In minimum-bias Au+Au collisions at square root of s(NN)=200 GeV, a significant amount of elliptic flow, comparable to other nonstrange baryons, is observed for multistrange baryons which are expected to be particularly sensitive to the dynamics of the partonic stage of heavy-ion collisions. The pT dependence of v2 of the multistrange baryons confirms the number of constituent quark scaling previously observed for lighter hadrons. These results support the idea that a substantial fraction of the observed collective motion is developed at the early partonic stage in ultrarelativistic nuclear collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider.

Multiplicity and pseudorapidity distributions of photons in Au+Au collisions at square root of (S(NN)) = 62.4 GeV

We present the first measurement of pseudorapidity distribution of photons in the region 2.3 < or = eta < or = 3.7 for different centralities in Au+Au collisions at square root of (S(NN)) = 62.4 GeV. We find that the photon yield scales with the number of participating nucleons at all collision centralities studied. The pseudorapidity distribution of photons, dominated by pi0 decays, has been compared to those of charged pions, photons, and inclusive charged particles from heavy-ion and nucleon-nucleon collisions at various energies. The photon production has been shown to be consistent with the energy and centrality independent limiting fragmentation scenario.

Open charm yields in d+Au collisions at squareroot[sNN]=200 GeV

Midrapidity open charm spectra from direct reconstruction of D0(D0)-->K-/+pi+/- in d+Au collisions and indirect electron-positron measurements via charm semileptonic decays in p+p and d+Au collisions at squareroot[sNN]=200 GeV are reported. The D0(D0) spectrum covers a transverse momentum (pT) range of 0.1<pT<3 GeV/c, whereas the electron spectra cover a range of 1<pT<4 GeV/c. The electron spectra show approximate binary collision scaling between p+p and d+Au collisions. From these two independent analyses, the differential cross section per nucleon-nucleon binary interaction at midrapidity for open charm production from d+Au collisions at BNL RHIC is dsigma(NN)cc/dy=0.30+/-0.04(stat)+/-0.09(syst) mb. The results are compared to theoretical calculations. Implications for charmonium results in A+A collisions are discussed.

Azimuthal anisotropy and correlations at large transverse momenta in p + p and Au + Au collisions at square root sNN=200 GeV

Results on high transverse momentum charged particle emission with respect to the reaction plane are presented for Au + Au collisions at square root s(NN)=200 GeV. Two- and four-particle correlations results are presented as well as a comparison of azimuthal correlations in Au + Au collisions to those in p + p at the same energy. The elliptic anisotropy v(2) is found to reach its maximum at p(t) approximately 3 GeV/c, then decrease slowly and remain significant up to p(t) approximately 7-10 GeV/c. Stronger suppression is found in the back-to-back high-p(t) particle correlations for particles emitted out of plane compared to those emitted in plane. The centrality dependence of v(2) at intermediate p(t) is compared to simple models based on jet quenching.

Diabetes, impaired fasting glucose, and development of cognitive impairment in older women

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between diabetes and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and cognition and risk of developing both dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in older women.

METHODS

The authors analyzed data from a 4-year randomized trial of raloxifene among 7,027 osteoporotic postmenopausal women (mean age, 66.3 years) at 178 sites. Diabetes was defined by history, fasting blood glucose > or =7.0 mmol/L (> or =126 mg/dL), or use of hypoglycemic agents; IFG was defined as fasting glucose <7.0 mmol/L but >6.11 mmol/L (110 mg/dL); all others were considered to have normal glucose (NG). The main outcome was baseline and 4-year change on five standardized cognitive tests (z scores with lower scores indicating worse performance) and risk of developing clinically significant impairment (dementia, mild cognitive impairment, or very low cognitive score).

RESULTS

A total of 267 (3.8%) women had diabetes and 297 (4.2%) had IFG. Women with IFG had worse baseline cognitive scores compared to women with NG but better scores than diabetics (age-adjusted composite z score based on five tests: NG 0.40, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.49; IFG 0.14, 95% CI -0.36 to 0.64; diabetics -0.78, 95% CI -1.23 to -0.33; p < 0.001). There was greater 4-year decline among diabetics (age and treatment-adjusted composite z score: NG -0.05, 95% CI -0.16 to 0.05; IFG 0.11, 95% CI -0.53 to 0.75; diabetics -1.00, 95% CI -1.50 to -0.50; p = 0.001). Further adjustment for education, race, and depression led to similar results. Risk of developing cognitive impairment among women with IFG or diabetes was increased by almost twofold (age and treatment-adjusted OR = 1.64; 95% CI 1.03 to 2.61 for IFG; OR = 1.79; 95% CI 1.14 to 2.81 for diabetics).

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetic as well as pre-diabetic women have impaired cognitive performance and greater risk of developing cognitive impairment.

Multistrange baryon production in Au-Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=130 GeV

The transverse mass spectra and midrapidity yields for Xis and Omegas are presented. For the 10% most central collisions, the (-)Xi(+)/h(-) ratio increases from the Super Proton Synchrotron to the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider energies while the Xi(-)/h(-) stays approximately constant. A hydrodynamically inspired model fit to the Xi spectra, which assumes a thermalized source, seems to indicate that these multistrange particles experience a significant transverse flow effect, but are emitted when the system is hotter and the flow is smaller than values obtained from a combined fit to pi, K, p, and Lambdas.

Cross sections and transverse single-spin asymmetries in forward neutral-pion production from proton collisions at sqrt[s]=200 GeV

Measurements of the production of forward high-energy pi(0) mesons from transversely polarized proton collisions at sqrt[s]=200 GeV are reported. The cross section is generally consistent with next-to-leading order perturbative QCD calculations. The analyzing power is small at x(F) below about 0.3, and becomes positive and large at higher x(F), similar to the trend in data at sqrt[s]< or =20 GeV. The analyzing power is in qualitative agreement with perturbative QCD model expectations. This is the first significant spin result seen for particles produced with p(T)>1 GeV/c at a polarized proton collider.

Identified particle distributions in pp and Au+Au collisions at square root of (sNN)=200 GeV

Transverse mass and rapidity distributions for charged pions, charged kaons, protons, and antiprotons are reported for square root of [sNN]=200 GeV pp and Au+Au collisions at Relativistic Heary Ion Collider (RHIC). Chemical and kinetic equilibrium model fits to our data reveal strong radial flow and long duration from chemical to kinetic freeze-out in central Au+Au collisions. The chemical freeze-out temperature appears to be independent of initial conditions at RHIC energies.

Rho0 production and possible modification in Au+Au and p+p collisions at square root [sNN] = 200 GeV

We report results on rho(770)(0)-->pi(+)pi(-) production at midrapidity in p+p and peripheral Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=200 GeV. This is the first direct measurement of rho(770)(0)-->pi(+)pi(-) in heavy-ion collisions. The measured rho(0) peak in the invariant mass distribution is shifted by approximately 40 MeV/c(2) in minimum bias p+p interactions and approximately 70 MeV/c(2) in peripheral Au+Au collisions. The rho(0) mass shift is dependent on transverse momentum and multiplicity. The modification of the rho(0) meson mass, width, and shape due to phase space and dynamical effects are discussed.

Azimuthal anisotropy at the relativistic heavy ion collider: the first and fourth harmonics

We report the first observations of the first harmonic (directed flow, v(1)) and the fourth harmonic (v(4)), in the azimuthal distribution of particles with respect to the reaction plane in Au+Au collisions at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). Both measurements were done taking advantage of the large elliptic flow (v(2)) generated at RHIC. From the correlation of v(2) with v(1) it is determined that v(2) is positive, or in-plane. The integrated v(4) is about a factor of 10 smaller than v(2). For the sixth (v(6)) and eighth (v(8)) harmonics upper limits on the magnitudes are reported.

Particle-type dependence of azimuthal anisotropy and nuclear modification of particle production in Au+Au collisions at square root of sNN=200 GeV

We present STAR measurements of the azimuthal anisotropy parameter v(2) and the binary-collision scaled centrality ratio R(CP) for kaons and lambdas (Lambda+Lambda) at midrapidity in Au+Au collisions at square root of s(NN)=200 GeV. In combination, the v(2) and R(CP) particle-type dependencies contradict expectations from partonic energy loss followed by standard fragmentation in vacuum. We establish p(T) approximately 5 GeV/c as the value where the centrality dependent baryon enhancement ends. The K(0)(S) and Lambda+Lambda v(2) values are consistent with expectations of constituent-quark-number scaling from models of hadron formation by parton coalescence or recombination.

Pion-Kaon correlations in central Au+Au collisions at square root [sNN] = 130 GeV

Pion-kaon correlation functions are constructed from central Au+Au STAR data taken at sqrt[s(NN)]=130 GeV by the STAR detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). The results suggest that pions and kaons are not emitted at the same average space-time point. Space-momentum correlations, i.e., transverse flow, lead to a space-time emission asymmetry of pions and kaons that is consistent with the data. This result provides new independent evidence that the system created at RHIC undergoes a collective transverse expansion.

Three-pion Hanbury Brown-Twiss correlations in relativistic heavy-ion collisions from the STAR experiment

Data from the first physics run at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider at Brookhaven National Laboratory, Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=130 GeV, have been analyzed by the STAR Collaboration using three-pion correlations with charged pions to study whether pions are emitted independently at freeze-out. We have made a high-statistics measurement of the three-pion correlation function and calculated the normalized three-particle correlator to obtain a quantitative measurement of the degree of chaoticity of the pion source. It is found that the degree of chaoticity seems to increase with increasing particle multiplicity.

Transverse-momentum and collision-energy dependence of high-pT hadron suppression in Au+Au collisions at ultrarelativistic energies

We report high statistics measurements of inclusive charged hadron production in Au+Au and p+p collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=200 GeV. A large, approximately constant hadron suppression is observed in central Au+Au collisions for 5<p(T)<12 GeV/c. The collision energy dependence of the yields and the centrality and p(T) dependence of the suppression provide stringent constraints on theoretical models of suppression. Models incorporating initial-state gluon saturation or partonic energy loss in dense matter are largely consistent with observations. We observe no evidence of p(T)-dependent suppression, which may be expected from models incorporating jet attenuation in cold nuclear matter or scattering of fragmentation hadrons.

Evidence from d+Au measurements for final-state suppression of high-p(T) hadrons in Au+Au collisions at RHIC

We report measurements of single-particle inclusive spectra and two-particle azimuthal distributions of charged hadrons at high transverse momentum (high p(T)) in minimum bias and central d+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=200 GeV. The inclusive yield is enhanced in d+Au collisions relative to binary-scaled p+p collisions, while the two-particle azimuthal distributions are very similar to those observed in p+p collisions. These results demonstrate that the strong suppression of the inclusive yield and back-to-back correlations at high p(T) previously observed in central Au+Au collisions are due to final-state interactions with the dense medium generated in such collisions.

Sekundäre Aneurysmasack-Ruptur nach konventioneller Aneurysmaausschaltung

Endotension leading to enlargement of the aneurysm sac following the endoluminal grafting is still handled as an exclusive phenomenon of the endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). We report on a case with aneurysm sac enlargement caused by endotension leading to aneurysm rupture after conventional, open aneurysm repair, a so far not described complication. In a 74-year-old patient, following open surgical standard resection and reconstruction of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, a routinely performed abdominal ultra-sonography demonstrated a slowly growing enlargement of the peri-prosthetic aneurysm sac without endoleak. During the pre-operative work-up of the cardiac and pulmonary risk profiles, he complained of abdominal pain and back pain. Control CT revealed contrast inside the aneurysm sac as well as in the right-sided retroperitoneum. At the emergency operation a retroperitoneal haematoma was noticed. Opening the ballooned aneurysm sac, a fresh haematoma was also found. Lifting up the prosthesis, back bleeding at the dorsal circumference of the proximal anastomosis was confirmed due to a 2 cm long disruption of the anastomosis. In patients who present with abdominal or back pain after conventional surgery of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, a contrast CT should be performed to exclude an endoleak as well as other pathologies. The enlargement of the aneurysm sac without endoleak could be interpreted as endotension, with the consequence of urgent re-operation to prevent rupture.

Narrowing of the balance function with centrality in Au+Au collisions at the square root of SNN = 130 GeV

The balance function is a new observable based on the principle that charge is locally conserved when particles are pair produced. Balance functions have been measured for charged particle pairs and identified charged pion pairs in Au+Au collisions at the square root of SNN = 130 GeV at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider using STAR. Balance functions for peripheral collisions have widths consistent with model predictions based on a superposition of nucleon-nucleon scattering. Widths in central collisions are smaller, consistent with trends predicted by models incorporating late hadronization.

Disappearance of back-to-back high-pT hadron correlations in central Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s NN ] =200 GeV

Azimuthal correlations for large transverse momentum charged hadrons have been measured over a wide pseudorapidity range and full azimuth in Au+Au and p+p collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=200 GeV. The small-angle correlations observed in p+p collisions and at all centralities of Au+Au collisions are characteristic of hard-scattering processes previously observed in high-energy collisions. A strong back-to-back correlation exists for p+p and peripheral Au+Au. In contrast, the back-to-back correlations are reduced considerably in the most central Au+Au collisions, indicating substantial interaction as the hard-scattered partons or their fragmentation products traverse the medium.

Azimuthal anisotropy and correlations in the hard scattering regime at RHIC

Azimuthal anisotropy (v(2)) and two-particle angular correlations of high p(T) charged hadrons have been measured in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=130 GeV for transverse momenta up to 6 GeV/c, where hard processes are expected to contribute significantly. The two-particle angular correlations exhibit elliptic flow and a structure suggestive of fragmentation of high p(T) partons. The monotonic rise of v(2)(p(T)) for p(T)<2 GeV/c is consistent with collective hydrodynamical flow calculations. At p(T)>3 GeV/c, a saturation of v(2) is observed which persists up to p(T)=6 GeV/c.

Coherent rho(0) production in ultraperipheral heavy-ion collisions

The STAR Collaboration reports the first observation of exclusive rho(0) photoproduction, AuAu-->AuAurho(0), and rho(0) production accompanied by mutual nuclear Coulomb excitation, AuAu-->Au*Au*rho(0), in ultraperipheral heavy-ion collisions. The rho(0) have low transverse momenta, consistent with coherent coupling to both nuclei. The cross sections at sqrt[s(NN)]=130 GeV agree with theoretical predictions treating rho(0) production and Coulomb excitation as independent processes.

Centrality dependence of high-p(T) hadron suppression in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=130 GeV

Inclusive transverse momentum distributions of charged hadrons within 0.2<p(T)<6.0 GeV/c have been measured over a broad range of centrality for Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=130 GeV. Hadron yields are suppressed at high p(T) in central collisions relative to peripheral collisions and to a nucleon-nucleon reference scaled for collision geometry. Peripheral collisions are not suppressed relative to the nucleon-nucleon reference. The suppression varies continuously at intermediate centralities. The results indicate significant nuclear medium effects on high-p(T) hadron production in heavy-ion collisions at high energy.

Azimuthal anisotropy of K(0)(S) and Lambda+Lambda production at midrapidity from Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=130 GeV

We report STAR results on the azimuthal anisotropy parameter v(2) for strange particles K(0)(S), Lambda, and Lambda at midrapidity in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=130 GeV at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. The value of v(2) as a function of transverse momentum, p(t), of the produced particle and collision centrality is presented for both particles up to p(t) approximately 3.0 GeV/c. A strong p(t) dependence in v(2) is observed up to 2.0 GeV/c. The v(2) measurement is compared with hydrodynamic model calculations. The physics implications of the p(t) integrated v(2) magnitude as a function of particle mass are also discussed.

Midrapidity Lambda and Lambda(macro) production in Au+Au collisions at the square root of [s(NN)]=130 GeV

We report the first measurement of strange (Lambda) and antistrange (Lambda macro) baryon production from square root of [s(NN)]=130 GeV Au+Au collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). Rapidity density and transverse mass distributions at midrapidity are presented as a function of centrality. The yield of Lambda and Lambda; hyperons is found to be approximately proportional to the number of negative hadrons. The production of Lambda; hyperons relative to negative hadrons increases very rapidly with transverse momentum. The magnitude of the increase cannot be described by existing hadronic string fragmentation models alone.

Measurement of inclusive antiprotons from Au+Au collisions at square root of s(NN) = 130 GeV

We report the first measurement of inclusive antiproton production at midrapidity in Au+Au collisions at square root of s(NN) = 130 GeV by the STAR experiment at RHIC. The antiproton transverse mass distributions in the measured transverse momentum range of 0.25<p( perpendicular)<0.95 GeV/c are found to fall less steeply for more central collisions. The extrapolated antiproton rapidity density is found to scale approximately with the negative hadron multiplicity density.

d Macro and (3)He macro production in square root of s(NN) = 130 GeV Au+Au collisions

The first measurements of light antinucleus production in Au+Au collisions at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider are reported. The observed production rates for d macro and (3)He macro are much larger than in lower energy nucleus-nucleus collisions. A coalescence model analysis of the yields indicates that there is little or no increase in the antinucleon freeze-out volume compared to collisions at CERN SPS energy. These analyses also indicate that the (3)He macro freeze-out volume is smaller than the d macro freeze-out volume.

Experimental and clinical evaluation of the PARIS centering catheter for delivery of endovascular gamma-irradiation of femoropopliteal stenoses

PURPOSE

To investigate the effect of aortic bifurcation and iliac geometry on centered endovascular irradiation (CEI) of femoropopliteal arteries and evaluate procedure-related complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In an experimental tubing model, crossover delivery of the dummy wire by an afterloader using different sheaths (Type I: noncrossover; Type II: crossover, length 40 cm; Type III: crossover, length 65 cm) was examined at simulated angles between 20 degrees -100 degrees (aortic bifurcation) and 0 degrees -100 degrees (iliac vessels). In the clinical phase, 28 heparin-anticoagulated patients underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for femoropopliteal stenoses followed by CEI (192-iridium, 14 Gray at 2 mm depth of the vessel wall) delivered with the centering catheter (crossover from contralateral leg using a 65-cm-long 8F sheath in 13 patients, noncrossover from ipsilateral leg using a 10-cm 8F sheath in 15 patients). Measurement of the aortic bifurcation angle before advancement of the crossover sheath and rating of iliac artery tortuosity on both sides was retrospectively performed on angiograms. Fifteen controls received no post-PTA CEI.

RESULTS

Experimental delivery of the dummy wire was not possible at aortic angles less than 40 degrees with Type I, 60 degrees with Type II, and 30 degrees with Type III sheaths. Advancement of the centering catheter was possible in all patients. CEI failed in two patients with crossover (aortic angle <40 degrees ) and in one obese patient with antegrade approach because advancement of the dummy wire was impossible. Thromboembolism rate was 4.6% during irradiation (2.3% after PTA alone).

CONCLUSIONS

CEI in femoropopliteal arteries has a risk of procedure-related thromboembolic complications. Efficacy is affected by vessel geometry.

Multiplicity distribution and spectra of negatively charged hadrons in Au+Au collisions at square root of (sNN) = 130 GeV

The minimum-bias multiplicity distribution and the transverse momentum and pseudorapidity distributions for central collisions have been measured for negative hadrons ( h(-)) in Au+Au interactions at square root of ([s(NN)]) = 130 GeV. The multiplicity density at midrapidity for the 5% most central interactions is dN(h(-))/d(eta)/(eta = 0) = 280+/-1(stat)+/-20(syst), an increase per participant of 38% relative to pp collisions at the same energy. The mean transverse momentum is 0.508+/-0.012 GeV/c and is larger than in central Pb+Pb collisions at lower energies. The scaling of the h(-) yield per participant is a strong function of p( perpendicular). The pseudorapidity distribution is almost constant within /eta/<1.

Pion Interferometry of square root of (s(NN)) =130 GeV Au + Au collisions at RHIC

Two-pion correlation functions in Au+Au collisions at square root of [s(NN)] = 130 GeV have been measured by the STAR (solenoidal tracker at RHIC) detector. The source size extracted by fitting the correlations grows with event multiplicity and decreases with transverse momentum. Anomalously large sizes or emission durations, which have been suggested as signals of quark-gluon plasma formation and rehadronization, are not observed. The Hanbury Brown-Twiss parameters display a weak energy dependence over a broad range in square root of [s(NN)].

Midrapidity antiproton-to-proton ratio from Au+Au collisions at sqrt [s(NN)]=130 GeV

We report results on the ratio of midrapidity antiproton-to-proton yields in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)] = 130 GeV per nucleon pair as measured by the STAR experiment at RHIC. Within the rapidity and transverse momentum range of /y/<0.5 and 0.4<p(t)<1.0 GeV/c, the ratio is essentially independent of either transverse momentum or rapidity, with an average of 0.65+/-0.01((stat))+/-0.07((syst)) for minimum bias collisions. Within errors, no strong centrality dependence is observed. The results indicate that at this RHIC energy, although the p-p pair production becomes important at midrapidity, a significant excess of baryons over antibaryons is still present.

Cognitive function in postmenopausal women treated with raloxifene

BACKGROUND

In postmenopausal women, estrogen may have a beneficial effect on cognition or reduce the risk of decline in cognitive function. Whether raloxifene, a selective estrogen-receptor modulator, might have similar actions is not known.

METHODS

As part of the Multiple Outcomes of Raloxifene Evaluation trial, we studied 7478 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis (mean age, 66 years), who were enrolled at 178 sites in 25 countries. The women were randomly assigned to receive raloxifene (60 mg or 120 mg) or placebo daily for three years. We compared the mean scores of the groups on six tests of cognitive function, which were administered at base line and at six months and one, two, and three years. Women were classified as having a decline in cognitive function if the change in their scores at three years was in the worst 10 percent.

RESULTS

The mean cognitive scores in the three groups of women were similar at base line. The scores improved slightly in all three groups during the three-year study period, with no significant differences among the groups. The risk of decline in the cognitive function, as measured by four of the six tests, did not differ significantly between the two raloxifene groups combined and the placebo group, but there was a trend toward less decline in the combined raloxifene group on the two tests of verbal memory (relative risk, 0.77) and attention, (relative risk, 0.87). Newly reported or worsening hot flashes did not negatively influence test scores or the effect of treatment on test performance.

CONCLUSIONS

Raloxifene treatment for three years does not affect overall cognitive scores in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Elliptic flow in Au+Au collisions at square root(S)NN = 130 GeV

Elliptic flow from nuclear collisions is a hadronic observable sensitive to the early stages of system evolution. We report first results on elliptic flow of charged particles at midrapidity in Au+Au collisions at square root(S)NN = 130 GeV using the STAR Time Projection Chamber at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. The elliptic flow signal, v2, averaged over transverse momentum, reaches values of about 6% for relatively peripheral collisions and decreases for the more central collisions. This can be interpreted as the observation of a higher degree of thermalization than at lower collision energies. Pseudorapidity and transverse momentum dependence of elliptic flow are also presented.

MRI and CT of adenomatous tumours of the middle ear

We report three adenomatous middle-ear tumours, an adenoma, an adenocarcinoma and a semimalignant adenomatous tumour, with special attention to CT and MRI findings. In all cases we found small intratympanic masses in which the ossicles were embedded. All showed contrast enhancement and similar signal intensity as brain tissue on T1- and T2-weighted images. The biological nature of the tumours was not reflected by the imaging or operative findings.

Late resolution of diffusion-weighted MRI changes in a patient with prolonged reversible ischemic neurological deficit after thrombolytic therapy

BACKGROUND

Reduced apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) correlate with cerebral ischemia. The combination of ADC with techniques to measure cerebral perfusion may help to assess the effect of treatment.

CASE DESCRIPTION

The authors describe a patient who experienced an acute stroke with hemianopia, consequently treated with intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. Positron emission tomographic imaging and MRI, including diffusion-weighted MRI, were performed during and shortly after treatment with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator and 34 to 35 hours later. Cerebral perfusion of the left occipital region was reduced to 74%. Diffusion-weighted MRI detected a territory of restricted water movement in the corresponding area. Further magnetic resonance sequences did not show any pathologies. In follow-up, positron emission tomography demonstrated reperfusion. The volume of diffusion and ADC abnormalities detected by MRI decreased markedly. A few hours later, the patient recovered completely. A third MRI examination 10 days later showed normal findings.

CONCLUSIONS

In a patient with prolonged reversible ischemic neurological deficit, resolution of early diffusion changes corresponded to cerebral reperfusion and to the recovery of clinical symptoms.

Growth hormone secretory dynamics over the menstrual cycle

Whether GH secretion in women varies over the menstrual cycle is uncertain. Previous investigations have led to conflicting conclusions; some studies suggested that there is an estrogen mediated rise in GH during the periovulatory (PO) and luteal (L) phases whereas others indicated no change in GH axis over the cycle. Differences in conclusions could relate to heterogeneity of the study populations, GH sampling paradigms or sensitivity of the GH assays used. In order to investigate whether GH secretion varied over the cycle, 24-h GH profiles using every 10-min sampling were obtained in 6 ovulatory women during the early follicular (EF), PO and L phases of the cycle. The TSH response to TRH, GH response to GRH and fasting plasma IGF-I were measured on each occasion. There was a trend toward higher integrated GH concentration (IGHC) during the PO phase, although this difference was not statistically significant (3284+/-721 vs 4542+/-872 vs 4071+/-699 microg/min/L; EF vs PO vs L; p=0.09). Similarly, deconvolution estimated GH secretion did not vary over the cycle (p=0.56). There were no differences in GH pulse amplitude or frequency. There were no correlations between IGHC and sex steroids. Serum IGF-I was constant over the cycle (272+/-38 vs 277+/-31 vs 265+/-38 microg/L; p=0.89). The TSH response to TRH and GH response to GRH did not vary over the cycle. We concluded that the effect of changes in the ovarian steroid milieu on the GH axis during spontaneous menstrual cycles is minimal.

Observation of a hybrid spin resonance

A new type of spin depolarization resonance has been observed at the Brookhaven Alternating Gradient Synchrotron (AGS). This spin resonance is identified as a strong closed-orbit sideband around the dominant intrinsic spin resonance. The strength of the resonance was proportional to the 9th harmonic component of the horizontal closed orbit and proportional to the vertical betatron oscillation amplitude. This "hybrid" spin resonance cannot be overcome by the partial snake at the AGS, but it can be corrected by the harmonic orbit correctors.

Reduction of vertebral fracture risk in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis treated with raloxifene: results from a 3-year randomized clinical trial. Multiple Outcomes of Raloxifene Evaluation (MORE) Investigators

CONTEXT

Raloxifene hydrochloride, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, prevents bone loss in postmenopausal women, but whether it reduces fracture risk in these women is not known.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of raloxifene therapy on risk of vertebral and nonvertebral fractures.

DESIGN

The Multiple Outcomes of Raloxifene Evaluation (MORE) study, a multicenter, randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trial.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

A total of 7705 women aged 31 to 80 years in 25 countries who had been postmenopausal for at least 2 years and who met World Health Organization criteria for having osteoporosis. The study began in 1994 and had up to 36 months of follow-up for primary efficacy measurements and nonserious adverse events and up to 40 months of follow-up for serious adverse events.

INTERVENTIONS

Participants were randomized to 60 mg/d or 120 mg/d of raloxifene or to identically appearing placebo pills; in addition, all women received supplemental calcium and cholecalciferol.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Incident vertebral fracture was determined radiographically at baseline and at scheduled 24- and 36-month visits. Nonvertebral fracture was ascertained by interview at 6-month-interim visits. Bone mineral density was determined annually by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.

RESULTS

At 36 months of the evaluable radiographs in 6828 women, 503 (7.4%) had at least 1 new vertebral fracture, including 10.1% of women receiving placebo, 6.6% of those receiving 60 mg/d of raloxifene, and 5.4% of those receiving 120 mg/d of raloxifene. Risk of vertebral fracture was reduced in both study groups receiving raloxifene (for 60-mg/d group: relative risk [RR], 0.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.5-0.8; for 120-mg/d group: RR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.4-0.7). Frequency of vertebral fracture was reduced both in women who did and did not have prevalent fracture. Risk of nonvertebral fracture for raloxifene vs placebo did not differ significantly (RR, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.8-1.1 for both raloxifene groups combined). Compared with placebo, raloxifene increased bone mineral density in the femoral neck by 2.1 % (60 mg) and 2.4% (120 mg) and in the spine by 2.6% (60 mg) and 2.7% (120 mg) P<0.001 for all comparisons). Women receiving raloxifene had increased risk of venous thromboembolus vs placebo (RR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.5-6.2). Raloxifene did not cause vaginal bleeding or breast pain and was associated with a lower incidence of breast cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

In postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, raloxifene increases bone mineral density in the spine and femoral neck and reduces risk of vertebral fracture.

Development of a novel, N-terminal-proBNP (NT-proBNP) assay with a low detection limit

A novel, highly sensitive and specific N-Terminal-proBNP (NT-proBNP) assay based on a sandwich format has been developed. The assay time is below 2 hours and no extraction process is needed. The calibration curve covers a NT-proBNP concentration range from 0 pmol/L up to 600 pmol/L. The analytical detection limit of the assay was estimated to be 2.7 pmol/L (3 SD). The intra-assay coefficient of variation is 5.7% (at 50 pmol/L) and 6.1% (at 250 pmol/L), while the inter-assay CVs are 15.8% (15 pmol/L) and 8.2% (250 pmol/L). There is no significant interference by bilirubin (up to 900 mumol/L), haemoglobin (up to 10 g/L), rheumatoid factors (up to 975 IU/mL), triglycerides (up to 20.5 mmol/L), biotin (up to 50 micrograms/L), digoxin (up to 100 micrograms/L) and digitoxin (up to 200 micrograms/L). The analyte NT-proBNP is fully stable in whole blood over 3 days and in EDTA-plasma over 24 hours. This good stability of NT-proBNP compared to other less stable natriuretic peptides is a significant advantage and a main prerequisite for a routine diagnostic marker. Preliminary results of using this new assay in clinical studies for diagnosing and monitoring left ventricular dysfunction demonstrate that there is a significant gain in diagnostic validity.

Regulatory mechanisms of growth hormone secretion are sexually dimorphic

Sexually dimorphic growth hormone (GH) secretory pattern is important in the determination of gender-specific patterns of growth and metabolism in rats. Whether GH secretion in humans is also sexually dimorphic and the neuroendocrine mechanisms governing this potential difference are not fully established. We have compared pulsatile GH secretion profiles in young men and women in the baseline state and during a continuous intravenous infusion of recombinant human insulin-like growth factor I (rhIGF-I). During the baseline study, men had large nocturnal GH pulses and relatively small pulses during the rest of the day. In contrast, women had more continuous GH secretion and more frequent GH pulses that were of more uniform size. The infusion of rhIGF-I (10 microg/kg/h) potently suppressed both spontaneous and growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)-induced GH secretion in men. In women, however, rhIGF-I had less effect on pulsatile GH secretion and did not suppress the GH response to GHRH. These data demonstrate the existence of sexual dimorphism in the regulatory mechanisms involved in GH secretion in humans. The persistence of GH responses to GHRH in women suggests that negative feedback by IGF-I might be expressed, in part, through suppression of hypothalamic GHRH.

Temporal processing in cat primary auditory cortex

In this short review, we discuss several aspects of how temporal coding is reflected in the response of primary auditory cortical neurons. We attempt to establish a link between several different temporal response properties including onset latency, response strength to repetitive stimuli, and the recovery of a response from suppression by a preceding signal. The results suggest a relationship between temporal effects that are expressed at quite different time scales. The results are discussed in relation to spatial representational properties and to coding in other sensory cortices.

Circadian rest-activity disturbances in seasonal affective disorder

BACKGROUND

Previous studies hypothesized that seasonal affective disorder (SAD) was caused by a circadian rhythm abnormality. The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether rest-activity rhythms were phase delayed, diminished in amplitude, or more poorly entrained to the 24-hour day.

METHOD

Twenty healthy adult controls and 25 outpatients meeting Rosenthal-National Institute of Mental Health criteria for SAD and DSM-III-R criteria for major or bipolar depression with seasonal pattern had their levels of activity recorded for 72 hours (weekdays) using wrist-worn actigraphs.

RESULTS

Subjects with SAD had activity levels that were 11% lower than controls (P = .03), and their levels of activity were most attenuated during the first 2 hours after arising (P = .004). The relative amplitude of the circadian rhythm did not differ between groups. Patients with SAD were phase delayed by 50 minutes for the entire period (P = .02). Analysis of each individual day indicated that patients were delayed by up to 70 minutes (P = .007). Interdaily stability, an index of coupling between the rhythm and its zeitigeber was reduced in SAD (P = .01). Compared with controls, patients with SAD had best-fit circadian periods that were 92% more deviated from 24 hours (P = .007) and daily acrophase (time of the peak of the fit circadian rhythm) times that were 110% more variable between days (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with SAD have circadian rest-activity rhythms that are significantly phase delayed and more poorly entrained to the 24-hour day.

Perceptual and acoustical analysis of alaryngeal speech: determinants of intelligibility

The speech productions of 8 male alaryngeal speakers were used to identify four perceptual measures and five durational measures which were significant for identifying intelligibility of alaryngeal speech. The acoustic variable of duration was a key factor in relating perceptual and acoustic measures.

Instrumental and perceptual evidence for tracheoesophageal speech

With 8 men, two methods of alaryngeal speech production, tracheoe-sophageal and electrolaryngeal, were compared on perceptual and acoustic measures of speech intelligibility. Measures consistently identified the tracheoesophageal speech as superior to electrolaryngeal speech.

Dampening of adrenocortical responses during infancy: normative changes and individual differences

Changes in cortisol and behavioral responses were examined longitudinally in 83 infants (39 girls, 44 boys) tested at their well-baby exams with inoculations at 2, 4, 6, and 15 months (72 infants completed all testing). Another sample of 2-, 4-, and 6-month-olds (n = 18 per age) received mock exams without inoculations to determine early developmental changes to the exam procedures. Behavioral distress was coded every 30 sec during the exam, a 5-min inoculation period, and a 20-min recovery period. Salivary cortisol was obtained upon arrival at the clinic and 25 min after the beginning of the inoculation period. To the exam-inoculation procedures, cortisol responses were high at 2 months, decreased significantly between 2 and 4 months, remained comparable between 4 and 6 months, and then declined again between 6 and 15 months. Between 6 and 15 months there was also a decrease in pretest cortisol. By 15 months, significant increases in cortisol from pre- to posttest were no longer observed for most infants. To the exam-only procedures, cortisol responses decreased between 2 and 4 months, and by 4 months most infants failed to show pre- to posttest increases in cortisol. Behavioral distress decreased between 2 and 6 months, but increased again at 15 months. While crying and cortisol were modestly correlated during the 2- to 6-month exam-inoculation procedures, at 15 months no significant correlations were obtained. Behavioral and hormonal reactions thus followed different ontogenetic paths and may provide different information about infant functioning. There was some evidence that the emergence of the circadian rhythm in cortisol might be related to the early decrease in cortisol response.