Experimental verification of predicted beam-polarization oscillations near a spin resonance

The Chao matrix formalism allows analytic calculations of a beam's polarization behavior inside a spin resonance. We recently tested its prediction of polarization oscillations occurring in a stored beam of polarized particles near a spin resonance. Using a 1.85 GeV/c polarized deuteron beam stored in the COoler SYnchrotron, we swept a new rf solenoid's frequency rather rapidly through 400 Hz during 100 ms, while varying the distance between the sweep's end frequency and the central frequency of an rf-induced spin resonance. Our measurements of the deuteron's polarization near and inside the resonance agree with the Chao formalism's predicted oscillations.

Region-specific transcriptional changes following the three antidepressant treatments electro convulsive therapy, sleep deprivation and fluoxetine

The significant proportion of depressed patients that are resistant to monoaminergic drug therapy and the slow onset of therapeutic effects of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)/serotonin/noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are two major reasons for the sustained search for new antidepressants. In an attempt to identify common underlying mechanisms for fast- and slow-acting antidepressant modalities, we have examined the transcriptional changes in seven different brain regions of the rat brain induced by three clinically effective antidepressant treatments: electro convulsive therapy (ECT), sleep deprivation (SD), and fluoxetine (FLX), the most commonly used slow-onset antidepressant. Each of these antidepressant treatments was applied with the same regimen known to have clinical efficacy: 2 days of ECT (four sessions per day), 24 h of SD, and 14 days of daily treatment of FLX, respectively. Transcriptional changes were evaluated on RNA extracted from seven different brain regions using the Affymetrix rat genome microarray 230 2.0. The gene chip data were validated using in situ hybridization or autoradiography for selected genes. The major findings of the study are: 1. The transcriptional changes induced by SD, ECT and SSRI display a regionally specific distribution distinct to each treatment. 2. The fast-onset, short-lived antidepressant treatments ECT and SD evoked transcriptional changes primarily in the catecholaminergic system, whereas the slow-onset antidepressant FLX treatment evoked transcriptional changes in the serotonergic system. 3. ECT and SD affect in a similar manner the same brain regions, primarily the locus coeruleus, whereas the effects of FLX were primarily in the dorsal raphe and hypothalamus, suggesting that both different regions and pathways account for fast onset but short lasting effects as compared to slow-onset but long-lasting effects. However, the similarity between effects of ECT and SD is somewhat confounded by the fact that the two treatments appear to regulate a number of transcripts in an opposite manner. 4. Multiple transcripts (e.g. brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), serum/glucocorticoid-regulated kinase (Sgk1)), whose level was reported to be affected by antidepressants or behavioral manipulations, were also found to be regulated by the treatments used in the present study. Several novel findings of transcriptional regulation upon one, two or all three treatments were made, for the latter we highlight homer, erg2, HSP27, the proto oncogene ret, sulfotransferase family 1A (Sult1a1), glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPD3), the orphan receptor G protein-coupled receptor 88 (GPR88) and a large number of expressed sequence tags (ESTs). 5. Transcripts encoding proteins involved in synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus were strongly affected by ECT and SD, but not by FLX. The novel transcripts, concomitantly regulated by several antidepressant treatments, may represent novel targets for fast onset, long-duration antidepressants.

Hospital care of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction in four different European regions. Data from four regional myocardial infarction registries in Berlin, Dijon, Florence, and Tartu

National surveys as well as European comparative studies suggest that differences in treatment of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) exist. The extent to which these variations influence the outcome of hospital care delivered to STE-MI patients in everyday routine is mostly unknown. In this study data representative of hospital care received by STEMI patients in four European regions (Berlin, Dijon, Florence and Tartu) were compared. The four registries are population based. The percentage of women and the mean age of the patients differed among the registries. Risk factors such as hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia also differed among the different regions, whereas a history of diabetes mellitus was similar among the registries. The percentage of patients receiving reperfusion therapy ranged from 47 to 81%. An appreciable difference also resulted after breaking down reperfusion therapy into thrombolysis and primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Hospital mortality as an outcome measure was very similar among the regions. After adjustment for age, the comparative magnitude of hospital mortality proportion was also very similar among three registries. Only the patients from Florence demonstrated a comparatively lower death rate, with a ratio of 0.81. In summary, there are important differences among baseline characteristics and hospital care of STE-Ml patients in the four study regions. Nevertheless, it was interesting to ascertain that the outcome measured in hospital mortality was very similar among the four registries compared.

Single-mode mid-IR guidance in a hollow-core photonic crystal fiber

We report, for the first time, bandgap guidance above 3 mum in a silica based air-core photonic crystal fiber. The peak of the bandgap is at 3.14mum with a typical attenuation of ~ 2.6 dB m-1. By further optimization of the structure, modeling suggests that a loss below 1 dB m-1 should be achievable, greatly extending the useful operating range of silica-based single-mode fibers. Such fibers have many potential applications in the mid-IR, offering an alternative to fluoride, tellurite or chalcogenide glass based optical fibers for chemical and biological sensing applications.

siRNA-mediated knockdown of the serotonin transporter in the adult mouse brain

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are widely used antidepressant drugs that increase the extracellular levels of serotonin by blocking the reuptake activity of the serotonin transporter (SERT). Although SSRIs elevate brain serotonergic neurotransmission acutely, their full therapeutic effects involve neurochemical adaptations that emerge following chronic drug administration. The adaptive downregulation of SERT has recently been implicated in the therapeutic response of SSRIs. Interestingly, studies using SERT-knockout mice reveal somewhat paradoxical depression-related effects, probably specific to the downregulation of SERT during early development. However, the behavioral significance of SSRI-mediated downregulation of SERT during adulthood is still unknown. We investigated whether somatic gene manipulation, triggered by infusing short interfering RNA (siRNA) into the ventricular system, would enable the downregulation of SERT in the adult mouse brain. Infusing the SERT-targeting siRNA, for 2 weeks, significantly reduced the mRNA levels of SERT in raphe nuclei. Further, a significant, specific and widespread downregulation of SERT-binding sites was achieved in the brain. In contrast, 2-week infusion of the SSRI, citalopram, produced a widespread downregulation of SERT-binding sites, independent of any alterations at the mRNA level. Irrespective of their mechanisms for downregulating SERT in the brain, infusions of SERT-siRNA or citalopram elicited a similar antidepressant-related behavioral response in the forced swim test. These results signify a role for the downregulation of SERT in mediating the antidepressant action of SSRIs in adults. Further, these data demonstrate that siRNA-induced widespread knockdown of gene expression serves as a powerful tool for assessing the function of endogenous genes in the adult brain.

An evaluation of state firearm regulations and homicide and suicide death rates

OBJECTIVE

To determine if any of five different state gun laws were associated with firearm mortality: (1) "shall issue" laws permitting an individual to carry a concealed weapon unless restricted by another statute; (2) a minimum age of 21 years for handgun purchase; (3) a minimum age of 21 years for private handgun possession; (4) one gun a month laws which restrict handgun purchase frequency; and (5) junk gun laws which ban the sale of certain cheaply constructed handguns.

DESIGN

A cross sectional time series study of firearm mortality from 1979 to 1998.

SETTING

All 50 states and the District of Columbia.

SUBJECTS

All residents of the United States.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Firearm homicides, all homicides, firearm suicides, and all suicides.

RESULTS

When a "shall issue" law was present, the rate of firearm homicides was greater, RR 1.11 (95% confidence interval 0.99 to 1.24), than when the law was not present, as was the rate of all homicides, RR 1.08 (95% CI 0.98 to 1.17), although this was not statistically significant. No law was associated with a statistically significant decrease in the rates of firearm homicides or total homicides. No law was associated with a statistically significant change in firearm suicide rates.

CONCLUSION

A "shall issue" law that eliminates most restrictions on carrying a concealed weapon may be associated with increased firearm homicide rates. No law was associated with a statistically significant reduction in firearm homicide or suicide rates.

Comparison of the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of two commercially available hexavalent vaccines administered as a primary vaccination course at 2, 4 and 6 months of age

Infants (N = 459) were randomly assigned to receive either Infanrix hexa or Hexavac vaccines at 2, 4 and 6 months of age as a primary vaccination schedule. The immunogenicity of the hepatitis B component was statistically significantly higher for Infanrix hexa compared to Hexavac in terms of both seroprotection (98.6% versus 94.7%, p = 0.0302) and GMCs (905.6 versus 226.4, p < 0.0001). Significantly (p < or =0.0001) higher antibody levels against diphtheria and the 3 polio components were also induced by Infanrix hexa. The responses to tetanus, Hib and pertussis components were similar. The incidences of clinically relevant solicited symptoms, unsolicited symptoms or serious adverse events were low in both groups.

Functional adrenergic receptor polymorphisms and idiopathic orthostatic intolerance

OBJECTIVES

Idiopathic orthostatic intolerance (IOI) is a common disorder that is characterized by chronic orthostatic symptoms and substantial increases in heart rate and plasma norepinephrine concentrations that are disproportionately high while standing. Several features of the syndrome, including the tachycardia, tremulousness, and exaggerated norepinephrine have been considered potentially due to hypoactive or hyperactive states of adrenergic receptors of the sympathetic nervous system. The aim of this study was therefore to ascertain whether genotypes at eight polymorphic loci within five relevant adrenergic receptor genes (alpha2A, alpha2B, alpha2C, beta1 and beta2) influence the risk for IOI.

METHODS

We studied 80 young men in military service (20 patients with IOI and 60 age-matched controls). All participants underwent a tilt table test including monitoring of blood pressure, heart rate and plasma catecholamines, in the supine position and during 30 min of standing. Genotyping at the eight loci (alpha2ALys251, alpha2BDel301-303, alpha2CDel322-325, beta1Gly49, beta1Arg389, beta2Arg16, beta2Glu27, beta2Ile164) was performed in all participants. Chi-square tests of independence were used to test for associations between IOI and genotype. In addition, an association of the polymorphisms with haemodynamic variables (heart rate, supine and upright blood pressure) was ascertained using one-way variance analysis.

RESULTS

For the beta1Gly49 polymorphism we found a decrease in the risk of IOI among persons who were homozygous (odds ratio, 0.88; 95% confidence interval, 0.81-0.97). In addition, we found an association between beta1Gly49 and decreased heart rate in the upright position, regardless of IOI diagnosis. There were no associations with the other studied polymorphisms and IOI.

CONCLUSIONS

Our current results suggest that the beta1Gly49 polymorphism is protective for IOI. This is likely one of several common genetic loci that may represent modifiers of IOI phenotypes.

A method to polarize stored antiprotons to a high degree

Polarized antiprotons can be produced in a storage ring by spin-dependent interaction in a purely electron-polarized hydrogen gas target. The polarizing process is based on spin transfer from the polarized electrons of the target atoms to the orbiting antiprotons. After spin filtering for about two beam lifetimes at energies T approximately equal 40-170 MeV using a dedicated large acceptance ring, the antiproton beam polarization would reach P=0.2-0.4. Polarized antiprotons would open new and unique research opportunities for spin-physics experiments in p(-) p interactions.