A compact broadband ion beam focusing device based on laser-driven megagauss thermoelectric magnetic fields.

Ultra-intense lasers can nowadays routinely accelerate kiloampere ion beams. These unique sources of particle beams could impact many societal (e.g., proton-therapy or fuel recycling) and fundamental (e.g., neutron probing) domains. However, this requires overcoming the beam angular divergence at the source. This has been attempted, either with large-scale conventional setups or with compact plasma techniques that however have the restriction of short (<1 mm) focusing distances or a chromatic behavior. Here, we show that exploiting laser-triggered, long-lasting (>50 ps), thermoelectric multi-megagauss surface magnetic (B)-fields, compact capturing, and focusing of a diverging laser-driven multi-MeV ion beam can be achieved over a wide range of ion energies in the limit of a 5° acceptance angle.

[Light adjustable lens. New options for customized correction of presbyopia]. / Lichtadjustierbare Linse. Neue Möglichkeiten zur Presbyopiekorrektur.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was a prospective evaluation of new algorithms for the treatment of presbyopia using a light-adjustable intraocular lens (LAL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 15 patients scheduled for routine cataract surgery were included in the study. Following cataract removal a LAL (CalhounVision, Pasadena, CA) was implanted. At approximately 2 weeks after implantation the IOL was adjusted to correct any residual refractive error (sphere and cylinder) followed by the creation of a customized near add (CNA) that was based on the individual patient pupil size in one eye. The fellow eye was corrected for emmetropia. A final lock-in treatment was then performed. RESULTS: There were no complications observed during the surgery or power adjustments. All patients demonstrated an improvement in near vision (0.97 ± 0.18) and distance vision (0.78 ± 0.18) with good intermediate vision (0.92 ± 0.12) months after the final lock-in. CONCLUSION: This preliminary study showed that the creation of a CNA based on the individual patient's pupil size, provided patients with a good range of near, intermediate and distance vision following implantation of the LAL.

Calcium-activated potassium channels mask vascular dysfunction associated with oxidized LDL exposure in rabbit aorta.

Endothelium-dependent vasodilation is impaired in atherosclerosis. Oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) plays an important role, possibly through alterations in G-protein activation. We examined the effect of acute exposure to ox-LDL on the dilator responses of isolated rabbit aorta segments. We sought also to evaluate the specificity of this dysfunction for dilator stimuli that traditionally operate through a Gi-protein mechanism. Aortic segments were prepared for measurement of isometric tension. After contraction with prostaglandin F2alpha, relaxation to thrombin, adenosine diphosphate (ADP), or the endothelium-independent agonists, sodium nitroprusside (SNP) or papaverine was examined. Maximal relaxation to thrombin was impaired in the presence of ox-LDL (17.7+/-3.7% p<0.05) compared to control (no LDL) (52.6+/-4.0%). Ox-LDL did not affect maximal relaxation to ADP or SNP. However, in the presence of charybdotoxin (CHTX: calcium-activated potassium channel inhibitor) ox-LDL impaired relaxation to ADP (17.4+/-3.2%). CHTX did not affect control (no LDL) responses to ADP (69.6+/-5.0%) or relaxation to thrombin or papaverine. In conclusion, ox-LDL impairs relaxation to thrombin, but in the case of ADP, calcium-activated potassium channels compensate to maintain this relaxation.

[Lipid intervention and coronary heart disease in men less than 56 years of age. The Coronary Intervention Study: CIS]. / Lipid-Intervention und koronare Herzkrankheit bei Männern unter 56 Jahren. Die Coronare Interventions-Studie: CIS.

UNLABELLED: The CIS was undertaken with the aim to evaluate the effects of lipid modifications on angiographic progression and regression of CAD in patients with CAD and hypercholesterolemia. The design included a multicenter randomized, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled comparison, with target and safety limits for adjusting the trial medication depending on the LDL cholesterol level (LDL-C) achieved, i.e., up to 40 mg of simvastatin (S) or placebo (P) daily, add-on medication (up to 3 x 4 g Colestyramin), and diet counselling. Male patients, average age 49 (< or = 56) years, were included with angiographic CAD and a screening total cholesterol of 207-350 mg/dl, who were not due to undergo coronary bypass surgery or PTCA, who did not suffer from serious other disease (e.g., diabetes mellitus), and who had not undergone coronary bypass surgery previously. RESULTS: All baseline variables were comparable in the treatment groups, with 129 patients taking S and 125 taking P. Of these 254 patients 217 had their final study visit and 207 underwent a second angiography after an average treatment time of 2.3 years under an average daily dose of 37 mg S. 205 pairs of films were available for analysis. Vital information was obtained of all patients until closure of the data bank, half a year after the last study angiography. Five deaths occurred within the study period, 12 through March 15, 1995 (S: 1/6, P: 4/6). 37 patients (S: 18, P: 19) discontinued trial drug and protocol. Concomitant CAD medication was comparable in both groups, except lipid-lowering add-on medication which was significantly higher in the P group (38% versus 13%). Significant changes in lipid levels, on treatment, were observed in the S group amounting to a mean difference in LDL-C of -35%, in Apo-Protein B (ApoB) of -30%, in VLDL-C of -37%, and in triglycerides (TG) of -27%, and in HDL-C of +6%, in comparison to the control group; these differences were even greater in 137 fully compliant patients: -41, -36, -39, -31, and +7%, respectively. Progression in the S group was significantly less, as defined by the two primary target criteria: 1) the minimum obstruction diameter (MOD), determined by quantitative coronary angiography (QCA), decreased about five times less in comparison to the control group (S: by -0.017; P: -0.0954 mm), and 2) the standardized visual global change score (GCS) deteriorated almost three times less in the S group (by +0.20) than in the P group (+0.58). Of the secondary target criteria, the mean lumen diameter (QCA) also developed a significant difference (S: -0.20; P: +0.23 mm; p = 0.0006) with a trend toward regression in the S group. The QCA-%-stenosis deteriorated three- to four-times less in the S group as compared to the control group (S: by 0.69%; P: by 2.73%; p = 0.0022), and the number of patients with angiographic progression was nearly halved (S: 30%; P: 56%; p < 0.0000). These differences were determined by intention to treat analysis (ITT), and they were obtained in spite of lipid lowering add-on medication in 38% of the P patients; they turned out to be more pronounced in 137 fully compliant patients, in an analysis "as treated". The mean decrease in LDL-C serum level caused by S was significantly correlated to the decrease in progression, and multivariate regression analysis of both treatment groups identified LDL-C (or ApoB) and TG as independent predictors of progression. Progression appeared to be most pronounced in low and medium sized lesions, and the beneficial effect of lipid intervention dominated in lesions with 12-56% QCA stenosis severity. A small fraction of patients who suffered from exercise-induced angina, with ST-segment-depression at the beginning of the study, experienced a significant improvement under S as compared to P treatment. Although the study was not designed to show differences in clinical events, the combined number of all major cardiovascular events tended to be less frequent in the S than in the C gr

Monitoring intensive endurance training at moderate energetic demands using resting laboratory markers failed to recognize an early overtraining stage.

BACKGROUND: Aim was to answer the question whether resting laboratory parameters are suitable for monitoring intensive endurance training at moderate energetic demands. This was designed since markers of overtraining at high energetic demands, e.g. mild anemia, leukopenia, iron deficiency, reduced serum albumin, glucose, triglyceride, triglyceride-rich cholesterol (LDL, VLDL), free fatty acid, increased plasma noradrenaline levels, and decreased basal catecholamine excretions were recommended. METHODS: A prospective 6-wk, 6-dys/wk intensive steady state and interval cycle ergometer training of 40-60 min/dy was performed. Total load was about 6-time pretraining activities followed by a 2-wk, 2-hour/wk regenerative training period. Six recreational athletes (VO2max 51.5 +/- 4.5 ml.kg-1.min-1) participated and finished the study. A large pattern of resting hematological, blood-chemical, and hormonal parameters was tested regarding suitability for monitoring overtraining. RESULTS: After 3 wks, submaximum and maximum performance were significantly increased, stopped improving between wk 3 and 6, or deteriorated. No supercompensation occurred after regeneration, but a decrease in work output. Lack of progression and supercompensation, and decreased maximum work output indicate a critical stage in the training process. CONCLUSIONS: All examined resting laboratory parameters failed to reflect this critical stage except for a significant decrease in serum glucose, ferritin, and free fatty acid concentrations.

Ultra-triathlon-related blood-chemical and endocrinological responses in nine athletes.

BACKGROUND: Objective of this study was to get more insight in hematology, biochemistry, and endocrinology of ultra-endurance exercise, to improve knowledge in this field, supplementation, and medical care of affected athletes. METHODS: A large body of individual hematological, biochemical, and endocrinological parameters was analyzed in the blood taken from ultra-athletes before and after completing the 1993 Colmar ultra triathlon covering 7.5 km swimming, 360 km cycling, and approximately 85 km running. PARTICIPANTS: Nine experienced ultra-athletes participated in the study. A follow-up was not possible since the athletes left Colmar within 24 hrs after the contest. RESULTS: The athletes finished the ultra-contest at rankings 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 18, 22, 23 in a total time between 23:38:53 and 27:54:30 hr:min:sec. Their final body mass (68.6 +/- 1 kg) was significantly lower than at baseline (71.9 +/- 4.2 kg). Non of the athletes made use of medical care. Data after this contest reflect mild hyponatremia, intravascular hemolysis, increased triglyceride turnover, acute-phase reaction, hyperaldosteronemia 2061 +/- 1013 pmol.L-1), hypercortisolemia 971 +/- 486 nmol.L-1), hyper-growth-hormonemia (median 6.8 ng.ml-1), hypoinsulinemia, hypo-free-testosteronemia (42 +/- 17 pmol.L-1), protein catabolism, depressed testicular function, oliguria, and muscle cell leakage. CONCLUSIONS: In our opinion, data presented do not reflect any acute health risks in healthy athletes who are well prepared and carefully supplied during such a contest.

Effects of glycosylated hemoglobin on vascular responses in vitro.

UNLABELLED: Vascular responses to endothelium-dependent vasodilators are greatly impaired in vivo, while isolated blood vessels from animals with diabetes mellitus demonstrate less consistent degrees of impairment. Glycation of proteins, such as hemoglobin, has been implicated in the vascular abnormalities associated with diabetes. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that glycosylated hemoglobin is capable of reducing endothelium-dependent vasodilator responses, possibly explaining impaired dilation observed in vivo. METHODS: To test this hypothesis, the effect of glycosylated hemoglobin (GH) on vascular responses was studied in several vascular beds, including ventricular microvessels and coronary, mesenteric, femoral, and renal arteries. Coronary arterioles were isolated and mounted between two glass pipettes in a pressurized (30 cmH2O) organ chamber. Isolated artery segments were studied using a standard isometric ring technique. RESULTS: In ventricular microvessels, 10 nM nGH (non-GH) and GH both attenuated the relaxation to Ach. A lower concentration, 1 nM nGH or GH, did not alter dilation to Ach. In coronary, femoral, mesenteric and renal artery segments, endothelium-dependent responses were not altered by the presence of 10 or 100 nM nGH or GH. CONCLUSION: In coronary microvessels, and coronary, femoral, mesenteric and renal arteries, GH is not responsible for the impaired endothelial function associated with diabetes mellitus.

Clinical results and radiographic appearance of the Rashkind double umbrella device in patients with occlusion of the ductus arteriosus.

BACKGROUND: The Rashkind double umbrella device for patent arterial duct occlusion has been used in many patients. Its radiographic appearance has not been sufficiently described. OBJECTIVE: To present the varying radiographic appearances of the Rashkind double umbrella device on the chest X-ray. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The chest radiographs of 69 patients (median age 60 months; median weight 17 kg), who underwent closure of their patent arterial duct between March 1990 and August 1994, were reviewed. The following parameters were evaluated: 1) the size of the heart (cardio-thoracic ratio) and pulmonary vessels, 2) the position of the device in AP/PA and lateral projections. The results of occlusion of the patent arterial duct were also reviewed. RESULTS: Sixty-two of 69 (90 %) patients had complete occlusion after a follow-up between 2 months and 3(1)/2 years. The cardio-thoracic ratio showed significant reduction at follow-up (P < 0.001). The two different size devices could be well differentiated in the AP and the lateral projection. In 14 patients (20 %) the device was in an asymmetrical position. There was no significant correlation between position of the device and success of occlusion in our material. CONCLUSION: Complete occlusion of the arterial duct using Rashkind double umbrella devices can be achieved in 90 % of our population. In 20 % the device will have an asymmetrical position. There is no correlation between asymmetrical position of the device in the chest radiograph and residual shunting.

The prevalence of adenomyosis and endometriosis in an ultra-religious Jewish population.

In view of increasing incidence of adenomyosis and endometriosis reported in recent years, we evaluated the incidence of these disorders in a unique ultra-orthodox Jewish population over the past 20 years by reviewing 1,434 hysterectomy specimens. The incidence of adenomyosis among the hysterectomy specimens decreased from 15.14% in the first 10 years of the period studied, to 9.24% in the second decade (p < 0.05). The incidence of endometriosis remained unchanged, and was very low (1.12%) compared to published data. Our findings highlight the possible effects of heredity, religious and social behavior on the etiology of endometriosis.

Glucose-induced water movement from the intracellular to the extracellular space and its influence on calculations of glucose metabolism.

The osmotic effect of intravenous glucose was investigated in eight healthy volunteers. Increases in plasma glucose can induce water movement from the intracellular to the extracellular space. Serum choline esterase was used as an endogenous marker of serum dilution. Intravenous tests with 5, 15, 30 and 35 g of glucose showed that the water shift was proportional to the amount infused. The respective dilutions of choline esterase were 1.3 +/- 0.7%, 3.3 +/- 0.9%, 6.3 +/- 0.8% and 7.8 +/- 0.5%. The effect on extracellular water was maintained when plasma glucose remained elevated (inhibition of insulin secretion with a somatostatin analogue). In comparison to glucose, infusion of 10 g of a mixture of amino acids produced a less pronounced effect than expected. The acute water shift after intravenous glucose dilutes serum components including glucose (8% of total extracellular glucose at 35 g). This can be misinterpreted as glucose clearance when calculating metabolic rates. For estimated amounts a proportional correction should be made (3.5% per 5 mmol l-1 increase). A measured plasma glucose of 22.2 mmol l-1 should be corrected to 24.8 mmol l-1, while a plasma glucose value of 5.0 mmol l-1 needs no correction.

Molecular dynamics studies of the interface between a model membrane and an aqueous solution.

Molecular Dynamics (MD) computer simulation studies are reported for a system consisting of two model membranes in contact with an aqueous solution. The influence of the membrane on the adjacent liquid is of main interest in the present study. It is therefore attempted to make the system sufficiently large to encompass the entire region between bulk liquid and the membranes. The latter are modeled by two-dimensional arrays of COO- groups with rotational and translational degrees of freedom. The water molecules are represented by the well-tested TIP4P model. The intermolecular potentials are parametrized in terms of Coulomb interactions between partial charges on the molecular frames and empirical, mostly Lennard-Jones (12-6), interactions centered at the atomic positions. A strong layering of the liquid accompanied by an increase in average water density is found in the vicinity of the membrane. The structural perturbation reaches approximately 8 A into the liquid. We discuss the static structure in these layers in terms of atom-atom distance distribution functions and study the average orientation of the water molecule dipoles with respect to the membrane. From the distribution of the ions, we find that less than 50% of the surface charge of the membrane is neutralized by Na+ ions in the first layer above the membrane. A simplified model of the adsorption site of the ion on the membrane is developed from the distance distributions. Finally the hydration of the Na+ in the first adsorbed layer is discussed.

Urine screening in outdoor volunteers: day versus night versus 24 hour collection.

Urine constituents were measured in 12 healthy outdoor volunteers on four occasions within a month. Day, night, and 24 hour collection periods were compared. Measurements made on the four occasions did not differ. The amount of water, creatinine, electrolytes, proteins, and enzymes were higher during the day (up to three fold, p always less than 0.05), while equal amounts of amino acids were excreted in the day and the night period. A comparison of all values from all individuals for all four sampling occasions showed that the variation was lowest in the 24 hour samples. Relating the values to creatinine did not consistently reduce the variation. Twenty-four hour samples correlated better with the day than with the night samples. Day and night samples did not correlate. Twenty-four hour collection is superior to day or night collection in healthy outdoor volunteers. Based on the normal variation of values found in the present study, criteria for suspected kidney damage and therefore for the withdrawal of drugs in pharmacological studies can be defined for each collection period.

Development of antibodies reactive in antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity in infectious mononucleosis.

Serial sera from patients with infectious mononucleosis were examined for the emergence of antibodies reactive in antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity tests, using Epstein-Barr virus-superinfected Raji cells as targets. For this specific purpose, the antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity test proved to be of limited sensitivity because only relatively high serum dilutions can be tested dependably, due to prozone effects at low serum concentrations, and because antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity reactions at the 5% level are not always statistically significant. Under the conditions of the test, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity-reactive antibodies were not measurable, or only barely measurable, in early-acute-phase sera, but they became detectable during convalescence and increased thereafter, gradually over many months to the range of titers seen in healthy persons after long-past-primary Epstein-Barr virus infections. The percentages of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity ultimately attained were on the order of 20% in most patients and healthy individuals, but in others did not exceed 10%. The likely identity of the antibodies reactive in the test with antibodies to late Epstein-Barr virus-determined cell membrane antigens has been discussed.

Measurement of antibodies to herpesvirus types 1 and 2 in human sera by microradioimmunoassay.

The binding of 125I-labelled anti-human antibodies against the fc IgG fragment to unlabelled antiviral immunoglobulins in the surface of infected cells was used to quantitate antibodies against herpes simplex virus type (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) in sera from patients with cervix carcinoma. The microradioimmunoassay technique (micro-RIA) proved to be 5-10 times more sensitive than the microneutralization test. Antibody titres determined by micro-RIA correlated with neutralizing antibody titres to both HSV-1 and HSV-2. The relative antibody titres to HSV-1 and HSV-2, as determined by micro-RIA, could be used to distinguish persons previously infected with HSV-2 by means of II/I indices.

[Carcinoma of the uterine cervix and herpes simplex virus type 2. Investigations on the causal relationship (author's transl)]. / Zervixkarzinom und Herpes-simplex-Virus Typ 2. Untersuchungen zur Frage eines Kausalzusammenhangs

Epidemiological serological studies have shown that women with carcinoma of the uterine cervix show a higher incidence of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV 2) than controls. The attempt to demonstrate the genomic DNS of the HSV 2 in cells of carcinoma of the cervix by experiments of hybridization is reported. The investigations were carried out directly on material from carcinoma of the cervix and also on cell cultures from tumor material. The majority of the cultures grew fibroblasts but some cultures grew cells with the characteristics of malignant cells. The hybridization of DNS from portions of carcinoma or of DNS from cell cultures with complementary HSV 2 radioactive RNS showed in no case HSV-2-DNS in a quantity of one or one half genomic equivalent per cell. These investigations suggest that a casual relationship between carcinoma of the uterine cervix and an infection with HSV 2 is unlikely. However, it cannot be excluded that carcinoma of the uterine cervix has different quantitative proportions than the Burkitt-lymphoma and that only a fraction of the genomic material of the virus (smaller than 1/10) is incorporated into the malignant cell.