High-pressure discovery of ß-NiBi.

Herein, we present the discovery of a new high-pressure phase in the Ni-Bi system, ß-NiBi, which crystallizes in the TlI structure type. The powerful technique of in situ high-pressure and high-temperature powder X-ray diffraction enabled observation of the formation of ß-NiBi and its reversible reconversion to the ambient pressure phase, α-NiBi.

Elastic relaxations associated with the Pm3m-R3c transition in LaAlO(3): I. Single crystal elastic moduli at room temperature.

Values for all six independent components of the 3m elastic modulus tensor of LaAlO(3) perovskite are reported. These were determined by means of Brillouin scattering measurements of acoustic velocities in single crystal plates cut parallel to (110) and (100), as defined with respect to the cubic parent structure, and by pure-mode longitudinal and transverse sound velocity measurements along [100], [110] and [111] directions using GHz pulse-echo ultrasonics. The crystals contained intimate intergrowths of twins arising from the Pm3m <--> R3c transition at higher temperature but, in combination with a careful analysis of twin orientation relationships, the two sets of data have allowed a unique solution to be obtained for individual twin components. The new data set represents an important contribution to the characterization of LaAlO(3) single crystals which are widely used as the substrate for a plethora of different thin films with technological applications.

Elasticity of (Mg,Fe)O through the spin transition of iron in the lower mantle.

Changes in the electronic configuration of iron at high pressures toward a spin-paired state within host minerals ferropericlase and silicate perovskite may directly influence the seismic velocity structure of Earth's lower mantle. We measured the complete elastic tensor of ferropericlase, (Mg(1-x),Fe(x))O (x = 0.06), through the spin transition of iron, whereupon the elastic moduli exhibited up to 25% softening over an extended pressure range from 40 to 60 gigapascals. These results are fully consistent with a simple thermodynamic description of the transition. Examination of previous compression data shows that the magnitude of softening increases with iron content up to at least x = 0.20. Although the spin transition in (Mg,Fe)O is too broad to produce an abrupt seismic discontinuity in the lower mantle, the transition will produce a correlated negative anomaly for both compressional and shear velocities that extends throughout most, if not all, of the lower mantle.

Report of the IWGT working group on strategy/interpretation for regulatory in vivo tests II. Identification of in vivo-only positive compounds in the bone marrow micronucleus test.

A survey conducted as part of an International Workshop on Genotoxicity Testing (IWGT) has identified a number of compounds that appear to be more readily detected in vivo than in vitro. The reasons for this property varies from compound to compound and includes metabolic differences; the influence of gut flora; higher exposures in vivo compared to in vitro; effects on pharmacology, in particular folate depletion or receptor kinase inhibition. It is possible that at least some of these compounds are detectable in vitro if a specific in vitro test is chosen as part of the test battery, but the 'correct' choice of test may not always be obvious when testing a compound of unknown genotoxicity. It is noted that many of the compounds identified in this study interfere with cell cycle kinetics and this can result in either aneugenicity or chromosome breakage. A decision tree is outlined as a guide for the evaluation of compounds that appear to be genotoxic agents in vivo but not in vitro. The regulatory implications of these findings are discussed.

Report of the IWGT working group on strategies and interpretation of regulatory in vivo tests I. Increases in micronucleated bone marrow cells in rodents that do not indicate genotoxic hazards.

In vivo genotoxicity tests play a pivotal role in genotoxicity testing batteries. They are used both to determine if potential genotoxicity observed in vitro is realised in vivo and to detect any genotoxic carcinogens that are poorly detected in vitro. It is recognised that individual in vivo genotoxicity tests have limited sensitivity but good specificity. Thus, a positive result from the established in vivo assays is taken as strong evidence for genotoxic carcinogenicity of the compound tested. However, there is a growing body of evidence that compound-related disturbances in the physiology of the rodents used in these assays can result in increases in micronucleated cells in the bone marrow that are not related to the intrinsic genotoxicity of the compound under test. For rodent bone marrow or peripheral blood micronucleus tests, these disturbances include changes in core body temperature (hypothermia and hyperthermia) and increases in erythropoiesis following prior toxicity to erythroblasts or by direct stimulation of cell division in these cells. This paper reviews relevant data from the literature and also previously unpublished data obtained from a questionnaire devised by the IWGT working group. Regulatory implications of these findings are discussed and flow diagrams have been provided to aid in interpretation and decision-making when such changes in physiology are suspected.

Is there a relationship between U-shaped audiograms and mutations in connexin 26?

The knowledge about gene mutations causing permanent hearing impairment (HI) is rapidly increasing, offering clinicians the possibility of analysing different gene mutations in relation to various phenotypes. This study examines a possible relationship between U-shaped audiograms and mutations in the GJB2-gene, coding for Connexin 26 (Cx 26). Thirty-eight subjects at a median age of 42 years, range 18-60 years with symmetric U-shaped audiograms classified as sensorineural were included in the genetic investigation. The gender distribution was 13 males and 25 females. No subjects had any indication of syndromic HI, and any possible exogenous factor that might cause HI was excluded. Three subjects had self-reported prelingual HI and 34 subjects had self-reported postlingual HI. Thirty-five subjects had one or more family members with HI. In 19 subjects the entire Cx 26 gene was examined, whereas 19 subjects were investigated for the 35delG mutation only. One female with mild HI and postlingual onset of the HI was heterogeneous for the L9OP-mutation in the Cx 26 gene. In all other subjects no mutations in the Cx 26 gene could be identified. Mutations of the Cx 26 gene are very rare among subjects exhibiting a U-shaped phenotype of the audiogram. However the majority of the investigated subjects (35/38) had a family history of HI and it seems therefore reasonable to ascribe U-shaped hearing deficit to genetic factors which has to be searched for in alternative gene mutations.

Parotidectomy. Preserving the posterior branch of the great auricular nerve.

The great auricular nerve is often sacrificed in superficial parotidectomy, even though its posterior branch often can be preserved. By cautious dissection of the great auricular nerve it is possible to preserve the posterior branch in 70.5 per cent of the operations. Ninety-five patients who had undergone superficial parotidectomy were included. A significantly higher number of patients had subjective sequelae if the posterior branch of the nerve had been cut, compared to the patients with a preserved nerve. A significantly higher rate of sensory morbidity was found if the nerve had been cut. In patients with a preserved posterior branch of the great auricular nerve there was no increase in other potential sequelae after parotidectomy. Therefore, this additional dissection should be considered, where appropriate, in routine parotid surgery.

New technique in anastomotic surgery--experimental and preliminary clinical experience.

With the purpose to minimize the complications in anastomotic surgery, we have developed a new soluble device, the SBS-TUBE. This paper presents our first results in experimental and clinical surgery with this device. In experimental surgery the SBS-TUBE was applied in ten pigs (+ two controls) with transection of the sigmoid colon. The cut ends of the colon were assembled and sutured with continuous one layer monofil nylon over the SBS-TUBE. The post-operative course was uncomplicated. Post-mortem examination of the pigs in the experimental surgery showed a reduction of the diastasis in the tunica muscularis of the gut to one fourth in the pigs operated with application of the SBS-TUBE, compared to the tunica muscularis in pigs with anastomoses performed without use of the SBS-TUBE. So far four patients with malignant diseases of the colon have been operated with resection of colon tumor and application of intestinal anastomosis using the SBS-TUBE. The postoperative course was without complications. The preliminary results encourage to use the SBS-TUBE in anastomotic surgery.