An absolute sodium abundance for a cloud-free 'hot Saturn' exoplanet.

Broad absorption signatures from alkali metals, such as the sodium (Na I) and potassium (K I) resonance doublets, have long been predicted in the optical atmospheric spectra of cloud-free irradiated gas giant exoplanets1-3. However, observations have revealed only the narrow cores of these features rather than the full pressure-broadened profiles4-6. Cloud and haze opacity at the day-night planetary terminator are considered to be responsible for obscuring the absorption-line wings, which hinders constraints on absolute atmospheric abundances7-9. Here we report an optical transmission spectrum for the 'hot Saturn' exoplanet WASP-96b obtained with the Very Large Telescope, which exhibits the complete pressure-broadened profile of the sodium absorption feature. The spectrum is in excellent agreement with cloud-free, solar-abundance models assuming chemical equilibrium. We are able to measure a precise, absolute sodium abundance of logεNa = [Formula: see text], and use it as a proxy for the planet's atmospheric metallicity relative to the solar value (Zp/Zʘ = [Formula: see text]). This result is consistent with the mass-metallicity trend observed for Solar System planets and exoplanets10-12.

Dual roles for Spt5 in pre-mRNA processing and transcription elongation revealed by identification of Spt5-associated proteins.

During transcription elongation, eukaryotic RNA polymerase II (Pol II) must contend with the barrier presented by nucleosomes. The conserved Spt4-Spt5 complex has been proposed to regulate elongation through nucleosomes by Pol II. To help define the mechanism of Spt5 function, we have characterized proteins that coimmunopurify with Spt5. Among these are the general elongation factors TFIIF and TFIIS as well as Spt6 and FACT, factors thought to regulate elongation through nucleosomes. Spt5 also coimmunopurified with the mRNA capping enzyme and cap methyltransferase, and spt4 and spt5 mutations displayed genetic interactions with mutations in capping enzyme genes. Additionally, we found that spt4 and spt5 mutations lead to accumulation of unspliced pre-mRNA. Spt5 also copurified with several previously unstudied proteins; we demonstrate that one of these is encoded by a new member of the SPT gene family. Finally, by immunoprecipitating these factors we found evidence that Spt5 participates in at least three Pol II complexes. These observations provide new evidence of roles for Spt4-Spt5 in pre-mRNA processing and transcription elongation.

Cerebellar responses during anticipation of noxious stimuli in subjects recovered from depression. Functional magnetic resonance imaging study.

BACKGROUND: Subjects recovered from depression have a substantial risk for recurrence of depression, suggesting persistent abnormalities in brain activity. AIMS: To test whether women recovered from depression show abnormal brain activity in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during a conditioning paradigm with a noxious pain stimulus. METHOD: Ten unmedicated women who had recovered from major depression and eight healthy control women each received either noxious hot or non-noxious warm stimuli, the onset of which was signalled by a specific coloured light during 3-tesla echo planar imaging-based fMRI. RESULTS: Similar patterns of brain activation were found during painful stimulation for both patients and healthy controls. However, relative to healthy controls, subjects recovered from depression showed a reduced response in the cerebellum during anticipation of the noxious stimulus compared with anticipation of the non-noxious stimulus. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that abnormal cerebellar function could be a marker of vulnerability to recurrent depression. This could provide a new target for therapeutic interventions.

High and low neuroticism predict different cortisol responses to the combined dexamethasone--CRH test.

BACKGROUND: Depression and posttraumatic stress disorder are both associated with altered function of the hypothalamic--pituitary--adrenal axis. Neuroticism is a strong predisposing factor for depression and probably also a risk factor for posttraumatic stress disorder. This study investigated whether young adults with high and low neuroticism scores show differences in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis regulation that might relate to their differential vulnerability to psychopathology. METHODS: Neuroticism was measured with the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire in 258 students aged 18--25. Fourteen scoring in each of the upper and lower quartiles of the neuroticism distribution according to gender participated in a combined dexamethasone-corticotropin-releasing hormone test. RESULTS: Low-neuroticism individuals showed a significantly greater cortisol response than high-neuroticism individuals. CONCLUSIONS: The mechanism of this effect remains to be elucidated. High-neuroticism subjects may have a downregulated hypothalamic--pituitary--adrenal axis to prevent harmful overactivation. This is the first demonstration of a difference in hypothalamic--pituitary--adrenal axis regulation associated with neuroticism.

Do pediatric nurse practitioners recognize sexual abuse?

INTRODUCTION: This study was undertaken to describe pediatric nurse practitioners' (PNPs') knowledge of genital anatomy and their ability to recognize sexual abuse. METHOD: A 33-item questionnaire developed by Ladson, Johnson, and Doty (1987) was revised, and PNPs were asked questions about demographics, their knowledge of normal and abnormal prepubescent genital anatomy, and their recognition of the association between sexually transmitted diseases and sexual abuse in prepubescent girls. The questionnaire was mailed to 213 PNPs within the state of Ohio, all of whom were members of the Ohio Chapter of NAPNAP. RESULTS: No statistically significant correlation was noted between any demographic characteristics and correct responses to questionnaire items. Two anatomical parts--hymen and vaginal opening--were correctly identified by less than 60% of the participants. Only 67.1% of the PNPs stated that a child can have a normal genital examination after penile penetration of the vagina. CONCLUSIONS: PNPs need to increase their knowledge of normal prepubescent genital anatomy and physical findings of sexual abuse and report these findings if abuse is suspected.

Modelling a loss event: effect of imagined bereavement on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

BACKGROUND: Loss events are the stressors most closely associated with the onset of depressive illnesses. The acute cortisol response to loss has been little studied although it could be an important mediator of the effects of environmental stress on psychological state. METHODS: The salivary cortisol response to an established negative mood induction procedure involving music and an imagined bereavement was measured in 30 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: Considerable but transient mood lowering in response to the negative mood induction was associated with a small increase in cortisol output over 30 min. CONCLUSIONS: This procedure has some potential as a tool to investigate individual differences in the neuroendocrine response to loss events, but this is limited. There remains a need for laboratory models of relevant psychosocial stressors in mood disorders research.

Effects of oral alcohol on superior mesenteric artery blood flow in normal man, horizontal and tilted.

1. The cardiovascular effects of oral alcohol (0.5 g/kg body weight diluted to 300 ml in sugar-free orange juice) were compared with those of placebo in 10 normal subjects. Measurements were made while the subjects were supine and horizontal for 45 min and after 10 min of 45 degrees head-up tilt. 2. After alcohol, plasma alcohol levels rose from 1.9 +/- 1.3 to 61.6 +/- 6.5 mg/100 ml. After placebo, plasma alcohol levels did not increase. After alcohol and placebo, supine blood pressure was unchanged; heart rate, both supine and during tilt, rose after alcohol only. 3. After alcohol, superior mesenteric artery and digital skin blood flow increased and calculated vascular resistances fell. There was no change after placebo. 4. Forearm blood flow, forearm vascular resistance and cardiac index did not change in either phase, except for a fall in cardiac index during tilt but only after alcohol. 5. In conclusion, the acute ingestion of 0.5 g of alcohol/kg body weight in normal subjects raised heart rate and actively dilated the superior mesenteric artery and digital skin vessels. There was no effect on blood pressure, cardiac output and skeletal muscle vascular tone. During head-up tilt after alcohol, there was a tendency for blood pressure to fall with a compensatory rise in heart rate.

Munchausen syndrome by proxy: a survey of professionals' knowledge.

This study examined professionals' knowledge of a relatively rare form of child abuse, Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSBP). Eighty-six professionals representing hospital or other medical settings, community services programs, the state children's service agency, and various law enforcement agencies were surveyed. Results indicated that professionals employed in medical or hospital settings were three times more likely to have heard of the syndrome than those employed by community service agencies. Journal articles and colleagues were the most popular sources of information pertaining to MSBP. Respondents identified 77 possible cases of MSBP in their caseloads over the past year. Findings suggest the need for educating community professionals as well as the possibility that the incidence of MSBP has been grossly underestimated. Implications for future research and preventive efforts are discussed.

Research on twins: implications for parenting.

A review of the literature on twins is provided regarding bonding, parent preference, temperament and personality, the separation-individuation process, cognitive development, and child abuse. practical suggestions are given for successfully parenting twins toward optimal growth and development.

Azathioprine-related pancreatitis in patients with Crohn's disease.

Pancreatitis developed in 6 patients in the National Cooperative Crohn's Disease Study. In five of these the diagnosis was confirmed by elevated levels of seum amylase or lipase. All cases were in the 113 patients who received azathioprine and occurred within the first 21 days of treatment. This incidence of pancreatitis was significantly greater than in the patients treated with sulfasalazine, prednisone, or placebo (P less than 0.01).