Measurement of day and night neutrino energy spectra at SNO and constraints on neutrino mixing parameters

The Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO) has measured day and night solar neutrino energy spectra and rates. For charged current events, assuming an undistorted 8B spectrum, the night minus day rate is 14.0%+/-6.3%(+1.5%)(-1.4%) of the average rate. If the total flux of active neutrinos is additionally constrained to have no asymmetry, the nu(e) asymmetry is found to be 7.0%+/-4.9%(+1.3%)(-1.2%). A global solar neutrino analysis in terms of matter-enhanced oscillations of two active flavors strongly favors the large mixing angle solution.

Direct evidence for neutrino flavor transformation from neutral-current interactions in the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory

Observations of neutral-current nu interactions on deuterium in the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory are reported. Using the neutral current (NC), elastic scattering, and charged current reactions and assuming the standard 8B shape, the nu(e) component of the 8B solar flux is phis(e) = 1.76(+0.05)(-0.05)(stat)(+0.09)(-0.09)(syst) x 10(6) cm(-2) s(-1) for a kinetic energy threshold of 5 MeV. The non-nu(e) component is phi(mu)(tau) = 3.41(+0.45)(-0.45)(stat)(+0.48)(-0.45)(syst) x 10(6) cm(-2) s(-1), 5.3sigma greater than zero, providing strong evidence for solar nu(e) flavor transformation. The total flux measured with the NC reaction is phi(NC) = 5.09(+0.44)(-0.43)(stat)(+0.46)(-0.43)(syst) x 10(6) cm(-2) s(-1), consistent with solar models.

Measurement of the rate of nu(e) + d --> p + p + e(-) interactions produced by (8)B solar neutrinos at the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory

Solar neutrinos from (8)B decay have been detected at the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory via the charged current (CC) reaction on deuterium and the elastic scattering (ES) of electrons. The flux of nu(e)'s is measured by the CC reaction rate to be straight phi(CC)(nu(e)) = 1.75 +/- 0.07(stat)(+0.12)(-0.11)(syst) +/- 0.05(theor) x 10(6) cm(-2) s(-1). Comparison of straight phi(CC)(nu(e)) to the Super-Kamiokande Collaboration's precision value of the flux inferred from the ES reaction yields a 3.3 sigma difference, assuming the systematic uncertainties are normally distributed, providing evidence of an active non- nu(e) component in the solar flux. The total flux of active 8B neutrinos is determined to be 5.44+/-0.99 x 10(6) cm(-2) s(-1).

Mechanisms of T cell-induced glomerular injury in anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) glomerulonephritis in rats

The effector mechanisms of T cell-dependent acute glomerular injury were studied in autologous phase anti-GBM glomerulonephritis (GN) in rats. Acute proliferative GN was induced in sensitized rats by a subnephritogenic dose of sheep anti-rat GBM antibody. Injury was manifested by proteinuria and glomerular leucocyte infiltration composed predominantly of macrophages but also CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. T cell depletion, using an anti-CD5 MoAb, demonstrated that glomerular leucocyte infiltration and proteinuria were T cell-dependent. Inhibition of T helper cell function using an anti-CD4 MoAb prevented proteinuria and glomerular macrophage and CD4+ T cell influx, but not accumulation of CD8+ T cells. Depletion of CD8+ T cells also prevented proteinuria and the influx of macrophages and CD8+ T cells, but not accumulation of CD4+ T cells. Macrophage depletion, using micro-encapsulated clodronate, prevented proteinuria and glomerular macrophage infiltration, but not the accumulation of CD4+ or CD8+ T cells, indicating that macrophages are the common cellular effectors for both CD4 and CD8 T cell-dependent injury. Evidence for cytotoxic mechanisms of injury (increased numbers of apoptotic cells or accumulation of natural killer (NK) cells in glomeruli) could not be demonstrated. These data suggest that acute glomerular injury in anti-GBM GN is the result of macrophage recruitment, which is dependent on both CD4 and CD8 T cells, and that direct T cell-mediated injury (cellular cytotoxicity) is not involved.

Evidence that treatment with vaccinia melanoma cell lysates (VMCL) may improve survival of patients with stage II melanoma. Treatment of stage II melanoma with viral lysates

A total of 80 patients with melanoma metastases in regional lymph nodes were treated by i.d. injections with a vaccine prepared from a vaccinia virus-infected allogeneic melanoma cell line; 39 patients have been followed for a 2-year period. Interim results from comparison of the treated group with 151 historical controls treated without the vaccine from September 1978 to December 1981 at the same institution and 56 non-randomized concurrent controls suggest that survival was significantly prolonged in the vaccinated group. At the 2-year period overall survival was 75% in the treated compared to 57% in the historical control group. Subset analysis showed a greater apparent benefit of vaccine therapy among patients who had metastases detected at the time of treatment of the primary melanoma (synchronous metastases), while therapy appeared less effective in patients with metastases detected at some time after treatment of the primary (delayed metastases). In the latter only those with one lymph node appeared to benefit from the treatment whereas in patients with synchronous metastases patients with three or more nodes as well as one node appeared to have improved survival. The survival rates at 2 years for treated patients with synchronous metastases in one, two, three or more lymph nodes was 100%, 83% and 79% respectively compared with that of 82%, 86% and 47% respectively in the equivalent control groups. Survival rates in treated patients with delayed metastases in one, two, three or more lymph nodes was 70%, 70% and 65% compared with 47%, 42% and 35% in the equivalent control groups. Treatment and control groups appeared well matched for a number of known prognostic features, including number and size of involved nodes, sex and thickness of primary tumor. Multivariate analysis indicated the effect of treatment was independent of these factors. Despite the empiricism of this approach the present results suggest that this form of therapy warrants further evaluation in a randomized controlled trial.

Oral contraceptive use and malignant melanoma in Australia

In a case control study of 287 women aged 15-24 years with malignant melanoma and 574 matched controls, findings relating to oral contraceptive use and other hormone use are reported. Ever having used oral contraceptives was not associated with an increased risk of melanoma (relative risk for ever use of the pill = 1.0). Women with melanoma were, however, more likely to have taken oral contraceptives for long periods of time in the past, the relative risk associated with oral contraceptive use for a total duration of 5 years or longer which had begun at least 10 years before the melanoma was diagnosed being 1.5 (95% confidence interval 1.03 to 2.14) This elevated risk persisted after controlling for the reported hair and skin colour, frequency of moles on the body, place of birth, and measures of sunlight and fluorescent light exposure. Cases were more likely than controls to have used hormones to regulate their periods, hormonal replacement therapy and be given hormone injections to suppress lactation, the respective relative risks being 1.9, 1.4 and 1.4, but none differed significantly from 1.0. These findings suggest that prolonged oral contraceptive use may, after a lag of 10 years or so, increase the risk of malignant melanoma.

beta-Endorphins (beta-EP) in amphibians: higher beta-EP levels during regenerating stages of anuran life cycle and immunocytochemical localization of beta-EP in regeneration blastemata

Plasma beta-endorphin (beta-EP) levels were measured at different stages of metamorphosis in anuran species, namely Rana catesbeiana, R. pipiens, and Xenopus laevis. The mean levels of beta-EP in tadpoles and postmetamorphic juveniles were significantly higher than adult levels in all three species examined. The pattern of high tadpole levels and low adult levels corresponds with the limb regeneration ability of the tadpole and restriction in the adult. We have also reported plasma beta-EP levels in two urodele species, Ambystoma tigrinum and A. jeffersonianum. Localization of beta-EP by immunocytochemistry shows bright fluorescence to beta-EP antiserum in the wound epithelium of the regeneration blastema. The mesoderm and nuclei of all blastema cells remain nonreactive. It is suggested that receptors to beta-EP reside in the epidermis.

In vitro effects of insulin on macromolecular events in newt limb regeneration blastemata

This work provides data demonstrating a stimulatory effect of insulin on macromolecular events occurring in cultured regeneration blastemata and demonstrates a synergistic interdependence between nerves and insulin in newt limb regeneration. The current experiments provide evidence for the following: (1) Insulin is paramount for expression of the mitogenic effect of nerves on cultures blastemata. (2) Insulin stimulates the incorporation of (3H)uridine into the acid-insoluble fraction of blastemal homogenates, but it does not alter the turnover rate of incorporated labeled uridine. (3) Insulin also stimulates the incorporation of 35SO4 and (3H)leucine into both chondroitinase-sensitive and chondroitinase-resistant blastemal proteoglycans. (4) Insulin increases the uptake of radiolabeled precursors by the blastemata, namely, (3H)leucine, (3H)uridine, 35SO4, (3H)alpha-aminoisobutyrate, and (3H)2-deoxy-D-glucose. The importance of insulin in the regulation of newt limb regeneration is discussed.

Effects of reperfusion after acute coronary occlusion on the beating, working heart compared to the arrested heart treated locally and globally with cardioplegia

To determine whether acutely ischemic myocardium could be more effectively salvaged by reperfusion on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in the cardioplegia-treated heart than with reperfusion in the beating, working heart, 52 greyhound dogs underwent 3 hours of left anterior descending (LAD) occlusion and were randomly assigned to one of four groups. In Group I (19 dogs) the LAD occlusion was released at 3 hours and reperfusion continued in the beating, working heart for an additional 3 hours. Group II (six dogs), Group III (14 dogs), and Group IV (13 dogs) were placed on CPB and underwent 45 minutes of hypothermic ischemic arrest protected by aortic root potassium cardioplegia. In Group II, only aortic root potassium cardioplegia was given; in Group III, the ischemic area was perfused with potassium cardioplegic solution via a graft from the internal mammary artery (IMA) to the LAD. In Group IV, blood cardioplegic solution via the IMA-LAD graft was used. After the cross-clamp and local occlusion were removed, CPB was discontinued after an additional 45 minutes and reperfusion was continued off CPB for an additional 1 1/2 hours (total 6 hours). The ischemic area at risk was determined by injecting monastryl blue dye via the left atrium while the LAD was briefly reoccluded. After the animal had been sacrificed and the left ventricle had been sectioned, the area of myocardial necrosis was determined by nonstaining with triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC). For each group, the ratios of area of necrosis/area at risk (AN/AR) were calculated and postreperfusion arrhythmias were documented. Postreperfusion arrhythmias were noted in 11 of 12 animals in the beating, working heart group and only two of 24 in the combined CPB groups. The mean AN/AR was 66% +/- 2% in the beating, working heart (Group I), 59% +/- 6% after infusion of potassium cardioplegic solution into the aortic root (Group II), 57% +/- 6% with blood cardioplegia (Group IV), and 38% +/- 6.5% after global and local application of the potassium cardioplegic solution into the ischemic area (Group III). This study suggests that the reperfused ischemic myocardium will sustain less necrosis and less postreperfusion arrhythmias when the heart is protected by global and local cold potassium cardioplegia on CPB.

Vitiligo in patients with metastatic melanoma: a good prognostic sign

We have identified and studied twenty-seven patients with melanoma who also had vitiligo. Four patients had vitiligo before the diagnosis of melanoma, and twenty-three developed depigmentation after the diagnosis of malignancy. We also have reviewed published reports about twenty-four other patients with melanoma who developed vitiligo. The clinical course of the melanoma in the fifty-one patients was remarkably similar. Thirty-seven had a melanoma arising at a site which tends to carry a poor prognosis, for example, on the trunk, under the nail, or on the mucous membranes. Forty-nine patients had metastases in regional lymph nodes or at distal sites. Thirty-three patients survived 5 years, and twenty-five survived 10 years. These data suggest that the appearance of vitiligo in patients with metastatic melanoma portends a longer survival than expected. The patients with vitiligo are not necessarily cured and eventually may succumb to metastatic disease. We were unable to determine whether the vitiligo caused retardation of tumor growth or whether the melanoma caused vitiligo.

A comparison of beta-endorphin levels in regenerating and nonregenerating vertebrates

The mean plasma level of beta-endorphin in the newt, Notophthalmus viridescens, as measured by radioimmunoassay, is significantly higher than the circulating levels of beta-endorphin in the anuran, Rana pipiens, and in mammals (humans and mice). The newt beta-endorphin level is found to be 6-fold greater than mammalian levels and three times greater than the levels observed in Rana pipiens. The high levels are maintained in the newt throughout limb regeneration.

Cutaneous factors related to the risk of malignant melanoma

In a case-control study, 287 women with malignant melanoma were compared with 574 age-matched controls. Red hair colour at age 5 years was associated with a tripling of risk [relative risk (RR) = 3.0], blonde hair with a 60% increase (RR = 1.6) and fair skin with a doubling (RR = 2.1). Women with melanoma also reported that they tended to burn (RR = 1.4) and to freckle (RR = 1.9) after exposure to sunlight. Since fair skin, red hair, and the tendency to burn or freckle after exposure to sunlight all cluster in the same individuals, the extent to which each of these factors had an independent influence on susceptibility to melanoma was investigated. Hair colour, especially red hair, proved to be the major determinant, followed by skin colour. The reporting of above average numbers of naevi on the body was as strong a predictor of melanoma as was red hair colour (RR = 3.4). A history of psoriasis was also more common in cases than controls (RR = 3.0) as was a history of vitiligo (RR = 1.8). A history of acne appeared to be protective (RR = 0.4) as did a history suggestive of chloasma (RR = 0.6) and premature greying of the hair (RR = 0.6). These relationships were irrespective of hair and skin colour.

Malignant melanoma and exposure to fluorescent lighting at work

In a study of 274 women with malignant melanoma, aged 18--54 years, and 549 matched controls in New South Wales, Australia, reported exposure to fluorescent light at work was associated with a doubling of melanoma risk (relative risk [RR] = 2.1; 95% confidence limits 1.32--3.32). The risk grew with increasing duration of exposure to fluorescent light and was higher in women who had worked mainly in offices (RR = 2.6) than in women whose main place of work was indoors but not in offices (RR = 1.8). The findings could not be explained by the differences in histories of sunlight exposure, in skin or hair colour, or in any other factor. There was a relative excess of lesions on the trunk in the group exposed to fluorescent light at work. 27 men with melanoma and 35 similarly aged controls were studied, and a significant increase in risk was also found: the RB in those exposed for greater than or equal to 10 years compared with those exposed for less than 10 years was 4.4 (95% confidence limits 1.1--17.5). Such an association has not been reported before, but it is plausible and could explain many of the paradoxical features of the epidemiology of melanoma. Until more data accumulate it must, however, be viewed cautiously.

Insensitivity of bonnet monkeys to (D-Ala6, Des-Gly10) LHRH ethylamide, a potent new luteinizing hormone releasing hormone analogue in rats and mice

The Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone (LHRH) activity of (D-Ala6, Des-Gly10) LHRH ethylamide was compared with that of LHRH in oöphorectomized bonnet monkeys by determining serum LH and FSH concentrations at various time intervals after a sc injection of 100 mug of LHRH and either 100 mug or 1 mg of the analogue. Following administration of synthetic LHRH, a significant rise in both serum LH and FSH was observed. In contrast, no discernible change in serum gonadotropin concentrations was noted following injection of the analogue (D-Ala6, Des-Gly10) LHRH ethylamide, previously reported to have greatly increased potency in rats and mice.