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Antimatter creation now feasible in the laboratory




Physicists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have developed a new technique to generate beams of antimatter particles. Using a gold sample the size of the head of a thumb tack, a laser is shot through it producing more than 100 billion positrons per pulse emitted in a cone-shaped plasma “jet.”

This ability to create a large number of positrons in a small laboratory opens the door to several fresh avenues of anti-matter research, including an understanding of the physics underlying various astrophysical phenomena such as black holes and gamma ray bursts.

In the experiment, the laser ionises and accelerates electrons, which are driven through the gold target. On their way, the electrons interact with the gold nuclei, which serve as a catalyst to create positrons. The electrons give off packets of pure energy, which decays into matter and anti-matter, following the predictions by Einstein’s mass-energy equation. By concentrating the energy in space and time, the laser produces positrons more rapidly and in greater density than ever before in the laboratory.

See Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory PR.


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A Method for Chronological Intravital Imaging of Bovine Oocytes during In Vitro Maturation
Research Articles
Morten R. Petersen, Michael Hansen, Birthe Avery, Ingrid B. Bøgh,
Microscopy and Microanalysis, Volume 14 Issue 06 , pp 549-560

Abstract
Oocyte maturation is known to affect the chances for successful fertilization, embryonic development, establishment of pregnancy and delivery of a live, healthy, and viable offspring. Two-photon laser scanning microscopy (TPLSM) has previously been used to evaluate early embryonic development without a detectable impairment of subsequent development, but has never been applied to assess mammalian oocytes throughout in vitro maturation (IVM). Visualization of structures within live oocytes during IVM, followed by fertilization and embryo culture, may improve the understanding of oocyte maturation. To visualize structures within bovine oocytes using TPLSM, it is necessary to remove the cumulus cells that normally surround the oocyte during maturation. Repeated visualization of structures within the same oocyte is possible, if movement of the oocyte can be avoided. In this article, we describe the development of a method for repeated intravital imaging of denuded bovine oocytes using an upright TPLSM equipped with a specially constructed incubator. Oocytes were stained with Hoechst 33258, and the nuclear structures were evaluated. Oocyte fertilization rate was not affected by TPLSM exposure, but the developmental capacity of the denuded oocytes was significantly reduced. This is, to our knowledge, the first article describing repeated intravital imaging during mammalian oocyte maturation using TPLSM.
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S-1 and Gemcitabine as an Outpatient-based Regimen in Patients with Advanced or Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
Objective

The standard beneficial chemotherapy proved for patients with pancreatic cancer is a regimen containing gemcitabine. Novel oral fluoropyrimidine, S-1, can be added to gemcitabine to improve the efficacy of chemotherapy and to provide better convenience for patients. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of S-1 plus gemcitabine combination chemotherapy as a first-line treatment in patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Methods

Patients with histologically confirmed, bidimensionally measurable advanced/metastatic pancreatic cancer were eligible for the study. Chemotherapy consisted of S-1 (30 mg/m2 p.o. bid from Day 1 to 14) and gemcitabine (1000 mg/m2 on Days 8 and 15) every 3 weeks based on the results of a previously reported Phase I trial. Treatment was repeated until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurred.

Results

From January 2005 to August 2007, 22 patients were enrolled. Median age was 62 years (range, 50–73). Nineteen patients (86.3%) had metastases and of these, 11 patients (57.9%) had multiple liver metastases. The overall response rate was 27.3% (95% CI, 8.7–45.9), with a partial response in six patients, stable disease in nine (40.9%) and progressive disease in seven (31.8%). With a median follow-up of 25.4 months, the median time to progression and overall survival were 4.6 (95% CI, 2–7.2 months) and 8.5 months (95% CI, 6.8–10.1 months), respectively, and 1-year survival rate was 27.3%. S-1 plus gemcitabine was well tolerated. Grade 3/4 hematological adverse events were neutropenia (9.1/9.1%) and anemia (4.5/0%). Non-hematological adverse events were mainly gastrointestinal events. Twenty patients (91%) received chemotherapy on an outpatient basis.

Conclusions

Combination chemotherapy of S-1 plus gemcitabine appears to be active and well tolerated as first-line treatment in patients with advanced/metastatic pancreatic cancer.

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Digital Oedema, Adhesion Formation and Resistance to Digital Motion after Primary Flexor Tendon Repair

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Electron-microscopic observation of mouse spleen tissue infected with Orientia tsutsugamushi isolated from Shandong, China

Low-virulent Orientia tsutsugamushi (Ot) were successfully isolated from scrub typhus patients in Shandong, China, and the isolates were similar to the Kawasaki type identified by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). To identify the morphological characterization of the low-virulent Ot, and elucidate the pathological changes on host cells, mouse spleen tissue infected with the Ot isolated from Shandong was used for the ultrastructural study. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the Ot parasitized in the spleen were different in size, shape and electron density and many significant changes occurred in cytoplasmic organelles of the inoculated mouse spleen cells. Swollen perinuclear cisterna was observed in the nuclear membranes of mononuclear cells and a multivesicular body was found in the intracytoplasm of the macrophage. In the phagosome of the macrophage, many Ot enveloped with an additional membrane were found to push the phagosomal membrane outward from inside. The results indicated that the low-virulent Ot and the spleen cells suffered various damages.

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dit school of physics blog
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