Ionization balance in inertial confinement fusion hohlraums.

We present the first x-ray spectroscopic measurements of the ionization balance in inertial confinement fusion hohlraums supported by 4omega Thomson scattering diagnostics. The experimental data show agreement with non-LTE radiation-hydrodynamic calculations of the averaged Au charge state and electron temperatures. These findings are consistent with the successful integrated modeling of the hohlraum radiation fields.

Accuracy of K-shell spectra modeling in high-density plasmas.

We present spectroscopic measurements of the helium-like and lithium-like argon emission supported by Thomson scattering diagnostics on gas bag targets. These data provide critical tests of plasma spectroscopic K-shell models. In particular, we have measured the line radiation in the wavelength region of the He-like Ar 1s(2)-1s3l transition (He-beta) that is of interest for density and temperature measurements of plasmas from gas-filled targets (n(e)/=10(24) cm(-3)).

Temperature and impurity transport studies of heated tokamak plasmas by means of a collisional-radiative model of x-ray emission from Mo30+ to Mo39+.

This work presents and interprets, by means of detailed atomic calculations, observations of L-shell (n = 3-->n = 2) transitions in highly ionized molybdenum, the main intrinsic heavy impurity in the Frascati tokamak upgrade plasmas. These hot plasmas were obtained by additional electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH), at the frequency of 140 Ghz, during the current ramp-up phase of the discharge. Injecting 400 kW on axis and 800 kW slightly off axis, the peak central electron temperature reached 8.

Ionization processes and charge-state distribution in a highly ionized high- Z laser-produced plasma.

The charge-state distribution in a well-characterized highly ionized Au plasma was accurately determined using time-resolved x-ray spectroscopy. Simultaneous measurements of the electron temperature and density allow the first direct comparisons with nonlocal thermodynamic equilibrium model predictions for the charge-state distribution of a highly ionized high- Z plasma in a nonradiative environment. The importance of two-electron atomic processes is clearly demonstrated.

NAC-1 is a brain POZ/BTB protein that can prevent cocaine-induced sensitization in the rat.

Levels of the mRNA NAC-1 are increased in the rat forebrain weeks after cocaine exposure. This long-term neuroadaptation occurs during the expression of behavioral sensitization, a model of psychostimulant-induced paranoia. NAC-1, the protein encoded by this cocaine-regulated mRNA, contains a Pox virus and zinc finger/bric-a-brac tramtrack broad complex (POZ/BTB) motif, which mediates interactions among several transcriptional regulators.

Local induction of an insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 degrading protease activity in the course of wound healing.

Proteases that reduce insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 affinity for insulin-like growth factor-I have been found in various biological fluids from human beings and rats. The aim of this study was to assess the local and systemic role of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 proteases in the course of wound healing. Six rats had polyvinyl alcohol sponges implanted subcutaneously.

Potential value of biliary CEA assay in early detection of colorectal adenocarcinoma liver metastases.

Elevation of the biliary CEA level in patients with liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma has been reported. The aim of this study is to determine the potential value of biliary CEA assay in the early detection of liver metastases. Biliary and serum CEA levels were determined in patients operated on for a colorectal cancer and in control groups.

The effect of feed intake and growth hormone-releasing factor on lactating dairy cows.

Twenty-four lactating dairy cows, averaging 30.0 kg/d of milk and 159 d of lactation, were used to study the effect of feed intake and growth hormone-releasing factor in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. For the first 10-d period, cows had free access to a TMR and received a fixed amount of high moisture corn, protein supplement, and hay.

Ablation of human colon carcinoma in nude mice by 131I-labeled monoclonal anti-carcinoembryonic antigen antibody F(ab')2 fragments.

Pooled F(ab')2 fragments of three MAbs against distinct epitopes of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were used for radioimmunotherapy of nude mice bearing a subcutaneous human colon carcinoma xenograft. 9-10 d after transplantation when tumor nodules were in exponential growth, 36 mice were treated by intravenous injection of different amounts of 131I-labeled MAb F(ab')2. All 14 mice injected with a single dose of 2,200 (n = 10) or 2,800 microCi (n = 4) showed complete tumor remission.

Swine monoclonal antibodies of high affinity and specificity to carcinoembryonic antigen.

To avoid the exclusive use of rodent monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) in patients for the detection of tumors by immunoscintigraphy and for radioimmunotherapy, swine MAbs were produced that are directed against carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Spleen cells from 2 pigs immunized with purified colon carcinoma CEA were fused with a nonsecreting mouse myeloma cell line by conventional methods, except that a particularly long immunization protocol and large amounts of spleen and myeloma cells were used. Of 1,200 growing hybrids tested, 20 were found initially to produce antibodies binding to radiolabeled CEA.

Regeneration of the human endometrium and presence of inflammatory cells following diagnostic curettage.

The regeneration of the human endometrium, with particular emphasis on the presence of inflammatory cells, was studied in 106 women undergoing hysterectomy following curettage. The interval between the last curettage and the hysterectomy varied from 1 day to 12 months. A slight but significant increase in the number of neutrophil cells was observed during the first 7 days after the curettage in proliferating endometrium.