Development of a hardened THz energy meter for use on the kilojoule-scale, short-pulse OMEGA EP laser.

A highly adaptable and robust terahertz (THz) energy meter is designed and implemented to detect energetic THz pulses from high-intensity (>1018 W/cm2) laser-plasma interactions on the OMEGA EP. THz radiation from the laser driven target is detected by a shielded pyrometer. A second identical pyrometer is used for background subtraction. The detector can be configured to detect THz pulses in the 1 mm to 30 µm (0.3- to 10-THz) range and pulse energies from joules to microjoules via changes in filtration, aperture size, and position. Additional polarization selective filtration can also be used to determine the THz pulse polarization. The design incorporates significant radiation and electromagnetic pulse shielding to survive and operate within the OMEGA EP radiation environment. We describe the design, operational principle, calibration, and testing of the THz energy meter. The pyrometers were calibrated using a benchtop laser and show linear sensitivity to up to 1000 nJ of absorbed energy. The initial results from four OMEGA EP THz experiments detected up to ∼15µJ at the detector, which can correspond to hundreds of mJ depending on THz emission and reflection models.

Insulin-degrading enzyme higher in subjects with metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is comprised of a cluster of abnormalities in glucose, lipid, and vascular homeostasis, which is most commonly linked to abdominal obesity. MS heralds increased risk for development of diabetes and is linked to impairment in insulin signaling. Insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) is one of the mechanisms through which insulin blood levels are maintained. It has been previously suggested that controlling IDE levels could provide yet another potential therapeutic approach in diabetes. Here we aim to investigate whether changes in serum IDE levels correlate with the severity of MS. Using a highly sensitive ELISA assay of active IDE in human serum, we found a strong correlation between circulating IDE levels and circulating levels of triglycerides, insulin, and c-peptide and an inverse correlation with HDL cholesterol (HDLc). Serum IDE levels were higher in MS subjects than in control subjects. Hence, circulating IDE may serve as a tool to identify subjects with abnormal insulin metabolism, possibly those with MS that are at risk to develop diabetes.

Comparative gene expression in brain regions of human alcoholics.

The mesocorticolimbic system is the reward centre of the brain and the major target for drugs of abuse including alcohol. Neuroadaptive changes in this region are thought to underlie the process of tolerance and dependence. Recently, several research groups have searched for alcohol-responsive genes using high-throughput microarrays and well-characterized human post-mortem material. Comparison of data from these studies of cortical regions highlights the differences in experimental approach and selection of cases. However, alcohol-responsive gene sets associated with transcription, oxidative stress and energy production were common to these studies. In marked contrast, alcohol-responsive genes in the nucleus accumbens and the ventral tegmental area are primarily associated with changes in neurotransmission and signal transduction. These data support the concept that, within cortical regions, changes in gene expression are associated with alcoholism-related pathology. In the dopaminergic tract of the mesocorticolimbic system, alcohol-responsive gene sets suggest long-term neuroplastic changes in synaptic transmission.

Seattle pilot project makes emergency contraception available directly from pharmacists.

PIP: In February 1997, the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) endorsed the use of certain oral contraceptives for postcoital emergency contraception (EC). The board of pharmacy, Washington State Pharmacists Association, University of Washington School of Pharmacy, PATH, and a public relations firm are now collaborating upon a 2-year pilot project launched in the Seattle area which enables pharmacists to provide EC under protocol. State legislators, insurers, physicians, pharmacists, and other health care groups are represented on the project's advisory board. Patients in need of EC can locate pharmacy providers, physicians, and clinics by telephoning the national hotline or through the World Wide Web. More than 200 pharmacists, mostly from chain community pharmacies, have been trained for the project. While individual pharmacists may choose not to participate, they are required to refer patients to other providers. Health system providers have thus far not applied for protocols for EC. The University of Washington School of Pharmacy will participate in evaluating the project's effect upon access to EC and reducing unintended pregnancies.^ieng