Collinear Laser Spectroscopy of 2

Transition frequencies and fine-structure splittings of the 2 ^{3}S_{1}→2 ^{3}P_{J} transitions in helium-like ^{12}C^{4+} were measured by collinear laser spectroscopy on a 1-ppb level. Accuracy is increased by more than 3 orders of magnitude with respect to previous measurements, enabling tests of recent nonrelativistic (NR) QED calculations including terms up to mα^{7}. Deviations between the theoretical and experimental values are within theoretical uncertainties and are ascribed to mα^{8} and higher-order contributions in the series expansion of the NR QED calculations. Finally, prospects for an all-optical charge radius determination of light isotopes are evaluated.

Improved Limit on Tensor Currents in the Weak Interaction from

The electroweak interaction in the standard model is described by a pure vector-axial-vector structure, though any Lorentz-invariant component could contribute. In this Letter, we present the most precise measurement of tensor currents in the low-energy regime by examining the ß-ν[over ¯] correlation of trapped ^{8}Li ions with the Beta-decay Paul Trap. We find a_{ßν}=-0.3325±0.0013_{stat}±0.0019_{syst} at 1σ for the case of coupling to right-handed neutrinos (C_{T}=-C_{T}^{'}), which is consistent with the standard model prediction.

Laser Spectroscopy of Neutron-Rich Tin Isotopes: A Discontinuity in Charge Radii across the N=82 Shell Closure.

The change in mean-square nuclear charge radii δ⟨r^{2}⟩ along the even-A tin isotopic chain ^{108-134}Sn has been investigated by means of collinear laser spectroscopy at ISOLDE/CERN using the atomic transitions 5p^{2} ^{1}S_{0}→5p6 s^{1}P_{1} and 5p^{2} ^{3}P_{0}→5p6s ^{3}P_{1}. With the determination of the charge radius of ^{134}Sn and corrected values for some of the neutron-rich isotopes, the evolution of the charge radii across the N=82 shell closure is established. A clear kink at the doubly magic ^{132}Sn is revealed, similar to what has been observed at N=82 in other isotopic chains with larger proton numbers, and at the N=126 shell closure in doubly magic ^{208}Pb. While most standard nuclear density functional calculations struggle with a consistent explanation of these discontinuities, we demonstrate that a recently developed Fayans energy density functional provides a coherent description of the kinks at both doubly magic nuclei, ^{132}Sn and ^{208}Pb, without sacrificing the overall performance. A multiple correlation analysis leads to the conclusion that both kinks are related to pairing and surface effects.

Charge Radii of Neutron Deficient

Bunched-beam collinear laser spectroscopy is performed on neutron deficient ^{52,53}Fe prepared through in-flight separation followed by a gas stopping. This novel scheme is a major step to reach nuclides far from the stability line in laser spectroscopy. Differential mean-square charge radii δ⟨r^{2}⟩ of ^{52,53}Fe are determined relative to stable ^{56}Fe as δ⟨r^{2}⟩^{56,52}=-0.034(13) fm^{2} and δ⟨r^{2}⟩^{56,53}=-0.218(13) fm^{2}, respectively, from the isotope shift of atomic hyperfine structures. The multiconfiguration Dirac-Fock method is used to calculate atomic factors to deduce δ⟨r^{2}⟩. The values of δ⟨r^{2}⟩ exhibit a minimum at the N=28 neutron shell closure. The nuclear density functional theory with Fayans and Skyrme energy density functionals is used to interpret the data. The trend of δ⟨r^{2}⟩ along the Fe isotopic chain results from an interplay between single-particle shell structure, pairing, and polarization effects and provides important data for understanding the intricate trend in the δ⟨r^{2}⟩ of closed-shell Ca isotopes.

A new Collinear Apparatus for Laser Spectroscopy and Applied Science (COALA).

We present a new collinear laser spectroscopy setup that has been designed to overcome systematic uncertainty limits arising from high-voltage and frequency measurements, beam superposition, and collisions with residual gas that are present in other installations utilizing this technique. The applied methods and experimental realizations are described, including an active stabilization of the ion-source potential, new types of ion sources that have not been used for collinear laser spectroscopy so far, dedicated installations for pump-and-probe measurements, and a versatile laser system referenced to a frequency comb. The advanced setup enables us to routinely determine transition frequencies, which was so far demonstrated only for a few cases and with lower accuracy at other facilities. It has also been designed to perform accurate high-voltage measurements for metrological applications. Demonstration and performance measurements were carried out with Ca+ and In+ ions.

Effect of pentoxifylline ('Trental') on cochlear blood flow as measured by hydrogen wash-out.

A comparative experimental study was carried out in guinea-pigs to assess the effect of pentoxifylline on inner ear perfusion. Five animals were given a single dose of 30 mg pentoxifylline per 10-minute intravenous infusion and the cochlear blood flow measured by means of the hydrogen-clearance technique before and after administration of the drug. A control group of 11 animals received the solvent only. Compared to controls, a significant increase in inner ear blood flow was observed in the pentoxifylline-treated animals. These data may explain positive clinical findings with pentoxifylline in otological disorders associated with impaired cochlear perfusion.

[Blood supply of the internal ear. Anatomico-functional considerations]. / Innenohrdurchblutung. Anatomisch-funktionelle Betrachtungen.

The anatomy of cochlear blood vessels is described and reference is made to the adrenergic innervation and its possible importance for the cochlear function. The effects of blood pressure changes due to various sympathetic influences upon the cochlear circulation and cochlear pO2 are also emphasized. Both general rules governing the microcirculation as well as anatomic and functional analyses of the cochlear blood vessels indicate that the capillary system possesses a remarkable ability for compensation so that a severe impairment of hearing function can occur either after obstruction of the larger afferent or efferent cochlear blood vessels or by general unbalance of the cochlear microcirculation. It is reported further on methods and results concerning the susceptibility of the cochlear microcirculation to various influences. According to the current scientific knowledge, the inner ear circulation has at its disposal a marked ability of autoregulation, its microcirculation however correlates with the aortic pressure better than the brain circulation. When the blood pressure is low, sympathetic stimulation leads to a decrease and sympathectomy to an increase of cochlear circulation. It has been shown that the inhalation of mixtures containing high doses of CO2 and the intravenous infusion of hyperosmolar solutions can also induce a significant increase of the cochlear blood circulation.

[The significance of platelet adhesiveness and aggregation and free fatty acids by functional disorders of the internal ear (author's transl)]. / Zur Bedeutung der Thrombocytenadhäsivität und-aggregation (TA) und der Serum-Freie-Fettsäuren (FFA) bei Funktionsstörungen des Innenohres

The significance of platelet adhesiveness and aggregation in the early phase of thrombosis as well as in the development of degenerative vascular wall processes has today become an established fact. In this connection the plasmalipids are of special interest, of which the free fatty acids (FFA) represent a sensitive indicator both for the adrenergic reactivity of the organism and the process of stress-conditioned circulatory reactions. In the present study 65 clinical cases with functional disorders of the internal ear were examined regarding to the platelet adhesiveness and FFA, differtiating only between sudden loss of hearing (n=28) and functional disorders of different symptomatology (n=37). Our preliminary statistics showed in 64% of the patients with a sudden loss of hearing mainly an average, and in 84% of the 37 examined functional disorders of different symptomatology a slight to a high increase in the adhesiveness. The FFA-concentrations increased in approximately 90% of the 23 examined cases with functional disorders of the internal ear. It is remarkable, that the measured adhesiveness and serum-FFA-concentrations are comparable to the high values obtained from atheromatous vascular processes, venous thrombosis, cardial and cerebral infarctions, intermittent cerebrovascular insufficiency as well as from transient impaired vision caused by microembolism. Even if the high percentage in the FFA-increase, under strictest observance of the patient's resting position at the time of the blood withdrawal, is presumably much below the measured value, it still indicates an increased tonus of the sympathetic nervous system in the majority of the examined patients. The clinical satisfactory results obtained after timely applications of numerous agents inhibiting aggregation and adhesiveness, as well as reducing the lipids, also indicate a process of stress-conditioned circulatory reactions and the existence of atheromatous respectively thrombo-embolic vascular processes in a number of acute or intermittent functional disorders of the internal ear.

[Effect of oxygen in the tympanum on inner ear function (author's transl)]. / Einfluss des Sauerstoffdruckes im Mittelohr auf die Innenohrfunktion.

Possible effects of extreme variations of oxygen concentration from 0% to 100% in the tympanic lumen on inner ear function were investigated through animal experiments. The experiments were performed with Ketanest anaesthetized cats under short-time acoustic irradiation (3 min 115 dB, pink noise). Inner ear function was measured by means of the stapedius reflex audiometry. On the nitrogen-flushed side (pO2 approx. 0%), the stapedius reflex threshold dropped significantly more after high-frequency irradiation than on the O2-flushed side. Even without acoustic irradiation the stapediusreflex threshold clearly recedes with the tympanic cavity being nitrogen-flushed. This shows that inner ear function in the cochlear base area depends on oxygen concentration in the tympanic lumen. It is pointed out that interrelations between disturbances of tubal and tympanic functions on the one hand, and internal ear function on the other hand may exist.

[Assessment of the effect of piracetam (Nootrop) on hydrogen clearance in the inner ear]. / Prüfung der Wirkung von Piracetam (Nootrop) auf die Wasserstoff-Clearance am Innenohr.

The animal experiment described in this report was conducted to study the effect of piracetam on the blood flow of the inner ear. Blood flow was measured indirectly by means of hydrogen clearance using the polarographic microanalysis technique. A group of twelve crossbred male and female guinea pigs were given 400 mg/kg body weight piracetam (2 ml/kg body weight of commercial solution for injection) by intravenous injection, and hydrogen clearance was measured before and after administering the study drug at the round window in the scala media at the base of the cochlea. Twelve animals in an control group were given an equal volume of physiological saline instead of the study drug. The H2 clearance measurements were taken before and after intravenous injection of saline. The operation and clearance measurements were performed under injection anaesthesia with 2.5 mg. diazepam and 25 mg. pentobarbital sodium, each per kg body weight. The guinea pigs were premedicated with atropine (0.5 mg./kg. body weight i.p.) and, after tracheotomy, were relaxed with pancuronium bromide (1 mg./kg. body weight i.v.) and respirated with a pneumatic respiration pump and the parameters blood pressure, pH and blood gases (pO2, pCO2) were continuously recorded. The results show that intravenous injection of piracetam in the above mentioned dose accelerates hydrogen clearance processes at the base of the cochlea from 8.68 +/- 3.48 to 5.37 +/- 2.05 minutes half-life. This effect is statistically significant (p less than 0.005).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Hydrogen clearance and cochlear microcirculation at different levels of blood pressure.

To study the autoregulative capabilities of the cochlear vessels, hydrogen clearance (HC) measurements were carried out by means of various blood pressure levels in hemorrhagic hypotension. H2-sensitive platinum--needle electrode were applied and a polarographic microanalysis method was used. The measurements were performed in the scala media of anesthetized cats during measuring of blood pressure and blood gases. The statistical analysis of the experimental data shows that the relationship between the HC and aortic blood pressure represents a regression line. According to the regression line the half-life time of HC was delayed for 0.7 min, when the blood pressure was reduced by 10 mm Hg (40-150 mm Hg blood pressure range). This corresponds to a cochlea flow rate of 0.3 ml/100 g/min. By mean aortic blood pressure of 40 mm Hg, the speed of H2 exchange still remains about 50% of the initial clearance. This indicates that the cochlear vessels have autoregulative capability. This autoregulative capability differs from the saturation curves of most autoregulated blood flow in the brain, heart and kidney vessels. These findings are in accordance with the observations of other authors. As our experimental data show, and as long as an analogy can be drawn between man and cat, it is hardly possible to explain that the fall of the blood pressure alone could lead to a disturbance of the oxygen supply to the inner ear, as often discussed in certain inner-ear dysfunctions.

[The effect of sympathectomy on the cochlear oxygen pressure (pO2) under conditions of haemorrhagic hypotension (author's transl)]. / Wirkung einer Sympathektomie auf den Sauerstoff-partialdruck (pO2) in der Cochlea unter hämorrhagischer Hypotension.

Oxygen partial pressure was measured in the endolymph area of the cat cochlea under conditions of hemorrhagic hypotension. The experiments took place after unilateral upper cervical sympathectomy and under control conditions. The pO2-measurements were carried out with the aid of polarographic micro-coaxial needle electrodes according to Baumgärtl and Lübbers (1, 2, 3). In animals which had not been sympathectomized, the cochlear pO2 decreased continuously parallely to blood pressure, with the beginning of bleeding. After sympathectomy pO2-decrease in cochlea only occurred at substantially lower aortal blood pressure. This allows the following conclusions: 1. Under conditions of hemorrhagic shock the blood flow of the inner ear is not as much included in central circulation as brain and heart. 2. The blood pressure dependence of the inner ear blood flow depends on the sympathetic innervation, it can practically be abolished up to a blood pressure of 65 mm Hg by denervation. 3. It is being discussed, which therapeutic consequences can be drawn from the evident influence of the sympathetic innervation on the inner ear blood flow.

Limitation of myocardial unperfused area and necrotic zone 24 hours and 7 days after coronary artery ligation in rats by the stable prostacyclin analogue iloprost.

Protective effects of prostacyclin (PGI2) and Iloprost in experimental cardiac ischemia are reported by several authors. However, the effects of continuous administration on the final outcome of myocardial infarction are not yet known. We investigated the effects of Iloprost on cardiac unperfused area (UA) and necrotic zone (NZ) as assessed by Evans blue perfusion and extraction and nitrobluetetrazolium staining, respectively, using osmotic minipumps for continuous intravenous drug administration. Starting 3-4 hours after left descending coronary artery-ligation (LAD-L) Iloprost was infused at doses of 0.1 microgram and 0.5 microgram X kg-1 X min-1. While the lower dose is below pharmacological effect level, the higher dose in rats slightly lowered blood pressure and effectively inhibited platelet aggregation. LAD-L in control rats resulted in UA and NZ extending to 34.2 and 16.9%, respectively, of total ventricular mass (VM) after 24 hours and 28.3 and 21.3% of VM, respectively, after 7 days. At the dose of 0.1 micrograms X kg-1 X min-1 Iloprost was ineffective in reducing UA 24 hours after LAD-L. However, at 0.5 microgram X kg-1 X min-1 Iloprost with UA and NZ of 16.3 and 8.4% of VM, respectively, after 24 hours and 8.5 and 5.2% of VM, respectively, after 7 days reduced the extension of myocardial infarction by approximately 50% after 24 hours and 70% after 7 days, as compared to controls. As assessed in unperfused ventricular tissue after LAD-L and normal myocardium of sham-operated rats following 24 hours of Iloprost infusion, myocardial tissue concentrations of Iloprost amount to approximately half of the plasma levels irrespective of LAD-L.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Local pO2- and pH2-measurements with needle electrodes for the examination of the hydrogen maintenance and microcirculation of the cochleae (author's transl)]. / Lokale pO2- und pH2-Messungen mit Nadelelektroden zum Studium der Sauerstoffversorgung und Mikrozirkulation des Innenohres

The local partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) and the rate of hydrogen elimination were measured in the three scalae of the basal turn of 28 Guinea-pig cochleae under conditions of normoxia, hyperoxia and hypercapnia and with acoustical stimulation with the needle electrodes developed by Baumgärtl and Lübbers. In the scala tympani a pO2 decrease from the round window toward Corti's organ was registered and pO2 values of over 100 mm Hg were measured near the membrane of the round window and of 10-40 mm Hg near the basilar membrane depending on how deeply the electrode penetrated into the scala tympani. The pO2 profiles were changed or reversed when the animal breathed a mixture of 95% oxygen and 5% carbon dioxide and when the round window membrane was covered with agar-agar or paraffine and exteriorly flooded with nitrogen. Acoustical stimulation with a white noise of 85 dB caused a considerable pO2 drop in the perilymph of the scala tympani while in the endolymph of the scala media we observe only a slight decrease. Intravenous application of dextran of low viscosity leads to a pO2 increase when the original oxygen value in the scala tympani was low. The half-life of hydrogen in the scala tympani amounts to about 4 min. The results permit the conclusion that, in the area of the cochlear basis, Corti's organ receives its oxygen supply via the capillary system as well as via the membrane of the round window.

Antifibrillatory action of the stable orally active prostacyclin analogues iloprost and ZK 96 480 in rats after coronary artery ligation.

Iloprost (ILO) and ZK 96 480 (96 480) are stable prostacyclin (PGI2) analogues with platelet aggregation-inhibiting and hypotensive activities equal or superior to PGI2 which in contrast to PGI2 show longlasting pharmacological effects also after oral application. PGI2 as well as ILO and 96 480 with i.v. infusion at equihypotensive doses in rats after coronary artery ligation reduce ventricular ectopic beats, markedly reduce or abolish the periods of ventricular tachycardia and entirely prevent ventricular fibrilloflutter. Even nonhypotensive doses of the prostanoids attenuate postligation arrhythmias. Catecholamine depletion by reserpine pretreatment also markedly reduced the incidence of arrhythmias. As PGI2 and ILO have previously been shown by others to preserve noradrenaline content of sympathetic nerve terminals in ischemic myocardium, prevention of excessive catecholamine loss from hypoxically compromised sympathetic nerve terminals might be involved in the antiarrhythmic action of PGI2, ILO and 96 480.

Coronary thrombolysis with Desmodus salivary plasminogen activator in dogs. Fast and persistent recanalization by intravenous bolus administration.

BACKGROUND: DSPA (Desmodus salivary plasminogen activator) is a new thrombolytic agent corresponding to a natural plasminogen activator discovered in the saliva of the vampire bat Desmodus rotundus. Compared with tissue plasminogen activator (TPA), DSPA, produced in a recombinant cell line, is more fibrin cofactor dependent than TPA. METHODS AND RESULTS: The thrombolytic properties of DSPA and TPA were compared in a canine model of copper coil-induced coronary thrombosis. All dogs received heparin 200 IU/kg IV and SC. Whereas controls did not reperfuse within 180 minutes (none of six), intravenous bolus administration of DSPA at 25, 50, and 100 micrograms/kg resulted in a 100% incidence (6 of 6) of recanalization within 37, 23, and 18 minutes, respectively. TPA at 63 and 125 micrograms/kg reopened the coronaries in 33% (two of six) and 50% (three of six) of cases within 40 minutes. Eighty-three percent (5 of 6) of the arteries were still patent 3 hours after 50 and 100 micrograms/kg DSPA, whereas only 20% (one of five) of all coronaries originally recanalized with both doses of TPA were still open at 3 hours. Plasma levels of alpha 2-antiplasmin decreased significantly only with 125 micrograms/kg TPA. The clearance of DSPA (2.3 to 3.5 mL.min-1.kg-1) was lower compared with TPA (11.4 to 20 mL.min-1.kg-1) due to a prolonged terminal half-life. CONCLUSIONS: In a canine coronary thrombosis model, DSPA exhibited higher potency and recanalized coronary arteries faster and with a lower incidence of reocclusion than TPA. Its properties may translate into a higher efficacy in patients compared with available thrombolytic agents. The long half-life of DSPA may allow for single bolus administration in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction.

[Photodynamic injuries of erythrocytes during illumination with blue light in patients with icterus neonatorum]. / Zur Frage photodynamischer Schäden an Erythrozyten unter Blaulichttherapie bei Icterus neonatorum.

In a prospective study the influence of intermittent phototherapy (with and without riboflavin substitution) on red blood cells of newborns was examined in vivo. Hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit values did not differ significantly between treated patients and untreated controls. However, after illumination during 24 h (real exposure time 12 h) with a highly effective NC 400-04 Narva lamp, we found a completely reversible decrease of the mean erythrocyte diameters. The changes were statistically significant at the 8th day of life and disappeared up to the 16th day after birth. Riboflavin administration immediately before starting the phototherapy was able to prevent this phenomenon. The glutathione reductase activity (method by BEUTLER) was not affected, neither by phototherapy alone nor by riboflavin administered additively. As a conclusion of our results we would like to recommend a general riboflavin substitution in newborns after phototreatment.

[Autoradiography study of the uptake of 3H-2-deoxyglucose in the inner ear in normal and unilaterally sympathectomized albino rats]. / Autoradiographische Studie über den Einbau der 3H-2-Deoxyglukose im Innenohr bei normalen und einseitig sympathektomierten Albinoratten.

Using the autoradiographic technique for water-soluble substances, the uptake of 3H-2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) was measured in the inner ear tissue. The experiments were performed on 26 albino rats (22-27 days). 10 microCi/g b.w. of 2-DG were applied i.v. and the control group was immediately kept in the Camera silens in darkness. The main group was exposed to pink noise (50 Hz - 10 kHz of 60-110 dB). 8 unilaterally sympathectomised animals were exposed to pink noise of different intensity after 24h. The highest uptake of 2-DG independent of the intensity of noise was observed in the cochlear lateral wall (stria vasc., sp. lig., sp. prominentia) in the basal turn and decreased to the apical turn. The uptake in the lateral wall increased from 30-40 dB to 60dB and decreased from 60 to 80 dB exposure. The region of the inner hair cells was clearly marked by 80 dB. With increasing intensity of noise exposure, 2-DG uptake in the spiral ganglion increased continually. Unilateral sympathectomy did not result in any significant difference in the uptake of 2-DG. Therefore, the hypothesis that the decrease of 2-DG uptake in the lateral wall may be due to sympathico-adrenergic vasoconstriction is not verified by our results.

[Laboratory diagnostic monitoring of blood gas parameters in children during bronchologic studies]. / Labordiagnostische Uberwachung der Blutgasparameter bei Kindern während bronchologischer Untersuchungen.

Changes in PaO2 and parameters of acid-base-status during bronchological investigations were studied. 20 patients of both sexes with chronic nonspecific respiratory diseases have been investigated. The most important results were a respiratory acidosis after intubation and simultaneous hyperoxigenation during controlled (manual) ventilation. A respiratory acidosis with a small metabolic part was observed during extubation and change to normal respiration. In some cases acidosis was decomposated. These changes were found to be more extensive after bronchography than after bronchoscopy. Acidosis was normalized latest 60 minutes after extubation in all cases. The used method of bronchological examination has caused a favourable influence on the conditions of ventilation.

Geographical patterns of genetic variation in two species of Stylosanthes Sw. using amplified fragment length polymorphism.

Understanding the extent and distribution of genetic diversity within a species is essential for the development of effective conservation strategies. The objective of this study was to assess genetic variation using amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP) in two species of the tropical legume genus Stylosanthes Sw. Annual, S. humilis (2n = 20) and perennial, S. viscosa (2n = 20) are found throughout tropical America, and are sympatric for much of their range of distribution. One hundred and eleven accessions, covering a wide geographical range, were selected for AFLP analysis. Binary data matrices derived from DNA banding patterns were analysed using the software programs NTSYS-PC and ARLEQUIN. Several accessions were found to be misidentified. Of the S. humilis accessions, the overall average similarity value was (0.72) slightly higher than the value obtained for S. viscosa (0.67). Cluster analysis and principal coordinate analysis grouped accessions from both species by geographical origin, with a few exceptions. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) in S. humilis revealed 59.4% of the variation among groups formed from the cluster analysis. This was highly significant (P < 0.001). For S. viscosa AMOVA also revealed more variation among than within groups (66.5%). This was also highly significant (P < 0.001). The majority of accessions of both species conserved ex situ are of Brazilian and Venezuelan origin. This study has identified areas in Central America and Mexico for which novel genetic variation may be found and where conservation activities should be focused.