Backward wave cyclotron-maser emission in the auroral magnetosphere.

In this Letter, we present theory and particle-in-cell simulations describing cyclotron radio emission from Earth's auroral region and similar phenomena in other astrophysical environments. In particular, we find that the radiation, generated by a down-going electron horseshoe distribution is due to a backward-wave cyclotron-maser emission process. The backward wave nature of the radiation contributes to upward refraction of the radiation that is also enhanced by a density inhomogeneity. We also show that the radiation is preferentially amplified along the auroral oval rather than transversely. The results are in agreement with recent Cluster observations.

Minimagnetospheres above the lunar surface and the formation of lunar swirls.

In this paper we present in situ satellite data, theory, and laboratory validation that show how small-scale collisionless shocks and minimagnetospheres can form on the electron inertial scale length. The resulting retardation and deflection of the solar wind ions could be responsible for the unusual "lunar swirl" patterns seen on the surface of the Moon.

Bacterial growth in ampholytic disinfectant solutions.

Large numbers of live bacteria were isolated from solutions of 2 ampholytic disinfectants supplied from a built-in predosing system. They were resistant to and proliferated in these disinfectants. Bacteria were eradicated by employing a 3rd type of ampholytic disinfectant in the system.

The indirect india-ink immunoreaction for detection of antibodies to Encephalitozoon cuniculi in rat and mouse serum.

The direct india-ink immunoreaction and the india-ink immunoreaction inhibition tests are described and results are compared with those obtained by the indirect fluorescence antibody test. Titrations of seropositive samples were made by 2 methods and the titres obtained were similar. Some advantages of the india-ink immunoreaction as a diagnostic test are discussed.

India-ink immunoreaction for encephalitozoonosis: phototechnique.

We present photographs of an immunoreaction which has to be viewed as a vet preparation under highpower oil-immersion microscopy. The difficulties of varying focal plane and constant movement of the specimen were overcome by the use of electronic flash.

Inhibition of bacteria in mouse drinking water by chlorination.

Experience with the use of mouse drinking water containing chlorine is discussed. With an initial concentration of 5 p.p.m. bacteria were recovered from the bottles after 7 days and there was considerable growth in untreated bottles. Above this concentration no bacteria survived. It is recommended that 15-20 p.p.m. chlorine are used for practical purposes.

A modified india-ink immunoreaction for the detection of encephalitozoonosis.

A modified india-ink immuno technique is described. The use of a moist chamber is not required and the visualisation of both positive and negative results facilitates more rapid and confident reading of the test.

Humoral immune response to natural infection with Encephalitozoon cuniculi in rabbits.

Sera from 4 generations of a family of rabbits having a natural Encephalitozoon cuniculi infection were investigated. Antibodies were demonstrated in a litter of newborn rabbits and in another litter 11 days old. Histoloigcal examination of the brains and kidneys of these animals failed to reveal lesions attributable to the disease. Sera from a further litter of 2 rabbits, taken at weekly intervals from 4 to 42 weeks of age, revealed a low initial antibody titre which regressed to an undetectable level. After an interval, titres rose and then plateaued to the end of the period of observation. Encephalitozoon cuniculi infections in the dams of all the litters were confirmed by antibody assay and by histology. Parallel titration of samples treated and not treated with 2-mercaptoethanol showed that the india-ink immunoreaction demonstrates only immunoglobulin G.

Encephalitozoon cuniculi antibodies in a specific-pathogen-free rabbit unit.

We describe our discovery of Encephalitozoon cuniculi antibodies in a specific-pathogen-free rabbit colony. Small-sized samples had failed to reveal the presence of infection with a prevalence of about 5%. Using an India ink immunoreaction test by which we were able to visualize both negative and positive reactions, we were able to undertake a 100% screen of the colony of more than 700 rabbits and to repeat this 4 weeks later when we had culled the positive reactors. By collating the results of those tests with the results of tests on previously collected samples, we have been able to discuss and observe age and sex susceptibilities and the mode of transmission of the naturally occurring disease.

Improved safety with equivalent asthma control in adults with chronic severe asthma on high-dose fluticasone propionate.

OBJECTIVE: High-dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) have been associated with the same side-effects as oral corticosteroids. Beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) and budesonide (BUD) in doses greater than 2000 microg/day are used regularly in severe asthma, despite the fact that safety and efficacy data at such high doses are limited. Fluticasone propionate (FP) has been promoted as being twice as potent clinically as BDP or BUD at doses of 2000 microg/day or less with a similar safety profile. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of FP with BDP and BUD in 133 symptomatic adult asthmatics requiring at least 1750 microg/day of BDP or BUD. METHODOLOGY: Patients fulfilling the entry criteria were randomized to receive either their regular ICS medication or FP at approximately half the microgram dose for 6 months in an open, parallel group study. The primary efficacy measure was based on morning peak expiratory flow measurements recorded by patients on daily record cards, while determination of safety was based on a number of endpoints including changes in bone turnover indices, the incidence of topical side-effects and assessments of quality of life. RESULTS: It was shown that patients who were switched to FP, but not those continuing with BDP or BUD, had significant increases in levels of morning serum cortisol and the urine cortisol:creatinine ratio while maintaining asthma control. Serum osteocalcin and the pyridinoline:creatinine ratio, as well as the deoxypyridinoline:creatinine ratio, were also shown to increase only in the FP group. Subjective assessments such as quality of life score, the incidence and ease of bruising, and reports of hoarseness also favoured the FP group. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that, at the doses studied and with the delivery devices used clinically, FP is at least as effective as BDP/BUD in the management of severe asthma and may offer clinical advantages with respect to steroid-related adverse effects.

Copper-salicylate gel for pain relief in osteoarthritis: a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of a copper-salicylate gel in osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. DESIGN: Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. SETTING: Rheumatology Clinic of St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales (a tertiary referral hospital), June 1993 to October 1994. PATIENTS: 116 patients with pain associated with osteoarthritis of the hip and/or knee (diagnosed by criteria of the European League against Rheumatism), drawn from patients attending the Clinic or self-referred after newspaper advertisements. INTERVENTION: Copper-salicylate or placebo gel (1.5 g) applied twice daily to the forearm for four weeks. OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-assessment of pain before the trial and after two and four weeks of treatment; patient and investigator assessments of efficacy; additional analgesia required; adverse reactions; and withdrawal rates. RESULTS: Pain scores at rest and on movement decreased in both the copper-salicylate and placebo groups by 13%-20%. There was no significant difference between the two groups for decrease in pain score, patient and investigator efficacy ratings, number of patients requiring paracetamol for extra analgesia (active, 77%; placebo, 71%) and average dose of paracetamol (active, 555 mg/day; placebo, 600 mg/day). Significantly more patients in the copper-salicylate group reported adverse reactions (83% versus 52% of the placebo group), most commonly skin reactions, and withdrew from the trial because of these reactions (17% versus 1.7% of the placebo group). CONCLUSION: Copper-salicylate gel applied to the forearm was no better than placebo gel as pain relief for patients with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee, but produced significantly more skin rashes.

Structure of the epidermis of Australian Merino sheep over a 12-month period.

Light-microscopic examination of frozen sections of skin taken from the dorsal thoraco-lumbar region of Australian Merino sheep in winter revealed that the thickness of the epidermis plus a sudanophilic layer was 24.9 micron in the interfollicular region. The uncornified epidermis (10.9 micron) was separated from the sudanophilic layer (14.0 micron) by a thin stratum corneum. It was concluded that the bulk of the sudanophilic layer was emulsified sebum in which was embedded a disorganized collection of desquamated cornified cells. Although large variances were observed in the thickness of the uncornified epidermis and of the sudanophilic layers between sheep and both within the between blocks of tissue obtained from individual sheep, there were no strong seasonal effects on either epidermal structure or layer thickness over a 12-month period. These results suggest that the Australian Merino differs from Finnish Landrace X Dorset Horn ewes, which are reported to possess, at least in winter, a thicker uncornified epidermis and a thicker stratum corneum that could be divided into two zones and was uniformly permeated by lipid.