In situ measurements of Saturn's ionosphere show that it is dynamic and interacts with the rings.

The ionized upper layer of Saturn's atmosphere, its ionosphere, provides a closure of currents mediated by the magnetic field to other electrically charged regions (for example, rings) and hosts ion-molecule chemistry. In 2017, the Cassini spacecraft passed inside the planet's rings, allowing in situ measurements of the ionosphere. The Radio and Plasma Wave Science instrument detected a cold, dense, and dynamic ionosphere at Saturn that interacts with the rings. Plasma densities reached up to 1000 cubic centimeters, and electron temperatures were below 1160 kelvin near closest approach. The density varied between orbits by up to two orders of magnitude. Saturn's A- and B-rings cast a shadow on the planet that reduced ionization in the upper atmosphere, causing a north-south asymmetry.

Plasma observations during the Mars atmospheric "plume" event of March-April 2012.

We present initial analysis and conclusions from plasma observations made during the reported "Mars plume event" of March - April 2012. During this period, multiple independent amateur observers detected a localized, high-altitude "plume" over the Martian dawn terminator [Sanchez-Lavega et al., Nature, 2015, doi:10.1038/nature14162], the cause of which remains to be explained. The estimated brightness of the plume exceeds that expected for auroral emissions, and its projected altitude greatly exceeds that at which clouds are expected to form. We report on in-situ measurements of ionospheric plasma density and solar wind parameters throughout this interval made by Mars Express, obtained over the same surface region, but at the opposing terminator. Measurements in the ionosphere at the corresponding location frequently show a disturbed structure, though this is not atypical for such regions with intense crustal magnetic fields. We tentatively conclude that the formation and/or transport of this plume to the altitudes where it was observed could be due in part to the result of a large interplanetary coronal mass ejection (ICME) encountering the Martian system. Interestingly, we note that the only similar plume detection in May 1997 may also have been associated with a large ICME impact at Mars.

Ion and aerosol precursor densities in Titan's ionosphere: A multi-instrument case study.

The importance of the heavy ions and dust grains for the chemistry and aerosol formation in Titan's ionosphere has been well established in the recent years of the Cassini mission. In this study we combine independent in situ plasma (Radio Plasma and Wave Science Langmuir Probe (RPWS/LP)) and particle (Cassini Plasma Science Electron Spectrometer, Cassini Plasma Science Ion Beam Spectrometer, and Ion and Neutral Mass Spectrometer) measurements of Titan's ionosphere for selected flybys (T16, T29, T40, and T56) to produce altitude profiles of mean ion masses including heavy ions and develop a Titan-specific method for detailed analysis of the RPWS/LP measurements (applicable to all flybys) to further constrain ion charge densities and produce the first empirical estimate of the average charge of negative ions and/or dust grains. Our results reveal the presence of an ion-ion (dusty) plasma below ~1100 km altitude, with charge densities exceeding the primary ionization peak densities by a factor ≥2 in the terminator and nightside ionosphere (n e /n i ≤ 0.1). We suggest that ion-ion (dusty) plasma may also be present in the dayside ionosphere below 900 km (n e /n i < 0.5 at 1000 km altitude). The average charge of the dust grains (≥1000 amu) is estimated to be between -2.5 and -1.5 elementary charges, increasing toward lower altitudes.

Dust observations at orbital altitudes surrounding Mars.

Dust is common close to the martian surface, but no known process can lift appreciable concentrations of particles to altitudes above ~150 kilometers. We present observations of dust at altitudes ranging from 150 to above 1000 kilometers by the Langmuir Probe and Wave instrument on the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution spacecraft. Based on its distribution, we interpret this dust to be interplanetary in origin. A comparison with laboratory measurements indicates that the dust grain size ranges from 1 to 12 micrometers, assuming a typical grain velocity of ~18 kilometers per second. These direct observations of dust entering the martian atmosphere improve our understanding of the sources, sinks, and transport of interplanetary dust throughout the inner solar system and the associated impacts on Mars's atmosphere.

COMETARY SCIENCE. CHO-bearing organic compounds at the surface of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko revealed by Ptolemy.

The surface and subsurface of comets preserve material from the formation of the solar system. The properties of cometary material thus provide insight into the physical and chemical conditions during their formation. We present mass spectra taken by the Ptolemy instrument 20 minutes after the initial touchdown of the Philae lander on the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Regular mass distributions indicate the presence of a sequence of compounds with additional -CH2- and -O- groups (mass/charge ratios 14 and 16, respectively). Similarities with the detected coma species of comet Halley suggest the presence of a radiation-induced polymer at the surface. Ptolemy measurements also indicate an apparent absence of aromatic compounds such as benzene, a lack of sulfur-bearing species, and very low concentrations of nitrogenous material.

Aura interruption: the Andrews/Reiter behavioral intervention may reduce seizures and improve quality of life - a pilot trial.

Patients with epilepsy frequently experience depression and emotional stress and these may function as seizure triggers in epileptogenic frontotemporal cortex, which serves in emotional processing. Eight patients enrolled in a pilot trial of a 6-month epilepsy-specific behavioral approach comprising counseling and relaxation to recognize and eliminate emotional seizure triggers. Potential participants with psychogenic seizures were excluded by long-term EEG and/or the MMPI profile. One participant became seizure free, another had an approximately 90% reduction in seizures, and two additional participants achieved a greater than 50% reduction in seizure frequency (total responder rate=50%), stable during 6 months of observation after the intervention. All completers showed marked and stable improvement of quality of life (Quality of Life in Epilepsy-89 inventory) and temporary improvement in the Profile of Mood States. An adequately powered randomized controlled trial is needed to confirm our findings, which suggest that behavioral approaches may hold promise for motivated patients with epilepsy.

Cyclosporin: revisions in monitoring guidelines and review of current analytical methods.

This article summarizes the main changes that have occurred in cyclosporin (ciclosporin) monitoring and measurement since the previous review in this journal. Cyclosporin has been reformulated to reduce variability in its absorption, leading to fewer post-transplant rejection episodes. Monitoring has mostly utilized the measurement of pre-dose blood levels of the drug, but more recently the potential benefit of using samples collected during the first few hours post-dose has been evaluated. Calculating the area under the cyclosporin concentration-time curve may be the ideal, but is not viable in the routine clinical situation and 2-h post-dose sampling seems likely to offer a practical clinical solution. Analytical methods based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and immunoassay are available for the determination of whole blood cyclosporin concentrations. HPLC is specific but rarely used for routine monitoring, although HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry is making the technique more viable. New immunoassays have been introduced, but none are completely specific for the parent drug and all exhibit cross-reactivity towards cyclosporin metabolites. Immunoassays were originally designed for the lower cyclosporin concentrations seen in pre-dose samples, but are being evaluated and modified for determination of the higher concentrations seen 2 h post-dose.

A neurobehavioral approach for treatment of complex partial epilepsy: efficacy.

This is a retrospective study of the efficacy of a short-term comprehensive multidisciplinary neurobehavioral treatment approach for complex partial epilepsy. Eleven patients were treated intensively for five consecutive days followed by 6 months of weekly telephone contact and an additional 6 months of monitoring of seizure logs and journals. Data was analysed at least 24 months after initiation of treatment. Pre-treatment seizure frequency ranged from 1 to 15 per month. Post-treatment seizure frequency was zero per month for the nine patients who experienced less than four seizures per month prior to treatment and less than two per month for the other two patients. Additional benefits of the treatment program were improved levels of professional achievement in the arts and computer sciences and reduction of medication dosages.

Exposure of health care workers to pentamidine isethionate.

Pentamidine isethionate is currently used for the prophylaxis and treatment of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Its use has been associated with a number of symptoms in staff administering treatment, and there are some additional concerns about possible adverse health effects of long term exposure. The aim of this study was to quantify exposure of health care staff administering nebulized pentamidine to patients. Personal breathing zone and static air samples at the height of the patient's head were collected during the nebulization of pentamidine to nine sequential outpatients attending a haemophilia unit. These were analysed using a standard method allowing the exposure of staff to be estimated. The duration of treatment varied between 15 and 60 min. Personal breathing zone samples showed exposure to be between 2 and 100 micrograms/m3. Static samples showed the concentration of pentamidine in the room varied from 15 to 2,100 micrograms/m3. While these exposures were relatively low, they were higher than some other studies have reported, and may pose some risk of adverse effects to staff. Some simple measures could reduce staff exposure.

Advocacy in the Western Hemisphere Region: some FPA success stories.

PIP: The International Planned Parenthood Federation's Vision 2000 Strategic Plan has emphasized advocacy and the training of family planning associations (FPAs) in the Western Hemisphere region. During the summer of 1995 training programs in advocacy leadership management were sponsored for six FPAs in the Bahamas, Suriname, Belize, Colombia, Honduras, and Brazil. At the Western Hemisphere Regional Council Meeting in September 1995 awards were presented to FPAs for media outstanding projects. These FPAs used outreach to the community to promote the goals of Vision 2000. The Bahamas FPA won the Rosa Cisneros Award for articles published in a magazine that is distributed in primary and secondary schools and deals with the activities, achievements, and opinions of students. Issues include: love, relationships, responsibility, and teen pregnancy. A weekly television talk show also addresses the issues facing youth including education, music, community work, sexuality, pregnancy, and the relationship between teenagers and adults. The Family Planning Association of Honduras was also nominated for the award for a radio show on the health of mothers and children, the problems of adolescents, and FP. The newspaper Tiempo received the award for feature articles on social issues and FP. In 1994 the Association distributed thousands of booklets on contraceptives as well as fliers on vasectomy, female sterilization, oral contraceptives, IUDs, condoms, responsible parenthood, high-risk pregnancy, vaginal cytology, and cervical cancer. Similar posters were placed in hospitals and health centers, in 1997 FP posts, and 400 commercial outlets. The Family Planning Association of Suriname also carried out an impressive advocacy program during the period of 1968-93 with the goals of establishing a balance between population growth and the available resources to achieve well-being with regard to education, health care, nutrition, and housing.^ieng

Predictive factors for controlling seizures using a behavioural approach.

A behavioural approach using EEG biofeedback for controlling complex-partial seizures has been successful at the Andrews/Reiter Epilepsy Research Program. Records for a random sample of 83 patients with uncontrolled seizures, one third of those receiving care between 1980 and 1985, document that 69 (83%) achieved control by completion of the programme. Additional data about initial age of seizure onset, number of years seizures had been uncontrolled and seizure frequency when treatment started were collected to determine whether these factors predicted seizure control. Only frequency was significantly related to whether seizures were controlled when treatment ended. Further study using discriminant analysis showed that earlier onset age and higher seizure frequency were associated with a significantly greater number of treatment sessions required. Thus, these two factors predicted difficulty in controlling seizures, as measured by number of sessions, although onset age did not predict whether control was eventually achieved. Since even the subgroup achieving the lowest rate of control (i.e., patients having daily seizures when treatment started) had 67% success, these results suggest that a behavioural approach can be useful for many people with currently uncontrolled complex-partial seizures regardless of their characteristics on factors examined in this study.

Urinary infection may invalidate the double-sugar test of intestinal permeability.

To assess the effect of urinary infection on a typical double-sugar test of intestinal permeability, rhamnose and cellobiose were added to 12 infected urine samples to give sugar concentrations generally present in the 5-h urine samples of patients undergoing the test. Rhamnose concentration fell by approximately 20% in two of the specimens after incubation at 37 degrees C for 5 h. Eight of the 12 samples showed a fall in cellobiose concentration at 2.5 h, and 11 at 5 h. On five occasions more than 90% of the cellobiose was destroyed within 5 h. Yet only eight of these urine samples contained organisms that were able to metabolize cellobiose. This apparent anomaly may have resulted from bacteria surviving in spite of the thiomersal preservative, and then consuming the glucose to which the cellobiose was hydrolysed to enable calculation of cellobiose concentration. We conclude that bacteriuria may invalidate the result of the double-sugar test of intestinal function.

The double sugar test of intestinal permeability in the elderly.

Tests of intestinal permeability are used as a reflection of upper-small-intestinal mucosal damage. Thirty-two elderly in-patients aged 75-96 years, and 64 hospital volunteers aged 22-64 years with no overt gastro-intestinal disease were studied to determine whether permeability changes with increasing age. Intestinal permeability was assessed by measuring the 5-h urinary excretion of a monosaccharide, L-rhamnose, and a disaccharide, cellobiose, for 5 h after their oral administration in a hypertonic solution. While in the elderly, excretion of both mono- and di-saccharides was significantly reduced by a half to two-thirds, the ratio of the two sugars in the urine was similar in both age groups. We conclude that permeability was unimpaired in the elderly patients whom we studied. Because the test depends on a ratio of excretion rates rather than an absolute rate, accuracy of urine collection and abnormal renal function do not invalidate the results. It is therefore useful as a screening test of upper-small-intestinal mucosal damage in the elderly.