Amplification of surface temperature trends and variability in the tropical atmosphere.

The month-to-month variability of tropical temperatures is larger in the troposphere than at Earth's surface. This amplification behavior is similar in a range of observations and climate model simulations and is consistent with basic theory. On multidecadal time scales, tropospheric amplification of surface warming is a robust feature of model simulations, but it occurs in only one observational data set. Other observations show weak, or even negative, amplification. These results suggest either that different physical mechanisms control amplification processes on monthly and decadal time scales, and models fail to capture such behavior; or (more plausibly) that residual errors in several observational data sets used here affect their representation of long-term trends.

Influence of satellite data uncertainties on the detection of externally forced climate change.

Two independent analyses of the same satellite-based radiative emissions data yield tropospheric temperature trends that differ by 0.1 degrees C per decade over 1979 to 2001. The troposphere warms appreciably in one satellite data set, while the other data set shows little overall change. These satellite data uncertainties are important in studies seeking to identify human effects on climate. A model-predicted "fingerprint" of combined anthropogenic and natural effects is statistically detectable only in the satellite data set with a warming troposphere. Our findings show that claimed inconsistencies between model predictions and satellite tropospheric temperature data (and between the latter and surface data) may be an artifact of data uncertainties.

Interpreting differential temperature trends at the surface and in the lower troposphere

Estimated global-scale temperature trends at Earth's surface (as recorded by thermometers) and in the lower troposphere (as monitored by satellites) diverge by up to 0.14 degrees C per decade over the period 1979 to 1998. Accounting for differences in the spatial coverage of satellite and surface measurements reduces this differential, but still leaves a statistically significant residual of roughly 0.1 degrees C per decade. Natural internal climate variability alone, as simulated in three state-of-the-art coupled atmosphere-ocean models, cannot completely explain this residual trend difference. A model forced by a combination of anthropogenic factors and volcanic aerosols yields surface-troposphere temperature trend differences closest to those observed.

A new brain specific protein in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE).

A rabbit immune serum against SSPE CSF reveals in these CSF, in addition to IgG, another protein with electrophoretic gamma-mobility which is never revealed by anti-normal human serum nor by anti-normal CSF. This protein, called B.T., has been found in 5 out of 8 CSF studied. The same immune serum against SSPE CSF reveals in normal brain extracts a specific protein sharing antigenic identity with the fraction B.T. from SSPE CSF. This brain protein is located in the white matter. It has not been found in the grey matter, nor in other tissue extracts. Due to its solubility and electrophoretic properties, this brain protein B.T. is not comparable with any of the brain specific proteins known at this time.

Gamma-globulins patterns in CSF of inflammatory neurological diseases in tropical Africa.

400 CSF electrophoreses were performed on Black West Africans (Ivory Coast) with inflammatory infections of the nervous system. In the normal state, the CSF of the Black African contains a higher concentration of gamma-globulins than the European (15.8% compared to 8--10%). This study permits us to confirm indirectly the classical idea of the extreme rarity of MS in tropical areas: an increase in the gamma-globulins of the CSF has been shown in 22% of the cases and the two principal responsible infections are trypanosomiasis (57.3%) and SSPE (16.8%). The oligoclonal distribution by various authors in trypanosomiases was not found. On the contrary, a nonclonal aspect of gamma-zone was constantly found (49/50). It is possible that the differences are in accordance with the different evolutionary phases of the disease, and that the oligoclonal distribution is a marker of the autoimmune state of the disease.

[Cerebrospinal fluid gamma globulins in neurological disorders affecting black Africans (author's transl)]. / Les gamma-globulines du liquide céphalo-rachidien dans les affections neurologiques du Noir African.

Four hundred C.S.F. electrophoreses were carried out in black West Africans (Ivory Coast) suffering from inflammatory disorders of the nervous system. In the normal state, the C.S.F. of the black African contains more gamma globulins than that of the white (15.8% as opposed to 10%). The study provides indirect evidence of the classical notion of the extreme rarity of DS (Disseminated sclerosis) in the tropics. Hypergammaglobulinorachia was demonstrated in 22% of cases, the two principal disorders responsible being trypanosomiasis (57.3%) and sub-acute sclerosing panencephalitis (16.8%). The oligoclonal distribution described in trypanosomiasis was not found. On the contrary, a homogeneous appearance of the gamma zone was constantly demonstrated (49/50). It is possible that these differences are related to the various phases in the course of the disease, and that oligoclonal disturbation is a marker of the auto-immune phase.

[Inventory of oligoclonal fractions of subacute sclerosing panenephalitis cere-brospinal fluid in Africa with a specific immuneserum: first results (author's transl)]. / Inventaire des fractions oligoclonales du liquide cephalo-rachidien dans la panencephalite sclerosante subaique en Afrique a l'aide d'un immunserum specifique: premiers resultats

The oligoclonal gamma-fractions in the cerebrospinal fluid (C.S.F.) from one case of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (S.S.P.E.) have been studied by means of immunolectrophoresis. The gamma-zone consisted of IgG and free kappa and lambda chains. Besides that, a rabbit immune serum against S.S.P.E. C.S.F. has been prepared. This immune serum did reveal in the gamma-zone one additional protein which is different from IgG and normal tissue proteins. The possibility for this additionnal protein to be of myelinic origin is postulated, because of the demyelinisating nature of the lesion.