A photophoretic-trap volumetric display.

Free-space volumetric displays, or displays that create luminous image points in space, are the technology that most closely resembles the three-dimensional displays of popular fiction. Such displays are capable of producing images in 'thin air' that are visible from almost any direction and are not subject to clipping. Clipping restricts the utility of all three-dimensional displays that modulate light at a two-dimensional surface with an edge boundary; these include holographic displays, nanophotonic arrays, plasmonic displays, lenticular or lenslet displays and all technologies in which the light scattering surface and the image point are physically separate. Here we present a free-space volumetric display based on photophoretic optical trapping that produces full-colour graphics in free space with ten-micrometre image points using persistence of vision. This display works by first isolating a cellulose particle in a photophoretic trap created by spherical and astigmatic aberrations. The trap and particle are then scanned through a display volume while being illuminated with red, green and blue light. The result is a three-dimensional image in free space with a large colour gamut, fine detail and low apparent speckle. This platform, named the Optical Trap Display, is capable of producing image geometries that are currently unobtainable with holographic and light-field technologies, such as long-throw projections, tall sandtables and 'wrap-around' displays.

Artemisia annua L. extracts inhibit the in vitro replication of SARS-CoV-2 and two of its variants.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Artemisia annua L. has been used for millennia in Southeast Asia to treat "fever". Many infectious microbial and viral diseases have been shown to respond to A. annua and communities around the world use the plant as a medicinal tea, especially for treating malaria. AIM OF THE STUDY: SARS-CoV-2 (the cause of Covid-19) globally has infected and killed millions of people. Because of the broad-spectrum antiviral activity of artemisinin that includes blockade of SARS-CoV-1, we queried whether A. annua suppressed SARS-CoV-2. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using Vero E6 and Calu-3 cells, we measured anti SARS-CoV-2 activity against fully infectious virus of dried leaf extracts of seven cultivars of A. annua sourced from four continents. IC50s were calculated and defined as the concentrations that inhibited viral replication by 50%; CC50s were also calculated and defined as the concentrations that kill 50% of cells. RESULTS: Hot-water leaf extracts based on artemisinin, total flavonoids, or dry leaf mass showed antiviral activity with IC50 values of 0.1-8.7 µM, 0.01-0.14 µg, and 23.4-57.4 µg, respectively. Antiviral efficacy did not correlate with artemisinin or total flavonoid contents of the extracts. One dried leaf sample was >12 years old, yet its hot-water extract was still found to be active. The UK and South African variants, B1.1.7 and B1.351, were similarly inhibited. While all hot water extracts were effective, concentrations of artemisinin and total flavonoids varied by nearly 100-fold in the extracts. Artemisinin alone showed an estimated IC50 of about 70 µM, and the clinically used artemisinin derivatives artesunate, artemether, and dihydroartemisinin were ineffective or cytotoxic at elevated micromolar concentrations. In contrast, the antimalarial drug amodiaquine had an IC50 = 5.8 µM. Extracts had minimal effects on infection of Vero E6 or Calu-3 cells by a reporter virus pseudotyped by the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. There was no cytotoxicity within an order of magnitude above the antiviral IC90 values. CONCLUSIONS: A. annua extracts inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the active component(s) in the extracts is likely something besides artemisinin or a combination of components that block virus infection at a step downstream of virus entry. Further studies will determine in vivo efficacy to assess whether A. annua might provide a cost-effective therapeutic to treat SARS-CoV-2 infections.

Artemisia annua L. extracts inhibit the in vitro replication of SARS-CoV-2 and two of its variants.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Artemisia annua L. has been used for millennia in Southeast Asia to treat "fever". Many infectious microbial and viral diseases have been shown to respond to A. annua and communities around the world use the plant as a medicinal tea, especially for treating malaria. AIM OF THE STUDY: SARS-CoV-2 (the cause of Covid-19) globally has infected and killed millions of people. Because of the broad-spectrum antiviral activity of artemisinin that includes blockade of SARS-CoV-1, we queried whether A. annua suppressed SARS-CoV-2. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using Vero E6 and Calu-3 cells, we measured anti viral activity SARS-CoV-2 activity against fully infectious virusof dried leaf extracts of seven cultivars of A. annua sourced from four continents. IC50s were calculated and defined as (the concentrations that inhibited viral replication by 50%.) and CC50s (the concentrations that kill 50% of cells) were calculated. RESULTS: Hot-water leaf extracts based on artemisinin, total flavonoids, or dry leaf mass showed antiviral activity with IC50 values of 0.1-8.7 µM, 0.01-0.14 µg, and 23.4-57.4 µg, respectively. Antiviral efficacy did not correlate with artemisinin or total flavonoid contents of the extracts. One dried leaf sample was >12 years old, yet the hot-water extract was still found to be active. The UK and South African variants, B1.1.7 and B1.351, were similarly inhibited. While all hot water extracts were effective, concentrations of artemisinin and total flavonoids varied by nearly 100-fold in the extracts. Artemisinin alone showed an estimated IC50 of about 70 µM, and the clinically used artemisinin derivatives artesunate, artemether, and dihydroartemisinin were ineffective or cytotoxic at elevated micromolar concentrations. In contrast, the antimalarial drug amodiaquine had an IC50 = 5.8 µM. Extracts had minimal effects on infection of Vero E6 or Calu-3 cells by a reporter virus pseudotyped by the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. There was no cytotoxicity within an order of magnitude above the antiviral IC90 values. CONCLUSIONS: A. annua extracts inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the active component(s) in the extracts is likely something besides artemisinin or a combination of components that block virus infection at a step downstream of virus entry. Further studies will determine in vivo efficacy to assess whether A. annua might provide a cost-effective therapeutic to treat SARS-CoV-2 infections.

Cancer mortality among nuns: role of marital status in etiology of neoplastic disease in women.

PIP: To clarify the role of marital status in human carcinogenesis, a 1968 Cancer Institute study analyzed the cancer mortality experience of 31,658 white Catholic nuns from 41 religious orders in the U.S. from 1900-1954. The national white female population was used for cause-specific comparison and both groups were assigned cohorts depending upon the year of birth. When examined by 10-year age groups, rates for cancer at all sites was generally lower for nuns than for controls aged 59 or 69 but were substantially higher at older ages. Postmenopausal nuns (aged 69 and over) displayed a higher rate (38.6%) of cancer of the large intestine than did controls (22.6%) but had a lower proportion of deaths from cancer of the biliary passages and liver (13.0% vs. 22.6%). Nuns displayed a striking excess in breast cancer mortality over the age span of 40-74 years and had consistently higher rates than controls for each age group above 39 years. Lower cervical cancer rates for nuns (10.8%) than for controls (56.6%) seemed related to coital factors. Cancer of the uterus accounted for 63% of the genital cancer deaths among sisters. Overall, the genital cancer mortality rates for nuns were consistent with high mortality rates for the single, white female population of the U.S. The increased risk of breast cancer and cancers of the corpus uteri and ovary would seem to reflect an established link with infertility. Combination of these factors with the excess incidence of cancer of the large intestine among postmenopausal nuns suggests a common pathogenic mechanism of a hormonal nature operating in some women.^ieng

Sertoli cell function in diabetic, insulin-treated diabetic, and semi-starved rats.

It is well documented that long-term diabetes mellitus results in numerous deleterious consequences. However, considerable controversy exists concerning male reproductive function in diabetes. The purpose of this investigation was to study several endocrine parameters in diabetic male rats with emphasis on Sertoli cell function. Male Wistar rats were injected with streptozotocin and then either left untreated for 30 days or injected with insulin so as to prevent spillover of glucose into the urine. These two groups were compared with control animals that had only been injected with the vehicle for streptozotocin. Semi-starved control animals were included to determine if any of the potential endocrine alterations were related to body weight changes which occur in streptozotocin-injected rats. It was found that FSH, LH, PRL, and GH serum levels were reduced in diabetic animals. Only FSH was restored to normal by insulin injections. The testis, seminal vesicle, and epididymis weights were all reduced in diabetic animals. Insulin injections raised all organ weights; however, only testis weights were fully restored. Levels of epididymal ABP activity were found to be higher in diabetic animals when expressed per mg protein. Similar patterns of organ weight loss and hormonal alterations were observed in semi-starved rats. However, epididymal levels of ABP activity were unaffected by the semi-starved condition. While weight loss should be taken into consideration when interpreting cause and effect relationships in streptozotocin-treated animals, epididymal ABP levels appear to be well correlated with the altered metabolic state characteristic of diabetes.

Immunohistochemical visualizations of prolactin, growth hormone, and a substance resembling placental lactogen in the in situ and ectopic pituitary in the hamster.

The effects of transplanting neonatal adenohypophyseal tissue into the hamster cheek pouch on the presence of intracellular materials related to PRL in the allografts were examined using immunohistochemistry. In situ pituitary and placental tissue were used as control. Cells with antirat PRL-reactive sites were scarce in the grafts, and radioimmunoassayable serum PRL was not detectable in hypophysectomized hosts with grafts. Antirat GH- and antihuman placental lactogen (hPL)-reactive sites were visualized in the grafts and in situ pituitary tissue. Intracellular material in hamster placental tissue was visualized with anti-hPL only. Results of various immunohistochemical procedures using in situ pituitary tissue and antirat GH and anti-hPL antisera indicated that three cell types could exist: 1) a cell type visualized with only antirat GH, 2) a cell type visualized with only anti-hPL, and 3) a cell type, the most frequently observed, visualized with both antisera. The physiological significance of this intracellular product, which resembles hPL and perhaps hamster PL immunologically, in hamster adenohypophyseal cells is unknown. Additionally, our data indicate that the ectopic site for pituitary transplantation in the hamster may influence the cell types present in the grafts.

Toxicity of vinyl chloride and poly(vinyl chloride): a critical review.

In 1974, vinyl chloride (VC) was first reported in the open scientific literature to induce angiosarcoma of the liver both in humans and in animals. Additional research has now demonstrated the carcinogenicity of VC to other organs and at lower concentrations. The target organs for VC now clearly include the liver, brain and the lung, and probably the lymphohematopoietic system. The evidence for a carcinogenic risk has been extended to jobs associated with poly(vinyl chloride) exposure. Cases of liver angiosarcoma have been reported among individuals employed in PVC fabrication facilities and an epidemiological study has demonstrated a significant association between exposure to PVC dust and the risk of lung cancer mortality. Cases of angiosarcoma of the liver also have been reported among individuals living in near proximity to vinyl chloride-poly(vinyl chloride) plants. An association between PVC dust and pneumoconiosis also has been demonstrated. On the basis of findings, prudent control of PVC dust in the industrial setting is indicated.

Epidemiology of asbestos-related diseases.

This paper is intended to give the reader an overview of the epidemiology of asbestos-related diseases and is restricted to primarily occupational exposure studies. However, some mention of nonoccupational exposures are made because of their direct relationship to a worker or to a secondary occupational source. Over 100 epidemiological studies are reviewed, dating back to the first case of asbestos-associated disease reported by Montague Murray in 1906. The studies are divided by specific fiber type and by specific disease outcomes and the interaction of asbestos and cigarette smoking is discussed in great detail.

Cancer mortality following radium treatment for uterine bleeding.

Cancer mortality in relation to radiation dose was evaluated among 4153 women treated with intrauterine radium (226Ra) capsules for benign gynecologic bleeding disorders between 1925 and 1965. Average follow up was 26.5 years (maximum = 59.9 years). Overall, 2763 deaths were observed versus 2687 expected based on U.S. mortality rates [standardized mortality ratio (SMR) = 1.03]. Deaths due to cancer, however, were increased (SMR = 1.30), especially cancers of organs close to the radiation source. For organs receiving greater than 5 Gy, excess mortality of 100 to 110% was noted for cancers of the uterus and bladder 10 or more years following irradiation, while a deficit was seen for cancer of the cervix, one of the few malignancies not previously shown to be caused by ionizing radiation. Part of the excess of uterine cancer, however, may have been due to the underlying gynecologic disorders being treated. Among cancers of organs receiving average or local doses of 1 to 4 Gy, excesses of 30 to 100% were found for leukemia and cancers of the colon and genital organs other than uterus; no excess was seen for rectal or bone cancer. Among organs typically receiving 0.1 to 0.3 Gy, a deficit was recorded for cancers of the liver, gall bladder, and bile ducts combined, death due to stomach cancer occurred at close to the expected rate, a 30% excess was noted for kidney cancer (based on eight deaths), and there was a 60% excess of pancreatic cancer among 10-year survivors, but little evidence of dose-response. Estimates of the excess relative risk per Gray were 0.006 for uterus, 0.4 for other genital organs, 0.5 for colon, 0.2 for bladder, and 1.9 for leukemia. Contrary to findings for other populations treated by pelvic irradiation, a deficit of breast cancer was not observed (SMR = 1.0). Dose to the ovaries (median, 2.3 Gy) may have been insufficient to protect against breast cancer. For organs receiving greater than 1 Gy, cancer mortality remained elevated for more than 30 years, supporting the notion that radiation damage persists for many years after exposure.

Leukemia following radiotherapy for uterine bleeding.

Mortality due to leukemia among 4483 women treated with radiation to control uterine bleeding between 1925 and 1965 was twice as high as expected based on U.S. population rates (standardized mortality ratio (SMR) = 2.0; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.4 to 2.8). Women were followed for an average of 26.4 years. Relative risk was highest 2 to 5 years after treatment (SMR = 8.1) and among women over 55 years at irradiation (SMR = 5.8). The usual method of treatment was intrauterine radium. Average radiation dose to active bone marrow was estimated on the basis of original radiotherapy records (median, 53 cGy). A linear dose-response model provided an adequate fit to the data. The average excess relative risk was 1.9% per cGy (95% CI: 0.8 to 3.2), and the average absolute risk was 2.6 excess leukemia deaths per million women per year per cGy (95% CI: 0.9 to 4.8). Chronic myeloid leukemia predominated during the first 15 years following exposure, whereas acute leukemias and chronic lymphatic leukemia were most common thereafter. The radiation doses experienced during treatment of benign gynecologic disease appear to result in greater leukemia risk per cGy average marrow dose than the considerably higher doses used to treat malignant disease, perhaps because of a decreased likelihood of killing potentially leukemic cells.

Leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma after pelvic radiotherapy for benign disease.

The relationship between exposure to sparsely ionizing radiation and mortality due to cancers of hematopoietic and lymphopoietic tissues was studied among 12,955 women treated for benign gynecological disorders at any of 17 hospitals in New England or New York State and followed for an average of 25 years; 9770 women were treated by radiation (intracavitary 226Ra, external-beam X rays), while 3185 were treated by other methods, including curettage, surgery, and hormones. The average age at treatment was 46.5 years, and the mean dose to active bone marrow among irradiated women was 119 cGy. Forty deaths due to acute, myelocytic, or monocytic leukemia were observed among irradiated women. This number was 70% higher than expected based on U.S. mortality rates [standardized mortality ratio (SMR) = 1.7; 90% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-2.3]. A deficit was recorded among nonirradiated women, based on three observed deaths (SMR = 0.5; 90% CI 0.1-1.2). A well-defined gradient in the SMR with dose among exposed women was not detected. The SMR was highest within 5 years after irradiation but remained elevated even after 30 years. The temporal pattern differed by subtype of leukemia: excess mortality due to chronic myelocytic leukemia occurred almost exclusively within the first 15 years, whereas the SMR for acute leukemia, though also elevated, varied little over time. Cancers of lymphoreticular tissue occurred more often than expected based on U.S. mortality rates, but not appreciably differently for irradiated and nonirradiated women. There was little or no evidence of effects attributable to radiotherapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia [relative risk (RR) = 1.1; 90% CI 0.5-3.0], Hodgkin's disease (RR = 0.9; 90% CI 0.3-3.2), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (RR = 0.9; 90% CI 0.6-1.6), or multiple myeloma (RR = 0.6; 90% CI 0.3-1.4). These results corroborate previous findings indicating that acute and myelocytic leukemias are the most prominent malignancies after exposure to sparsely ionizing radiation, occurring in excess shortly after irradiation, and that lymphomas are either not caused by radiation or are induced only rarely.

Respiratory disease mortality among uranium miners.

A mortality analysis of a group of white and Indian uranium miners was done by a life-table method. A significant excess of respiratory cancer among both whites and Indians was found. Nonmalignant respiratory disease deaths among the whites are approaching cancer in importance as a cause of death, probably as a result of diffuse parenchymal radiation damage. Exposure-response curves for nonsmokers are linear for both respiratory cancer and "other respiratory disease." Cigaret smoking elevates and distorts that curve. Light cigaret smokers appear to be most vulnerable to lung parenchymal damage. The predominant histologic cancer among nonsmokers is small-cell undifferntiated, just as it is among cigaret smokers.

Bromfenac sodium, acetaminophen/oxycodone, ibuprofen, and placebo for relief of postoperative pain.

The objective of this double-masked, parallel-group, multicenter, inpatient study was to compare bromfenac with an acetaminophen/oxycodone combination and ibuprofen in patients who had pain due to abdominal gynecologic surgery. In the 8-hour, single-dose phase, 238 patients received single oral doses of bromfenac (50 or 100 mg), acetaminophen 650 mg/oxycodone 10 mg, ibuprofen 400 mg, or placebo. In the multiple-dose phase, 204 patients received bromfenac, acetaminophen/oxycodone, or ibuprofen for up to 5 days. In the single-dose phase, both bromfenac doses produced peak analgesic responses equivalent to acetaminophen/oxycodone, but the responses to bromfenac were longer lasting. Bromfenac produced significantly better overall (8-hour) analgesic summed scores than acetaminophen/oxycodone. Ibuprofen was less efficacious than the other analgesics. The remedication rate was lower in both bromfenac groups than in the other treatment groups. The acetaminophen/oxycodone group reported more somnolence and vomiting. Single doses of bromfenac provided analgesia at least equivalent to that of the acetaminophen/oxycodone combination, with a longer duration of action. Both doses of bromfenac and acetaminophen/oxycodone were superior to ibuprofen in this study.

Dissociation between increased growth hormone and prolactin secretion during the morning hours of early pregnancy in the rat.

We investigated whether serum growth hormone (GH) concentration changes in association with the rise in serum prolactin (PRL) concentration known to occur during the early morning hours in the pregnant rat. Animals were kept in a room with the lights on from 0500 to 1900 hours (hr) daily and decapitated for the collection of trunk blood at 2200 or 2400 hr on Day 6 of pregnancy or at 0200, 0400, 0800 or 1000 hr on Day 7 of pregnancy. Serum GH concentration rose more than 4-fold from low levels at 2200 and 2400 hr to higher levels at 0400 and 0800 hr and then declined by 1000 hr. Serum prolactin (PRL) concentration followed a similar pattern except that it returned to low levels earlier, by 0800 hr. Serum luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and thyroid-stimulating hormone concentrations showed no significant changes. Serum GH levels at 0800 hr in pregnant rats were higher than those observed in cyclic rats (13 time periods sampled). The results demonstrate that serum GH concentration is elevated during a circumscribed period in the 6- to 7-day pregnant rat. The time of onset of the rise is similar to that for serum PRL but the elevation in GH levels persists longer than that for PRL.

Carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic risks associated with vinyl chloride.

The data presented demonstrate clearly that vinyl chloride (VC) is related to a significant excess of mortality from cancer of the liver, lung and brain among workers occupationally exposed to VC. The risk of dying from cancer of the lymphatic and hematopoietic system also appears to increase with an increase in latency. These cancer sites could have been predicted by the animal bioassay conducted by Maltoni. With regard to the liver, even the histophthologic type of cancer (angiosarcoma) was observed first in experimental animals. A study of cancer mortality among populations residing proximate to VC polymerization facilities also demonstrated an increased risk of dying from CNS and lymphatic cancer. These latter findings raise cause for concern about out-plant emmissions of VC, but without further study these cancers obviously cannot be interpreted as being related to out-plant exposure to VC. Various test systems now have elicited a positive mutagenic response to VC. Thus, our observations of a significant excess of fetal mortality among the wives of males, who were occupationally exposed to VC, raise public health concern that VC may be mutagenic in humans. With regard to the teratogenicity of VC, observations of a significant excess of children born with birth defects were reported among populations residing proximate to VC polymerization facilities. Additional epidemiologic study is needed to determine whether a repeated pattern of excessive numbers of children born with birth defects can be observed in other communities with VC polymerization facilities.

Pupillary size as an indicator of preference in humor.

The effects of simple cartoons on pupil size were examined. Each of the 11 subjects was presented three cartoons for 10-sec. with a 5-sec. control period between the presentations. All subjects received the same task condition. When the presentation was complete, each subject ranked the three cartoons to show their preference on the dimension of humor. The data produced significant correlation between the rank order and the pupillary dilatation. Means of pupils size for the cartoons were also significantly different from control means.

Disaster triage after the Haitian earthquake.

In the aftermath of the devastating Haitian earthquake, we became the primary relief service for a large group of severely injured earthquake victims. Finding ourselves virtually isolated with extremely limited facilities and a group of critically injured patients whose needs vastly outstripped the available resources we employed a disaster triage system to organize their clinical care. This report describes the specific injury profile of this group of patients, their clinical course, and the management philosophy that we employed. It provides useful lessons for similar situations in the future.