Precision Measurement of the Lamb Shift in Muonium.

We report a new measurement of the n=2 Lamb shift in Muonium. Our result of 1047.2(2.3)_{stat}(1.1)_{syst} MHz comprises an order of magnitude improvement upon the previous best measurement. This value matches the theoretical calculation within 1 standard deviation allowing us to set limits on Lorentz and CPT violation in the muonic sector, as well as on new physics coupled to muons and electrons which could provide an explanation of the muon g-2 anomaly.

New Bounds from Positronium Decays on Massless Mirror Dark Photons.

We present the results of a search for a hidden mirror sector in positronium decays with a sensitivity comparable with the bounds set by the prediction of the primordial He^{4} abundance from big bang nucleosynthesis. No excess of events compatible with decays into the dark sector is observed, resulting in an upper limit for the branching ratio of this process of 3.0×10^{-5} (90% C.L.). This is an order of magnitude more stringent than the current existing laboratory bounds and it constrains the mixing strength of ordinary photons to dark mirror photons at a level of ϵ<5.0×10^{-8}.

Assessment of the ciliary muscle and scleral anterior thickness in high myopia by optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To assess ciliary muscle (CM) and anterior scleral thickness (AST) dimensions in vivo in high myopia using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) and to compare with emmetropic and hyperopic subjects. METHODS: Cross-sectional study that included 34 high myopic patients (≥ -6 diopters [D]), 90 emmetropes (-1 to +1 D) and 38 hyperopic patients (≥ +3.5 D). CM thickness (CMT) and AST were measured in the temporal and nasal quadrants at 1, 2, and 3 mm from the scleral spur using SS-OCT. In addition, the length of the CM (CML) was evaluated. RESULTS: The dimensions of the CML and the CMT at any of their measurement points were greater in high myopes and emmetropes than in hyperopes, both in the nasal and temporal quadrants (P < .001). However, there were no differences between high myopes and emmetropes for any of the parameters (P ≥ .076) except for the CMT at 3 mm in the temporal quadrant (P < .001). There were no differences in the AST between high myopes, emmetropes and hyperopes, in any of the measurement points or quadrants studied (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: The SS-OCT allows to measure the CM in vivo, not observing differences in its dimensions between high myopes and emmetropes, but they were smaller in hyperopes. In the measurement of the anterior sclera, no differences were observed between the three groups analyzed according to refraction.

Aggregation and coalescence of oil droplets in water via electrohydrodynamic flows.

Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) flows are known to cause rigid colloids to aggregate near electrodes. Here we report that EHD flows also induce immiscible oil droplets to aggregate and, for sufficiently strong field strengths, to coalesce. We measure the aggregation and coalescence rates of micrometer-scale oil droplets in water, and we find that the most effective way to induce coalescence is by suddenly decreasing the applied frequency. We interpret the results in terms of a balance between EHD flow and colloidal forces, and we discuss the implications for using EHD flows to separate trace oils from solution.

Intense beam of metastable Muonium.

Precision spectroscopy of the Muonium Lamb shift and fine structure requires a robust source of 2S Muonium. To date, the beam-foil technique is the only demonstrated method for creating such a beam in vacuum. Previous experiments using this technique were statistics limited, and new measurements would benefit tremendously from the efficient 2S production at a low energy muon ( < 20  keV) facility. Such a source of abundant low energy µ + has only become available in recent years, e.g. at the Low-Energy Muon beamline at the Paul Scherrer Institute. Using this source, we report on the successful creation of an intense, directed beam of metastable Muonium. We find that even though the theoretical Muonium fraction is maximal in the low energy range of 2-5 keV, scattering by the foil and transport characteristics of the beamline favor slightly higher µ + energies of 7-10 keV. We estimate that an event detection rate of a few events per second for a future Lamb shift measurement is feasible, enabling an increase in precision by two orders of magnitude over previous determinations.

Agreement between Fourier-domain and swept-source optical coherence tomography used for optic nerve head measurements.

PURPOSE: To assess the correlation between optic nerve head measurements generated by Fourier-domain (FD) and swept-source (SS) optical coherence tomography (OCT) both in healthy Caucasian subjects and patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of the right eyes of 118 subjects. In each participant, the measurements of disc area, cup to disc ratio (CDR), vertical cup to disc ratio (VCDR), rim area and rim volume were performed consecutively by FD-OCT and then SS-OCT. Participant age, gender and spherical equivalent were also recorded. Agreement between the two devices was assessed through intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: The study sample consisted of 95 healthy eyes and 23 eyes with glaucoma. Mean participant age was 48.6±20.0 years, 54.2% were female, and mean spherical equivalent was -1.6±3.0 diopters. FD-OCT and SS-OCT measurements were respectively: mean disc area 1.79±0.3 vs 1.83±0.3 mm2 (ICC=0.71), mean CDR 0.38±0.2 vs 0.33±0.2 (ICC=0.91), mean VCDR 0.58±0.2 vs 0.52±0.2 (ICC=0.92), mean rim area 1.05±0.4mm2 vs 1.03±0.5mm2 (ICC=0.29), and mean rim volume 0.14±0.11 vs 0.21±0.17mm3 (ICC=0.53). Good agreement between the devices was noted for rim area and rim volume in glaucoma subjects (ICC=0.76 and 0.68 respectively), while weak agreement was observed for these variables in healthy subjects (ICC≤0.50). CONCLUSIONS: The CDR and VCDR measurements provided by FD and SS OCT showed excellent agreement for the overall sample. When the devices were used for rim measurements, agreement was excellent only in the POAG patients.

Pseudoexfoliation signs in the anterior segment assessed by optical coherence tomography and Scheimpflug device. / Evaluación de los signos de la pseudoexfoliación en el segmento anterior mediante tomografía de coherencia óptica y cámara de Scheimpflug.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate different anterior segment parameters in eyes with pseudoexfoliation (PSX), fellow eyes, and controls using optical coherence tomography and a Scheimpflug imaging system. METHODS: Three groups were studied: 44 eyes of 44 patients with PSX, 30 clinically unaffected fellow eyes, and 148 eyes of 148 healthy controls. The anterior chamber depth and volume, corneal volume and thickness, pupil diameter and corneal densitometry were measured using a Scheimpflug imaging system (Pentacam, Oculus Inc.; Wetzlar, Germany). The angle width, the length and area of the trabecular meshwork, and the iris thickness were measured using an optical coherence tomography RTVue 100 device (Optovue, Fremont, CA, USA). The presence of PSX deposits was also assessed by OCT. RESULTS: There were no differences in the anterior chamber volume or depth in the corneal volume or central thickness (P≥.228). The corneal densitometry was similar between PSX and fellow eyes; however it was greater than in the control group (P<.001). As regards the parameters measured by OCT, there were no differences in the angle width or in the trabecular meshwork size between the 3 groups; however, the iris was thinner in controls (P=.005). In all patients the PSX deposits were correctly visualised by OCT after the identification by biomicroscopy. CONCLUSIONS: There were no differences in the anterior segment biometric measurements between patients with PSX and controls, although the corneal densitometry and iris thickness were greater in the PSX and fellow eyes groups.

Agreement between Pentacam and optical coherence tomography in the assessment of iridocorneal angle width in a large healthy population.

PURPOSE: To analyze the agreement between Pentacam and optical coherence tomography (OCT) in the assessment of trabecular-iris angle (TIA) width in a large population of normal subjects. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in 989 right eyes of 989 healthy subjects. The trabecular-iris angle (TIA) was measured in the temporal and nasal quadrants using the Pentacam (Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany), a device based on Scheimpflug technology and RTVue 100 OCT (Optovue, Fremont, CA, USA). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland-Altman plots were used to evaluate agreement between these devices. RESULTS: Mean age was 49.1±15.2 years (18-84); 61% were women and spherical error range was -14 to 8.25. TIA could be measured by OCT in 94.9% and 94.1% in the temporal and nasal quadrants, with a mean value of 35.8±13.2 degrees (2.5-78.7) and 35.7±12.9 degrees (2.2-76.8) respectively. TIA was able to be measured by Pentacam in 95.2% and 95% in the temporal and nasal quadrants and means were 35.7±7.3 degrees (11-74.2) and 36.4±8.2 degrees (14.5-64) respectively. An ICC of 0.378 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.322-0.431) and 0.589 (95% CI 0.546-0.629) for the temporal and nasal quadrants was obtained, showing moderate agreement between the devices. Bland-Altman plots revealed that, compared with OCT, Pentacam tends to overestimate measurements in narrow angles and underestimate these in open angles. CONCLUSIONS: Agreement between OCT and Pentacam was mediocre, indicating the two devices are not interchangeable when used to measure angle width.

Identification of iridocorneal angle structures assessed by Fourier domain optical coherence tomography.

OBJECTIVE: To study the structures of the iridocorneal angle using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) defining their tomographic characteristics and quantifying their identification frequency. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed on 267 right eyes of 267 consecutive healthy patients. Fourier domain OCT RTVue (Optovue Inc, CA, EE. UU.) was used to examine the iridocorneal angle in the nasal and temporal sectors. The structures evaluated were: Sclerocorneal limbus, sclerocorneal transition, Schwalbe's line, trabecular meshwork, Schlemm's canal, scleral spur, and angular recess. Within and between agreements to identify structures were calculated using Cohen's kappa coefficient. RESULTS: The mean age was 41.3 ± 14.3 years (range 20-80), with 57% being women. The sclerocorneal limbus, sclerocorneal transition, and Schwalbe's line were identified by 98.7, 97 and 93.4% of the images, respectively, with the trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal being identified in 91% of cases. The scleral spur could be identified in 85.4%, and the angular recess in 74.5%. There was no difference in the identification between the temporal and nasal sectors. Within and between agreement was k=0.92 and k=0.88, respectively, in the identification of the structures of the total images studied. CONCLUSIONS: Fourier domain OCT is a reliable technique for the identification of the structures of the iridocorneal angle, among which can be highlighted are, the trabecular meshwork, Schlemm's canal, scleral spur, and Schwalbe's line.

Diethylstilbestrol treatment increases the amount of choline kinase in rooster liver.

Studies have been performed on the mechanism by which diethylstilbestrol stimulates the activity of choline kinase in livers from cockerels. The enzyme was purified 700-900-fold by affinity chromatography. The increased enzyme activity could not be accounted for by diethylstilbestrol alteration of the kinetic constants of the enzyme. Rabbit antibody was raised to the purified enzyme. Titration studies with antiserum demonstrated a 2-fold increase in the amount of choline kinase in diethylstilbestrol-treated cytosol, which correlated with a 2-fold elevation of the activity of the enzyme. We conclude that diethylstilbestrol stimulates the activities of choline kinase in cockerel liver by corresponding increase in the amount of enzyme.

Interaction of dolichol and dolichyl phosphate with phospholipid bilayers.

The thermotropic phase transition of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine vesicles reconstituted with dolichol or dolichyl phosphate was investigated as a function of the lipid-to-polyisoprenoid ratio by means of differential scanning calorimetry and fluorescence depolarization of the embedded probe 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene. At the concentrations studied, dolichol and dolichyl phosphate lowered and broadened the transition temperature of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine bilayers. Dolichol was found to increase the motional freedom of the bilayer both below and above the transition temperature as determined by fluorescence depolarization. In contrast, low concentrations of dolichyl phosphate decreased the bilayer motional freedom below the transition temperature while high concentrations increased the motional freedom. Above the transition temperature, dolichyl phosphate decreased bilayer 'fluidity' at all concentrations. The data suggest that these polyisoprenoids perturb the bilayer lattice, with the neutral species dolichol increasing membrane 'fluidity', while dolichyl phosphate acts to 'stiffen' the membrane.

The incorporation of cholesterol into inner mitochondrial membranes and its effect on lipid phase transition.

Incubations of rat liver inner mitochondrial membranes with liposomes prepared from 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) and cholesterol resulted in a considerable enrichment of the cholesterol composition of these membranes. This enrichment is not accompanied by an alteration in the membrane phospholipid content or fatty acid composition. The exogenous cholesterol appears to be integrated into the membrane structure because it has effects consistent with the known properties of this sterol in other natural and artificial membrane systems. Differential scanning calorimetry on both intact membranes and extracted lipids showed that as the ratio of cholesterol to phospholipid was increased, the endotherm corresponding to the lipid phase transition was reduced. Freeze-fracture electron microscopy of the native membranes showed that intramembranous particles are randomly distributed above the phase transition temperature. Below this temperature large smooth areas, believed to correspond to lipid in the gel state from which proteins have been excluded, can be observed. In the presence of high concentrations of cholesterol the fracture faces observed below the lipid transition temperature show no regions of phase segregation, and observation consistent with previous studies using pure lipids where cholesterol was observed to prevent the lipid undergoing a cooperative phase transition. The results are discussed in terms of the observed low concentrations of cholesterol in normal liver inner mitochondrial membranes and the distribution of cholesterol within the liver cells.

The modulation of membrane fluidity by hydrogenation processes. II. Homogeneous catalysis and model biomembranes.

A homogeneous catalyst, chlorotris (triphenylphosphine) rhodium (I) has been incorporated into model biomembrane structures in the form of lipid bilayer dispersions in water. This enables the hydrogenation of the double bonds of the unsaturated lipids within the bilayers to be accomplished. To decide the optimum conditions for efficient hydrogenation the reaction conditions have been varied. The effect of catalyst concentration, hydrogen gas pressure and lipid composition (with and without cholesterol) have all been studied. The partition of the catalyst into the lipid medium was checked by rhodium analysis. The results show that an increase of catalyst concentration or an increase of hydrogen gas pressure leads to increasing rates of hydrogenation. Successful hydrogenation was accomplished with different types of lipid dispersions (mitochondrial, microsomal and erythrocyte lipids). A selectivity of the homogeneous hydrogenation process is indicated. The polyunsaturated fatty acyl residues are hydrogenated at an earlier stage and at a faster rate than the monoenoic acids. Furthermore, an increase in the proportion of cholesterol to lipid within the bilayer structures causes a progressive decrease in the rate of hydrogenation. The fluidity of the lipid bilayers can be altered to such an extent by the hydrogenation process that new sharp endotherms corresponding to the order-disorder transition of saturated lipids occur at temperatures as high as 319 K. Some potential uses of hydrogenation for the modulation of cell membrane fluidity are discussed as well as the design of new types of catalyst molecules.

Diethylstilbestrol treatment modulates the enzymatic activities of phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis in rooster liver.

The effect of diethylstilbestrol injection on the activities of phosphatidylcholine biosynthetic enzymes in rooster liver has been determined. Choline kinase activity was stimulated within 4 h after the first hormone injection. By the third day enzyme activity reached 5.47 nmol . min-1 . mg-1 protein compared to control values (1.83 nmol . min-1 . mg-1 protein) which were unchanged during the the experiment. CTP : phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase activity was unaffected until Day 3 when its activity was 50% that of control values. When assayed in the presence of exogenous phospholipid, no significant change was noted in cytidylyltransferase activity. The activity of CDPcholine : 1,2-diacylglycerol phosphocholinetransferase was not altered by the hormone injections. The activity of phosphatidylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase gradually increased so that by Day 3, the enzyme activity was elevated 2-fold (0.12 to 0.24 nmol methyl group transferred per mg microsomal protein). These results are consistent with earlier in vivo studies (Vigo, C. and Vance, D.E. (1981) Eur. J. Biochem., in the press) that indicated a stimulation of phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis via CDPcholine during the first 2 days of diethylstilbestrol injection and inhibition on the third day.

Microswitch clusters to enhance adaptive responses and head control: a programme extension for three children with multiple disabilities.

PURPOSE: We assessed the possibility of extending adaptive responding and head control in three children with multiple disabilities through the use of microswitch clusters. METHOD: The children had previously learned to perform an adaptive hand response and to control head position during that response. They were now taught one or two new adaptive responses (foot lifting, leg touching, or vocalization) and to combine such responses with appropriate head position. Microswitch clusters served to ensure that an adaptive response was followed by positive stimulation only if it was combined with appropriate head position. RESULTS: The results were positive with the children learning the new adaptive responses and combining them with appropriate head position. This performance was maintained during two- or three-month post-intervention checks. During these checks, the children were also successful in using the old adaptive hand response with appropriate head position. CONCLUSIONS: The use of microswitch clusters was effective to extend the level of adaptive responding and enhance appropriate head position during this responding. This outcome, which indicates a successful technical replication and procedural extension of previous work in the area, has positive practical implications for educational and occupational programmes for children with multiple disabilities.

Further evaluation of microswitch clusters to enhance hand response and head control in persons with multiple disabilities.

This study was a further evaluation of microswitch clusters (combinations of two microswitches) to improve adaptive responding together with correct head position in two persons with multiple disabilities. The two participants were 19.7 and 6.6 yr. old and had profound intellectual disabilities, spastic tetraparesis, and visual impairment. They were initially taught an adaptive hand response that activated a pressure microswitch and produced favorite stimulation. Thereafter, their performance of the hand response produced favorite stimulation only when it was combined with a correct head position (detected through a mercury microswitch). Analysis showed that both participants increased the frequency of the hand response and, subsequently, the percentage of times they emitted this response in combination with correct (upright) head position. In essence, they were able to coordinate constructive occupation with exercise of appropriate posture. Performance was maintained at a 2-mo. postintervention check.

The effects of glucocorticoids on the distribution and mobilisation of arachidonic acid in fat cell ghosts.

1 The prostaglandin synthesizing enzymes were found to be present in fat cell ghosts isolated from rabbit adipose tissue. 2 Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and PGF2, were synthesized by ghosts after stimulation with adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). 3 Indomethacin was found to inhibit this synthesis but not the synthesis of lipoxygenase products. 4 When fat cell ghosts were stimulated by ACTH, fatty acid release was observed from both neutral lipids and phospholipids. 5 The arachidonic acid (AA) pool within the ghosts and identified: approximately 90% was present in the phospholipid fraction, 8.5% in the neutral lipids and 1.5% unbound. 6 The glucocorticoids were found to stimulate incorporation of [14C]-AA into neutral lipids and inhibit its incorporation into phospholipids. 7 When fatty acid release was stimulated with ACTH, the glucocorticoids were found to inhibit the mobilisation of [14C]-AA from the phospholipids and enhance its release from the neutral lipids. 8 The glucocorticoids inhibit prostaglandin formation in fat cell ghosts.

Celastrol, a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory drug, as a possible treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

In the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) signs of neuronal degeneration are accompanied by markers of microglial activation, inflammation, and oxidant damage. The presence of nitrotyrosine in the cell bodies of neurons in AD suggests that peroxynitrite contributes to the pathogenesis of the disease. A drug with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity may prevent neuronal degeneration in AD. Celastrol, a plant-derived triterpene, has these effects. In low nanomolar concentrations celastrol was found to suppress the production by human monocytes and macrophages of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-1beta. Celastrol also decreased the induced expression of class II MHC molecules by microglia. In macrophage lineage cells and endothelial cells celastrol decreased induced but not constitutive NO production. Celastrol suppressed adjuvant arthritis in the rat, demonstrating in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. Low doses of celastrol administered to rats significantly improved their performance in memory, learning and psychomotor activity tests. The potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of celastrol, and its effects on cognitive functions, suggest that the drug may be useful to treat neurodegenerative diseases accompanied by inflammation, such as AD.

Solid-phase microextraction for the detection of termite cuticular hydrocarbons.

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME)-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to identify the cuticular hydrocarbons of the subterranean termite Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki. Headspace SPME and direct contact SPME methods were evaluated and compared to the hexane extraction method. Variables, such as temperature, time, number of termites, condition of the termites, and the type of SPME fiber were evaluated. Methods were refined to increase the reproducibility as well as the sensitivity. Both SPME methods were successfully used for the identification of all the major termite cuticular hydrocarbons. Using the headspace SPME method, other compounds of interest could also be identified, such as fatty acids. Using the direct contact SPME method, termites could be repeatedly studied over time to monitor chemical changes.

In vivo biosynthesis of the saturated isoprene unit of dolichyl phosphate.

Reduction of the alpha-isoprene unit of polyprenols to form dolichols was studied in vivo using 3H-polyprenol derivatives as substrates and liposomes as carriers. Liposomes containing labeled polyprenol, polyprenyl phosphate, or polyprenyl pyrophosphate were injected through the portal vein into the livers of rats under anesthesia. Uptake and conversion of the labeled compounds to dolichol derivatives was studied at different intervals. The greatest conversion to dolichol derivatives was found with polyprenyl pyrophosphate and polyprenyl monophosphate, with 31% and 8% of the absorbed dose converted respectively. Less than 0.2% of the absorbed polyprenol was converted to dolichol derivatives. These results suggest that the substrate for the alpha-isoprene reductase involved in dolichol biosynthesis is either polyprenyl monophosphate or polyprenyl pyrophosphate, or both.