Electrokinetic remediation of plutonium-contaminated nuclear site wastes: results from a pilot-scale on-site trial

This paper examines the field-scale application of a novel low-energy electrokinetic technique for the remediation of plutonium-contaminated nuclear site soils, using soil wastes from the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) Aldermaston site, Berkshire, UK as a test medium. Soils and sediments with varying composition, contaminated with Pu through historical site operations, were electrokinetically treated at laboratory-scale with and without various soil pre-conditioning agents. Results from these bench-scale trials were used to inform a larger on-site remediation trial, using an adapted containment pack with battery power supply. 2.4 m(3) (ca. 4t onnes) of Pu-contaminated soil was treated for 60 days at a power consumption of 33 kWh/m(3), and then destructively sampled. Radiochemical data indicate mobilisation of Pu in the treated soil, and migration (probably as a negatively charged Pu-citrate complex) towards the anodic compartment of the treatment cell. Soil in the cathodic zone of the treatment unit was remediated to a level below free-release disposal thresholds (1.7 Bq/g, or <0.4 Bq/g above background activities). The data show the potential of this method as a low-cost, on-site tool for remediation of radioactively contaminated soils and wastes which can be operated remotely on working sites, with minimal disruption to site infrastructure or operations.     

Kainate-evoked modulation of gene expression in rat brain

Kainate is a glutamate analog that produces neuronal excitation resulting in seizures within hours following its intraperitoneal injection into adult rats. Then, at 2-3 days after the treatment, neurodegeneration of apoptotic character can be observed in limbic system. As a consequence, plastic reorganization and glial reactivation phenomena occur. These physiological and pathological responses are reflected by specific changes in gene expression, that can be dissected according to their spatio-temporal patterns. The early phase of gene expression observed in all hippocampal subfields appears to reflect a sudden burst of spiking activity. Changes in mRNA levels restricted to dentate gyrus are suggestive of a link to neuronal plasticity. The late gene expression response implies its correlation either to neuronal cell death or glial reactivation, depending on cellular localization of gene products. Thus analysis of the temporal and spatial gene expression pattern in the hippocampus after kainate treatment may provide clues revealing specific phenomena to which gene expression could be attributed.     

The supinator notch sign in rheumatoid arthritis

Unconcentrated CSF and 200 times diluted serum samples from 192 patients were examined by agar electrophoresis; their albumin and transferrin content were determined simultaneously by radial immunodiffusion. Using the data on transferrin and albumin concentrations in serum and cerebrospinal fluid, the transferrin/albumin index was calculated in a similar way to the IgG/albumin index. Normally the transferrin/albumin index is 1.68 (n = 77; S.D. = 0.22). If the permeability of the blood-CSF barrier increases, the transferrin/albumin index gradually decreases to 1. If the tau-globulin fraction is increased on the agar pherogram, the transferrin/albumin index will be greater than 2.34 (mean + 3 S.D.).     

Phakomatous choristoma of eyelid: electron microscopical confirmation of lenticular derivation

This article presents the sixth recorded example of phakomatous choristoma of the eyelid. The tumor occurred in a 4-month-old boy and was located in the lower lid near the inner canthus. The findings from light microscopy included epithelial, tubular structures with associated patches of thick, irregular basement membrane. The results of electron microscopy (ie, epithelial cells with a scarcity of organelles, homogeneous type of basement membrane, cytoplasmic microfilaments, segments of fascia occludens, and degenerated cells with peculiar interdigitations of their plasmalemmas) are all consistent with lenticular derivation, as originally proposed by Zimmerman.     

The influence of acetylsalicylic acid on cognitive processing: an event-related potentials study

The central effects of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) are discussed controversially. In animal models, it has been shown that ASA can interact with the central serotonergic and catecholaminergic neuronal system. However, the relevance of this interaction for humans is still unknown. We performed a study on the influence of ASA on central cognitive processing. In 25 healthy subjects (age 21-56 years), visually evoked event-related potentials (ERP) and reaction time under IV ASA medication were recorded. ERP were evoked by an oddball paradigm. As compared to placebo, ASA decreased the latency of the P3 component significantly in a time interval of 20-40 min after administration. The latency of the N2 component was significantly decreased about 25 min after administration; the latency of the exogenous P2 component was not influenced by ASA. The mean choice reaction time was significantly decreased by ASA 35 min after administration. At this time point, there was a significant correlation between decrease in reaction time and increase in ASA plasma level. The data show that IV administration of ASA has an accelerating effect on the endogenous components of visual ERP and on reaction time. This finding suggests that ASA can influence central cognitive processing, possibly by ASA induced changes of neurotransmitters. Since serotonin can be released by ASA and serotonin release leads to a decrease of ERP latencies. we assume that ASA most likely influences cognitive processing via the central serotonergic transmitter system.