Objective The aim of this study was to explore women's decision-making about the balance of risks and benefits of taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) based on the latest evidence from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) trial of combined HRT.Methods Women aged 50-69 years, who were eligible for the Women's International Study of long Duration Oestrogen after Menopause (WISDOM) trial, were invited to participate in one of eight focus groups. Participants were asked to discuss their views about taking HRT based on the latest international evidence.Results and conclusions Eighty-two women participated overall. Qualitative content analysis was applied to the discussion transcripts. Women regarded the decisions they make about taking HRT as highly personal, and, for women currently taking HRT, the overwhelming reason for continuation was perceived improvement in quality of life regardless of either the risks or the benefits in the longer term.

We show the cellular distribution of immunoreactivity (IR) for brain-derived-neurotrophic-factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) and tyrosine kinase receptors TRKB and TRKC in idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) and controls at post-mortem. In both groups, nigral neurons, astrocytes, ramified and amoeboid microglia expressed all antigens. Caudate-putamen neurons expressed all antigens except BDNF with similar distribution between groups. In IPD nigra, increased numbers of BDNF-IR and, less frequently, NT-3-IR ramified glia surrounded fragmented neurons, accompanied by BDNF-IR in surrounding neuropil. Amoeboid microglia were abundant only in IPD nigral scars. In IPD, glia might up-regulate neurotrophins in response to signals released from failing nigral neurons.

Degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and focal gliosis are pathological hallmarks of Parkinson's disease and although the brain is described as immune-privileged focal immune reactions surround failing nigral neurons. We examined the cellular distribution of pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules in human parkinsonian and neurologically normal substantia nigra and caudate-putamen postmortem. An up-regulation of nitric oxide synthase- and cyclo-oxygenase-1- and -2-containing amoeboid microglia was found in parkinsonian but not control nigra. Astroglia contained low levels of these molecules in both groups. Lipocortin-1-immunoreactive amoeboid microglia were present within the astrocytic envelope of neurons adjacent to or within glial scars in parkinsonian nigra only. Lipocortin-1 is known to have neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties. Up-regulation of nitric oxide synthase is generally associated with neurodestruction whereas prostaglandin synthesis may be either neurodestructive or protective. The balance of these molecules is likely to be decisive in determining neuronal survival or demise.

In the frame of the Transport Collaboration neutrons in coincidence with charged fragments produced in the 40Ca+H reaction at Elab=357 and 565 A MeV have been measured at the Heavy Ion Spectrometer System (HISS) facility of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, using the multifunctional neutron spectrometer MUFFINS. The detector covered a narrow angular range about the beam in the forward direction (0°–3.2°). In this contribution we report absolute neutron production cross sections in coincidence with charged fragments (10⩽Z⩽20). The neutron multiplicities have been estimated from the comparison between the neutron cross sections, in coincidence with the fragments, and the elemental cross sections. We have found evidence for a pre-equilibrium emission of prompt neutrons in superposition to a ‘slower’ deexcitation of the equilibrated remnant by emission of nucleons and fragments, as already seen in the inclusive rapidity distributions.

In the frame of the Transport Collaboration neutrons in coincidence with charged fragments produced in the Ca+H reaction atElab = 357 and565AMeV have been measured at the Heavy Ion Spectrometer System (HISS) facility of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, using the multifunctional neutron spectrometer MUFFINS. The detector covered a narrow angular range about the beam in the forward direction ( 0 3:2). In this contribution we report absolute neutron production cross sections in coincidence with charged fragments ( 10 Z 20). The neutron multiplicities have been estimated from the comparison between the neutron cross sections, in coincidence with the fragments, and the elemental cross sections. We have found evidence for a pre-equilibrium emission of prompt neutrons in superposition to a ’slower’ deexcitation of the equilibrated remnant by emission of nucleons and fragments, as already seen in the inclusive rapidity distributions.

There is evidence that astrocytes and microglia can release agents which might have a protective effect on damaged neurons. However the associations of glia with dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease are not defined. Our studies showed that in post mortem parkinsonian nigra healthy neuronal somata were enveloped by astrocyte processes but these withdrew from fragmenting neurons and amoeboid microglia occupied the vacated peri-somal space. Thus, during the course of the disease both classes of glia are appropriately sited to release protective molecules onto failing neurons, but this may be inadequate for their long-term survival.

Neutron production, in coincidence with fragments emitted in the ${}^{40}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{a}+\mathrm{H}$ reaction at ${E}_{\mathrm{lab}}=357A$ and $565A \mathrm{MeV},$ has been measured using a 3-module version of the multifunctional neutron spectrometer MUFFINS. The mean neutron multiplicities for neutrons detected in the angular range covered by MUFFINS $(0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}\ensuremath{-}3.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{})$ have been estimated from the comparison between the neutron cross sections, in coincidence with the fragments, and the elemental cross sections. We have found evidence for a preequilibrium emission of prompt neutrons in superposition to a ``slower'' deexcitation of the equilibrated remnant by emission of nucleons and fragments, as already seen in inclusive rapidity distributions. The energy dependence of the inclusive neutron production cross sections, measured in a previous work, is here interpreted as due to the stronger neutron focusing in the forward direction at the higher energy. Comparison with a BNV+phase space coalescence model is discussed.

Neutrons produced in the ${}^{40}$Ca+H reaction at ${E}_{\mathrm{lab}}=357A$ and $565A$ MeV have been detected using a three-module version of the multifunctional neutron spectrometer MUFFINS. The detector covered a narrow angular range around the beam in the forward direction $(0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}\ensuremath{-}3.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{})$. Semi-inclusive neutron production cross sections, at the two energies, are reported together with neutron energy spectra, angular, rapidity, and transverse momentum distributions. Comparison with a Boltzmann-Nordheim-Vlasov approach + phase space coalescence model is discussed.

Neutrons produced in the Ca-40+H reaction at E-lab=357A and 565A MeV have been detected using a three-module version of the multifunctional neutron spectrometer MUFFINS. The detector covered a narrow angular range around the beam in the forward direction (0 degrees-3.2 degrees). Semi-inclusive neutron production cross sections, at the two energies, are reported together with neutron energy spectra, angular, rapidity, and transverse momentum distributions. Comparison with a Boltzmann-Nordheim-Vlasov approach + phase space coalescence model is discussed.

The isotopic production cross sections for {sup 40} Ca projectiles at 357, 565, and 763 MeV/nucleon interacting in a liquid hydrogen target have been measured by the Transport Collaboration at the LBL HISS facility. The systematics of these cross sections are studied, and the results indicate that nuclear structure effects are present in the isotope production process during the relativistic collisions. The newly measured cross sections are also compared with those predicted by semiempirical and parametric formulas, but the predictions do not fully describe the systematics such as the energy dependence. The consequences of the cross section systematics in galactic cosmic ray studies are also discussed. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}

The isotopic production cross sections for 22Ne projectiles at 377,581, and 894 MeV nucleon-1 and 26Mg projectiles at 371 and 576 MeV nucleon-1 interacting in a liquid hydrogen target have been measured by the Transport Collaboration at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory Heavy-Ion Spectrometer System (LBL HISS) facility. These cross sections are compared with those predicted by semi-empirical formulae. The systematics are studied to develop suitable inputs for calculations of galactic cosmic-ray interstellar transport. These calculations are used to unfold the transport effects from available observations of cosmic-ray CNO isotopes to extract the underlying source composition. With these new cross section measurements, the previously reported enhancement of 18O at the cosmic-ray source, which is sensitive to the cross sections for production from 22Ne and 26Mg and the uncertainties in cross section prediction formulae, may be explained. There is no evidence for an enhancement of 18O when these new cross sections are used in a weighted slab propagation calculation.

The interactions of Ar-36 projectile nuclei with energies of 361, 546, and 765 MeV/nucleon and Ar-40 nuclei with 352 MeV/nucleon, have been studied in a liquid-hydrogen target as part of a program to study interactions of relevance to the problem of cosmic-ray propagation in the interstellar medium. We have measured the cross sections for the production of isotopic fragments of the projectile nuclei in these interactions. The variations of these cross sections with mass, charge, and energy, are examined for insights into any systematic features of this type of fragmentation reaction that might aid predictions of other, unmeasured cross sections. These cross sections are also compared with the values derived from the most commonly used prediction techniques. It is suggested that these techniques could be improved by taking account of the systematic features identified here.