Status of the ACCULINNA-2 project at FLNR

The project of a new and more powerful in-flight fragment separator ACCULINNA-2 at U-400M cyclotron in FLNR, JINR planned to build in addition to the existing separator ACCULINNA is presented. The new separator will provide high intensity RIBs in the lowest energy range (5÷50 MeV/nucleon) which is attainable for in-flight separators. The possibilities for the astrophysics studies at the proposed device are presented. ACCULINNA-2 separator is planned to be constructed in the years 2010-2015. The current status of the project is reported

The suggested new fragment separator acculinna-2

We present new project of fragment separator ACCULINNA-2 that is being planned to be constructed in Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reaction, JINR. The ACCULINNA-2 facility is not intended to compete with the new large in-flight RIB facilities. It should complement the existing/constructed facilities in certain fields. Namely, ACCULINNA-2 should provide high intensity RIBs in the lowest energy range attainable for in-flight separators

Long range plan with radioactive beams at Dubna

A program for upgrade of existing radioactive ion beams facilities at Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions, JINR Dubna is presented. A project of a new in-flight fragment separator ACCULINNA-2 is proposed. It is expected the new instrument will be more universal and powerful than the existing nowadays. The beam intensity should be increased by factor 10-15, its optical quality greatly improved and the range of the accessible secondary radioactive beams broadened up to Z∼20. Main ion-optical characteristics, operating principles and a tentative plan for the project realization are included. An extensive research program based on local experiments made so far and international proposals for these equipments is discussed

Long range plan with radioactive beams at Dubna

A program for upgrade of existing radioactive ion beams facilities at Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions, JINR Dubna is presented. A project of a new in-flight fragment separator ACCULINNA-2 is proposed. It is expected the new instrument will be more universal and powerful than the existing nowadays. The beam intensity should be increased by factor 10-15, its optical quality greatly improved and the range of the accessible secondary radioactive beams broadened up to Z∼20. Main ion-optical characteristics, operating principles and a tentative plan for the project realization are included. An extensive research program based on local experiments made so far and international proposals for these equipments is discussed

Evolocumab and clinical outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease

BACKGROUND Evolocumab is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and lowers low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels by approximately 60%. Whether it prevents cardiovascular events is uncertain. METHODS We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 27,564 patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and LDL cholesterol levels of 70 mg per deciliter (1.8 mmol per liter) or higher who were receiving statin therapy. Patients were randomly assigned to receive evolocumab (either 140 mg every 2 weeks or 420 mg monthly) or matching placebo as subcutaneous injections. The primary efficacy end point was the composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, hospitalization for unstable angina, or coronary revascularization. The key secondary efficacy end point was the composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. The median duration of follow-up was 2.2 years. RESULTS At 48 weeks, the least-squares mean percentage reduction in LDL cholesterol levels with evolocumab, as compared with placebo, was 59%, from a median baseline value of 92 mg per deciliter (2.4 mmol per liter) to 30 mg per deciliter (0.78 mmol per liter) (P<0.001). Relative to placebo, evolocumab treatment significantly reduced the risk of the primary end point (1344 patients [9.8%] vs. 1563 patients [11.3%]; hazard ratio, 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.79 to 0.92; P<0.001) and the key secondary end point (816 [5.9%] vs. 1013 [7.4%]; hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.73 to 0.88; P<0.001). The results were consistent across key subgroups, including the subgroup of patients in the lowest quartile for baseline LDL cholesterol levels (median, 74 mg per deciliter [1.9 mmol per liter]). There was no significant difference between the study groups with regard to adverse events (including new-onset diabetes and neurocognitive events), with the exception of injection-site reactions, which were more common with evolocumab (2.1% vs. 1.6%). CONCLUSIONS In our trial, inhibition of PCSK9 with evolocumab on a background of statin therapy lowered LDL cholesterol levels to a median of 30 mg per deciliter (0.78 mmol per liter) and reduced the risk of cardiovascular events. These findings show that patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease benefit from lowering of LDL cholesterol levels below current targets