Lawson criterion for ignition exceeded in an inertial fusion experiment

For more than half a century, researchers around the world have been engaged in attempts to achieve fusion ignition as a proof of principle of various fusion concepts. Following the Lawson criterion, an ignited plasma is one where the fusion heating power is high enough to overcome all the physical processes that cool the fusion plasma, creating a positive thermodynamic feedback loop with rapidly increasing temperature. In inertially confined fusion, ignition is a state where the fusion plasma can begin "burn propagation" into surrounding cold fuel, enabling the possibility of high energy gain. While "scientific breakeven" (i.e., unity target gain) has not yet been achieved (here target gain is 0.72, 1.37 MJ of fusion for 1.92 MJ of laser energy), this Letter reports the first controlled fusion experiment, using laser indirect drive, on the National Ignition Facility to produce capsule gain (here 5.8) and reach ignition by nine different formulations of the Lawson criterion

Evaluation of carcinogenicity studies of medicinal products for human use authorised via the European centralised procedure (1995–2009),” Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology,

a b s t r a c t Carcinogenicity data of medicinal products for human use that have been authorised via the European centralised procedure (CP) between 1995 and 2009 were evaluated. Carcinogenicity data, either from long-term rodent carcinogenicity studies, transgenic mouse studies or repeat-dose toxicity studies were available for 144 active substances contained in 159 medicinal products. Out of these compounds, 94 (65%) were positive in at least one long-term carcinogenicity study or in repeat-dose toxicity studies. Fifty compounds (35%) showed no evidence of a carcinogenic potential. Out of the 94 compounds with positive findings in either carcinogenicity or repeat-dose toxicity studies, 33 were positive in both mice and rats, 40 were positive in rats only, and 21 were positive exclusively in mice. Long-term carcinogenicity studies in two rodent species were available for 116 compounds. Data from one long-term carcinogenicity study in rats and a transgenic mouse model were available for eight compounds. For 13 compounds, carcinogenicity data were generated in only one rodent species. One compound was exclusively tested in a transgenic mouse model. Six compounds were tumourigenic in repeat-dose toxicity studies in rats. The majority of tumour findings observed in rodent carcinogenicity studies were considered not to be relevant for humans, either due to a rodent-specific mechanism of carcinogenicity, a high safety margin between exposures at the NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) in rodents and recommended therapeutic doses in humans, or based on historical control data, a small effect size and lack of dose-response relationship and tumours typically observed in rodent strains used, or were considered not to be relevant for humans based on literature and clinical data or likely differences in metabolism/local concentrations between rodents and humans. Due to the high number of rodent tumour findings with unlikely relevance for humans, the value of the currently used testing strategy for carcinogenicity appears questionable. A revision of the carcinogenicity testing paradigm is warranted

Critical evaluation of the use of dogs in biomedical research and testing in Europe

Dogs are sometimes referred to as “man’s best friend” and with the increase in urbanization and lifestyle changes, dogs are seen by their owners as family members. Society expresses specific concerns about the experimental use of dogs, as they are sometimes perceived to have a special status for humans. This may appear somewhat conflicting with the idea that the intrinsic value of all animals is the same, and that also several other animal species are used in biomedical research and toxicology. This aspect and many others are discussed in an introductory chapter dealing with ethical considerations on the use of dogs as laboratory animals. The report gives an overview on the use of dogs in biomedical research, safety assessment and the drug developmental process and reflects the discussion on the use of dogs as second (non-rodent)species in toxicity testing. Approximately 20,000 dogs are used in scientific procedures in Europe every year, and their distinct genetic, physiological and behavioral characteristics may support their use as models for e.g. behavioral analysis and genetic research. Advances in the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement of experiments using dogs) are described, potential opportunities are discussed and recommendations for further progress in this area are made