New X-ray and optical studies show that thomsonite has a < b < c and its optical orientation is α = b, β = c, and γ = a. The refined cell dimensions of Old Kilpatrick thomsonite are a = 13.051, b = 13.092, and c = 13.263 Å. The systematic absences h+l odd for h0l, h + k odd for odd for hk0, and l odd for 0kl uniquely determine the space group as Pcnn for which the arrangement of the alumino-silicate framework is suggested. The exceptions to the above absences are the 704 reflection (due to Renninger effect) and many weak hk0 reflections which suggest that the space group might be Pcnm or Pcn2. The observed habit, cleavage, and parallel growth are discussed in the light of the proposed framework structure.

A chalky white, fibrous mineral, in the amygdales of Tertiary basalts from the Gobbins area, Co. Antrim, has been discovered to be a new mineral. It consists of fibrous dusters of lath-shaped crystals showing straight extinction with negative elongation. Its refractive index is ɛ 1.489, ω 1.494 (both ± 0.003) and specific gravity is 2.194 (meas.), 2.147 (calc.). The mineral is tetragonal with ɛ = c (elongation); a = 10.145, c = 9.788 Å. The strongest powder lines (in Å, intensity in brackets) are: 7.10, 4.10, 3.19(100); 3.10, 2.69(80); 5.07(50); 2.64(40). A spectrographic analysis shows major Si, Al, minor Ca, Na, Cu, and trace Fe. Two chemical and one probe analysis give the ideal formula Na4(Ca,Mg,K2)Al6Si10 O32.12H2O. The name gobbinsite (approved by the IMA Commission on New Mineral Names) is suggested after the locality. The type specimen (I7881) is preserved in the Ulster Museum.

Rotation and Weissenberg photographs of gobbinsite and garronite show doubled reflections, which are explained on the basis of submicroscopic twinning on (101). Relationship between gobbinsite and garronite is discussed and evidence is presented for the occurrence of minute amounts of a merlinoite-type mineral that forms regular intergrowths with gobbinsite and garronite.

Pseudomesolite from Carlton Peak, described by Winchell (1900), is shown to be mesolite by means of chemical and X-ray data. A proposal to this effect has been accepted by the International Mineralogical Association's Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names. Electron microprobe analysis revealed variations in the composition of pseudomesolite and showed the presence of faroelite. The X-ray powder diffraction pattern is similar to that of mesolite. Single-crystal Weissenberg photographs showed a twinning intergrowth which is explained by a 90° rotation of 50% of the unit cells about the c-axis, so that the a- and b-axes of rotated cells coincide with the b- and a-axes respectively of the unrotated cells. This twinning can not be detected optically. Mesolite has recently been proved to be orthorhombic, contrary to the long-held view that it is monoclinic.

Pseudomesolite from Oregon is also shown to be mesolite by single crystal Weissenberg photographs. A wet chemical analysis shows this material to be extremely silica-rich.

Research on communication between glia and neurons has increased in the past decade. The onset of neuropathic pain, a major clinical problem that is not resolved by available therapeutics, involves activation of spinal cord glia through the release of proinflammatory cytokines in acute animal models of neuropathic pain. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that the spinal action of the proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin 1 (IL-1) is involved in maintaining persistent (2 months) allodynia induced by chronic-constriction injury (CCI). The anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 can suppress proinflammatory cytokines and spinal cord glial amplification of pain. Given that IL-1 is a key mediator of neuropathic pain, developing a clinically viable means of long-term delivery of IL-10 to the spinal cord is desirable. High doses of intrathecal IL-10-gene therapy using naked plasmid DNA (free pDNA-IL-10) is effective, but the dose required limits its potential clinical utility. Here we show that intrathecal gene therapy for neuropathic pain is improved sufficiently using two, distinct synthetic polymers, poly(lactic-co-glycolic) and polyethylenimine, that substantially lower doses of pDNA-IL-10 are effective. In conclusion, synthetic polymers used as i.t. gene-delivery systems are well-tolerated and improve the long-duration efficacy of pDNA-IL-10 gene therapy.