The PAMELA experiment is a satellite-borne apparatus designed to study charged particles in the cosmic radiation with a particular focus on antiparticles. PAMELA is mounted on the Resurs DK1 satellite that was launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome on June 15 th 2006. The PAMELA apparatus comprises a time-of-flight system, a magnetic spectrometer, a silicon-tungsten electromagnetic calorimeter, an anticoincidence system, a shower tail catcher scintillator and a neutron detector. The combination of these devices allows antiparticles to be reliably identified from a large background of other charged particles. This paper reviews the design, space qualification and on-ground performance of PAMELA. The in-orbit performance will be discussed in future publications. * Deceased.

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A method for 99mTc-diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (DTPA) gamma-camera renography is presented. From each renogram, an uptake index (UI) proportional to the single-kidney glomerular filtration rate (SKGFR) is defined. If the proportionality factor between UI and SKGFR is the same in all patients, UI can be used as an accurate measure of SKGFR. In order to test this, 99mTc-DTPA renography was performed in 101 patients with glomerular filtration rates (GFR) varying between 4 and 172 ml/min. The sum of the right- and left-kidney UIs correlated well with the total GFR calculated from the simultaneously measured plasma clearance of 99mTc-DTPA after a single injection. The correlation coefficient was 0.97. The method was tested in a prospective study of 57 patients. The total GFR estimated from the renograms was not significantly different from the GFR calculated from the plasma clearance of 99mTc-DTPA. The coefficient of variation--a combination of inaccuracy and imprecision in the estimates as well as in the reference values-was 11.8% at a GFR of 100 ml/min. It is concluded that, in adults, the SKGFR can be calculated as part of the clinical routine from 99mTc-DTPA gamma-camera renography without determining the injected dose or collecting urine or blood samples. Normal values for some parameters of the renogram obtained in 25 normal subjects are given.

Physical work capacity was evaluated by a multistage bicycle exercise test in 29 patients, 22 men and seven women aged 35-61 years (mean 49) with alcoholic liver cirrhosis and in a sex- and age-matched control group. The maximal work load was reduced in the patient group, mean 122 vs. 186 watts in men (P less than 0.001), and 60 vs. 119 watts in women (P less than 0.005). Resting heart rate was higher in patients (91 vs. 78 beats X min-1, P less than 0.005), and the maximal heart rate was lower (159 vs. 170 beats X min-1, P less than 0.001) compared with controls. Thirteen of 29 (45%) patients compared with 5 of 29 (17%) control subjects had an increase in left ventricular ejection fraction of less than or equal to 5% during exercise (P less than 0.05). The present results suggest that an impaired capacity of the cardiac function to respond adequately to physical stress may at times contribute to the reduced physical work capacity seen in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis.