Theoretical evaluation of the Brillouin threshold and the steady-state Brillouin equations in standard single-mode optical fibers.

We first use the nonlocalized, fluctuating source model for the stimulated Brillouin scattering to get the exact spectrum of the Stokes wave in optical fibers with attenuation loss. A new relation for the evaluation of the critical pump power (or Brillouin threshold) depending on the fiber length is then introduced, which should be more precise than the well-known Smith formula. Furthermore, we give for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, an approximate solution for standard steady-state Brillouin equations, which consists of two simple relations.

Indications for hepatic ultrasonography in breast cancer staging and follow-up.

Retrospective analysis of the medical records of 6649 breast cancer patients seen over an 11-year period found 438 patients (6.6%) with liver metastases (LM) and 432 patients (6.5%) with benign liver lesions (BLL).

Bistability and nonlinearity in optically addressed ferroelectric liquid-crystal spatial light modulators: applications to neurocomputing.

We report the characteristics of a truly bistable optically addressed ferroelectric liquid-crystal spatial light modulator that is capable of storing binary images. We show that, in addition to this bistability, a nonlinear response and gray scales can be observed under certain operating conditions. We then report on how these capabilities can be used in implementing optical neurocomputing architectures.

Biochemical and pharmacological consequences of the interaction between methotrexate and ketoprofen in the rabbit.

Severe methotrexate (MTX) toxicity is a proven complication of associations of MTX and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This study investigated the interaction between MTX (50 or 100 mg kg-1) and ketoprofen (KP) (3 mg kg-1 day-1, pretreatment for 8 days) in the rabbit. The drug association induced a reversible increase in blood urea and creatinine.

[Hepatic x-ray computed tomography. Value of delayed (6 hours) scanning in patients with normal biliary function].

Delayed hepatic CT (DH-CT) was studied in 250 patients without any major bile duct pathology. One hundred thirty-five of these patients had liver metastases. All patients were administrated 76 grams of iodine.

Mathematical morphology processor using ferroelectric liquid crystal light valves: principle.

We describe the principle of an optical digital processor for mathematical morphology (MM). The proposed central processing unit is based on binary logic using states of polarization and spatial data shift using geometric optics. Two dimensional Boolean operations are performed by means of logical gates using ferroelectric liquid crystal light valves, which are shown to be able to perform iterative processes well suited to MM operation implementation.

Liver, spleen, and vessels: preliminary clinical results of CT with perfluorooctylbromide.

This phase 1-2 trial investigated the use of a 100% wt/vol emulsion of perfluorooctylbromide (PFOB) in computed tomography (CT) of 30 patients with metastatic cancer. Injection of 3 g/kg (maximum dose administered to these patients) provided an average liver enhancement of +31 HU on CT scans obtained after 48 hours. Maximum splenic opacification occurred immediately after injection; 1 g/kg, which allowed an immediate enhancement of +35 HU, appeared sufficient for the diagnosis of splenic conditions.

[Value of bead-type cassettes for antibiograms of Streptococci in Autobac units].

Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Streptococci in automated units (Autobac) is not always satisfactory: aggregates formed spontaneously by Streptococci in the medium used can reduce the reliability of tests by interfering with correct reading, and, in many cases, bacterial growth is very slow, necessitating long periods for analysis (up to 6 hours). Owing to the fact that use of "bead type" cassettes for antifungal susceptibility testing in the Autobac improved results, and in particular prevented the formation of aggregates, we decided to adopt the same system for tests of streptococci. Each compartment in these cassettes contains glass microbeads which prevent aggregate formation thanks to an agitation mechanism.

[An intercenter study of the validity of nutritional evaluation].

Malnutrition is one of the most frequent consequences of neoplastic disease. During specific therapies, in order to improve the quality of life of cancer patients, it is necessary to correct their bad nutritional status, allowing thus a better quality of response to the treatment and a better survival. Therefore, it may be needful to realize repetitive nutritional evaluations.

Chronic obstructive pancreatitis due to tiny (0.6 to 8 mm) benign tumors obstructing pancreatic ducts: report of three cases.

Three cases of obstructive pancreatitis are described in nonalcoholic women aged 56 to 58 years with a 2-month to 5-year history of recurrent attacks of pancreatic pain associated with intermittent raised serum pancreatic enzymes. The diagnosis was made by sonography showing an enlarged hyperechogenic tail of the pancreas, with a dilated duct, the rest of the pancreas being normal, and by ERCP showing a partial stenosis of the main pancreatic duct with regular dilatation of collateral branches distally to it. Surgical resection of the pancreatic tail cured all three patients.

Alpha 1 isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatases. Clinical importance and value for the detection of liver metastases.

Measurement of the alpha 1 (fast liver) fraction of alkaline phosphatases in the serum for 217 cancer patients, 92 patients with nonmalignant hepatic affections and 131 controls, revealed that the alpha 1 fraction offers better global value (94%), sensitivity (96%), and specificity (93%) than gamma GT or total alkaline phosphatase determinations for the detection of liver metastases during cancer. Initial data from study of the time of appearance of the alpha 1 fraction reveals that this fraction shows up earlier than rises in the gamma GT or total alkaline phosphatases. Results of a multiparametric study conducted on the alpha 1 fraction and various hepatic enzymatic tests (SGOT, SGPT, GLDH, ALP, gamma GT) indicate that the alpha 1 fraction used alone is better than any other test or combination of tests for biological detection of liver metastases.

East Pacific Rise Near 13{degrees}N: Geology of New Hydrothermal Fields.

Abundant massive sulfide deposits are present at the crest of the East Pacific Rise near 13 degrees North, where the opening rate is about 12 centimeters per year. Large manganese and helium-3 anomalies in seawater samples, evidence of intense present-day activity of hydrothermal springs, indicate that sulfides are still being produced along this segment of the rise. Massive sulfides also occur on adjacent off-axis seamounts.

Comparative study of gamma glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase and its alpha 1 isoenzyme as biological indicators of liver metastases.

Biological detection of liver metastases represents an important factor in the surveillance of the course of cancerous affections. The authors present a report on a potential new indicator, the isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatase migrating to the alpha 1 region (alpha 1 ALP). In comparison to those tests considered the most sensitive at present-gamma glutamyl transferase and total alkaline phosphatase-this alpha 1 isoenzyme appears more sensitive and more specific, capable of detecting 97% of liver metastases with a specificity of 90%.

The diagnostic and prognostic value of urinary polyamine measurement in bladder cancer.

This study concerns a group of 54 patients with bladder cancer aged from 51 to 80 years (50 males, 4 females). Polyamines (putrescine -PU, spermidine - SPD) were measured on 24 h urine collections prior to surgery by an automatic ion exchange analyzer. Both polyamines, and especially PU, correlated well with the degree of tumor infiltration (JEWETT - MARSHALL stage) and mitotic activity (BROD -ER'S grade).

[Polyamines and malignant diseases (author's transl)].

The aliphatic polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, spermine) are associated with the phenomena of normal and neoplastic cellular growth. Two third of cancers generally show elevated urinary excretion of polyamines. The urinary levels of polyamines are significantly higher in cancer in evolution than in cancer in remission.

An improved method for routine analysis of polyamines in biological fluids with a conventional amino acid analyzer.

An accurate and precise mechanized ion-exchange chromatographic method for the estimation of polyamines in biological fluids is described. The method includes the recent improvements developed for ion-exchange analysis of polyamines: the use of sulfonated polystyrene cation-exchange resin with a bead diameter of less than 10 micrometers and a continuous fluorescent detection with o-phthalaldehyde. Four different procedures for the removal of protein before analysis of polyamines in plasma have been compared.

The clinical value of urinary polyamine analyses in cancer patients.

The polyamines, putrescine (P) and spermidine (S), have been measured in 185 cancer patients. Patients in remission exhibited significantly different levels from those with active disease. In a dynamic patient study, followed over a period of 5-6 months, the urinary polyamine levels correlated closely with the clinical status.

Polyamines in lymphomas: their value in disease staging and monitoring of therapy efficiency.

The urinary polyamines putrescine and spermindine were evaluated in a population of 49 patients with malignant lymphomas (40 with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and 9 with Hodgkin's disease). Analyses were performed on a regular basis during the course of treatment. Polyamine levels were found to increase significantly with the disease stage.

The value of serum alkaline phosphatase alpha 1 isoenzyme in the diagnosis of liver metastases. Preliminary results.

Serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme electrophoresis on cellulose acetate plates in a normal population of 91 controls and 255 cancer patients demonstrates the presence of an isoenzyme alpha 1 in 36 out of39 cases of confirmed liver metastases. In 188 cancer patients without apparent hepatic lesion and with a normal liver biology, the alpha 1 isoenzyme has been found in 45 cases, but 11 presented afterwards confirmed liver metastases. This isoenzyme remained negative in the normal population.

[Intralymphatic B.C.G. infusions. Preliminary results (40 cases)].

A new route of administration for BCG aimed at stimulating immunity in cancer patients is presented. 40 patients received an intra-lymphatic infusion of BCG and in 20 lymphnode dissection was carried out for bacteriological and histological study. Details of technique and the results are given with regard to the effects of BCG on pelvic and pre-vertebral nodes after injection via a foot vessel.