Antimycobacterial activity of ionic fullerene derivatives.

Positively charged fullerene derivatives, moderately soluble in water:DMSO 9:1, have been tested using three strains of Mycobacterium spp. Some compounds inhibit the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a human clinical isolate, particularly virulent and resistant, at doses as low as 5 microg/mL.

Systemic corticosteroid therapy of oral vesiculoerosive diseases (OVED). An open trial.

Background: We report the preliminary findings from our open study on how to optimize the doses and the response times to systemic corticosteroid therapy for three forms of oral vesiculoerosive diseases (OVED).

Methods: All twenty-one patients enrolled in the study were affected with OVED (10 OLP, 6 MMP, 5 EM) and received different doses of prednisone in relation to the type of disease and its severity. Daily mouthwashes with 0.

Stabilizing and directional female choice for male calls in the European green toad.

We analysed variation in three temporal (pulse rate, call and intercall duration) and one spectral (fundamental frequency) acoustic properties of the green toad's, Bufo viridis, advertisement call, at different levels, from the single bout of an individual to between populations. Independent of the level, pulse rate and fundamental frequency were less variable than intercall and call durations. The former were classified as static, the latter as dynamic properties of the signal.

Osteointegration of 96 cementless hip prostheses with hydroxyapatite coating; 5 years follow-up.

Since 1988 at total of 96 hip prostheses with hydroxyapatite coating (HA) for both the acetabular and the femoral components have been used. HA is considered to be a biocompatible material, with a considerable capacity for osteointegration with evident osteophilia. Close integration between this material and bone tissue is determined by the formation of chemical bonds, and this leads to the development of osteoid tissue and newly-formed bone trabeculae.

The OCTOPUS system for acetabular reconstruction.

In revision surgery of the hip, reconstruction of the acetabulum often constitutes the most complex procedure. There is frequently a considerable loss of bone substance, and correct repositioning of the rotation center of the femoral head is required. Based on surgical experience supported by clinical results the authors affirm that both of these objectives may be achieved when the OCTOPUS socket system is used.

Quality control in mammography: an initiative in France.

The ultimate effectiveness of any mass screening campaign is directly related to strict compliance with certain rules and technical protocols designed for radiological installations. Concerning radiological screening, the primary technical objective is to ensure reproducibly high quality images at low radiation dose to the patient. This paper describes the methodology followed for the implementation of a quality control (QC) programme of 48 mammography installations used within the context of the breast cancer screening campaign in the Bas-Rhin region of eastern France.

Measurement of tritium activity in soils.

Tritium a radionuclide can accumulate in soils as a result of releases by the nuclear power industry. Currently there are no suitable methods to measure tritium levels in soils. A relatively simple extraction method is reported.

Influence of food on bioavailability of amdinocillin pivoxil.

The bioavailability of amdinocillin was not altered when amdinocillin pivoxil was ingested 1 h before a standard breakfast, and it increased by 20% when amdinocillin pivoxil was ingested with or 1 h after a standard breakfast. Amdinocillin pivoxil would be convenient for patients since it may be taken with or without food.

Pelvimetry by digital radiography.

We studied the ability of digital radiographs generated on a computed tomography scanner to replace conventional pelvimetry. Two digital radiographs were usually sufficient to measure the maternal pelvis. The antero-posterior (AP) digital radiograph allowed measurement of the transverse diameter of the pelvic inlet, the interspinous distance and the intertuberous diameter.