Fabrication of a monolithic 5 m aluminum reflector for millimeter-wavelength observations of the cosmic microwave background.

We have demonstrated the fabrication of a monolithic, 5 m diameter, aluminum reflector with 17.4 µm root-mean-square surface error. The reflector was designed to avoid the problem of pickup due to scattering from panel gaps in a large, millimeter-wavelength telescope that will be used for measurements of the cosmic microwave background.

Tracing intensive fish and meat consumption using Zn isotope ratios: evidence from a historical Breton population (Rennes, France).

Here we report Sr and Zn isotope ratios of teeth of medieval to early modern Breton people a population whose diet is known from historical, archeological and collagen isotope data. Most of the population, buried in the Dominican convent of Rennes, France, consists of parliamentary nobles, wealthy commoners and ecclesiastics, who had a diet rich in animal products. Our aim is to assess how the Zn isotope ratios of their teeth compare to those of other French historical populations previously studied, which were characterized by cereal-based diets, and those of modern French individuals, who daily eat animal products.

[Intervention of psychological and ethical professionals of human science in obstetrical morbidity and mortality conferences].

Objective: To identify the defence mechanisms manifested by medical staff which could disturb the decision making, revealed by professionals of human science (PHS) in morbidity and mortality conferences (MMC).

Materials And Methods: Application of two methods of psychological intervention in MMC, conducted between March 1st, 2009 and November 30, 2010, in 20 randomized maternity among five perinatal networks: the method of inter-active problem solving targeted at the functioning of the teams and the method for developing professional practice centred on individual. The data collection was realized during analyse of case in MMC, with note-taking by two pair PHS.

The distribution of tritium in the terrestrial and aquatic environments of the Creys-Malville nuclear power plant (2002-2005).

The Creys-Malville nuclear plant, located on the left bank of the Rhône, was shut down in 1998. The facilities are currently in their initial stage of dismantling. In order to establish a baseline for tritium in the vicinity of the site prior to the main dismantling phase, we carried out a monitoring program between 2002 and 2005 in the main terrestrial and aquatic compartments of the local environment.

Molecular detection of Bartonella henselae DNA in the dental pulp of 800-year-old French cats.

Bartonella species are responsible for chronic bacteremia in domestic cats, which raises a question about the antiquity of the relationship between Bartonella species and cats that act as reservoirs for the organism. The sequencing of Bartonella pap31 and groEL genes from the dental pulp of cats dating from the 13th to 16th centuries identified the presence of B. henselae genotype Houston; the observation of a unique mutation in the results of PCR assays for Bartonella species ruled out modern DNA contamination of the dental pulp samples.

Choroidal readaptation to gravity in rats after spaceflight and head-down tilt.

To determine when choroidal structures were restored after readaptation to Earth gravity or orthostatic position, fine structure and protein distribution were studied in rat choroid plexus dissected either 6 h [Space Life Sciences-2 (SLS-2) experiments] or 2 days [National Institutes of Health-Rodent 1 (NIH-R1) experiments] after a spaceflight, or 6 h after head-down tilt (HDT) experiments. Apical alterations were noted in choroidal cells from SLS-2 and HDT animals, confirming that weightlessness impaired choroidal structures and functions. However, the presence of small apical microvilli and kinocilia and the absence of vesicle accumulations showed that the apical organization began to be restored rapidly after landing.

Changes in apical organization of choroidal cells in rats adapted to spaceflight or head-down tilt.

Structural changes observed in choroid plexuses from rats dissected aboard a space shuttle, on day 13 of an orbital flight (NASA STS-58 mission, SLS-2 Experiments) demonstrated that choroidal epithelial cells display a modified organization in a microgravitational environment. Results were compared with ultrastructural observations of choroid plexus from rats maintained under anti-orthostatic restraint (head-down tilt) for 14 days. In both experiment types, the main alterations observed by transmission electron microscopy, at the level of choroidal epithelial cells from the third and fourth ventricles, concerned the formation and the organization of apical microvilli, whereas pseudopod-like structures appeared.

Choroidal responses in microgravity. (SLS-1, SLS-2 and hindlimb-suspension experiments).

Fluid and electrolyte shifts occurring during human spaceflight have been reported and investigated at the level of blood, cardiovascular and renal responses. Very few data were available concerning the cerebral fluid and electrolyte adaptation to microgravity, even in animal models. It is the reason why we developed several studies focused on the effects of spaceflight (SLS-1 and SLS-2 programs, carried on NASA STS 40 and 56 missions, which were 9- and 14-day flights, respectively), on structural and functional features of choroid plexuses, organs which secrete 70-90% of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and which are involved in brain homeostasis.

[Randomized trial of initial chemotherapy with cisplatin alone or in combination in 241 advanced carcinomas of the upper respiratory and digestive tract].

Two hundred and forty-one patients, with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck, were randomized to receive three courses of induction chemotherapy. The chemotherapy regimens were delivered every 3 weeks, and consisted in 1) cisplatin, 80 mg/m2 given alone (CDDP regimen), or 2) in combination with vincristine, 1 mg, d 1, methotrexate 10 mg/m2 d 1, 2, 3, and bleomycin 10 mg/m2, d 1, 2, and 3 (MOB-P). Tolerance was significantly better with the CDDP regimen (p less than 0.

[A randomized study comparing cisplatin alone or combined in the palliative treatment of carcinoma of the head and neck. Analysis of a series of 209 patients].

Two hundred and nine patients, with locoregional or metastatic recurrences of head and neck epidermoid carcinoma, were randomized to receive a palliative chemotherapy. The chemotherapy regimens were delivered every 3 weeks, and consisted in (1) cisplatin, 80 mg/m2 given alone (CDDP regimen), or (2) in combination with vincristine, 1 mg, methotrexate 10 mg/m2 d 1, 2, 3, and bleomycin 10 mg/m2, d 1, 2 and 3 (1040 regimen). Short-term results were better for patients treated by the 1040 regimen, with a 30% response rate (including 4 complete responses) vs 15% with the CDDP regimen (P = 0.

[Metastatic malignant thymoma].

Three cases of metastatic malignant thymoma are reported. In all three cases the tumour was invasive and excision was only partial or impossible. Histologically, these tumours were of epithelial origin with a variable lymphocytic component.

[Treatment of hypercalcemia in osteolytic metastases with oral amino-hydroxypropylidene-diphosphonate].

Twelve patients with malignant hypercalcemia were treated with amino-hydroxypropylidene-diphosphonate (APD), a potent inhibitor of osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. The mean serum calcium levels fell from 3,48 +/- 0,27 mmol/l before treatment to 2,66 +/- 0,31 after 10 days of oral APD (10 to 15 mg/kg/d) as the sole agent (p less than 0,001). The molar calcium/creatine ratio in the 24-h urine was significantly reduced from 2,11 +/- 0,73 to 0,70 +/- 0,52 after ten days of treatment (p less than 0,001).

Cancer treatment by methotrexate: rational use following pharmacokinetic study.

We used the test-dose method to calculate the dose of methotrexate to administer to the patients to reach the therapeutic but non-toxic blood concentration of 10(-5) mol/L. Methotrexate was tested with a radioimmunoassay technique and in 19 out of 20 patients we obtained the desired plateau during 24-h infusion.

[Acute lymphoblastic leukemia secondary to Ewing's sarcoma treated by a combination of surgery-radiotherapy-chemotherapy].

An acute lymphocytic leukaemia develops in a fourteen years old boy, treated five and a half years earlier for an Ewing's sarcoma of the right fibula, by an association of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The Ewing's sarcoma is still in remission. Chemotherapy induces easily a complete remission.

[Place of hormone receptor determination in the therapeutic strategy of breast cancer].

Up to the discovery of hormonal receptors it was somewhat uncertain to prescribe hormonotherapy for the treatment of a breast cancer. The presence of estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR) allows the estimation of the probability of hormone-dependence. The response to endocrine therapy will be expected with a rate of: 80% of the tumors PR +; 30% of the tumors ER+ but PR-; 10% of the tumors ER - and PR -.

[Cardiac risks of adriamycin. Early detection of high-risk patients by isotopic cardiac function study].

Adriamycin is known to be effective in the treatment of breast cancer. Serial radionuclide determinations of the left ejection fraction can provide advanced warning of adriamycin cardiotoxicity, prior to clinical signs of the left ventricular dysfunction. Patients at high risk of congestive heart failure can be detected.

[Proposal for a surgical evaluation index card for ovarian cancers].

The authors propose a computer card for registering the main information required in the management of ovarian cancers. The data include a detailed description of the lesions noted at operation, the surgical procedure, and postoperative lesions. They concern both the initial laparotomy and any second-look operations.