The determinants of biological prescription in French hospitals.

We present in this paper the first stage of a broader work, the aim of which is to better understand the volume, modalities, determinants and cost-benefit ratio of the medical prescription in hospitals. Through a sample of 1800 patients observed in 1978 and 1979, in 18 medical or surgical services of 6 French hospitals of different size, statute and location, we have pursued a double objective: first, to establish the basic elements of an 'observatory' of the biological prescription in order to quantify this prescription; secondly, to shed some light on the factors which might explain the differences observed between hospitals, services and diseases. Linear and non-linear econometric models have been used to perform the analysis of the 252,000 data that had been collected.

Biodegradable cross-linked albumin microcapsules for embolization.

The interfacial polymerization process used in the present study produced individual cross-linked albumin microcapsules, the particle size of which depended on the emulsification stirring rate. The variation in cross-linking agent concentration altered the microcapsule wall properties. As shown by SEM observations, microcapsules prepared with low acyl chloride concentrations presented rippled surfaces, while the surfaces of the microcapsules prepared with high acyl chloride concentrations were smooth.

XC-cell fusion induced by murine plasmocytoma cells. II. Cytological and ultrastructural study.

The MF2 strain, a mouse myeloma derived cell line, was found to induce the mixed culture cytopathogenicity test when cocultured with XC cells. Only one MF2 cell was present per syncytium, as shown by autoradiography. Pretreatment of cells with inhibitors of DNA, RNA or protein synthesis suggested that a normal RNA synthesis was required to obtain optimal polykaryon growth.