Classification applied to smears in hormone cytology.

Hormone cytology smears have been classified using a standard method of graph theory. The Euclidean distance was chosen as a suitable measure of the dissimilarity between smears. Maximum cliques were defined as groups to which no further element can be added without invalidating the group-defining distance.

Side-effects of extracorporeal piezoelectric shock wave lithotripsy (EPL).

In the Department of Urology, University of Freiburg, West Germany extracorporeal piezoelectric shock wave lithotripsy (EPL) has been used in the treatment of urinary and biliary stones since November 1987. The first 85 treatments (in 71 patients) for renal stones were evaluated with regard to complications and side effects. There was no need for any anesthesia.

[Description and assessment of a rapid new method for measuring erythrocyte sedimentation rate].

A new method for the rapid photometric determination of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is described and compared with the Westergren technique. The basis of this method is the development of a new physical equation valid for transport processes, in which sedimentation processes can be described by means of a linear regression analysis. After the mathematical transformation, the measured ESR data follow a linear function.

[Experiences with improved preservation solutions for historic and modern anatomic preparations].

Basing on experiences made at the Anatomical Museum Basel often arising difficulties of conservation of ancient anatomical preparations are described. Criteria are named which allow the recognition of specific problems of various preparations, and the adequate solutions for fixation and conservation are given. These solutions, the compositions of which are described in detail, are suited for historical as well as for modern wet preparations.

Which granules can be stained with azure B and eosin?

The standardized stain composed of pure azure B and eosin, as published by Wittekind and colleagues in 1986, demonstrated granules in neutrophilic leucocytes that were much coarser than those seen after staining with conventional Romanowsky-Giemsa methods. These granules belong to at least two classes. Their identification cannot be achieved by means of the morphologic characteristics of single granules; a multivariate analysis of the granulation as a whole, and a comparison with specifically stained primary granules is required.

Binding of drugs to human skin: influencing factors and the role of tissue lipids.

For a series of ten drugs with different physicochemical properties, binding to human skin (epidermis and corium) was determined. Epidermis was obtained by suction blistering, and corium was sliced with a microtome (0.2 mm).