Application of R-charts to detection of random errors: a computer simulation study.

The application of R-charts to quality control in clinical chemistry was investigated. These charts are widely used in statistical process control and plot the range (ie the difference between the highest and the lowest values) of a set of controls. A set of five control serums was considered.

ERP study of the development of the holistic and analytic modes of processing between 6 and 8 years.

Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded (01, 02, Fcz, Cpz leads) from 32 normal children aged from 6 to 8 years during a categorisation task performed with 4 types of stimuli that allowed for a holistic and/or an analytic development to modify information processing according to the child's age. Whatever age, derivation or stimulus, the individual ERPs showed a large negative N2 wave (mean latency: 230 ms) made up of two widely overlapping components. In order to separate these components, an initial principal component analysis (PCA) was performed on the waveforms; this PCA provided a principal component that accounted for the amplitude difference between the first negative peak of the N2 wave (180 ms after stimulus onset) and the subsequent slope change.

Alterations of the functional properties of the parallel fibers in the cerebellum of the "scrapie mouse".

Alterations of the functional properties of the cerebellar parallel fibers have been investigated in scrapie mice by recording the compound action potential elicited by the superficial stimulation of the cerebellum. As soon as the 12th week following intracerebral inoculation, i.e.

[Pigmentary retinopathy of neonates and infants. Their examination using electroretinography and visual evoked potentials].

A method of neurophysiological investigation (electroretinography and visual evoked potentials) is described as a non invasive exploration used in awake children. E.R.

[Maturation of late visual potentials linked to cognitive processes in the normal child].

In 21 normal children in age ranging from 6 to 9 years, endogenous P300 components were recorded on vertex and occipital areas. The ERPs were provoked by error detections in various tasks of visual discrimination involving cognitive abilities of the subjects. The data reveal an obvious influence of the age according to the number of the detected P300 and the correlations between presence and/or absence of the vertex and occipital responses.

Fluorocarbons: a potential treatment of cerebral air embolism in open-heart surgery.

This study was designed to assess whether an oxygenated fluorocarbon solution could reduce ischemic brain damage related to arterial air embolism. Air embolism was produced by injecting air bubbles into the carotid artery of barbiturate-anesthetized rats breathing 100% oxygen. Results were assessed on electrocorticogram.

Drug-induced activation of the inferior olivary nucleus in young rabbits. Differential effects of harmaline and quipazine.

Ontogenic evolution of behavioural and electrophysiological responses to the serotonergic agents, quipazine and harmaline, was studied in the maturing rabbit in normal and pretreated conditions. As regards behavioural effects, tremor induced by quipazine was present from the first postnatal day and was antagonized by methysergide, but not by p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) or pretreatment with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT). In contrast, tremor induced by harmaline could not be elicited before the second postnatal week and was partially antagonized by methysergide and 5,7-DHT, but not by PCPA.

[Place of VEP's and ERG in neonatal encephalopathies and impaired visual maturation in the infant and young child].

Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) induced by brief flashes and electroretinograms (ERGs) were recorded in 15 infants (9 prematures and 6 babies with perinatal cerebral injuries) suffering from important disturbances in their visual behavior (abnormal fixation, cortical blindness). The parallel evolution of the visual symptoms and the electrophysiological signs were studied and a good correlation was observed between these clinical and electrical signs. The authors insist on the clinical and prognostic value of the VEP in this category of infants.

Locked in syndrome with a favourable outcome.

The locked in syndrome seldom occurs in children, is rarely due to trauma and only in exceptional cases has a favourable outcome. The case reported below is unusual in all these respects, and its evolution might be an example of successful axonal regeneration in the central nervous system.

Purification and properties of carboxylesterase B of Escherichia coli.

Carboxylesterase B produced by Escherichia coli was purified 1,350-fold with a recovery of 12% by successive gel filtrations, DEAE-trisacryl, phenyl-Sepharose chromatography and preparative electrophoresis. The purified enzyme was found to be homogeneous, as judged by a single precipitation line in Ouchterlony double diffusion in an experiment with homologous antiserum. The apparent molecular weight determined by gel filtration and the isoelectric point determined by electrofocusing were 57,000 and 4.

[Technic and results of electromyographic exploration of the diaphragm in the infant and young child].

Electromyographic study of the diaphragma cannot be separated from the exploration of the nervi phrenici. The left nervus phrenicus is longer than the right. Both divide into 3 terminal branches that innervate the 3 main muscular areas.

[Electromyographic study of 50 cases of Werdnig-Hoffmann disease].

An electromyographic study was performed in 50 cases of severe infantile spinal muscular atrophy (type I). 164 muscles and 93 nerves (ulnar and posterior tibialis) were tested. The thresholds of stimulation of the motor nerves were increased.

[Use of SDS and saponin detergents for the demonstration and purification of (Na+K+)ATPase in sheep kidney].

Incubation of membrane fragments from sheep kidney outer medulla in detergents such as SDS or saponin revealed increased specific (NA+) ATPase activity. Measurement of enzyme phosphorylation from [gamma 32P] ATP showed irreversible alteration of EP to (Na+) ATPase activity ratio when SDS is used as unmasking agent. These results were found with unmasked and purified enzyme.

Nervous and ocular disorders in children with cholestasis and vitamin A and E deficiencies.

Thirteen children, aged 10 months to 20 years, presenting with chronic cholestasis from the first month of life and with low serum levels of vitamins A and/or E, have been investigated for neurological and ophthalmological symptoms. Clinical findings consisted of 4 types: peripheral neuropathy; cerebellar dysfunction; abnormalities of eye movement, and retinal degenerative changes. The results of electrophysiological and morphological studies of muscle and nerves were consistent with neurono-axonal degeneration.

Detergent effects of kinetic properties of (Na+ +K+)-ATPase from kidney membranes.

Studies on (Na+ +K+)-ATPase generally employ detergents such as SDS and deoxycholate. Under such conditions, the purified enzyme possesses high specific activity. The (Na+ +K+)-ATPase from kidney membranes was unmasked by deoxycholate and SDS as described by Jłrgensen and its kinetic properties were studied.

[Electromyography in children with polymyositis (author's transl)].

Findings of repeat electromyography (EMG) in 15 children with polymyositis or dermatomyositis are reported. The data classically provided by EMG in these conditions is recalled. Emphasis is put on the contribution of stimulodetection to the diagnosis of primary disease of the muscle.