Physical Characterization of Natural Straw Fibers as Aggregates for Construction Materials Applications.

The aim of this paper is to find out new alternative materials that respond to sustainable development criteria. For this purpose, an original utilization of straw for the design of lightweight aggregate concretes is proposed. Four types of straw were used: three wheat straws and a barley straw.

On cavitation and macroscopic behaviour of amorphous polymer-rubber blends.

The macroscopic behaviour of rubber-modified polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) was investigated by taking into account the microdeformation mechanisms of rubber cavitation. The dependence of the macroscopic stress-strain behaviour of matrix deformation on the cavitation of rubber particles was discussed. A phenomenological elastic-viscoplastic model was used to model the behaviour of the matrix material, while the rubber particles were modelled with the hyperelasticity theory.

[Treatment of ocular cicatricial pemphigoid with sulfasalazine].

Purpose: To report on three patients with biopsy-proven ocular cicatricial pemphigoid successfully treated with sulphasalazine.

Methods: Three case reports.

Results: A 71-year-old man, treated with dapsone for ocular cicatricial pemphigoid stopped his treatment because of an allergy to this drug.

[Treatment of CMV retinitis with intravitreal foscarnet].

Purpose: To assess the tolerability and efficacy of intravitreal injections of foscarnet in cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Methods: Patients with CMV retinitis resistant and/or intolerant to intravenous foscarnet and ganciclovir and resistant to intravitreal ganciclovir were included. The induction therapy consisted of intravitreal injections of 2,400 micrograms of foscarnet twice a week.

Autologous platelet concentrate as an adjunct in macular hole healing: a pilot study.

Purpose: A pilot study was undertaken to assess the efficacy of autologous platelets in macular hole healing.

Patients And Methods: Eight eyes of eight patients with stage 3 or 4 macular holes, two of which had failed to heal after previous vitrectomy and gas tamponade, were included. The procedure consisted of pars plana vitrectomy with removal of posterior cortical vitreous, stripping of associated epimacular membranes, 15% perfluoroethane-air tamponade, and instillation of autologous platelet concentrate onto the posterior pole.