Biphasic calcium phosphate: a comparative study of interconnected porosity in two ceramics.

Interconnection, one of the main structural features of macroporous calcium-phosphate ceramics, contributes to the biological and physicochemical properties of bone substitutes. As no satisfactory method exists for evaluating this feature, analysis was performed to determine the permeability, tortuosity, and equivalent diameter of interconnecting channels, that is the parameters that appear to be representative of the way pores are linked. The testing of two ceramics with similar porosity levels revealed important differences in all three interconnection parameters.

Determination of zinc in blood serum by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with matrix modification.

Zinc determination in serum microsamples can be treated by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. To reduce the contamination risks and to obtain results as right as possible, the serum has been twenty fold diluted instead of 100-fold diluted (rate frequently obtained). In these conditions, the use as diluent of a 1% Triton X 100 solution or of a 33.

Evaluation of the EMIT Tox enzyme immunoassay for toxicological analysis of benzodiazepines in serum.

Immunoenzymatic test, EMIT Tox, proposed for qualitative and semi quantitative determination of toxicological levels of benzodiazepines in serum is compared with gas chromatography. When used for qualitative purposes in 102 sera, the EMIT Tox test gave 5% error. In semi quantitative determinations, the EMIT Tox test was applied to 139 sera with one or more of the three benzodiazepines (oxazepam, desmethyldiazepam, diazepam), showing a significant correlation with levels measured by gas chromatography; but the EMIT Tox test frequently yields values too low for elevated oxazepam and desmethyldiazepam concentrations.