[Cerebral irradiation as adjuvant therapy in the treatment of small cell carcinoma of the lung (author's transl)].

The authors present the results of a non randomized study of 33 patients suffering from small cell carcinoma of the lung. After a similar course of monthly chemo-therapy (Endoxan Oncovin, Natulan, CCNU) and mediastinal irradiation in a dose of 30 grays in 10 fractions over two weeks, 14 patients were given adjuvant cerebral irradiation, the 19 others made up the control group (30 grays to the brain overall in 10 fractions over two weeks). With a minimum follow up for 12 months, 42% of the control group had evidence of cerebral secondaries, as opposed to none in the irradiated group with any neurological signs whatsoever.

Intra-aortic balloon pumping device for infants.

The miniature components of an intra-aortic balloon pumping system (IABP) have been successfully developed in this laboratory and have been effectively tested both in vitro and in 32 in vivo experiments using small animals weighing 3.5--18 kg. It is reasonable to assume that IABP can be successfully employed for clinical use in infants and small children.

Solar irradiance measurements by means of optical fibers and silicon detectors.

An experimental system has been constructed for the continuous measurement of solar irradiance using silicon diode detectors not directly exposed to solar radiation. The received incident solar radiation is conducted from the roof of the building to the detectors by an optical fiber. An electronic computer receives the signal and processes it, introducing the necessary corrections to calculate the total solar irradiance in W m(-2).

Six-month survival of a calf with an artificial heart.

A pneumatically powered artificial heart, constructed primarily from a polyurethane, was implanted in the chest of a calf and supported the calf for more than 6 months. The heart, which was designed to fit in the chest of a 90 kilogram calf, was able to suppor the animal when it weighed 180 kilograms. During the first 105 days the calf remained strong and healthy.

[Influence of the diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease on the quality of life of cured patients].

Authors present results of an inquiry dealing with familial and socio-professional reinsertion of 130 patients who have been treated for Hodgkin disease. On a family point of view, after treatment, the rate of single people is higher than in general population. Even though one can observe marriages, and feminine sterility is rare, the number of children by married couple remains low.

[Evaluation of the results of radiotherapy in 14 cases of malignant thymoma. Therapeutic prospects].

The authors present a critical review of 14 cases of malignant thymomas. They point out that the development of the tumours is similar to Hodgkin disease's (13 relapses in contiguous areas), that surgery is never sufficient for cure and that radiosensitivity is high (in 8 patients radiotherapy alone results in a total and early regression of the tumour). Therefore the authors propose a complementary post-operative treatment by limited irradiation and MOPP type polychemotherapy.

[The late effects of radiotherapy for enlargement of the thymus in early infancy (author's transl)].

In a survey of 380 subjects irradiated over 20 years earlier for enlargement of the thymus, no increase in mortality for malignant tumours were noted. There was a high incidence (3.75%) of benign thyroid diseases, though this could not be attributed to irradiation with any degree of certainty.

[Influence of glyoxylic acid on properties of isolated mitochondria].

Glyoxalate is an effector of oxidative phosphorylation in isolated mitochondria : it slows down State 3 but does not affect State 4 respiration. This report presents the findings of our study on the mechanism of action of glyoxalate ; these findings are listed below. The inhibition of Stage 3 respiration by glyoxalate does not set in immediately, can be reversed in part by the addition of an uncoupling agent or a dithiol, is non-competitive against succinate and can be demonstrated with substrates requiring the involvement of other membrane transport systems.