Retinal vessel dilatation and elongation precedes diabetic macular oedema

Rolandic discharge (RD), noted in the electroencephalography (EEG) of patients with benign epilepsy in childhood with centrotemporal spikes (BECCT) has several unique features. One feature is that the amount or frequency of RDs does not correlate well with the incidence of seizures in BECCT although it is a key finding in the diagnosis of this epileptic syndrome. In this study, we examined the efficacy of antiepileptic drugs focusing on the disappearance of RDs in relationship with seizure control. Forty patients with BECCT who were not medically treated prior to this study were randomly sorted into three groups. Twenty patients were assigned for clonazepam (CZP) treatment, 10 patients for valproate (VPA) and the remaining 10 patients for carbamazepine (CBZ). Each drug was administered for 4 consecutive weeks. EEGs were recorded twice during the study, before and 4 weeks after the medication trial. The effects of each treatment on RDs were assessed. RDs disappeared in 15 of the 20 cases treated with CZP (75%) within 4 weeks while the same was observed in only one of the 10 cases treated with VPA (10%). CBZ failed to demonstrate any effect on RD. In the group treated with CZP, there were no differences in seizure incidence, seizure type and blood concentration of CZP between the patients whose RDs disappeared and those whose RDs remained.     

Influence of lead on metabolism of vitamins B group in alimentary iron deficient rats

Gamma delta T-Cells represent a minor subpopulation of T-lymphocytes in man and their role in normal and diseased human skin is unknown. This article is a comprehensive review of T-lymphocytes bearing the gamma delta T-cell receptor in normal and pathological human skin. Firstly, we have documented the occurrence of gamma delta T-cells in normal skin and in a range of reactive and malignant skin conditions. We have then discussed the experimental findings regarding the repertoire used by gamma delta T-cells in normal human skin and in cutaneous disorders with an increased percentage of gamma delta T-cells.     

Predictive equation for acquisition of hepatitis B in hospital workers in a general hospital

A cross-sectional study was performed to obtain risk factors for hepatitis B disease, HBsAg carriers and immunised personnel, among 2470 workers in a general hospital in Madrid, Spain. The data obtained were analyzed with multiple logistic regression to obtain beta coefficients for variables. The results of the analysis show that being a nurse or being regularly exposed to blood are the most important risk factors for hepatitis B acquisition. The length of time working at the same job activity was also a risk factor. The resulting beta coefficients allow the construction for a hepatitis non-immunised, HBsAg carrier and immunised HBV status, which can select subjects for a hepatitis B vaccination program.     

Processing of Yttria-Alumina Coated Silicon Nitride Slips by Slip Casting

Si₃N₄powders coated with 6 wt% Y₂O₃and 4 wt% Al₂O₃were prepared by coprecipitation. The resulting powders were dispersed in water at different pH values and with addition of various amounts of ammonium polyacrylate (NH₄PA) to produce 32 vol% slips. The influence of the amount of NH₄PA solution added and pH on the rheological properties of 32 vol% coated Si₃N₄slips were studied. In addition, the sintered density of cast samples was determined and related to the degree of slip dispersion. The adsorption of the NH₄PA on the coated particle surface was rather high and the surface became saturated near 0.86 mg/m²at pH 9.2. High NH₄PA concentrations (1.7–3 wt%) were necessary to obtain well dispersed 32 vol% coated Si₃N₄slips at pH 9.2. The best stabilization was obtained with the addition of 2.3 wt% NH₄PA; in this condition, the viscosity reached a minimum value of 35 mPa.s at 100 s^–1. The slip viscosity increased with increasing pH from 9.2 to 10.2. Slips with low viscosities gave a more dense packing of cast samples and consequently higher sintered density values.