‘Smart’ Raman/Rayleigh imaging of nanosized SiC materials using the spatial correlation model

Non-destructive Raman and Rayleigh microspectrometries were used to map nanostructural and topological variations across the diameter of the SCS-6 Textron SiC fibre. It is shown for the first time that Rayleigh imaging offers a competitive alternative to AFM measurements for materials containing carbon as a second phase. The Spatial Correlation Model has been used to decompose the SiC Raman spectra into amorphous and crystalline components. Smart Raman images, which contain the calculated structural parameters revealed the nanostructure distribution. A good agreement has been obtained at the nanoscale between these smart images and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) data. A major asset of Raman smart images is to give a non destructive and global view on the crystal quality, grain size and residual stress. The potential and the limitations of the procedure are discussed.     

Discovery of insect anti-juvenile hormones in plants.?2U

Two simple chromenes with anti-JH activity have been isolated and identified from the bedding plant Ageratum houstoianum. By contact and fumigation these compounds induce precocious metamorphosis and sterilization in several hemipteran species of insects. Certain holometabolous species are sterilized, forced into diapause, or both. Each of these biological actions is equivalent to removal of the corpora allata, which produce the JH's, and is reversible by treatment with exogenous JH. Thus, the action of these compounds is to stop the production or depress the titer of the JH's. To our knowledge, this is the first discovery of anti-JH, and we hope it will guide the way to the emergence of a fourth generation of safe and insect-specific pesticides.     

A review of six years use of a computerised case history in obstetrics (author's transl)

The University Centre for Gynaecology and Obstetrics in Toulouse have been using a computerised record system for obstetrics since 1974. This makes it possible for a review for a review to be undertaken each year of the work carried out in the Service and has made it possible to study over six years the evolution of the characteristics of the population who have been followed, as well as the changes in attitudes and techniques adopted during pregnancy and labour. A study has been carried out on the factors associated with perinatal mortality and prematurity. Computerisation of 13,500 records has made it possible to draw curves of birth weights, according to the duration of the pregnancy, and characterising the service given. Finally the adoption of a prospective record system used in common by several teams and checked by people specialised in this work has improved the quality and quantity of retrieval and has made it possible to foresee cooperative studies between different departments.     

Restoration of squamous mucosa after ablation of Barrett's esophageal epithelium

BACKGROUND: Antireflux therapy has generally failed to induce regression of Barrett's epithelium. It was hypothesized that squamous epithelium could be restored if the columnar tissue was ablated while gastric acid secretion was suppressed. METHODS: Ten white men with Barrett's esophagus received 40 mg of omeprazole daily. Thereafter, every 2-5 weeks they underwent videotaped endoscopies to argon laser photoablate columnar tissue, obtain biopsy specimens, and assess results. Squamous re-epithelialization was assessed by correlation of videotapes and directed biopsies. RESULTS: Patients had one to eight areas ablated, totaling 0.5-12.0 cm2. Videotape assessments were corroborated by biopsy in all but one instance. Thirty-eight of 40 treatment locations partially or completely re-epithelialized with squamous tissue. Squamous regrowth appeared to occur by spread from contiguous squamous borders and de novo from glandular tissue. Regrowth was influenced by the extent of squamous borders and completeness of ablations. Nonablated glandular tissue persisted beneath squamous epithelium. CONCLUSIONS: Ablation of Barrett's epithelium and suppression of acid secretion facilitated squamous re-epithelialization. A progenitor cell within the metaplastic tissue has the potential to differentiate normally.