Resonant-grating reflection extended to wide-band, large-aperture beams by waveguide-mode coalescence.

The resonant reflection of a free-space beam from a slab waveguide grating is rendered high bandwidth and angularly robust by using a bimodal high index waveguide. A deep double-sided corrugation gives rise to the coalescence of the resonant reflection peaks resulting in a top-hat reflection spectrum. A low-cost waveguide technology based on solar cell amorphous silicon is demonstrated in the near infrared in a polarizer application.

Reduced incidence of spontaneous mammary tumors in C3H/He mice after treatment with polyadenylate-polyuridylate.

The effect of treatment with the double-stranded polynucleotide complex polydenylate with polyuridylate [poly(A) with poly(U)] on tumor development in C3H/He mice was evaluated. Poly(A) with poly(U) was injected in newborn females, and mice were observed for 380 days. During this experimental period 42 percent of treated mice developed tumors, while the incidence in the control group was 63 percent. This difference was statistically significant.

Inhibition of C3H/He mouse mammary tumor growth by combined treatment with cyclophosphamide and polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid.

The antitumor effect of an immunomodulator, polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid, in combination with cyclophosphamide (CY) was studied in C3H/He mice bearing established mammary tumors. On Day 14 after tumor graft, mice received either CY (90 mg/kg) alone every 2 weeks for a total of four inoculations or alternate weekly inoculations of the same dose of CY and polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid (300 micrograms) or Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (400 micrograms) during 8 consecutive weeks. On Day 170, the following results were obtained. (a) Mice receiving CY alone showed significantly retarded tumor growth; nevertheless, 30 mice of 34 (88%) died of tumor, and only 1 mouse (3%) was tumor free. (b) In mice receiving combined CY and Bacillus Calmette-Guérin, no more significant tumor inhibition was observed than those receiving CY alone. (c) The most significant tumor inhibition was observed in mice receiving combined CY and polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid. Average tumor diameter on Day 63 was one-third (2 mm) of that of mice receiving CY alone (7 mm); 25 mice of 44 (57%) died of tumor; and 11 mice (25%) were tumor free. In in vitro 51Cr release assays using natural killer-sensitive YAC-1 target cells, cytotoxic activity of splenic nonadherent mononuclear cells of the tumor-bearing mice receiving the combined treatment was highly significantly increased. The importance of these findings relative to clinical application is considered.

A monoclonal antibody to the double-stranded polyribonucleotide complex poly(A) X poly(U).

A monoclonal antibody to the double-stranded polyribonucleotide complex poly(A) . poly(U) was derived from the fusion of spleen cells from immunized DBA/2 mice and the P3 X X63-Ag8 plasma cytoma. Specificity studies using radioimmunoassays showed that the anti-poly(A) . poly(U) does not cross-react with single-stranded polyribonucleotides. RNA X DNA hybrids or DNAs. In addition to RNA duplexes associating adenine and uracil, it recognizes synthetic poly(I) . poly(C) and naturally occurring reovirus RNA. It is thus directed against a conformational epitope with an absolute requirement for two polyribose phosphate chains. However, the antibody does not cross-react with poly(G) . poly(C) and is therefore able to distinguish between RNA double helices.

S15261 antagonises amylin-induced impaired glucose tolerance.

Amylin has been postulated to antagonise or inhibit the action of insulin in peripheral rat tissues and thus contribute to, or be responsible for, the development of insulin resistance. We have recently reported that S15261 is a compound capable of increasing insulin sensitivity in ageing insulin resistant rats. In order to assess whether S15261 had any effects on amylin induced insulin resistance we used a model where amylin causes an impairement in glucose tolerance in an acute manner, by means of an intraportal infusion of the hormone in normal rats. We report here that S15261 can antagonise this amylin-induced impaired glucose tolerance.

Arachnoid cyst and associated subdural hematoma. Observations on conventional roentgenographic and computerized tomographic diagnosis.

Information about computerized tomography (CT) of arachnoid cysts of the middle fossa (ACMF) is increasing, and it appears that certain CT characteristics may be diagnostic. The association of ACMF and subdural hematoma has been emphasized previously but is not common knowledge. We present three new cases of ACMF and associated subdural hematoma studied by plain roentgenograms, EEG, conventional brain scanning, CT scanning, and angiography. The cysts were clearly shown in each case by CT scan, but no subdural hematoma was visualized in our first two cases. Angiography was necessary to establish the associated hematoma. We review and emphasize computerized tomographic characteristics that may be pathognomonic of ACMF. It is suggested that angiography be included in the study of patients symptomatic with ACMF because associated subdural hematoma is not an uncommon lesion and may fail to visualize on CT scan. Angiography still remains the most conclusive study to establish or exclude the diagnosis of subdural hematoma.

8-OH-DPAT induces a selective increase in protein intake in ageing overweight animals.

We have examined the effects of a 5-HT1A receptor agonist (8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin, 8-OH-DPAT) on food preference in ageing rats that had been given a 'palatable' meal 15 min before administration of the drug. Ageing rats consumed a greater amount of the 'palatable' pre-meal than the young rats. In young rats lipids were the predominant source of calories, but in old animals lipid and protein consumption was similar. Administration of 8-OH-DPAT resulted in an increase in total caloric intake in both groups. Concomitant with this there was a significant increase in protein intake in both groups, which was most important in ageing rats, where proteins became the predominant source of calories.

Randomized trial with Poly A-Poly U as adjuvant therapy complementing surgery in patients with breast cancer: in vitro study of cellular immunity.

The immunologic reactivity of patients with initially operable breast cancer was measured by the leukocyte migration inhibition test using autologous tumor extract (T), autologous serum (S), and a combination of both (T + S). These patients formed part of a randomized clinical trial comparing, on the one hand, conventional treatment and, on the other, conventional treatment complemented by injections of poly A-poly U. A sequential study was carried out on 159 patients, testing them 7 days, 2 months, 4 months, and 1 year after the operation. Statistical comparisons revealed no significant difference in the reaction of the two groups. In addition, no significant differences were found between those with lymph node involvement and those without. Radiotherapy given to those with lymph node involvement did not significantly change their reactions. We were able to show that the percentage of patients with a positive leukocyte migration inhibition test (LMIT) increases regularly and significantly with time. This study confirmed the presence in some autologous serum of a synergistic factor (SS factor) which increased the inhibition of migration of leukocytes by autologous tumor extract. This factor was found in 18 patients, equally divided between both therapeutic groups. In the group with SS factor, the percentage with lymph node involvement appeared greater (83% compared with 68% among those patients who had no SS factor), and the incidence of metastases was also increased (44% compared with 21%). This factor seemed to indicate a bad prognosis. However, there was a difference in the results between the two therapeutic groups in patients with the synergistic factor. Of nine patients undergoing conventional treatment, six had devleoped metastases, whereas only two out of the nine patients who also poly A-poly U developed metastases. The same trend was observed in the whole trial population.

A new adjuvant treatment with polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid in operable breast cancer.

Adjuvant treatment with polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid poly A-poly U was tested in 300 patients with operable breast cancer who had all received the same locoregional treatment. They were randomized into two groups; 155 patients receiving 30 mg poly A-poly U i.v. once a week for 6 weeks and 145 controls. Overall survival was significantly improved in the poly A-Poly U group (P less than 0.05). The most striking difference (less than 0.03) was observed in the group of positive node patients, who had a 5-year relapse-free actuarial survival rate of 71% versus 47% in the controls.

Polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid as adjuvant in the treatment of operable breast cancer: recent results.

A randomized trial of polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid (Poly(A).Poly(U) given as an adjuvant in the treatment of operable breast cancer, has included 300 patients of the Institut Gustave-Roussy from September 1972 to December 1979; 145 patients were allocated to conventional treatment alone and 155 to conventional treatment plus Poly(A).Poly(U). Reviews after mean periods of follow-up of 50 and 87 months were previously published. The present review performed after a mean follow-up period of 111 months confirmed a significant increase in the overall survival of patients with invaded nodes treated with Poly(A).Poly(U). The best results were achieved in the subset of patients with up to three affected nodes who showed a significant increase of both overall and relapse-free survival. The benefit seemed to be greater in postmenopausal women (P = 0.07). Present status of other ongoing trials of adjuvant Poly(A).Poly(U) is presented.

Improvement in glucose tolerance of insulin resistant rats after chronic or acute administration of benfluorex.

The effects of Benfluorex administration on glucose tolerance have been examined in young and old Sprague Dawley rats. The ageing rats were used as a model of insulin resistance. Chronic oral administration of Benfluorex decreased triglycerides levels and normalized glucose tolerance in ageing rats, independently of effects on body weight. Acute intraportal administration of 0.45 mg/kg/h of Benfluorex for 30 min resulted in a 50% increase in glucose tolerance in old rats, but did not modify that in young rats. The improved glucose tolerance brought about by Benfluorex in an animal model of insulin resistance may suggest a wider therapeutic application in man, to include insulin resistant states as type II diabetes or Syndrome X.

Adsorption of bovine serum albumin onto glassy carbon in a Couette flow. Effect of shear rate on the adsorption kinetics and on the structure of the adsorbed proteic layer.

Adsorption of bovine serum albumin onto glassy carbon is investigated by analysing the time-variation of the double-layer capacitance recorded during the adsorption process. The effect of shear rate is investigated under laminar conditions in a Couette flow. Stationary and sinusoidally modulated values of the shear rate are imposed over the (0-200 s-1) range. The flow conditions are shown to play an essential role by markedly modifying the rate of all the steps (three at most) involved in the adsorption mechanism. Moreover, the structure of the adsorbed layers in the intermediate and final states are also strongly modified, an increase of the shear rate increasing the interaction between the protein and the electrode. Piezoelectric properties of albumin are invoked to account for the experimental results.

[Does correction of reflux delay the development of renal insufficiency?]. / La cure du reflux retarde-t-elle l'évolution de l'insuffisance rénale?

Eighty patients have consulted for vesico-ureteric reflux over the past ten years, and the majority of them underwent surgery. Of these surgical patients, six presented with mild or acute renal failure. After a temporary aggravation of the renal failure, the antireflux procedure led to a prolonged stabilization of the renal function by eliminating the occurrence of acute recurrent pyelonephritis. Antireflux surgery would therefore seem justified and beneficial even in cases of renal failure.