A new setup for localized implantation and live-characterization of keV energy multiply charged ions at the nanoscale.

An innovative experimental setup, PELIICAEN, allowing the modification of materials and the study of the effects induced by multiply charged ion beams at the nanoscale is presented. This ultra-high vacuum (below 5 × 10-10 mbar) apparatus is equipped with a focused ion beam column using multiply charged ions and a scanning electron microscope developed by Orsay Physics, as well as a scanning probe microscope. The dual beam approach coupled to the scanning probe microscope achieves nanometer scale in situ topological analysis of the surface modifications induced by the ion beams. Preliminary results using the different on-line characterization techniques to study the formation of nano-hillocks on silicon and mica substrates are presented to illustrate the performances of the setup.

The effect of infinitesimal drug dilutions on the pharmacokinetics of nalidixic acid and atenolol.

1. Ten healthy subjects received two treatments: a single 1 g oral dose of nalidixic acid (NA) followed 1 h later by either an infinitesimal dilution of the drug (NA 7CH) or by succussed water which served as placebo. The study was repeated 18 months later in 10 different subjects. 2. A further 10 healthy subjects received three treatments: a single 100 mg oral dose of atenolol (AT) followed 3 h later by either placebo or a dilution of AT (AT 7CH) or of bisoprolol (BI 7CH). The homoeopathic preparations were administered by the sublingual route. 3. In the first NA experiment NA 7CH significantly shortened the elimination half-life of NA from 8.6 +/- 2.2 (placebo) to 6.4 +/- 1.6 h (NA 7CH). In the second NA experiment none of the pharmacokinetic parameters was modified significantly by the administration of NA 7CH. Neither AT 7CH nor BI 7CH modified the pharmacokinetics of AT.

The influence of renal insufficiency and haemodialysis on the kinetics of ciprofibrate.

1. The kinetics of the hypolipidaemic drug, ciprofibrate, were studied after a single oral dose (100 mg) in subjects with normal renal function (n = 6), patients with mild (n = 6) and severe (n = 6) renal insufficiency as well as in haemodialysed patients (n = 5). 2. Under fasting conditions, ciprofibrate, was absorbed rapidly in subjects with normal renal function, and its apparent elimination half-life was approximately 81 h. Both renal clearance (0.15 ml min-1) and cumulative renal excretion (less than 7% of the administered dose) were low. 3. Mild renal insufficiency did not alter the pharmacokinetics of ciprofibrate, but severe renal impairment significantly reduced both its renal clearance and cumulative urinary excretion and increased the apparent elimination half-life. 4. A 5 h haemodialysis session did not lower the plasma concentrations of ciprofibrate. 5. It is concluded that, from a pharmacokinetic point of view, a reduction in the dosage of ciprofibrate should be considered in patients with a glomerular filtration rate below 30 ml min-1/1.73 m2.