Anomalous independence of interface superconductivity from carrier density.

The recent discovery of superconductivity at the interface of two non-superconducting materials has received much attention. In cuprate bilayers, the critical temperature (Tc) can be significantly enhanced compared with single-phase samples. Several explanations have been proposed, invoking Sr interdiffusion, accumulation and depletion of mobile charge carriers, elongation of the copper-to-apical-oxygen bond length, or a beneficial crosstalk between a material with a high pairing energy and another with a large phase stiffness. From each of these models, one would predict Tc to depend strongly on the carrier density in the constituent materials. Here, we study combinatorial libraries of La(2-x)Sr(x)CuO4-La2CuO4 bilayer samples--an unprecedentedly large set of more than 800 different compositions. The doping level x spans a wide range, 0.15 < x < 0.47, and the measured Hall coefficient varies by one order of magnitude. Nevertheless, across the entire sample set, Tc stays essentially constant at about 40 K. We infer that doping up to the optimum level does not shift the chemical potential, unlike in ordinary Fermi liquids. This result poses a new challenge to theory--cuprate superconductors have not run out of surprises.

Spectrophotometric determination of oxytetracycline in pharmaceutical preparations using sodium molybdate as analytical reagent.

A spectrophotometric method is proposed for the determination of oxytetracycline in pharmaceutical preparations. The method is based on the measurement of the absorbance of the molybdate-oxytetracycline complex at 404 nm (pH 5.50; mu = 0.1 M; 20 degrees C). The composition of the complex (1:1) was determined by the application of the spectrophotometric methods of Job and Bent-French (pH 5.50; lambda = 390 nm; mu = 0.1 M). The relative stability constant (K' = 10(4.6) of the complex was obtained by the methods of Sommer and Nash (pH 5.50; lambda = 390 nm; mu = 0.1 M; 20 degrees C). The molar absorptivity of the complex was 9.5 x 10(3) l mol-1 cm-1. Beer's law was obeyed over the concentration range 2.48-34.78 micrograms ml-1. The relative standard deviation RSD (n = 10) was 0.27-0.39%. The method proposed can be applied to the assay of oxytetracycline in capsules. The detection limit of oxytetracycline is 2.5 micrograms ml-1.

Spectrophotometric determination of pefloxacin in pharmaceutical preparations.

It has been established that the antibiotic pefloxacin (Abaktal) methanesulphonate reacts with Fe(III) at pH 1.00-8.00 to form a water-soluble complex with maximum absorbance at 360 nm. The composition of the complex, determined spectrophotometrically by the application of Job's, molar-ratio and Bent-French's methods, was pefloxacin: Fe(III) = 1:1 (pH = 2.50; lambda = 360 nm; mu = 0.1 M). The relative stability constant, obtained by the methods of Sommer and Asmus was 10(5.02) (pH = 2.50; lambda = 360 nm; mu = 0.1 M). The molar absorptivity of the complex at 360 nm was found to be 4.8 x 10(3) l mol-1 cm-1. Beer's law was followed for pefloxacin concentrations of 2.15-85.88 micrograms ml-1. The lower sensitivity limit of the method was 2.15 micrograms ml-1. The relative standard deviation (n = 10) was 0.57-1.07%. The method can be applied to the rapid and simple determination of pefloxacin in aqueous solutions and tablets.

High frequencies and grade expressions of Carabelli's trait in a sample of the Croatian population.

Although it is generally accepted that Europeans exhibit the highest frequencies of Carabelli's trait (70-90%), these values represent the expression of all possible morphological grades. When only a well-defined trait expression is considered (grades 5th, 6th and 7th), the frequency is much lower, not more than 19.2% for the 5th grade, and significantly less for the 6th and 7th grades. Our observations based on the study of the Croatian (Central European) populations show the highest frequencies for grade of the trait (exceeding 23%). Comparative data for European or European derived populations demonstrate significant variation in grade expression. While the previously published data suggest that the highest grade of the trait expression does not exceed 10%, our figures show the highest yet known frequency of a well-defined trait.

Distribution of craniofacial variables in south Dalmatian and middle Croatian populations.

The objective of the present work was to determine some relevant craniofacial parameters, particularly in relation to sex, for the study of the distribution of basic head and face types, and to investigate craniofacial and morphological differences between two population samples. The study sample comprised 100 subjects of both sex aged 18 to 30 from South Dalmatia and 200 subjects from Middle Croatia. Eight basic craniofacial variables were measured to obtain head, forehead and face indexes. The data indicate that average values of all variables can be used as standard craniofacial parameters for the examined population groups. All the craniofacial variables are considerably higher in men than in women (p < 0.05). In the South Dalmatian population mesocephalia (48.0%) and leptoprosopia (82.0%) prevail, while in the Middle Croatian population the brachycephalia (62.0%), and euriprosopia (73.5%) are present to a greater degree. The most significant craniofacial and morphological differences between the examined study samples are head width (Eu-Eu), face width (Zy-Zy), and forehead height (Tr-N). They were found to be statistically significant in the examined Middle Croatian population (p < 0.05). The presented measurements are highly relevant to orthodontic diagnostics and therapy.

[Surgical treatment of breast carcinoma - 30 years' experience]. / Hirursko lecenje karcinoma dojke - tridesetodisnje iskustvo.

Although, carcinoma of the breast, because of its high frequency and many specific properties, belongs to the most studied of malignancies, it remains a fact that during the past 3 decades the incidence of mortality from this disease has changed little. The authors, drawing on their 30 years experience, demonstrate that the mortality rate and the survival rate depend on the kind of surgical intervention as well as the stage of development of the disease at the moment of operation. For this purpose a total of 655 operated cases were recorded (643 female and 12 male) using the Steinthal classification. In this series 68.1% were infertile; the upper outer quadrant was affected in 54% of cases; histologically the most frequent form was scirrhous adenocarcinoma. The greatest number of patients belonged to stage II and III, whereas the average time from the appearance of the first symptoms up to the medical examination was 6-12 months. Further spread of the disease and regional metastases were presented in more than 65% of cases. It was demonstrated that surgical procedure used depended on the extensiveness of the disease; modified radical mastectomy was performed in 54.2% of patients and Halsted's radical mastectomy in 40.15%. 185 patients were given the control examination. A strictly statistical analysis of the results confirmed that whereas the length of survival was not significantly affected by the kind of operation, the mortality rate did vary according to which surgical procedure was used. The author conclude that there is no best or unique surgical method and that each patient should be examined in a multidisciplinary way, and his treatment should be carefully planned.

[Retroperitoneal sarcoma]. / Retroperitonealni sarkomi.

Clinical experience in the treatment of retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcomas during period 1978-1987 is presented. The material consists of 64 patients with the male predominance (60.94%), and the peak occurrence in the forth and fifth decade of life. The difficulties in the diagnostic of these tumours are mostly caused by unspecific clinical picture, which is usually cleared with the stage of inoperability. Modern diagnostic approach, using echotomography and angiography enables earlier diagnosis. The most often seen histological pictures in this series are: M. Hodgkin (28.14%), Liposarcoma (25%) Lympho and fibrosarcoma (twice 12.5%), and the other forms are rarely encountered (1-3%). The operability is very low, and the radical operation is performed only in 16 cases (25.50%), and exploratory procedures are performed in 44 (68.75%). In the rest of cases a reduction of bulk mass of tumour was performed. The 5 year survival in the radically operated is present in 25% (4 patients) what is in accordance with the literature. In the cases with exploration or partial resection, the average survival is 4.5 months, in spite of some longer survivals in the group with Hodgkin's disease, mostly because of the modern cytostatic treatment. Intermediate postoperative mortality is 3.12% (2 patients). In recent years, the more aggressive surgical approach is advised, resulting in better outcome.

[Human fetal pancreatic islet transplantation in insulin-dependent diabetics: possibilities of early detection of transplant destruction]. / Tranplantacija ostrvaca humanog fetalnog pankreasa u insulin-zavisnih dijabeticara: mogucnost rane detekcije destrukcije transplantata.

The factors determining the outcome of human fetal islet transplantation in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) remain unclarified. In this study we analysed the ratio between immunoregulatory lymphocyte subpopulations in order to search for a possible marker of the immune destruction of transplanted islets. Human fetal islets were isolated by collagenase digestion, cultured for 14 days at 37 degrees C, 5% CO2, and implanted under fascia of m. rectus abdominis in 7 IDDM patients (5 pancreata per patient). After transplantation we evaluated simultaneously the level of metabolic control through HbA1c values determined by chromatography, the capacity of insulin secretion through the C-peptide levels (determined by radioimmunoassay) before and 6 minutes after 1 mg glucagon i.v. stimulation, and the ratio between CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes determined by immunofluorescence using monoclonal antibodies. We found that metabolic control after transplantation was improved together with the decrease of the insulin daily dose, and the improvement was simultaneous to the increase of both basal and glucagon-stimulated C-peptide levels. Four months after transplantation we detected a remarkable decrease in the secretion capacity, accompanied by the necessity for an increase in daily insulin dose to maintain optimal metabolic control. However, the loss of islet function was preceded by the increase in CD4+/CD8+ ratio, thus reflecting the presumable accumulation of CD4+ inducer T-lymphocytes. When the islet secretion capacity was destroyed, we found a decrease in CD4+/CD8+ ratio, reflecting the recruitment of CD8+ effector cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Experience of the surgical service and surgeons at the 1st Surgical Clinical Center in Belgrade in the primary care of abdominal war injuries 1991-1992]. / Iskustvo hirurskih ekipa i hirurga I Hirurske klinike Klinickog centra u Beogradu u primarnom zbrinjavanju ratnih povreda abdomena 1991-1992]

During the recent (1991/92) war on the territory of the former Yugoslavia, 12 of our surgeons participated in the treating of war abdominal injuries, on 8 localities with the various characteristics of combat. Treating all injuries, with adequate evidence and documentation, the general experience of all participants of our team was that abdominal injuries range from 0-12% depending on the the intensity of combat, with the mean percentage of 5.43% while combined injuries approximate 50% with the most common injuries of extremities (24%). The number of laparotomies was 65. The most common cause of abdominal injuries were bullets (75%) except in the localities with heavy combat where the explosive and bullet woundings were equally observed. The blast injuries were recorded in 3%. The most common injured organs were large (29.5%), small intestine (23.46%) liver, stomach and spleen subsequently. The severity of injury and mortality depends mostly of the number of injured organs, and multiorgan lesions were systematically observed (1.89 of injured organs SD 0.96). The total hospital mortality was 6.15% (4 cases: 2 "in tabula" and 2 later) due to multiorgan injuries with severe shock and bleeding. To achieve better results, early transportation to a place where operation could be made is necessary, with the effective first aid and good organisation of the initial management and triage. The diagnosis must be fast and effective, decision quick and the operation must deal with all the injuries primary, by the most safe surgical procedure, with the exposition of external wound.