Stellar calibration of CCD flat fielding.

in Astronomy and Astrophysics. Supplement Series (1995), 113

The role of star observations is advocated in the photometric calibration of the low spatial-frequency non-uniformities of CCD detectors.

Long-term photometry of Variables III (Manfroid+, 1995)

Report (1995)

This is the third catalogue of photometric data in the Stroemgren system obtained during the period October 1990-January 1992 in the framework of the Long-Term Photometry of Variables (LTPV) program at ... [more ▼]

This is the third catalogue of photometric data in the Stroemgren system obtained during the period October 1990-January 1992 in the framework of the Long-Term Photometry of Variables (LTPV) program at the European Southern Observatory. All data have been obtained with the Danish 50-cm telescope. The mean values of the r.m.s. deviations of the differential measurements of comparison stars are around (from Table 4 of paper) ------------------------------ y b-y m1 c1 ------------------------------ 0.005 0.002 0.004 0.006 ------------------------------ (2 data files). [less ▲]

Factors influencing the immediate and late outcome of cushing-disease treated by transsphenoidal surgery : A retrospective study by the european cushings-disease survey group

in Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (1995), 80(11), 3114-3120

Hypercortisolism attributable to hypersecretion of ACTH by a pituitary adenoma is an uncommon and progressively lethal disease. Because of its rarity, it has been difficult to collect a large series of ... [more ▼]

Hypercortisolism attributable to hypersecretion of ACTH by a pituitary adenoma is an uncommon and progressively lethal disease. Because of its rarity, it has been difficult to collect a large series of patients in order to identify the prognostic factors influencing the outcome after transsphenoidal surgery. We conducted a multicenter, retrospective analysis of the early and late results of surgical treatment of Cushing's disease. Files of patients with Cushing's disease who underwent transsphenoidal surgery between 1975 and 1990 were collected from 25 institutions throughout Europe. Data from 668 of 716 patients were suitable for statistical analyses. Surgical mortality was 1.9%, and major morbidity occurred in 97 patients (14.5%). Clinical and biochemical remission of Cushing's disease after surgery occurred in 510 cases (76.3%). Identification of the tumor by neuroradiological imaging or at operation with histopathological corroboration was associated with remission of hypercortisolism. Recurrence of the disease occurred in 65 (12.7%) of 510 patients in remission after surgery at a mean time of 39.3 months (range 6-104 months). The distribution of the recurrences did not show any apparent plateau or cluster throughout the follow-up period. Low postoperative steroid levels, absence of cortisol response to CRH, and the need for long-term glucocorticoid substitution therapy were all associated with a high probability of long-term remission. Our study demonstrates that transsphenoidal surgery is a safe and effective treatment for patients with Cushing's disease. However, after successful surgery there is a steady increase in the percentage of recurrences, which continues with time. Patients who after operation had hypoadrenocorticism and needed long-term glucocorticoid substitution therapy had the lowest risk of relapse. [less ▲]

Fast determination of troponin I using the stratus II analyser; application to patient follow-up after coronary bypass surgery

Poster (1995, November)

Création d'un Centre eurégional des métiers du patrimoine, Partie I I: Examen de la faisabilité juridique

Report (1995)

"Music alone survives”? The collapse of faith in sonnets by Geoffrey Hill and G.M. Hopkins’

in Cahiers Victoriens & Edouardiens (1995), 42

The present article explores the various ways in which Geoffrey Hill uses the regularity of the sonnet form to express the impossibility of faith, and how this collapse was announced in some of Hopkins's ... [more ▼]

The present article explores the various ways in which Geoffrey Hill uses the regularity of the sonnet form to express the impossibility of faith, and how this collapse was announced in some of Hopkins's most famous celebratory sonnet 'The Windhover.' [less ▲]

Procédures d'évaluation adaptées à de grands groupes d'étudiants universitaires : enjeux et solutions pratiquées à la FAPSE-ULg

(1995, November)

Preparation of a Macroporous Biodegradable Polylactide Implant for Neuronal Transplantation

in Journal of Biomedical Materials Research (1995), 29(11), 1349-62

This article reports the production of a surgical implant meeting several specific requirements such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, macroporosity, and flexibility. Porosity was controlled by an ... [more ▼]

This article reports the production of a surgical implant meeting several specific requirements such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, macroporosity, and flexibility. Porosity was controlled by an original method consisting of the aggregation of calibrated poly-D,L-lactide microparticles. The size of the interstices between the aggregated microspheres was in a direct relationship to the microsphere diameter. A first approach was based on coating the microspheres with poly(vinyl alcohol) followed by chemically crosslinking the coating layers that were in mutual contact. This method was disregarded because of the acute cytotoxicity of glutaraldehyde used as the crosslinking agent, the absence of macroporosity, and the complete lack of flexibility. A physical technique of aggregation was then tested, which relied on the plasticization of poly-D,L-lactide microspheres with triethylcitrate to the point where microspheres strongly adhered to each other when they were in contact. This method has proved to be straightforward and definitely superior to the chemical approach, particularly with respect to cytotoxicity, control of macroporosity, and flexibility. A polymer support was thus successfully which was biodegradable, macroporous( interconnected pores of 10-100 microns in diameter), and flexible. This potential medical device is presently being used for neuronal transplantation in the central nervous system. [less ▲]

Comparative analysis of the competitivity of multimodal transportation systems including the river mode along the TIETE waterway (SAO PAULO STATE-BRAZIL)

in PIANC-PCDC Congress (1995)

The prevalence of colonic polyps in acromegaly : a prospective colonoscopic and pathological study in 103 patients.

in Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (1995), 80(11), 3223-3226

Patients with acromegaly are reported to be at risk of developing adenomatous colonic polyps, which are considered to be preneoplastic lesions. This assumption is, however, usually drawn from results ... [more ▼]

Patients with acromegaly are reported to be at risk of developing adenomatous colonic polyps, which are considered to be preneoplastic lesions. This assumption is, however, usually drawn from results obtained in rather small series of patients or without a control group. We, therefore, undertook a prospective colonoscopic and pathological study comprising 103 acromegalic patients and 138 nonacromegalic control subjects referred for irritable bowel syndrome. The prevalence of adenomatous colonic polyps was significantly increased in acromegalic patients compared to that in control subjects (22.3% vs. 8.0%; P = 0.0024). The significance was similarly present in male acromegalic patients (28.6% vs. 5.5% in male control subjects; P = 0.0026), but was absent in female acromegalic patients. The prevalence of colonic polyps was also significantly increased in the group of acromegalic patients under 55 yr of age (20.0% vs. 3.0% in the control group of the same age; P = 0.0026). Other characteristics of adenomatous colonic polyps in acromegaly were the multiplicity and the presence proximal to the splenic flexure. No difference in the duration of acromegaly was found between patients with or without adenomatous polyps. The prevalence of hyperplastic colonic polyps was also significantly increased to 24.3% in acromegalic patients vs 4.4% in control subjects (P < 0.001). In conclusion, in view of the increased incidence of adenomatous colonic polyps, colonoscopy should be part of the follow-up examination in acromegaly. [less ▲]