This new structure type is labelled ULM-8.

ULM-8 presents a layered structure with the alternation along [010] of organic and inorganic layers. The latter sheets are built up from the corner sharing of hexameric secondary building units (SBU) of three PO4 tetrahedra, two trigonal bipyramids GaO4F and one octahedron GaO4F2 all corner-linked. The stability of the structure is ensured by hydrogen bonds between the H atoms of the amino groups and the anions of the mineral framework.

Population and methods. - One thousand one hundred and fifty-seven neonates admitted from October 1990 to December 1991 in 27 French intensive care units because of RDS due to hyaline membrane disease were included in the study, whatever their birthweight and gestational age (GA).

Results. - Three hundred and sixteen neonates (27.3%) were born from twin or multiple pregnancies. Fourty-five (5.5%) of the mothers had been given corticosteroids for the week preceding delivery. 55.5% were delivered by cesarean section. Mean GA was 31.0 +/- 2.9 weeks and mean birth-weight was 1603 +/- 625 g. Two hundred and sixty-six neonates (23%) were small for GA. Two hundred and twenty-three died after a mean survival of 4.2 days (63% before the end of the first week and 80% before the end of the third week). Fifty percent of these deaths were due to respiratory distress, 28% to severe brain disorders and 9% to infections. The bronchopulmonary dysplasia rare was 21.7%. Early ultrasound scan of the brain showed major injuries in 19.5% of cases; the second scan performed in 822 infants was normal in 84.3%.

Conclusions. - Taking into account GA, mortality and morbidity rates were similar to those of the other non-French participating centres.

The rationale of the analysis was as follows: (1) there is no clear dose-response relationship for radiation therapy (RT) in localized low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (LGNHL); (2) long-term disease-free survival can be achieved in advanced LGNHL with low-dose (15-2 Gy) fractionated total body irradiation; (3) moreover, some of our previous LGNHL patients stopped their conventional planned RT course for convenience after 5 to 75 Gy and remained free from local progression in irradiated volumes for a long period of time.

Patient selection criteria were the following: (1) patients with low-grade NHL (LGNHL); (2) patients who received no other form of therapy concomitantly with LDLRT until evaluation of the response; (3) patients who received a planned dose of 4 Gy in two fractions and over 3 days in a limited held. Out of 37 patients, 27 patients were fully evaluable. Twenty-two patients had stage III or IV disease. The median longevity of the disease was 73 months. Twenty-five patients had previously received chemotherapy (18 with anthracyclines).

Growth of apices was higher under blue light than in other conditions. Morphogenesis of cultivated thalli under white or red light was different from field plants with high growth of primary axis and low level of ramifications. Under blue light, morphogenesis of thalli was similar to those harvested in nature. Net photosynthesis was measured and P vs I curves were established under white light. Maximum net photosynthetic rates and initial slope were higher for thalli cultivated under blue light and lower under white and red light. Pigment composition was similar under blue and white light, but under red light, concentrations of Chl a and fucoxanthin were reduced. Carboxylase capacities were measured in vitro. Under blue light, more than 80% of the total carboxylation capacity was due to ribulose 1-5 biphosphate carboxylase, whereas red light stimulated activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase.

In the low irradiance conditions, only thalli cultivated under blue light presented morphological and photosynthetic characteristics similar to harvested plants. Light responses of C. barbata are related to its future cultivation and its natural habitat growth strategy.

Polymeric radicals are produced on the surface layer of the material as fluorine atoms by a carbon tetrafluoride plasma treatment or by some grafting with acrylic-fluorine containing molecules.

In view of the characteristics of propofol (rapid effect, deep depression of pharyngo-laryngeal reflexes) it seems possible to use it as a first choice induction agent in patients who are haemodynamically stable. However, it should be noted, that there is, as yet, no evidence of the superiority of propofol over other induction agents.

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is investigated. Here x(t)(theta) = x0 exp(thetat). It is proved that this estimate is consistant and the difference epsilon-1(theta(epsilon)* - theta) converges in probability to a random variable which is (for large T) asymptotically normal.

Our case of disseminated xanthosiderohistiocytosis was particular because it involved the heart and was associated with a monoclonal gammapathy. Five cases have been reported associating xanthoma disseminatum and monoclonal gammapathy, including one case of xanthosiderohistiocytosis. In our case, rapidly increasing levels of monoclonal immunoglobulin suggested an evolution towards a myeloma. A monoclonal gammapathy should be looked for and monitored in cases of xanthosiderohistiocytosis, and more generally xanthoma disseminatum because of the risk of developing lymphoma or myeloma.

Growth (dry matter production) of Halopeplis amplexicaulis was optimum when exposed to 200 to 300 mM NaCl. Shoots accumulated high concentrations of Na and Cl, but K and S concentrations decreased with increased salinity but not into roots. Osmotic adjustment was almost entirely function of Na+ and Cl- accumulation in shoots but only 50% in roots where other osmoticum might occur. Ecophysiological characteristics are discussed according to saline inland habitats.