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Four large Lebanese families were observed for several years and over several generations which enabled the authors to describe the clinical electrocardiographic and prognostic features of a hereditary conduction defect and to locate the culprit gene at 19q 13.3. The ECG showed a healthy group and an affected group (mainly right bundle branch block, hemiblocks or complete AV block) and an undetermined group with minor QRS changes in the right precordial leads. The mode of transmission was autosomal dominant. The estimation of penetration in the observed pedigrees and in previously published pedigrees gave a value of 70% in men and 50% in women. There were, therefore, many healthy carriers of the mutation. The onset was congenital (8 babies aged 15 days to one year were affected). Healthy carriers followed up for 10 to 20 years remained normal. The clinical and ECG features progressed in 19% of subjects in the undetermined group. The changes progressed to complete AV block in 8% of affected subjects, both babies and adults. Several cases of sudden infant death were reported but were not documented. The detection of the culprit gene was made by genetic mapping. Markers situated at q 13.3 on chromosome 19 showed linkage. The haplotype related to the pathology was always present in the affected subjects. The genetic interval was 7 centiMorgans.

238 PIP joint arthroplasties with "Silastic" implant were performed between 1969 and 1990. Their results were evaluated after 12 to 24 months. We reviewed 25 patients operated between 1971 and 1988 with a follow-up of 4 to 23 years. The results are evaluated in terms of joint mobility, pain, stability, strength, radiological appearance and patient satisfaction. These results are identical to those observed at short follow-up indicating the absence of any significant deterioration. The result obtained at 12 months postoperatively will therefore be maintained at 12 years. Our conclusion is that unless an ideal arthroplasty with joint prosthesis can be shown to be effective, joint resection-arthroplasty remains a valuable and durable solution for the treatment of PIP joint stiffness.

Cet article présente la validation d’un modèle de durée de développement larvaire de la pyrale du maïs sur plusieurs variétés de maïs et dans 4 sites géographiques en France : Avignon, Bordeaux, Colmar et Versailles. Ce modèle est composé d’un modèle de degrés-jours et de lois normales. Il a été estimé et testé sur LG11 en région parisienne. Les validations montrent que le modèle représente correctement le développement à moins d’une semaine près. Il est donc satisfaisant pour des objectifs agronomiques (prévision des diminutions de rendement, lutte contre l’insecte). Les possibilités d’amélioration sont discutées : compte tenu des connaissances acquises sur le ravageur, l’utilisation d’une relation non linéaire pour représenter la liaison entre vitesse de développement et température et la prise en compte de la température au niveau de la végétation semblent être les voies d’amélioration de la précision du modèle les plus réalistes., The validation of a temperature dependent model for European Corn Borer development on 3 different corn varieties (LG11, DEA and ISORA), at 4 sites in France : Avignon, Bordeaux, Colmar and Versailles, and with 2 infestation times for each site and variety, is presented. The model consist of 2 parts: a degree-day model and 4 normal distributions (fig 1). It has been estimated and tested at Versailles (table II). The validations show that the mean differences between predicted and observed data are systematically less than a week under the different experimental conditions (tables III and IV, figs 3a, 3b, 4 and 5). The model is then an appropriate representation of development for agronomical purposes (prediction of losses, pest control). Possible improvements of the model are discussed: using a non linear model between growth rate and temperature and taking into account the temperature under vegetation seem to be the most realistic ways to improve the model, considering the knowledge of European corn borer biology.

Complications related to silicone implants have been widely described since 1985. As trapezial replacement with a silicone implant constitutes our preferred treatment for osteoarthritis of the base of the thumb, we decided to evaluate our results by means of a retrospective critical study. Fifty records of patients operated or between 1975 and 1980 constitute an homogeneous study group as all were operated according to the same technique and by the same surgeon. Seven cases of implant instability have led us to modify our fixation technique. The results in terms of mobility, stability and pain relief are good and comparable to other published series. Only two cases presented bony changes around the implant but they both existed before surgery. Our conclusion is that trapezial resection with replacement by a silicone implant can still be recommended as elective treatment for CMC thumb osteoarthritis because of its simplicity effectiveness and reversibility.