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The Drop-in in Neuchâtel (Switzerland) offers methadone substitution treatments since 1975. In the present research, we analyze the progress of 119 patients in treatment over a period of ten years. Our results confirm that substitution treatments do often last long (56% over ten years) and that they can be stopped successfully by some patients (29%). Among patients who maintain in the long-term the methadone, we do observe a global stabili zation of their medico-psycho-social situation. The results are convincing concerning the diminution of the heroin consumption and criminality. However, the professional reintegration rate is small and we observe for 30% of them a slow deterioration of their physical health, mainly bond with chronic illnesses (HIV, HCV) and life habits (not appropriate alcohol consumption, nicotine addiction...).

The purpose of this study was to determine the differences in patterns of cervical mobility diagrams obtained by the Arlen method in a control population of 240 subjects and in a group of 240 patients who had previously sustained an indirect cervical trauma. The characteristics of antero-posterior mobility of the cervical spine in the control population and their variations due to age and sex are summarized. A statistical study is devoted to the amplitudes of the different vertebral segments during flexion and extension. The authors have tried to elucidate the functional features of the injured spine in its totality and at different levels in both flexion and extension. The two groups were compared in an analysis of spinal dysfunctions (hypomobility, loss of mobility, paradoxical mobility).

The influence of the fixation procedure on the localization of albumin and transferrin in adult rat liver has been carried out using an indirect immunoperoxidase technique at the light and electron microscopic levels. Perfusion and immersion fixations with different concentrations of paraformaldehyde (with or without addition of glutaraldehyde) have been investigated. According to the mode of fixation (perfusion versus immersion) and the concentration of the fixative, the number of albumin and transferrin containing hepatocytes could vary from 10% to 100%, and different labeling patterns could be observed at the electron microscopic level. For the same concentration of fixative, a perfusion fixation induces a less intense labeling than an immersion fixation. Thus similar results are obtained after immersion fixation in 6% paraformaldehyde + 0.25% glutaraldehyde or after perfusion fixation in 4% paraformaldehyde + 0.025% glutaraldehyde. Similar data are noticed after immersion fixation in 4% paraformaldehyde or after perfusion fixation in 1% paraformaldehyde + 0.025% glutaraldehyde. Moreover, perfusion fixation induced a more fine cell structure preservation than immersion fixations and avoided the appearance of zones of fixation.

The authors describe a peculiar movement of the first cervical vertebra: the so-called paradoxical tilting of the atlas, which consists of extension in relation to McGregor's line during flexion of the cervical spine. This physiological phenomenon has already been reported by several authors. The purpose of this study was to determine the mean amplitude and frequency of paradoxical tilting of the atlas in subjects with no known cervical pathology and to evaluate some of the factors that may influence it. The younger the subject the more frequent and more ample this paradoxical tilting: it occurs very often before the age of 40 years and is present in more than 93% of subjects under 20. Its amplitude diminishes with age, until it is replaced by mobility in flexion.

An ultrastructural immunoenzymatic study allowed us to demonstrate in Rat adult hepatocytes the presence of transferrin on the rough endoplasmic reticulum and in the Golgi apparatus. Such localizations suggest that the different steps of transferrin synthesis could possibly be related topographically to them. These results further an approach to the problems of maturation and secretion of transferrin.

The authors describe successively the radiological technique and measurement method of Arlen's radio-functional analysis of the cervical spine, the characteristics of antero-posterior cervical spine mobility in a control population and the variations observed in these characteristics according to age and sex. A few typical diagrams of radio-functional analysis obtained in various types of pathology are offered as examples. The ease with the Arlen method can be used in routine practice; its diagnostic and prognostic value and its role in the follow-up of patients with cervical diseases or injuries are emphasized.

Studies were made to compare the impact of immersion fixations with different concentrations of paraformaldehyde (10%, 6% + 0,25% glutaraldehyde, 4% and 1%) on the cellular and subcellular structure preservation. The study was performed on 3 animals. Similar conditions existed for all the preparative steps, since they were done in one operation. Cellular parameters as the volume densities of hepatocytes (VVH), nuclei (VVNH), cytoplasm (VVCYT) and extra-hepatocytic space (VVEX) were assessed by light microscopy on toluidine blue stained semi-thin sections at X 1 000. The volume (VVM), the surface density of mitochondria (SVMO) and their mean profile size (am) were measured at the electron microscopic level (X 15 000). The most striking differences were observed in the volume density (VVM), surface to volume ratio (SV) and mean profile area of the mitochondria (am). Qualitative results revealed that the zone of good electron microscopic observation varied according to the concentrations of the fixative. In conclusion, the best qualitative and quantitative preservation is assumed with 4% paraformaldehyde and at a less degree with 6% paraformaldehyde + 0,25% glutaraldehyde.