Simultaneous Determination of Volatile Metal (Pb, Hg, Sn, In, Ga) and Nonmetal Species (Se, P, As) in Different Atmospheres by Cryofocusing and Detection by ICPMS.

A sensitive method for multielemental speciation analysis of volatile metal and metalloid compounds in air has been developed. The analytes are sampled simultaneously in the field by cryofocusing on a small glass wool-packed column at -175 °C. Detection is performed in the laboratory by low-temperature GC hyphenated with ICPMS. Oxygen addition in the carrier gas was used to reduce interferences originating from the presence of volatile carbon-containing species in the samples. Plasma stability during analysis was monitored continuously by internal standardization (Xe). This system provides routine absolute detection limits of 0.06-0.07 pg (as Pb) for tetraalkyllead species (Me(4)Pb, Et(4)Pb), 0.2 pg (as Sn) for tetraalkyltin species (Me(4)Sn, Et(4)Sn), 0.8 pg (as Hg) for mercury species (Hg(0), Me(2)Hg, Et(2)Hg), and 2.5 pg (as Se) for selenium species (Me(2)Se). This instrumentation makes it possible to collect small air sample volumes and has been successfully applied to the determination of volatile metal and metalloid species in the atmosphere in urban and rural locations. Qualitative application in the semiconductor industry is also reported with regard to the detection of arsenic (ASH(3), tert-butylarsine), phosphorus (PH(3), tert-butylphosphine), alkylindium, and gallium species.

[Results of a survey on the use of delayed-action neuroleptics in psychiatry]. / Résultats d'une enquête sur l'utilisation en psychiatrie des neuroleptiques à action prolongée.

Depot neuroleptics have been empirically used for 30 years by psychiatrists. An inquiry was performed among private and public psychiatrists. The goal of the study was to understand the prescription rules of depot neuroleptics. A questionnaire was systematically sent to all psychiatrists working in Loire-Atlantique. The answer rate was 41.4% which is quite good for this kind of inquiry. The main indications of depot neuroleptics were chronic deliria and schizophrenia. Dosages are not accorded to negative or productive symptoms. Therapists do not think that there are efficacy differences between marketed drugs. Few of them use therapeutic windows. Prescriptions were not adjusted following drug pharmacokinetic parameters. So this work lays down rules about rational prescriptions and drug monitoring of depot neuroleptic concentrations.

[Paraplegia with a cauda equina syndrome due to stenosis of the spinal canal caused by tabes arthropathy]. / Paraplésie avec syndrome de la queue de cheval due a une sténose du canal rachidien par arthropatie tabétique.

The authors present a case of cauda equina paraparesis due to compression by tabetic osteo-arthropathy. Diagnosis was confirmed by the typical clinical picture of tabes and by the history of a chancre 53 years earlier. Radiography of the spine showed vertibral osteo-arthropathy. Opaque contrast myelography showed compression at the D 11/D 12 and L 4/L 5 levels, with poor contrast filling athe the L 1/L 3 level. Surgical treatment by decompressive laminectomies from D 12 to L 4 led to a satisfactory result with motor recovery and regression of the cauda equina syndrome.