L. sericata larval secretions modify fibroblast adhesion and spreading across ECM protein surfaces, while keeping cells viable. Proteolytic activity of the ES played a significant role. If transferred to the wound situation, such alteration of fibroblast-ECM interactions may enhance new tissue formation.

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Gd 2 O 3 :Yb 3+ phosphor has been synthesized by the solid state reaction method with boric acid used as a flux. The resulting Gd 2 O 3 :Yb 3+ phosphor was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique, Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM), and photoluminescence and thermoluminescence. The results of the XRD show that obtained Gd 2 O 3 :Yb 3+ phosphor has a cubic structure. The average crystallite sizes could be calculated as 42.9 nm, confirmed by the TEM results. The study suggested that Yb 3+ doped phosphors are potential luminescence material for IR laser diode pumping.

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X-ray diffraction patterns have been made of four samples of boric oxide-silica glass (15, 30, 45, and 60% SO2) and of Pyrex-brand chemical resistant glass. Radial distribution curves for the 5 samples were obtained by the usual Fourier analysis method. The results lead to a picture of boric oxide-silica glass in which each silicon is tetrahedrally surrounded by 4 oxygens, each boron is triangularly surrounded by 3 oxygens, and each oxygen is bonded between 2 cations. In Pyrex-brand chemical resistant glass, part of the borons are probably in tetrahedral coordination. The softening of silica glass by the addition of boric oxide results from replacing in the random network fourfold coordinated silicon by threefold coordinated boron. The low expansion coefficient of vitreous silica, contrasted with the higher expansion of crystalline silica, is explained by the impossibility of cooperative maneuvers in the random network of glassy silica.

Since 1979 we have carried out symptom limited exercise stress tests for the diagnosis of chest pain in 104 patients, 61 male, 43 female, over 65 years of age; mean age 68 +/- 3 years. An upright bicycle ergometer was used for 64 tests, a treadmill for 38 tests and a supervised walk for 2 patients unable to undergo formal exercise testing. A positive result of greater than or equal to 1 mm of ST depression was recorded in 45% of patients; males 57%, females 28% (P less than 0.01). Bicycle and treadmill tests were equally likely to produce a positive result; bicycle 43%, treadmill 50% (NS). The limiting symptom was chest pain in 43%, dyspnoea in 26% and fatigue in 30% of patients. No serious arrhythmias or collapses occurred. During a mean follow up to 24 +/- 18 months 13 patients died. A positive exercise test was associated with a significantly increased risk of cardiac death; 8 of 47 patients with positive tests died compared with 1 of 57 patients with negative or equivocal tests (P less than 0.02). The remaining 4 deaths were due to malignancy. Exercise testing can thus be safely performed in elderly subjects with the expectation of a high diagnostic yield. A positive result confers a poor prognosis.

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