Evaluating the intensity of the 803-keV γ ray of Po using a 4παβ(LS)-γ(HPGe) measurement system.

The absolute intensity for the 803-keV γ ray of Po was evaluated by α-γ coincidence technique. A liquid sample with a known amount of Po embedded in scintillation fluid was measured in a coincidence-based system that comprises a Liquid Scintillator (LS) detector and a High-Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector. A photo-reflector assembly that contains the Po sample provides 100% efficiency for detecting the α particles.

Characterization of a 4παβ(LS)-γ(HPGe) prototype system for low-background measurements.

A ground-level prototype system for low-background measurements was developed and tested. The system consists of a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector used for detecting γ rays and coupled to a liquid scintillator (LS) used for detecting α and β particles. Both detectors are surrounded by shielding materials and anti-cosmic detectors ("veto") used to suppress background events.

Evaluating the intensity of the 'prompt' 140.5 keV γ-ray of Mo using a 4παβ(LS)-γ(HPGe) measurement system.

The absolute intensity for the 'prompt' 140.5 keV gamma-ray of Mo was evaluated using the β-γ coincidence technique. A liquid sample of Mo was prepared from aMo/Tc generator and measured in a 4παβ(LS)-γ(HPGe) system that comprises a Liquid Scintillator (LS) detector and a High-Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector.

Biobrane in the treatment of burn and scald injuries in children.

Eighty-four children with a burn (n = 7) or scald injury (n = 77), treated with Biobrane, were investigated in a retrospective and clinical study. In most patients (n = 71), the Biobrane was adherent and without any reactions or infections. An infection was seen in 10.

Complete remission of post-transplant FSGS recurrence by long-term plasmapheresis.

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is known to recur in approximately 30% of renal allografts with graft loss in about half of these cases. The exact etiology remains unclear, though a putative circulating permeability factor or loss of inhibitory substances is being discussed. Different therapeutic approaches have been used.

Pressure support ventilation combined with volume guarantee versus synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation: a pilot crossover trial in premature infants in their weaning phase.

Objective: To compare pressure support ventilation combined with volume guarantee (PSV-VG) to synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV) regarding safety, course of blood gases, and infant-ventilator interaction in premature infants.

Design: Prospective, two-treatment, crossover pilot study.

Setting: Tertiary care neonatal unit.

[Sclerosing peritonitis without reduced ultrafiltration as complication of peritoneal dialysis].

Unlabelled: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is the preferred method of renal replacement therapy in childhood and adolescence while waiting for a kidney transplant. As major complication, encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS), sometimes also referred to as "sclerosing peritonitis", may develop after prolonged periods of PD and lead to severe therapeutical problems.

Case Report: A 20-year-old patient with a history of three unsuccessful kidney transplants due to recurrence of his focal segmental glomerulosclerosis presented after 9 years of PD with acute abdominal pain and reduced bowel movements.

CFTR Cl- channel function in native human colon correlates with the genotype and phenotype in cystic fibrosis.

Background & Aims: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by over 1000 mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene and presents with a widely variable phenotype. Genotype-phenotype studies identified CFTR mutations that were associated with pancreatic sufficiency (PS). Residual Cl- channel function was shown for selected PS mutations in heterologous cells.

Antibiotic resistance of urinary tract pathogens and rationale for empirical intravenous therapy.

Empirical antibiotic treatment in urinary tract infection (UTI) in children must rely on surveillance data on the epidemiology and resistance patterns of common uropathogens. A retrospective analysis of bacteria isolated from children with UTI irrespective of underlying disease or pre-treatment was performed at the University Hospital of Freiburg, Germany, in 1997, and from 1999 to 2001. In the first study period, 261 positive urine samples and in the second period 684 positive samples were analyzed.

Dieulafoy lesion in a one-year-old child.

The Dieulafoy lesion is a rare cause of severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding associated with a significant mortality. Rebleeding from undiscovered lesions is frequent and often fatal. The outcome depends on a high degree of suspicion for the condition.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in patients with ALS and bulbar dysfunction.

Objective: To compare characteristics of ALS patients with and without percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG).

Methods: Using the ALS Patient Care Database, data from patients with and without PEG with ALS Functional Rating Scale-bulbar subscale (ALSFRSb) scores < or = 5 were analyzed; follow-up data were also collected.

Results: PEG use was markedly increased with declining ALSFRSb scores.

Successful (?) therapy of hemolytic-uremic syndrome with factor H abnormality.

We report a patient with continuously recurring hemolytic-uremic syndrome due to factor H deficiency. First at the age of 3 months he showed signs of hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and renal insufficiency, often recurring concomitantly with respiratory tract infections, despite weekly to twice weekly plasma substitution (20 ml/kg body weight). Now at the age of 3.

A randomized controlled trial on the effect of montelukast on sputum eosinophil cationic protein in children with corticosteroid-dependent asthma.

Previous adult studies demonstrated the clinical efficacy of an additional treatment with leukotriene receptor antagonists on steroid-dependent asthma, but there is little knowledge about anti-inflammatory add-on effects within the lung. In this study, we hypothesized that steroid-treated children exhibit a decrease in bronchial inflammation in induced sputum under additional treatment with montelukast. Twenty-five asthmatic children aged 6 to 14 y, who had been taking inhaled corticosteroids (400-800 microg/d budesonide) regularly for at least 12 wk, were randomized to receive additional treatment with either montelukast (5 mg orally, once daily) or placebo over a 4-wk period.

Modulation of Ca2+-activated Cl- secretion by basolateral K+ channels in human normal and cystic fibrosis airway epithelia.

Human airway epithelia express Ca2+-activated Cl- channels (CaCC) that are activated by extracellular nucleotides (ATP and UTP). CaCC is preserved and seems to be up-regulated in the airways of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. In the present study, we examined the role of basolateral K+ channels in CaCC-mediated Cl- secretion in native nasal tissues from normal individuals and CF patients by measuring ion transport in perfused micro Ussing chambers.