The capabilities of the Si PIN diode x-ray detector were determined and compared with those of a standard Si(Li) detector. The x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis systems assembled with these two detectors included annular radioisotope excitation sources of Cd-109 and Fe-55. The systems were calibrated for sensitivity and quantification was performed with fundamental parameters software. Based on the analysis of the standard reference material NIST 2710 (Montana soil), the elemental sensitivities and the limits of detection of both systems were obtained. The elemental sensitivities of the Si PIN detector for fluorescence x-rays in the energy range up to 10 keV were comparable to those of the Si(Li) detector. At higher fluorescence x-ray energies the sensitivity of the Si PIN detector gradually decreased and was smaller by a factor of ∼4 at 20 keV. The reason was mainly the small thickness of the sensitive volume of the Si PIN diode (0.2 mm) and therefore the smaller relative efficiency of this detector. The assessed limits of detection (LODs) were comparable for the two detectors, which was mainly due to the lower spectral background of the Si PIN detector in excitation with the Cd-109 source as a result of its smaller sensitive thickness. The accuracy of elemental determinations for the two detectors was comparable and within the limits of the assessed uncertainties, which were calculated considering all the steps of the analysis, i.e. spectrum measurement and analysis, sensitivity calibration and quantification. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

AnlaÈsslich des Symposiums zum 60. Geburtstag von Prof. Malte BuÈ hring in Berlin am 16. 01. 1999 gab Dr. Dr. B. Uehleke einen Ûberblick uÈ ber die Situation der Lehre und stellte eine Idealvorstellung vor. Unter der neuen Regierung wird es einen gaÈnzlich anderen Ansatz zu einer Approbationsnovelle geben; solange gilt die alte Approbationsordnung, in der das Gebiet «Grundlagen und MoÈ glichkeiten der Naturheilkunde und HomoÈ opathie» enthalten ist und mit 10 PruÈ fungsfragen in der 2. Ørztlichen PruÈ fung gepruÈ ft wird. BezuÈ glich Umfang und Inhalt der Lehrangebote an den einzelnen FakultaÈ ten ist nach wie vor eine grosse Streubreite festzustellen. FuÈ r die Zukunft wird ein zweiteiliges Lehrkonzept vorgeschlagen, welches im September in Ûberlingen innerhalb der AG diskutiert worden war: Ein Teil I der Naturheilkunde koÈ nnte bereits in den ersten Semestern angeboten werden, z. B. Hausmittel bei banalen Erkrankungen, da hierzu keine klinischen Vorkenntnisse erforderlich sind. Teil II waÈre eine Vertiefung und Ausweitung, die auf entsprechende Voraussetzungen bei den StudentInnen hinsichtlich Klinik, Pharmakologie, Biometrie aufbauen wuÈ rde. Uehleke stellte in Berlin dar, dass die Naturheilkunde eine ideale BruÈ cke zwischen naturwissenschaftlichen, vorklinischen FaÈchern und der Klinik bilden koÈ nnte, und leitete daraus die Forderung an die Politik ab, einen zukuÈ nftigen themenvernetzten Unterricht (z. B. Anatomie des Bewegungsapparates gleichzeitig mit Kurs uÈ ber Massage) durch zu institutionalisierende Vertreter der Naturheilkunde zu organisieren. Bericht aus der Arbeitsgemeinschaft «FED» (Fasten, ErnaÈhrung, DiaÈ tetik)

Die 13. Tagung der Schweizerischen Medizinischen Gesellschaft fuÈ r Phytotherapie (SMGP) am 12. November 1998 im Stadtcasino Baden war eine wuÈrdige Festveranstaltung zum 10jaÈhrigen Bestehen der SMGP. Die Tendenz, dass seit einigen Jahren die Anzahl der Tagungsteilnehmer kontinuierlich zunimmt, bestaÈtigte sich diesmal mit einem Teilnehmerrekord von mehr als 200 Interessierten. Jahreszeitengerecht war das Thema die Bedeutung der Heilpflanzen fuÈ r das Immunsystem.

Wie bereits angekuÈ ndigt, wird seit Mitte des Jahres 1998 auch die stiftungseigene Buchreihe «edition forschung» von der Stiftung selbst, im KVC Verlag, Essen, herausgegeben. Der erste im neuen Verlag erschienene Titel ist die Doktorarbeit von Nicola Clausius. Diese Doktorarbeit hat insofern einen besonderen Stellenwert, als die hier vorgestellten Daten die Grundlage fuÈ r die im «Lancet» (1997;350:834±843) veroÈ ffentlichte Arbeit von Klaus Linde et al.: «Are the clinical effects of homoeopathy placebo effects? A meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials» sind. Damit das wissenschaftliche Arbeiten mit dem umfangreichen Datenmaterial moÈ glich wird, liegt der tabellarische Anhang der VeroÈ ffentlichung auf Diskette bei.

With the ultimate objective in contributing to the improvement of the quality control of drinking water and to facilitate the checking of its compliance with the respective regulations, an inventory of analytical techniques used in water supply companies in Eastern and Western European countries is presented. The existing regulations for drinking water and bottled mineral water quality with respect to trace elements in these countries are compared to regulations of the World Health Organisation. The data obtained can be useful for further harmonisation of the respective regulations in Europe.

20 myeloma patients with large tumour cell mass and acute renal failure (stage III B, serum creatinine 1020 μmol/L) were divided in two groups: cytostatic group and plasma exchange (PE) group in order to evaluate the effectiveness of two different treatment modalities on the survival of these patients. Both groups had the same supportive treatment and chemotherapy. Patients with PE were treated with 1–12 PE for 1–4 weeks. The most important clinical prognostic factors as serum creatinine values, proteinuria and myeloma type did not differ significantly between the two treatment groups. The survival time for patients treated with PE was longer — the difference in favour of plasmapheresis is significant (p < 0.025).

The usefulness of orthoclone OKT3. for the treatment of steroid resistant acute allograft rejection in 12 patients was investigated. The patients were treated with OKT3 in 5 mg daily dosage regimen during 8–12 days. Improved function of the transplanted kidney was registered in all patients. Cummulative survival rate during 18 months period of patients and renal transplants was 92

A group of 12 patients with recurrent calcium urolithiasis followed a uniform dietary regimen involving a prescribed intake of plain water during the first week and Donat Mg, a natural mineral water, during the second week of the study. 24-hour urine specimens were collected on the 6th and 7th days of each week. The analyses included measurement of the volume, relative density, osmolality and pH, and determination of the excreted quantity of magnesium, calcium, oxalate, urate, citrate, phosphate and creatinine. The two sets of values obtained for each patient were compared and significance of the differences was assessed using Student's t-test. The changes in urinary composition observed after the patients drank Donat Mg were in accordance with the theoretical expectations. The results showed a significant increase in the excretion of magnesium (p < 0.001) and citrate (p < 0.005), known to inhibit calculi formation, a shift in urinary pH towards the neutral range and a significant decrease in values of the risk indices Ca/Mg (p < 0.005) and oxalate/citrate (p < 0.001).

Urodynamic model was developed which, in conjunction with a compartmental pharmacokinetic model, was used for study of factors influencing drug concentrations in urine: urine flow rate, residual bladder urine, maximal bladder urine, stage of renal failure, and elimination kinetics of drugs. Norfloxacin (NOR) was used as a model drug, although the model haw general applicability for all urinary antiseptics. Pharmacokinetic data were obtained from a clinical study in which norfloxacin was administered orally as a single 400mg dose to four subjects with installed urine catheters. Sample of blood, bladder and catheter urine were collected and concentrations of NOR measured by a HPCL method. Modeling was performed on analog--hybrid computer EAI 580. Besides the fitting of model response to obtained in vivo data, simulations of expected clinical situations were performed in which the interplay of above mentioned factors was studied in terms of urine concentrations profiles. NOR treatment with 400mg b.i.d. secured sufficient urine concentrations in most studied cases. This approach should be applied for corresponding study of other urinary antiseptics, especially those with less favourable urinary levels.

To check whether in vivo EDTA prevents complement activation resulting from blood contact with the dialyzer membrane, sham hemodialysis (HD) was performed in seven healthy volunteers using Cuprophan hollow-fiber dialyzers. Blood samples were drawn from the arterial and venous blood lines of the dialyzer before and after EDTA was infused into the arterial line. Venous line plasma C3a concentrations before EDTA infusion were significantly higher than after EDTA. Also, venous line plasma C3a concentrations before and after EDTA infusion were significantly higher than in the arterial line. These results indicate that complement activation can be attenuated by EDTA during sham HD. Technical improvements in the procedure may permit complete inhibition of complement activation.

The long term effect of percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty on blood pressure was evaluated in 141 patients with renovascular hypertension and on renal function in 15 patients with ischemic renal disease. Results suggest that angioplasty is effective in the long term management of renovascular hypertension and may be in the preservation of renal function in some patients with ischemic renal disease.

Renal transplantation has become an acceptable mode of therapy for patients with end-stage renal failure since the early 1960s. Retrospective study was done to analyze clinical results od 126 patients who received either living related or cadaveric kidney. The cumulative graft survival rate was 90% one year and 80% four years after living related kidney transplantation. The corresponding patient survival rate was 96% one year and 94% four years after transplantation. There were no significant differences in graft and patient survival regarding mode of immunosuppressive therapy. In cadaveric kidney transplantation graft survival after one year was 78% and patient survival ranged at 98%. Our results are comparable to those of other centers and we think renal transplantation is adequate therapy for most patients with end-stage renal disease.