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The incidence of myocardial contusion (MC) after blunt chest trauma has been reported in 8.2 to 75% of trauma patients. We performed this study to report on the incidence of myocardial contusion in order to determine the frequency and to describe the type of complications in these patients. We conducted a retrospective analysis over a period of 3 years. There were 123 patients with a blunt chest trauma who were admitted to our hospital. Myocardial contusion occurred in 22 of our patients with blunt chest trauma (17.8%). In all these patients typical ECG-changes could be found during hospitalization (100%). The incidence of further pathological findings in the 22 patients were 23% for auscultation, 27% for cardiac enzymes (MB fraction) as well as 27% for the echocardiography. Cardiac complications, such as arrhythmia, cardiac failure or tamponade occurred in 17 patients (77%). Early diagnosis of myocardial contusion in patients with blunt chest trauma is important to prevent and to treat possible complications. ECG controls have the highest sensivity to detect a MC, whereas cardiac enzymes and echocardiography seem to be poor markers of blunt myocardial injury. Die Inzidenz einer Myokardkontusion (MK) nach einem stumpfen Thoraxtrauma liegt in der Literatur zwischen 8,2 und 75% der Trauma-Patienten. Wir haben diese Untersuchung durchgeführt, um die Inzidenz in unserem Patientengut zu bestimmen und um die Häufigkeit und die Art von Komplikationen bei diesen Patienten zu analysieren. Es wurde eine retrospektive Analyse über 3 Jahre vorgenommen. Wir untersuchten dabei 123 Patienten mit einem stumpfem Thoraxtrauma, die unserer Abteilung in diesem Zeitraum zugewiesen wurden. Eine Myokardkontusion trat bei 22 unserer 123 Patienten mit stumpfem Thoraxtrauma auf. Bei allen diesen Patienten konnten während des Krankenhausaufenthaltes die typischen EKG-Veränderungen festgestellt werden (100%). Die Inzidenz weiterer pathologischer Befunde bei diesen 22 Patienten lag bei 23% für die Auskultation, 27% wiesen erhöhte CK-MB Werte auf und ebenfalls 27% einen pathologischen Echokardiographie-Befund. Kardiale Komplikationen wie Arrhythmien, Herzinsuffizienz und Tamponade traten bei 17 Patienten auf (77%). Eine frühe Diagnose ist bei Patienten mit stumpfem Thoraxtrauma wichtig, um mögliche Komplikationen zu behandeln oder sogar zu verhindern. EKG-Kontrollen haben die höchste Sensitivität, um eine MK zu diagnostizieren, wogegen “Herzenzyme“ und die Echokardiographie weniger sensitive Marker einer Myokardkontusion zu sein scheinen.

The effect of the interlayer exchange coupling on the ordering temperature of ultrathin magnetic layers has been explored for two systems: Ho/Y and Fe/V superlattices. In both cases, the exchange coupling can be modified and eventually removed by the introduction of hydrogen into the mediating non-magnetic spacer layer. In case of Ho/Y we observed a drastic drop of the Ho Néel temperature from 105 K for coupled Ho blocks of 10 monolayer thickness to 65 K for isolated or uncoupled Ho blocks. In Fe/V superlattices, the incorporation of hydrogen changes the strength and sign of the exchange coupling constant. Again, we observed that the ordering temperature clearly depends on the strength of the exchange coupling in both the antiferromagnetically and the ferromagnetically coupled range of the phase diagram.

Commercial high-field magnetic resonance (MR) scanners are generally not equipped with measurement software and hardware to perform interventional studies with active devices that contain small radiofrequency (rf) coils for localisation. In this study, with only minimal modifications to the MR scanner, the active catheter tracking technique is implemented on a clinical MR system. Small rf-coils are attached to a commercial angiography catheter and the movement of the coils is observed with fast MR tracking and imaging techniques. Optimised imaging strategies are explored for both static and moving anatomical regions. Image calculation and display software is implemented using both the MR scanner's fast image reconstruction processor, together with the main console computer and a separate personal computer. With the current implementation, image update rates of up to several Hertz can be achieved, if a roadmap imaging technique is used, where rapid coordinate updates are projected onto previously acquired overview images. To account for cardiac and breathing motion, an interleaved imaging strategy is presented where coordinate and image updates are acquired in rapid succession. With this approach, image update rates of 1-2 Hz are obtained, depending on the details of the image reconstruction process.

We studied the oxidation of epitaxial Nb(110) films on a-plane sapphire substrates at elevated temperatures with x-ray scattering techniques. Comparing atmospheric versus dry oxidation, we observe a different behaviour resulting in the formation of chemically and structurally different oxides. Under atmospheric conditions we obtain an unlimited growth of an amorphous Nb2O5 layer, while dry oxidation at 340°C and 10⁻³ mbar results in the growth of a crystalline and passivating NbO(111) layer with a final thickness of about 50 Å. In addition atmospherically oxidized samples show the formation of an oxygen lattice gas in the remaining Nb(110) film, which is not observed parallel to the growth of NbO during dry oxidation. The use of thin film systems together with x-ray diffraction methods provides a powerful combination to investigate the oxidation process under different conditions down to the atomic scale and thus complements oxidation studies performed in the past.

We studied the oxidation of epitaxial Nb(110) films on a-plane sapphire substrates at elevated temperatures with x-ray scattering techniques. Comparing atmospheric versus dry oxidation, we observe a different behaviour resulting in the formation of chemically and structurally different oxides. Under atmospheric conditions we obtain an unlimited growth of an amorphous Nb2O5 layer, while dry oxidation at 340°C and 10⁻³ mbar results in the growth of a crystalline and passivating NbO(111) layer with a final thickness of about 50 Å. In addition atmospherically oxidized samples show the formation of an oxygen lattice gas in the remaining Nb(110) film, which is not observed parallel to the growth of NbO during dry oxidation. The use of thin film systems together with x-ray diffraction methods provides a powerful combination to investigate the oxidation process under different conditions down to the atomic scale and thus complements oxidation studies performed in the past.

Die hypertrophe Kardiomyopathie (HCM) ist eine Erkrankung mit unterschiedlichen ätiologischen, morphologischen, funktionellen, klinischen und therapeutischen Aspekten. Neuere Erhebungen zeigen eine relativ große Verbreitung der HCM in der Bevölkerung auf (1:500). Die Ursachen sind größtenteils auf eine familiäre oder sporadisch auftretende genetische Mutation zurückzuführen. Nach dem klinischen Bild ergeben sich aufgrund molekulargenetischer, hämodynamischer und morphologischer Befunde hinsichtlich medikamentöser und chirurgischer Therapieansätze im wesentlichen zwei Patientengruppen: 1. Die hypertrophe nichtobstruktive Kardiomyopathie (HNCM) Auf dem Boden familiärer molekulargenetischer Untersuchungen können Patienten ohne klinische, hämodynamische und morphologische Abweichungen identifiziert werden. Andere entwickeln eine geringgradige Hypertrophie sowie verschiedene Formen von Rhythmusstörungen, die auf ein erhöhtes Risiko, einem plötzlichen Herztod zu erliegen, hinweisen und einer entsprechenden antiarrhythmischen Behandlung bedürfen. Bei einer zunehmenden symptomatischen Hypertrophie ist eine Behandlung mit ß-Rezeptorenblockern, Kalziumantagonisten und antiarrhythmischen Medikamenten angezeigt. Mit beginnender Manifestation einer Myokardinsuffizienz sind zusätzlich Diuretika, Digitalis, ACE-Hemmer sowie Katecholamine erforderlich. Eine weitere klinische Verschlechterung kann zur Indikation einer Herztransplantation bei geeigneten Patienten führen. Als Überbrückungsmaßnahme, bis ein Spenderherz zur Verfügung steht, ist u. U. die Implantation eines Linksherz- oder biventrikulären Unterstützungssystems notwendig. 2. Hypertrophe obstruktive Kardiomyopathie (HOCM) Die Patienten weisen eine linksventrikuläre subvalvuläre septale Ausflußtrakt-Obstruktion (typ. Form) oder eine mittventrikuläre systolische Einengung (atyp. Form) auf. Der erste Behandlungsschritt ist die medikamentöse Therapie mit ß-Blockern (Propanolol) und/oder Ca-Antagonisten (Verapamil), z. T. unterstützt durch Antiarrhythmika (Disopyramid, Amiodarone). Bei unter medikamentöser Therapie fortschreitender klinischer Verschlechterung zum klinischen Schweregrad III (NYHA) war bisher die transaortale subvalvuläre Myektomie (TSM) als alleinige weitere Behandlungsmöglichkeit generell akzeptiert. Durch neuere interventionelle Techniken: – Zwei-Kammer-Stimulation mit einem Herzschrittmacher (DCP) (atrial getriggerte ventrikuläre Stimulation), – transkoronare Ablation der septalen Hypertrophie (TASH) (selektive Injektion von 95%igem Alkohol in den 1. Septalast), kann die Ausflußbahnobstruktion deutlich reduziert bzw. sogar vollständig beseitigt werden. Insbesondere bei jüngeren Patienten nach Synkopen, lebensbedrohlichen Tachykardien sowie nach Kammerflimmern mit erfolgreicher Reanimation kann die Implantation eines Kardioverter-Defibrillators notwendig werden. Vergleichende prospektiv randomisierte Studien bei verschiedenen Therapiemaßnahmen gibt es weder für die HNCM noch für die HOCM. Retrospektive Studien für die HOCM-Patienten nach TSM zeigen klinisch eine deutliche Besserung. Ein reduziertes Risiko eines plötzlichen Herztodes bleibt allerdings weiterhin bestehen. Trotz in der Regel deutlich schlechterer Ausgangssituation vor TSM ist die Langzeitüberlebensrate deutlich besser als bei Patienten mit nur medikamentöser Behandlung. Langzeitresultate bei den interventionellen Verfahren stehen natürlich noch nicht zur Verfügung, so daß die Langzeitergebnisse nach TSM über mehr als 25 Jahre als Vergleichsstandard angesehen werden können, die die interventionellen Techniken mindestens erreichen müssen! Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a disease with different etiological, morphological, functional, clinical and therapeutic aspects. Recent investigations indicate that HCM is considerably widespread in the population (1:500). The causes seem to generate from familial or sporadic abnormalities (mutations). Depending on the clinical aspect, the complaints, and on the basis of morphologic and hemodynamic investigational results, we mainly have to consider two types of medical and surgical management. 1. Hypertrophic nonobstructive cardiomyopathy (HNCM) Patients may have no hemodynamic or morphologic deviations, but may be identified by familial moleculargenetic investigations. Others may have different types of rhythm disturbances which may indicate a higher risk of sudden death. Depending on the degree of hypertrophy, the clinical impairment indicates medical therapy with ß-blockers, Ca antagonists, and anti-arrhythmic drugs. In the case of clinical deterioration and manifestation of myocardial insufficiency diuretics, digitalis, ACE inhibitors, and catecholamines are indicated. Further impairment may lead to heart transplantation or as a bridging procedere to implantation of a left ventricular or biventricular assist device until a suitable donor heart is available. 2. Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) Symptomatic patients may have different localizations of the left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) in the subaortic area (typical form) and in midventricular position of the LV (atypical form). The first therapeutic step is always medical therapy with ß-blockers, Ca antagonists, and anti-arrhythmic drugs. Further deterioration toward clinical class III (NYHA) despite long-term medication until recently was generally accepted as indication for transaortic subvalvular myectomy (TSM). Today mostly two other techniques are preferred – if possible – – Double chamber pacing (DCP) (atrial triggered ventricular pacing), – Transcoronary ablation of septal hypertrophy (TASH) (by selective injection of alcohol, 95%, into the first septal branch) Especially in younger patients, after syncope, life-threatening tachyarrhythmias, and after resuscitation, the implantation of a cardioverter defibrillator may be necessary. Comparative prospectively randomized studies between different therapeutic regimens for HOCM are not available. Retrospective analyses of patients after TSM show a considerable clinical improvement. The risk of sudden death is relatively low, but not excluded. Patients after TSM demonstrate advantages concerning the survival rate despite the more deteriorated condition against those after medical therapy only. According to the new interventional techniques, long-term results are not yet available, of course. However, the long-term results after TSM may serve as a comparative standard which have at least to be reached by DCP and/or TASH.

Neutron scattering investigations of the structural and dynamical properties of ammonia molecules in the stage 1 compound KC24(NH3)4.3are discussed. The K–NH3intercalate layers represent the two-dimensional analogue of the well-known metal–ammonia solutions. At room temperature the intercalate liquid structure factor can be described by a model in which the K ions are surrounded on the average by four NH3molecules, and the remaining molecules are essentially free. Quasi-elastic neutron scattering revealed two independent rotational motions of the NH3molecule, one associated with the rotation about the C3symmetry axis and the other one about the K ions. Above 200 K translational diffusion also becomes noticeable. The phonon dispersion of the [00q] longitudinal modes show clear signs of a phonon–libron coupling which causes the acoustic branch to split.

X-ray and neutron reflectivity measurements provide a wealth of information on thickness and interfacial properties on the nanometer scale. This method is therefore well suited for the study of nano-structured thin films and superlattices. Neutrons provide a different contrast between the elements than X-rays and, in addition, are sensitive to the magnetization in the sample. Using polarized neutrons, magnetic as well as chemical profiles can be probed. In this review a basic introduction into the theory of X-ray and neutron reflectivity is provided along with some recent examples including the oxidation of Fe films and the structural and magnetic properties of Co/Cu superlattices.

The in-plane phonon densities of states of Li-graphite intercalation compounds of stage-1 and stage-2 are obtained from neutron time-of-flight spectra. For the stage-2 the ordered compound LiC12 which has the same in-plane structure as the stage-1 compound LiC6 as well as the dilute compound LiC16 which only reveals short range order were studied. The temperature in the measurements was extended above expected phase transitions for both stages and the density of states is analysed in terms of the effective temperatures T∥ for the in-plane vibrational energies. T∥ shows characteristic changes at the thermodynamic temperatures of the phase tansitions. Comparison of the T∥ values shows similar in-plane dynamics of all Li-compounds at the highest temperatures.

Neben der geringen Sensitivität weist die in vivo 13C-MR-Spektroskopie – als Konsequenz überlappender Multipletts in gekoppelten Spektren – das Problem der Zuordnung der Resonanzen auf. An einem Ganzkörper-MR-System wurden verschiedene Breitband-Entkopplungssequenzen zur Anregung des Protonenspinsystems während der 13C-MR-Signalakquisitionsphase verwendet. Auf diese Weise konnten die störenden Multi-plettstrukturen vollständig beseitigt werden. Eine selektive Anregung von Signalen aus verschiedenen CHn-Gruppen wurde durch die Kombination dieser Pulssequenzen mit Mehrquantenfiltern erzielt. Dadurch wurde der Informationsverlust unter Protonen-Entkopplung, nämlich die Anzahl der gebundenen Protonen, wieder-gewonnen. Bei Experimenten in vitro und in vivo wurden darüber hinaus signifikante Signalgewinne und Linienverschmälerungen beobachtet, die dem nuklearen Overhauser-Effekt bzw. der Aufhebung langreich-weitiger 13C-1H-Kopplungen zugeschrieben werden.

Konventionelle Verfahren zur Lokalisation von MR-Signalen aus dem menschlichen Körper sind für die in vivo 13C-MR-Spektroskopie aufgrund der großen Bandbreite von 13C schon bei der relativ niedrigen Feldstärke von 1,5 Tesla ungeeignet. Daher wurden alternative Lokalisationstechniken für die in vivo Anwendung in Kombination mit Oberflächenspulen entwickelt und an einem Ganzkörper-MR-Tomographen implementiert. Die Pulssequenzen umfassen die Verwendung von Sättigungspulsen sowie mehrdimensionale spektroskopische Bildgebungsverfahren, die eine präzise Ortsselektion (in der Größenordnung von wenigen mm) der in vivo 13C-MR-Spektren ermöglichen. Durch die Kombination mit adiabatischen HF-Pulsen wird eine beträchtliche Verbesserung des Signal-zu-Rausch-Verhältnisses erzielt, was einer Reduktion der Spektrenakquisitionszeit für in vivo Untersuchungen um einen Faktor von 2-3 entspricht.

We present the observation of charge density waves and strain waves in thin epitaxial Cr(001) films by means of scattering with synchrotron radiation. The Cr films were grown by molecular beam epitaxial techniques on MgO(001) substrates and on Al2O3(11¯02) substrates with a Nb(001) buffer layer. The ratio between the amplitudes of both modulations can be derived from the measured intensities. From the data a substrate induced change of this ratio and of the modulation wavelength as compared to the bulk value can be infered.

Stage-2 CoCl2-GIC approximates a two-dimensional easy-plane (XY) ferromagnet on a triangular lattice. It has been found in prior work to order in two steps, with the intermediate phase showing long-ranged ferromagnetic correlations within the intercalate plane, but no correlations between neighboring planes. We have probed the wave vector and temperature dependence of the static and dynamic spin correlations in detail, including measurements of the critical scattering, the quasielastic scattering from vortex diffusion and the spin wave excitations with and without an external magnetic field. Some of the predictions for a Kosterlitz-Thouless type transition are met in this compound, at least qualitatively, including an apparent jump in the spin stiffness at the critical point and the existence of a diffusive central peak in the scattering function possibly originating from vortex autocorrelations. However, there are some inconsistencies between our observations and recent analytical studies as well as Monte Carlo-molecular dynamics simulations of the vortex dynamics that prevent unambigous assignment of the upper critical temperature as a vortex-binding transition.

Depending on film thickness, t , and growth temperature, T , LEED and in-plane X-ray measurements show Kurdjumov--Sachs (KS) as well as Nishiyama-Wassermann (NW) epitaxial relationships for Pd(111) on Cr(110). This is a surprising result, because theoretical models definitely expect the KS orientation for this system. In a systematic study of this phenomenon we determined areas of different epitaxial orientations in a t T diagram. During Pd growth, we observed a continuous transition from the KS to the NW epitaxial relationship, which is accompanied by an enormous reorientation of material. Qualitative considerations, concerning the Pd island structure developing during growth, help to explain the observed behaviour.

The structural and thermodynamic properties of hydrogen dissolved in Nb/Ta superlattices are studied by in-situ x-ray scattering techniques. From the x-ray satellite intensities, it is found that H induces a strain modulation exhibiting a Curie-Weiss temperature dependence. The intensities are analyzed in terms of a mean field model of the modulated lattice gas, yielding quantitative information on the hydrogen-metal and hydrogen-hydrogen interaction energies. Critical behavior associated with a gas-liquid transition is also observed. Hydrogen density fluctuations with wavelengths shorter than a superlattice period are, however, suppressed by the superlattice, which represents a novel manifestation of a coherent phase transition. These experiments provide new and fundamental insight into the role of spacially varying two body interactions in critical phenomena.

A new coccoid methanogen, Methanogenium tatii, was isolated and characterized. The mesophilic isolate can grow on and produce methane from H2:CO2 and formate. For growth acetate is strictly required. The cell shape, the G+C content of 54 mol% and DNA-DNA homology data suggest it to be a Methanogenium species.

Summary For stereotactic biopsy, intracavitary and interstitial irradiation of intracranial tumours, stereotactic CT investigations are of utmost importance. Targetpoints within a tumour as well as the tumour-outlines have to be transferred precisely from transverse and longitudinal CT sections to stereotactic X-ray images. For this purpose, the stereotactic apparatus of Riechert and Mundinger has been equipped with a fixation system of carbon fibre and a measuring phantoma of plexiglass with embedded steel wires allowing stereotactic CT scanning without artefacts. The stereotactic coordinates (x, y, z) of any target point can be taken directly from transverse CT images with high accuracy. The tumour outlines can be transferred to the stereotactic coordinate system from longitudinal CT reconstructions using special computer programmes. Precise transfer is possible if the CT investigation is performed stereotactically.

High-quality thin Fe films were deposited on MgO(001) and Al2O3(1120) substrates in the thickness range from 7 to 50 nm. The structural properties have been studied by out-of-plane and in-plane X-ray scattering experiments. From the out-of-plane measurements the electron density profile was determined together with interface and surface roughness parameters. Fe on Al2O3 grows along the [110]-direction with a structural coherence length comprising about the total film thick ness and a very small mosaicity. From in-plane scattering experiments a three-domain structure was observed. On MgO(001) substrates Fe grows in the [001]-direction, with the Fe [100]-axis parallel to the MgO [110]-axis. On both substrates, the Fe films exhibit a very small surface and interface roughness, indicative for a high quality of the sputtered samples.

Coconut oil prices will exert much influence on synthetic fatty acid commercialization; if domestic oil prices maintain at 12–13¢/lb, demand for coco acids and derivatives could triple during the next three years; however, at an oil price of 22–24¢/lb, about 90% of domestic research and development on lauric acid products would be dropped. Synthetic fatty acids could hold the market if they can be commercialized near present prices. Proportionally higher food uses will be evident for coconut oil for the next several years. Increased demand for short chain (C5–C9) acids in high temperature synthetic lubricants, estimated to grow from the present 25 million lb/year to 50 million lb/year by 1973, will exert an increased demand.

Abstract: Coconut oil prices will exert much influence on synthetic fatty acid commercialization; if domestic oil prices maintain at 12–13/lb, demand for coco acids and derivatives could triple during the next three years; however, at an oil price of 22–24/lb, about 90% of domestic research and development on lauric acid products would be dropped. Synthetic fatty acids could hold the market if they can be commercialized near present prices. Proportionally higher food uses will be evident for coconut oil for the next several years. Increased demand for short chain (C5–C9) acids in high temperature synthetic lubricants, estimated to grow from the present 25 million lb/year to 50 million lb/year by 1973, will exert an increased demand.