Plain films in the evaluation of batteries as esophageal foreign bodies

OBJECTIVE: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of plain films in differentiating coin batteries from coins. SETTING: Study was conducted at a tertiary referral university medical center. METHODS: Eleven radiographs were taken of various objects and independently reviewed by 14 radiologists and otolaryngologists. Reviewers were asked to identify the object filmed as either a battery or not a battery. In addition, otolaryngologists were asked if they would immediately proceed to the operative suite for removal based on the film. Results were tabulated and analyzed using a spreadsheet. RESULTS: Overall, plain films had a sensitivity and specificity of 80.4% and 79.1%, respectively with an overall accuracy of 79.8%. When used as a test to determine urgency of removal, sensitivity increases to 94.4% while specificity decreases to 67.1% with an overall accuracy of 83.1%. CONCLUSIONS: Plain films are an effective method of evaluating for the possibility of batteries as esophageal foreign bodies.     

The Effect of Metabolism on the Transport of 15O-labelled Oxygen through Vicia Faba Roots

The transport of oxygen through continuous gas spaces in the root of the seedling of Vicia faba was investigated, using coincidence-counting of labelled nitrogen-oxygen gas mixtures containing 19 per cent and 0·4 per cent oxygen. The observations indicate that, in diffusing to the elongating zone and the radiosensitive root meristem, a little oxygen is lost to the tissue. This loss occurs in the region of the cotyledon and hypocotyl.     

Standards der Diagnostik und Therapie des Magenkarzinoms

Despite a decreasing frequency gastric cancer is the fifth or sixth most common cancer in Germany. Usually the cancer is discovered in an advanced stage. This article is based primarily on the current S3 guidelines for gastric cancer published 2011. General aspects of risk factors, diagnosis and therapy with the current classification system are the main topics in this article. Furthermore, this article focuses on treatment of local advanced disease. Especially in recent years, many studies have dealt with the concept of perioperative treatment. However, a worldwide standard of care could not be reached for this indication.     

The Effects of X-rays on the Extension Growth of Barley Roots

The use of barley roots as experimental material for radiobiological investigations has been described. The advantages of this material are: barley is genetically homogeneous, the plants do not require surgery, and the technique is simple both in practice and in its requirements for apparatus. 20 per cent oxygen enhances the relative radiosensitivity of barley roots by a factor of 2·8.     

Harnblasenfunktionsstörungen im Kindesalter

Bladder dysfunction in children is a very common and heterogeneous problem. There can be disturbances either in bladder storage or during voiding phases. First of all it is important to distinguish between non-neurogenic and neuropathic bladder dysfuction. In this article the most common causes, the basic diagnostic evaluation and therapeutic interventions are summarized.     

Applying virtual reality in forensics – a virtual scene walkthrough

A major task of forensic investigations is the documentation and interpretation of evidence to reconstruct a forensically relevant incident. To accomplish this task, a scene is documented not only with photographs but also with 3D documentation technologies. The resulting 3D data are used for 3D visualization and to perform 3D reconstructions. In this article, we present an approach for using forensic 3D data in conjunction with virtual reality to perform scene walkthroughs in the context of witness or suspect interrogations. The aim is to provide a method for scene visits showing the original scene even years after the incident. These scene walkthroughs in VR can be reproduced and allow to see through the eyes of a witness by recording their behavior and actions. These recordings allow subsequent examinations and reconstruction to support the investigation and scene understanding and can be used as evidence in court.