Approaching the Gamow Window with Stored Ions: Direct Measurement of

We report the first measurement of low-energy proton-capture cross sections of ^{124}Xe in a heavy-ion storage ring. ^{124}Xe^{54+} ions of five different beam energies between 5.5 and 8 AMeV were stored to collide with a windowless hydrogen target. The ^{125}Cs reaction products were directly detected. The interaction energies are located on the high energy tail of the Gamow window for hot, explosive scenarios such as supernovae and x-ray binaries. The results serve as an important test of predicted astrophysical reaction rates in this mass range. Good agreement in the prediction of the astrophysically important proton width at low energy is found, with only a 30% difference between measurement and theory. Larger deviations are found above the neutron emission threshold, where also neutron and γ widths significantly impact the cross sections. The newly established experimental method is a very powerful tool to investigate nuclear reactions on rare ion beams at low center-of-mass energies.

[Possibility of sonographic early diagnosis of heterotopic ossifications after total hip-replacement]. / Ist eine perioperative sonographische Frühdiagnostik heterotoper Ossifikationen nach Alloarthroplastik des Hüftgelenks möglich?

AIM: The sonographic early diagnosis of heterotopic ossifications after total hip replacement. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 53 patients were sonographically and radiologically examined after a total hip-replacement. RESULTS. In the sonographic exam,positive findings were shown in 49.1% (n=26) one week, 66% (n=35) three weeks,73.6% (n=39) six weeks and 77.3% (n=41) twelve weeks after surgery. 88.5% of patients showing positive results in the sonographic exam carried out one week after surgery, later on showed positive x-ray findings (p<0.001). Of the three-week positive x-ray findings (n=19), 78.9% had condensations in the sonographic exam (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Sonographic imaging after hip-replacement seems to be a sensitive and specific method which allows an early diagnosis of ossifications one week after surgery in 2/3 of patients. In this context a therapy concept which helps avoiding the development ossifications would be welcome.

Osteoporosis risk assessment by family practice faculty and residents: a chart review.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency of osteoporosis risk assessment of postmenopausal women by family practice faculty and residents. METHODS: Review of 263 charts of women over 50 from 3 residency clinics. Charts were evaluated for evidence of osteoporosis risk assessments or discussion of prevention strategies during the past 2 years. RESULTS: Overall, 35% of the charts contained documentation of some discussion of osteoporosis. Female physicians discussed osteoporosis more than their male colleagues (p < 0.05). Documentation of osteoporosis discussions decreased as women aged (p < 0.05). There was no difference in rates among clinics or between residents and faculty. CONCLUSIONS: The documentation of osteoporosis discussions with high risk women was low in this sample. Strategies to improve osteoporosis screening are necessary.

[Clinical examination of the shoulder]. / Die klinische Untersuchung der Schulter.

The shoulder examination technique as described by the authors helps to come to the diagnosis mostly without the help of apparative techniques. The described examination techniques are well established and have been used successfully by the authors.

Subcutaneous rupture of the tibialis anterior tendon: review of the literature and a case report.

Closed rupture of the anterior tibial tendon is uncommon, with 33 cases being reported previously. In this report we add another to these few. The literature is reviewed; late diagnosis is frequent, and the injury occurs in middle-aged and elderly patients after distorsion of the foot in plantar flexion and eversion. The treatment of the rupture in early and delayed cases is discussed.

Osteoarthrosis following the Putti-Platt operation.

The objective of this study was to search for any degenerative changes in the shoulder joint following the Putti-Platt operation in a long-term follow up study, as most papers regarding that operation report a redislocation rate and a limitation of external rotation, but only a few mention osteoarthrosis (OA). Patients operated on between 1945 and 1971 answered a questionnaire and were invited for a clinical examination including standard X-rays of the shoulder. These films were compared with those taken preoperatively. OA was classified according to the Samilson and Prieto grading. Twenty-six patients could be re-examined on average 26 years after the operation. Fifteen had evident radiological signs of OA. According to Samilson and Prieto there were 11 mild, 2 moderate and 2 severe cases of OA. Nine patients had a Hill-Sachs defect and 3, a Bankart lesion. Patients over the age of 25 years at the time of the first dislocation developed OA more often. Following the Putti-Platt operation one has to expect radiological signs of OA in a long-term follow-up. Mainly minor forms are seen. Older patient age at the time of the first dislocation is a predisposing factor for the development of OA.

[Treatment results of Imhäuser's method of treating neonatal clubfeet]. / Behandlungsergebnisse des Neugeborenenklumpfusses nach Imhäuser.

The results of treatment of newborn clubfoot are reported 6 years and 3 months after operation. 88 children with 123 clubfeet were treated beginning at the neonatal period with redressment and casting followed by achillotenotomy and dorsomedial and dorsolateral capsulolysis of the talocrural and talocalcaneal joints at 4 to 7 months of age. After that a strict protocol of physiotherapy, orthetics and controlling was used. For clinical and radiological assessment the criteriasof Magone (40) and Simons (51, 52) were used. The significance of parental cooperation was analysed. At follow-up the result was good or acceptable in 83.7% according to clinical findings and 43.6% according radiology respectively. There was obviously no correlation of clinical and radiological findings. The mobility of the ankle joint proved to be important regarding the functional result, especially in cases with flat-top-talus it has been limited. Parenteral cooperation is of special importance for good results in clubfoot-therapy.

[Treatment of foot deformities in diastrophic dysplasia--a case report]. / Die Behandlung der Fussdeformität bei diastrophischer Dysplasie--eine Fallbeschreibung.

We report the follow-up of a neonate with Pes equinovarus et adductus due to diastrophic dysplasia. The feet have been treated operatively by lengthening of the calcaneal tendon after initial redressement and casting. The normalized position is maintained by means of an removable plastic cast and later an instep raiser. Instructions for the maintenance are given.