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Li H, Dolly S, Zhao T, Ritter A, Mistry N, Colombo V, Raupach R, Huenemohr N, Yu L, Anastasio M, Mutic S. TH-CD-202-02: A Preliminary Study Evaluating Beam-Hardening Artifact Reduction On CT Direct Electron-Density Images. Med Phys 2016. [DOI: 10.1118/1.4958157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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Arling V, Knispel J, Ritter A, Baumann M. Does enhancing consciousness for strategic planning processes support the effectiveness of problem-based learning concepts in biomedical education? CURRENT DIRECTIONS IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING 2015. [DOI: 10.1515/cdbme-2016-0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Interdisciplinary skills gain increasing importance in university and professional contexts. To support these interdisciplinary skills, problem-based learning (PBL) is regularly used in a course for biomedical education. In this study, we investigated whether enhancing consciousness for planning processes can support the effectiveness of PBL concepts in an intervention-control group design. Results indicated clear evidence for this: planning skills were associated with better PBL performance. Concluding, self-reflection of planning skills is useful to increase outcome performance of students in PBL courses.
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Sonntag D, Ritter A, Burkhart A, Fischer J, Mondrzyk A, Ritter H. Experimental amine-epoxide sealer: a physicochemical study in comparison with AH Plus and EasySeal. Int Endod J 2014; 48:747-56. [DOI: 10.1111/iej.12372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 08/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Sanhaji M, Ritter A, Belsham HR, Friel CT, Roth S, Yuan J, Louwen F. Mitotic regulation of the mitotic centromere-associated kinesin. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd 2014. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1388504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
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Potzinger P, Ritter A, Krause J. Massenspektrometrische Bestimmung von Bindungsenergien in siliciumorganischen Verbindungen / Mass-spectrometric Determination of Bond Dissoziation Energies in Organosilicon Compounds. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1515/zna-1975-0314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The appearance potentials for a large number of organosilicon ions have been measured. Combination of these values with thermochemical heats of combustion allow the determination of bond energy terms which may be used to calculate heats of formation for all silicon compounds containing hydrogen, alkyl and chlorine ligands. The bond dissoziation energies D(Si - H)= 89 ± 4, D(Si - C) = 85 ± 4 and D (Si - Si) =75 ± 8 kcal/Mol were found to be independent of the number of methylgroups attached to silicon. In addition the Si - Cl bond energy was found to be 116 and 104 kcal/Mol in (CH3)3SiCl and Cl3SiCl respectively.
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Gardères J, Henry J, Bernay B, Ritter A, Zatylny-Gaudin C, Wiens M, Müller WEG, Le Pennec G. Cellular effects of bacterial N-3-Oxo-dodecanoyl-L-Homoserine lactone on the sponge Suberites domuncula (Olivi, 1792): insights into an intimate inter-kingdom dialogue. PLoS One 2014; 9:e97662. [PMID: 24858701 PMCID: PMC4032237 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0097662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2013] [Accepted: 04/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Sponges and bacteria have lived together in complex consortia for 700 million years. As filter feeders, sponges prey on bacteria. Nevertheless, some bacteria are associated with sponges in symbiotic relationships. To enable this association, sponges and bacteria are likely to have developed molecular communication systems. These may include molecules such as N-acyl-L-homoserine lactones, produced by Gram-negative bacteria also within sponges. In this study, we examined the role of N-3-oxododecanoyl-L-homoserine lactone (3-oxo-C12-HSL) on the expression of immune and apoptotic genes of the host sponge Suberites domuncula. This molecule seemed to inhibit the sponge innate immune system through a decrease of the expression of genes coding for proteins sensing the bacterial membrane: a Toll-Like Receptor and a Toll-like Receptor Associated Factor 6 and for an anti-bacterial perforin-like molecule. The expression of the pro-apoptotic caspase-like 3/7 gene decreased as well, whereas the level of mRNA of anti-apoptotic genes Bcl-2 Homolog Proteins did not change. Then, we demonstrated the differential expression of proteins in presence of this 3-oxo-C12-HSL using 3D sponge cell cultures. Proteins involved in the first steps of the endocytosis process were highlighted using the 2D electrophoresis protein separation and the MALDI-TOF/TOF protein characterization: α and β subunits of the lysosomal ATPase, a cognin, cofilins-related proteins and cytoskeleton proteins actin, α tubulin and α actinin. The genetic expression of some of these proteins was subsequently followed. We propose that the 3-oxo-C12-HSL may participate in the tolerance of the sponge apoptotic and immune systems towards the presence of bacteria. Besides, the sponge may sense the 3-oxo-C12-HSL as a molecular evidence of the bacterial presence and/or density in order to regulate the populations of symbiotic bacteria in the sponge. This study is the first report of a bacterial secreted molecule acting on sponge cells and regulating the symbiotic relationship.
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Franz M, Ritter A, Puta C, Nötzel D, Miltner WHR, Weiss T. Laser heat hyperalgesia is not a feature of non-specific chronic low back pain. Eur J Pain 2014; 18:1501-8. [PMID: 24842773 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Based upon studies using mechanical pin-prick, pressure, electrical or heat stimuli applied to painful and/or pain-free parts of the body, chronic low back pain (CLBP) has been shown to be associated with generalized and enhanced pain sensitivity and altered brain responses to noxious stimuli. To date, no study examined the processing of noxious laser heat pulses, which are known to selectively excite thermal nociceptors located in the superficial skin layers, in CLBP. METHODS We studied laser heat pain thresholds (LHPTs) and nociceptive laser-evoked brain electrical potentials (LEPs) following skin stimulation of the pain-affected back and the pain-free abdomen using noxious laser heat stimulation in 16 CLBP patients and 16 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HCs). RESULTS We observed no statistically significant differences in LHPTs between CLBP patients and HCs, neither on the back nor on the abdomen. Furthermore, we found no evidence for altered brain responses between CLBP patients and HCs in response to stimulation of the back and abdomen in single-trial latencies and amplitudes of LEP components (N2, P2). CONCLUSION The results are in contrast to previous studies showing hypersensitivity to different experimental noxious stimuli (e.g., contact heat). We argue that these discrepancies may be due to low spatial and temporal summation within the central nervous system following laser heat stimulation. Our results indicate important methodological differences between laser heat and thermode stimulation that should be taken into account when interpreting results, such as from thermal quantitative sensory testing.
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Zubedat S, Freed Y, Eshed Y, Cymerblit-Sabba A, Ritter A, Nachmani M, Harush R, Aga-Mizrachi S, Avital A. Plant-derived nanoparticle treatment with cocc 30c ameliorates attention and motor abilities in sleep-deprived rats. Neuroscience 2013; 253:1-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2013] [Revised: 08/12/2013] [Accepted: 08/13/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Alcalai R, Hirsh-Rokach B, Shai E, Lotan A, Ritter A, Varon D, Spectre G. Differential impact of SSRIs on platelet response to clopidogrel: a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial. Eur Heart J 2013. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/eht308.880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Ritter A, Adar T. [How to integrate medical ethics into medical education during residency training?]. HAREFUAH 2013; 152:421-422. [PMID: 23957091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
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Bruners P, Isfort P, Ritter A, Baumann M, Penzkofer T, Schmitz-Rode T, Kuhl CK, Mahnken AH. Entwicklung und erste ex-vivo Versuche eines Prototypen zur interstitiellen Elektrochemotherapie. ROFO-FORTSCHR RONTG 2013. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1346313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Ritter A, Egger S, Emesz M. [Dirofilariosis: subconjunctival infection with Dirofilaria repens]. Ophthalmologe 2013; 109:788-90. [PMID: 22526007 DOI: 10.1007/s00347-012-2541-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
A 45-year-old female patient from Bosnia complained of recurrent swelling and redness of the upper eyelid and 24 h later the patient consulted the Salzburg eye hospital because of a subconjunctival swelling. The slit lamp investigation showed a living Dirofilaria repens which could be removed by forceps. On the basis of this case the infection pathway, possible increasing incidence and therapy are discussed.
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Ritter A, Baumann M, Menzel M, Bruners B, Pfeffer J, Schmitz-Rode T, Mahnken AH. Fem-Driven Parameter Optimization of an Electrochemotherapy Catheter Prototype. BIOMED ENG-BIOMED TE 2013; 58 Suppl 1:/j/bmte.2013.58.issue-s1-N/bmt-2013-4339/bmt-2013-4339.xml. [DOI: 10.1515/bmt-2013-4339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Ritter A, Baumann M, Bruners P, Pfeffer J, Schmitz-Rode T, Mahnken AH. A fully functional prototype for establishing electrochemotherapy in interstitial usage. BIOMED ENG-BIOMED TE 2012. [DOI: 10.1515/bmt-2012-4220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Ritter A, Karami M, Schäfer G, Baumann M. Multimodal Electronic Assessments with Active Voice Input. BIOMED ENG-BIOMED TE 2012. [DOI: 10.1515/bmt-2012-4019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Mogensen C, Bergner B, Wallner S, Ritter A, d'Avis S, Ninichuk V, Kameritsch P, Gloe T, Nagel W, Pohl U. Isolation and functional characterization of pericytes derived from hamster skeletal muscle. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2011; 201:413-26. [PMID: 20969729 DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-1716.2010.02206.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
AIM At the interface of tissue and capillaries, pericytes (PC) may generate electrical signals to be conducted along the skeletal muscle vascular network, but they are functionally not well characterized. We aimed to isolate and cultivate muscle PC allowing to analyse functional properties considered important for signal generation and conduction. METHODS Pericytes were enzymatically isolated from hamster thigh muscles and further selected during a 16-30 days' cultivation period. PC markers were studied by fluorescence activated cell scanning (FACS) and immunocytochemistry. Electrical properties of the cultured PC were investigated by patch clamp technique as well as the membrane potential sensitive dye DiBAC(4) (3). RESULTS The cultured cells showed typical PC morphology and were positive for NG2, alpha smooth muscle actin, PDGFR-β and the gap junction protein Cx43. Expressions of at least one single or combinations of several markers were found in 80-90% of subpopulations. A subset of the patched cells expressed channel activities consistent with a Kv1.5 channel. In vivo presence of the channels was confirmed in sections of hamster thigh muscles. Interleukin-8, a myokine known to be released from exercising muscle, increased the expression but not the activity of this channel. Pharmacologic stimulation of the channel activity by flufenamic acid induced hyperpolarization of PC alone but not of endothelial cells [human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC)] alone. However, hyperpolarization was observed in HUVEC adjacent to PC when kept in co-culture. CONCLUSION We established a culture method for PC from skeletal muscle. A first functional characterization revealed properties which potentially enable these cells to generate hyperpolarizing signals and to communicate them to endothelial cells.
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Kreße G, Felber H, Ritter A, Ascherl B, Vasella A. Ene reactions with α-chloronitroso compounds: Asymmetric synthesis of N-allylhydroxylamines. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010. [DOI: 10.1002/recl.19861050911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Bastian E, Potzinger P, Ritter A, Schuchmann HP, von Sonntag C, Weddle G. The Direct Photolysis of Tetramethylsilane in the Gas and Liquid Phases. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010. [DOI: 10.1002/bbpc.19800840112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Abstract
The present paper aims to explore issues related to men within the context of seeking help for substance abuse. The male gender role is in conflict with help-seeking behaviour and with the fundamental principles of therapy, i.e. introspection, emotional expressivity and acknowledgement of difficulties. This creates a paradox for the male seeking psychological treatment and, it will be argued, particularly for the male substance abuser. It is argued that interventions which address the gender role and challenge men's perceptions of themselves are critical variables in the outcome of therapy, i.e. enabling them to make the necessary changes in order to promote psychological well-being. An examination of the male gender role in relation to intrapsychic issues and family systems will be followed by a brief discussion of therapeutic interventions. Some of the difficulties and issues confronted by workers who work with male substance abusers will be explored.
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Schimmöller B, Schulz H, Ritter A, Reitzmann A, Kraushaar-Czarnetzki B, Baiker A, Pratsinis S. Structure of Flame-made Vanadia/Titania and Catalytic Behaviour in the Partial Oxidation of o-Xylene. CHEM-ING-TECH 2008. [DOI: 10.1002/cite.200750797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Muñoz-Carpena R, Ritter A, Li YC. Dynamic factor analysis of groundwater quality trends in an agricultural area adjacent to Everglades National Park. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY 2005; 80:49-70. [PMID: 16102872 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2005.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2004] [Revised: 07/06/2005] [Accepted: 07/13/2005] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The extensive eastern boundary of Everglades National Park (ENP) in south Florida (USA) is subject to one of the most expensive and ambitious environmental restoration projects in history. Understanding and predicting the water quality interactions between the shallow aquifer and surface water is a key component in meeting current environmental regulations and fine-tuning ENP wetland restoration while still maintaining flood protection for the adjacent developed areas. Dynamic factor analysis (DFA), a recent technique for the study of multivariate non-stationary time-series, was applied to study fluctuations in groundwater quality in the area. More than two years of hydrological and water quality time series (rainfall; water table depth; and soil, ground and surface water concentrations of N-NO3-, N-NH4+, P-PO4(3-), Total P, F-and Cl-) from a small agricultural watershed adjacent to the ENP were selected for the study. The unexplained variability required for determining the concentration of each chemical in the 16 wells was greatly reduced by including in the analysis some of the observed time series as explanatory variables (rainfall, water table depth, and soil and canal water chemical concentration). DFA results showed that groundwater concentration of three of the agrochemical species studied (N-NO3-, P-PO4(3-)and Total P) were affected by the same explanatory variables (water table depth, enriched topsoil, and occurrence of a leaching rainfall event, in order of decreasing relative importance). This indicates that leaching by rainfall is the main mechanism explaining concentration peaks in groundwater. In the case of N-NH4+, in addition to leaching, groundwater concentration is governed by lateral exchange with canals. F-and Cl- are mainly affected by periods of dilution by rainfall recharge, and by exchange with the canals. The unstructured nature of the common trends found suggests that these are related to the complex spatially and temporally varying land use patterns in the watershed. The results indicate that peak concentrations of agrochemicals in groundwater could be reduced by improving fertilization practices (by splitting and modifying timing of applications) and by operating the regional canal system to maintain the water table low, especially during the rainy periods.
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Fry CL, Ritter A, Baldwin S, Bowen KJ, Gardiner P, Holt T, Jenkinson R, Johnston J. Paying research participants: a study of current practices in Australia. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ETHICS 2005; 31:542-7. [PMID: 16131558 PMCID: PMC1734228 DOI: 10.1136/jme.2004.009290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine current research payment practices and to inform development of clearer guidelines for researchers and ethics committees. DESIGN Exploratory email based questionnaire study of current research participant reimbursement practices. A diverse sample of organisations and individuals were targeted. SETTING Australia. PARTICIPANTS Contacts in 84 key research organisations and select electronic listservers across Australia. A total of 100 completed questionnaires were received with representations from a variety of research areas (for example, market, alcohol and drug, medical, pharmaceutical and social research). MAIN MEASUREMENTS Open-ended and fixed alternative questions about type of research agency; type of research; type of population under study; whether payment is standard; amounts and mechanisms of payment; factors taken into account when deciding on payment practices; and whether payment policies exist. RESULTS Reimbursement practice is highly variable. Where it occurs (most commonly for drug dependent rather than health professional or general population samples) it is largely monetary and is for time and out-of-pocket expenses. Ethics committees were reported to be often involved in decision making around reimbursement. CONCLUSIONS Research subject payment practices vary in Australia. Researchers who do provide payments to research participants generally do so without written policy and procedures. Ethics committees have an important role in developing guidelines in this area. Specific guidelines are needed considering existing local policies and procedures; payment models and their application in diverse settings; case study examples of types and levels of reimbursement; applied definitions of incentive and inducement; and the rationale for diverse payment practices in different settings.
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Fortunato G, Ritter A, Fabian D. Old Masters' lead white pigments: investigations of paintings from the 16th to the 17th century using high precision lead isotope abundance ratios. Analyst 2005; 130:898-906. [PMID: 15912239 DOI: 10.1039/b418105k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
White lead (2PbCO(3).Pb(OH)(2)), a common component in 17c. artists' painting materials, was singled out to investigate the potential of lead isotope abundance ratios in the field of authentication and origin assignment. Paintings by Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyck and other Old Masters of the Northern and Southern schools were chosen for this study. An interdisciplinary approach was chosen using both analytical instrumental methods, art technological and art historical knowledge. Minute samples taken from paintings from selected art collections worldwide were investigated using mass spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The high precision lead isotope abundance ratios were measured by multiple collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS). The determination of the calcium matrix influence with respect to possible bias effects to the isotope ratios gave clear decision support, to whether a result lies within the stated combined measurement uncertainty of the result, to eliminate time-consuming matrix separations. The scatter plots of the measured isotope abundance ratios for the painting pigments from P. P. Rubens, A. van Dyck and other Flemish painters exhibit a very narrow distribution forming a cluster. The range of the measured ratio (206)Pb/(204)Pb amounts to 0.55% and for the ratio (207)Pb/(204)Pb to 0.2%. The comparison of the data to cis-alpine (Italian) sample pigments from paintings from the same time period reveals a clear distinction between the two fields. With respect to the lead isotope data originating from the ores it is assumed that the pigment isotope ratio distribution can be explained by very distinct origin of raw materials. Presumably, no mixing of different lead ores from Europe took place. The comparison of the measured white lead isotope ratio values (Flemish paintings) and the data from ore samples led to the unexpected conclusion that local ores were not used for the pigment production but British or German sources.
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Klaus B, Ritter A, Grosse Hülsewiesche H, Beyrle B, Euler HU, Fender H, Hübner M, von Mittelstaedt G. [Study of the quality of codification of diagnoses and procedures under DRG conditions]. DAS GESUNDHEITSWESEN 2005; 67:9-19. [PMID: 15672301 DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-813833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED A system based on Diagnosis Related Groups was introduced in Germany and is mandatory for hospitals from 2004. Hospitals, health care providers and the Medical Service of Social Security-Health Insurance (MDK) face a common effort. Proper codification of diagnoses and procedures is essential. The Medical Service in the State of Hessen, the Techniker Krankenkasse and the Burgerhospital Frankfurt am Main combined forces to assess codification under the DRG system. GOALS The partners cooperated to assess actual codification and to identify starting points for improvement. METHODS A random sample was taken from all in-patient cases (all departments) over a 6-month-period (n = 309). Codification or coding was checked according to German Coding Rules (Deutsche Kodierrichtlinien) from the complete hospital records. Different codification, or coding, was discussed between MDK and Hospital doctors. RESULTS The actual data revealed overcoding in 34 per cent of diagnoses and in 15 per cent of procedures. Undercoding was present in 9 per cent of diagnoses and in 2 per cent of procedures. The DRG grouping changed in 68 cases (22 per cent) after scrutiny by the Medical Service (MDK). The case-mix index (CMI) calculated from relative weights as coded by the hospital was 0.84. The case-mix index calculated from coding by MDK was 0.81. The CMI calculated from effective weights was 0.77 (hospital) and 0.75 (MDK). DISCUSSION Causes of faulty coding and possible remedies are presented. CONCLUSIONS Further systematic reviews are required to develop the DRG System and identify faulty trends.
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