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Biomedical subjects

E Funck

Publications and source records attributed to E Funck.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

The second EURADOS intercomparison of national network systems used to provide early warning of a nuclear accident.

In 1999 and 2002, the EURADOS Working Group on Environmental Monitoring organised two European intercomparison exercises of national network systems used to provide early warning in case of a nuclear accident. In total, 12 European countries, represented by more than 40 scientists, participated in these two intercomparisons with more than 35 different dose rate detectors. In addition, an in situ gamma spectrometry intercomparison was performed by a group of European scientists during the 2002 exercise. Results of these spectrometry measurements will be reported elsewhere. This report summarises the results of the second intercomparison, performed in 2002, at the environmental dosimetry facilities of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) in Germany. The unique combination of the ultra-low background Underground Laboratory (UDO) and two free-field sites (a floating platform on a lake showing an almost pure cosmic radiation field and a free-field gamma ray irradiation facility) provide the particular opportunity to precisely quantify the inherent background of the detectors and to calibrate them almost free of any background and traceable to PTB's primary standards. In addition, the intercomparison comprised investigations on the energy and dose rate dependence of the detectors' response to gamma radiation as well as on the response to cosmic radiation. Finally, the sensitivity of the detector systems to small dose rate variations, similar to that caused by a passing overhead radioactive plume, was studied under realistic free-field conditions. Following the Council Directive 96/29/EURATOM, the participants of the 2002 intercomparison were asked to report their results in terms of the operational quantity ambient dose equivalent, H(*)(10). Although the verification of the individual calibrations showed smaller discrepancies than those in the 1999 intercomparison, in a few cases, these discrepancies would be still unacceptably high in the case of a real emergency situation as demonstrated by the plume results. This shows the clear need for further efforts towards a European harmonisation in environmental dosimetry. For this purpose, a further intercomparison shall be held at the PTB in 2006, especially with the participation of new members of the European Union.

Air Pollution, Radioactive↗
PubMed2003

Lessons learnt from an international intercomparison of national network systems used to provide early warning of a nuclear accident.

As part of the European Research Council's Fourth Framework Programme, the EURADOS Action Group on Monitoring of External Exposures held an intercomparison of national network systems. This took place during May/June 1999 at the Risø Natural Enviromental Radiation Measurement Station in Denmark and at the Underground Laboratory for Dosimetry and Spectrometry (UDO) of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) in Germany. The network systems are used continuously to monitor radiation levels throughout a country in order to give early warning of nuclear accidents having transboundary implications. The radiation levels measured are used to estimate the radiation risks to people arising from the accident. Seven European countries participated in the intercomparison with detector systems used in their national network systems as well as with detectors being developed for future use. Since different radiation quantities were measured by the systems (namely exposure, air kerma and ambient dose equivalent), the initial analysis of the intercomparison results was made in terms of the quantity air kerma rate. This report completes the analysis of the results and these are given in terms of air kerma rate in order to be consistent with the preliminary report. In addition, in some cases the results are also given in terms of the quantity measured by each national network system. The experience gained from this intercomparison is used to help organise a follow-up intercomparison to be held at the PTB Braunschweig in September 2002 and in which a further seven or eight countries from Europe will participate.

Air Pollution, Radioactive↗
PubMed2000

A clinical and radiographic comparison of absorbable and non-absorbable suture anchors in open shoulder stabilisation.

The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and radiographic results using either absorbable or non-absorbable suture anchors in patients with recurrent unidirectional, post-traumatic shoulder dislocations. All patients had a Bankart lesion. One surgeon operated on 33 consecutive patients, 27 males and six females. Group A comprised 15 shoulders and group B 18 shoulders, all of which underwent a standardised open Bankart reconstruction using 3.7-mm TAG suture anchors. In group A, absorbable anchors were used, while in group B, non-absorbable ones were used. There was one re-dislocation in each group. In group A, the Rowe and Constant scores were 89 (69-98) and 89 (76-99) points, respectively. The corresponding values in group B were 87 (44-98) (not significant; NS) and 90 (71-100) points (NS). The strength measurements revealed 8.1 (3.8-12.3) kg in 90 degrees abduction in group A and 10.0 (6.7-12.0) kg in group B. Healthy control shoulders revealed 10.2 (4.5-13.2) kg (NS A and B versus controls). The external rotation in abduction was 70 degrees (40-90) in group A and 80 degrees (40-100) in group B. The value for the controls was 90 degrees (80-120) [P < 0.001 (A versus controls), P < 0.05 (A versus B) and P < 0.001 (B versus controls)]. The radiographs revealed that 9/15 (60%) in group A and 10/15 (66%) in group B had visible drill holes or cystic formations in conjunction with the drill holes (NS). Furthermore, 11/15 (73%) in group A and 10/15 (66%) in group B had signs of minor degeneration (NS). We conclude that, in terms of stability and clinical results, no differences were found between the study groups. Both groups demonstrated a restriction in external rotation as compared with the healthy shoulders in the same cohort. On the radiographs, visible drill holes or cystic formations in conjunction with the drill holes were seen with equal frequency, regardless of whether absorbable or non-absorbable suture anchors were used.

Absorbable Implants↗
PubMed2000

The PTB underground laboratory for dosimetry and spectrometry

In 1991, the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt established an underground laboratory for dosimetry and spectrometry (UDO) at the Asse salt mine, near Braunschweig. Due to the depth of 925 m below ground (equivalent to about 2100 m of water), the cosmic ray muon intensity in this facility is reduced by more than 5 orders of magnitude. In addition, the low specific activity of the pure rock salt and a low concentration of radon lead to an extremely low ambient dose equivalent rate of less than 1 nSv/h. The UDO facility is therefore well suited for dosimetry at very low dose rates, as well as for Ultra-Low-Background (ULB) gamma-ray spectrometry. In 1998, a coaxial low-background HPGe-detector (88% relative efficiency, FWHM 2.0 keV at 1.33 MeV) with an extended shielding (20 cm low-activity lead, 1 cm electrolytic copper, N2-flushing) was installed at UDO; the count rate per mass of germanium, integrated over the energy range from 40 to 2750 keV, was measured to be 0.012 s(-1) kg(-1). Results from test measurements and first applications are reported. The design of a ULB gamma-detector system, presently under construction, is described.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Arthroscopic and open shoulder stabilization using absorbable implants. A clinical and radiographic comparison of two methods.

The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and radiographic results in patients with recurrent unidirectional, post-traumatic shoulder instability (dislocations/subluxations). All the patients had a Bankart lesion and underwent reconstruction using either an open or an arthroscopic technique and absorbable implants. Thirty-three consecutive patients (36 shoulders) were operated on by one surgeon. Group A comprised 18 shoulders which underwent an open Bankart reconstruction using absorbable 3.7-mm TAG suture anchors. Group B comprised 18 shoulders which underwent a combination of an intra- and extra-articular arthroscopic stabilization using 8-mm Suretac fixators. The median number of dislocations before the reconstruction was 5(0-45) in group A and 4 (0-30) in group B (NS). The follow-up examination was performed by an independent observer after a median of 31 (range 25-38) months in group A and 28 (range 18-46) months in group B (NS). An independent radiologist without any knowledge of the surgical procedure evaluated all the radiographs. There were no re-dislocations in either group. In group A, the Rowe and Constant scores were 86 (range 61-98) and 89 (range 73-99), respectively. The corresponding values in group B were 92 (range 83-98; P = 0.05) and 96 (range 75-100; NS). The external rotation in abduction was 65 degrees (range 20 degrees-90 degrees) in group A and 83 degrees (range 65 degrees-105 degrees) in group B (P = 0.0017). The radiographs revealed that 10/18 (56%) in group A and 4/18 (23%) in group B had visible drill-holes or cystic formations in conjunction with the drill-holes (P = 0.002). In this study the open procedure resulted in a restriction in external rotation more frequently than the arthroscopic procedure. The radiographs revealed visible drill-holes or cystic formations in conjunction with the drill-holes more frequently when TAG suture anchors were used than when Suretac fixators were used. The radiographic changes did, not appear to affect the clinical outcome, however.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Absorbable implants for open shoulder stabilization: a clinical and serial radiographic evaluation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighteen consecutive patients who had recurrent, unidirectional, post-traumatic shoulder instability were included. All the patients underwent surgery with a standardized open Bankart technique involving absorbable suture anchors. CLINICAL RESULTS: No redislocations occurred during the study period of 31 months (range 25 to 38 months). The Rowe and Constant scores were 86 points (range 61 to 98 points) and 89 points (range 73 to 99 points), respectively. The strength measurements revealed 8.6 kg (range 3.8 to 15 kg) in 90 degrees abduction compared with 9.3 kg (range 2.2 to 16.5 kg) in the control shoulders (not significant). The external rotation in abduction was 65 degrees (range 20 degrees to 90 degrees) compared with 91 degrees (range 80 degrees to 105 degrees) in the control group (P < .001). RADIOGRAPHIC RESULTS: Signs of minor or moderate degeneration were found in 10 of 18 patients on the preoperative radiographs, in 15 of 18 at 7 months, and in 16 of 18 at 33 months (P < .05 before surgery vs 33 months). From the preoperative examination to the 7-month control, 7 of 18 patients had an increase in degenerative changes, and from the 7-month to the 33-month control, an increase was found in 8 of 18 (P = .008, before surgery vs 7 months; P = .005, 7 months vs 33 months). At the 7-month control, 8 of 18 patients had invisible or hardly visible drill holes, and 10 of 18 had visible or cystic drill holes at the site of implantation for the absorbable suture anchors. At the 33-month control, 10 of 18 patients had invisible or hardly visible drill holes, and 8 of 18 had visible or cystic drill holes (not significant, 7 months vs 33 months). CONCLUSION: The method resulted in stable shoulders in 17 of 18 patients. Degenerative changes were present on the radiographs in most of the patients and appeared to increase over time. Visible drill holes or drill holes with cystic changes were seen on the radiographs in a significant number of patients at the 7-month and the 33-month control and did not appear to heal during the follow-up period.

Absorbable Implants↗