Biomedical subjects

P Spitzer

Publications and source records attributed to P Spitzer.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Decreased circulating CD34+ stem cells in early Alzheimer's disease: Evidence for a deficient hematopoietic brain support?

Hematopoietic stem cells contribute to mammalian brain tissue regeneration by transdifferentiation processes. We found decreased counts of circulating CD34+ cells in early Alzheimer's dementia (AD; P = 0.01), which significantly correlated with age (r = -0.661; P = 0.001), cerebrospinal fluid beta-amyloid (Abeta)1-42 (r = -0.467; P = 0.025) and most pronounced the Abeta42/40 ratio (r = -0.688; P = 0.005). Our data suggest a deficient regenerative hematopoietic support for the central nervous system in early AD.

Alzheimer Disease↗

PubMed2002

Traceability of pH measurements by glass electrode cells: performance characteristic of pH electrodes by multi-point calibration.

Routine pH measurements are carried out with pH meter-glass electrode assemblies. In most cases the glass and reference electrodes are thereby fashioned into a single probe, the so-called 'combination electrode' or simply 'the pH electrode'. The use of these electrodes is subject to various effects, described below, producing uncertainties of unknown magnitude. Therefore, the measurement of pH of a sample requires a suitable calibration by certified standard buffer solutions (CRMs) traceable to primary pH standards. The procedures in use are based on calibrations at one point, at two points bracketing the sample pH and at a series of points, the so-called multi-point calibration. The multi-point calibration (MPC) is recommended if minimum uncertainty and maximum consistency are required over a wide range of unknown pH values. Details of uncertainty computations for the two-point and MPC procedure are given. Furthermore, the multi-point calibration is a useful tool to characterise the performance of pH electrodes. This is demonstrated with different commercial pH electrodes. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL is available if you access this article at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00216-002-1506-5. On that page (frame on the left side), a link takes you directly to the supplementary material.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2001

The clown doctors.

BACKGROUND: In 1996 The Humour Foundation was established in Australia, drawing on inspiration from the work of Patch Adams and the Clown Care Unit in New York. The mission statement of the Foundation is to introduce and promote the health benefits of humour to patients, their families and health care professionals. OBJECTIVE: To describe the work of the Clown Doctors in Australia and the role of humour in relieving suffering. DISCUSSION: Clown Doctor Units have been established at several major hospitals throughout Australia. They use performance skills, humour, empathy and sensitivity to support, nourish, divert and help patients (and staff) cope with difficult situations.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Improved traceability of pH measurements.

Traceability is a prerequisite for the comparability and uniformity of measurements. Although pH-measurements are carried out on a large scale in laboratory and industry, the problems involved in the traceability of pH values have not adequately been solved in the past. The comparability of pH measurements is limited, among other parameters, by the accuracy of the pH values of the standard buffer solutions used to calibrate the pH meter-electrode assemblies. The measured pH(X) value must be traceable to primary standard pH(PS) values through an unbroken chain of comparisons, all values having stated uncertainties. A new primary standard measurement device for pH is used to certify primary pH reference materials from which these secondary reference materials can be derived.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1995

Playground accidents.

To study the causes and sequelae of playground accidents we analysed, in a retrospective study, 374 playground accidents. Questionnaires were sent to the parents and 103 parents (28%) provided detailed information on the playground accidents of their children. Thirty-one percent of the children injured in playground accidents sustained fractures of the extremities or concussion of the brain. Swings, slides, climbing frames, metal bars and merry-go-round accidents accounted for 71% of the 338 playground equipment-related accidents, whereas 36 accidents (10%) occurred without the use of playground equipment. The majority of these accidents were caused by children fighting. Rope-plank-type swings were frequently involved in backward falling accidents and 86% of the slide accidents were fall accidents. Climbing frames should not be taller than 1.6 m. Further efforts are mandatory to create and maintain playgrounds which help children develop their skills with a minimal risk to injury.

Accident Prevention↗

PubMed1990

HL7, MEDIX and the pursuit of the unified standard.

The move toward open systems environments in healthcare computing has gained momentum in recent years. The authors, both deeply involved in the development of standard communication protocols for disparate systems, explain the status of current convergence efforts both here and abroad, with emphasis on HL7 and MEDIX.

Computer Communication Networks↗