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Introduction: The authors have attempted to elucidate the differences between Chance, seat-belt, and flexion distraction fractures. Chance and seat-belt fractures have more common features, while flexion distraction fractures differ, in particular, due to the mechanism of injury. A difficult diagnosis is sometimes a common characteristic, while therapy is always the same., Patients and Methods: During the period from 1997 to 2005, the authors treated 23 seat-belt fractures, and only three "genuine" Chance fractures. All patients had normal neurological findings. The mechanisms of injury were a car crash in 20 cases, and a fall associated with flexion in 6 cases, such as a rolling fall while skiing. According to the localisation, Chance fractures were found at the L 1 level twice and at the L 2 level once. Seat-belt injury was found once each in the areas of T 7, L 4, L 5, -twice at L 2 and L 3, and 16 times at the T / L spine transition, respectively. All patients were operated on using instrumented posterolateral spondylodesis., Results: All fractures healed by spondylodesis as confirmed by X-ray images. All patients returned to their original job or school. 14 patients were evaluated 6 months after removal of the metallic implants. The mean subsequent kyphotisation was 1.4 degrees with the largest deviation of 4 degrees in a patient with a pure ligamentous variant of a seat-belt fracture., Conclusion: The objective of this work is to illustrate the various types of spinal distraction injuries of a seat-belt character and Chance fracture, when the vertebral body is not compressed. X-rays and often also CT scans show a "benign" character. Interpretation of the findings is very important for the development of further chronic instability of the spine and all consequences. If the diagnosis of a distraction injury is made the operative stabilisation is essential. That is why all our patients were tretaed by operation.

Background: Until today there existed no major studies about the wide range of currently utilized methods or potential sociodemographic and institutional influences on utilization despite an immense interest among nurses in alternative nursing methods (in this study referred to as home remedies)., Methods: In this study, from standardized questionnaires with a convenience sample of three different settings of nursing practice, i.e. acute-care, nursing homes, and home health care were analyzed using the statistical program SPSS., Results: Our analysis showed that a wide range of traditional home remedies is being utilized, e.g. application of heat and cold or herbal infusion (herbal teas). Furthermore, lay approaches such as aromatherapy were also commonly used. The statistical analysis revealed complex influences of age, duration of nursing practice and institutional setting in the utilization of home remedies., Conclusion: There is need for more systematic studies to further examine the alternative methods or home remedies so popular among nurses and their patients. Regarding a more consistent naming of the variety of different methods coming from naturopathy, folk and lay medicine, the authors suggest the term "integrative nursing care".

Satisfaction and working conditions of nursing staff as a basis for internal interventions Can analyzing the working situation of nursing staff by means of a questionnaire contribute to improving working conditions and thus reduce fluctuation and increase work-satisfaction? This was the basic question of this investigation and aimed at creating an instrument that could help work out existing resources and strategies for possible interventions. Therefore, an anonymous questionnaire containing 114 questions concerning the current situation was presented to the nursing staff in two departments of internal medicine and one surgical department of a university hospital in southern Germany in April 1993. Analysis of the data of the different working fields (ordinary/intensive care, clinics) showed individual differences regarding resources and possible interventions. Furthermore, the assumption could be confirmed that by means of such a project the nursing management gains specific starting points for the preparation of change. The prospects of improving working conditions seem quite good, as these findings are based upon the statements of the staff concerned. It has to be emphasized that the nursing staff were able to identify themselves with the conclusions when the results were presented to them.

In context with the first communication which deals with the characterization of the so-called brown contamination called forth by Enterobacteriaceae in the citric acid fermentation of molasses, the present paper describes the screening of antiseptic substances able to suppress the contamination mentioned without damaging the normal growth of the producing mould Aspergillus niger and its ability of producing citric acid. Among the substances tested the sodium salt of 5-nitrofurylacrylic acid (5-NFA) excelled partly because of its antiseptic effect in relatively small concentrations and partly because the mould tolerates appreciable amounts of this antiseptic. Therefore there may be applied, in the presence of a heavy contamination, relatively high concentrations of the antiseptic without fear of damaging the producing mould. Usually a dose of 10 to 15 mg 5-NFA in 11 of medium was sufficient to suppress the brown contamination.