On the effect of oxygen partial pressure on the chromium distribution coefficient in melt-grown ruby crystals

Small ruby crystals were grown by the Czochralski technique in different atmospheres and their actual chromium content was analysed by a wet chemical method. The chromium distribution coefficient k was found to be strongly dependent on oxygen partial pressure p(O2). It ranges from k=0.3 in a reducing atmosphere to k=1.2 in a slightly oxidizing atmosphere and to a good approximation k depends linearly on log(p(O2)). The experimental data are discussed on the basis of thermodynamic equilibrium calculations

Kocuria kristinae-caused sepsis in an infant with congenital tufting enteropathy

Congenital tufting enteropathy (CTE) is characterized by the early-onset of chronic diarrhea and the inability to develop. It is a rare congenital disease with a low prevalence of 1:50,000 - 100,000 live births p.a. The histopathology is characterized by villous atrophy and the characteristic epithelial tufts. Recent identification of causative mutations in EpCAM has enhanced our understanding of this disease. Due to its severe clinical course, patients are dependent on parenteral nutrition to thrive successfully. Catheter-associated blood stream infections have become the primary problem for pediatric patients. Infections with Kocuria kristinae are rare. This report is about a 3-month-old girl with CTE suffering from a central venous catheter related mono-sepsis by K. kristinae. A sepsis therapy with meropenem and vancomycin improved her general state rapidly. Only few cases in the literature with CTE and K. kristinae are described. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report presenting two coincidences in one case