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Biomedical subjects

B Schwarz

Publications and source records attributed to B Schwarz.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Overweight and coronary risk factors results from a western Austrian survey.

Objectives of the study are to estimate prevalence of weight categories in a western Austrian population and to determine differences in primary coronary risk factors between weight categories in adults. The study population consists of 635 males and 693 females aged 25 to 64 years from the state Vorarlberg in western Austria. Age-standardized prevalence of body-mass-index 25.0 to 29.9 kg/m2 is 42.8% in men and 23.0% in women. The prevalence of a body-mass-index of 30.0 kg/m2 or more is 8.6% in men and 13.3% in women. Categories of relative weight correlated in both sexes significantly with all investigated risk factors, i.e. total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose and systolic blood pressure. Significance remained in multivariate regression analysis in all parameters for both sexes, when controlling for age. Thus, the survey clearly shows the importance of relative weight as an indicator of elevated coronary risk and the importance of overweight for public health.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Epidemiology of atherosclerosis and disorders of lipid metabolism].

Austrian age-standardized myocardial infarction (MI) death rates are in international mid range. While total mortality in Austria has decreased 20% since 1969, MI mortality rates have been stable. 1985/86 daily food consumption is about 13,000 kJ (3,100 kcal) per capita. It consists of 46% lipids (157 g), 42% carbohydrates (315 g) and 12% proteins (92 g). Daily animal fat consumption is 105 g, vegetable fat consumption is 52 g, P/S-ratio is 0.34. Alcohol consumption provides additionally 992 kJ (237 kcal) or 8% daily. 1974/75 the same amount of daily energy was consumed, but 41% were lipids, 47% carbohydrates and 12% proteins. To provide the basis for a nationwide programme to reduce morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular diseases, particularly myocardial infarction, a consensus statement of 21 leading Austrian experts was initiated in 1987. The recommendations published in June 1988 comprise guidelines for assessing and reducing cardiovascular risk. For adults aged 20 years or more total cholesterol (TC) levels below 200 mg/dl (5.17 mmol/l) are "desirable normal", TC levels from 200 to 250 mg/dl (5.17 to 6.47 mmol/l) are "risk", and TC levels above 250 mg/dl (6.47 mmol/l) are "high risk". The individual risk is determined with respect to several other variables such as LDL-C, HDL-C, family history, sex age, blood pressure, smoking habits, diabetes mellitus, oral contraceptives, and overweight. Mean TC level in Austrian adults currently is about 225 mg/dl (5.82 mmol/l), 25% have total cholesterol levels above 250 mg/dl (6.47 mmol/l) and 7% above 300 mg/dl (7.76 mmol/l).

Austria↗
PubMed1990

Coffee and cardiovascular risk: epidemiological findings in Austria.

The results of studies on the connection between the consumption of coffee and cardiovascular risk factors have been conflicting, particularly concerning serum lipids. We examined several associations in a representative sample of 1203 men and women between 25 and 64 years of age in the state of Vorarlberg, Austria. Coffee consumption correlated significantly (p less than 0.001) with the number of cigarettes smoked per day (men: r = 0.30; women: r = 0.26) and the prevalence of smokers (men: r = 0.27; women: r = 0.25). We found no adverse effect of coffee on blood lipids or lipoproteins. The lack of evidence was independent of smoking habits in both sexes. We suggest that the lack of evidence is due to the usual method of preparing coffee in Vorarlberg, ie percolated or as 'Espresso'.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Murine coronavirus nonstructural protein ns2 is not essential for virus replication in transformed cells.

Two isolates of the murine hepatitis virus (MHV) strain JHM, which differed in their ability to express the nonstructural gene product ns2, were characterized. The MHV Wb3 isolate encodes a 30,000-molecular-weight ns2 protein that can be readily detected in infected cells by using a specific monoclonal antibody, MAb 2A. The MHV Wb1 isolate is a deletion mutant that lacks a functional ns2 gene and the transcriptional signals required for the synthesis of an ns2 mRNA. However, there are no obviously significant differences in the growth of the MHV Wb1 and MHV Wb3 isolates in continuous cell lines or in the synthesis of viral mRNAs or proteins in infected cells. These results demonstrate that the ns2 gene product is not essential for MHV replication in transformed murine cells and suggests that the function of the ns2 gene may only be manifest in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

[Smoking and atherosclerosis].

Smoking is one of the three major cardiovascular risk factors, the other two being hyperlipidaemia and hypertension. Cardiovascular diseases contribute in Austria, as well as in other industrialized countries, more than 50% to total mortality. Unlike in other industrialized countries ischaemic heart diseases in Austria have an unfavourable mortality trend, with a substantial relative increase. The atherogenicity of smoking is partly caused by interaction with other risk factors, especially hyperlipidaemia, hypertension and a high fibrinogen level. 30% of the Austrian population are smokers. The percentage has increased over the past few years, especially in young women. Other cardiovascular risk factors are very common too and, hence, a large proportion of the Austrian population is at risk due to a combination of risk factors. Smoking and the use of oral contraceptives is associated with significant risk of both myocardial infarction and stroke. The Austrian trend of cigarette smoking among young women points to a substantial increase in the number of women at risk by this combination of risk factors. Strategies to control the smoking epidemic have been internationally tested. An integrated approach is set out in a document provided by the International Union Against Cancer (1983). In a country like Austria with a tobacco monopoly the conditions for implementing smoking control measures should theoretically be better than in other countries.

Arteriosclerosis↗
PubMed1989

[Therapy and compliance in angina pectoris--analysis of a physician and patient survey].

Positive compliance is essential for the successful treatment of coronary heart disease. To study the reasons for non-compliance of patients with angina pectoris 50 patients out of a sample of 2000 persons were recruited. Randomized telephone-calls were used. The 50 angina pectoris patients were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Another questionnaire was sent to all general practitioners and specialists for internal diseases in Austria. 675 doctors replied. The responding physicians reported a 68.9% positive compliance of the patients to pharmaceutical treatment of angina pectoris. Nevertheless most of the physicians believe that about half of the patients sometimes forget to take their medicine or change their therapeutic scheme or don't take the prescribed drugs if they have no symptoms. Patients suffering from angina pectoris confirm compliance problems, but significantly less often than doctors.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1989

[The Delphi panel "atherosclerosis report"--concept and experiences].

While the overall mortality in Austria is decreasing and life expectancy is increasing the mortality rate from ischaemic heart disease has been stable for more than 15 years despite therapeutic progress. In many countries well-established prevention programs have helped to decrease the cardiovascular mortality by more than the overall mortality. In order to provide the basis of a nationwide program to reduce morbidity from cardiovascular diseases, their epidemiological importance must be documented convincingly, as well as the available strategies for their prevention and therapy. The most convincing form of documentation is a joint statement by leading medical experts. Hence, the "Delphi panel" method was chosen as the most appropriate approach. In Austria, the Institute of Social Medicine, University of Vienna and the Austrian Society of Hygiene, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine published the "Atherosklerosebericht" (atherosclerotic report), result of a written Delphi panel, in June 1988. Concept and practical experiences are reported below.

Arteriosclerosis↗
PubMed1989

[Total cholesterol findings in Austria--an overview of epidemiologic studies].

Hyperlipoproteinaemia is the most important public health risk factor for ischaemic heart disease. This publication gives a review of six Austrian epidemiological studies covering more than 87,000 people in all. The results are not representative for Austria, but give a picture of the epidemiology in Austria. Mean values were calculated age-standardized (age-adjusted when ten-year age groups are registered) to the Austrian population of 1985, for the age group 20 to 79 years. This age range covers 99.77% of the adult male population aged 20 or more, and 95.70% of the women. Mean total cholesterol level for the six studies is 224.2 mg/dl in men and 227.3 mg/dl in women. These results are similar to those of a representative study in the province of Vorarlberg in western Austria (220.0 mg/dl, and 227.4 mg/dl respectively). Variation range is 20.4 mg/dl in men, and 22.5 mg/dl in women; the coefficient of variation is 3.9% in both, men and women.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[The prevalence of hyperlipidemia and obesity in Vienna health examinations 1986].

A random sample of 20% of people taking part in the free health check-ups provided by the city of Vienna in 1986 (707 men and 1022 women), aged 20 to 79 years (mean age men 48.1 +/- 15.8, women 49.6 +/- 15.1 respectively) were retrospectively evaluated to determine coronary heart disease risk according to the recommendations of the Austrian Cholesterol Consensus Conference. Age-standardized mean total-cholesterol is 230.0 mg/dl in men and 235.8 mg/dl in women. Age-standardized percentage of normal lipid levels (i.e. total-cholesterol below 200 mg/dl) is 29.7% in men, 25.7% in women respectively. The high-risk group (i.e. total-cholesterol more than 250 mg/dl) has an age-standardized prevalence of 28.5% in men and 35.8% in women. The age-standardized percentage of obesity according to the guidelines of the National Institutes of Health is 14.2 in men, 17.2 in women respectively. The comparison of age-standardized men-values of total-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and Quetelet-index, as well as normal lipid levels according to the Austrian recommendations and percentage of obesity, in the age groups 20 to 39, 40 to 59 and 60 to 79 years shows a statistical significant difference of each parameter between age-group 20 to 39 and age-group 40 to 59 in men, but no significant difference in any parameter between age-group 40 to 59 and 60 to 79 in men. On the contrary in women differences are significant between age-group 20 to 39 and 40 to 59, as well as between age-group 40 to 59 and 60 to 79 in each parameter.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Statistical evaluation of 4,141 osteosyntheses with autocompression plates].

Statistical display of the cases of our hospital who underwent osteosynthesis with autocompression plate between 1968 and 1986. Based on the unselected evaluation of our surgical reports and computer monitoring an analysis of the total of 4.141 ACP-osteosynthesis is given according to the various origin types of surgical procedures, age and sex distribution and chiefly complications of the operative revisions. The total of revised complications was 4.18%, among that the rate of infections was 1.37%, of pseudarthroses 0.92%, breaking out of plates 2.2 per thousand and of material fractures 1.9 per thousand. From these data a high security of the osteosynthesis by autocompression plates concluded.

Bone Plates↗
PubMed1989

[Cause, prognosis and therapy of tibial pseudarthroses].

A report on surgical treatment of 75 pseudarthroses of the tibia, 64 cases of which could be followed up for assessing the treatment results. The majority of these were pseudarthroses due to infection or associated with atrophy, that is to say, cases that were difficult to treat. Stabilization was usually effected by osteosynthesis with autocompression plates; in the majority of cases autologous bone grafts were performed additionally. In 82.8% of the cases cure of the pseudarthrosis was achieved, in 68.8% already by first surgery. 7.8% of the patients refused further surgical treatment. 9.4% are still under treatment at the time of writing.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

[Initial clinical experiences with low molecular weight heparin in the prevention of thrombosis in orthopedic surgery].

This is a report on almost 10 years of experience with heparin prophylaxis in orthopaedic surgery, especially on the changeover from the high molecular heparin dihydergot used previously, to the low molecular heparin dihydergot (Embolex) while changing over at the same time from the previously well-tried and successful postoperative initiation of treatment to preoperative start of prophylaxis. Compared with the period before prophylaxis (1965-1977) with 24 fatal pulmonary embolisms, no fatal pulmonary embolisms have occurred in our hospital since prophylaxis was introduced (1978). Changeover to low molecular heparin with only one instead of three injections daily was fundamentally welcomed although preoperative onset of prophylaxis involved a considerable rise in afterbleeding complications. Hence we recently adopted the procedure of conducting prophylaxis with low molecular heparin (as was done previously with success using high molecular heparin) postoperatively; this resulted in a dramatic reduction of bleeding complications while protection against thrombosis is obviously clinically satisfactory. Postoperative initiation of prophylaxis is therefore recommended in case of major orthopaedic surgery.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Pharmacological management of an impending placental insufficiency.

By means of drug administration a further decrease of the placental circulation in premature sonographic maturity of the placenta could be prevented via influencing the TXA2/PGI2 balance. Treatment of premature sonographic placental maturity with 50 mg acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) per day and three times daily 100 mg Rocornal, respectively, resulted in a significant increase of the birth weights. In a second series of experiments, three groups were treated with 50 mg/day ASA or 250 mg ASA/once per week and three times/day 100 mg Rocornal, respectively, from the 18th or 20th week of gestation to the 35th week. Subsequently, they were compared to a group of untreated controls. The birth weights of all treated groups were statistically significantly higher. The underlying mechanism is suggested to be an improved microcirculation.

Aspirin↗
PubMed1987

[Epidemiology of hypercholesterolemia in the Vienna area].

Hypercholesterolaemia is the most important risk factor in coronary heart disease (CHD). Epidemiological data are not available for the region of Vienna and the aim of this investigation was to obtain them. The municipal health investigation centres are attended by 6000 to 8000 people from the region of Vienna each year, who may voluntarily use these services once a year without any cost. We analysed total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and the ratio of total to HDL cholesterol of 733 unselected men and women aged 20 to 79 years, who visited one of the centres in May 1986. The classification was carried out according to the recommendations of the National Institutes of Health (Bethesda, USA, 1984). Using these guidelines 26.0% of the men and 26.6% of the women have normal total cholesterol levels. With regard to total cholesterol 55.0% men and 44.3% women have elevated levels and 19.0% of men and 29.2% of women are at high risk of developing CHD. The mean ratios of total to HDL cholesterol, which is closely related to CHD risk, and the proportion with a value above 4.5, which is associated with elevated CHD risk, are closely related to Austrian trends in ischaemic heart disease, which are unfavourable, especially in middle aged men, the so-called "young myocardial infarctions".

Adult↗