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Biomedical subjects

C E Minder

Publications and source records attributed to C E Minder.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Smoking, alcohol consumption, and endurance capacity: an analysis of 6,500 19-year-old conscripts and 4,100 joggers.

Using data from two Swiss studies, a 20% random sample (n = 6,592) of all 19-year-old army conscripts and all male participants in a 16-km popular race (n = 4,358), we studied the relationships among smoking, alcohol consumption, and endurance capacity using univariate and multivariate analyses. Alcohol was significantly correlated with endurance capacity among joggers in univariate analysis, but lost its significance in multivariate analysis. Among army conscripts, the distance covered in a 12-min endurance run was inversely related to daily cigarette consumption and years of smoking (P less than 0.001). This association was apparent even among light smokers who had been smoking for less than 2 years when they were compared with nonsmokers. Among joggers, even when the lower training activity of the smokers was controlled for, smoking retained a negative, independent association with endurance capacity, as measured by 16-km race time. In multiple regression analysis of endurance capacity, the standardized regression coefficient for smoking was -0.14 for distance covered in the 12-min run and 0.10 for 16-km running time, the latter despite the low prevalence (6.9%) of regular cigarette smokers among the joggers. Seventy percent of the 16-km race participants who smoked around the time they took up jogging quit smoking as joggers. Within the limits of this cross-sectional study design, these results suggest that smoking exerts a direct, biologically mediated, deleterious effect on endurance capacity. The lower levels of exercise of the smokers did not entirely explain the difference in endurance between smokers and nonsmokers. This observation of a short-term negative association between even light smoking and endurance capacity may have implications for health education and promotion efforts.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Relationship of training and life-style to 16-km running time of 4000 joggers. The '84 Berne "Grand-Prix" Study.

To investigate running activity, life-style, and endurance capacity of joggers, all competitors of a popular 16-km race were surveyed by questionnaire. The response rate was 83.6%, yielding a study population of 4358 male runners over age 16. In univariate analysis, there were significant associations between 16-km running time and weekly training distance (average of 1 year), weekly training frequency, body mass index (BMI), age, cigarette smoking, years of regular running, and frequency of alcohol cosumption. A multiple regression analysis provided six significant, independent predictors of 16-km time, explaining 47% of its variance: weekly training distance (standardized regression coefficient = -0.46), age (0.37), BMI (0.23), years of regular running (-0.19), weekly training frequency (-0.11), and cigarette smoking (0.10). Based on laboratory treadmill testing of a subsample of runners, 16-km running times were transformed into maximum aerobic capacities (VO2 max equivalents) for all competitors. In comparison with the general population, even the slowest 5% of the runners showed a higher endurance capacity than the age-specific population mean. Application of the multivariate regression model for an estimation of the overall impact of training and life-style on endurance capacity showed that the great difference in mean endurance levels between joggers and the general population could entirely be attributed to differences in running activity, BMI, and smoking. We conclude that the joggers investigated were, on average, not selected concerning biological predisposition and genetic endowment since their behavior alone explained their high average endurance capacity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Periodontal conditions in a randomly selected population in Switzerland.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the periodontal conditions of a randomly selected population in the Canton of Berne, Switzerland. From a total of 350 selected persons, 206 (59%) attended the examinations. The Plaque Index (PlI), Gingival Index (GI) and Retention Index (RI), the width of the keratinized gingiva, pocket probing depth (PD) and loss of probing attachment (LA) were recorded on four surfaces per tooth in the entire dentition of the subjects. The statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS). A total of 4253 teeth were scored. On average the patients had 20.7 teeth. The mean PlI of this population was 1.16, the mean GI was 1.34 and the mean RI was 0.81. All three indices were higher in older age groups. 72% of all measurements for pocket probing depths were less than or equal to 3 mm, 26% were between 4 and 6 mm, and only 2% were more than 6 mm. 76% of all sites had lost less than or equal to 3 mm of probing attachment, 21% of the sites had lost between 4 and 6 mm and only 3% had lost more than 6 mm. There were no statistically significant differences either between females and males or between the rural and the urban populations. These results indicate that only a relatively small percentage of the sample representative for the respective area in Switzerland suffered from advanced periodontitis, while the great majority may be treated by rather conservative approaches to periodontal therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Malignant pleural mesothelioma among Swiss furniture workers. A new high-risk group.

Within the framework of a research project concerning occupational mortality, attention was drawn to a highly significant standardized mortality ratio for mesothelioma among furniture workers. From information drawn from the mortality records for the years 1979-1985 and from the 1980 national census, the number of pleural mesotheliomas among this occupational group was examined. The expected number of deaths from pleural mesothelioma among Swiss furniture workers for this period was 4.4; the observed number was 12. This finding indicates a 2.7-fold relative risk (P = 0.004) for death due to these cancers among Swiss furniture workers.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Identification of drugs in human serum by high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection and a search algorithm for ultraviolet spectra.

A system is described that identifies a number of unknown drugs (benzodiazepines, antidepressants and neuroleptics) in blood specimens for clinical-toxicological purposes. Reversed ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography with a photodiode array detector saves the ultraviolet spectrum of every chromatographically significant peak. Post-run data-processing, provided by a microcomputer, retrieves candidate substances from a library of ultraviolet spectra. Selected standard ultraviolet spectra are compared with the unknown by five different similarity tests. The discriminatory efficiency of these algorithms has been determined. Multicomponent analysis, a built-in program of the spectrophotometer, provided the most reliable results.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1987

[Nose and sinus cancer mortality in Swiss cabinet makers].

Sinonasal cancers, although quite rare, have been shown to occur with greatly increased frequency among furniture workers. In the first epidemiological study of this problem in Switzerland, we use information drawn from the mortality statistics for the years 1979-1982 and from the 1980 national census to calculate the relative risk of mortality from sinonasal cancers among male Swiss furniture workers, aged 15-79, via both the odds ratio (OR) and the standardized mortality ratio (SMR). We verified the comparability of the occupation "furniture workers" on a random sample of death certificates and matched census records. There was an excellent concordance of 72%. The diagnosis "malignant neoplasms of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses" is also highly reliable on Swiss death certificates. In this 4-year period we observed 9 cases among the 41,667 furniture workers and 59 among the 1,813,798 male workers in the general population. Our SMR indicates a 6.6-fold relative risk for death due to cancers among Swiss furniture workers (p less than 0.0001; 95% confidence interval 3.0-11.6). When differential histological classification (obtained from regional cancer registers) is taken into consideration, we note an OR of 230 for death from adenocarcinoma. These results are in agreement with figures published by researchers elsewhere. Because of the long latency period, it is important to include populations over 65 in studies such as this, in order to avoid case selection bias. On the other hand, those over 80 had to be excluded from our study because of poor reliability of occupation on the death certificate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Sinonasal cancer and furniture workers: update and methodological points.

Using data drawn and adapted from the 1980 national census and the mortality statistics for the years 1979-1985, we update our previously published standardized mortality ratio for sinonasal cancer mortality and odds ratio for sinonasal adenocarcinoma death among Swiss furniture workers. The former is 620 (95% confidence interval 360-1020, p less than 0.00001), the latter is 75.

Facility Design and Construction↗
PubMed1987

[An instrument for the study of occupationally-induced cancers using mortality statistics: the example of Swiss furniture and foundry workers].

This article presents the conditions necessary for the use of mortality statistics to investigate occupational cancer risks. These include the use of various data sources (linked files for verification of death certificate items, cancer registries for histological information) and the consideration of trends and cohort effects. In such a way, arguments for or against specific causal relations between occupation and disease can be gained.

Facility Design and Construction↗
PubMed1986

[Occupation-related socioeconomic groups in Switzerland: social scientific bases and validity studies].

A system of 15 socio-economic groups (SOEG) based on occupation and position within occupation is proposed and discussed as a basis for statistical analyses of mortality data. In order to check the validity of this classification, a random sample of 3058 male death certificates is compared with the information obtained from the corresponding 1980 census records. The comparison reveals that most of the SOEGs have satisfactory validity. The same is true for a model emulating the widely used English system of Social Classes (SC). Estimates of the differences in mortality between SOEGs or SCs can be improved significantly applying correction factors derived from the sample of linked death certificates and census records.

England↗
PubMed1986

[Mortality differences according to socioeconomic group in Switzerland 1980: 15 to 74-year-old males].

In this paper, SMRs by socio-economic group are given for Swiss men, aged 15 to 74. One of the classifications given is similar to the English Social Classes, the other is based on distinction of self-employed and white/blue collar wage earners by economic sector (agriculture, industry or services; Table 1). The resulting differentials are similar in size to those observed between men and women, and are present with both classification schemes. Some methodological issues are discussed: SMR's have been adjusted using a random sample of 3058 death certificates from 1981 linked to their census records. Quality of occupational information does not deteriorate much up to age 74. These results are of interest as Switzerland has enjoyed an unprecedented spell of full employment and rising wages between 1950 and 1980. Implications for social security are mentioned.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

[Quality of coding of causes of death in Switzerland].

This article summarizes the results of a recoding study, the design of which has been presented elsewhere (ref. 4). Results on underlying cause of death are presented as validity (comparison with coding of a medical expert) and reliability (comparison of repeated FSO internal codings). Validity problems occur chiefly with cardiopathies and cerebrovascular disease and in old age. Valitity of coding of cancer is generally satisfactory, although an estimated 7% overcoding occurs. An estimated 63% of deaths fall into reliably coded cause-of-death categories, but again problems occur with cardiopathies and old agegroups. For the analysis of trends in cardiopathies, ne needs to consider simultaneously the evolution of the numbers of deaths with cancer of breast and prostate, hypertension and arteriosclerosis, and diseases of connective tissue, skin and skeleton.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1984

[Selectivity of tests, on which standardized mortality quotients rest].

This paper presents a simple way of calculating the (approximate) power of a test based on the SMR. By means of an example, the use of this quantity, both for planning a study and for analysis is illustrated. Postulating an effect of a given magnitude on mortality, one can calculate the chances of success of a planned study. After data collection, one can, in the case of a nonsignificant result, at least give an upper limit to the effect: larger effects would likely have produced a significant result.

Adult↗