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Biomedical subjects

D Nowak

Publications and source records attributed to D Nowak.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

[Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) -- a case series].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The phenomenon of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity which generally cannot be explained organically is frequently associated with psychic impairment. This case series deals with the question if in addition to a standardized interview a routine psychiatric-psychosomatic examination alters the classification if a patient suffers from symptoms compatible with MCS or not. METHODS: Nine consecutive outpatients (m = 3, f = 6, mean age 44 yrs) of the environmental medicine centre were investigated. Somatic diseases were evaluated by standard medical procedures and emotional disturbances were assessed by the Munich Composite International Diagnostic Interview (M-CIDI) and a psychiatric-psychosomatic examination. RESULTS: In all but one patients emotional disturbances (F-codes of the ICD-10) were diagnosed by the M-CIDI and the psychiatric-psychosomatic examination. The diagnoses of the M-CIDI and the psychiatric-psychosomatic examination often did not match. MCS was ruled out in seven patients. CONCLUSIONS: According to the criteria defined by Cullen (5), emotional disturbances must be ruled out before MCS is diagnosed. Therefore, an examination by a specialist in psychiatry or psychosomatics is mandatory because evaluation solely based on the M-CIDI is insufficient. Performing a routine psychiatric-psychosomatic examination, MCS could be ruled out much more often than previously.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Lung cancer screening -- state of the art].

Besides smoking as the main risk factor for lung cancer several occupational risk factors like exposure to asbestos, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, uranium and dust containing nickel or silica have to be considered. Due to lack of effort in smoking prevention and cessation, lung cancer screening is an important issue. A number of pitfalls has to be considered when evaluating the efficacy of screening procedures. In this paper, we summarize the results of the major studies including chest X-ray, sputum cytology and low dose computed tomography. Randomized controlled studies involving low dose CT in about 100 000 subjects are on the way. Around the year 2010 we will be able to define whether or not lung cancer screening including new techniques and standardized algorithms yields a decrease in mortality. If diagnostic algorithms are used which have been applied in published feasibility studies, the mean percentage of invasive diagnostic measures revealing benign lesions is about 34 % and thus below those obtained in, e. g., breast cancer screening trials.

Germany↗
PubMed2005

[Prevalence of respiratory symptoms and diseases in neighbours of large-scale farming in Northern Germany].

BACKGROUND: Up to now potential health effects of environmental exposure to intensive livestock production facilities have not been thoroughly studied. The aim of the Lower Saxony Lung Study (NiLS) was to assess the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and disease in an area with intensive animal production facilities taking into account environmental exposure to emissions from these large-scale farms. METHODS: All 10 864 inhabitants (age 18 to 44 years) of four towns with a large number of intensive animal production facilities in the area were invited to answer a mail-in questionnaire. Of these, 6416 subjects were randomly selected for the clinical part of the study (specific IgE, lung function measurements, bronchial provocation with methacholine). Overall, 6937 subjects answered the questionnaire (68 %), 60 % took part in the clinical tests. RESULTS: The prevalence of allergic disease in the study population was lower than in urban citizens. Subjects with more than 12 animal houses within 500 m of their home had an increased odds ratio for wheezing without a cold (odds ratio 2.7; 95 % confidence interval 1.4 - 5.4). They also showed a significantly decreased FEV (1) (mean 0.26 l; 0.04 l - 0.48 l) as well as a trend for a lower Tiffeneau-Index. CONCLUSIONS: In result, a large number of intensive animal production facilities might be associated with decreased lung function results in the immediate neighbours. Further studies are necessary to confirm our findings.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Exposure to pets, and the association with hay fever, asthma, and atopic sensitization in rural children.

BACKGROUND: An increasing number of studies report pet exposure to be associated with lower risk of asthma and allergies. This 'protective pet effect' has been suggested to result from a modified T-helper (Th)2-cell response, or because of increased microbial load in homes where pets are kept. We examined the associations between pet contact and the occurrence of asthma and allergies in children of the rural Allergy and Endotoxin (ALEX) population, taking farm animal contact, endotoxin and cat allergen levels in mattress dust into account. METHODS: Information about contact with pets and farm animals, asthma and allergy were collected for 812 children by a standardized parents' questionnaire and an interview. Mattress dust endotoxin and cat allergen levels as well as specific IgE and IgG4 antibodies to Fel d1 were determined. RESULTS: Current contact with dogs was inversely associated with diagnosed hay fever (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.11-0.57), diagnosed asthma (OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.12-0.71), sensitization to cat allergen (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.23-0.99) and to grass pollen (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.33-0.94), but not with increased IgG4 levels. Early and current contact with cats were associated with reduced risk of wheezing (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.23-1.00, and OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.26-0.92, respectively) and grass pollen sensitization. Adjustment for farm animal contact but not for endotoxin and cat allergen exposure attenuated these associations and the effect of pet was stronger among farmers' children. CONCLUSION: Although pet exposure was very frequent in this rural population, the inverse relation between current dog contact, asthma and allergy was mostly explained by simultaneously occurring exposure to stable animals or was restricted to farm children. In addition, a subtle form of pet avoidance may contribute to the protective effect of pet.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Antioxidative treatment prevents activation of death-receptor- and mitochondrion-dependent apoptosis in the hearts of diabetic rats.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The mechanisms by which glucose injures cells of the cardiovascular system include generation of reactive oxygen species and induction of cellular apoptosis. To date, little is known about the molecular events of hyperglycaemia-induced apoptosis in the heart in vivo. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were rendered diabetic by a single intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg body weight streptozotocin. Caspase activities in cardiac ventricular tissue were determined using fluorometric and immunoassay caspase-activity assay kits respectively. Expression levels of proteins of the apoptotic cascade were determined with western blot analyses using specific antibodies. RESULTS: Four weeks of hyperglycaemia induced significant apoptosis in cardiac tissue. Determining the initiators of death-receptor-dependent apoptosis revealed induction of CD95/Fas and caspase-8. Examination of the activities of effector caspases revealed increased activity of caspase-6, but not caspase-3 and -7. On evaluating inhibitors of apoptosis, we found up-regulation of caspase-3 and -7-inhibiting X-linked inhibitors of apoptosis in diabetic rats. Hyperglycaemia also induced significant mitochondrion-dependent apoptosis. Our evaluation of expression levels of Bcl-2 family members showed increased expression of pro-apoptotic Bak and Bax in diabetic rats. Antioxidative treatment with lipoic acid significantly suppressed apoptosis and down-regulated caspase-6, -8 and -9 activity, as well as expression levels of pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins without changing blood glucose levels. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: The present study indicates that reactive oxygen species induced by high glucose are involved in both death-receptor- and mitochondrion-dependent apoptosis in the heart in vivo. It also suggests that antioxidants may be a therapeutic option for preventing cardiovascular damage in diabetes mellitus in humans.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Visualization of UV exposure of the human body based on data from a scanning UV-measuring system.

In general, measurements of UV radition are related to horizontal surfaces, as in the case of the internationally standardized and applied UV index, for example. In order to obtain more relevant information on UV exposure of humans the new measuring system ASCARATIS (Angle SCAnning RAdiometer for determination of erythemally weighted irradiance on TIlted Surfaces) was developed and built. Three systems of ASCARATIS have been in operation at different locations in Bavaria for 3 years, providing erythemally weighted UV irradiation data for 27 differently inclined surfaces every 2 min. On the basis of these data virtual three-dimensional models of the human body surface consisting of about 20,000 triangles could be created and each of these triangles coloured according to its UV irradiation. This allowed the UV exposure of the human body to be visualized for any kind of body posture and spatial orientation on the basis of real measuring data. The results of the UV measurements on inclined surfaces have shown that measuring UV radiation on horizontal surfaces, as done routinely worldwide, often underestimates the UV exposure of the human skin. Especially at times of the day or year with low solar elevations the UV exposure of parts of the human skin can be many times higher than that of the horizontal surface. Examples of three-dimensional modelling of the human UV irradiation are shown for different times of the day and year, altitudes above sea level, body postures and genders. In these examples the UV "hotspots" can be detected and, among other things, used to inform and educate the public about UV radiation.

Environmental Exposure↗
PubMed2004

[Electromagnetic pollution (electrosmog)--potential hazards of our electromagnetic future].

The term electromagnetic environment encompasses the totality of all electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields generated by natural and technical sources. A differentiation is made between low- and high-frequency electromagnetic fields. Typical sources of the former are domestic electricity Exposure to the latter is, for example, associated with the sue of mobile telephones. Studies on the health-related effects of electromagnetic fields are available in particular for the low-frequency range, based on an appropriate estimation of exposure. A number of these studies reveal an association between exposure to this type of electromagnetic fields and the occurrence of infantile leukemia in the highest exposure category. For high-frequency electromagnetic fields the number of epidemiological studies is limited. An increased risk of an accident occurring through the use of a cellular phone while driving has consistently been shown. Against the background of our limited knowledge about possible adverse effects of exposure to mobile phone transmitters, and the inability of the public to influence such exposure, transparency in the communication of the risks involved is of great importance.

Cell Phone↗
PubMed2004

[Passive smoking--current position of science].

Among all indoor pollutants, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) might be the most important. In population-based studies 30 to 60 % of the participants reported regular exposure to ETS. ETS has been classified as carcinogenic by several national and international agencies. In 2002, a paragraph on restriction of smoking at the workplace has been added to the German Workplaces Ordinance. International meta-analyses have been published on the potential health effects of ETS exposure. In these studies, the pooled relative risk (RR) for lung cancer has been estimated between 1.1 and 1.3. The pooled risk estimate for coronary heart disease (CHD) was slightly higher (1.25 - 1.35). The RR in the group with the highest exposure might be as high as 2. An increased risk has also be shown consistently for respiratory symptoms, asthma, and COPD. Because of the high incidence of CHD the public health impact of ETS exposure on CHD might be higher than the impact due to additional lung cancer cases.

Carcinoma, Bronchogenic↗
PubMed2004

Inhibitory effect of furosemide on activation of human peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes stimulated with n-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine.

The clinical efficacy of inhalatory furosemide (Fu) has been extensively studied in bronchial asthma patients but there are only a few studies addressing its action on cells participating in the underlying inflammatory process. Therefore, we investigated the effect of Fu on human peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) at concentrations that can be achieved in the bronchial lining fluid by inhalation, i.e. 10(-5), 10(-4) and 10(-3) M. The influence of Fu on the following PMNL parameters was investigated: intracellular calcium changes ([Ca2+]i) as a part of signal transduction and luminol dependent chemiluminescence (LCL) as an indirect measure of NADPH-oxidase activation upon n-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) stimulation; chemotaxis to fMLP, phagocytosis and intracellular killing of Staphylococcus aureus. Incubation with Fu resulted in a concentration dependent reduction of Ca2+ influx and Fu (10(-3) M) decreased the main Ca2+ parameters to one half of the control values and to the level obtained in calcium-free buffer. In contrast, Fu had no effect if preincubated with the cells and then removed by washing. The LCL signal was reduced by Fu (10(-3) M) from 2000 +/- 870 to 550 +/- 440 arbitrary units [aU] (p<0.05). In contrast to the [Ca2+]i measurements, a slightly diminished LCL was also observed following preincubation with Fu and washing. No effect of Fu was found on phagocytosis and intracellular killing of St. aureus. Fu diminished chemotaxis to fMLP but at 10(-3) M it also displayed weak chemoattractant properties. The differential action of Fu on human PMNL may add to the understanding of its topical and restricted efficacy in bronchial asthma.

Calcium↗
PubMed2004

Vanadium(III) complexes with L-cysteine--stability, speciation and the effect on actin in hepatoma Morris 5123 cells.

The complexation processes of vanadium(III) with L-cysteinate and s-methyl-L-cysteinate ligands have been studied in aqueous solutions in the pH range 2-7 by the pH-potentiometric, UV-Vis absorption and CD spectroscopy methods. The equilibria model of complex formation, evaluated by SUPERQUAD program, so as careful inspection of spectroscopic data have allowed to determine the speciation and the coordination mode of vanadium(III) ion in the major species present in aqueous solutions. Relatively stable ML2 species of vanadium(III)-L-cysteinate system exists in aqueous solutions above pH 5. It was deduced from spectral data that the coordination sphere of vanadium(III) ion in V(Cys)2 is completed by oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur atoms of two L-cysteinate ligands. Solution of vanadium(III) with L-cysteine (pH approximately 7, L/M=20) was administrated to the culture medium of hepatoma Morris 5123 growing cells. Cytotoxic effect of this solution towards tumor cells was observed. The viability of these cells depended on the complex concentration. It was reduced by 70% at 100 microM of the vanadium species concentration in the culture medium. The death of cancer cells seems to be induced on apoptotic route. The statistically significant increase of total actin level and filamentous to monomeric actin ratios (F/G) were found in the cytoplasm of cells exposed to the vanadium(III)-L-cysteine complex. It was accompanied by the rearrangement of actin cytoskeleton architecture. These factors are important for migration and metastasis formation of the cancer cells.

Actins↗
PubMed2004

[Cost-of-illness Study for the Treatment of COPD in Germany].

The present cost-of-illness study is focused on the costs of COPD in Germany. In a pre-study, data on 814 randomly selected patients were collected to achieve reliable figures for the distribution of COPD severity grades and the frequencies of exacerbations. The main study was performed on 321 randomly selected patients from the pre-study. Data on resource use were collected in a face-to-face interview with the respective physicians using the patient records as a basis. Costs associated with resource consumption were weighted with the frequencies of COPD severity grades as assessed in the pre-study to determine the costs of COPD. Annual COPD-related costs per patient were 3,027 from the societal perspective. Main cost components were hospitalisations (26 %), medication (23 %) and early retirement (17 %). Annual COPD-related costs from the perspective of the German health insurance system (GKV) were 1,944 euros per patient.

Cost of Illness↗
PubMed2004

Determinants of endotoxin levels in living environments of farmers' children and their peers from rural areas.

BACKGROUND: Lower frequencies of asthma and hayfever have been observed in children with contact to livestock. At school age, the amount of endotoxin measured in the dust of children's mattresses is inversely related to the occurrence of atopic asthma, hayfever and atopic sensitization both in children from farming and non-farming households. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate which home and lifestyle characteristics of farm and non-farm families contribute to endotoxin levels measured in different indoor home environments. METHODS: In the framework of the Allergy and Endotoxin (ALEX) Study, endotoxin was measured in dust samples from the living room floor and the child's mattress of 319 farmers' families and 493 non-farming families, and in settled dust from stables. Endotoxin content of all dust samples was determined by a kinetic Limulus assay (Limulus-Amebocyte-Lysate test). Information about the child's activities on farms, home characteristics and cleaning behaviours was obtained from parental questionnaires. RESULTS: Endotoxin levels in stables did not predict the amount of endotoxin measured in floors or mattresses. However, a dose-dependent association between the child's activity on the farm and indoor home endotoxin levels was observed, both in farm and non-farm children. In non-farm children pet keeping and the frequency of floor cleaning were additionally associated with endotoxin levels, whereas in farm children parental farm activities, study area, time since last cleaning, the mattress type as well as younger age of the children contributed to increased microbial exposure. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that regular contact to farm animals increases indoor home endotoxin concentrations, both in farm and non-farm children, and might thus explain the protective effect of contact to livestock on atopic outcomes. To assess children's individual exposure to a microbial environment, measures of mattress dust exposure are needed as stable endotoxin concentrations were not associated with indoor home levels.

Agriculture↗