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Biomedical subjects

E Ernst

Publications and source records attributed to E Ernst.

At least 595 records · Page 33Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Sex hormones and semen quality in welders exposed to hexavalent chromium.

Recent experimental studies in rodents document the spermatotoxic effects of water-soluble hexavalent chromium. Welders comprise, worldwide, a major occupational group with acknowledged exposure to chromium. This study examines the relationship between semen quality and chromium in the urine and blood of a population of 30 tungsten inert gas (TIG) stainless steel welders, 30 mild steel welders and 47 non-welding workers. Each subject provided two to three semen samples. The chromium concentration ranged from 0.17 to 4.74 nmol mmol1 creatinine (median 1.08) in post-shift spot urine and from 6.0 to 46.4 nmol l-1 in blood. None of several semen parameters deteriorated with increasing level of internal exposure to chromium. Low-level exposure to hexavalent chromium associated with TIG stainless steel and mild steel welding do not appear to be a major hazard for human spermatogenesis.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Medically correct sitting, does it exist?].

In the relaxed sitting position on conventional seats the lordosis of the lumbar spine is often lost. This can cause overstress of the discs, ligaments and muscles. Ergonomically correct seating aims at avoiding this. Some of the relevant seat characteristics concern back rest, seat base, arm rests, upholstering, individual adaptation and integration into the environment. In addition to office seats, "alternative" seats, car seats, and school benches are discussed. Since sitting invariably is associated with unfavourable statics, "correct" seating is a contradiction in itself. The aim can only be to minimize injury and to define a seat which causes the least damage. Considering its potential importance, the further neglect of this subject by medical research is unjustified.

Humans↗
PubMed1992

[Does a supportive "muscle corset" prevent spinal complaints?].

By strengthening trunk muscles, we hope to prevent back pain. The logic behind this argument is, however, fragmentary. The scientific evidence for the effectiveness of such measures is conflicting. Rigorous trials provide little indication as to the correctness of the above thesis. Thus further research on this important matter is necessary. Until it is available, primary prevention programs based on trunk strengthening exercise are lacking a scientific basis.

Humans↗
PubMed1992

Conservative therapy for tennis elbow.

Tennis elbow is a common overuse syndrome. It is accompanied by degenerative changes in the enthesis of the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle. It may be best diagnosed clinically by eliminating other possible causes of lateral elbow pain. Physical methods should always be selected as initial treatment. Immobilisation is the initial advice that most doctors give: ultrasound has been shown to be effective in a placebo-controlled, double-blind trial, and low energy laser has been found to reduce objective but not subjective symptoms. Other forms of physical treatment like electrotherapy, thermotherapy and massages can be tried, even though proof of their efficacy needs to be established more firmly. When physical treatments have failed, steroid injections can help. If symptoms still persist, then surgery is called for. There are still many open questions surrounding the syndrome of tennis elbow. Research into this common soft tissue disease should be intensified.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗
PubMed1992

[Smoking is a risk factor for spinal diseases. Hypothesis of the pathomechanism].

Epidemiological studies strongly imply that smoking is a risk factor for back problems. The question arises as to the nature of the underlying pathomechanism. Several theories are currently discussed in the literature: it could be due to "unhealthy" life styles associated with smoking, to a rise in intraabdominal pressure caused by frequent coughing, or to osteoporosis of smokers. All of these hypotheses, however, do not stand up to a critical examination of the experimental evidence. A new theory is, therefore, put forward, claiming that smoking leads to malnutrition of the discs, which in turn renders them more vulnerable to mechanical stress. Malnutrition can be brought about by CO-Hb formation, vasoconstriction, arteriosclerotic vessel wall changes, impairment of fibrinolytic activity and changes in the flow properties of blood, all of which are known effects of smoking. The evidence for these pathomechanisms is discussed. Future studies should test the above hypothesis experimentally.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[20 years pentoxifylline: a part of recent angiology history].

Pentoxifylline was first registered (in Germany) 20 years ago. Then its main action seemed to be vasodilatation. Later hemorheological effect, in particular on red cell deformability, were found. Independent of its pharmacological effects, the clinical effectiveness in peripheral and cerebral arterial disease is well established. More recently its action on leucocytes has gained interest. Both rheological and biochemical changes have been reported. This new knowledge will create new indications for pentoxifylline within the near future which possibly will go beyond angiology.

Arterial Occlusive Diseases↗
PubMed1992

[Placebo forte: contribution to the demystification of a therapy principle].

Placebo effects are an important component in the success of any therapy. Several forms of placebos exist. Their effects are due to phenomena some of which are difficult to define. They comprise changes in subjective as well as objective variables. Thus they exceed the frequently cited "suggestion". The discriminative use of placebos in therapy can be helpful.

Humans↗
PubMed1992

[Conservative therapy of chronic venous insufficiency].

Chronic venous insufficiency is frequent and burdened with potentially serious consequences. Its conservative treatment should include physical and pharmacological measures. Compression therapy is mandatory. In addition physical therapy offers mainly positioning, exercise and water treatments. Several oral drugs have been shown to be effective as well. Finally life style adaptation must not be forgotten.

Bandages↗
PubMed1992

[Stroke risk factors: the search continues].

Even though research into cardiovascular risk factors is only in its infancy, it already boasts of good initial results. Nevertheless, the generally accepted "classical" risk factors account for merely 30% of the events. Thus other factors must exist which are as yet unknown or underestimated. This review identifies 10 unalterable, 6 conditionally alterable and 9 treatable characteristics which were found to be associated with an elevated risk. The relative importance of these factors needs to be further elucidated. In particular, the question of causality has to be addressed in more detail in order to define whether we are dealing in the individual case with risk markers or with risk factors.

Cerebrovascular Disorders↗
PubMed1992

Rheology of the post-thrombotic syndrome.

Due to its non-Newtonian behaviour, blood rheology should matter most in those parts of the circulation where the shear stresses are low, i.e. on the venous side of the vascular tree. Yet we know little about haemorheology in the venous system or in venous diseases. According to previous results, there is a significant rheological deficit in the presence of a venous thrombosis or its risk factors. This trial was designed to determine the flow properties of blood in post-thrombotic (PTS) syndrome. Patients suffering from PTS are compared to controls in terms of ex vivo rheological measurements to quantify the rheological behaviour of blood: blood and plasma viscosity, haematocrit, red cell aggregation, red cell filterability, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), plasma fibrinogen. The comparison shows that plasma viscosity, red cell filterability, ESR and fibrinogen differ significantly between patients and controls indicating a lack of blood fluidity in PTS. It is suggested that the rheological deficit and the venous pathology contribute to a disturbed microcirculation in the affected limb. The combination of both abnormalities might be crucial in causing the typical symptoms of post-thrombotic syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Treatment freedom or arbitrary treatment? Critical thoughts on alternative healing methods].

Complementary medicine is (by definition) scientifically untested. This does not mean that it is per se ineffective. Therapeutic success is generally due to more factors than specific therapy alone. Natural history of the disease and placebo effects always have to be taken into account. Therefore one can be misled and ineffective interventions can be followed by apparent success. The uncritical observer might mistakenly interpret this over and over again as apparent confirmation of an ineffective measure. The only solution is therefore to conduct a controlled trial. In the area of complementary therapy such trials are, however, of unsatisfactory quantity and quality.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗
PubMed1992

[The legitimacy of single and group housing of breeding sows].

Current German law on animal rights requires protection and appropriate treatment of animals. However, information on breeding and raising swine is incomplete, and comparison studies of alternative housing systems are needed. Therefore, the effects of single and group housing of pregnant sows on piglet production was investigated in the 120-sow herd of the Institute for Animal Breeding and Husbandry of the University of Kiel. Reproductive traits, general health and behaviour studies were evaluated over one year. Type of housing system was found to have no effect on number of piglets born alive or dead or on days open. Daily gain was influenced. Daily gain of single-housed sows increased but without any difference in feed intake. General health was measured by nutritional condition, soiling, callosity, and injuries at time of evaluation. Single-housed sows had more calluses and were more soiled compared with group-housed sows. Injuries occurred more often in group housing, especially when new animals were integrated into the group. However, injuries were not serious. Animal behaviour was recorded on video during one pregnancy period of 60 sows. The housing system effected "sitting" and "lying" behaviour. Behaviour also is influenced by pregnancy in both housing systems. Equal incidences of abnormal behaviour, considered as sham-chewing, were found in both housing systems.

Animal Welfare↗
PubMed1991

[Determination of alcohol dehydrogenase genotype: no correlation between isoenzyme pattern and liver cirrhosis].

Mounting evidence from various fields of research links the oxidation product of alcohol, acetaldehyde, with the development of alcohol abuse-related pathology. One factor governing the production of acetaldehyde is the genetically determined pattern of class I alcohol dehydrogenase isoenzymes, consisting of "fast" beta 2 and gamma 1 and "slow" beta 1 and gamma 2 subunits. Alcoholics carrying the beta 2 and gamma 1 genes might, therefore, be more susceptible to alcohol-related liver disease. To verify this hypothesis we developed a method based on the polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme digestion in order to genotype individuals with respect to their alcohol dehydrogenase isoenzyme pattern. In a total of 100 caucasian individuals the following genotypes were determined: beta 1 beta 1, 92; beta 1 beta 2, 8; beta 2 beta 2 0; gamma 1 gamma 1, 38; gamma 1 gamma 2, 51; gamma 2 gamma 2, 11. No statistically significant differences in the distribution of isoenzymes were detectable between alcoholics with liver disease, patients with non-alcohol abuse-related liver disease, patients with rheumatoid arthritis and healthy controls.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗