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Biomedical subjects

G Ritzel

Publications and source records attributed to G Ritzel.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Nutrition behavior, eating habits and mass index of 4 Swiss cities].

As part of the Swiss National Research Program for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, body weight and length of the participants were recorded and eating habits were assessed by the 24-h-recall method and dietary history. The body mass index was found to increase with age, pointing to excessive energy intake. The lower the socioeconomic group, the higher the index. Men eat more meat and meat products but less fruit than women, and drink more alcohol. In the French-speaking part of Switzerland, significantly more cheese and more alcohol, but less meat, brown bread and milk are consumed than in the German-speaking part. The consumption of edible fats and fat-containing food differs as between the two parts of the country. In certain age groups, a low positive correlation is observed between total plasma cholesterol and fat ingestion, and a low inverse correlation between total cholesterol and milk consumption and frequency of meals.

Adolescent↗

[Forensic-psychiatric evaluation of affective crimes (author's transl)].

Affective crimes constitute a difficult and important problem in forensic psychiatry. After a short historical overview, a number of important problems are discussed and controversial notions frequently used in psychiatric-psychological practice are critically assessed in a postulate-like manner. Finally, some basic propositions are outlined in order to facilitate evaluation of affective crimes.

Adult↗

[Experiences with the tuberculin tine test in serial tests].

During the past year the tuberculin tine test, frequently used in Switzerland to indicate tuberculin allergy, was again the subject of controversy. A retrospective study analysed results of tuberculin tests in school children (average age 15) obtained by the Basle School Health Service during 1976--1978. A total of 4919 tine tests were read during this period. 2416 of the total of 3405 tine-negative pupils were also tested with 10 TU PPD Berna according to Mantoux. 357 (14.8%) showed positive reactions. Since not all tine-negative pupils were submitted to a Mantoux test, it must be assumed that 14.8% false negatives were missed in the group not further tested. On this basis, a sensitivity of 74.4% was calculated for the tine test. It is a debatable point whether this is sufficient for practical use.

BCG Vaccine↗

[Factors influencing dental caries in school children in a city with fluoridated water].

In a joint study by the school health and the school dental health service 4386 children were examined and their nutritional habits recorded. Analysis shows that mainly the consumption of sweets between regular meals and insufficient dental hygiene are responsible for the presence of caries. While health education for dental hygiene is presently given at school nutrition education is still a neglected subject.

Adolescent↗

[Consumption of sweets and freedom from caries in Basle school children].

A sample of 1'838 school children of Basle, aged 8 to 14 years, who were examined by dentists of the school dental health service, attended at the same time a 24 hour recall interview on nutritional habits. The data show that absence of caries (among 448 or 24,4% of all) is more frequent within those children who prefer fruits instead of sugar containing sweets with and especially between the meals. Since school children are not able to distinguish well between sugar- and non-sugar containing sweets and drinks, health education on such subjects is emphasised.

Adolescent↗

[Development of cardiovascular risk factors during adolescence].

Results of a first phase of follow-up in the population of the "Basle Adolescents Study" indicate that average blood pressure increased more in boys than in girls, blood lipids remained at the same level. Boys cought up with girls as far as cigarette smoking is concerned.

Adolescent↗

[Basle family study. Organization and 1st results].

The organisation of the Basle Family Study and preliminary results outlining the data analysis are presented. The study investigates in 500 families the familial influence on risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. In addition the distribution of hemostatic variables is studied. Analysis of the data according to age, sex and intrafamilial relations in 211 families demonstrate the influence of the mother on the development of the life style of the children.

Adolescent↗

Serum lipids in swine fed large quantities of whey.

The causal relationship between hyperlipidemia and atherosclerotic diseases is undoubted. But studies of the last years have shown that this relationship is quite complex and may be even controversial. A food which has recently been placed in the foreground in lipid metabolism research is milk and its products. By accidental findings it was shown that the more milk was drunk, the lower the serum cholesterol concentration became. This brought about some controlled feeding studies on animals and humans. We chose swine for our feeding study because of their resemblance to human lipid metabolism. 57% of the whole energy consumed consisted of whey powder fed in a crossover study lasting 112 days. The results show that total cholesterol was significantly lower during whey feeding. The lipid decrease also included the HDL-fraction and, to a lesser degree, triglycerides. It seems well enough proved to be an accepted fact that the relative high content of saturated fatty aids in milk is cancelled by a substance present in milk and some of its products such as whey. Further investigations to study this milk factor in more detail including the application of high fat diets will be done.

Animal Feed↗

[Healthy nutrition - prerequisite for life enjoyment and quality of life].

Bad nutritional habits can cause or enhance various, especially chronic, diseases. The right amount of calories, an adequate composition and the distribution of the meals over the day are the basis of good nutrition. A coordinating office could improve the information of our population, since many different professions must cooperate. Nutritions education must be improved. Industry, professional organisations, nutritionists, consumer organisations and specialists for communication must cooperate to solve the difficult problem of nutritional habits and to demonstrate that good nutrition can--as the gastrotonomy of the future--help to enjoy life.

Adolescent↗

[Consumption of sweets by schoolchildren in Basel].

In September 1977 a 24 hour recall interview on nutritional habits, especially on the consumption of oligosacchrides was performed on 2'563 school children of Basel, aged 7 to 15 years after having attended a dental examination. 80,4% did consume sugar containing sweets between the 5 regular meals. The higher the degree of education among the three intermediate schooltypes, the less consumers were found (p less than 0,05). Factors which may influence the different consumption patterns are social status and knowledge on nutritional diseases (e.g. diabetes), but not pocket money. A link between data of the nutritional study and those of the dental examination will follow.

Adolescent↗

[Weight changes and risk factors during a 10-year period. Observations on subjects in the Basel study].

The change in body mass index (MI) over a 10 year period was compared to different risk factors for cardiovascular disease in 1663 men (aged 15-64) of the Basle Study. Blood pressure and betalipoproteins correlated significantly (alpha less than 0,01) with changes in MI as well as triglycerides (alpha less than 0,05). No correlation was observed between MI and cholesterol or smoking habits. Our results confirme that the age dependent increase in blood pressure, beta-lipoproteins and triglycerides is largely due to the increment of obesity in the adult.

Adolescent↗

[Preventive programmes for school children. Organization, duties and activities of the School Health Service of the city of Basel].

From a historical point of view it was the federal tuberculosis law of 1928 which gave an impulse to the Swiss School health services. Almost simultaneously a psychological service for school children was established in Basle. Besides physicians and psychologists, the present staff comprises speech pathologists and scientific coworkers. The mandate issued by the canton's government is mostly geared toward prevention of somatic, psychological and social disorders in the individual child and in risk groups, in the sense of social pediatrics. Carrying out this mandate requires a unity of investigation methods and the decisions resulting from findings. The statistical evaluation of epidemiological data depends on efficient computer use. High priority is given to data protection. With reference to the basic possibilities and limitations of activities in preventive medicine, questions of goals, acceptability and acceptance, curability and cost-benefit are discussed. The competitive situation between therapy and prevention is critically considered. An interdisciplinary approach including all the helping professions is strongly suggested.

Adolescent↗

A/New Jersey/76 influenza vaccine trial in seronegative schoolchildren: comparison of a subunit vaccine with a whole-virus vaccine.

In the present vaccination trial, 202 seronegative schoolchildren comprising both sexes and aged 11 to 12 years were vaccinated i.m. in the upper arm with either the subunit vaccine at a dosage of 600 CCA or 200 CCA or with a whole-virus vaccine at a dosage of 200 CCA, using the double-blind procedure. Both vaccines were prepared from the strain A/New Jersey/76 (x 53a-recombinant). The vaccination was followed four weeks later by a booster injection. In tests of local and systemic reactogenicity, it was found that at both dosages the subunit vaccine caused a low frequency of minor adverse reactions. The whole-virus vaccine was marked by a significantly higher rate of adverse reactions, whether of the local or systemic variety. The whole-virus vaccine had, however, a higher immunogenicity than the subunit vaccine, and due to the relatively high rate of adverse reactions it causes, it is not recommended for the vaccination of seronegative children. Because of its low reactogenicity, the subunit vaccine can be given at higher dosage, and it is a matter for consideration whether a better antibody response might not result from two booster injections.

Antibodies, Viral↗