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Biomedical subjects

K Lauer

Publications and source records attributed to K Lauer.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

The history of nitrite in human nutrition: a contribution from German cookery books.

In order to settle the question of when saltpetre (nitrate) came in use as an additive to human food, a number of historic cookery books from Germany and Austria were reviewed. Obviously, the change from vegetable dyes to saltpetre for the coloring or color preservation, respectively, of meat occurred between 1600 and 1750, probably near 1700. The addition of sugar which favours the reduction of nitrate to the active agent nitrite became common practice during the 19th century. Thus some historic parallels to the appearance of colorectal cancer, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis in the medical literature became apparent.

Colonic Neoplasms↗
PubMed1990

The intrathecal immune response in multiple sclerosis: a different concept of 'specificity'.

A hypothesis is presented in which the immune response in multiple sclerosis is conceived as a primary response to an auto-antigen located within the immune system (e.g. a certain allotype or HLA epitope) which shows subsequent or simultaneous specificity for a greater number of nominal antigens [corrected]. The increased tendency of [corrected] such antibodies to self-aggregation might play a critical role in the pathogenesis.

Autoantibodies↗
PubMed1990

Mortality of multiple sclerosis in relation to geographic factors in France.

The multiple sclerosis (MS) mortality 1968-1977 in France, as reported by Alpérovitch and Bouvier, was tested for a possible correlation with a number of sociogeographic variables from relevant periods. The MS rate was associated with the main industry groups (metal processing and textile industry), with industry as a whole, and with the extent of oat cultivation. These findings are in agreement with observations in other countries and suggest a possible role of factors, somehow related to these features, in the etiology of MS.

France↗
PubMed1989

Risk of multiple sclerosis in relation to industrial activities: an ecological study in four European countries.

The pattern of industries, in terms of workers in any individual industry in relation to total population, was compared with multiple sclerosis (MS) risk, as reported in previous communications in Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Switzerland. A great number of correlations with MS was found but, when intercorrelations were considered, paper manufacturing appeared to be the most closely associated with MS. The possible relevance of these findings in view of the methodological limitations is discussed.

Denmark↗
PubMed1989

Dietary changes in temporal relation to multiple sclerosis in the Faroe Islands: an evaluation of literary sources.

In order to generate additional hypotheses on a possible role of dietary factors in the etiology of multiple sclerosis, the ethnographic literature and other relevant sources from the Faroe Islands were reviewed. A transitory occurrence in the first half of the 20th century was evident for the extended consumption of oat products, of fulmars possibly infected with ornithosis virus, and of foodstuffs treated with wood smoke or smoke condensates. The hypothetical basis of these considerations must be emphasized.

Denmark↗
PubMed1989

Multiple sclerosis in relation to meat preservation in France and Switzerland.

In order to test a recent hypothesis on the possible role of defined agents from wood smoke in the etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS), the practices of meat preservation, as reported in ethnographic bibliography, were analyzed in relation to the MS distribution in France and Switzerland. In both countries, but more so in Switzerland, a significant association between both features could be demonstrated.

Food Preservation↗
PubMed1988

Sociogeographic factors and multiple sclerosis--an ecological study in 6 European countries.

The pattern of the multiple sclerosis (MS) risk in Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Finland and Holland, as reported in previous studies, was compared with the distribution of several sociogeographic factors. For none of the variables tested did an association with MS exist in all of these countries. A correlation in more than one country was found for the proportion of industrial workers in the total population and for the extent of oat cultivation. Arguments against a causal role of these factors as such exist, however, and are discussed. For a number of other variables that might be implicated in the context of prior findings or suggestions either no or only an inconsistent association with MS was found.

Agriculture↗
PubMed1988

Multiple sclerosis in relation to industrial and commercial activities in the Faroe Islands.

The distribution of MS cases in the Faroe Islands according to place at birth and place at onset was tested for a possible association with differing industries in 1930 and 1960, respectively. The MS patients originated predominantly from communities where commercial fisheries were prominent, whereas a weaker association was found with wood-processing plants. Both associations might, however, be confounded by the factor population as such, since patients were born mostly in the larger communities. No association with any kind of industry was found when residences during World War II were evaluated with respect to industries in 1960. Further studies into the conditions of life, with special reference to the social background of commercial fisheries in the early 20th century in the Faroe Islands, might be useful.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Epidemiological investigations into multiple sclerosis in Southern Hesse. V. Course and prognosis.

Course and possible prognostic predictors were studied retrospectively in 363 MS patients collected during an epidemiological study. The proportion of patients showing a primarily progressive course was 18%; 19% of patients of more than 10 years duration showed a benign course, and 8% of those of less than 16 years duration, a malignant course. Although benign cases were twice as frequent in females as in males, the difference between both sexes was not significant. A primarily or secondarily progressive course, a high number of functional systems involved and cerebellar signs occurring in the course indicated a poor prognosis whereas symptoms at onset, age at onset as such, and occupation were without predictive value. No predictors of a favourable course were found. Of the patients of 11-15 years duration, 17% were confined to a wheelchair, 40% were restricted to a walking distance of 500 metres or less, 61% were unable to work and 45% had urinary incontinence. The corresponding figures for those of 21-25 years duration were 40%, 71%, 76% and 50%.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Some comments on the occurrence of multiple sclerosis in the Faroe Islands.

Some factors which might be related to the marked increase in multiple sclerosis in the Faroe Islands in mid-century were studied. Of these, only the occupation by British troops in World War II was found to be significant. A vague relationship with industrial changes earlier in the century was also found. These findings are discussed with caution with respect to the close association between population on the one hand and all features tested as well as multiple sclerosis on the other.

Denmark↗
PubMed1986

An evaluation of laboratory investigations in patients with multiple sclerosis.

The contribution of VEP, CT and oligoclonal bands (OB) to the diagnosis of MS was studied in a group of 213 hospitalized patients. Whereas the diagnostic values of VEP and OB were both in the same range, the combination of both methods increased the proportion of cases with "definite MS" from 58 to 75%, whereas CT did not contribute significantly to diagnostic ascertainment. Vitamin B12 absorption was less than 10% in 27% of cases. A slight tendency towards increased serum IgG and IgM levels was found, and the rheumatoid factor was demonstrated in 6% of cases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Prognostic indicators in multiple sclerosis.

The influence of sex, age at onset, course of the disease and initial symptomatology on the mortality of patients with multiple sclerosis is analysed. A sample of 1926 patients was followed up prospectively over 4.9 years. Both, the mortality ratio (number of observed to expected deaths) and the excess death rate are calculated. Whereas the mortality ratio as a parameter of overall mortality is influenced by a variety of factors, such as age and sex; the excess death rate represents the number of extra deaths per 1000 exposed to risk in an indicated year and is, therefore, a parameter of the mortality which is attributed to MS. The excess death rate was comparable for the sexes, it was slightly higher for patients with a higher age at onset and it was clearly higher for the progressive course. Patients with initial diplopia and sensory signs and symptoms had the lowest excess death rate, whereas patients with pareses, cerebral and sphincter disturbances at onset showed the highest excess death rate.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Epidemiological aspects of multiple sclerosis: a comparative study of four centres in Europe.

Epidemiological data of 931 patients with definite and probable multiple sclerosis in four areas in Europe (Groningen, Göttingen, Darmstadt and Baranya) were collected and compared. The same criteria and scoring methods were used. Clear differences between the areas appeared: a high percentage of severely disabled patients were encountered in the northern part (Groningen) and a high percentage of signs and symptoms related to supraspinal lesions in brainstem, cerebellum and hemispheres were found in the south east (Hungary). In Göttingen, in the central part of the total area, a relatively higher percentage of younger MS patients with minimal disability were found. However, it still has to be determined to which extent these differences are real or caused by information bias.

Female↗