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Biomedical subjects

R Winkler

Publications and source records attributed to R Winkler.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

The ratio of long-lived to short-lived radon-222 progeny concentrations in ground-level air.

The ratio of 210Pb air concentration to the short-lived radon (222Rn) decay products concentration at ground level was investigated at a semi-rural location 10 km north of Munich, south Germany, for a period of 11 years (1982-1992). The average ratio from 132 monthly mean values has been found to be (7.5 +/- 2.2) x 10-5 (arithmetic mean +/- S.D.). While the time series of the short-lived radon daughter concentration exhibit a distinct seasonal pattern with maxima mostly in October of each year, the course of 210Pb air concentration is characterized by high values from October through February. Consequently, high ratios of 210Pb to short-lived decay product concentration are often observed in the winter months of December-February. To study the influence of meteorological conditions on this behaviour, 210Pb and 214Pb concentrations were measured on a short-term basis with sampling intervals of 2-3 days from October 1991 to November 1992. The air concentrations obtained within those intervals were then correlated with actual meteorological parameters. On the base of this investigation the seasonal behaviour can essentially be explained by the more frequent inversion weather conditions in winter than in the summer months. At the same location, the average ratio of 210Po to 210Pb concentration in ground level air has been found to be 0.079 from 459 weekly mean values between 1976 and 1985. Hence, the corresponding average ratios of the short-lived radon daughters (EEC) to 210Pb and 210Po, were 1:7.5 x 10(-5) and l:0.6 x 10(-5), respectively.

Air Pollutants, Radioactive↗
PubMed1996

Comparison of direct alpha spectrometry and neutron activation analysis of aerosol filters for determination of workplace thorium air concentrations.

Direct alpha spectrometry with three different filter types was investigated for the determination of thorium air concentrations at workplaces in the manufacturing process of discharge lamps containing thoriated tungsten electrodes. The method was compared with neutron activation analysis over an activity range of five orders of magnitude. Within the experimental limits of error, both methods were found to be comparable with respect to sensitivity and accuracy. The advantage of direct alpha spectrometry, however, is that it is less laborious than neutron activation analysis and that it supplies information on the degree of radioactive equilibrium of the thorium series, which is important with regard to the estimation of dose.

Aerosols↗
PubMed1996

[Acute abdomen in abdominal actinomycosis].

The case of a female patient aged 34 suffering from abdominal actinomycosis is reported. She underwent emergency surgery for an abscess-forming tumour infiltrating the lateral abdominal wall and giving rise to the clinical picture of acute abdomen. The casuistry is complemented by two further case histories of actinomyces infections in patients with fistulas of the anal region and pilonidal sinus respectively. Abdominal actinomycosis presents itself as a rare chronic bacterial inflammation, usually located in the right lower abdomen, with local abscess or fistula formation as well as tumour-like infiltration of the surrounding tissues. Exceptionally, the diagnosis is ascertained prior to surgery. Postoperative antibiotic therapy with penicillin for several months ist essential.

Abdomen, Acute↗
PubMed1996

[Intramedullary spinal metastasis of bronchial carcinoma coincident with intramedullary spinal angioma].

We report on a case of a man of 51 years, who presented with pain and symptoms of progressive spinal cord compression caused by an intramedullary spinal tumor at T8. Before surgery a bronchial carcinoma was diagnosed. A MRI-study detected an edema of the spinal cord at T8. Myelography and spinal Angiography revealed a spinal vascular malformation at the same level. Both lesion were removed and the histological examination confirmed the coexistence of an intramedullary spinal metastasis from a carcinoma of the bronchus with a spinal vascular malformation.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed1995

Iodine distribution in a porcine eye model following iontophoresis.

Iodine distribution was studied in isolated porcine eyes after iontophoresis using 131I-labelled solutions and chemical methods. After a 15-min treatment with a therapeutically used iodine brine, the iodine content in the ocular tissues showed the following rank order: cornea > retina > vitreous body > anterior chamber fluid > lens. Replacement of the brine by 0.15 M NaI increased the uptake values in a different way, but the same rank order was maintained. The increase was highest in the cornea (5.6-fold) and only about 2-fold in the lens, nevertheless approaching now the level of 10(-4) M, a concentration which was regarded as being optimal for the antioxidant effect of I-. Among the other eye components, the relatively high iodine enrichment of the retina was remarkable. The data are discussed with respect to a possible protective, antioxidative and OH-scavenging efficacy of I- and to previous results in the literature concerning iodine uptake in ocular tissues.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Long-term variation of outdoor radon equilibrium equivalent concentration.

Long-term variation of outdoor radon equilibrium equivalent concentration was investigated from 1982 to 1992 at a semi-natural location 10 km north of Munich, southern Germany. For this period the continuous measurement yielded a long-term average of 8.6 Bq.m-3 (arithmetic mean) and 6.9 Bq.m-3 (geometric mean), from which an average annual effective dose of 0.14 mSv due to outdoor radon can be derived. A long-term trend of the radon concentration was not detectable over the whole period of observation. However, by time series analysis, a long-term cyclic pattern was identified with two maxima (1984-1986, 1989-1991) and two minima (1982-1983, 1987-1988). The seasonal pattern is characterized by an autumn maximum and an early summer minimum. On average, the seasonal maximum in October was found to be higher by a factor of 2 than the June minimum. The diurnal variation of the radon concentration shows a maximum in the early morning and a minimum in the afternoon. On average, this maximum is a factor of 2 higher than the minimum. In the long term a seasonal pattern was observed for diurnal variation, with an average diurnal maximum to minimum ratio of 1.5 in winter compared with 3.5 in the summer months. The radon concentration is correlated with a meteorological parameter (stagnation index) which takes into account horizontal and vertical exchange processes and the wash-out of aerosols in the lower atmosphere.

Air Pollutants, Radioactive↗
PubMed1994

[Changes of Glutathione Peroxidase Activity in Eye Tissues of Emory Mice in Relation to Cataract Status and Age].

The relationship between the activity of the antioxidant defense enzyme glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and the degree of cataract (lens opacity) was examined in 14 Emory mice at the age of 2, 7 and 10 months. Significant decreases in specific GSH-PX activity (mU/mg wet tissue) in the lens as well as in the residual eye tissue were found between 2 and 10 months of age, showing a highly significant correlation of this decrease (r = 0.590, p approximately 0.001) with the increasing degree of turbidity of the lenses. The results are discussed with regard to the changes of antioxidant mechanisms during cataractogenesis and aging. The role of the maintenance of an optimal level of GSH-PX and other well-known antioxidants (enzymes, vitamins, trace elements including iodide) for a delay of cataractogenesis is pointed out.

Aging↗
PubMed1994

[Effect and effectiveness of iodine brine baths in a spa].

On the occasion of closing the research department of the Paracelsus Institute in the iodine salt spa, Bad Hall, the results of more than 30 years' research work in this institute are summarized. This work concerned the therapeutic effects of iodine on circulatory illnesses, especially hypertension, bronchitis and degenerative eye diseases. Controlled studies in patients showed significant cure effects of the iodine springs. Other studies demonstrated an influence of iodine on peripheral blood vessels, blood viscosity, connective tissue and vision and demonstrated the scavenger function of iodine, too. The different therapeutic forms of iodine administration (baths, sprays, iontophoresis, drinking cures) are described and the potential side effects of a cure in an iodine spa, notably temporary hypothyroidism, are mentioned.

Balneology↗
PubMed1994

[Changes in selenium status, antioxidant enzyme activity and lipid peroxide level after drinking cures in Bad Hall health resort].

61 spa patients, predominantly with heart and vascular diseases, were divided into 2 therapeutic groups. In addition to the usual balneotherapeutic program, one group (J) received a course of "iodine brine concentrate" for drinking (2 x 100 ml, daily iodine uptake approximately 9 mg), and the control group (CI) received isotonic NaCl in the same way. The patients were mostly on a reduced-fat and -calorie diet. The following parameters were determined at the beginning and at the end of the 26-day treatment period: total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, lipoprotein (a) (in serum); selenium (Se), malondialdehyde (MDA), and activities of Se-dependent, Se-independent, and total glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) (in plasma). In the J group, a significant increase was found in Se-independent (+17%) and total GSH-PX (+5%) and a significant decrease in total cholesterol (-6.9%) and MDA (-13.2%). At the end of the cure, Se levels were higher in the J group than in the C1 group. The only significant change in the C1 group was a decrease in HDL-cholesterol. Positive correlations were found between selenium and Se-dependent GSH-PX (r = 0.253) and between total GSH-PX and Se-dependent GSH-PX (r = 0.665). A negative correlation was obtained between Se-dependent and Se-independent GSH-PX (r = -0.331). The results are discussed with regard to the importance of antioxidant defense mechanisms in several degenerative diseases (atherosclerosis, diabetes, cataract etc.), and also respecting interactions between iodine and selenium metabolism, as well as normalization effects conditioned by the balneotherapy itself.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗