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W Diener

Publications and source records attributed to W Diener.

33 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Results of clinical and epidemiologic studies of the nitrate problem].

Small differences in nitrate intake with the drinking water are not reflected in nitrate contents of saliva and urine of test persons. A correlation of nitrate concentration in body fluids and cancer incidence can be expected hardly. Inflammatory diseases of the gut are frequently accompanied by enhanced endogenous nitrate synthesis and have an essential influence on total nitrate load of the human organism. Nitrate contents in saliva and/or urine are not general indicators of inflammatory processes. As the role of the nitrate ion in humans is not yet understood, the claim remains for a nitrate intake being as low as possible.

Germany, East↗

[Nitrate and nitrite in the urine, saliva and blood of urologic patients].

Nitrate and nitrite contents were determined in urine, saliva, and blood of 298 patients suffering from urological diseases. Crude values of nitrate and nitrite in morning urine without any correction due to density and creatinine are sufficient for epidemiological purposes. Significant correlations exist with vegetables intake and bacteriuria, but not with age, sex, disease, smoking, and medicaments. Neither nitrate nor nitrite may be considered to be general indicators of inflammatory processes in the urogenital tract. According to recent investigations nitrite formation during bacterial infections must be seen in connection with simultaneously occurring macrophage activation, as the latter one is catalyzing the formation of carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds from nitrite and secondary amines.

Escherichia coli Infections↗

Proteases and antiproteases related to the coagulation system in plasma and ascites--influence of dexamethasone.

Fibrinolysis induced by the infusion of plasminogen activators into the circulation has been shown to cause coagulation disorders in ascites retransfusion. Dexamethasone is known to inhibit the synthesis of plasminogen activators by peritoneal macrophages. We therefore assessed its potential in preventing the occurrence of fibrinolysis by injecting 16 mg dexamethasone intraperitoneally in 10 patients 24 h before ascites retransfusion was performed. In addition, the effect of dexamethasone upon the activity or concentration of several proteases and antiproteases related to coagulation in plasma and ascites was analyzed on 15 occasions. An increase of the activity of plasminogen, alpha 2-antiplasmin, and antithrombin III, and in the concentration of alpha 1-protease inhibitor in ascites was induced by the dexamethasone injection. However, the reaction was not identical in all patients. Those patients having an increase of plasminogen activities of 0.6 CTA U/ml or more did not show signs of fibrinolysis during retransfusion. The results obtained indicate that intraperitoneal injection of dexamethasone decreases the concentration of plasminogen activators in ascites and thereby reduces the risk of coagulation disorders during retransfusion procedures. Since the effect is variable and not sustained, assessment of preoperative plasminogen concentrations is mandatory in order to prevent complications.

Antithrombin III↗

[Pilot study of the nitrate, nitrite and bacterial content of human saliva as a function of environmental factors].

In a random sample comprising 160 test persons nitrate (12.4 +/- 7.6 mg/l) and nitrite (5.7 +/- 4.0 mg/l) concentrations as well as bacteria counts in saliva were determined. No dependence of the values from age and sex could be detected, whereas smokers have lower concentrations of both nitrate and nitrite. Persons suffering from inflammatory diseases did not have enhanced nitrate concentrations. Role of bacteria for nitrite production is confirmed. Patients, regularly taking nitro-remedies, showed enhanced NO3--(25.8 mg/l) and NO2--(8.4 mg/l)-values.

Adult↗

Statistical investigations into the measured DALA--discharge in the urine of infants.

Using a sample of the size 353 on day-nursery children, the authors show that the DALA-U increase, which is due to the absorption of lead and other substances, does not display any age or sex dependence. A dependence upon the day nursery's location is assumed. The authors elaborate on the statistical problems (normal distribution) and the boundary value problems associated with the various DALA-U values measured. Large sample sizes are required to find a final clarification of the relationships.

Age Factors↗

Renin, aldosterone and arginine vasopressin in patients with liver cirrhosis: the influence of ascites retransfusion.

Plasma renin activity (PRA), and concentrations of aldosterone (PAL) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) in plasma were determined in 15 patients with ascites due to cirrhosis. The concentrations in ascites were analyzed simultaneously. Six patients were studied during extracorporeal ascites retransfusion. All but one patient with ascites showed elevated PAL (642 +/- 255 pg ml-1) and PRA (43 +/- 26 ng ml-1 h-1); all had increased AVP (7.3 +/- 5.1 pg ml-1). A low ascites to plasma ratio was found for aldosterone (0.023 +/- 0.023), but not for AVP (0.71 +/- 0.82). Retransfusion resulted in a normalization of central venous pressure (CVP), urinary volume, sodium/potassium ratio in urine, PAL and PRA, but not of AVP, serum sodium concentration and urinary sodium excretion. PRA and PAL increased again after cessation of treatment, while urinary output, CVP and sodium/potassium ratio in urine decreased. The results support the 'underfilling' concept, but give evidence that, in addition, other factors must be involved in the impaired natriuresis in cirrhotic patients. They further support the concept of volume expansion and increased renal perfusion as reason for the therapeutic efficacy of ascites retransfusion. Previous diuretic treatment seems not to be of importance for altered hormone metabolism in liver cirrhosis. Storage in a third compartment may be a factor in the persistently elevated AVP levels.

Adult↗

Long-term study of virus contamination of surface water in the German Democratic Republic.

Between 1 January 1970 and 31 December 1979, a study of the concentration of viruses in surface water was carried out by 4 virological laboratories in different regions of the German Democratic Republic. All these laboratories used the same methods for virus detection.Altogether 1908 samples from 30 sampling points were evaluated. The rate of virus isolation ranged from 8% to 92% with a mean of 20%. There were considerable differences in isolation rate among the sampling points, and the rate for any particular point varied from year to year.The mean value of virus concentration, determined by the most probable number technique, was 2.7 cytopathogenic units (CU) per litre, while the maximum was 22.1 CU/litre. Viruses seen throughout the 10-year investigation included poliovirus, types 1, 2, and 3, echovirus types 6, 11, and 30, and coxsackievirus B 3 and B 5; echovirus 7 and 24, coxsackievirus B 1, and adenovirus 5 were seen occasionally. The results of the study reflected the high level of use of surface waters in the German Democratic Republic.Where water is intended for human use, e.g., as drinking-water or for recreation, reasonable safety measures, such as water treatment and disinfection, should be taken, in order to ensure that the level of viral contamination is within the permissible limits.

Germany, West↗