PubMed · 11631191
The source did not provide an abstract. Follow the original record for more information.
Explore connections, maps & timelines
R Hildebrand. 1988. [Not Available].. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11631191/
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.
KEEP EXPLORING
Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is estimated to be one of the most important risk factors for nonmelanoma and melanoma skin cancers. High occupational UV exposure is assumed to be associated with skin cancer. Mountain guides receive considerable UV doses due to altitude-related increase of UVR and reflection from snow- and ice-covered surfaces. The aim of our study was to assess the annual occupational UV exposure of mountain guides. Spore film test chambers containing spores of Bacillus subtilis (VioSpor) were used as UV dosimeters with a spectral sensitivity profile similar to erythema-weighted data calculated from spectroradiometric measurements. Nine mountain guide instructors carried dosimeters on the sides of their heads on a total of 1,406 working days during one year (July 1999-June 2000). Dosimeters were changed monthly. Measurements of 92 months could be evaluated (4-12 months/mountain guide). The mean individual monthly UV exposure was 107 standard erythema doses (SED) (median 71 SED; range 10-505 SED). The mean annual cumulative UV exposure was 1,097 SED (median 1,273 SED; range 312-1,770 SED) per mountain guide. The mean UV dose per day (4-10 hr) was 6.6 SED (median 5.7 SED; range 0.6-24.2 SED). This is the second study of continuous annual UV dosimetry in a cohort of outdoor workers. Our study showed that it is not sufficient to interpolate annual UV exposure from a few days' measurements. Only long-term dosimetry can give reliable yearly information of UVR load. Median daily UV exposure exceeded limits for UV radiation (e.g., ACGIH effective dose 30 J/m(2) per 8 hr period corresponding to 1.08 SED/day) 6-fold; maximal exposure exceeded these limits 23-fold. These extremely high exposure values are suggestive for an increased risk of skin cancer and thorough epidemiologic studies in the collectives of professional and recreational mountaineering are required.
Narcolepsy is a debilitating sleep disorder characterized by daytime sleepiness and cataplexy. The strong association of narcolepsy with the HLA system suggests an autoimmune cause. Tumor necrosis factor is a cytokine involved in both regulation of immune mechanisms and sleep. Several studies were undertaken to determine a contribution of tumor necrosis factor and its receptors to the pathogenesis of narcolepsy. A significant increase in the 196R allele, a functionally relevant polymorphism in the TNFR2 gene, has been found in Japanese patients, indicating altered transduction of tumor necrosis factor signals. Here we explore polymorphisms in both tumor necrosis factor receptor genes as risk factors in a German population sample. Neither the polymorphism in the TNFR1 nor that in the TNFR2 gene was associated with narcolepsy. Our findings contrast to those previously published and thus provide evidence for genetic heterogeneity between different narcolepsy populations.
100 years after Rudolf Virchow's death, we find it necessary to demonstrate the mark his work has left on present day medicine. Curt Froboese wrote 50 years ago: "To come to know Rudolf Virchow well, it is sufficient to read him". Therefore the present collection of literal quotations from Virchow tries to show how valid many statements of Virchow still are. His definition of "health" precedes the well-known formulation of the World Health Organization. Virchow had a presentiment of molecular pathology, without defining this word, when he ascribed molecular forces to the cell and particularly to the cellular nucleus. As a terminologist he played a guiding role. His linguistic sense enabled him to prematurely find out "barbarisms" in medical terminology. At the same time, he also supported an international understanding. In particular the surgeons came to know through Virchow that malignant tumors are also primarily local events to be surgically treated preferably in the early stage. Therefore he requested a population-based statistical survey as developed by the cancer registries today. The legend that Virchow fought against bacteriology is not true. He did not stop in his efforts to differentiate between etiology, germs and the course of infection which presupposes knowledge of the respective cellular phenomena. Summing up it can be said that Virchow still plays an important role in our medical world.