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Biomedical subjects

A Franzblau

Publications and source records attributed to A Franzblau.

49 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Effect of tool shape and work location on perceived exertion for work on horizontal surfaces.

Thirty subjects drove screws into perforated sheet metal mounted on a horizontal surface using three air-powered tools that varied in shape (right-angle, in-line, and pistol-shaped). The four horizontal work locations ranged from 13-88 cm in front of the body and were placed at 25 cm intervals. The vertical placement of the horizontal beam was at midthigh, elbow, and midchest height. Subjects drove 25 screws at each tool/work location combination before rating that condition using the Borg 10-point ratio rating scale. The ratings of perceived exertion increased with increasing horizontal distance from the body. When tool shape was not considered, the perceived exertion was virtually equal for driving screws at midthigh or elbow height. The ratings at midchest height were significantly higher than elbow and midthigh height. When tool shape was taken into account, subjects perceived less exertion driving screws with the pistol-shaped tool at midthigh height. The in-line and right-angle tools had the lowest ratings of perceived exertion for driving screws at elbow and midchest height.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

The use of a transportable Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer for the direct measurement of solvents in breath and ambient air--I: Methanol.

A transportable Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer has been tested for analysis of methanol vapor in alveolar and ambient air. The instrument has been found to be accurate and precise for both uses. The regions used for methanol and CO2 quantification are in the vicinity of 950-1100 cm-1 and 2000-2100 cm-1, respectively. The results of a standard addition experiment show a correlation coefficient of 0.97-0.99 for methanol in alveolar or ambient air at the 30-200 ppm concentration level. For CO2 analysis in 23 alveolar air samples at the 6.1-7.6% concentration level, the mean difference in results between a nondispersive infrared (NDIR) spectrometer and the FTIR was -0.092% with a standard deviation of 0.273% (p greater than 0.1). Methanol concentrations in alveolar air paralleled simultaneous measurements of methanol concentration in blood. Overall, these preliminary results suggest that FTIR spectroscopy is a practical and efficient approach for simultaneous biological and area monitoring of human exposure to organic solvents.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1991

Quantitative neurologic and neurobehavioral testing of persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

Assessment of neurobehavioral and peripheral neurologic performance among homosexual men was made on two occasions, using a computer-administered neurobehavioral instrument and quantitative vibration threshold testing, respectively. Persons studied included high-risk human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative men (n = 13), asymptomatic HIV-positive men (n = 30), and patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related complex of AIDS (n = 17). In addition, subjects were characterized immunologically at the time of neurologic and neuropsychologic assessment via determination of circulating lymphocyte counts (total lymphocytes, helper T cells, suppressor T cells, total T cells, activated T cells) and markers of HIV type 1 (HIV-1) infection. At the first cycle of testing, the results of asymptomatic HIV-positive men were indistinguishable from those of HIV-negative men, while persons with AIDS-related complex or AIDS tended to have lower mean performance. These differences did not achieve statistical significance on any single test, but the group with AIDS-related complex or AIDS had the worst mean performance on 12 of 13 individual performance tests. Thirty-seven men underwent repeated testing after a mean interval of approximately 4.5 months. There was little change in mean neurobehavioral performance and vibratory thresholds among all three groups. Measures of neurobehavioral performance and vibrotactile thresholds were not correlated with measures of immunological status. These results are consistent with the concept that asymptomatic infection with HIV-1 does not imply the presence of measurable or significant neurologic or neurobehavioral impairment.

AIDS-Related Complex↗
PubMed1989

Asbestos-associated rounded atelectasis: a case report and review of the literature.

Asbestos-associated rounded atelectasis is a nonmalignant radiographic consequence of asbestos exposure that can mimic neoplasia. It is infrequently mentioned in reviews of the radiographic features of nonmalignant asbestos-associated disease. Distinguishing it from malignant disease without resorting to chest surgery is important. This report presents a case of such atelectasis, and a review of the relevant literature.

Asbestosis↗
PubMed1988

Use of inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) in screening for trace metal exposures in an industrial population.

A heterogeneous group of asymptomatic industrial workers potentially exposed to various toxic metals was screened for trace metal exposure. Each was examined and then completed an occupational health history questionnaire and had hair and blood samples analyzed for 10 metals via the inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy technique. No industrial hygiene survey was performed. The concentrations of trace elements found in our cohort were comparable to previously published levels for nonoccupationally exposed groups. This finding is not unexpected in light of the nature of the population studied and the screening technique. The levels in blood and hair were not well correlated, and subsets of the population with high metal burdens could not be identified on the basis of self-reported occupational exposure histories.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Characteristics of persons with marked hypocholesterolemia. A population-based study.

Because of recent heightened epidemiologic interest in persons with very low cholesterol levels, we compared men and women at the lowest and middle deciles of plasma cholesterol in a large population study for multiple sociologic, biologic, and medical attributes. Two sex-specific age groups were studied, 30-54 years and 55-79 years. In general, comparisons between deciles for each of these four age-sex groups revealed only minor differences for demographic variables; systolic or diastolic blood pressure; fasting plasma glucose; weight; height; obesity; cigarette smoking; dietary eggs or milk; medications for hypertension, hyperglycemia, hyperuricemia, or hyperlipidemia; family history of myocardial infarction, diabetes, or stroke; and personal history of myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, hypertension, or stroke. Thus, the lowest and the middle deciles of plasma cholesterol in this population shared similar sociologic, biologic, and medical profiles. One unexpected finding was somewhat more diabetics in the lowest decile , and greater obesity and triglyceride levels in the lowest decile diabetics compared to either lowest decile non-diabetics or middle decile diabetics, perhaps suggesting a metabolically distinct subset.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The effects of keyswitch stiffness on typing force, finger electromyography, and subjective discomfort.

The effects of keyswitch stiffness and key action on typing force, electromyography (EMG), and subjective preference were examined. Each subject's own keyboard (with an audible key click and key activation force of 0.72 N) and three keyboards with no key click that were identical in design but had different key activation forces (0.28 N, 0.56 N, and 0.83 N) were used. Subjects (24 female transcriptionists) typed on each keyboard for 15 min while typing force and left hand surface EMG of the finger flexor and extensor muscles were monitored. Subjects then used one of the keyboards at their workstations for 7 workdays and were monitored again. This procedure was repeated for all four keyboards. Typing force and finger flexor and extensor EMG activity were highest for the 0.83 N keyboard. Lowest EMG values were for the 0.28 N and the 0.72 N audible key click keyboards. Baseline (10th percentile) and median (50th percentile) extensor EMG values were significantly higher than flexor EMG values. Peak (90th percentile) EMG values were comparable for flexors and extensors. Mean subjective discomfort was significantly higher for the 0.83 N keyboard at the fingers (36% higher), lower arm (40% higher), and overall (39% higher). Seventeen of 24 subjects preferred the 0.72 N keyboard, 4 the 0.28 N keyboard, and 3 preferred the 0.56 N keyboard. Results suggest that increasing make force causes typing force and EMG to increase but that the ratio of 90th centile typing force to make force decreases as make force increases. Subjective discomfort was significantly higher for the keyboard with 0.83 N make force. Buckling spring keyboards have better feedback characteristics, which may be responsible for a decrease in the amount of typing force and EMG produced.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Acute lead poisoning in construction workers: the failure of current protective standards.

Construction workers who use oxyacetylene torches to cut lead-painted metal are at high risk of acute and subacute lead poisoning. Poisoning results from inhalation of submicron-diameter particles of lead fume generated in paint burning. We describe a series of 14 cases of lead poisoning in ironworkers cutting a lead-painted bridge in New York City. Peak blood lead levels ranged from 2.32 to 5.80 mumol/l (48-120 micrograms/dl). Median duration of employment was 4 wk. Two workers required chelation therapy. Personal (breathing zone) exposures to airborne lead ranged from 600 to 4,000 micrograms/m3. Construction workers are specifically exempted from the provisions of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) lead standard. The data from this study indicate that such exemption is not warranted. A need exists for improved protection of construction workers against occupational exposure to lead.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Acute arsenic intoxication from environmental arsenic exposure.

Reports of acute arsenic poisoning arising from environmental exposure are rare. Two cases of acute arsenic intoxication resulting from ingestion of contaminated well water are described. These patients experienced a variety of problems: acute gastrointestinal symptoms, central and peripheral neurotoxicity, bone marrow suppression, hepatic toxicity, and mild mucous membrane and cutaneous changes. Although located adjacent to an abandoned mine, the well water had been tested for microorganisms only and was found to be "safe." Regulations for testing of water from private wells for fitness to drink are frequently nonexistent, or only mandate biologic tests for microorganisms. Well water, particularly in areas near mining activity, should be tested for metals.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Medical screening of office workers for upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders.

An apparent "outbreak" of cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) was noted in a subset of white-collar workers employed in medical illustration and medical graphic arts. Among graphic artists (n = 7), there were three cases of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), based on patient reports of personal physician diagnoses; no such reports occurred among other workers in the department (n = 39, p = .0023, Fisher's exact test). Jobs were studied to identify possible risk factors for CTDs, and workers underwent a standardized medical screening protocol. Specific work elements were found to be performed more frequently by graphic artists and appeared to be related to increased reporting of distal upper extremity symptoms and electrodiagnostic changes at the wrist. Nevertheless, using a strict case definition of CTS that required electrophysiologic evidence of median mononeuropathy at the wrist and appropriate symptoms or signs, only two persons--one graphic artist and one comparison subject--had evidence of mild CTS. The approach employed in this study of an outbreak of CTDs is an example of a multidisciplinary investigation of CTDs in an office setting.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of multiple frequency vibrometry testing and sensory nerve conduction measures in screening for carpal tunnel syndrome in an industrial setting.

The value of vibrometry in the evaluation of carpal tunnel syndrome is controversial. Several investigators have suggested that vibrometry screening with multiple frequencies would improve the correlation and increase the sensitivity when screening for carpal tunnel syndrome. One hundred sixty-nine industrial workers from two manufacturing plants in southern Michigan were screened for median nerve impairment using both vibrometry (seven frequencies, 8-500 Hz) and electrophysiologic testing in each hand. The vibratory threshold at each frequency, as well as composite measures-Jetzer index and negative sums, were compared with electrophysiologic measures of amplitude and latency. The individual frequencies and the Jetzer index correlated with median sensory latency, but the relationships were weak (r = 0.22 to 0.32). Only at the lower frequencies (8, 16, and 32 Hz) did the vibratory threshold correlate with sensory amplitude; correlation ranged from 0.187 to 0.303. Vibration threshold sensation is most closely related to axonal loss or conduction block, but the earliest finding in carpal tunnel syndrome is that of demyelination; thus we would not expect an abnormal vibratory threshold with mild carpal tunnel syndrome. These results support this interpretation and suggest that vibratory screening for early carpal tunnel syndrome is not effective.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome↗