Biomedical subjects

D Anton

Publications and source records attributed to D Anton.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Effect of concrete block weight and wall height on electromyographic activity and heart rate of masons.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are common among construction workers, such as masons. Few interventions are available to reduce masons' exposure to heavy lifting, a risk factor for MSDs. The purpose of this study was to determine whether one such intervention, the use of light-weight concrete blocks (LWBs), reduces physiological loads compared to standard-weight blocks (SWBs). Using a repeated measures design, 21 masons each constructed two 32-block walls, seven courses (rows) high, entirely of either SWBs or LWBs. Surface electromyography (EMG), from arm and back muscles, and heart rate was sampled. For certain muscles, EMG amplitudes were slightly lower when masons were laying LWBs compared to SWBs. Upper back and forearm extensor EMG amplitudes were greater for the higher wall courses for both block weights. There were no significant differences in heart rate between the two blocks. Interventions that address block weight and course height may be effective for masons.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

The effect of overhead drilling position on shoulder moment and electromyography.

The effect of overhead drilling tasks on electromyographic (EMG) activity and shoulder joint moment was examined in this study. Twenty subjects simulated an overhead drilling task using a close, middle and far reach position while standing on either a lower or a higher step of a stepladder. Root mean square amplitude (AMP) of EMG activity from the dominant side anterior deltoid, biceps brachii and triceps brachii muscles was used to determine muscular load. Digital video was used to determine shoulder joint moment using 2-dimensional static link segment modelling in the sagittal plane. The results demonstrated that, compared to the far reach position, using the close reach position significantly decreased anterior deltoid AMP and biceps brachii AMP and moment, but increased triceps brachii AMP. Compared to the lower step, using the higher step significantly decreased anterior deltoid AMP and triceps AMP and moment, while increasing biceps AMP in the close position. There was no significant change noted in EMG median frequency indicating that fatigue was minimized. Moment increased monotonically with AMP. The findings indicated that workers performing overhead tasks should work close to their body in order to minimize shoulder forces. The implications of this recommendation are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Musculoskeletal disorders among construction apprentices in Hungary.

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of occupationally related musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) symptoms and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) among construction apprentices in Hungary. Symptoms of occupational MSDs and the job factors contributing to the symptoms were determined through an administered symptom and job factors survey. The prevalence of CTS was based on a case definition that included hand symptoms and nerve conduction studies of the median nerve across the carpal tunnel. The participation rate was 96% among the 201 eligible construction apprentices. More than 50% of the apprentices reported occupationally related musculoskeletal symptoms in the previous 12 months. Job tasks that required awkward postures and working in a static position were the two factors that contributed most to MSD symptoms. No cases of CTS were found in this sample of apprentices. Although disorders of the musculoskeletal system are more prevalent among experienced construction workers, this study indicated that symptoms of MSDs are present among young construction workers. Assessing the magnitude and nature of occupational related MSDs is the first step in promoting a healthier, safer, and more efficient workforce.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome↗

PubMed2000

Pathologic variables and adjuvant therapy as predictors of recurrence and survival for patients with surgically evaluated carcinosarcoma of the uterus.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine clinicopathologic variables associated with extrauterine disease, recurrence, and survival in patients with carcinosarcoma (CS) of the uterus. METHODS: Patients believed to have disease confined to the uterine corpus who underwent primary surgical assessment were identified and data retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Occult metastases were found in 38 (61%) of 62 patients. At last follow-up, 31 (50%) had had recurrence, with an extrapelvic component in 43%, and 53% had died. Depth of myometrial invasion and lymph-vascular space invasion (LVSI) were associated with extrauterine disease. Five-year survival for patients with disease confined to the corpus (74%) was significantly greater than for those with more advanced disease (24%, P = 0.0013). Factors associated with recurrence and survival included depth of myometrial invasion, LVSI, adnexal and serosal involvement, positive cytology, and lymph node metastases. Of 24 patients with uterine disease only, 11 received no adjuvant therapy, yet 8 (73%) were free of disease at last follow-up. Neither adjuvant radiotherapy nor chemotherapy was identified as an independent prognostic variable for recurrence or survival. CONCLUSIONS: More than half of patients with CS clinically confined to the uterine corpus harbor occult metastases in a pattern similar to that found with endometrial carcinoma. Survival is significantly diminished for this group. Although the benefit of adjuvant therapy cannot be demonstrated by this study, a number of early stage patients survive without adjuvant therapy. This argues for extending the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics endometrial carcinoma surgical staging system to include CS, and also for conducting prospective trials to examine the benefits of adjuvant therapy for patients with early stage disease.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Blood dendritic cells from myeloma patients are not infected with Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV/HHV-8).

In recent studies, the sequence of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus (KSHV) or human herpes virus-8 (HHV-8) was detected in dendritic cells (DC) of patients with multiple myeloma (MM). A concern was raised whether there is an causal association between the viral infection and development of these tumors. In the present study, we have examined DC generated from blood adherent cells from 8 Swedish MM patients at different clinical stages and 2 patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. In addition, 6 myeloma cell lines and bone marrow cells from 2 MM patients were also studied. By polymerase chain reaction (PCR), including nested PCR, no virus DNA was demonstrable in the patients' DC or in myeloma cell lines or fresh bone marrow cells. Moreover, no antibody against KSHV was found in the serum of these 10 patients. Thus, our results indicate that blood-derived DC of MM patients in Sweden usually are not infected with KSHV/HHV-8. This study also suggests that KSHV/HHV-8 is not regularly associated with MM and consequently does not play a primary role in the pathogenesis of these tumors.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Anti-idiotypic T-cell activation in multiple myeloma induced by M-component fragments presented by dendritic cells.

The monoclonal immunoglobulin (Ig) (M-component) secreted by the tumour plasma cells in multiple myeloma (MM) has specific antigenic determinants (idiotypes; id) that can serve as tumour-specific antigens. The intact Ig molecule is a weak antigen, and small fragments of id protein might be more immunogenic for the induction of id-specific immunity. Dendritic cells (DC) have attracted attention as the most efficient antigen-presenting cells and promising adjuvants for immunotherapy in tumours. In this study the in vitro T-cell response against F(ab')2 and Fab fragments, heavy and light chains of the M-component was examined in five patients with MM clinical stage I. All fragments were able to stimulate T cells but F(ab')2 or Fab fragments and heavy chains induced a stronger response than light chains. DC induced a significantly stronger id-specific immune response than monocytes. Moreover, with DC as antigen-presenting cells, a predominant interferon (IFN)-gamma (type-1 T-cell) response was seen in all patients. Both IFN-gamma and interleukin (IL)-4 (type-1 and type-2 T-cell) responses were noted when monocytes were used. Our study suggests that DC pulsed with idiotypic fragments such as F(ab')2 fragment and heavy chain can be used for the induction of type-1 anti-idiotypic T-cell response for immunotherapy in MM.

Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic↗

PubMed1998

Generation of dendritic cells from peripheral blood adherent cells in medium with human serum.

Dendritic cells (DC) provide an effective pathway for presenting antigens to T cells, both self-antigens during T-cell development and foreign antigens during immunity. As such, these cells may be promising adjuvants for immunotherapy. Thus, it is important to establish simple and fast method(s) to generate sufficient numbers of human DC in medium free of calf serum so that the cells can be used for both experimental and clinical purposes. In this report, we used peripheral blood adherent cells, without laborious cell purification or depletion, as the starting population and cultured them in medium supplemented with granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-4. Substantial numbers of cells with the phenotypical and functional characteristics of immature DC were obtained in a 7-day culture. We then compared DC cultured in medium supplemented with either fetal calf serum or pooled human ABRh+ serum and found no difference in cell yields and in their ability to stimulate alloreactive T cells or to present soluble antigens to T cells. Irradiated cells were less efficient than non-irradiated cells in antigen presentation and stimulation of T cells. Finally, we have examined DC with or without additional tumour necrosis factor-alpha treatment and found that antigen-pulsed mature cells could as efficiently present antigen to T cells as did immature cells. This method is suitable for the generation of DC in studies of large clinical materials.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Prostaglandin E2 for cervical ripening: a multicenter study of patients with prior cesarean delivery.

To evaluate the maternal and fetal outcomes of a large cohort of women treated with prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) gel for cervical ripening prior to trial of labor after previous cesarean delivery. Beginning in 1990 all pregnant patients with previous cesarean delivery presenting for prenatal care at 10 California hospitals were prospectively studied. We analyzed multiple parameters to compare outcomes of cases in which PGE2 gel was used to outcomes in a control group in which PGE2 was not used. Data were examined by X2 testing. During the study period 5022 patients underwent trial of labor after prior cesarean delivery. Of these 5022 patients, 453 (9%) were treated with PGE2 gel. There was no significant difference in the incidence of uterine rupture between the PGE2 group and the control group. Indicators of maternal and perinatal morbidity were not significantly higher in the prostaglandin treated group. The use of PGE2 gel for cervical ripening appears to be relatively safe in patients with prior cesarean delivery.

Administration, Intravaginal↗

PubMed1992

Smokeless tobacco abstinence effects and nicotine gum dose.

There were two experiments on abstinence from smokeless tobacco. The purpose of the first experiment was to determine abstinence effects from smokeless tobacco. The purpose of the second experiment was to examine the effects of different doses of nicotine gum on smokeless tobacco abstinence effects. The subjects were male Copenhagen smokeless tobacco users who underwent 3 days of baseline measurement while continuing to use smokeless tobacco ad libitum, and 5 days of the experimental condition. In the first experiment, the subjects were assigned randomly to one of two groups and compared: continuous smokeless tobacco users (n = 10), and deprivation plus no nicotine gum (n = 10). In the second experiment, subjects were assigned randomly and in a double-blind fashion to one of three groups and compared: (1) deprivation plus 0 mg nicotine gum (n = 20); (2) deprivation plus 2 mg nicotine gum (n = 20); and (3) deprivation plus 4 mg nicotine gum (n = 20). The first experiment showed significant increases upon abstinence for the following variables: (1) craving; (2) difficulty concentrating; (3) restlessness; (4) excessive hunger; (5) eating; (6) reaction time; (7) variability of reaction time and (8) total withdrawal scores for both the self-rated and the observer-rated forms. The second experiment showed that nicotine gum failed to significantly reduce smokeless tobacco abstinence effects, although those with high cotinine levels may receive some benefit from nicotine gum.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Situational factors and patterns associated with smokeless tobacco use.

Situational factors and topographic features associated with smokeless tobacco use were examined. Male smokeless tobacco users (N = 30) were asked to record the time, activity, and internal states associated with each dip of tobacco use over the course of 10 days. Additionally, these subjects were asked to record the activity and internal state they were experiencing every hour for a 15-hr waking period to obtain baseline rates of these events. Serum and saliva samples were obtained to measure cotinine concentrations. The activities significantly associated with smokeless tobacco use included after a meal, while driving, and while watching television. The internal states associated with smokeless tobacco use were feeling relaxed and depressed. Factor analysis of the events showed factors which are different from those found among cigarette smokers. Examination of the topographic measures of smokeless tobacco use showed that the total dip duration per day was 283.5 min, with a range of 79.7-757.1 min. This measure, along with duration of dipping time (time from onset to offset of smokeless tobacco use during the day), may be the best predictors of nicotine exposure.

Adult↗

PubMed1982

[Aminoglycoside nephropathy].

Aminoglycosides lead to an increase of number and size of secondary lysosomiotics in the cells of the renal size of secondary lysosomes in the cells of the renal tubuli. Myeloid bodies appear in the lysosomes. As a sequel of the aminoglycoside antibiotics accumulated in the kidney a rhythmic change of the function of the cells of the tubuli with hyperenzymuria, decreased reabsorption of low molecular weight proteins, decreased concentration of urine and decreased glomerular filtration develops. Despite continued drug exposure these deviations are reversible. Simultaneous application of cephalotin, dextran or furosemid increase the toxic effect. A summarizing hypothesis concerning the aminoglycoside-induced nephropathy is presented which takes into consideration the specific receptor binding of the aminoglycosides at the membrane of the tubulus, their accumulation in the lysosomes and their ways in the cell of the tubulus. The lysosomes are regarded as primary working point of the aminoglycosides.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

PubMed1982

[Drug induced nephropathy and enzymes of renal origin in the urine].

A report is given on the excretion of the renal enzymes alaninaminopeptidasis (AAP), N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidasis (NAG), beta-glucoronidasis (GBC) and alpha-galactosidasis (GAC) in urine after administration of Gentamycin, Cephalotin, Dextran, Carbencillin or combinations of these medicaments. Moreover the effective level of Gentamycin in the urine was measured after isolated administration of Gentamycin. A rhythmic excretion of ciliated-border and lysomal enzymes was observed. Gentamycin was also rhythmically excreted with the urine. It is assumed that this reflects cyclic changes in the cells of the renal tubule. Under long-term administration of Gentamycin or Dextran the excretion of enzymes already reduced during therapy. This was interpreted as an adaptation of the kidney to the medicament. On the other hand there are combinations of medicaments whose effect on the epithelium of the renal tubule is potentiated.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗

PubMed1979

[The histology of gastric mucosa in B II-stomach (author's transl)].

131 patients operated on for gastric ulcer according to Gillroth II were investigated with gastroscopy and biopsy. The histology of the gastric mucosa was correlated with the time elapsed since resection. In most cases gastritis shows no difference between anastomosis and stump. In up to 12% gastritis in the stump was more pronounced that at the anastomosis. In the stump any form of gastritis can be seen even more than 20 years afer resection. Atrophic changes are more often to be found in the resected stomach and develop more rapidly than in the normal stomach. They probably result from the coincidence of the lost protective function of the mucous membrane after resection of the gastrin-producing antrum with the potentially damaging action of the contents of small intestine.

Gastric Juice↗

PubMed1976