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Biomedical subjects

E M de Boer

Publications and source records attributed to E M de Boer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Contact dermatitis in Alstroemeria workers.

Hand dermatitis is common in workers in the horticultural industry. This study determined the prevalence of hand dermatitis in workers of Alstroemeria cultivation, investigated how many workers had been sensitized by tulipalin A (the allergen in Alstroemeria) and took stock of a wide range of determinants of hand dermatitis. The 12-month period prevalence of major hand dermatitis amounted to 29.5% whereas 7.4% had minor dermatitis. Of these workers, 52.1% were sensitized for tulipalin A. Several personal and work-related determinants played a role in the multifactorial aetiology of hand dermatitis. Factors which showed a significant relationship with major hand dermatitis were: female sex, atopic dermatitis, chapped hands and the frequency of washing hands. It may be concluded that the Alstroemeria workers are a population at risk of developing contact dermatitis and it might be useful to carry out an educational campaign to lower the high prevalence.

4-Butyrolactone↗
PubMed1997

Compression stockings and rubber floor mats: do they benefit workers with chronic venous insufficiency and a standing profession?

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a burden to many workers, especially to those with a standing profession. Preventive measures are seldom taken. A quasirandomized parallel group trial was performed in 114 male workers with CVI and a standing profession. For 3 months, class II compression stockings or rubber floor mats were used vs controls. Outcome measures were diurnal volume changes (leg swelling) and complaints of the lower legs. With the stockings, a significant decrease in complaints was found, as well as a significant decrease in leg swelling. Rubber mats were often not suitable for hygienic and safety reasons. The decrease in complaints in the group using rubber mats was less pronounced, and leg swelling did not differ from that of the control group. Compression stockings appeared to be superior to rubber mats with regard to applicability, diminishing subjective complaints, and decrease of diurnal leg swelling.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1997

Venous insufficiency in male workers with a standing profession. Part 1: epidemiology.

BACKGROUND: Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) in the occupational population is often poorly recognized. The dimensions of this problem have never been thoroughly investigated in the Netherlands. OBJECTIVE: To study the epidemiology and risk factors of CVI in males with a standing position at work. To develop a simple diagnostic instrument for screening an (occupational) population for CVI. METHODS: 387 male workers with a standing profession were examined by means of a questionnaire, physical examination, Doppler ultrasound investigation, light reflection rheography and optical leg volume measurements. RESULTS: CVI was present in 29% of the subjects and correlated with age, weight and duration of standing work. Complaints of the legs were reported by 81% of the individuals with CVI but also by 63% of the persons without CVI. The questionnaire had a predictive value of 80% in detecting CVI. CONCLUSION: CVI was a major problem because of the quantity (29%) and the accompanying complaints. Neither the questionnaire nor other investigative measures proved to be as efficient in diagnosing CVI as physical examination in combination with Doppler ultrasound investigation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Venous insufficiency in male workers with a standing profession. Part 2: diurnal volume changes of the lower legs.

BACKGROUND: Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) occurs frequently in the occupational population but is often not recognized. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate leg volume measurements in the detection of CVI. INTERVENTIONS: The lower leg volume was measured in 81 males with CVI and a standing occupation, at the beginning and end of 2 full working days using an optical leg volume meter. RESULTS: A volume increase of over 50 ml was found in 60% of the legs. The mean volume change was +2.6% in legs with minor CVI and +3.6% in legs with major CVI. A high volume change was associated with a tired feeling and pain in the legs. In the detection of CVI, the predictive value of volume measurements was 71%, and in combination with a questionnaire 83%. CONCLUSION: A volume increase of the lower legs in the course of the day was common and associated with subjective complaints of the legs. As a predictor of CVI, isolated volume measurements were ineffective because an overlap was present with the distribution of volume changes in healthy workers.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Guidelines for measurement of cutaneous blood flow by laser Doppler flowmetry. A report from the Standardization Group of the European Society of Contact Dermatitis.

The report reviews individual-related variables (age, sex, race, anatomical site), intra- and inter-individual variation (temporal, physical and mental activity, food and drugs), and environment-related variables (air convection, temperature). Technical variation, instrument validation including a standard reactive hyperemia experiment, and a standard operating procedure are discussed and included in the guidelines.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Comparison of toxicity tests on human skin and epidermoid (A431) cells using free fatty acids as test substances.

Several in-vivo methods can be used to determine the ability of chemical compounds to induce skin irritancy. In this study we estimated in vivo the capacity of several free fatty acids to induce skin irritancy and compared the results with those found in in vitro tests. Skin irritancy induced by free fatty acids (chain lengths: C6, C7, C9, C10, C11, C13 and C18) was evaluated in humans by means of laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF) and visual scoring (VS). Both methods demonstrated that the toxic effect of free fatty acids determined by LDF and VS increased from C6 through C11 and decreased again for C13 and C18. The cytotoxic effect of these free fatty acids on cells was measured in vitro by incubation of human epidermoid cells (A431) with these compounds. It was determined by measuring: (a) the number of dead cells by inclusion of Trypan blue (TB); and (b) the number of living cells by mitochondrial metabolism of 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). The LD-50 concentrations decreased from C6 through C11 in both in-vitro assays. The results of the in-vitro assays for C13 and C18 both demonstrated a discrepancy. The cytotoxic effect of the free fatty acids expressed as LD-50 values, determined after 20 min with the TB assay, was seen at higher concentrations than after incubation for 18 h (MTT assay). From the results it was concluded that C13 in particular affected skin blood flow. We also determined correlation coefficients between the in-vivo and in-vitro methods. When C13 is excluded these coefficients ranged from -0.77 to -0.92.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1993

Dermatitis in bulb growers.

A damaged skin forms a health hazard in flower-bulb growers as it enables higher permeation rates for pesticides than normal skin. Therefore, an investigation was performed into the skin condition of 103 bulb growers and 49 controls. Contact dermatitis of the hands was of the same order (11 and 10%) in both groups. However, minor signs of dermatitis were seen more often in bulb growers (30 versus 8%, p < 0.05). Most growers had contact with narcissus sap during the investigation. This irritant sap, as well as many other skin contacts with irritants such as hyacinth dust and pesticides, seemed to be responsible for many skin complaints. Contact sensitization was suspected in 19 growers and 3 controls. Patch tests showed that contact sensitization existed to pesticides in probably 10, and to flower-bulb extracts in 4 growers. Reactions to propachlor were not regarded as very reliable as the test concentration seemed to be marginally irritant. There were only a few allergic reactions to narcissus (3) and tulip (2) and none to hyacinth. This investigation showed that minor irritant contact dermatitis was frequent in bulb growers, and indicated that contact sensitization to pesticides and bulbs seemed to be a less frequent but important cause of dermatitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

The irritancy of metalworking fluids: a laser Doppler flowmetry study.

Irritant contact dermatitis is common in metalworkers exposed to metalworking fluids (MWF). The irritancy of 3 commercially available water-based cutting fluids in maximal user's concentration and 2 neat oils was investigated in 23 healthy volunteers. Additionally, the irritancy of some groups of components of the cutting fluids was studied. After Sellotape stripping, repeated patch tests were performed over 5 days and evaluated by a visual score (VS) and by laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF). In general, the MWF caused marginal skin irritation. In a comparison of the MWF and water, the cutting fluids were ranked higher in irritancy than the neat oils, but the effect of only one cutting fluid could be distinguished from that of water. The components of the cutting fluids also caused no strong reactions. The LDF response showed that one emulsifier was more irritant than water and according to the VS, one corrosion inhibitor was the most irritant. The correlation coefficient between the VS and the LDF response was probably diminished by a strong adverse reaction to the fixing tape in many volunteers. From this experiment, it was concluded that MWF are generally only mildly irritant when used in proper concentrations. However, orthoergic contact dermatitis often develops as a result of repeated and cumulative subclinical insults, in which MWF, especially water-based, play a crucial role because exposure at work is often extensive.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Dermatoses in metal workers. (II). Allergic contact dermatitis.

In an epidemiological study of 286 metalworkers exposed to metalworking fluids (MWF), the prevalence of contact sensitization was investigated. In part I, irritant contact dermatitis in metal workers has been discussed. In 40 employees with dermatitis, patch tests were performed with a routine series, a series of common components of MWF, and a series of preservatives the employees worked with. Contact sensitization was established in 8 persons (2.8% of all workers), of whom 4 were allergic to biocides and/or corrosion inhibitors. Difficulties in interpretation of the relevance of positive reactions are discussed. Attention is paid to the use of biocides in MWF, their various types and their sensitizing capacities. Measures to reduce the induction of contact sensitization to preservatives in water-based fluids are discussed.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗
PubMed1989

Dermatoses in metal workers. (I). Irritant contact dermatitis.

In an epidemiological study of 286 metalworkers exposed to metalworking fluids (MWF), the prevalence of skin problems was investigated. Minor changes, such as a dry rough skin with slight erythema, were seen in 31%, and major changes, such as more serious and widespread dermatitis, were observed in 27% of all workers. By far the most cases were of irritant origin; in only 2.8% was a contact sensitization established. Exposure to water-based MWF caused irritant contact dermatitis more often than exposure to neat oils. No influence was found of the presence of atopy on the occurrence of dermatitis. Other factors that may result in irritation of the skin are discussed, as well as measures to be taken to minimize insult of the skin.

Dermatitis, Contact↗
PubMed1988

Dyshidrotic eczema as an occupational dermatitis in metal workers.

Metalworkers exposed to metalworking fluids often encounter dermatological problems. In an epidemiological study of 286 metalworkers, 14% had dermatitis. Of these, 21 (54%) presented with the clinical appearance of dyshidrotic eczema. 3 out of these 21 operators had positive patch test reactions, 1 to nickel and 2 to formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers, while 1 other was diagnosed as atopic. According to the literature, dyshidrotic eczema is strongly related to an atopic constitution and to contact sensitization, especially to nickel. However, our findings suggest that dyshidrotic eczema in metalworkers is a predominantly irritant dermatitis, mainly induced by exposure to soluble oils and unrelated to atopy.

Bronchial Provocation Tests↗
PubMed1986

Basal cell nevus syndrome and webbed neck.

A patient is reported with the basal cell nevus syndrome (BCNS) in combination with a webbed neck. This symptom might be considered as an expression of the BCNS.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗