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Biomedical subjects

E Marth

Publications and source records attributed to E Marth.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

[Detection of legionellae in thermal water].

Water samples taken from hot water springs, from the water distribution system and from various places of consumption of thermal water were collected in an Austrian spa. 56.5% of the samples contained Legionella; serogroups 1, 3 and 5 of Legionella pneumophila were most frequently identified. The large number of positive Legionella samples indicates a potential risk of infection to patients, especially those undergoing inhalation treatment with thermal water, or those using a whirlpool or taking a shower. In those inhalators actually in use, no Legionella could be detected. Thus they are no source of infection when they are maintained and serviced properly. Thermal disinfection and service checks at regular intervals are suggested for the contaminated systems.

Balneology↗
PubMed1991

[Modification of the nitrate content of groundwater near the surface by agricultural soil use in the example of Styria].

In a one year study, nitrate concentrations of superficial ground water were determined in Styria. Of 3931 samples, 21.1% were above 30 mg, 10.1% above 50 mg and 1.5% above 100 mg NO3/1. The contaminated areas lie exclusively in the Styrian tertiary basin, especially in the loose fluvoglacial deposits downstream of Graz. These areas are further characterized by a high population density, intensive cultivation of maize and intensive animal farming (pig breeding). Aside from toxicological aspects, increased nitrate concentrations are an indicator of human influences on the environment, which no longer permit the exclusion of substances potentially deleterious to health in the ground water. The areas are of great interest from the point of view of water supply and distribution because of the great quantities of water to be found there.

Agriculture↗
PubMed1991

Cancer mortality from 1978 to 1987 in smaller regions of Styria, Austria, with different environmental conditions.

In 1984 we have shown in a study, that regions with high air pollution have a higher respiratory cancer rate than regions without substantial air pollution. In this study 45 small regions of Styria, which can be considered homogenous from an environmental viewpoint, have been studied with respect to age standardized respiratory cancer mortality. These small regions have been classified into regions without substantial air pollution, with substantial air and substantial water pollution. Between 1978 and 1987 we have found that small regions with substantial air or water pollution show an increased age standardized respiratory cancer mortality than small regions with "good" environmental conditions. In some regions the rate was twice as high compared to regions without substantial environmental problems. The main difference was found for the age group between 60 and 75 years. Generally between 1978 and 1987 no trend has been observed, only within age groups a shift can be seen.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Diagnostic value of biochemical tumor markers in brain tumors. Review of the literature and own experience with serum analysis of sialic acid (NANA), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE)].

In a review of the literature the current knowledge of the diagnostic significance of sialic acid (NANA), neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in the detection and differentiation of brain tumors is demonstrated. The efficiency of some additional biochemical tumor markers is briefly described. In a total of 101 patients of our own 63 patients operated on intracranial expansive lesions and 38 patients with non-tumoral diseases of the central nervous system were examined for their serum concentrations of NANA, NSE and CEA with additional determination of total serum protein (TSP) and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations. 24 benign, 15 semibenign, 12 semimalign and 12 malign expansions were compared with each other and with the controls for their tumor marker concentrations. The criteria of the diagnostic reliability (sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value) were calculated for each single marker and the reliability of information for the combined used markers was evaluated. In summary the following results were found: The concentration of C-reactive protein corresponded significantly with the NANA-concentrations on the one hand and with the CEA-concentrations on the other hand (p less than 0.05). NANA: 1. The average concentration increased with increasing malignancy (no significance). 2. Patients who suffered from non-tumorous diseases of the central nervous system which coincided with brain tissue lesions had often extremely high values. 3. 4 of 10 healthy controls had NANA-levels above the reference value. 4. The sensitivity was 44%, the specificity 73%, the positive predictive value 17%, the negative predictive value 88% (patients with pathological CRP- or TSP-values excluded).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed1989

[Air pollution emissions and changes in lung function].

Among the environmental hazards in a modern industrial society, air pollutants are of major significance. They can directly affect the cells of the bronchopulmonary system and lead to an irritation of the epithelial and immunocompetent cells. This results in a decreased secretion of immunoglobulin A, and, consequently, a decreased resistance against infections. Thereby pathogens, especially bacteria, may lead to an inflammation of the respiratory tract. Apart from the direct toxic effect of their pollutants, recurrent inflammations eventually lead to small airway obstruction. The spirometric parameters FVC, FEV1 and MEF50 were reduced. IgA concentration in the saliva was determined by means of immunodiffusion and was found to be reduced when compared to a less exposed group. A series of pathogenic germs were isolated from various mucous membranes (conjunctiva, nose/throat). The median immissions for the children examined were 1.345 mg/m3 SO2 and 0.189 mg/m3 HCl.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1989

Ocular infection investigations in Cairo's waste disposal sites. PVP-iodine treatment trials.

Investigations were carried out in Cairo's waste disposal sites of the inhabitants of all age groups. Germ-spectrum was analyzed before and after PVP-Iodine-treatment. However, any further dilution of PVP-Iodine in the treatment had no effect on the germspectrum, as hydrochloric acid formation in air, produced by plastic burning causes severe eye irritation and a constant lacrimation. The high germ count of the air in the dwellings and the environment is an additional source of contamination to the conjunctiva.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Serological investigations for leptospirosis in humans in Columbia.

The authors examined serologically 353 clinically healthy persons in 5 localities in South Columbia for leptospirosis using the MAL-reaction with 15 serovars of 15 serogroups. The positivity was high - 18.4% namely with the serovars of the serogroups Icterohaemorrhagiae, Canicola, Pyrogenes, Australis, Pomona, Grippotyphosa, Sejroe, Hebdomadis, Bataviae, Panama and Shermani. Sera reacted positive in titer levels of 1:400 and higher only with the serovars of the serogroups Icterohaemorrhagiae, Canicola, Australis, Grippotyphosa, Sejroe, Hebdomadis, Panama and Shermani. In the total positivity were the serovars of the serogroups Icterohaemorrhagiae with 30.8%, Grippotyphosa with 23.1%, Australis with 15.4%, Panama and Pyrogenes with 10.8% each, Pomona with 6.2%, Shermani with 4.6% and Canicola, Sejroe, Hebdomadis, Bataviae with 3.1% each. The high positivity of the sera from the Mocoa for L.grippotyphosa was surprising - 20.7%.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Results of leptospirosis examinations of human sera from El Salvador.

The authors examined 984 human sera for leptospirosis with the serovars from 15 serogroups serologically in 15 localities of El Salvador. In 17.5% of the sera the following reactions were found with serovars of 13 serogroups: Australis 6.8%, Pomona 5.5%, Grippotyphosa 3.2%, Icterohaemorrhagiae and Tarassovi each 2.1%, Javanica, Canicola, Pyrogenes, Cynopteri, Autumnalis, Sejroe, Hebdomadis, Bataviae, Shermani, between 0.2%-1.4%. Men showed a 18.5% and women 17.0% positive reaction. Positivity increases with an increase in age, an increase was shown from 11.5% in the group of up to 10 years, to 40.4% in the group of 51 to 60 years, in the last age group of over 60 years a decrease was shown of 34.7%. In 8 localities we were able to compare the serological positivity of the population, the highest percentages were found in Fey Esperanza 35.1%, San Jose de la Montana 31.6% and Domus Maria 27.8%, the lowest in Credisa 6.4% and Ametepec 7.6%.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Environmental protection and its trends in developing countries.

On instances of some worldwide problems of environmental protection, the authors refer to the fact, that a target of industrial countries is to help to the developing countries. Mainly it means an aim in such sense, that the dangerous failures and faults which happened in the past, should not be repeated as a consequence of temporaneous economical problems in the Third World. In the long run it is a common interest of all and certainly a sufficient motivation of a commonly coordinated effort in this field. It is at most desirable, that all developing projects, from a simple water supply to the integrated developing concepts, for example eco-agriculture projects, correspond with the national interests as well as with the specific requirements of environmental control.

Developing Countries↗
PubMed1989

Toxicokinetics of chlorinated hydrocarbons.

Substitution of ethylene with halogen atoms leads to a highly effective compound with a strongly lipophilic character. The most important solvent in the dry cleaning process is tetrachloroethylene (PER). Owing to its physical-chemical properties, it has become a ubiquitous environmental pollutant. The uptake of small amounts of PER through polluted drinking water does not lead to liver damage as originally suspected. On the one hand, PER is taken up by erythrocyte membranes, on the other, it interacts with chylomicrons. Thereby two transportmechanisms are provided by for PER. Consequently, various physiological functions of both transport systems are disturbed. The erythrocytes increasingly disintegrate and are broken down in the spleen. Of all organs, the spleen shows the highest concentration of PER. Also, disturbances in the lipid metabolism occur because chylomicrons are broken down at a slower rate. Thereby, serum triglyceride concentration increases. These lipids are increasingly stored in the fatty tissue leading to the high accumulation of PER. A toxicological evaluation of chlorinated hydrocarbons should therefore take into account the changes in the blood system and in the lipoprotein metabolism.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Accumulation of heavy metals in animals. Part 2: Heavy metal contamination of fish in Styrian waters.

The kidneys of fish from five different regions of Styrian waters were investigated for their content of cadmium, lead, copper and zinc. 72.6% of fish demonstrated a zinc content below 130 ppm, cadmium content lay with 69% under 750 ppb. Lead concentrations were slightly higher, however values above 1 ppm were demonstrated only in 27.4% of cases. The copper content in the kidneys of fish was significantly higher; revealing in 28.8% a copper content of above 8 ppm.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Significance of the occurrence of Aeromonas of various biotypes in the Third World].

In investigations carried out in the refugee camps of the Polisario (South Algeria), in the neighbourhood of the inhabitants of the waste disposal sites of Cairo and in the Ayoun el Atrous and Nema (Mauritania) regions also in the Bida and Minna hospitals. Aeromonas hydrophila and Aeromonas spec. were repeatedly found in the investigated material. Therefore, it was of particular interest for us to investigate this type of organism.

Aeromonas↗
PubMed1989

[Water studies of inhabitants of refuse disposal sites in Cairo. 1].

In two waste disposal sites in Cairo, drinking water samples from springs, drinking vessels and kitchens were investigated. Total germ count lay seldom below one thousand and ten million pro ml. Apart from various faecal germs, Aeromonas hydrophila was also found. The high occurrence of diarrhoeal diseases among the inhabitants of the waste disposal sites can be traced with certainty to the extremely bad drinking water quality.

Colony Count, Microbial↗