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Biomedical subjects

E Press

Publications and source records attributed to E Press.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

The health hazards of saunas and spas and how to minimize them.

BACKGROUND: The rapidly increasing number of spas, hot tubs, and saunas intensifies the potentials for deaths from hyperthermia and drowning. METHODS: I analyzed 54 such deaths reported to me by 55 medical examiners and coroners in the United States and 104 deaths reported to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). RESULTS: Only seven of the 158 deaths analyzed occurred in saunas. All of the remaining deaths occurred in spas, jacuzzis, or hot tubs, which were far more numerous. The chief risk factors identified were alcohol ingestion, heart disease, seizure disorders, and cocaine ingestion (alone or in combination with alcohol ingestion). These factors accounted for 71 or 44.7% of the 159 fatalities. Of these risk factors, alcohol represented 38%; heart disease, 31%; seizure disorders, 17%; and cocaine ingestion, alone or in combination with alcohol, 14%. Sixty-one of the 151 spa-associated deaths occurred in children under 12 years of age. Accidental drownings from uncovered or improperly covered spas and, to a lesser extent, entrapment by suction, were the chief causes of childhood drownings. CONCLUSIONS: Children and older persons who have heart disease or seizure disorders or who use alcohol or cocaine are especially vulnerable. Recommended preventive measures include shortening the time of exposure, lowering the temperature, establishing safety standards for covers and for baffles for suction outlets, and using warning notices.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Identification of immunoglobulin heavy chain binding protein as glucose-regulated protein 78 on the basis of amino acid sequence, immunological cross-reactivity, and functional activity.

Immunoglobulin heavy chain binding protein (BiP) associates transiently with various proteins destined for the secretory pathway. To investigate the relationship between BiP and the 78K (K = 10(3) Mr) glucose-regulated protein (GRP78), we have determined a partial amino acid sequence of purified mouse BiP and isolated and sequenced a full-length cDNA clone encoding mouse GRP78. The 26 amino-terminal residues of the mature BiP protein are identical to a sequence of amino acids located near the start of the open reading frame encoding GRP78. A polyclonal antiserum raised against mouse GRP78 protein expressed in bacteria from the cloned GRP78 cDNA could immunoprecipitate complexes consisting of BiP and unfolded forms of immunoglobulin heavy chains. Furthermore, a monoclonal antibody raised against mouse BiP immunoprecipitated mouse GRP78 expressed in monkey CV-1 cells from an SV40-GRP78 recombinant vector. Finally, like the endogenous BiP of simian cells, mouse GRP78 associated with malfolded, non-glycosylated forms of influenza hemagglutinin (HA) when GRP78 and HA were co-expressed from SV40 vectors in CV-1 cells. These studies confirm that BiP is identical to GRP78. Comparison of the nucleic acid and deduced amino acid sequence of mouse GRP78 with those of other rodent and human GRP78s revealed an extremely high degree of sequence identity. BiP/GRP78 is closely related (approximately 60% identity) to the cytoplasmic 70K heat-shock proteins. Surprisingly, the carboxy-terminal 29 amino acids of BiP/GRP78, which are not conserved in HSP70 proteins, are almost identical in sequence to the steroidogenesis activator peptide found in the cytoplasm of rat Leydig tumor cells. Possible relationships between these polypeptides are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1976

Tussockosis: reactions to Douglas fir tussock moth.

An unusually heavy infestation of the tussock moth resulted in a high incidence of symptoms affecting the skin and mucous membranes of those exposed to high concentrations of particulate matter of this insect. Extensive epidemiological studies proved these manifestations to be both toxic and allergic. The authors have given this condition the name, Tussockosis. Clinical and immunoligical studies including in vitro procedures and direct patient testing confirmed the allergenicity, as well as the non-specific irritation of material from this moth.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Health hazards to timber and forestry workers from the Douglas fir tussock moth.

A heavy infestation of the tussock moth caterpillar (Orgyia pseudotsugata McDonnough) in forested areas of Oregon was associated with itching of the skin and eyes, nasal discharge, cough, and, at times, respiratory difficulty, Personal interviews and inspection of forty-one occupationally exposed persons were supplemented by a questionnaire administered to 428 individuals, composing three groups at various degrees of risk and a control group. There was a cause and effect relationship between the adverse symptoms and the exposure to tussock moth larvae. The specific etiologic agent was not identified, but it was felt that the secretion, hairs, or other substances in the larvae or cocoons of the moth acted as a potent allergenic substance and, for some persons, was also a primary skin irritant.

Animals↗