Biomedical subjects

Georg Praml

Publications and source records attributed to Georg Praml.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Personal dosimetry of exposure to mobile telephone base stations? An epidemiologic feasibility study comparing the Maschek dosimeter prototype and the Antennessa SP-090 system.

The aim of our study was to test the feasibility and reliability of personal dosimetry. Twenty-four hour exposure assessment was carried out in 42 children, 57 adolescents, and 64 adults using the Maschek dosimeter prototype. Self-reported exposure to mobile phone frequencies were compared with the dosimetry results. In addition, dosimetry readings of the Maschek device and those of the Antennessa DSP-090 were compared in 40 subjects. Self-reported exposures were not associated with dosimetry readings. The measurement results of the two dosimeters were in moderate agreement (r(Spearman) = 0.35; P = .03). Personal dosimetry for exposure to mobile phone base station might be feasible in epidemiologic studies. However, the consistency seems to be moderate.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Case-based e-learning in occupational medicine--The NetWoRM Project in Germany.

The aim of the NetWoRM Project is the development, evaluation and implementation of a case-based e-learning tool for occupational medicine to increase the knowledge in clinical aspects of occupational medicine. To date, 19 e-learning cases have been developed. Cases were validated by 2 experts and user evaluated. Results of the user evaluation at 3 German Medical Schools are presented. Of 557 medical students registered for the online course 377 answered the online evaluation form (68%). Depending on the case, the median time spent on a case ranged from 25-43 minutes. Students enjoyed working with the cases and asked to replace more seminars by case-based e-learning. The level of knowledge required to work on the cases was rated high. This was supported by the fact that on median only 47-71% of the questions were answered correctly. Cases focusing on occupational health problems such as needle stick injuries were rated highest with respect to fun, importance for future career and the overall score. Students enjoy working on e-learning cases as an add-on to traditional teaching. Because of the high international interest the NetWoRM project is currently shared on an international base.

Computer-Assisted Instruction↗

PubMed2005

The physical and biological doses of methacholine are different for Mefar MB3 and Jaeger APS sidestream nebulizers.

BACKGROUND: Within a study on respiratory symptoms in rural areas, we used the European Community Respiratory Health Survey methacholine challenge protocol. For quicker and more reliable handling, we had to change the nebulizer in the bronchial challenge system from Mefar model MB3 (Bovezzo, Italy) to Jaeger APS Sidestream (similar to Mefar; Würzburg, Germany). Therefore, we compared the physical properties of the two systems, adapted the challenge protocol, and compared the results of both systems in subjects with and without airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine. METHOD: The physical properties of both systems were characterized by the residual method indicating a similar particle size distribution and an average output of 6 muL/s for Mefar MB3 and 1.25 muL/s for APS Sidestream. In the comparison study, 34 subjects were included. Airway responsiveness was quantified by provocative dose of methacholine causing a 20% fall in FEV(1). RESULTS: A significant difference was found between the two challenge systems (p =0.004, McNemar test). Nine subjects reached a 20% drop in FEV(1) with the APS Sidestream only. The FEV(1) dropped by > 20% using either system in eight subjects. In 17 subjects, none of the two systems caused a 20% decrease in FEV(1). CONCLUSION: Even if the physical dose is determined with elaborate methods, the biological dose may vary between two nebulizer systems, causing incomparable outcomes for subjects tested with different systems.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Childhood visits to animal buildings and atopic diseases in adulthood: an age-dependent relationship.

BACKGROUND: Several studies reported protective effects of farming environments against atopic diseases. Therefore, we aimed to establish the relevant timing of exposure in early life. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a rural town. Overall, 4,537 inhabitants aged 18-44 years were eligible. Of these, 3,112 (69%) responded to a postal questionnaire on atopic diseases, life-time exposure to farming environments, and potential confounders. RESULTS: Those with regular childhood exposure to animal buildings had a significantly reduced risk of nasal allergies. The greatest reduction in risk was seen for respondents starting regular visits to animal stables during the 1st year of life or between ages 3 and 5. Participants reporting start of exposure after age 5 remained at a lower risk for nasal allergies (0.70, 0.49-1.01). CONCLUSIONS: The preventive effect of animal buildings' exposure against atopic respiratory diseases continues into adulthood. The magnitude of the effect appears to be age-dependent.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Livestock odours and quality of life of neighbouring residents.

Neighbours of intensive livestock production facilities frequently complain of odour annoyance. They are also concerned about potential negative health effects of environmental exposures to livestock emissions. Quality of life (QoL) was assessed in residents of a rural community neighbouring an area with high concentration of animal farms. A postal cross-sectional survey was carried out among the 4,537 residents, aged 18-44 years. Of these, 3,112 (69 %) responded to questions on annoyance by livestock odours (4-point scale), on QoL (assessed by the short form 12, SF-12), and on potential confounders (age, gender, respiratory symptoms, smoking, living on or close to a farm, and employment status). SF-12 scores were available for 2745 (88 %) subjects. Sixty-one percent of the respondents complained about unpleasant odours, 91 % of these accused livestock as source of these odours. Physical and emotional SF-12 scores were inversely related to annoyance scores. Better risk communication might improve QoL in concerned neighbours of intensive livestock production facilities.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2003

Environmental ozone effects in different population subgroups.

The study objective was to get more information on characteristics of ozone risk groups. We performed repeated (on average 16 times) lung function tests and interviews with 171 persons belonging to four different population subgroups (44 healthy children, 43 juvenile asthmatics, 43 athletes, and 41 elderly). The environmental half hour mean ozone concentrations ranged from 8 to 99 ppb. For two groups there was significant NO2 co-pollution. The asthmatics showed statistically significant ozone related increased ORs for eye irritations, the elderly for nose irritations. Significant lung function decrements (increase in ozone by 50 ppb) were found for asthmatics (FVC -4.3% afternoon one day lag, -4.9% afternoon two day lag, -3.6% morning one day lag) and children (FVC -3.2% same morning, PEF -11.9% same morning, PEF -4.6% morning one day lag). In the group of elderly, however, there were also some significant FVC and PEF increments. Ozone responders were found more often in the groups of asthmatics and children (21% resp. 18%) compared with elderly and athletes (both 5%). The results suggest that children and asthmatics have a higher risk of being ozone sensitive showing more ozone related acute lung function decrements than other population groups.

Adolescent↗