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Biomedical subjects

M Jost

Publications and source records attributed to M Jost.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

[Isocyanate-induced respiratory tract diseases in Switzerland].

From 1980 to 1986 the Swiss National Accident Insurance Company (SUVA) recognized isocyanate-induced airway diseases as an occupational illness in 245 cases, which are presented retrospectively. Since isocyanates are widely used they are found at a large variety of workplaces. At present, isocyanates are the most frequent cause of occupational asthma in the Swiss industrial field. After complete avoidance of any further exposure respiratory symptoms persisted or airway obstruction could still be documented in one third of patients. An unfavourable prognosis is significantly associated with the following factors: (1) bronchial obstruction (FEVl/VC) at first pulmonary function test; (2) RAST positive for isocyanates; (3) long latency period between onset of symptoms and end of exposure. Therefore, individuals with isocyanate-induced airway diseases must be immediately removed from any further exposure to these substances.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Humidifier syndrome as occupational disease in Switzerland].

Control of humidity may be necessary in various industrial processes. Contamination of humidifiers by algae and bacteria may lead in exposed workers to two distinct syndromes: extrinsic allergic alveolitis and humidifier fever. In Switzerland 18 cases of humidifier syndrome were accepted by SUVA as occupational disease. 13 of the 18 cases occurred in the printing industry. In 13 out of 18 cases contaminated humidifiers were the cause of the syndrome and in five cases contaminated air-conditioning systems. Due to the often uncharacteristic clinical signs and symptoms and variable clinical features diagnosis of humidifier syndrome was missed by the general practitioner. Once humidifier fever was clearly diagnosed most workers had to change their working place. Despite the avoidance of exposure respiratory problems, radiographic changes and pulmonary function changes often persisted. Major pulmonary function decreases resulting in pulmonary invalidity were observed in five of the 18 cases (28%). Technical measures to prevent humidifier syndrome are described.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Evidence against the reported linkage of the cutaneous melanoma-dysplastic nevus syndrome locus to chromosome Ip36.

The reported linkage between cutaneous melanoma and the dysplastic nevus syndrome (CM/DNS) to markers located on the distal portion of the short arm of chromosome 1 was examined in three Utah kindreds ascertained for multiple cases of melanoma. Family members in these kindreds were genotyped for the two markers reported to be most closely linked in the Bale study, PND and D1S47. Both melanoma alone and a combined melanoma/DNS phenotype were analyzed; no evidence for linkage was found. By multipoint linkage analysis the CM/DNS locus was excluded from an area of 55 cM containing the PND-D1S47 region. Diagnostic or genetic heterogeneity are alternate explanations for the discrepancy between our observations and those of Bale et al.

Chromosome Mapping↗
PubMed1989

[Assessment of exposure at the work site by biological monitoring].

Precise assessment of exposure to workplace chemicals is important for occupational disease prevention. Biological monitoring may be defined as the evaluation of the health risk of workers exposed to an industrial chemical by monitoring the internal dose, that means the amount of chemical effectively absorbed in the organism. Objectives, principal advantages and limitations of biological monitoring are discussed.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1988

[Biological monitoring of fluoride-exposed workers in Switzerland: development of the internal fluoride burden in the last 10 years].

In Swiss plants a risk of industrial fluorosis exists only for workers in the aluminum industry (electrolysis of Al2 O3, raffination of aluminium). Exposure to fluorides is assessed by ambient monitoring, by health surveillance (early detection of fluorosis) and by biological monitoring (urinary fluoride determinations, pre-shift und post-shift). The results of biological monitoring in the 4 plants in Switzerland are presented (1976/77-1986; 1977 264 workers, 1986 242 workers). During the period from 1976/77-1986 a significant reduction of the urinary fluoride excretion in exposed workers was observed. This reduction was correlated in time with technical measures to reduce external fluoride exposure of workers. Urinary fluoride excretion was within limits of biological exposure indices at the end of the observation period in all plants (on group base). Therefore the risk of industrial fluorosis seems to be eliminated in newly engaged workers and significant lowered in the other workers of the Swiss aluminium industry.

Body Burden↗
PubMed1987

Effect of amiodarone on sinus node function in patients with sick sinus syndrome.

The effect of amiodarone on sinus node function has been studied in 9 patients with symptomatic sick sinus node as documented by Holter-ECG. All patients had programmable dual-chamber pacemakers. Sinus node activity was assessed by intermittently inhibiting the pacemakers before and after four weeks of oral amiodarone treatment. Sinus node function was not altered by amiodarone in 5 patients but was severely depressed in 4 patients. Thus, it is concluded that amiodarone cannot be used safely in all patients with the tachybrady syndrome for the treatment of symptomatic tachyarrhythmias without concomitant pacing.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

[Biological monitoring at the work site].

Exposure to industrial chemicals is assessed by ambient monitoring (external exposure/dose), by health surveillance (detection of adverse biological/health effects in exposed workers) and by biological monitoring (evaluation of the internal exposure of the organism to a chemical agent). Objectives, principal advantages and limitations of biological monitoring are discussed; the programs of biological monitoring as a part of the health surveillance of Swiss workers guided by the Swiss National Accident Insurance Fund are briefly summarized.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1985

[Effect of milk constituents on lipid metabolism].

The cholesterol lowering effect of various milk constituents was examined in six trials with growing pigs. Each trial is described. By means of main component analysis 44 factors were tested in order to see whether they influenced the lipid metabolism. We observed that there was no specific component in the milk which showed a cholesterol lowering effect. Milk and milk constituents change the nutrient composition of the food and can, e.g. by means of the changed amino acid pattern, indirectly lower the lipid content in the blood.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Persisting symptoms despite permanent pacing. Incidence, causes, and follow-up.

Persisting symptoms, consisting of palpitations, dizziness, or syncope, were found in 49 of 570 consecutively followed patients (8.6 percent) with permanent pacemakers (PM). Among 540 patients with ventricular PM, 19 had syncope and 24 dizziness; among 30 patients with dual-chamber PM, five had palpitations and one dizziness. Symptoms were PM-related in 17, caused by tachyarrhythmias in 12, of noncardiac origin in 16, and of unknown origin in four patients. Holter monitoring was necessary for evaluating the persisting symptoms in 36 patients and helpful in 32 studies (89 percent). Symptoms were relieved in all patients with PM-related causes but only in 6/16 patients (38 percent) with syncope or dizziness of noncardiac origin despite various therapeutic measures. In patients with either documented tachyarrhythmias or unknown cause of syncope or dizziness, antiarrhythmic drugs led to symptomatic improvement in 11 of 12 treated patients during an average follow-up of 15 months. We concluded that: (1) persistent syncope, dizziness, or palpitations occurred in 8.6 percent of 570 patients after PM-implantation; (2) symptoms were more frequent but less severe in patients with dual-chamber PM than in those with ventricular PM; (3) tachyarrhythmias as a possible cause of symptoms were found in 25 percent of patients; (4) symptomatic improvement was noted in 28 of 29 patients when a PM-related cause or tachyarrhythmias were treated.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

[Re-entry tachycardias: a fragment problem during physiologic heart stimulation].

In a prospective study, reentry tachycardias (RT) due to retrograde VA-conduction were sought in 30 patients after implantation of an atrial synchronous (VDD, DDD) pacemaker (PM) by frequent clinical controls and by 24-hour Holter monitoring. At least one RT was detected in 9/30 patients (in 5 during clinical control, in 4 on Holter monitoring only). 6 patients had symptoms due to RT (6 had palpitations, 1 complained of dizziness and 1 of ischemic heart pain). RTs were initiated by VPBs in 6 patients, by sinus bradycardia in 2 (VDD) and by magnet application in 1. Rates of RT varied from 100 bpm to 128 bpm. RT necessitated reprogramming of the PM in 5 patients (in 3 of them reprogramming to VVI-stimulation). RTs are thus a frequent complication after implantation of an atrial synchronous pacemaker.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

[Inhibition and triggering of heart pacemakers by muscle potentials].

The unipolar pulse generator systems were tested in 220 patients (96 VVIM, 97 VVIO, 27 physiological systems) to determine the incidence of sensing interference with muscle potentials. 23% exhibited oversensing, with a sex distribution of 32% for males and 15% for females. The interference was observed more often in VVIM pacemakers at nominal setting (35%) than in VVIO pacemakers (11%). In DDD pacemakers both inhibition and triggering of ventricular stimulation was observed. Among the 23 patients with persisting syncope or dizziness after implantation of the pacemaker, the symptoms were observed during physical activity only in 5. In these 5 the underlying arrhythmia was tachycardia in 3 and inhibition of the pacemaker by muscle potentials in only one patient.

Action Potentials↗