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Biomedical subjects

M Segerling

Publications and source records attributed to M Segerling.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

[Health consciousness and risk behavior of prostitutes].

Regular examinations of prostitutes may reduce the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases in this high risk group. Therefore since April 1988 regular mandatory examinations have been offered by the regional health office in cooperation with the Department of Dermatology of the Ruhr-University of Bochum. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acceptance and efficiency of such an examination. The study was based on anonymous questionnaires. Mean age of the 80 prostitutes was 31.4; 67 of then were born in Germany. 78 of the women always used condoms, while 71 thought that condoms prevent STDs. Three women suffered from a STD in the last 12 months. The majority the women (75 from this 80 prostitutes) did not perceive the examination as discrimination, while 71 felt the examinations were of high quality. These results indicate that regular mandatory examinations should be part of health prevention care of prostitutes and that they are well accepted and tolerated by these women.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Increase of melanocytic nevus counts in children during 5 years of follow-up and analysis of associated factors.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate nevus development in childhood and to examine causative related factors such as pigment phenotype and the role of sun exposure in the development of melanocytic nevi. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: Nevus counts were performed in kindergarteners (n = 866) before the age of 7 years and again 5 years later (n = 377). Eligible for analysis were 357 children who were examined twice. Possible related factors were searched for by standardized interviews with parents. RESULTS: The mean number of nevi measuring 1 mm or more was 9 in the first examination and the number measuring 2 mm or more, 4. Five years later, the mean number of nevi measuring 1 mm or more was 40 and the number measuring 2 mm or more was 16. Children with poor sun tolerance had statistically significant more nevi (relative risk, 3.7;95% confidence interval, 1.9-7.2). The presence of freckles was a strong predictor for a high increase of melanocytic nevi (relative risk, 2.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-3.3). The number of days per year with intensive solar exposure was an independent prognostic factor. The relative risk for the development of melanocytic nevi was increased by a factor of 1.6 in children who had more than 21 days of intensive sun exposure per year (95% confidence interval, 1.0-2.5). CONCLUSION: The development of melanocytic nevi in childhood is strongly related to characteristics of pigmentation associated with poor sun tolerance. In addition, we found evidence for the influence of UV radiation on the number of acquired melanocytic nevi in childhood.

Child↗
PubMed1993

A local education campaign on early diagnosis of malignant melanoma.

The growing incidence of all kinds of skin cancer is a worldwide phenomenon observed in the last decades. Malignant melanoma is of special concern because of its high death rate when in an advanced stage, poor therapeutic response and fast growing incidence. Malignant melanoma is primarily located on the skin and therefore well suited for early cancer detection. The "Deutsche Dermatologische Gesellschaft" carried out a highly successful information campaign in Germany. Under this roof we organised different campaigns. Following considerable success in a campaign in 1989, a total of 1467 patients were examined and advised in the course of a local initiative (Education Campaign "Black cancer") in the city of Bochum (approximately 400,000 inhabitants) in the summer of 1991. In addition to full body examinations, important data were collected concerning the degree of knowledge about skin cancer, epidemiology, and the risk of skin cancer in general. As a result of the clinical examinations, 73 patients with strongly suspected skin cancer have been treated. Within this group, 14 malignant melanomas (1.0%) as well as 34 basal cell carcinomas (1.9%) were diagnosed. These numbers highly exceed the assumed risk incidence of skin cancer in Germany. Even on the assumption that the population was selective it is to be feared that a high number of individuals with skin cancer remain undetected and untreated. The majority of persons seeking advice had been motivated by the local media. The response and results of this local campaign indicate that further preventive measures for the general population in Europe are conceivable, meaningful and urgently needed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[The 1990 Bochum cholesterol and blood screening program. Incidence and degree of treatment of cardiovascular risk factors].

STUDY: Over a four-week period, 1,454 inhabitants of the town of Bochum (567 men = 39%, 887 women = 61%) were screened for cardiovascular risk factors. The sample was recruited from voluntary participants, two-thirds of whom were aged between 50 and 69. RESULTS: Age-adjusted mean total plasma cholesterol levels were 223 mg/dl for women, and 218 mg/dl for men. Age-adjusted mean systolic blood pressure were 136.7 mmHg for women, and 140.8 mmHg for men. The corresponding diastolic levels were 85.0 mmHg for women and 87.8 mmHg for men. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (greater than or equal to 250 mg/dl) was 32.8%, that of hypertension (greater than or equal to 160/95 mmHg) was 32.7%. Age- and sex-specific mean figures and prevalences were lower for total cholesterol and markedly higher for blood pressure as compared with representative German studies. Previously unknown hypertension (greater than or equal to 160 mmHg systolic and/or greater than or equal to 95 mmHg diastolic) was detected in 10%, and hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol greater than or equal to 250 mgdl) in 16%. A reply postcard was received from the family doctors of only 11% of participants with elevated levels. This means that the follow-up rate remained far below the hoped-for level. CONCLUSIONS: Population screening can be useful in promoting primary and secondary cardiovascular disease by alerting the population to classical risk factors and informing participants about their own personal situation. In order to motivate individuals with high risk factors to act upon this information, screening should be associated with follow-up.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[1989 Bochum health education program for malignant melanoma].

The incidence rate of all skin cancer forms has been increasing during the last few decades. The incidence of malignant melanoma is important due to its very high malignancy and its growing spread especially among young patients. Malignant melanoma is mainly observed on the external skin and is therefore well suited for screening methods. During a campaign in the city of Bochum, 1226 patients were examined. A total of 9 malignant melanomas and 10 basal cell carcinomas were discovered. The statistical data show that most of the patients could be motivated to participate by regional media and not by supraregional media. The wide acceptance of our prevention week shows that prevention campaigns are feasible, important and necessary.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Student survey on the topic of AIDS in the city of Bochum April 1988].

70% of the pupils of public schools in the city of Bochum who were questioned in an opinion poll conducted by the Public Health Office were interested in knowing more about AIDS. More than 80% of the boys and girls approached during the questioning know the causative virus and how persons can get infected. It is also relatively well known how a person can protect himself or herself against HIV infection by meaningful measures. However, it is very surprising that only about 24% of all questioned pupils believe that anybody without exception can be involved. The school, TV and magazines or newspapers are named as principal sources of information. About 40% of all questioned persons are very afraid or afraid of AIDS. About 50% of the schoolgirls and schoolboys approached during the poll wanted to know how they should act when coming into contact with AIDS patients. Schoolgirls and schoolboys prefer to discuss problems of prevention and subjects like AIDS with their girlfriend or boyfriend or at the most with their mother. Almost 80% of all persons questioned believed that they could at least do something, albeit little, to prevent AIDS from spreading further by their own behaviour. The following column histograms show some of the exact percentage distributions.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1982

Phagocytosis of C3b-coated sheep red blood cells by guinea-pig macrophages in the absence of antibody.

C1 was passively attached to tannic-acid-treated SRBC in the absence of antibody. EC1,4,2,3 were prepared by the stepwise reaction of EC1 with C4, C2, and C3. Contamination with IgM or IgG antibodies of the complement components used could not be detected by immunochemical methods; furthermore, possibly contaminating traces of antibody were removed by careful absorption of all preparations with erythrocytes. The C3b-opsonized SRBC were ingested by unstimulated guinea-pig peritoneal macrophages and PMN leukocytes. Addition of purified IgM to the C3b-opsonized SRBC did not substantially enhance particle uptake. It is concluded that C3b alone can act as an opsonin and triggers phagocytosis in the absence of antibody.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

C5-dependent enhancement of rosette formation and phagocytosis by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Using purified human complement components, the participation of C5 in phagocytosis was investigated. The addition of C5 to EAC 1423 increased both rosette formation and phagocytosis of the intermediates by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The opsonizing activity of C5b was not affected after decay of its hemolytic activity. Both C3- and C5-dependent phagocytosis is abolished either in the presence of chelating agents or by pretreatment of the polymorphonuclear leukocytes with trypsin. The enhancing effect of C5b in phagocytosis can be reduced either by further reaction with C6 and C7 or with anti-C5 F(ab)2 fragments.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1976

Regression of established tumors and induction of tumor immunity by intratumor chemotherapy.

The inoculation of a mixture of drugs and guinea pig hepatoma cells (line-10) induced tumor-specific immunity in about 20% of guinea pigs. When guinea pigs with established intradermal tumors were given various drugs ip, no cures were observed; in contrast, multiple intralesional injections of actinomycin D, 1,3-bis(2-chlorethyl)-1-nitrosourea, adriamycin, mitomycin C, and melphalan were effective in curing animals of their intradermal tumors at a time when there were tumor cells in the draining lymph nodes; dimethyl-triazenoimidazole carboxamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, and 6-mercaptopurine were not effective. More than 80% of the cured animals were immune to rechallenge with 10(6) line-10 tumor cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Persistence of immunoglobulin and complement components C4 and C3 bound to guinea pig tumor cells.

Guinea pig hepatoma cells (line-10) growing as ascites were studied for the presence of immunoglobulin, C4, and C3 (components of complement) on their surfaces. Immunoglobulin, C4, and C3 content increased with length of time spent in the peritoneal cavity. The persistence of these factors bound in vivo or in vitro was also determined. Complement-fixing (CF) activity of cellbound antibody disappeared from the surface more rapidly at 37 degrees C than at 4 degrees C; the continued presence of cellbound immunoglobulin in non-complement-fixing form could be demonostrated at either temperature. No CF activity was released into the medium. C4 and C3 were released into the medium and could be demonstrated in the medium by immunochemical methods.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Chemotherapeutic drugs increase killing of tumor cells by antibody and complement.

When the ascitic forms of two antigenically distinct guinea pig hepatomas induced by diethylnitrosamine are treated in vitro with chemotherapeutic drugs, their sensitivity to killing by xenogeneic antibody plus guinea pig complement increases. The effect is dependent on drug dose, is reversible, and does not appear to be due to increased antigen expression or fixation of the early acting components of guinea pig complement.

Animals↗