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Biomedical subjects

T Küpper

Publications and source records attributed to T Küpper.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Thermophysiological responses caused by ballistic bullet-proof vests.

BACKGROUND: Little data is available concerning the heat stress experienced by members of staff who wear bullet-proof vests in a warm or hot environment. For this reason, knowledge is limited and, consequently, preventative advice on how to avoid heat sickness or hyperthermia is required. STUDY DESIGN: Skin and body temperatures, fluid loss and the heart rate of 30 persons (15 test persons versus 15 control persons) were measured in three situations typical of the test participants' job situations. Environmental data (wind velocity, air humidity, air temperature) were measured during the tests as well. RESULTS: Whereas there was a significant increase in skin temperatures, there was no difference in the core body temperatures of both groups. Maximum core body temperature remained well below 38 degrees C in all subjects. Test persons wearing vests showed a fluid loss of 1.1 l on average (non-vest wearers in the control group 1.0 l). CONCLUSION: There is no increased risk of heat stroke or hyperthermia for employees wearing bullet-proof vests in comparison with employees who do not wear them. Both groups, however, should be advised to ensure an adequate intake of fluid to maintain a healthy body fluid balance when working in hot environments.

Body Temperature↗
PubMed2006

Development of a performance diagnosis of the anaerobic strength endurance of the forearm flexor muscles in sport climbing.

The anaerobic strength endurance of the forearm flexor muscles represents the main limiting factor in modern sports climbing. Only isometric testing has been performed so far in order to evaluate this factor. Since climbing involves intermittent isometric contraction as well as dynamic movements, a pure isometric testing is too unspecific. The present paper demonstrates a specific performance diagnosis using a rotating climbing wall as a climbing ergometer. Twenty-eight male climbers performed a step test. According to their climbing level they were divided into three groups with different inclinations of the wall. Maximum blood lactate was 5.0 +/- 1.3 mmol/l (mean +/- sd), climbing length 39.1 +/- 15.7 m, and heart rate 185 +/- 10.7 bpm. The mean number of steps performed was 5.8 +/- 2.5 and the mean slope of the blood lactate graph (regression equation) was 0.57 +/- 0.4. The specific climbing recovering ability is documented with the so called heart rate difference and additionally the positive effects of a non specific, aerobic, basic endurance training are demonstrated. A mathematical analysis of the most important performance limiting test results enabled us to determine a strength-endurance factor that can be applied for cross- and longitudinal-section comparisons.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Risks in mountaineering and trekking].

Mass tourism in the mountains is on the increase. The climbers often do not know much about the possible risks which include death, invalidity and sickness. In this article, risks such as AMS (acute mountaine sickness), HACE (high altitude cerebral edema) and HAPE (high altitude pulmonale edema) are shown. These facts should be taken into account for risk assessment in the private insurance industry.

Accidents↗
PubMed2002

Qualified rescue by ski patrols -- safety for the skier.

This study aims to determine whether the training of ski-patrol teams is still adequate in view of a marked change in injury patterns. All accidents which occurred during two winter seasons (n = 579, 583 patients) in the Oberwallis ski area in Switzerland are analysed retrospectively. As the analysis of the accidents' data are similar to other studies and first aid training is standardised throughout Switzerland, the results of this study can be viewed as representative for other areas of Switzerland. The generally high level of training is reflected by the accuracy of "on-scene" diagnoses: 77.5 % were "correct", 12 % "mainly correct". In the remainder, the most frequent problems were underestimation or failure of recognition of multiple injuries (n = 25), head injury (n = 10), injuries to the trunk (n = 9) and to the spine (n = 7). Special emphasis on these topics during the training of ski patrols should result in the further improvement in on-scene first aid and rescue.

Allied Health Personnel↗
PubMed2000

Lumbar spine loads during education and training with self-contained breathing apparatus.

OBJECTIVE: German fire fighters often complain of lumbar back pain after training with a self-contained breathing apparatus while using a device called 'Schlaghammer' (SH). We investigated whether this training produces an excessive load on the lumbar spine. METHOD: We developed a model to estimate the load on the lumbar spine using a vector model similar to Jäger et al.'s model. The force at the SH's cable was recorded on-line, and the position of each subject was registered with synchronized series of photos. The influence of the different parameters was calculated by varying these data (+/- 10%) and computing the model. RESULTS: There is no dangerous load for healthy persons using a correct technique. Improper technique, however, caused by exhaustion or ignorance, can result in high peaks of lumbar spine load. CONCLUSIONS: The lumbar spine loads involved are acceptable if the exercise is performed with a straight back without bending of the lumbar spine and without sudden acceleration. The direction of the pull should be towards the lumbar spine.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMed1999

Fluorescence microscopy of mycobacteria in pleural effusions.

The diagnostic advantage of fluorescence microscopy (FM) of Papanicolaou-stained cytological specimens obtained by bronchoscopy has been described previously. This study was designed to evaluate the method's diagnostic benefit in cytological preparations of pleural effusions in cases of active pulmonary tuberculosis. In contrast to bronchial material there is no advantage in cytological evaluation of pleural effusions by FM.

Humans↗
PubMed1995

Morphological study of bacteria of the respiratory system using fluorescence microscopy of Papanicolaou-stained smears with special regard to the identification of Mycobacteria sp.

In Papanicolaou-stained smears certain structures such as nucleoli, Pneumocystis carinii, Charcot-Leyden crystals, bacteria and fungi show a brilliant fluorescence. The morphological characteristics of microorganisms which can be detected by this system, especially mycobacteria, are described. This screening method offers the possibility of providing the clinician with a provisional diagnosis within hours. Proof of the nature of the organisms should be obtained by culture.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

The cytologic diagnosis of Mycobacterium kansasi tuberculosis by fluorescence microscopy of Papanicolaou-stained specimens.

The sensitivities of (i) Papanicolaou fluorescence, (ii) auramine rhodamine fluorescence, and (iii) Ziehl-Neelsen staining were compared for their ability to detect the atypical mycobacterium Myco. kansasi in cytological samples. Ninety-two cases were investigated, and the sensitivities of the three methods of detection were found to be 36.9%, 12.0%, and 20.7% respectively. The control groups consisted of 30 specimens from cases of bronchial carcinoma and 30 of pneumonia. All cases were proved by microbiology. No false-positive results were recorded using Papanicolaou fluorescence. An important but coincidental finding arising from this study was that infection by the atypical mycobacterium Myco. kansasi causes cytological patterns corresponding to those normally associated with acute pneumonia and not to tuberculosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Detection of Charcot-Leyden crystals by fluorescence microscopy of Papanicolaou-stained smears of sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and bronchial secretions.

Fluorescence microscopy was used to examine Papanicolaou-stained smears of sputum and other secretions from the respiratory tract. Under these conditions Charcot-Leyden crystals (CLC) appear as bright yellow-green fluorescing needles. The study was performed to determine the value of this approach for the diagnosis of allergic lung diseases. The time taken to detect the crystals was recorded and the sensitivity of fluorescence microscopy for the detection of CLC was compared with light microscopy of the same samples. The data show that fluorescence microscopy is superior to light microscopy for the detection of CLC. The characteristic needle-shaped crystal can be recognized easily and fragments of crystals could be easily identified. In doubtful cases of allergic lung diseases, fluorescence microscopy may be used to supplement light microscopy for the detection of Charcot-Leyden crystals.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[New aspects of effusion cytology in borderline ovarian cancer].

The diagnosis of a case of ovarian borderline carcinoma with unspecific clinical and laboratory results finally made an explorative laparotomy necessary. The cytology of ascites and pleural effusion was in contrast to the "typical" findings of this entity, showing many single cells and small cloverleaf-like complexes. The morphological and immunological findings are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[X-ray studies of the peripheral joints: a comparison of digital luminescence radiography (DLR) and film-screen systems].

175 matched skeletal x-ray examinations were carried out by digital luminescent radiography (DLR) and conventional screen-film system combinations. In digital luminescent radiography (DLR) two differently postprocessed images were obtained from one x-ray exposure: A display with low spatial frequency enhancement was opposed to a second display with high edge enhancement. Conventional and digital images were evaluated randomly and separately by four radiologists using a questionnaire. DLR proved to be diagnostically equivalent to the conventional technique except for a diminished visibility of subtle erosions and fissures. As major advantages of DLR maybe pointed out that faulty exposures were avoided by the automatic adjustment of image brightness and that the soft tissue margins could be more easily delineated in displays with high edge enhancement than in conventional radiography. However, digital displays with high edge enhancement did not provide additional diagnostic information and led to artifacts at the edges of metal prostheses.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Identification of phagocytosed Pneumocystis carinii in human pulmonary alveolar macrophages.

Examination of Papanicolaou-stained bronchoalveolar lavage samples from cases with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonitis under ultra-violet light reveals alveolar macrophages packed with fluorescent inclusions. Immunoenzymatic staining of the alveolar macrophages with a monoclonal antibody specific for P. carinii (3F6) showed that these inclusions contain intact pneumocysts or their degradation products. Fluorescence microscopy of Papanicolaou-stained smears is advocated as a sensitive and specific method of diagnosing P. carinii infection.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid↗
PubMed1993

Quantitative differences in phagocytosis and degradation of Pneumocystis carinii by alveolar macrophages in AIDS and non-HIV patients in vivo.

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens (n = 213) from AIDS and non-HIV immunosuppressed patients were investigated for the presence of Pneumocystis carinii infection by fluorescence microscopy of Papanicolaou-stained slides. Alveolar casts, extracellular pneumocysts and phagocytosed cysts and their degradation products in pulmonary alveolar macrophages were identified. The number of phagocytosed pneumocysts within human pulmonary alveolar macrophages was recorded and correlated with the number of extracellular cysts and alveolar casts, in both groups of patients. Both phagocytic and degradation capacity were depressed in AIDS patients. This observation may explain the large number of extracellular organisms found in BAL specimens of AIDS patients compared with non-HIV-positive immunocompromised individuals.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1991

Pressure induced hypertrophy in the hearts of growing dwarf pigs.

The left ventricles of 8 sibling dwarf pigs were stressed by banding the aorta ascendens for 7 to 49 days. There was no developmental retardation. Neither light nor electron microscopic controls showed signs of insufficiency. 3.7 X 10(7) Bq/kg (1 mCi/kg) body weight (3 H-)methyl thymidine had been applied as pulse at the end of the experiment. The 3 H-index (LI) of the left ventricular wall increases with the pressure registered (r = 0.95). At the same time the values for the right ventricular wall and the left atrium showed an inverse tendency corresponding to the fact that all indices decrease during normal growth. The relation of the indices is two to one for each atrium and its corresponding ventricle, as well as for the stressed left ventricular wall to the right one. The 3 H marked cells are found in groups with constant distances (75-85 microns). High LI are the consequences of the enlargement of these groups. There is no detectable relation to an anatomic structure. Some rare mitoses could be seen, especially in the left ventricular wall. Signs of a high biochemical activity are accumulations of mitochondria, high number of polysomes and large Golgi areas as well as laminas of ergastoplasm. The nuclei are extremely invaginated.

Animals↗