PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

U Latza

Publications and source records attributed to U Latza.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Dermal, inhalation, and internal exposure to 1,6-HDI and its oligomers in car body repair shop workers and industrial spray painters.

OBJECTIVES: To study inhalation and dermal exposure to hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) and its oligomers as well as personal protection equipment (PPE) use during task performance in conjunction with urinary hexamethylene diamine (HDA) in car body repair shop workers and industrial spray painters. METHODS: Personal task based inhalation samples (n = 95) were collected from six car body repair shops and five industrial painting companies using impingers with di-n-butylamine (DBA) in toluene. In parallel, dermal exposure was assessed using nitril rubber gloves. Gloves were submerged into DBA in toluene after sampling. Analysis for HDI and its oligomers was performed by LC-MS/MS. Urine samples were collected from 55 workers (n = 291) and analysed for HDA by GC-MS. RESULTS: Inhalation exposure was strongly associated with tasks during which aerosolisation occurs. Dermal exposure occurred during tasks that involve direct handling of paint. In car body repair shops associations were found between detectable dermal exposure and glove use (odds ratio (OR) 0.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.09 to 0.57) and inhalation exposure level (OR 1.34, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.84 for a 10-fold increase). HDA in urine could be demonstrated in 36% and 10% of car body repair shop workers and industrial painting company workers respectively. In car body repair shops, the frequency of detectable HDA was significantly elevated at the end of the working day (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.07 to 4.22 for 3-6 pm v 0-8 am). In both branches HDA was detected in urine of approximately 25% of the spray painters. In addition HDA was detected in urine of a large proportion of non-spray painters in car body repair shops. CONCLUSION: Although (spray) painting with lacquers containing isocyanate hardeners results in the highest external exposures to HDI and oligomers, workers that do not perform paint related tasks may also receive a considerable internal dose.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed2005

Non-malignant occupational respiratory diseases in Germany in comparison with those of other countries.

OBJECTIVE: To present recent data on the occurrence of non-malignant occupational airway diseases in Germany and to compare mainly affected occupations of obstructive airway diseases caused by allergens and irritants with available surveillance data from other countries. METHODS: Sources of German data were statistics for the year 2003 of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and of the federation of statutory accident insurance institutions for the industrial sector. RESULTS: Confirmed cases of non-malignant occupational respiratory diseases in Germany are mainly benign asbestos-associated diseases (occupational disease no. 4103: 1,975 cases), silicosis/coal worker's pneumoconiosis (occupational disease no. 4101: 1,158 cases), obstructive airway diseases due to allergens (occupational disease no. 4301: 935 cases), chronic obstructive bronchitis and/or emphysema in hard coal miners (occupational disease no. 4111: 414 cases), obstructive airway diseases due to irritants and toxic agents (occupational disease no. 4302: 181 cases), diseases caused by ionising radiation (171 cases), diseases due to isocyanates (occupational disease no. 1315: 55 cases), and 22 cases of other rare occupational lung and airway diseases. Miners, bakers, chemical workers, hairdressers and health care workers are mostly affected. Bakers were also frequently affected by occupational asthma in Finland, France, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the Piedmont region in Italy, South Africa, and New Zealand. Further, high frequencies of occupational asthma were reported for health care workers in France, Italy, New Jersey, Michigan, and South Africa. CONCLUSION: Despite completely different legal definitions and regulations, comparably high numbers of occupational obstructive diseases in western countries require better primary and secondary prevention in industries with high incidence, especially in bakeries, the health care sector, farming, and mining. Furthermore, there is a urgent need for harmonization of recognition and compensation systems for occupational diseases as well as of respective preventive strategies within the European Union.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Allergic and irritant skin and airway diseases in masseurs and medical bath attendants].

The profession of masseur or bath attendant involves intense contact with multiple potential allergens and irritants. There is a complete lack of epidemiological studies for this professional group in spite of the general agreement that sensitization to ingredients of beauty and healthcare products such as fragrances is common. In this review, we critically review the relevant literature, and present own results from recently performed analyses of the German Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK). Fragrances, preservatives, emulsifiers, and antioxidants are relevant from the allergological perspective. In order to evaluate the particular importance of these and other potentially important allergens for occupational dermatology, further systematic research in allergology as well as epidemiological studies are needed.

Balneology↗
PubMed2005

[Smoking as potential confounder in german epidemiological studies: standardization of assessment, quantification, and analysis].

Tobacco smoking is one of the most frequently examined risk factors in epidemiological studies due to the high frequency of smoking in the population and its high risk potential. This paper discusses the issue of standardization of the assessment of tobacco exposure in German epidemiological studies based on a suggestion of the working group "Epidemiological methods" of the German Society of Epidemiology (DGEpi), the German Society of Social Medicine and Prevention (DGSMP), and German Society of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology (GMDS) together with the working group "Epidemiology in the workplace" of the DGEpi and the German Society of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (DGAUM). The main element is a short questionnaire for German adults for the assessment of tobacco smoking in epidemiological studies where smoking is a potential confounder. In addition, information on the consideration of intermittent periods of non-smoking, a very short questionnaire for medical examinations in the workplace or non-responder interviews as well as the quantification and statistical modelling of smoking are presented. A brief discussion of scientific problems and questionnaires related to the exposure to environmental tobacco smoke is given.

Bias↗
PubMed2004

[The problem of response in epidemiological studies in Germany (part I)].

To achieve high response rates in German epidemiological studies is growing more difficult. Low response in epidemiological studies may decrease the acceptance of the results. Response, however, is not identical with the quality of a study. In the first part of this paper various definitions of response (contact, cooperation, response, recruitment proportions) are introduced and discussed in the context of different study designs with reference to practical examples. A population-based survey such as the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) investigates the distribution of risk factors and health-related endpoints. Surveys should yield representative results which can be generalised to apply to the entire population (external validity). This study design usually requires large participitation proportions. In a prospective cohort study such as the European Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) the emphasis is on internal validity. A stable study population willing to participate in regular follow-ups is a primary recruitment goal. If the response in a case-control study such as the Northern Germany Leukaemia and Lymphoma Study (NLL) is low, the priority is to achieve approximately equal response proportions for cases and controls. Simultaneous public relation and media activities can improve participitation in a study. Multidimensional strategies combining public communications, cooperation with local and regional officials and frequent press and media coverage are emphasised. The second part of this paper will discuss methods to quantify the effects of the response proportions on the validity of the study results.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[Biological markers in epidemiology: concepts, applications, perspectives (part I)].

The inclusion of biomarkers in epidemiological research provides new possibilities for exposure assessment and the study of early structural or functional changes and pre-clinical stages of diseases. At the same time issues of validity, reliability, and quality control as well as logistics require special attention. Usually epidemiological studies become more expensive with regard to time and cost. Interdisciplinary collaboration between epidemiology, basic research, and laboratory research is crucial. A prerequisite for this collaboration are agreements on definitions, methods and procedures. The definition of "biomarker" and a description of previous uses of biomarkers in epidemiological studies are presented in the first part of this paper. The second part addresses genetic markers and markers of individual sensitivity and susceptibility. We will end with a discussion about the possible future of biomarkers in epidemiology.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed2002

[Biological Markers in Epidemiology: Concepts, applications, Perspectives (Part II)].

The first part of this paper outlined terms and definitions in the context of the application of biological markers in epidemiological studies. Cardiovascular epidemiology served as an example for their historical development. The second part focusses on DNA-based biomarkers, practical and methodological dimensions of the use of biomarkers in analytic epidemiological studies as well as requirements in respect of validity and quality assurance. Most genetic polymorphisms have no impact on health. However, some can be used as biomarkers for individual sensitvity to exposures and susceptibility for specific diseases. The Human Genome Project has brought about a quantum leap in the development of genetic markers. The practical implications cannot presently be assessed with certainty. However, present and future research programmes of gene-environment interactions depend on "traditional" epidemiological study designs, methods, and concepts. Ethical principles and data protection requirements apply equally to genetic and molecular epidemiology as do the "Guidelines for Good Epidemiological Practice".

Biomarkers↗
PubMed2001

Structure of the Hodgkin's lymphoma-associated human CD30 gene and the influence of a microsatellite region on its expression in CD30(+) cell lines.

The CD30 antigen is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) family which is overexpressed on the surface of the tumor cells of Hodgkin's lymphoma, anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), and embryonal carcinoma of the testis. In this study the entire cd30 gene which is more than 24000 bp long and organized in eight exons was characterized by analyzing cosmid and phage lambda clones from human placental libraries with long-range polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing. Differences to other genes of the TNFR family were detected in the region encoding the extracellular domain of the cd30 gene. In nearly all other TNFR genes, the coding region of each cysteine-rich repeat is interrupted by one intron, i.e., the 3-4 cysteine-rich repeats of these receptors are encoded by at least 4-5 exons, whereas the six cysteine-rich repeats of the cd30 gene are encoded by two exons, i.e., each of these exons encode three cysteine-rich repeats. In addition, we also found a genetic polymorphism of tetranucleotide ATCC-repeats in the 5' part of the CD30 promoter. This region was amplified by PCR from seven CD30 overexpressing human lymphoid cell lines and five human tissues with an absent or very low CD30 expression. The amplification products showed length differences of more than 550 bp. The number of the ATCC-repeats was higher in CD30(+) cell lines than in normal tissues. Comparison of the individual PCR products in reporter gene assays revealed that the CD30 promoter activity increased with the length of this polymorphic region up to eightfold. The data suggest that the number of ATCC-repeats in the 5' region of the CD30 promoter modulates the regulation of CD30 expression.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Attitudes of young patients with Parkinson's disease towards possible presymptomatic and prenatal genetic testing.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the opinions and attitudes of young patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) towards possible presymptomatic and prenatal genetic testing for their illness. BACKGROUND: With progress in understanding of the genetic component in the etiology of PD, presymptomatic genetic testing may become available in subgroups of patients. METHODS: During a survey on sociodemographic and risk factors 111 PD patients (mean age 45 years: mean age at PD onset 36 years) were given a questionnaire with six items about possible presymptomatic and prenatal genetic testing. RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients (5196) had knowledge about presymptomatic and prenatal testing. Eighty patients (72%) would take a presymptomatic test, if they had an autosomal dominant form of PD and if the test were available. The most Important reasons given for taking the test were planning of partnership (40%) and family (48%). When being identified as a carrier of a presumed "Parkinson gene", 78 patients (70%) would decide not to have children. Sixty-three patients (57%) would choose to have prenatal testing. Attitudes were largely independent of sociodemographic and disease variables. CONCLUSIONS: When addressed as hypothetical persons at genetic risk, young patients with PD support possible presymptomatic genetic testing and, to a lesser extent, prenatal testing. Attitudes and reasons to participate in such hypothetical testing do not grossly differ from those of at-risk persons in established single-gene autosomal dominant disorders of late onset.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

The HTLV-I tax protein transcriptionally modulates OX40 antigen expression.

OX40 is a member of the TNF receptor family, expressed on activated T cells. It is the only costimulatory T cell molecule known to be specifically up-regulated in human T cell leukemia virus type-I (HTLV-I)-producing cells. In a T cell line, OX40 surface expression was shown to be induced by HTLV-I Tax alone. To understand molecular mechanisms of OX40 gene regulation and modulation by HTLV-I Tax, we have cloned the human OX40 gene and analyzed its 5'-flanking region. By reporter gene analysis with progressive 5' deletions from nucleotides -1259 to -64, we have defined a 157-bp DNA fragment as a minimal promoter for constitutive expression. In addition, we show that in the OX40+ cell line, Co, Tax is able to further increase OX40 surface expression. Up-regulation of OX40 promoter activity by Tax requires two upstream NF-kappaB sites, which are not active in the constitutive OX40 expression. Their deletion abrogates Tax responsiveness in reporter gene analysis. The site-directed mutagenesis of each NF-kappaB site demonstrates that cooperative NF-kappaB binding is a prerequisite for Tax-directed activity as neither site alone is sufficient for a full Tax responsiveness of the OX40 promoter. Upon Tax expression, both sites bind p65 and c-Rel. These data provide new insight into the direct regulation of OX40 by Tax and add to our understanding of the possible role of the OX40/OX40 ligand system in the proliferation of HTLV-I+ T cells.

Amino Acid Motifs↗
PubMed2000

Influence of occupational factors on the relation between socioeconomic status and self-reported back pain in a population-based sample of German adults with back pain.

STUDY DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional postal survey and interview substudy. OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between socioeconomic status and severe back pain and to determine whether this association can be explained by occupational factors. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Like other disorders, back pain and its consequences are inversely related to indicators of high socioeconomic status. METHODS: The associations between indicators of socioeconomic status and presence or severity of current back pain (no back pain or back pain of low intensity and low disability versus back pain with high intensity and/or high disability) were investigated in a survey among German adults 25 to 74 years of age (n = 2731) and an interview substudy of 770 participants with a recent history of back pain.- RESULTS: In the survey, educational level was inversely associated with back pain and severe current back pain. Similarly, in the interview substudy, educational level, vocational training, occupational class, household income, and health insurance status were inversely related to severe current back pain. Age-adjusted and gender-adjusted odds ratios were 0.36 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.25-0.52) for immediate educational level and 0.37 (95% CI 0.18-0.73) for high educational level. Recalled work tasks at the onset of back pain were significant risk factors of severe current back pain (heavy physical work: odds ratio [OR] 1.77, 95% CI 1.06-2.93; work in bent position among males: OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.03-3.46). After adjusting for occupational class or work tasks, the association between educational level and severe current back pain remained unchanged.- CONCLUSIONS: The findings support the hypothesis that severe back pain is less prevalent among adults of higher socioeconomic status. The underlying mechanism could not be explained by differences in self-reported occupational factors.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Expression of the CD30 antigen in non-lymphoid tissues and cells.

Originally, expression of the CD30 antigen was shown to be typical of the tumour cells of Hodgkin's disease (HD) and of anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCLs). In reactive lymphoid tissue, CD30 is expressed only in a small population of activated lymphoid blasts. Since then, several reports have been published describing CD30 expression in non-lymphoid tissues and malignancies, such as embryonal carcinomas (ECs), seminomas, cultivated macrophages, two histiocytic neoplasms, decidual cells, and mesotheliomas. As CD30 detection is important in the differential diagnosis of HD and ALCL, the expression of CD30 in different non-lymphoid tissues was re-evaluated by immunohistology and in situ hybridization. Extra-lymphoid CD30 expression was found in 48/51 cases of EC or EC components of germ cell tumours, in decidual cells of 1/10 cases, in activated mesothelium in 16/28 pleural and peritoneal effusions, and in small foci of tumour cells in 2/8 mesotheliomas. CD30 expression was not confirmed in 27 germ cell tumours of the testis without an EC component nor in cultivated macrophages and 17 histiocytic malignancies. The knowledge of these CD30 expression patterns is important for the immunohistological differential diagnosis of anaplastic tumours. The absence of CD30 expression in reactive and neoplastic macrophages does not favour the concept that HD and ALCL are derived from these cells.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

The restricted expression pattern of the Hodgkin's lymphoma-associated cytokine receptor CD30 is regulated by a minimal promoter.

One of the most peculiar immunohistological characteristics of the tumour cells of Hodgkin's lymphoma, anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), and embryonal carcinoma of the testis is the expression of the CD30 antigen. Physiologically, CD30 expression is restricted to a few activated lymphocytes in normal lymphoid tissue and a small population of decidual cells. To clarify the reasons behind this highly restricted expression pattern and to learn about the combination of transcription factors involved in this regulation in Hodgkin's lymphoma and other CD30(+) malignancies, the 5'-flanking regulatory region of the cd30 gene was analysed. The major transcription start site was determined to be 270 bases upstream of the translational start codon in the Hodgkin's lymphoma-derived cell lines L591 and L428. Reporter gene assays revealed that the CD30 promoter (-413 to 84) induces a 50- to 1000-fold higher luciferase expression in CD30(+) human lymphoid cell lines (Co, Jurkat, and the Hodgkin's lymphoma-derived cell line L540) than in CD30(-) human lymphoid cell lines (DG75, SUP-T1, and U698M), CD30(-) human carcinoma cell lines (HeLa and MCF-7), or COS1 cells. Deletion analysis defined a TATA-less, minimal promoter sequence from -164 to 84. The transcription factor Sp1 and members of the Ets family induce CD30 expression, whereas the transcription factor Sp3 diminishes its induction. These data suggest that a high Sp1/Sp3 expression ratio and a peculiar expression pattern of the Ets transcription factors are involved in the overexpression of CD30 and might contribute to the transformation of CD30(+) tumour cells.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2000

An interdisciplinary approach to the care of patients with Wegener's granulomatosis: long-term outcome in 155 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the outcome in 155 consecutive patients with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) followed up for a median of 7 years. METHODS: Treatment was adapted to the activity and extent of disease, with regular evaluation by an interdisciplinary team accompanied by group education about vasculitis. RESULTS: The estimated median survival time was 21.7 years (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 15.60-27.86). Twenty-two patients died; 19 deaths were attributable to WG and/or its treatment. Significant predictors of survival at diagnosis were age >50 years (hazard ratio [HR] 5.45, 95% CI 1.97-15.02), kidney involvement with impaired renal function (HR 5.42, 95% CI 1.76-16.68), and lung involvement (HR 3.75, 95% CI 1.26-11.16). At some stage, 142 patients received prednisone and cyclophosphamide (CYC), usually as daily CYC plus mesna as uroprotection, 50 patients received trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and 45 received methotrexate. Complete remission was achieved in 83 of the 155 patients. One or more relapses occurred in 99 patients after either complete or partial remission. CYC-induced cystitis and myelodysplastic syndrome occurred in 17 and 11 patients, respectively. A cumulative dose of 100 gm or more of CYC resulted in a 2-fold greater risk of CYC-related morbidity than with lower CYC doses. Serious infections occurred in 41 patients. CONCLUSION: An interdisciplinary approach to the care of 155 WG patients resulted in a median survival of >21 years. Kidney or lung involvement at diagnosis was predictive of a >3-fold higher mortality. Although CYC remains essential in the treatment of WG, it was administered as briefly as possible and under close surveillance to avoid permanent CYC-related morbidity, which can lead to serious therapeutic problems in chronic relapsing WG.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Cohort study of occupational risk factors of low back pain in construction workers.

OBJECTIVES: To identify work related risk factors of future low back pain (LBP) in a cohort of construction workers free of LBP at the start of follow up. METHODS: The Hamburg construction worker study comprises 571 male construction workers who have undergone two comprehensive interview and physical examination surveys. A cohort of 285 subjects without LBP at baseline was identified. After a follow up of 3 years, the 1 year prevalence of self reported LBP was determined in the 230 men followed up (80.7%). Prevalence ratios (PRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) of LBP at follow up according to self reported work tasks of construction workers measured at baseline were estimated from Cox's regression models which were adjusted for age, and anthropometric measures. RESULTS: At follow up 71 out of 230 workers (30.9%) reported LBP during the preceding 12 months. Four work tasks (scaffolding, erecting roof structures, sawing wood, laying large sandstones) with an increased risk of 1 year prevalence of LBP at follow up were further evaluated. After further adjustment for occupation the relative risk was increased for workers who had reported > or = 2 hour/shifts laying large sandstones (PR = 2.6; 95% CI 1.1 to 6.5). Work load of bricklayers was additionally estimated by an index on stone load (high exposure: PR = 4.0; 95% CI 0.8 to 19.8), and an index for laying huge bricks/blocks (yes/no: PR = 1.7; 95% CI 0.5 to 5.7). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that self reported differences in brick characteristics (size and type of stone) and temporal aspects of the work of bricklayers (average hours per shift laying specified stones) can predict the future prevalence of LBP. The data have to be interpreted with caution because multiple risk factors were tested.

Adolescent↗