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30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Air flow at different temperatures increases sodium lauryl sulphate-induced barrier disruption and irritation in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Combined exposure to dry climatic conditions and local heat sources together with detergents represents a common workplace situation. These conditions may support the induction of chronic barrier disruption leading subsequently to irritant contact dermatitis (ICD). OBJECTIVES: To test the irritant and barrier disrupting properties of air flow at different temperatures and velocities. METHODS: Using noninvasive biophysical measurements such as transepidermal water loss (TEWL) (TM 210; Courage & Khazaka, Cologne, Germany) we assessed the effects of short-term exposure to air flow at different temperatures (24 degrees C and 43 degrees C) in combination with sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) 0.5% on the skin of 20 healthy volunteers in a tandem repeated irritation test. Chromametry was used to control the accuracy of the SLS irritation model. RESULTS: In our study air flow alone did not lead to a significant increase in TEWL values. Sequential treatment with air flow and SLS led to an impairment of barrier function and irritation stronger than that produced by SLS alone. The two different air flow temperatures led to different skin temperatures but had no influence on permeability barrier function. CONCLUSIONS: Warm air flow has an additional effect on the SLS-induced barrier disruption in a tandem irritation test with sequential exposure to SLS/air flow. This combination is suspected to promote ICD in workplace and household situations, especially in short-term applications as tested in our model.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

[Age distribution of transepithelial water loss in human nasal mucosa].

BACKGROUND: Dry nose is a common complaint in the elderly. Age distribution of transepithelial water loss of human nasal mucosa (TEWL) value was evaluated in this study. METHODS: Eighty-eight volunteers (50 men and 30 women) ranging from 10 to 75 years old were recruited for this study. Measurement of TEWL was performed on the inferior nasal turbinate. TEWL was measured with an evaporation meter applying Fick's law (Tewameter TM 300; Courage and Khazaka, Cologne, Germany). RESULTS: TEWL value tends to increase in order of age, indicating that the barrier function of epithelium may decline with age. CONCLUSION: The measurement of transepithelial water loss should be contributed to assess the efficiency of nasal mucosal barrier disorders in the elderly.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Homicide in the bathtub.

Retrospective analysis of the deaths investigated in the Institute of Forensic Medicine of the University of Cologne (1980-1993) revealed 215 fatalities in the bathtub comprising 11 homicides. In six cases mouth and nose were found beneath the surface of the water, and signs of drowning were encountered in four cases. In two cases drowning was the cause of death, the remaining fatalities being due to strangulation or sharp violence. Four corpses had merely been deposited in the bathtub, four homicides were committed in the bath, and three victims were put into the bathtub to control or ensure the occurrence of death. Two homicides were not recognized before autopsy. The particular difficulties of establishing the diagnosis of strangulation under the conditions of water-logging are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Uvitex 2B stain for the diagnosis of Isospora belli infections in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Fluorescent stains with Uvitex 2B or other fluorochromes are widely used today, especially for the diagnosis of microsporidian infections in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. Our objective was to ascertain whether the fluorescent stain with Uvitex 2B is also able to detect Isospora belli in stool samples and duodenal/bile juice of HIV-infected patients. DESIGN: Case study. SETTING: University hospital of the University of Cologne, Germany. PATIENTS: Two HIV-infected patients with chronic diarrhea who had intestinal infections with I. belli. METHODS: Stool was concentrated by a modified water-ether sedimentation method, and duodenal/bile juice was concentrated by centrifugation. Wet-mount preparations were examined by phase-contrast and bright-field microscopy, and smears were stained with a modified acid-fast stain and a fluorescent stain with Uvitex 2B. RESULTS: Using the fluorescent stain with Uvitex 2B, the oocysts of I. belli stained bright white/blue fluorescent and showed a structure similar to that of the oocysts in acidfast stains. CONCLUSIONS: Staining with Uvitex 2B is a suitable method for the diagnosis of I. belli infections. This technique can be used for the diagnosis of three important gastrointestinal parasites (viz, microsporidia, cryptosporidia, and I. belli) responsible for diarrhea in HIV-infected patients.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed2004

[Heat transfer by conductive warming with circulating-water mattresses].

AIM OF THE STUDY: To determine the heat transfer by circulating-water mattresses placed under the back and over both legs of human volunteers. METHODS: With approval by the local ethics committee and informed consent eight minimally clothed volunteers were included in the study. Six calibrated heat flux transducers were placed on the back and additionally eight sensors were placed on both legs of each volunteer. The volunteers reclined on a circulating-water mattress (ComfortPad Plus(R), Cincinnati Sub-Zero Products Inc., Cincinnati, OH, USA) coated with gel (Granulab International, Armersfoort, Niederlande). Another circulating-water mattress (Plastipad trade mark, Cincinnati Sub-Zero Products Inc.) was placed over both legs. Both devices were heated to 41 degrees C by a hypo-hyperthermia system (Hico-Variotherm 530, Hirtz and Co. Hospitalwerk, Cologne, Germany). Heat flux data were sampled during steady-state conditions. After determination of the contact area between the mattresses and the skin, heat transfer was calculated by multiplication of the heat flux per area by the contact area. RESULTS: Heat flux per area to the back was 45.6 +/- 4.5 W m (- 2), the contact area was 0.39 +/- 0.03 m (2). This resulted in a heat transfer of 18.0 +/- 2.4 W. Heat flux per area to the legs was 24.7 +/- 4.3 W m (- 2), the contact area was 0.12 +/- 0.01 m (2). This resulted in a heat transfer of 2.9 +/- 0.6 W. CONCLUSION: The heat transfer of the circulating-water mattress to the back was much higher than the heat transfer to the legs. Nevertheless, model calculations show that conductive warming of the legs is more important for the prevention of perioperative hypothermia than conductive warming of the back, because it has a higher impact on the heat balance.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Water discharge-regulated bacteria/heterotrophic nanoflagellate (HNF) interactions in the water column of the river Rhine.

Heterotrophic nanoflagellates (HNF) make up a large fraction of the zooplankton biomass of rivers. Their abundance can be strongly affected by water discharge, but the consequences of this highly dynamic factor for their main prey, the bacteria, is still unknown. The focus of this study was on bacterial/HNF interactions in the Lower River Rhine (Germany) with respect to the discharge-dependent dynamics. The bacterial and HNF abundances and biomasses were determined over the course of 17 months. The potential consumption of bacteria by HNF was calculated based on the biomass data and on data on the HNF production. The mean bacterial abundance in the Rhine at Cologne ranged from 0.3 x 10(6) to 3.5 x 10(6) cells mL(-1), with lowest abundances in winter and highest in late spring. No significant changes in abundance during the downstream passage were found. Neither could a significant correlation be found between bacterial and HNF abundance. The ratio of bacterial to HNF abundance showed high variations which lay between 166 and 19,055 and was negatively dependent on water discharge. Monthly routine calculations on the potential bacterial consumption by HNF revealed a clearance of between 2 and 82% of the bacterial standing stock d(-1). The values increased greatly with water discharge and could exceed 100% d(-1) at times of high water flow. The presented data suggests a change in the top-down control of the planktonic bacteria due to the water discharge: The importance of benthic predation at low water flow (high contact probability to benthic predators) gives way to an increased importance in predation by planktonic HNF at high water flow.

Animals↗
PubMed1969

Failure to demonstrate a hormonal inhibitor of proximal sodium reabsorption.

Recently, it has been reported that a humoral inhibitor of proximal sodium reabsorption could be detected in plasma, and dialysates of plasma, of rats and dogs undergoing saline diuresis. We have repeated these studies using similar techniques and protocols. Fractional sodium reabsorption by the proximal tubule (as estimated in free-flow micropuncture studies from tubule fluid-to-plasma inulin ratios) was found not to be lower during infusion of "natriuretic" plasma than during subsequent infusion of "hydropenic" plasma. Similarly, infusion of natriuretic plasma failed to prolong reabsorptive half-time of the shrinking drop beyond that seen during hydropenic plasma infusion. No increase in urine volume or rate of sodium excretion was observed during the period of natriuretic plasma infusion, nor did natriuretic plasma result in an increase in these measures in rats undergoing water diuresis. It also has been reported that dialysates of natriuretic plasma, but not of hydropenic plasma, when placed directly into the tubule lumen, inhibit proximal sodium reabsorption. In double blind studies carried out independently in Bethesda, London, and Cologne, we failed to detect the presence of a dialyzable inhibitor in natriuretic plasma. Finally, in contrast to other recent reports, we were unable to detect inhibitory activity in plasma obtained from dogs during the "escape" phase of chronic deoxycorticosterone acetate administration.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Comparison of epidermal hydration and skin surface lipids in healthy individuals and in patients with atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: The water content of the stratum corneum and skin surface lipids are important factors in the appearance and function of the skin. A disruption of the balance between the two may lead to the clinical manifestation of dryness of skin in patients with atopic dermatitis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to examine the so-called dry skin of patients with atopic dermatitis using objective parameters. We compared the epidermal hydration and the skin surface lipids, the so-called hydro-lipid film, of the clinically unaffected skin of patients suffering from atopic dermatitis with that of healthy subjects. METHODS: A total of 48 patients of either gender were included in this retrospective case-control study. We used the Corneometer CM 820 (Courage+Khazaka Electronic GmbH, Cologne, Germany) and the Sebumeter SM 810 (Courage+Khazaka Electronic GmbH) as noninvasive measuring methods. RESULTS: The results showed marked decreases in the atopic dermatitis group for both the Corneometer and Sebumeter measuring methods. CONCLUSION: Our results show that the dry skin of patients with atopic dermatitis, as previously shown, is due not only to a decrease in skin moisture but also to a reduction of skin lipids. This finding gives rise to a new understanding of the condition, and therefore one should always speak of a hydro-lipid film.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Measures taken against the plague in Diest in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries].

Older literature about the city of Diest reveals that in 1348 the plague wiped out half of the population; in 1439, 1523 and 1578-1579, the plague struck again. In the course of time the municipal authorities issued ordinances which were aimed at combating the disease and stopping it spreading. These ordinances were first published and then renewed or modified several times. This was done in the years 1469, 1483 and 1519. These texts have virtually the same contents and all contain about twenty articles of a prophylactic nature. A house where people had died of the plague had to remain shut for a number of months, and the relatives were not allowed in public for a while. Dirty water could not be emptied into the gutters, food had to be placed by the door, the clothes of those who were sick or who had died could not be washed in wells or in the river Demer and could not be sold, people caring for the sick had to wear a white sign, no one was allowed to take in any sick person from outside Diest, etc. Other articles are about refuse in the streets and pigs roaming around freely. Infringements were made punishable by fines, or if the perpetrators were insolvent, they had to make a pilgrimage to Strasbourg, Cologne or Rome. The ordinance of 1469 was issued again in 1472. It seems to be based on an ordinance of the city of Louvain, as this indication of the origin in the text was replaced by the word "Diest", and references to places in Diest were added. The ordinance of 1519 was confirmed in 1523, 1532, 1543-1544, 1558, 1574 and 1579. Separate regulations were issued in 1530, 1532-1533, 1573, 1578-1579, 1599. They relate to infected clothes and household articles, dung heaps, dead animals in the Demer, people who came into contact with anyone suffering from the plague, epidemics in the area, such as Beringen (1556) and Turnhout (1571). Diest also had municipal plague masters; these were surgeons. A number of names and data are known to us from municipal accounts from 1516 onward. Diest also had a plague house. From 1470, the Alexians and Black Sisters worked there, joined later by the Grey Sisters. The last sort of prophylactic measures against the plague were of a religious nature. These were the general processions in which the guilds had to participate, as well as one person from every household. Finally, severe fines were imposed for cursing and swearing.

Disease Outbreaks↗
PubMed1995

Death in the bathtub involving children.

Retrospective analysis of 215 deaths in the bathtub (Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Cologne, 1980-1993) revealed 12 fatalities involving children, seven boys and five girls, aged from 9 months to 13 years. The manner and cause of death was seven accidents (five by drowning, two by scalding burns), two natural deaths (epilepsy, heart failure due to Hurler's syndrome), one homicide (stabbing) and two undetermined cases (one probable seizure, one subdural hematoma associated with signs of maltreatment). Seven children < 4 years old died without exception from accidental drowning or scalding. Three toddlers had been left alone and unattended in the bathtub for a 'short time' (< or = 15 min) and two in the care of elder siblings. The immersion time and the amount of water required to cause lethal drowning are expressed in the terms of pathophysiology.

Accidents, Home↗
PubMed2003

Control of head morphogenesis in an invertebrate asexually produced larva-like bud ( Cassiopea andromeda; Cnidaria: Scyphozoa).

Scyphopolyps of Cassiopea andromeda propagate asexually by forming larva-like buds which separate from the parent in a developmentally quiescent state. These buds metamorphose into sessile polyps when exposed to specific biogenic, chemical inducers. Morphogenesis of transversely dissected buds indicates the presence of pattern-determining signals; whereas the basal bud fragments may still form a complete scyphistoma the apical bud fragments develop spontaneously in the absence of an inducer into a polyp head without stalk and foot. Based on these findings Neumann (dissertation, Cologne University, 1980) postulated a head-inhibiting signal which is released at the basal pole and inhibits head formation at the apical end. Contrary to this hypothesis dissection itself might induce the development of head structures. The present study deals with the control of polyp head formation in C. andromeda. It concentrates on two points, namely the postulated head inhibitor and the involvement of compounds known to act during metamorphosis (the enzyme protein kinase C and the specific metamorphosis inducer Z-GPGGPA). We found that compared to intact buds and apical bud fragments transversely incised buds reached an intermediate stage of head development. This confirms Neumann's hypothesis. Consequently we focused on the mode of action and the chemical nature of the head-inhibiting signal in C. andromeda. Our results indicate that the head inhibitor may be included in one of six pooled fractions isolated from bud homogenate via gel filtration on a Sephadex G-50 column. The inhibitor is supposed to be water-soluble and to have a molecular weight of 850-1,500 Da. Furthermore we prove that head formation is not promoted by the metamorphosis-inducer Z-GPGGPA but is prevented by the inhibitors psychosine, chelerythrine and RO-32-0432 showing the involvement of protein kinase C in this process.

Alkaloids↗