A new paradigm for clinical laboratory science education: a case study for survival and growth.

Clinical laboratory science (CLS) education programs are faced with declining numbers of qualified students and resources. A solution is to move toward a new education paradigm. The new paradigm emphasizes cooperation between institutions, asynchronized learning and advising, the use of technology for teaching and advising and the decentralization of the teaching process. This article presents a case study describing how 1 CLS program was able to go from a scarcity mentality to an abundance mentality by implementing the new paradigm.

Asbestos dust exposure during brake repair.

About 10,000 tons of chrysotile per year are used in the Federal Republic of Germany for the production of friction materials. During brake repair an unknown number of approximately 300,000 mechanics in automobile service stations are exposed to asbestos dust. In a field study, asbestos fiber concentrations during brake repair were measured. Occupational histories and chest X-rays of brake service mechanics are being examined. Ninety dust measurements in 76 service stations were made by phase contrast microscopy and by scanning transmission electron microscopy. By electron microscopy, extremely fine chrysotile fibers with lengths less than 5 microns were identified in brake drum dust. Fibers with lengths greater than or equal to 5 microns constituted less than 1% of all chrysotile fibers counted in brake drum dust. Short-term asbestos dust exposures were measured by light microscopy in 101 personal samples during blowing out of brakes, and grinding and turning of brake linings. During blowing out of car brakes, as well as during grinding of brake linings, the product of fiber concentration with length greater than 5 microns and sampling time amounted to about 4-5 fibers/ml X min corresponding to a concentration of 10(6) fibers/m3 over 4-5 min. For trucks and buses higher amounts of 5-10 X 10(6) fibers/m3 X min were observed during these operations. From occupational histories of 210 vehicle mechanics, an average duration of employment of mean +/- s = 21 +/- 10 years and a mean cumulative fiber dose of mean +/- s = (0.54 +/- 1.1) X 10(6) fibers/m3 X years were calculated.

[Mesothelioma as an index tumor of the occupational hazard of asbestos dust]. / Das Mesotheliom, ein Signaltumor der beruflichen Asbeststaubgefährdung.

Mesothelioma arises from the cover epithelia of the serous body cavities and is a most malignant and fatal tumour. Since 1978 42 cases of diffusely growing mesothelioma have been observed. An extreme difference in the expected frequency of mesothelioma among previously severely asbestos-dust-exposed persons and the rest of the population is characteristic. Accordingly, death from mesothelioma does not only show a predominantly high occupational asbestos-dust-risk association but also to environmental exposition by neighborhood and household contact. Thus in production and use of asbestos-containing products a risk must be expected. Due to the great likelihood of asbestos-induced mesothelioma in the individual case it is justified to consider this tumour as signal for asbestos exposition decades ago. In the German Federal Republic "pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma caused by asbestos" is a notifiable occupational disease since 1977. Each diagnosis of mesothelioma initiates the suspicion and thus the medical duty of notification of an occupational disease. Following the large increase of asbestos consumption in the GFR over the last 30 years an increase of medically confirmed mesotheliomas can be expected.

[Experience with fluspirilene in gerontopsychiatry (author's transl)]. / Erfahrungen mit Fluspirilene in der Gerontopsychiatrie.

The paper reports on an open study of flupirilene administration in ten previously untreated female outpatients with paranoid symptomatology who were of advanced age. In eight of the ten patients who had been included in the 12-week study the authors observed a remission particularly of delusion dynamics, delusional intuitions, delusional perceptions, and restlessness as well as excitment. The therapy failed in two patients. Preexisting cerebro-organic impairments deteriorated partly, whereas vegetative and extrapyramidal side effects were of only moderate intensity. Hence, fluspirilene proved to be a depot neuroleptic with good antipsychotic effect in outpatient treatment of paranoid psychoses of patients of advanced age. However, especially in patients of advanced age. However, especially patients with preorganic brain syndrome, the obviously sedating and retarding effects of this drug must be taken into account, since they may contribute to further disturbance of the impaired cerebral function.

Fluorescence ambient NO(2) monitor with flashlamp pumping.

A pulsed xenon flashlamp unit was developed to provide a sensitive, economical, and compact device for determination of ambient NO(2) concentrations. The basic principles of operation are similar to a laser fluorescence monitor previously developed at the Aerospace Corporation that detects the atmospheric NO(2) by the fluorescence resulting from absorption of laser radiation. The prototype flashlamp unit has a sensitivity of 5 ppb for a 1.3-min integration time, a linear response, and provides a direct digital readout in real time. Results obtained in monitoring ambient NO(2) levels in the vicinity of the Aerospace Corporation are presented.