The Fukushima accident and travel medicine--analysis and recommendations.

The accident at the nuclear site in Fukushima has fostered a fear of the consequences of radioactive contamination among many, especially regarding travel to Japan and the import of Japanese goods. We give a general overview of the assessment of the effects of ionizing radiation and a summary of the consequences of the Japanese accident. We report the results of the measurement of radionuclide intake among travelers returning from Japan, carried out at the whole-body counter of the Institute for Work Design of North Rhine-Westphalia (LIA.NRW) in Düsseldorf.

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.

Blood levels of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and gamma-globulins in a follow-up investigation of employees with chloracne.

In a follow-up investigation of 8 employees who partly contracted chloracne between 1973 and 1976, elevated concentrations of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD, 'Seveso dioxin') were found in blood lipids. The concentrations measured were between 163 and 1935 pg TCDD/g blood lipids, other 'dioxin' levels being normal or only slightly increased in comparison to the background level in the general population. The cause of this was exposure at work during the manufacture of trichlorophenol (TCP). Apart from high cholesterol levels, there was a conspicuous reduction in gamma-globulins.

How noisy are anaesthesia and intensive care medicine? Quantification of the patients' stress.

The minimum and maximum sound pressure levels (Lmin, Lmax) were measured, and the energy equivalent sound pressure level (Leq) and the impulse rated Leq (LAlm) were ascertained in the surgical intensive care unit and the anaesthetic and recovery room. Frequency analyses were also made of the noise from various pieces of equipment. The LAlm was never below 60 dB(A)--the wake-up threshold in man--comprising strong narrow-band impulses with Lmax more than 100 dB(A) primarily from instrument alarms. When several instruments were alerted at the same time, a broad-band noise resulted which was based on their various spectral peaks. Whilst the maximum sound level of the technical equipment was high, it was surpassed by avoidable background noise caused by the staff (e.g. falling bucket lid: 94.7 dB(A)). No relationship was found between acoustic parameters and intended type of anaesthesia or surgery. Sound level was low in dangerous situations and high during routine work.

[Human catabolism of medium and long chain triglycerides after intravenous infusion]. / Uber den Abbau von mittel- und langkettigen Triglyzeriden nach intravenser Infusion beim Menschen.

The metabolic rate of intravenously administered middle-chain and long-chain triglycerides has been tested in metabolically healthy adult subjects. After an infusion period of three hours (infusion rate 0.22 g triglyceride/kg body-weight and hour) the metabolic rate of long-chain triglycerides was 16.4 mg/kg body-weight and hour. The metabolic rate of the middle-chain triglycerides (infusion rate 0.056 g/kg body-weight and hour) administered in a mixture with long-chain triglycerides was slower: 4.8 mg/kg body-weight and hour. Even under these conditions, middle-chain triglycerides increased ketonemia and ketonuria. Furthermore, the acetate level in blood increased significantly. Infusion of lipids have a strong effect on amino-acid levels in blood. The concentration of alanine, leucine, isoleucine are decreased, whereas the concentration of glutamate increases at the same time. Under clinical parameters only a mild leucocytosis has been found. Our data suggest that the metabolic rate of middle-chain triglycerides is according to their low plasma concentration slow, nevertheless, the ketogenesis is significantly higher if middle-chain triglycerides are infused in a mixture with long-chain triglycerides.