How Healthy Is Healthy? Comparison Between Self-Reported Symptoms and Clinical Outcomes in Connection with the Enrollment of Volunteers for Human Exposure Studies on Sensory Irritation Effects.

Controlled human exposure studies on sensory irritation effects are usually performed with healthy volunteers. Therefore, in most studies pre-screening by a health questionnaire and a detailed medical examination are combined. The aim of this report is to investigate whether self-reported information about smoking and health status is sufficient or whether additional clinical tests are necessary for a successful and safe enrollment of healthy volunteers. There were 409 volunteers (55% female; 17-57 years; 79% non-smokers) who declared interest in participation in the study. However, 87 subjects failed to meet specific inclusion criteria, and further 138 had to be excluded due to the presence of chronic health problems. In effect, 184 subjects passed the initial questionnaire screening and proceed to further examination. Medical examination included electrocardiogram, blood and urine screening, and an olfactory function test. Atopy status was assessed by skin prick or specific IgE testing. Lung function and a methacholine challenge test were performed to assess respiratory health and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Overall, only 107 non-smoking subjects (58% female; 19-40 years) who had no respiratory diseases, allergies, or chronic illnesses could be finally selected. Out of the 107 subjects, 8 were excluded due to positive cotinine tests, laboratory test results outside the reference range, or atypical ECGs. In another 12 subjects, obstruction or a bronchial hyperreactivity was diagnosed. Among the remaining 87 healthy subjects, 26 were classified as atopic and further two as hyposmic. In conclusion, although young and non-smoking volunteers considered themselves healthy by questionnaire, 20% showed signs of a heart, liver, or airway disease, and additional 24% were classified as atopics. This suggests that more detailed clinical testing may be necessary to safely exclude those who may adversely react to controlled exposure with sensory irritants.

[Trends in nursing care requirements in German 1990-2050--results of demographic projections]. / Entwicklung der Pflegefälle in Deutschland 1990-2050--Ergebnisse demographischer Projektionen.

Since the political agreement on the financing of elderly primary care, the question of the determinants for both the absolute number of elderly persons requiring care and the care burden is of particular importance. The probable demographic effects of a change in immigration and mortality rates in Germany are shown with the aid of various models. A higher life expectancy under the condition of a stable age-specific care quota leads to a substantial increase in the need for elderly care. Similarly, the future care burden will not remain stable with an increased immigration of young people; rather it will increase as well. It can thus be predicted that the problem of the care burden as well as its financing will remain an important topic in the future for demographic reasons alone.

Influence of long-term low direct current on rat ischiadic nerves.

The effects of a low direct current on peripheral nerves and electrodes on the ischiadic nerve were investigated, and a constant direct current was applied for various time periods. Afterwards clinicophysiological tests and histological evaluations were performed. The muscles of 55 rats could be stimulated by external stimulation during the follow-up examinations, but 90% of all animals showed microscopically visible nerve tissue alterations which might have been caused by mechanical rather than electrolytic factors.