[Mould and dampness in houses: health, environmental and social aspects - results of a study by the Bremen local public health office]. / Feuchteschäden in Wohnräumen: gesundheitliche, umweltbezogene und soziale Aspekte - Kleinräumige Erhebung aus dem Gesundheitsamt Bremen.

Mould and dampness, both long known indoor problems, may cause several health effects. During the last years, this topic has gained increasing importance in the field of environmental hygiene at the Bremen local public health office and has become a major focus of the work. The analysis of the advisory service for private persons has shown: mould and dampness are relevant health and environmental problems in private homes. Data from a questionnaire-based study revealed that mainly people with low social status, especially those with low income, request for information and guidance. This indicates the need for free advice for people with low income.

[50 years Zwickau Dermatologic Clinic in the Heinrich-Braum Hospital]. / 50 Jahre Hautklinik im Heinrich-Braum-Krankenhaus Zwickau.

The dermatological clinic in Zwickau celebrated 50 years of existence in 1996. We review the clinics history, starting with its founding in 1946 because of the upsurge in venerological diseases during the post-world war II years. The most important clinic directory and their scientific activities are described.

Childhood stroke at three years of age with transient protein C deficiency, familial antiphospholipid antibodies and F. XII deficiency--a family study.

The unusual case of a boy with a stroke occurring at three years of age, transient reduction in protein C activity and high concentrations of antiphospholipid antibodies (APA) is described. APA or Lupus Anticoagulant (LA) were found in 7 of 11 relatives studied out of three different generations. In addition, antigenic Factor (F) XII deficiencies or borderline values were found in the propositus and 2 relatives. Evidence for F. XII inhibitors was found in the propositus, one of his brothers and both of his parents. Whether F. XII inhibitors in patients with APA and/or LA are pathophysiologically relevant in vivo or if they are only an in vitro phenomenon remains to be elucidated. It is reasonable to believe that the main laboratory pathology (APA and/or LA activity) in antiphospholipid syndrome is related to the clinical picture of a hypercoagulable state. There is evidence from the literature that deficiency or inhibition of F. XII might contribute to a prothrombotic state through impairment of the fibrinolytic system. There is also evidence that APA are able to reduce protein C activation. From a clinical point of view, it seems that hypercoagulability in our patient was controlled by low-dose aspirin therapy (75 mg/d). In conclusion, this case seems to support the idea of a genetic predisposition for the development of APA and/or LA. The related disturbances of the coagulatory, anticoagulatory and fibrinolytic systems might contribute in different ways to the prothrombotic state seen in patients with "antiphospholipid syndrome", eventually resulting in possible venous thrombosis or arterial thrombosis with corresponding ischaemic lesions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Examination of sewage for nitrification inhibitors with the help of a simple and accessible bioassay]. / Untersuchung von Abwasser auf Nitrifikationshemmstoffe mit Hilfe eines einfachen und praxisnahen Biotests.

The biotest presented permits the investigation of sewage as for the presence of nitrification-inhibiting substances. A waste-water sample has to be aerated together with activated sludge for 5 h. The concentration of ammonia and nitrate will be analysed at the beginning and the end of the test. The intensity of nitrification can be detected comparing the increase of nitrate in the sewage sample with a control. In order to verify the reliance of the test the effect of different parameters on the test system like pH, BOD of the sludge, content of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate and different sewage-relevant compounds were investigated. The biotest was successfully applied in order to find out the inhibition of nitrification in a communal purification plant. An emission of nitrification inhibiting substances was determined by screening of the supplies of the purification plant.