Hans-Urs Wanner

Effects of long-term, self-monitored exercise on the serum lipoprotein and apolipoprotein profile in middle-aged men

To study the effects of long-term, self-monitored exercise on the serum lipid profile and body composition of middle-aged non-smoking males, a controlled study was conducted in 61 sedentary, middle-class Swiss men. Thirty-nine men were randomly allocated to jog 2 h/wk for 4 months on an individually prescribed, heart rate-controlled basis, whereas 22 men served as controls. Despite varying adherence to the exercise regimen, the following 4-month net changes (effect in exercise group minus effect in control group) in lipids were seen: HDL cholesterol (C) +0.12 mmol/l (95% CI 0.02, 0.22; P = 0.028), LDL-C +0.08 mmol/l (ns), VLDL-C -0.26 mmol/l (-0.45, -0.07; P = 0.009), total triglycerides (TT) -0.21 mmol/l (ns), HDL-C/total C +0.02 (0.001, 0.05; P = 0.047). The net changes in endurance capacity and resting heart rate in favour of exercisers were significant as well, whereas no significant changes in apolipoprotein levels were seen. Exploratory analyses revealed, for example, associations of the increase in total physical activity with an increase in the HDL-C/total C ratio (r = 0.46; P less than 0.001), and of the change in estimated body fat content with an opposed change in the HDL-C/total C ratio (r = -0.40; P less than 0.001), or an inverse relationship of the change in subcutaneous fat with a change in the HDL2-C level (r = -0.39; P less than 0.001). Multivariable regression analysis suggested that much of the effect of jogging on HDL-C was apparently mediated through a decrease in body fat content. A change in the waist/hip ratio was unrelated to lipoprotein changes but was related to the change of TT level (r = 0.22; P less than 0.05). This study confirms that individually prescribed, unsupervised jogging can increase HDL-C levels and improve the serum lipoprotein profile in self-selected nonsmoking males. Although the effect is modest, it may be relevant to preventive cardiology, given the evidence for a reduction in cardiovascular risk even after apparently small decreases in risk factor levels.

Analysis of allergens in ambient aerosols: Comparison of areas subjected to different levels of air pollution

Recent studies describe interactions of pollen surfaces with aerosol particles; pollen surfaces undergo morphological changes and the release of allergens and allergenic fragments from the pollen can be enhanced. Thus allergens from pollen can be found in particle size fractions much smaller than undamaged pollen (<5 μm). This may explain allergic reactions in parts of the lungs which cannot be reached by undamaged pollen. In Switzerland the birch tree (betula verrucosa) major allergen Bet v 1 and the grass (phleum pratense) pollen major allergen Phl p 5 are of particular relevance for inducing pollinosis. In this study aerosols of different aerodynamic diameters were sampled by Andersen-Impactors over 18 months. Sampling areas are subjected to different levels of air pollution (Zurich, Switzerland, urban; Payerne, Switzerland, rural; Davos, Switzerland, alpine). Samples were scanned by electron microscopy and submitted to specific allergen assays (ELISA) for birch pollen major allergen Bet v 1 and grass pollen major allergen Phl p 5 respectively. Particle and major allergen concentrations were highest in Zurich, followed by Payerne and, significantly lower, Davos. Scanning electron microscopy investigations showed interactions of aerosols with pollen surfaces in Zurich and Payerne. The presence of Bet v 1 in smaller aerosol fractions was demonstrated in Zurich and Payerne some weeks before and after birch pollen was counted.

Die Wahrnehmung der Verkehrslärmimmissionen im Kanton Basel-Stadt im Vergleich zu den erhobenen Lärmmesswerten

The objective of this study was to assess to what extent the subjective annoyance is influenced by the actually measured or calculated street traffic noise and by sociodemographic factors. In the study on air pollution and health in Basle a representative sample of 1033 families with children up to five years were asked how they perceived street traffic noise. The extent of annoyance was assessed with a scale from 0 (no annoyance) to 10 (unbearably annoyed). The actual noise levels were taken from the official noise-register. Nearly 30% of the families were exposed to > 65 dB(A) in daytime. Immigrant families as well as participants with low education more frequently lived in streets with higher noise levels than Swiss families or participants with higher education. 16.4% considered themselves heavily annoyed by traffic noise (scale 8-10). The proportion of heavily annoyed participants was positively correlated with the actual noise levels, the slope was steepest at a noise level between 60-65 dB(A). By means of a multiple regression it could be shown that, adjusting for education level and city district, the actual noise level was the best predictor of subjective annoyance.

Nationales Forschungsprogramm 26 Teil A: Physische Umwelt und Gesundheit

Die vom Menschen ver~inderte Umwelt hat wohl vor allem in diesem Jahrhundert zu einer Zunahme der Umweltbelastungen ftir den Menschen geftihrt: Die Industrialisierung und der immer noch stark zunehmende motorisierte Verkehr produzieren einerseits L~rm und andererseits Luftschadstoffe, welche nicht nur am Ort der Emission wirken, sondern sich auch grossr~umig verteilen. Zwar sind gerade im Bereich der Industrie in den letzten Jahren grosse Anstrengungen gemacht worden, diesen Problemen zu begegnen und auch im Bereich Verkehr besteht die Hoffnung, durch umfassende L~irmschutzmassnahmen und verschfirfte Abgasvorschriften (u a Katalysatoren) die Belastungen zu reduzieren. Prognosen ftir die Schweiz weisen allerdings darauf hin, dass zumindest ftir Stickstoffdioxid und ftir Ozon die Luftreinhalte-Verordnung im vorgesehenen Zeitraum nicht eingehalten werden kann [1]. Die Frage der gesundheitlichen Auswirkungen der Luftverschmutzung und des L~irms besch~iftigt nicht nur die Bev/31kerung, sie beschfiftigt auch die BehOrden, und es stellt sich immer wieder die Frage, wie weir mit Regulierungsmechanismen gegangen werden muss, um die Gesundheit der Bcv61kerung zu schtitzen. Das NFP 26 Teil A will in diesem Bereich einen Beitrag leisten, insbesondere in bezug auf die Erforschung der Auswirkung von Luftverschmutzung und L~irm auf die menschliche Gesundheit. Im folgenden soll zun~ichst ein kurzer Uberblick tiber die Studien im Bereich Luftverschmutzung und Gesundheit gegeben werden, die bis Ende 1989 in der Schweiz durchgeftihrt und publiziert wurden; ferner sollen die Fragestellungen aufgezeigt werden, die im NFP 26 angegangen werden. Eine ~ihnliche 15bersicht soll in einem zweiten Abschnitt mit dem Thema Liirm gegeben werden.

Professor Etienne Grandjean zum 70. Geburtstag

AIs Professor Grandjean im Jahre 1950 als Nachfolger yon Professor Gonzenbach zum ordinarius for Hygiene und Arbeitsphysiologie ernannt wurde, galt es, diesen Fachbereich neu zu gestalten und in die Lehrpl~ne der Ingenieur-Abteilungen sowie auch der Architekten zu integrieren. Entsprechend seiner Grundausbildung als Mediziner und seiner Spezialisierung in der Physiologie, lag der Schwerpunkt seiner T~tigkeit zun~chst bei der Arbeitsphysiologie (Ergonomie). Daneben galt sein Interesse vor allem der Arbeits-, Wohnund Umwelthygiene; hierzu geh~ren L~rm und Luftverunreinigungen, heute besonders aktuelle Themen.