• Energy Research
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Practicability and characteristics of Headspace-GC-MS are demonstrated utilizing an Ion-Trap-Detector. In this way different volatile compounds occurring in putrified biological material could be identified and characterised by retention-indices on two columns for future identification by usual FID-Detection. Presentation of several examples.

A comparative study of ethanol concentration was performed in body fluids of corpses. One group consisted of dead bodies without sings of putrefaction (160 cases), and the second group included 60 cases with advanced putrefaction. In the first group the concentration of ethanol in blood, cerebrospinal fluid, vitreous humour, inner ear fluid and urine (in 147 cases) was determined, whereas in the second group blood and inner car fluid was examined. The observed differences in ethanol distribution in examined materials were the basis for the development of models of ethanol distribution in the body. Distinct relations between the ethanol concentrations in blood and other fluids allow to assess the blood ethanol concentration on the basis of examination of other materials. It is important in the cases when blood is not available and putrefactional changes of blood can be a reason of misinterpretations. Such assays appear to be useful in forensic assessment of drunkness.

Malignancies of the skin, with an incidence of more than 200,000 newly registered cases/year, are the most frequently notified malignances in Germany. In Europe, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) account for about 30 cases/100,000 persons and 50-100 cases/100,000 persons, respectively. Ultraviolet (UV) exposure is the main risk factor to induce these cancers. Increased incidence rates were shown for persons having red/blonde hair as well as light eye colour, acquire sun burns easily, hardly tan and develop freckles. The majority of the malignancies and precursor lesions are acquired by UV exposure in leisure time. However, in highly occupationally UV-exposed outdoor workers, UV monitoring revealed that exposure levels are 2-3 times higher compared to the general population. Occupations likely to be highly exposed are farmers, forestry workers, gardeners, landscapers, fishermen and seafarers, construction workers, builders, tin smiths, sport teachers, mountain guides, etc. Recent metaanalyses showed that occupational UV exposure is a relevant and independent risk factor for SCC and to a lesser extent also for BCC. To prevent occupationally caused malignancies of the skin a significant reduction of occupationally acquired UV dosages in outdoor workers is mandatory. Relevant factors influencing the cumulative sun exposure in outdoor workers are the amount of UV exposure, the specific tasks to be performed in the sun as well as the UV protection habits of the workers. Besides adequate behavior, textile protection by headgear and clothing as well as the regular use of sunscreens and sun glasses are important.

In 109 drunken male drivers from the area of Rostock the marker of alcohol abuse CDT was superior to the established laboratory parametres gammaglutamyltransferase (GGT) and mean cell volume (MCV) concerning the diagnostic efficiency. The prerequisite for the high diagnostic evidence of the CDT is the quantification of the minor band and the definition of standards of valuation by comparative studies with defined groups of probands (alcoholics, normal population). The combination of the 3 parametres CDT/GGT/MCV gave in 67% of the examined drunken drivers more or less strong hints at chronic alcohol abuse. The BAC of 1.6/1000 as a base for the decision to cause a medical-psychological examination (in case of "poison-resistance") turned out in this study to be an interchangeable, incomprehensible value. In about two thirds of the examined drunken drivers laboratory findings were pathological also in case of BAC below 1.6/1000. According to the experiences existing so far the parametres-combination CDT/GGT is unreservedly suitable as a screening procedure for the registration of potential or manifest alcoholics. Because the examinations may be performed from the usual blood samples for the BAC-detection these laboratory parametres really offer themselves for questions of traffic medicine. Further investigations are necessary.