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Biomedical subjects

C Meissner

Publications and source records attributed to C Meissner.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1975

Antidiabetic action of somatostatin--assessed by the artificial pancreas.

By means of a glucose-controlled insulin- and glucose-infusion system (GCIGIS) we examined the effect of somatostatin on insulin and glucose requirements following meals or oral glucose loads in juvenile diabetics. In six of seven patients the insulin requirement with somatostatin was remarkably reduced to between 38 per cent and 79 per cent of that of otherwise identical control experiments. No reduction could be found in the seventh case, fed only 575 kcal. In all cases we observed an increase in dextrose demanded from the GCIGIS ranging between 28 per cent and 192 per cent of the control amounts. In addition, a lowering and smoothing of postprandial blood glucose curves caused by somatostatin application was a general finding. It seems to us most likely that the well-known suppression of the secretion of growth hormone and glucagon, both insulin antagonists, is responsible for the antidiabetic action of somatostatin.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Natural death.

BACKGROUND: The increasing age of every human being is the beginning of the end of life, an obviously natural process, but any attempt to define the term 'natural death' soon encounters difficulties in defining what is meant by 'natural'. In the industrialized countries of the West, for example 'natural death' is thought of as the opposite of non-natural types of death such as accidental death, suicide, and homicide. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our present survey is to discuss the meaning of the term 'natural death' under a clinical, a forensic and a scientific point of view with regard to recent developments especially in molecular biology. CONCLUSION: If there are 'external' physical influences, a medical-technical manipulation, a therapeutic or molecular biological intervention cannot be definitely ruled out as the cause of death, then use of the term 'natural death' in general is open to question. It will only remain meaningful if it can be applied with a specific meaning in definite practical situations. Current research and medical technology, however, do not allow use of the term 'natural death' in its conventional sense: it can thus be stricken from the medical vocabulary.

Aging↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Life shortening and physician assistance in dying: euthanasia from the viewpoint of German legal medicine.

BACKGROUND: Around the world heated debates have broken out on the topic of active euthanasia. Specialists in the field of 'forensic medicine' have taken full part in these discussions. OBJECTIVE: The present survey from the point of view of forensic medicine begins with a look at current terminology and at the laws pertaining to euthanasia in Germany. These laws are then contrasted with actual practice, including a description of the increasing acceptance of active euthanasia by the German population and its legalization in Holland. The main argument against active euthanasia is that its formal acceptance in law would cause the dam of restraint to burst, culminating in widespread misuse, as already seen in recent serial killings by nurses in hospitals and homes for the elderly around the world. CONCLUSIONS: Contrasted to this are the arguments for taking active steps at the end of life, including emotional considerations such as the revulsion against mechanized medicine and the fear of pain and rational arguments such as the necessity to end a 'life unworthy of life', to save medical costs, and obtaining prior consent in 'living wills'. Such considerations have put in jeopardy the moral integrity of the medical profession - and thus the layperson's trust in physicians - around the world. In Germany especially the history of mass killing during the Nazi era constitutes a fundamental argument against active euthanasia. As a consequence, in Germany active euthanasia will not receive legal sanction, although recommendations on rendering dying more bearable are permitted.

Ethics, Medical↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Fatal accidental mixed poisoning of 3 men at the same time].

The case history presented reports on three 30- to 40-years-old men, who were found dead in a party like situation in the living room. The toxicological investigation proved alcohol and THC as well as therapeutic Flunitrazepam- and Pentobarbital levels and toxic 7- Amino-Flunitrazepam concentrations. The background of this surprising scene led up to the conclusion of an accidental death caused by a mixed intoxication.

Accidents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Traumatic induced total myelomalacia of the cervical spinal cord associated with a space-occupying subdural hematoma.

We report the case of a 20-year-old male driver who suffered from a trauma to the cervical vertebral column in a head-on collision with a tree. The injuries included subluxation of the 2nd and 3rd cervical vertebrae and fracture of the odontoid process of the axis with ventrally directed displacement of the proximal fragment and dorsally directed displacement of the distal fragment. Already at admission to hospital a space-occupying spinal subdural hematoma was diagnosed. Clinically, paraplegia was diagnosed with progressive loss of consciousness. Pneumonia led to death 40 days after the accident. Autopsy disclosed a total myelomalacia of the cervical spinal cord obviously resulting from an ischemia caused by a traumatic lesion of the dorsal truncus arteriosus spinalis as well as a compression by the spinal subdural hematoma.

Adult↗