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Biomedical subjects

E Zimmermann

Publications and source records attributed to E Zimmermann.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

[Physical performance and sleep in athletes].

To estimate the activity of the sympathetic nervous system excretion of noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline (A) of members of national teams (8 different olympic disciplines) has been looked at. Measured by GC/MS the catecholamines showed some characteristics that can be expressed by the NA/A-ratio which is independent of sports-discipline, gender and age (17 to 35 years): morning-urine, representing sleeping-time, expressed good recreation with NA/A > 10 and nervousness followed by low performance with NA/A < 8. Athletes longing for good performance may be stressed by time-shift, high-altitude training or by sharing their sleeping-room with another person-but nevertheless there are most important parallels in the reaction we can see for students during examination-time, shift-workers and patients. The experience made by measuring NA/A during sleeping time of athletes allows to give some physiologically based explanation about effects of the sympathetic nervous system. So NA/A-ratio can become an easy to handle tool in the field of diagnostic and therapeutic work.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Cortical control of double-step saccades: implications for spatial orientation.

To accurately localize a visual target in space despite eye movement-induced shifts of its retinal image, the brain must take into account both its retinal location and information about current eye position or at least the preceding eye displacement. We examined this ability with respect to saccadic eye movements by applying "double-step" stimuli, where the locations of two sequentially flashed target lights have to be fixated by two successive saccades performed after their disappearance. As the 2nd saccade will not start at the spatial location from which the 2nd target was seen, a dissonance arises between its retinal coordinates and the motor coordinates of the required 2nd saccade. Nevertheless, these saccades were performed quite accurately by 32 healthy human adults. To investigate the contribution of the cerebral cortex, we recorded horizontal double-step saccades in 35 patients with focal unilateral hemispheric lesions. Whereas frontal lesions impaired temporal properties, posterior parietal lesions caused spatial dysmetria or failure of even ipsiversive 2nd saccades following contraversive 1st saccades. This reflects an inability to compensate for retinospatial dissonance by using nonretinal information (corollary discharge) about eye displacement associated with a previous saccade into the contralesional hemifield. In conclusion, the parietal cortex is crucial for spatial constancy across saccades.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Experimental studies of chondrosynthesis for the larynx].

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to develop and investigate techniques for stabilising and reconstruction of defects in the larynx similar to osteosynthesis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: (1) 400 extrusion forces of sutures and various screws (Howmedica) in thyroid cartilage of fresh cadavers were measured. (2) A new screw specially designed for cartilage was developed. (3) A new technique for stabilising cartilage with a screw nut made out of bone was developed. RESULTS: The extrusion forces correlate with the calcification of the laryngeal skeleton depending on the investigated area of the thyroid cartilage and the type of suture and screws that are used, respectively. Besides the increased extrusion forces the advantages of chondrosynthesis are the possibility of axial stabilisation and of exact bridging of defects with or without implants.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMed1994

Water maze performance and hippocampal weight of prenatally stressed rats.

Prenatally stressed rats were tested for water maze performance with the water temperature kept at 18 degrees C (low stress) or cooled down to 12 degrees C (high stress). When the platform had been removed from the pool and the water was kept at 12 degrees C, prenatally stressed males--but not females--spent more time searching for the platform in the correct quadrant of the pool than their controls. Prenatal stress reduced hippocampal weight in both sexes.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Two brothers with characteristic facial appearance, severe psychomotor retardation, hypospadias, contractures, and other symptoms: a new recessive syndrome?

We report on two severely mentally retarded male children of consanguineous parents who seem to be affected by an identical syndrome. The main physical anomalies are typical facial stigmata with a broad nasal bridge, a bulbous nose, upward slanting palpebral fissures, microretrognathia, low hair line, and large ears with an incompletely developed upper helix. In addition, both brothers had hypospadias type II, limb contractures, and delayed bone age. One child had a bilateral cleft lip with cleft palate and cryptorchidism, and developed scoliosis during adolescence. The other had bilateral inguinal hernias and strabismus. Chromosome analysis showed a normal karyotype in both. The striking similarity between the brothers, the dissimilarity to other known syndromes, and the parental consanguinity argue in favour of a new, hitherto undescribed, possibly autosomal recessive syndrome.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1993

Evaluation of AIDS prevention among homosexual and bisexual men in Switzerland.

Attitudinal and behavioural change among gay men in Switzerland was measured between 1987 and 1990 to evaluate the effectiveness of AIDS prevention activities. The methodology used included a self-administered questionnaire published in Swiss gay magazines and distributed by gay organizations (N = 795 in 1987, N = 720 in 1990) and in-depth interviews with men recruited through advertisements and through the questionnaire (N = 42 in 1987, N = 24 in 1990). The two independent sampling procedures yielded similar samples with regard to socio-demographic characteristics, allowing comparisons to be made between the 1987 and 1990 data. Personal confrontation with AIDS (knowing someone who is HIV-positive, or who is ill or dead from AIDS) increased significantly during the period but more adequate ways of coping developed. Behavioural change towards safer sex began well before the first study. The majority of responding homosexuals have adapted their sexual behaviour to the new situation created by AIDS and generally maintain a protective behaviour. However, "exceptions" (condom rupture or episodes of non-protection) are not infrequent and should deserve more attention. Three indicators of sexual behaviour (number of sexual partners, anal sex and use of condom and oral sex with ejaculation), reported for the last 3 months before each study, exhibit few changes between 1987 and 1990: number of partners remained stable, unprotected oral sex decreased. Anal sex slightly increased, the use of condoms remaining stable. Sixty-seven percent of the sample knew their serostatus in 1990 (57% in 1987), and 13% of these stated that they were HIV+ (14% in 1987).

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1993

Behavioral measures of auditory thresholds in developing tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri).

The development of hearing in tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri) was tested through behavioral measures in the range of 0.3-60 kHz from the first postnatal thresholds detectable through to those of weanlings. The onset of hearing was defined using unconditioned startle responses, while, later on, pinna reflexes and head movements were used as behavioral indicators of sound perception. Startle responses could be evoked from day 16 after birth (DAB) onwards, indicating that the hearing system is capable of transferring airborne sound, although no reactions to tones were recorded at this age. The first unconditioned reactions to tones were found at DAB 18 in the range of 1-5 kHz (range of mother-infant call). Responses were restricted to the range of greatest sensitivity in adults (1-10 kHz). An increase in sensitivity was detected from DAB 18-38. The lowest tested frequency (0.3 kHz) reached adult levels earlier than higher frequencies. No further improvement of auditory thresholds could be observed from DAB 38 (end of nutritional weaning) to DAB 42. Results were related to recent findings on the development of acoustical behavior and of the peripheral and central auditory system of tree shrews and other mammals.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1992

Swiss role.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Ambulatory Care↗
PubMed1992

Diagnosis of early Lyme disease by polymerase chain reaction amplification and culture of skin biopsies from erythema migrans lesions.

Current laboratory diagnosis of Lyme disease relies on tests for the detection of antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi, the etiologic agent of the disease. These tests are often unreliable because of a lack of sensitivity and specificity and test-to-test variability. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification for detection of B. burgdorferi in skin biopsy specimens. Forty-six 2-mm skin biopsy samples were obtained from 44 patients with a clinical diagnosis of erythema migrans, 9 of whom were receiving antibiotic therapy at the time of biopsy. Specimens were ground in BSK medium with separate aliquots taken for culture and PCR. Of the specimens from the untreated group, 57% (21 of 37) were positive by culture and 22% (8 of 37) were culture negative; 22% (8 of 37) of the cultures were uninformative because of contamination. By comparison, 22 (59%) of 37 specimens were positive by PCR amplification. Of 21 culture-positive samples, 13 (62%) were also positive by PCR analysis. Thus, the sensitivity of the PCR was 59 to 62%, based on either a clinical or cultural diagnosis of untreated Lyme disease. None of the nine specimens from antibiotic-treated patients grew in culture, whereas two of the nine were positive by PCR analysis. Given the complexity and time required for culture, PCR is a promising technique for the diagnosis of early Lyme disease.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1992

[Responsibilities of pediatric medicine in integrated rehabilitation of handicapped children in Bremen].

Integrated education of handicapped children in Bremen is both goal and method. In the case of infants (0-3 years old) integration means integrating the child into the family by working with and within the family; for pre-school children (3-6 years old) this means education with non-handicapped children in a pre-school setting; integration in school settings using various approaches is still a goal. Integrated education is understood as a multi-disciplinary approach with the necessary inclusion of sociopaediatric competencies. The contribution to the concept of integration by paediatricians in Bremen is presented in this article. The work described is viewed as a perfect fit for paediatricians in the Public Health Services if they have the necessary preliminaries in self-understanding and qualification.

Child↗
PubMed1990

Neuronal substrates involved in processing of communicative acoustic signals in tree shrews: a 2-deoxyglucose study.

Autoradiography with [14C]2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) was used to map functional differences in activation of the central auditory pathway in adult tree shrews during presentation of particular acoustic stimuli (low frequency, LFS, and high frequency, HFS, pure sinus tones; social calls, SC). Individuals stimulated with broadband-noise (BBN) were used as controls. Stimulus-specific labelling was found in autoradiographs of cochlear nucleus, superior olivary complex, inferior colliculus and auditory cortex. These findings imply a tonotopic organization at least in these auditory brain areas and indicate differences in the processing of sounds with different functional significance.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1990

Vocalizations of adult gelada baboons (Theropithecus gelada): acoustic structure and behavioural context.

Vocalizations and accompanying behaviors of adult gelada baboons were studied in four one-male groups kept in large outdoor enclosures in the zoos of Stuttgart and Rheine. Twenty-two acoustically different vocal patterns were determined. According to behavioural context, they were grouped into two categories: (1) contact calls and (2) aggressive and defensive calls. Frequency of calling and the production of different vocalizations were related to social rank and to the age of the sender. Vocalizations in species of the closely related genera Papio and Macaca are compared and their evolution is discussed.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1990

[Plastic skull for practical education in stomatological radiology].

A plasticmodell of a skull manufactured by Deutsches Hygienemuseum Dresden, German Democratic Republic, was produced with Ba2SO4, natural teeth and special constructions for the practical training of students in Stomatological Radiology. Examples show the radiographed x-ray-photograms.

Audiovisual Aids↗
PubMed1990

[The marginal adaptation of mechanically produced onlays in vitro].

In this study, 24 extracted human molars were restored with onlays fabricated by using the Cerec System. The teeth were divided into 4 groups: in groups 1, 2 and 3 the proximal cervical margin was located coronally to the CEJ so that enamel was still present; in group 4 the proximal cervical margin was located in dentin. Vita-Cerec porcelain was the restorative material in groups 1 and 4; compressed HT-Hybrid composite in group 2 and glass-ceramic in group 3. Marginal adaptation of the onlays was examined by SEM before and after a combined occlusal loading and thermocycling test (72.5 N, 500,000X, 1.6 Hz; 1250X 5 degrees C - 55 degrees C - 5 degrees C, 4 minutes interval). In addition, a dye-penetration test was performed. The SEM evaluation and the penetration test revealed marginal adaptation values of the composite-luting agent both to enamel and the three restorative materials close to 100%. Marginal adaptation scores did not differ between porcelain, glass-ceramic and HT-composite and the three materials were equally adequate for being used with the Cerec method.

Color↗
PubMed1990

[Polymerization shrinkage of denture resins in different preparation procedures].

The Intention of this study was to examine and compare the effect of three different polymerization systems on the dimensional changes of denture-resin. The development of the fissure has been measured at five fixed points at the posterior border of upper complete dentures after a 4-weeks'-storage in water and saliva respectively. The perform-Inkovac-System showed the best, the SR-Ivocap-System the most unfavorable results; the conventional "stuff-press-system" gave only medium satisfaction.

Denture Bases↗
PubMed1989

[Quality of life in artificial kidney therapy].

Object of this research was to collect information on stress factors of different types of renal replacement therapy. In an anonymous questionnaire 164 patients (93 men, 71 women) gave subjective information about their life assessment. 87 had haemodialysis (HD), 10 home HD, 13 received CAPD and 54 were transplanted. The small proportion of early retirement (15 out of 33 pensioners) before the start of renal replacement therapy, despite long-lasting disease underlines personal activity. The start of renal replacement therapy coincides with a marked rise in retirement, which must be seen as justified on medical grounds, 46.3% of patients report feeling better during therapy. Comparing the technical therapies, CAPD influences daily routine to the greatest extent. Our results show that transplant patients do best with respect to full or partial rehabilitation. Therapeutic dependence on technical devices represents a major intrusion into the life of any patient. Patients report a high rate of improvement only after transplantation. A high rate of satisfaction during technical therapy brings up the question of adaptation or repression. Only few patients report a substantial decrease in their standard of living. There was no difference in the results between men and women.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Induction of procoagulant activity in human epidermal cells.

We have studied the induction of procoagulant activity (PCA) by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in cultured human epidermal cells. Single cell suspensions of epidermal cells were prepared from surgical specimens and stimulated for 24 h with LPS (100 micrograms/ml). PCA was determined by one-stage clotting assay. Stimulation of the epidermal cells with LPS resulted in a significant reduction of the clotting time (approx. 30%) as compared with the nonstimulated controls. Further analysis of the induced PCA showed that it did not require factors of the intrinsic pathway of the clotting cascade (factors XI and XII). Similarly, PCA was not affected by factor IX-deficient plasma but required factors II, VII, and X for its full expression. PCA was inactivated by treatment with phospholipase C but not by heating to 56 degrees C. These data indicate that the epidermal cell PCA resembles tissue factor-like activity, activating the extrinsic clotting pathway. Elimination of Langerhans' cells from the epidermal cell suspension by antibody and complement-mediated lysis did not result in a reduction of PCA in the remaining epidermal cells, indicating that keratinocytes were most likely the producer cells. Induction of PCA on the cell membrane surface of epidermal cells may be an early event resulting in the initiation of a local inflammatory reaction.

Blood Coagulation Factors↗