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Biomedical subjects

F Huber

Publications and source records attributed to F Huber.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Chemistry of gas-phase sequencing: alternative bases.

The currently used base for gas-phase sequencing, trimethylamine, can be substituted by more hydrophobic tertiary amines without any problems. We used mainly N,N-dimethylallylamine and 3-(dimethylamino)propyne, both as aqueous solutions at constant temperature (40 degrees C). The advantages of these bases, which are liquids at room temperature, are their easy to regulate dosage, better stability and easier method of purification. The results of degradation with these bases are comparable with those obtained with trimethylamine.

Alkynes↗
PubMed1986

Physiology and tonotopic organization of auditory receptors in the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus DeGeer.

Physiological recordings were obtained from identified receptors in the tympanal organ of Gryllus bimaculatus. By immersing the prothoracic leg in Ringer solution and removing the anterior tympanic membrane the auditory receptors were exposed without significantly altering the frequency response of the auditory organ (Fig. 1). Each receptor was tuned to a specific sound frequency. For sound frequencies below this characteristic frequency the roll-off in sensitivity decreased from 20-30 dB/octave to 10-15 dB/octave as the characteristic frequency of receptors increased from 3-11 kHz (Fig. 4A). For each individual receptor the slope, dynamic range and maximum spike response were similar for different sound frequencies (Fig. 9A). The receptors were tonotopically organized with the characteristic frequency of the receptors increasing from the proximal to the distal end of the array (Figs. 5, 6). Several receptors had characteristic frequencies of 5 kHz. These receptors were divided into two groups on the basis of their maximum spike response produced in response to pure tones of increasing intensity (Fig. 7). Independent of the tuning of the receptor no two-tone inhibition was observed in the periphery, thus confirming that such interactions are a property of central integration.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1986

Preoperative neodymium-YAG laser treatment of obstructive colon cancer.

Present conventional surgical therapy of obstructive colon cancers of the right colon is primary resection, whereas in the left colon it is a two-stage or three-stage operation with a temporary colostomy. Morbidity and mortality rates in staged operations are still as high as 40% and 24%, respectively. Preoperative recanalization of obstructive cancers by neodymium-YAG laser vaporization will tend to relieve the symptoms of ileus and will permit preoperative peroral bowel lavage. For this reason primary resection with primary anastomosis is practicable in patients who have recovered from symptoms of ileus. In 27 cases who had been operated on with left-side hemicolectomy or anterior resection, the mortality rate was 3.7% (1/27). The total inpatient mortality rate of all laser-treated patients who had been operated on by different operative procedures, or who had not been surgically treated, was 8.8% (5/57).

Colonic Neoplasms↗
PubMed1986

Endoscopic neodymium:YAG laser coagulation in gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

The aim of a resolute, endoscopic treatment in acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage by a neodymium:YAG laser is to prevent massive loss of blood and to avoid transformation of the hemorrhagic shock event into an irreversible state. Parallel to endoscopic procedure treatment of coagulopathies is necessary. 1,029 (94%) out of 1,092 acute bleeding episodes of 852 unselected patients were treated successfully. In bleeding esophageal varices, reduction of mortality from 70% to 36.2% has been achieved by sclerotherapy following laser coagulation of the acute bleeding. Compared with the results of surgery the mortality rate of bleeding acute ulcers has been reduced from 58% to 23.4%, and of bleeding chronic ulcers from 25% for resection and 15% for vagotomy to 0%. For optimal treatment of the patients close cooperation with surgeons is also desirable.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1986

Effects of long-term ergoloid mesylates ('Hydergine') administration in healthy pensioners: 5-year results.

Five-year results are reported of a controlled long-term comparative study to assess the effects of ergoloid mesylates (1.5 mg 3-times daily) and placebo on medical, psychological and electrophysiological variables. Initially, 148 healthy elderly volunteers of both sexes were included. Eighty-nine subjects (48 on ergoloid mesylates and 41 on placebo) are still in the double-blind study; 39 subjects have left the trial for various reasons (6 deaths, 25 drop-outs due to disease, and 8 withdrawals) and 20 subjects are participating under 'open' conditions. Formal statistical comparison of the two groups in terms of 10 medical and psychometric outcome variables did not produce significant differences. However, a number of relevant findings and trends with regard to the effects of ergoloid mesylates were established: the drug was well tolerated objectively and subjectively; subjective complaints such as frequent dizziness, cardiac symptoms and leg cramps were improved; there was less increase than on placebo in the number of subjects with pathological ECG findings; there was less increase than on placebo in the number of subjects taking digitalis; fewer subjects than in the placebo group had an increase in the number of major diagnoses; the decrease in some lipid fractions was more pronounced than on placebo; and performance in some psychometric tests (WAIS Vocabulary, WAIS Performance) was better in the ergoloid mesylates group. None of these findings, by itself, would be evidence of a dramatic effect of ergoloid mesylates on the participants in the double-blind trial. Taken together, however, they fall into a pattern, suggesting that ergoloid mesylates was partly effective in maintaining physical and mental health in these healthy elderly individuals. The finding of more disease-related and symptom-related drop-outs in the placebo group (25 vs. 20 in the ergoloid mesylates group) supports this assumption. Furthermore, the fact that a number of subjects who had left the double-blind trial for medical reasons improved on subsequent ergoloid mesylates administration may be seen as a further argument in favour of a prophylactic effect of ergoloid mesylates on pathological concomitants of ageing.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

The antitumor activity of di-n-butyltin(IV) glycylglycinate, and the correlation with the structure of dialkyltin(IV) glycylglycinates in solution studied by conductivity measurements and by infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, and Mössbauer spectroscopic methods.

The in vivo activity of Bu2nSnGlyGly, Na(Cl2GaGlyGly), and ClGaGlyGly (GlyGly2- = glycylglycinate) has been investigated in connection with a number of tumors. Positive results have been obtained only for the Bu2nSnIV complex in the case of leukemia P-388. In order to try to interpret the pharmacological data on a molecular basis, the nature of the species present in solutions of AlK2Sn GlyGly complexes, as well as the reactivity of aqueous Me2SnGlyGly, have been studied. The presence of chelated species (I), Figure 1, in organic solvents, and the equilibrium (I) in equilibrium (II), Figure 1, in water and mixed water-organic solvent systems, have been inferred from conductance measurements, as well as from studies by Mössbauer (in frozen solution), 1H, 13C, and 119Sn NMR, and ir spectroscopy. Moreover, solvated (II) would release AlK2SnIV moieties, as evidenced by the slow formation of (Me2SnO)n from aqueous Me2Sn GlyGly. The involvement of (I) and (II) in the transportation of these drugs across cell membranes is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Synaptic connectivity between cricket auditory interneurons as studied by selective photoinactivation.

Sound detection and localization are important for crickets. Interneurons located in the prothoracic ganglion play a crucial role in the initial processing of the auditory inputs. Two of the most readily recorded and dye-marked auditory interneurons in the prothoracic ganglion of the cricket are the omega cells (ON/1) and the ascenders (AN/2). By using a new photoinactivation technique to selectively inactivate these cells, the synaptic relationship between them could be studied. Our results indicate that the ON/1 cells are connected to each other with reciprocal inhibitory synapses. An ON/1 cell responds to contralateral stimulation with strong inhibition mediated by the other ON/1 cell. When one cell is killed, this inhibition is removed, and a weak excitatory response is unmasked. Unlike the ON/1 cell, AN/2 produces an inhibitory response when stimulated ipsilaterally to the cell body side, and this response is also removed when the ipsilateral ON/1 cell is killed, providing strong evidence that ON/1 is the source of the inhibition. As with the ON/1, the inhibition is replaced by weak excitation.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

A controlled long-term study with ergoloid mesylates (Hydergine) in healthy, elderly volunteers: results after three years.

A long-term clinical comparison of the effects of ergoloid mesylates and placebo on 148 healthy elderly volunteers of both sexes was analyzed after three years of study. At that point, 99 subjects (53 receiving ergoloid mesylates and 46, placebo) were still being treated under double-blind conditions, while the remainder either had dropped out or continued to participate under open conditions. Many subjects in both groups were healthier after the three years than they had been at the onset of the study: subjective symptoms such as tiredness and dizziness were reduced, performances on tests of intelligence were improved, and some abnormal laboratory values had normalized. Blood pressures increased on the average during the investigational period and pulse rates became slower. The ergoloid mesylate regimen was well tolerated objectively and subjectively. Additional medical and psychologic improvements were noted in the group treated with ergoloid mesylates concerning cardiovascular parameters, cholesterol levels, subjective symptoms, and performances on tests of intelligence. These intermediate findings are interpreted as showing a preventive effect of ergoloid mesylates against some of the debilitating physical and psychologic concomitants of aging.

Aged↗
PubMed1982

Structural comparison of a homologous neuron in gryllid and acridid insects.

The fast extensor tibiae (FETi) motor neuron is responsible for exciting the extensor tibiae muscle to produce most of the force for jumping in acridids. Because of its relatively large size and crucial role in jumping, FETi has been studied in an ever-increasing number of orthopteran species. Here we describe the structure of the metathoracic FETi neuron in six species of acridids and in two species of gryllids. The morphology of FETi within the respective groups is essentially equivalent, but marked differences are apparent between acridid and gryllid FETis. There are similarities in the size and location of the cell body and the course of the neurite through the ganglion. Differences are found in the number of large branches, density of branching, and the volume of neuropil receiving branches. We propose that the gryllid FETi is an intermediate form between slow extensor tibiae motor neurons involved in walking and acridid fast extensor tibiae motor neurons specialized for jumping.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

[A rehabilitation unit for geriatric amputees (author's transl)].

Elderly leg amputees are patients with the most somatic, emotional and social problems requiring rehabilitation assistance. Expensive artificial limbs often cannot be used because many detailed questions are left to chance. In order to coordinate the rehabilitation of these patients in an optimal manner and utilise the invested means efficiently, a specialised rehabilitation centre was organised at the Medizinisch-Geriatrische Klinik I of the Felix-Platter-Spital Basle and its mode of organisation was intentionally designed to be simple and flexible. The rehabilitation team consists of staff members of the Orthopedic and Geriatric Department of the hospital. From 1974-1978, 59 geriatric amputees aged 60-90 years were cared for and 75% could later be discharged to their own homes. In spite of the advanced age and various illnesses of these patients, the results of the rehabilitation unit are encouraging. However, prime importance should be given to finding a suitable milieu after dismissal.

Aged↗
PubMed1979

Central projections of fibers in the auditory and tensor nerves of cicadas (Homoptera: Cicadidae).

The auditory and tensor nerves of cicadas are mixed nerves containing both afferent and efferent elements. In 17-year cicadas, and in Okanagana rimosa, the auditory nerve contains afferents from body hairs, from the detensor tympani-chordotonal organ, and some 1300--1500 afferents from the hearing organ. Within the fused metathoracic-abdominal ganglionic complex the receptors from both the auditory and tensor nerves form a neuropilar structure that reveals the metameric organization of this complex. A few fibers run anteriorly, projecting into the meso- and prothoracic ganglia. Within the ganglionic complex a division of auditory nerve afferents into a dense intermediate and a more diffuse ventral neuropile is observed. In addition, a dorsal motor neuropile is outlined by arborizations of the timbal motor neuron. This neuron is one of several efferent cell types associated with the auditory nerve, and there is an indication that several efferent fibers innervate the timbal muscle. There is anatomical evidence for a possible neuronal coupling between the bilaterally symmetrical large timbal motor neurons. In general, central projections from the auditory and tensor nerves support evidence of a structural "layering" within the CNS of insects.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

[Therapy groups with patients and nursing staff in a geriatric hospital (author's transl)].

Within a very short time the non-demented, chronically hospitalized old person turns into a hospital-activity-oriented patient. He thereby gives up a considerablle part of his personality. In order to understand this process, special attention has to be paid to the intertwining of the dynamics of the chronic geriatric patient with the dynamics of the nursing staff. As a therapy experiment we have been conducting parallel talk-groups with patients and with their nursing staff for one year. As a result, the patients showed increased activity, increased dynamism, improved contact ability, increased interest in the outside world, and improved affect. The nursing staff also reported improvement of the group-patients' condition on the floor. With the nursing staff we found a reduction of the defensive mechanisms, a separation from old nursing-role definitions, acceptance and encouragement of the patients in their new role, and improved satisfaction with patient contact. On the other hand, the nursing staff expects more personal contact to come from the patients. The groups have shown to be useful and have to a large extent reached the therapy goals.

Aged↗