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H Gall

Publications and source records attributed to H Gall.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Pharmacokinetics of S-1, an oral formulation of ftorafur, oxonic acid and 5-chloro-2,4-dihydroxypyridine (molar ratio 1:0.4:1) in patients with solid tumors.

S-1 is an oral formulation of ftorafur (FT), oxonic acid and 5-chloro-2,4-dihydroxypyridine (CDHP) at a molar ratio of 1:0.4:1. FT is a 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) prodrug, CDHP is a dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) inhibitor and oxonic acid is an inhibitor of 5-FU phosphoribosylation in the gastrointestinal mucosa and was included to prevent gastrointestinal toxicity. We determined the pharmacokinetics of S-1 in 28 patients at doses of 25, 35, 40 and 45 mg/m(2). The plasma C(max) values of FT, 5-FU, oxonic acid and CDHP increased dose-dependently and after 1-2 h were in the ranges 5.8-13 microM, 0.4-2.4 microM, 0.026-1.337 microM, and 1.1-3.6 microM, respectively. Uracil levels, indicative of DPD inhibition, also increased dose-dependently from basal levels of 0.03-0.25 microM to 3.6-9.4 microM after 2-4 h, and 0.09-0.9 microM was still present after 24 h. The pharmacokinetics of CDHP and uracil were linear over the dose range. The areas under the plasma concentration curves (AUC) for CDHP and uracil were in the ranges 418-1735 and 2281-8627 micromol x min/l, respectively. The t(1/2) values were in the ranges 213-692 and 216-354 min, respectively. Cumulative urinary excretion of FT was predominantly as 5-FU and was 2.2-11.9%; the urinary excretion of both fluoro-beta-alanine and uracil was generally maximal between 6 and 18 h. During 28-day courses with twice-daily S-1 administration, 5-FU and uracil generally increased. Before each intake of S-1, 5-FU varied between 0.5 and 1 microM and uracil was in the micromolar range (up to 7 microM), indicating that effective DPD inhibition was maintained during the course. In a biopsy of an esophageal adenocarcinoma metastasis that had regressed, thymidylate synthase, the target of 5-FU, was inhibited 50%, but increased four- to tenfold after relapse in subsequent biopsies. In conclusion, oral S-1 administration resulted in prolonged exposure to micromolar 5-FU concentrations due to DPD inhibition, and the decrease in uracil levels after 6 h followed the pattern of CDHP and indicates reversible DPD inhibition.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Detection of cutaneous herpes simplex virus infections by immunofluorescence vs. PCR.

BACKGROUND: Detection of cutaneous infections with herpes simplex virus (HSV) has proven difficult, as serum antibody tests sometimes are not sensitive and specific enough for that purpose. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to compare the sensitivity for detection of HSV of an immunofluorescence method (Syva Microtrak) and an internally controlled PCR. METHODS: Cutaneous swabs from skin lesions were analysed by immunofluorescence separately for HSV types 1 and 2 and by competitive PCR. Detection of PCR products was done by ELISA, if positive additionally by agarose gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: Of 79 samples 34 were PCR-positive by ELISA (34 = 100%), of which 23 (68%) were also positive on the agarose gel. Eleven samples (32%) were positive by immunofluorescence. No sample was positive by immunofluorescence and negative by PCR. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that immunofluorescence using Syva Microtrak is not suitable for exclusion of herpes simplex virus infection as sensitivity was only 32%. However, as immunofluorescence is cheaper and faster than PCR, first screening can be done with immunofluorescence, and negative samples can be investigated by PCR to finally prove or exclude the presence of HSV DNA.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2001

[Subcutaneous calcifications after radiotherapy].

A 75-year-old female patient presented with late stage cutaneous radiation syndrome, following postoperative combined radiotherapy for cervical carcinoma administered 32 years ago. She was hospitalized because of a deep abscess in the radiation-exposed area on the sacrum. Extension into the subcutaneous fibrosis was verified by 7,5-MHz-sonography and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging. With intravenous cefotiam (Spizef) 2.0 g three times daily, the inflammation decreased, as seen clinically and with nuclear magnetic resonance imaging. As a secondary finding, an unusual distinctive subcutaneous calcification was diagnosed in the radiation-exposed area by means of 7,5-MHz-sonography, as well as computer- and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging. These subcutaneous calcifications are most likely to have been radiation-induced.

Abscess↗
PubMed2001

[Allergic contact dermatitis in beauty parlor clients].

Occupational contact dermatitis in hair dressers and beauticians has increased in importance in the past years. Type IV-allergies against glyceryl monothioglycate components of permanent waves are most common. Other occupational allergens include bleach components such as ammonium persulfate and hair dye ingredients such as p-phenylenediamine (PPD) and p-toluylene-diamine (PTD) base. Allergies to hair dyes in customers of hair dressers have rarely been observed. Two female patients developed allergic contact dermatitis of the scalp and face after repeated use of Polycolor intensivtönung schwarz and of Movida color. We also review the current literature on type IV-allergies to components of hair dressing products components.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Effects of heat and cold application on turns and amplitude in surface EMG.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of cooling and heating of muscles on parameters of surface EMG (SEMG) under various well defined grades of isometric muscle contraction. In 32 healthy volunteers, aged 20-30 years, turns and amplitude (RMS) analysis was done in SEMG from the hand extensors. Muscle strength was defined by a new developed hand dynamometer. Values for RMS and turns in case of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) over periods of 20 sec were determined for each volunteer and subsequently RMS and turns were measured during isometric contractions of 10%, 30%, 50% and 80% of MVC, interrupted each by rest periods. This procedure was repeated after cooling and warming the forearm with thermo packs. For control purposes the same investigations with three measurement periods of SEMG were done following the same time schedule without thermic stimuli. With increasing isometric contractions turns increased after heat application and decreased after ice application, compared to the values achieved without thermic stimuli. The differences were significant from a level of 30% of MVC (p < 0.05). No corresponding changes were seen for RMS. In the control experiment values of turns and RMS did not differ in the three measurement periods. It is concluded, that the amplitude in SEMG tracings seems to be a reliable parameter of muscle force, whereas turns are sensitive to temperature. They might be useful markers for therapeutic approaches targeted at the muscle.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Allergic contact dermatitis from natural latex.

BACKGROUND: Reports on natural latex allergy have increased steadily during the last 10 years. Latex allergy generally refers to a type 1 reaction to natural rubber latex (NRL) proteins with clinical manifestations ranging from contact urticaria to asthma and anaphylaxis. Previous United States studies on NRL allergy largely have been reported by allergists with little detailed information on hand eczema, contact allergy, or on outcome. The present study was performed from March 1998 to November 1999 with the aim of finding out the prevalence of type IV hypersensitivity to latex in patients with suspected rubber allergy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 167 patients with hand eczema and contact with rubber products underwent patch testing with the standard screening and rubber components (test series Deutsche Kontaktallergiegruppe), and NRL pure provided by Regent (liquid high ammonia 0.7% NRL, accelerator, and preservative-free latex) between March 1998 and November 1999. The charts of all NRL positive patients are reported with the results of history, prick, patch tests, total IgE, specific IgE to latex (FEIA) test and follow-up data (after 6 months). RESULTS: Four patients (3 men) showed positive patch test results to NRL. One of these patients also reacted to the rubber chemical tetraethylthiuram monosulfide, and another one of these patients revealed a type 1 reaction to NRL, diagnosed by positive reaction to prick test. The other 3 patients with patch test reactions to NRL had negative reactions to prick tests to NRL extracts after 20 minutes. All 4 patients had a positive delayed prick test reaction to NRL. Latex FEIA test result was negative in all 4 patients. The contact eczema healed after elimination of the latex gloves and medical latex devices in all patients. Furthermore, 10 of the 167 patch testing patients (6%) were positive for tetramethylthiuram monosulfide 1%. CONCLUSION: In the present study with 167 patients, the prevalence of type IV hypersensitivity to latex was 2.4%. We recommend that the patch test with NRL as well as with rubber additives should be performed in patients of suspected contact dermatitis caused by rubber products.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Sporotrichosis--fixed cutaneous and lymphocutaneous form].

Two patients were infected with sporotrichosis; one had the fixed cutaneous form, the other the lymphocutaneous form. Sporotrichosis schenckii was identified in both with a culture from a tissue biopsy. Both patients were successfully treated with itraconazole, one received 100 mg and the other 200 mg itraconazole daily over a 3 months period.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Phase I clinical and pharmacokinetic study of oral S-1 in patients with advanced solid tumors.

PURPOSE: To investigate the side effects, determine the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD), and study the pharmacokinetics of S-1, an oral fluoropyrimidine-based antineoplastic agent consisting of the fluorouracil (5-FU) prodrug tegafur combined with two modulators, 5-chloro-2,4-dihydroxypyridine and potassium oxonate. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with advanced solid tumors received S-1 bid for 28 days, followed by 1 week of rest. 5-FU pharmacokinetics were investigated after a single initial dose of S-1 during the first 24 hours and weekly thereafter. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients received S-1 at the four consecutive dose levels of 25, 45, 35, and 40 mg/m(2). The MTD was initially found at 45 mg/m(2), with diarrhea as the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT). Diarrhea was also the DLT at the dose of 40 mg/m(2), which was the MTD for patients exposed to extensive prior chemotherapy. Other toxicities were generally mild. Two patients had a reduction of more than 50% in tumor dimension. Plasma pharmacokinetics of 5-FU were linear; at the highest S-1 dose level, 5-FU plasma peak concentrations reached 1 to 2 micromol/L, and the half-life of 5-FU was 3 to 4 hours. A statistically significant relationship was observed between the severity of diarrhea and pharmacokinetic parameters of 5-FU. CONCLUSION: The recommended dose of S-1 in chemotherapy-naive or minimally chemotherapy-exposed patients is 40 mg/m(2) bid on 28 consecutive days, every 5 weeks. In heavily pretreated patients, the recommended dose is 35 mg/m(2) bid. Phase II trials are warranted in tumors known to be responsive to 5-FU treatment.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1999

[Pathogen spectrum of urethritis in the man].

545 male patients with a tentative diagnosis "urethritis" were examined between November 1984 and December 1994 in the Department of Dermatology and Venerology of the Military Hospital in Ulm. The patients, aged from 18 to 58 years (mean age 24.1 years), were examined according to a standardized diagnostic procedure: Smear preparations from the urethra with subsequent gram staining, bacterial cultures for aerobic bacteria, Neisseria gonorrhoeae (cultures and Phadebact gonococcus test), mycoplasma cultures (Mycoplasma hominis (M. hom.); Ureaplasma urealyticum (U. u), and Chlamydia trachomatis using several methods, primarily DIFT (Syva Micro-Trak). Trichomonas vaginalis counts in urine sediment 441 patients (81%) had 4 or more leukocytes per high-power (x1000) field in the gram stained specimens. In these 441 urethritis-patients the following germs could be detected: Trichomonas vagin 3 (1%), N. gonorrhoeae 80 (18%), Mycoplasma 94 (21%) [U. u. 59, M. hom. 24, both 11], C. trachomatis 114 (26%), other pathogenic bacteria 135 (31%). In 114 patients (26%) no bacteria could be identified. A single infection was diagnosed in a total of 242 patients (55%), a double infection was determined in 71 patients (16%) while a triple infection was found in 14 patients (3%). The spectrum determined in the single infection included the following: N. gonorrhoeae 41 (9%), Mycoplasma 45 (10%), C. trachomatis 67 (15%), other pathogenic bacteria 89 (20%) (most frequently found germs were Enterococcus, beta-hemolytic Streptococcus, Escherichia coli, Staph. aureus). In the double infections combinations with aerobic bacteria dominated. In triple infections, mycoplasma were most common. During the investigation period the number of patients with urethritis symptoms declined at a constant rate.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Means of increasing sensitivity of an in vitro diagnostic test for aspirin intolerance.

BACKGROUND: Pseudo-allergic reactions caused by aspirin (acetyl salicylic acid; ASA) often resemble immediate-type hypersensitivity reactions consisting of urticaria and angioedema or rhinoconjunctivitis, asthma and nasal polyps. In the last few years, a new in vitro assay based on determination of sulfidoleucotrienes from isolated leucocytes (cellular allergen stimulation test - CAST) has been introduced for type I allergies and pseudoallergic reactions. In ASA intolerance, there is only limited experience using this assay with - in some studies - only moderate sensitivity. Furthermore, the necessity to use freshly isolated leucocytes from untreated patients is inconvenient for routine settings. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to search for possibilities of increasing the sensitivity of the test and to use stored blood samples which would permit shipping, two requirements for the clinical suitability of this test. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Leucotriene release in response to ASA and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) was analysed in 38 ASA-intolerant patients (predominantly airway-related symptoms n = 22; predominantly cutaneous symptoms n = 16) and 50 controls. The diagnosis of ASA intolerance was established by history and placebo-controlled oral challenge tests. RESULTS: Using 24 h-stored leucocytes obtained from 10 ASA-intolerant patients and 10 healthy controls there were no significant differences of leucotriene release by resting, ionomycin-, and anti FcepsilonRIalpha-stimulated leucocytes compared with freshly isolated leucocytes. Analysis of ASA + C5a-mediated leucotriene release by stored blood samples in combination with indomethacin- and diclofenac-mediated leucotriene release in ASA-intolerant patients (n = 38) resulted in an increased sensitivity (from 50 to 72.7% in ASA-intolerant patients with predominantly airway-related symptoms and from 81 to 100% in ASA-intolerant patients with predominantly skin symptoms) compared with assays in which only ASA + C5a-mediated leucotriene release has been determined. Moreover, the specificity of the assay remained high (96.7% when analysing different NSAIDs compared with > 99% when analysing only ASA + C5a-mediated leucotriene release). CONCLUSION: In vitro stimulation with ASA + C5a leucocyte stimulation with other NSAIDs should be performed to achieve a higher sensitivity. This finding can be explained by the clinical observation of a high ratio of cross-reactivities between the mentioned NSAIDs.

Adult↗