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Biomedical subjects

H Hofmann

Publications and source records attributed to H Hofmann.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

[Ranking of cerclage in prophylaxis of premature births].

The results of 196 cases after operation for cerclage are reported. In 133 patients the operation was performed because of cervical incompetence with opening of the cervical canal without contractions. In 63 patients a prophylactic operation was performed for anamnestic reasons. In the group of cervical incompetence the operation resulted in 103 (94.5%) deliveries, 12 of which occurred before the 35th week of gestation. Following prophylactic cerclage, 46 (78.0%) pregnancies ended with a delivery. In the latter group, the rate of abortions was four times higher than in the group with cervical incompetence. In 82.6% the birth weight was higher than 2,500 g; 4.7% of the newborn only had a body weight below 1,500 g. Before performing cerclage in the 196 patients the abortion rate had been 50.5%, which dropped subsequently to 11.2%. Childbirth at term could be achieved after operation in 73.2% of the patients, compared to the previous figure of 34.4% only.

Birth Weight↗

[30 years of cataract operation (author's transl)].

A survey is given of 26443 cataract operations at the University Eye Hospital of Graz in the years 1950-1980. Different phases are evident: 1. Extraction with a forceps. 2. A phase of expression. 3. Extraction by means of an erysiphake. 4. Extraction with a cryo-extractor. Enzymatic zonulolysis is of particular importance and performed with trypsin only. Almost all cataract operations are performed by enzymatic zonulolysis with trypsin. Details of the operation technique are pointed out. The connections between cataract surgery and increased intraocular pressure, vitreous body complications and retina and mentioned. Complications during and after operation and problems of anesthesia are discussed. Different special questions like cataract diabetes, cataract and myopia, cataracta complicata, cataracta congenita, cataracta traumatica and cataracta secundaria are pointed out. Our opinion is also given on combined operations like cataract and glaucoma, cataract and keratoplasty or binocular cataract operation. The correction of aphakia by means of intraocular lenses or refractive keratoplasty is discussed.

Anesthesia, General↗

Comparison of two different enzyme immunoassays for detection of immunoglobulin M antibodies against tick-borne encephalitis virus in serum and cerebrospinal fluid.

Two enzyme immunoassays for the detection in immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies against tick-borne encephalitis virus were compared, employing a solid phase coated either with antigen or with mu-chain-specific antiserum to human IgM. The latter IgM-capturing assay system proved to be more sensitive, and its superiority was especially prominent when high titers of tick-borne encephalitis virus-specific IgG antibodies in addition to specific IgM antibodies were present in the sample. The application of this test is a valuable extension of the diagnostic tools for the rapid diagnosis of tick-borne encephalitis by IgM detection. Since specific IgG does not interfere, diagnosis can be readily established when patients have already developed high titers of IgG antibodies relatively late after the onset of the disease.

Antibodies, Viral↗

[Ventricular arrhythmias and left ventricular function in coronary artery disease. A study by M-mode echocardiography and 24-hour Holter-monitoring (author's transl)].

In 82 patients with coronary artery disease, most of them having had transmural myocardial infarction, left ventricular function was studied with M-mode echocardiography. Furthermore 24-hour Holter-monitoring was done to determine the maximal degree of ventricular premature contractions (VPC's) according to the classification of Lown. The degree of VPC's was then plotted against echocardiographic parameters of left ventricular function. Confronting the subgroup of patients with Lown grade 0--II with those of grades III and IV, for all parameters significant differences of the mean values could be demonstrated. Parameter "distance E-point of the anterior mitral leaflet--left ventricular septal wall" shows 84% sensitivity; fractional shortening gives 88% specificity. Combination of all four parameters shows 90% specificity, which makes M-mode echocardiography a valuable diagnostic method in identifying those patients with coronary artery disease and malignant arrhythmias who have an increased risk of sudden death.

Adult↗

[Efficacy of Vaccination Against Tick-Borne Encephalitis].

Since 1973 blood samples have been investigated at random for the presence of antibodies to tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus in persons vaccinated with the Austrian TBE vaccine. The immunization schedule was to doses given 1 to 3 months apart and a third dose injected 9 to 12 months later. This resulted in a seroconversion rate of 96% (n=444) in the haemagglutination-inhibition (HI) test and of 99% in the ELISA. The vaccine also induced high titres of complement-fixing anti-bodies. Antibody formation did not depend significantly on the age of the vaccinees. After three years, 66% (n=321) of those vaccinated still possessed antibodies in the HI test and 87% in the ELISA. Moreover, antibodies were still found in the sera of some persons at the end of the observation period (i.e. 6 years). Persons who had become seronegative still responded positively to a booster dose of vaccine. In a large number of persons it was evident that the intervals between injection of the single doses of vaccine can be extended considerably without jeopardizing the success of vaccination. The protection rate is larger than 99%.

Encephalitis, Tick-Borne↗

[Diagnosis of aneurysms of the aorta and its large branches. A clinical pathoanatomical study (author's transl)].

On the basis of 67,352 autopsies 516 aorta aneurysms and 112 aneurysms of large branches of the aorta are classified according to their etiology, frequency, size and sex distribution. Cardiological, abdominal and neurological symptoms are predominant clinically. Palpation, auscultation, and X-rays with angiography and echography are still sufficient to arrive at the correct diagnosis in the majority of cases. In addition to conservative therapy a surgical intervention should be considered as far as circumstances permit.

Adult↗

[Influence of vitamin D therapy on renal osteodystrophy in children (author's transl)].

Growth arrest and renal osteodystrophy is a major problem in renal insufficiency of children. The present report describes our experiences in managing renal osteodystrophy by using vitamin D3 for 24 months. Values in plasma of Ca, Mg, alkaline phosphatase, iPTH, 25-OH-D were determined regularly. Skeletal X-rays and analysis of iliac crest bone biopsies were obtained in each child. In treatment with vitamin D3 no hypercalcemia was seen despite high serum levels of 25-OH-D. Plasma-Ca, alkaline phosphatase, and iPTH normalized nearly. Radiographic abnormalities improved. Bone biopsies showed improvement in signs of secondary hyperparathyroidism and ostitis fibrosa, whereas osteomalacia remained unchanged. Osteoblast population showed a small reduction. No real increment in body growth was seen.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Studies in man with cold-recombinant influenza virus (H1N1) live vaccines.

Two cold-recombinant influenza A (H1N1) viruses were tested in several groups of human volunteers. Only minor clinical symptoms were seen and no febrile reactions occurred. With serologically primed individuals virus shedding was low, but a high proportion showed rises in serum antibody levels after vaccination and mean titres were high. With serologically unprimed volunteers shedding was high, about 75% yielding viruses but only at low titres and for a short duration. No revertant viruses were found and there was no evidence of transmission to potentially susceptible individuals housed in close contact to the vaccinees. Serum antibody responses with unprimed volunteers were, however, low. Only about one half showed increases in serum antibody titres after vaccination and mean titres were low. Nevertheless, challenge with live attenuated virus indicated a high degree of protection based on virological evidence of infection.

Adult↗

Immunogenicity and reactogenicity of a highly purified vaccine against tick-borne encephalitis.

Immunogenicity and reactogenicity of a vaccine containing inactivated tick-borne encephalitis virus prepared by continuous flow zonal ultracentrifugation were compared with those of a previously used, less purified vaccine. Antibody response as measured by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was 93% after two vaccinations and 100% after a third dose. The zonally purified vaccine impressively reduced the incidence of side reactions. Pyrexia (greater than 37.3 degrees C) was recorded in only 4--10% of the vaccinees almost exclusively after first vaccinations compared to 17--68% with the old type of vaccine. When these results are evaluated according to criteria commonly used in the United States (ie, pyrexia greater than 100 degrees F = 37.8 degrees C), almost no fewer would be recorded. The frequency of systemic side reactions was even lower (statistically significant) after second and third vaccination. This highly purified vaccine therefore represents an effective and well-tolerated means for the immunoprophylaxis of TBE.

Adolescent↗

The inability of superoxide dismutase to inhibit the depolymerization of hyaluronic acid by ferrous ions and ascorbate.

Superoxide radicals were investigated as to their capability of depolymerizing the hyaluronic acid of the bovine vitreous body. Using viscometry it was found that O2 radicals, generated by the hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase method or the combination of NADH and phenazine methosulphate, degraded hyaluronic acid. This reaction was suppressed by superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase. In contrast, the depolymerization of hyaluronic acid by oxidation-reduction systems like ascorbic acid or ferrous ions was abolished by catalase and peroxidase while superoxide dismutase showed no effect.

Animals↗

[Electro-ophthalmological responses in inflammations of various sections of the orbital visual pathways (author's transl)].

In a study of electro-ophthalmological responses of the EOG, the photopic and scotopic ERG, the OP and the VECP, in combination with fluorescein angiography and computerized perimetry, in 34 patients suffering from uveitis, chorioretinitis (lesions near the macula and at the periphery), papillitis or retrobulbar neuritis, the following results were obtained: Uveitis and chorioretinitis with lesions either near the macula or at the retinal periphery produce different responses; generally, pathologic responses of the EOG and ERG and normal VECP are obtained in cases of uveitis. Peripheral chorioretinal lesions lead to a diminution of the scotopic ERG, OP and EOG, in contrast to lesions near the macula, in which pathologically diminished amplitudes of the photopic ERG and VECP are found. In papillitis and retrobulbar neuritis, however, the most important peculiarity is the increase in latency and the decrease in amplitudes of the VECP, especially in retrobulbar neuritis.

Chorioretinitis↗