Biomedical subjects

H T Haffner

Publications and source records attributed to H T Haffner.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1993

[Rate of ethanol clearance after oral and parenteral ethanol administration].

A crossover investigation of the ethanol concentration decline after oral and parenteral administration of ethanol respectively was performed with direct intra- and interindividual comparison. No significant differences in relation to the kind of administration were noted. An influence of the circadian rhythm on the rate of decline could be excluded. The low beta 60 values derived (average: 0.111 g/kg/h) can be explained by the long period over which the probands were denied food.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

[Methanol level and methanol elimination in alcoholic patients].

A total of 54 male alcoholics aged between 26 and 57 years who had been admitted in an intoxicated state to a psychiatric hospital for acute care and subsequent detoxification were included in the study. The blood ethanol concentration (BEC) and serum methanol concentration (SMC) at the time of admission (n = 49) and the methanol elimination curve during ethanol elimination (n = 19) and after the ethanol concentration had fallen to zero (n = 4) were investigated. On admission, the BEC ranged from 0.21 g/kg to 3.26 g/kg and the SMC ranged from 5 mg/kg to 44 mg/kg. The gamma-alcoholics (n = 28) exhibited higher ethanol concentrations than the delta-alcoholics (n = 11) but no difference was found in the methanol concentrations. The methanol level was found to be related to the ethanol level in gamma-alcoholics (r = 0.671; p < 0.001), but not in d-alcoholics (r = 0.215; p > 0.05). The methanol content of the most recently consumed and generally preferred type of alcoholic beverage was found to influence the SMC in all the alcoholics. The SMC did not fall during ethanol oxidation (BEC > 0.2g/kg). After the ethanol concentration had fallen to zero, methanol elimination was found to follow first order kinetics; the elimination constants ranged from 0.592 h-1 to 0.209 h-1, corresponding to elimination half-life values of 1.2 h to 3.3 h. No differences were found between these values and those of non-alcoholic subjects.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

The elimination kinetics of methanol and the influence of ethanol.

Four male subjects aged between 20 and 29 years were given intravenous injections of methanol at a dosage of 10 mg per kg body weight, once without prior administration of ethanol, and once after oral ingestion of 0.3 g ethanol per kg body weight. The serum methanol concentration was monitored over the next 5 h (after methanol administration alone) and 6-7 h (after methanol administration following ethanol ingestion). The elimination of methanol administered alone was found to follow first-order kinetics with a rate constant for the elimination phase of 0.475-0.259 h-1, corresponding to an elimination half-life of 1.8-3.0 h. When ethanol was also administered methanol oxidation was found to be completely blocked until the blood ethanol concentration had fallen to 0.2 g/kg. When the ethanol concentration had dropped to zero, methanol elimination followed exactly the same course as that observed in the experiment without prior administration of ethanol (k: 0.378-0.231 h-1; t1/2: 1.5-2.7 h).

Adult↗

PubMed1992

[Statistical approach to forensic conversion values for alcoholics].

With collaboration of the study groups from Tübingen, Munich and Kiel and consideration of the results of Bonnichsen et al 1968, alcohol elimination curves of 98 alcoholics were subjected to a joint evaluation for determination of the beta 60 values. The average elimination rate was 0.21 g/kg/h (s = 0.05 g/kg/h). By analogy to average beta 60 values and back-conversion factors of nonalcoholics, the limit values for alcoholics were estimated as being between 0.12 g/kg/h (minimum value) and 0.29 g/kg/h (maximum value).

Adult↗

PubMed1991

[Morphological and toxicological findings after intravenous injection of metallic mercury].

At the autopsy of a 25-year-old man who had died from combined morphine and cocaine intoxication, depositions of metallic mercury were incidentally found in the myocardium of the right ventricular septum and posterior wall. Deposits, toxicologically identified as mercury, were also found radiologically and histologically in the lungs. All these deposits were probably the result of intravenous injections of mercury many months previously, as is known to be done occasionally by addicts. Judging by the histological picture the greatest proportion of the mercury collected in the right ventricular cavity after injection, a smaller amount by embolization in the small pulmonary arteries. The mercury spheres which came to lie in the right ventricle then penetrated into the myocardium, moving outward and causing a chronic and partly transmural inflammatory response.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

[Sudden death in Sanarelli-Shwartzman phenomenon with an unusual pathogen].

The classical generalized Sanarelli-Shwartzman phenomenon (SSP) in animal experiments is induced by two conservative endotoxin injections. The experimental animals mostly die within 24 hours in irreversible shock. They show numerous microthrombi with as high fibrin content in the peripheral vessels of many organs (especially the kidneys) in the context of a consumption coagulopathy. In a 49-year-old man who died within one day of a condition associated with high fever, the clinical picture could be defined on the basis of the clinical and morphological findings as a human equivalent of SSP. The detection of a gram-positive bacterium (Diplococcus pneumoniae), which has been described as the causative organism of SSP only in a few exceptional cases, was noteworthy. The special features of the pathophysiology are described.

Death, Sudden↗

PubMed1991

[Rate of ethanol elimination in alcoholics with special reference to variants of maximal values for legal calculation of blood alcohol concentration].

The ethanol elimination rate was measured in 15 male alcoholics who had come to the Psychiatric Clinic of the University of Tübingen as in-patients. Over the course of several hours between 3 and 5 blood samples were taken in the post-absorption phase. The hourly elimination rate, calculated by lines of regression, gave a mean value of 0.224 g/kg (s = 0.038 g/kg). This was significantly higher than the elimination rate for non-alcoholics calculated from drinking experiments found in the literature (p less than 0.001). In addition 2 blood samples were taken several hours apart from each of 39 alcoholics. Based on the results of the analysis of the second blood sample, the value of the first blood sample was calculated back using the maximum value formula employed in foro. The calculated maximum values were compared to the analysis values. In 8 cases the analysis value was higher than the calculated maximum value, exceeding it by as much as 0.74 g/kg. It should be considered whether the formula currently employed to calculate the maximum BAC is sufficiently accurate in alcoholic to exclude possible false detrimental values.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Therapeutic sleep deprivation in depressives, restricted to the two nocturnal hours between 3:00 and 5:00.

1. In 33 patients with a depressive syndrome the effects of partial SD restricted to the 2 hours between 3:00 and 5:00 in the morning was compared to that of no SD (= undisturbed sleep, n = 17) and total SD (n = 16) in a balanced crossover design. 2. Partial SD had a moderate antidepressant effect which is, however, clearly inferior to that of total SD. 3. Reasons for the scarceness of the effect may be an inappropriate timing of this 2-hr SD period (which seems improbable), too short a duration of SD, or the resumption of sleep at 5 o'clock. 4. "Intermediate" SD in the form it was used here represents no therapeutic advantage as we had expected. Its moderate effects lend support to the hypothesis that sleep disturbance is a sign of (mostly insufficient) restorative or self-healing efforts of the depressive organism.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

[Sudden death of natural internal cause: endocarditis ulceropolyposa].

There is an increasing tendency amongst the general population towards rejection of conventional medical therapeutic measures, particularly certain types of medication such as antibiotics. Alternative modes of treatment, often undertaken independently by the patient, are favoured. Because of this, diseases that have become less frequent have acquired new significance as the cause of sudden unexpected death. This problem is illustrated with the case of a 20-year-old woman who died as a result of inadequate treatment of subacute bacterial endocarditis (endocarditis ulceropolyposa).

Adult↗

PubMed1990

[Cough syncope as a cause of traffic accident].

The rare tussive syncope syndrome, which can lead to a road traffic accident, occurs almost solely in the male aged 40 years and over with a pyknic to athletic physique, who suffer from obstructive respiratory tract disease and/or pulmonary emphysema. Frequently there is a correlation between the illness and alcohol and tobacco consumption. Loss of consciousness lasting only a few seconds occurs a few seconds after a coughing attack leaving behind a short loss of memory. Tussive syncope can be a solitary event, but can also occur up to thirty times a day. In foro, characteristically the link between a heavy coughing and loss of consciousness as well as the type of person make diagnosis easier. The suitability of the subject to hold a driving licence should be judged carefully and on individual criteria.

Accidents, Traffic↗

PubMed1990

[Statistical evaluation of 60,000 blood alcohol values from 1964 to 1983. III. Multiple convictions].

Between the years 1964 and 1983, 59,226 blood samples with appropriate blood-alcohol concentrations (BAC greater than 0.1 g/kg) were investigated at the Institute for Forensic Medicine at the University of Tübingen. These originated from 47,416 different "culprits", of whom 38,851 (81.9%) were first offenders and 8,565 (18.1%) multiple offenders. The total number of crimes committed by the latter group reached as many as 13. There were fewer women amongst the recurring offenders, the maximum number of offences in this group was 4. The age of the multiple offenders at the time of their first brush with the law was lower than that of single culprits. Their blood-alcohol level at the first offence was similar to that of single offenders, however it increased slightly with each subsequent time. Homotropic traffic offenders were mainly only represented in the group with the lower crime rate. Most multiple offenders proved to be criminal delinquents who were frequently conspicuous not only for criminal--but also for criminal--and traffic violations. In about half the cases the time intervals between 2 offences was under 3 years.

Accidents, Traffic↗

PubMed1989

[Fatalities in drug dependent patients: suicide or accident?].

The investigation is based on the evaluation of 87 fatalities arising from drug addiction in autopsy material at the Institute for Forensic Medicine, Tübingen. When considered individually there were 76 cases of intoxication, 10 deaths due to external forces and one death due to natural internal causes as a result of drug abuse. The investigation was mainly concerned with the differentiation between suicide or accidental death in the intoxication group. Amongst the total of 76 cases we found 12 to be indisputable or probable suicides and 44 to be indisputable or probable accidents. The remaining 20 could not be classified with sufficient certainty. With the exception of the existence of a farewell letter there were no single meaningful differentiation criteria. There are indications which in themselves are not strong pointers but which, when considered together, allow a cautious interpretation. Finally the question is discussed as to how far the character changes typical in drug addiction can be explained by a latent suicidal tendency with quoad vitam fatalistic indifference.

Accidents↗

PubMed1989

[The sensitivity of clinico-chemical markers of alcoholism following short-term motivated alcohol abstinence].

The liver enzymes GGT, GOT and GPT, as well as MCV, of 40 alcoholics were examined. They had presented at the psychiatric department of the University for withdrawal therapy. All of them had consumed alcohol up to the time of admission. The laboratory values were obtained on admission, then at weekly intervals for a period of 5 weeks, under total alcohol abstinence. GGT (85 per cent) and MCV (95 per cent) demonstrated a high sensitivity relating to alcohol abuse. While the raised GGT values reduced gradually, the MCV values remained consistently high even after strict withholding of alcohol. The sensitivity of MCV was not impaired by the previous substitutions of vitamin B complex. At the beginning GOT and GPT were elevated in only about half the number of cases and quickly became normal. Because of the more rapid lowering of the GOT activities, compared to the GPT activities, the De Ritis quotient sank to below 1 even after only one week. To demonstrate the clinical chemical evidence of the appraisement more clearly, the MCV as well as liver enzymes, must be taken into account. In general there was a decline in the diagnostic value of the laboratory results, the longer the period of alcohol abstinence lasted. Therefore, it is recommended not to set a long term time limit for examination, to favour the motivated total abstinence periods.

Adult↗

PubMed1988