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Biomedical subjects

R Zimmer

Publications and source records attributed to R Zimmer.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Long-term neuroleptic treatment of chronic schizophrenic patients: clinical and biochemical effects of withdrawal.

In 17 chronic schizophrenic patients under chronic neuroleptic treatment for 13 years, a 30-day drug withdrawal resulted in early relapse of four patients, slight deterioration in five, and slight amelioration in eight patients. No incidence of neuroleptic symptoms such as tardive dyskinesia occurred. Prolactin in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), not being elevated under chronic treatment, decreased significantly after 30 days of withdrawal. Homovanillic acid and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol in CSF ranged normally and did not change during withdrawal. In contrast, plasma noradrenaline was elevated and decreased after drug discontinuation. No unequivocal relationship between biochemical and psychopathological features was found.

Adult↗

DL-phenylalanine versus imipramine: a double-blind controlled study.

In a double-blind study, DL-phenylalanine (150--200 mg/24 h) or imipramine (150--200 mg/24 h) was administered to 40 depressed patients (20 patients in each group) for 30 days. Diagnoses were established according to the International Classification of Disease (ICD). The AMP system, the Hamilton Depression Scale and the Bf-S self rating questionnaire (von Zerssen et al., 1974) were used to document psychopathological, neurologic, and somatic changes. Twenty-seven patients (14 on imipramine, 13 on phenylalanine) completed the 30-day trial. No statistical difference could be found between these two drug treatment groups (Student's t-test) using the Hamilton Depression Scale and the Bf-S self rating questionnaire. Ratings for anxiety were significantly lower in the imipramine group on days 10 and 20, but not on day 30; in addition, sleep disturbances were more influenced by imipramine on days 1, 5, and 10, but not on days 20 and 30. Separate analysis of psychopathological syndromes as somatic depressive syndrome and retarded depressive syndrome did not show a group difference (0.05 level of significance using a two-way analysis of variance). It is concluded that DL-phenylalanine might have substantial antidepresant properties. However, certain methodological considerations still warrant a careful interpretation.

Adult↗

Millimeter-wave thermography--application to breast cancer.

Thermographic studies of 14 patients with breast carcinoma were performed using two millimeter wave scanners for 30 and 68 GHz. Small correlation with infrared thermograms was observed indicating the depth sensing capabilities of millimeter waves. Correlation with mammographic and other clinical findings was good for tumors with medium subcutaneous depth. These preliminary results indicate a need for a statistically more significant number of cases, extension towards lower sensing frequencies and experiments on postoperative specimens and phantom models.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Numerical calculation of electromagnetic energy and temperature distribution in a microwave irradiated breast carcinoma: preliminary results.

In this study an attempt was made to calculate temperature distribution in a breast tumor irradiated by microwaves. An ellipsoidal model of absorbing dielectric surrounded by a nonabsorbing medium irradiated by a plane wave was considered. The energy was calculated inside and outside the ellipsoid by an analytical method. Three-dimensional and densitographic patterns were calculated for different frequencies, conductivities and shapes of the model. Assuming experimental (in vivo) thermal properties of breast tissue thermal patterns were calculated.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Baclofen (para-chlorphenyl-GABA) in schizophrenia.

21 schizophrenic patients were treated in a single blind study with para-chlorphenyl-GABA (baclofen) for 20 days after a placebo period of at least 1 week. Global clinical impression identified five patients as behaviorally unchanged, seven as improved and nine as worsened during the active drug administration. Four patients had to be withdrawn from the trial because of serious and unmanageable psychotic exacerbations. Overall incidence of psychotic symptoms in the group of the schizophrenic patients did not change substantially neither did the remission coefficient as calculated from the AMP documentation system. No differential effect was detected either on selected Schneiderian first rank symptoms or on symptoms more characteristic for chronic defectuous schizophrenia. It is concluded that baclofen is not a useful drug in the therapy of schizophrenia.

Adult↗

Effect of zimelidine (H 102/09) in depressive patients.

Z-1-(4-Bromophenyl)-1-(3-pyridyl)-3-dimethylaminopropene dihydrochloride hydrate (zimelidine; H 102/09), a newly developed bicyclic substance, was tested in a pilot study for its clinical effect in 10 female patients with a depressive syndrome. Zimelidine inhibits the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) reuptake more potently than does chlorimipramine. The action on the norepinephrine reuptake is weaker compared with imipramine, also the cardiotoxic and anticholinergic effects are lower. Zimelidine was administered for 20 days in a daily dose of 150 mg. A significant (p less than 0.05) improvement from the beginning of the treatment to the 15th day was demonstrated in Hamilton rating scale and a self-rating scale (von Zerssen). Nevertheless, the zimelidine treatment had to be discontinued between the 15th and 18th days in 3 patients, because of agitation symptoms. The antidepressant action in some patients justifies the performance of controlled studies.

Adult↗

The recovery of the electrocorticogram of normothermic canine brains after complete cerebral ischemia.

Complete cerebral ischaemias of 1 to 30 min duration were performed under normothermic conditions in completely isolated canine heads perfused from a donor dog. The electrocorticogram was found to return in the reperfusion period following these complete ischaemias. The latency of recovery, i.e. the interval between the end of the complete cerebral ischaemia and the reappearance of the first cortical potentials, increased with increasing duration of the complete cerebral ischaemia; thus, the latency of recovery after a complete ischaemia of 30 min amounted to 11 to 12 hours.

Animals↗

[Endoscopic transpapillary cholangiography (author's transl)].

Endoscopic transpapillary Cholangiography is able to give valuable informations for indication and operative procedure in biliary diseases especially in obstructive jaundice. Indication for "blind" explorative laparotomy seems to become more rare as well as necessity for clearing situations of biliary tract by surgical preparation or X-ray-examinations as usually performed. If one is well trained in technical procedures and in interpretation of radiologic findings, very helpful diagnostic hints can be presented. In opposition to retrograde pancreaticography, endoscopic examination of the biliary tract can be propagated with more enthusism.

Air↗

Influence of adenosine and lowered cerebral blood flow on the cerebrovascular effects of theophylline.

The response of brain blood vessels to theophylline infused intra-arterially was evaluated. The experiments were performed on isolated canine brains perfused by donor dogs. Thus secondary effects due to theophylline were eliminated. Arterial pO2, pCO2, pH and brain temperature were kept constant. Cerebral vascular resistance (CVR) was calculated from total venous outflow and cerebral perfusion pressure. A 2 mg dose of theophylline per brain was given at normal cerebral perfusion pressure (about 81 mm Hg), at lowered cerebral perfusion pressure (about 37 mm Hg), and during an adenosine infusion lasting 10 min (10-minus 7 mol/min). At normal perfusion pressure theophylline showed a significant 15% decrease of CVR, but at lowered perfusion pressure a significant 19% increase occurred. During infusion of adenosine, which decreased CVR by 23%, theophylline again increased CVR by 20%, thus demonstrating an adenosine-theophylline antagonism. From our results, it is suggested that adenosine could be involved in the vasodilatation of cerebral vessels in the hypoxic brain.

Adenosine↗