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Biomedical subjects

S Weber

Publications and source records attributed to S Weber.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Sleep disruption in the course of chronic levodopa therapy: an early feature of the levodopa psychosis.

Sleep disruption is a common complaint in levodopa-treated parkinsonian patients. A survey of 100 parkinsonian patients revealed prominent sleep complaints in 74%. Sleep complaints were unrelated to patient age and the duration of disease but increased in prevalence with longer periods of levodopa therapy. Sleep abnormalities tended to increase in severity with continued treatment and insomnia tended to be followed by daytime somnolence, altered dream events, and episodic nocturnal vocalization and myoclonus. While dyskinetic side effects and on-off syndrome were encountered in patients with and without sleep complaints, 98% of patients experiencing psychiatric side effects also reported sleep disruption. It is suggested that sleep-related symptoms constitute an early stage of levodopa-induced dopaminergic psychiatric toxicity in the parkinsonian population. Clinical and experimental observations suggest that serotonergic mechanisms are important in this symptom complex.

Aged↗
PubMed1982

[Use of physical therapy and ergotherapy in the day hospital].

The therapeutic possibilities of a day hospital orientated towards active rehabilitation are described. A survey revealed that 11 of the 34 patients were treated with active individual physiotherapy, 8 were attending remedial therapy and 5 regular individual speech therapy. The remaining patients followed physical or occupational therapy in groups. The patients receiving intensive individual procedures were mostly stroke patients with a history of less than two years or patients with chronic joint diseases. The accurate indication for the use of a staff- and time-consuming individual therapy is of great importance both in physiotherapy and occupational therapy. Treatment should be programmed for a carefully defined purpose and has to be adjusted continuously to the changing functional status of the patient.

Aged↗
PubMed1982

[Controlled study of nifedipine in the treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon].

In each of the 16 patients included in our first study [6 idiopathic Raynaud's phenomenon (I), 4 associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 6 with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS)] digital vasospasm could be reproduced by immersion of both hands in cold water (4 degree C). Each patient received in a double-blind manner and random order on two consecutive days, the calcium-channel blocking agent nifedipine (20 mg) and placebo. Nifedipine protection against vasospasm provoked by cold water (4 degrees C) was considered good or excellent in 14 of the 16 patients (p less than 0.001 versus placebo). In the second study, 30 patients [12 I, 10 PSS, 5 SLE and 3 rheumatoid arthritis (RA)] received in a double blind manner and random order, on two consecutive weeks, nifedipine (20 mg 3 time daily) and placebo. The improvement with nifedipine (in percentage of the decrease of the number of vasospastic attacks) was 90.95 in the 1 group, 78.63 SLE and RA and 64.02 in PSS (p less than 0.01). An open study during 3 months has confirmed the effectiveness of nifedipine (10 mg 3 times daily). The improvement was 88.92 in the 1 group, 76.33 in SLE and RA and 59.16 in PSS, 7 out of 30 patients stopped the treatment because of side effects (headache, flush, nausea, oedema of the ankles). Thus nifedipine appears to be extremely useful in the treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

[Methyldopa-induced autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Course and long-term observations on 11 patients].

Long-term studies on 11 patients suffering from methyldopa-induced autoimmune haemolytic anaemia suggest that this self limitable episode of disturbed immune tolerance is characterized by five main parameters: 1. The autoimmune pathogenic average daily drug dose: Unfortunately, it cannot be estimated exactly due to the individually rather variable absorption of methyldopa (7-62%). The lowest oral dose in our patients was 125 mg daily. 2. The period of autoimmune induction: between the start of the methyldopa administration and the beginning of autoantibody production. It has to be estimated somewhat shorter than the time up to the clinical manifestation of the haemolytic anaemia. This varied over a wide range from 2 to 52 months. 3. The period of the active autohemolysis: between the appearance of pathogenic autoantibodies and the withdrawal of methyldopa. It depends on the recognition of the cause of the disease. In our patients it varied between 2 and 32 weeks. 4. The period of the haematologic remission: between the withdrawal of methyldopa and the normalization of the red blood cell values. It ranged between 4 weeks and 4 months. Contrary to the other parameters, the clinical remission is almost uniform in all patients. It begins immediately when the drug is stopped. This fact suggests that the induction and maintenance of the disease needs a continuous application of methyldopa and its presence in blood and tissue. The normalization of the red blood cell turnover simultaneous with the cessation of therapy, although the direct antiglobulin test remains positive, reveals a change of the autoantibodies into those apathogenic variants known from the majority of methyldopa-induced autoimmunizations. 5. The period of immunologic remission: between the withdrawal of methyldopa and the definite extinction of autoantibody production. It varied between 4 and 12 months. Transition to or later development of an autonomous warm autoantibody anaemia were not observed. The disease remits spontaneously. Its prompt reversibility resembles the same phenomenon in autoantibody anaemias induced by infectious agents. An inhibition of methyldopa-sensitive suppressor-T-cells may initiate the disturbed tolerance disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

[Alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes and hyperthyroidism].

We determined the serum total alkaline phosphatase as well as the alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme pattern in untreated and treated hyperthyreoses in the condition of euthyreosis and compared them with those of a healthy control group. The isoenzyme patterns, expressed as L/K quotient, ranged between 1.3 and 2.5 in the normal group and between 0.3 and 1.3 in the group with hyperthyreosis. The increase of the total alkaline phosphatase in hyperthyreosis was nearly exclusively conditioned by the increase of the activity of the osseous isoenzyme. The latter was increased already also then, when the total alkaline phosphatase had not transgressed the upper border of the normal. Depending on the functional condition of the thyroid gland the liver isoenzyme did not show any significant changes. In the course up to one year under thyrostatic therapy the increased activity of the osseous alkaline phosphatase decreased into the normal region as an expression of the very slowly repairing hyperthyreosis-conditioned disturbances of the osseous metabolism. An increase of the activity of the total alkaline phosphatase or of the osseous isoenzyme in the initial phase of a thyreostatic therapy of the sequel of an increase of the reactive activity of osteoblasts and must not lead to diagnostic and therapeutic uncertainties. By reason of the high sensitivity of the L/K quotient in hyperthyreoses (L/K at 95.5 % below 1.3) with a simultaneously high specifity of 89.5% the alkaline osseous phosphatase is to be discussed by all means as a helpful parameter of the peripheral function of the thyroid gland.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1981

[Frequency of central motor disturbances recognized by means of early diagnosis and their treatment by physiotherapy (author's transl)].

With the help of questionnaires distributed among numerous practising paediatricians in the South of Baden, an attempt was made to collect data on the incidence of neurological anomalies in the development of babies, and their treatment by means of physiotherapy. It was found that on the average 8% of the infants were subjected to physiotherapy. Basing on an incidence of cerebral palsy amounting to 0.3-0.4%, this signifies that 95% of the children are being treated without any urgent indication. Hence, only such physiotherapeutic means should be employed which are free from harmful side effects.

Cerebral Palsy↗
PubMed1981

[Clinical application of the alkalosis induction test for coronary artery spasm].

Alkalosis was used for stress testing for coronary artery spasm in 70 patients (average age: 56 years) with resting angina. A rapid intravenous infusion of an alkaline buffer (THAM) immediately followed by 5 minutes' maximal ventilation increased the arterial pH to 7.67 +/- 0.5. Anginal pain and ECG changes were observed in 24 Patients, with ST elevation in 10 cases and ST depression in 14 cases. The ischaemic changes occurred during hyperventilation in 16 cases and in the 3 minutes following the test in 8 cases. The heart rate increased from 66 +/- II to 71 +/- 14 bpm (p less than 0,01) but systolic blood pressure fell from 139 +/- 12 to 130 +/- 12 mm Hg during hyperventilation; there was no significant change in the rate-pressure product (1130 +/- 1750 to 8990 +/- 2690). In all cases, the angina and ischaemic changes regressed after intravenous Trinitrin. Coronary angiography was performed in 56 patients: in the 24 patients with positive responses (Group I) and in 30 of the 46 patients with negative responses (Group II). Significant coronary artery narrowing (greater than 70%) was observed in 21 patients of Group I: in the 3 patients without coronary lesions an intravenous injection of 0.4 mg methylergometrine provoked coronary spasm. In Group II, significant narrowing was demonstrated in 18 patients: in the 12 other patients, coronary spasm could not be induced by methylergometrine. Therefore, in the absence of organic coronary lesions, an excellent correlation has been shown between the alkalosis and methylergometrine tests. This stress test was repeated in 16 of the 24 patients in Group I one hour after administration of 20 mg of Nifedepine: the test was negative in all cases. We conclude that the alkalosis test could be useful in the coronary care unit as a stress test for coronary spasm to determine the antianginal treatment of choice and to evaluate its efficacity.

Coronary Angiography↗
PubMed1981

[Carbohydrate infusion in internal diseases. A comparative study of metabolically healthy persons and liver disease and diabetic patients. IV. Infusion of a glucose-fructose mixture (1:1 ratio) over a 48-hour period].

6 patients with liver cirrhosis, 6 patients with diabetes and 6 control persons were infused for 48 h with a mixed carbohydrate solution (glucose/fructose, 1:1). The infusion rate was supposed to be 0,25 g carbohydrates/kg and hour. The metabolical status was surveilled by 39 different laboratory values. The results showed that compared to a pure glucose solution blood glucose levels where decreased. Basic blood glucose levels were passed only in patients with diabetes mellitus. However, the glucose values were not as much elevated that permanent insulin administration would have been necessary. The antilipolytic, antiketogenic and anticatabolic efficacy was comparable to an equicaloric glucose infusion.

Blood Glucose↗
PubMed1981

[Consequences of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on left ventricular function. Assessment by M-mode echocardiography (author's transl)].

The consequences of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on left ventricular function are uncertain. Left ventricular function was assessed by M-mode echocardiography in 8 young normal subjects during CPAP via face mask. Heart rate and arterial pressure did not change. End-diastolic volume and stroke volume significantly decreased. Ejection fraction remained unchanged. The slight decrease of stroke volume induced by increasing positive airway pressure is in relation to decreased left ventricular preload.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

[Immunological methods in influenzavirus-infections (author's transl)].

Immunological methods for detection of specific antibodies after viral infections are described. The counterimmunoelectrophoresis detects various precipitating antibodies in serum and sputum (against organic dusts, p.e. bird proteins, aspergillus and viral antigens) and is suitable for routine-work due to its sensitivity and simplicity. The sepharose-fluorescence-test is very sensitive and only small quantities of test reagents are required (detection of IgA-, -M, -G-antibodies). The LN-Test (lectin-neuraminidase-test) is well suitable to detect virus-neuraminidase activities as well as antibodies against neuraminidase in human sera.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1980

High mobility group proteins of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains four proteins having amino acid compositions typical of the high mobility group (HMG) proteins. Three of these are eluted from chromatin by 0.35 M NaCl; one is not, but it is eluted by 0.25 N HCl. It follows that HMGs cannot, in general, be defined by extractability criteria. Gel mobilities and amino acid compositions indicate that yeast and animal HMGs have diverged markedly.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1980

[Bladder cancer and old age. Study of the occurrence and status of diagnosis in the GDR with respect to old age].

Bladder cancer and age. A study on the morbidity and on the state of detection and treatment with respect to age in the G.D.R. Malignant neoplasms of the urinary bladder account for about 1,400 registered new cancer cases and 1,100 deaths annually in the G.D.R. As compared with other developed industrialized countries, incidence and mortality from bladder cancer is relatively low in the G.D.R. Analysis of age-standardized incidence and mortality from 1956 to 1974 gives no clearcut evidence of an increase of bladder cancer morbidity. A regional analysis of the state of detection and treatment of bladder cancer was performed in the capital Berlin (1955-1974) and the city of Dresden (1969/70). It can be shown that there is a decrease of localized stages, of radically operated tumours and of survival rates with increasing age at time of diagnosis. In Berlin more than 30 per cent of new cases are 75 years and older. Localized stages I and II amount to nearly 50 per cent of newly registered bladder cancer cases. While mean age of patients increased in the observation period and stage distribution remained about equal, rate of radical interventions showed a slight increase reflecting a more aggressive approach to treatment. Higher survival rates can be expected in the future.

Age Factors↗