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Biomedical subjects

T Zimmermann

Publications and source records attributed to T Zimmermann.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Closure of acute bronchial stump insufficiency with a musculus latissimus dorsi flap.

We describe a successful closure of an acute bronchial stump insufficiency after pneumonectomy by intrathoracic transposition of the pedunculated latissimus dorsi muscle: A 56-year-old patient with a necrotizing bronchial carcinoma developed a stump insufficiency after right pneumonectomy. Repeated resection and renewed closure of the completely dehiscent stump was not possible, as the stem bronchus had been separated close to the tracheal bifurcation in the preceding operation. Therefore we transposed the pedunculated musculus latissimus dorsi into the thoracic cavity. The closure of the bronchial stump insufficiency was achieved by fixation of the muscle on to the open stump and surrounding tissue of the mediastinal pleura with fibrin glue. The postoperative course was without complications, no further insufficiency or empyema developed.

Acute Disease↗

Comparison of the pharmacokinetics of three-day and five-day regimens of azithromycin in plasma and urine.

In an open crossover study, the pharmacokinetics of three-day and five-day regimens of azithromycin were compared. Fourteen healthy volunteers received oral doses of azithromycin once-daily, over three days (500 mg/day) and over five days (500 mg on day 1, followed by 250 mg/day on days 2-5). Plasma and urine concentrations were determined by HPLC. Azithromycin was found to be absorbed rapidly on the first and the last days of both regimens, with mean Tmax ranging between 2.5-3 h. On day 1, peak plasma concentrations were 0.37 mg/L and 0.31 mg/L, respectively, with three- and five-day regimens, and increased to 0.42 mg/L on the last day of the three-day regimen, but decreased to 0.18 mg/L at the end of the five-day regimen. Similarly, the AUC0-24 increased from 1.30 to 1.88 h.mg/L during the three-day regimen, and decreased from 1.24 to 0.80 h.mg/L on the five-day regimen. After absorption, azithromycin was distributed rapidly; the respective half-lives were 2.4 h and 2.2 h with the three-day and five-day regimens. Thereafter, a polyphasic decline of plasma concentrations was observed; the average half-lives between 8-48 h after administration were 27.9 h (three-day regimen) and 35.8 h (five-day regimen). In urine, 5.5% (three-day regimen) and 4.6% (five-day regimen) of the total dose was found as unchanged azithromycin over a 12-day period. The observed pharmacokinetics of azithromycin with both regimens conformed with the known pharmacokinetic behaviour of the drug. The treatment-related differences seen in the plasma concentrations were as expected from the different dosage schedules.

Administration, Oral↗

[Isolation and characterization of hepatocytes from chronic cholestatic damage to rat livers after bile duct ligation].

The aim of these investigations was the isolation and characterisation of hepatocytes from chronic injured rat livers after bile duct ligation. In three months old female Uje:WIST rats the distal common bile duct was double ligated. 14 days after the ligation 80% of the rats survived. The content of hepatic OH-prolin was increased in relation to shamoperated control animals. The histological examination showed a marked fibrous and oedematous spreading of the portal tract as well as an extensive bile duct proliferation after 14 days. A correlation between OH-prolin content of the liver and index of fibrosis was found. 14 days after ligation the hepatocytes were isolated according to Seglen (7). The yield of hepatocytes isolated from the liver of cholestatic rats and from control animals was on average 4 x 10(8) cells with a viability of 80%. Ultrastructural the most hepatocytes showed intact organells without injury. We can conclude, that it is possible to isolate hepatocytes from chronic cholestatic rat livers with a good yield and viability as well as with an intact ultrastructure. These cells are suitable for additional metabolic investigations.

Animals↗

[Tick bite and Lyme borreliosis. An epidemiologic study in the Erlangen area].

BACKGROUND: Lyme borreliosis is transmitted by tick bites. Approximately every fifth local tick (Ixodes ricinus) is infected. Transmission, therefore does not occur with every bite, and disease doesn't always follow infection. The goal of the study was to investigate the risks of infection and disease after tick bites in the area of Erlangen/Germany. METHODS: Between April 1989 and October 1991 seventy-one of our out-patients (30 females, 41 males) aged 6 months to 29 years had a tick bite and were enrolled into the study. After the ticks had been removed, a blood specimen for a specific Borrelia burgdorferi antibody assay (IFT) was collected. An interview by phone was performed 4 weeks later and an appointment for a second blood collection was arranged. RESULTS: In 69 patients the initial titer was negative, in two patients it was 1:32. Sixty patients could be reached by phone, and in 43 a second blood sample was available. There was seroconversion detectable in 4 instances, two of whom were asymptomatic, one had unspecific symptoms and one developed lymphocytoma. There were no manifestations of late stage disease in the study population. CONCLUSION: These results confirm the current recommendation of the Bundesgesundheitsamt (German Federal Health Institute) that generally antibiotic treatment after a tick bite is not necessary.

Adolescent↗

[Bilateral rupture of the quadriceps tendon--case report and review of the literature].

We report a very rare case of bilateral simultaneous rupture of the quadriceps tendons in a 64-year-old patient following a minor trauma. The reconstruction of the ruptured tendons was achieved by intertwined PDS-sutures which were supportively fixed in the patellae. After wound healing, the patient was mobilized in his two casts which were applied for 6 weeks. After the period of one year, a satisfactory result could be seen. We report the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, therapy and postoperative treatment which are described in the literature.

Follow-Up Studies↗

Spatial and temporal patterns of gene expression for the proteoglycans biglycan and decorin and for transforming growth factor-beta 1 revealed by in situ hybridization during experimentally induced liver fibrosis in the rat.

Expression of the proteoglycans biglycan and decorin and of transforming growth factor-beta 1 at various stages of liver fibrosis induced experimentally in rats by oral administration of thioacetamide was examined. Using in situ hybridization combined with immunocytochemical staining for cell-type characteristic markers, we demonstrate spatial and temporal expression patterns specific for each of the genes. Biglycan gene expression levels coincided tightly with the activity and extent of fibrosis, fat-storing cells and their transformed form, the myofibroblast-like cells, being the major contributors. Decorin messenger RNA was detectable only after the transition to the chronic inflammatory stage in nonparenchymal cells of periportal fields and, transiently, in the forming septa. In the cirrhotic stage, expression was detected solely in periportal fields with enhanced bile duct proliferation. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 expression was undetectable in normal liver. During the subacute inflammatory stage, a hepatocyte subpopulation expressing low levels of transforming growth factor-beta 1 occurred at the limiting plate. With the progression of fibrosis, transforming growth factor-beta 1 expression levels increased considerably but remained restricted to the mesenchymal cells of the fibrotic septa.

Animals↗

[Lung resections for pulmonary infections in intensive care patients].

Pneumonia occurs in about 60% of ventilated patients with a lethality of approximately 40%. Since 1980 we performed a thoracotomy in 16 patients of an intensive care unit suffering from a lung infection (mean age 34 years). In all patients an adequate antibiotic therapy was unsuccessful. By means of the computed tomography we could ascertain a lung infection limited to one part of the lung, mostly combined by an abscess. We performed 14 lobectomies and one atypical wedge resection and segment resection each. Postoperatively 8 patients died: Three of them because of a persisting septic shock and five because of their multiple injuries. Lung resection is a good treatment in case of a lung infection with septic complications.

Adult↗

Pharmacokinetics and tolerance of fluconazole suppositories in healthy volunteers.

Fluconazole (Diflucan, CAS 86386-73-4) suppositories offer a novel way to administer this systemically active antimycotic. The pharmacokinetics and toleration of this new formulation have now been examined in healthy adult volunteers. In crossover experiments the bioequivalence was demonstrated for 200 mg suppositories and 200 mg capsules, and for 25 mg suppositories and 25 mg fluconazole in an oral suspension. The mean bioavailability of the 200 mg suppository relative to the capsule was about 93%. The mean bioavailability of the 25 mg suppository relative to the oral suspension was 107%. Absorption of fluconazole after administration of the suppositories was, however, somewhat slower than after oral ingestion of the capsule or suspension. The pharmacokinetic parameters of the 200 mg and 25 mg suppositories suggest that the kinetics of rectally administered fluconazole are linear with dosage. Daily administration of the 200 mg suppository gives a continuous increase in the mean fluconazole plasma concentration, until steady-state is reached on about the 5th day. The systemic and local toleration of the fluconazole suppositories was good.

Adult↗

Equivalence of a high-performance liquid chromatographic assay and a bioassay of azithromycin in human serum samples.

Two sensitive methods for the determination of the azalide antibiotic azithromycin in human serum were compared. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and a microbiological assay were simultaneously applied to 768 serum samples obtained in a clinical study. There was excellent agreement between the azithromycin concentrations measured by HPLC and by the bioassay. The correlation coefficient for the two methods was r2 = 0.96. The precision and the sensitivity of the methods were found to be very similar.

Azithromycin↗

Pulmonary artery sling associated with tracheobronchial malformations.

We describe three cases of pulmonary artery slings associated with tracheal stenoses by complete cartilaginous rings and abnormalities in the tracheobronchial branching pattern. This association implicates special problems of management that are different from the simple pulmonary artery sling. Pathologic anatomy, symptoms, diagnostic procedures, and the problems of therapy are described. Considering similar cases in the literature, we conclude that thorough diagnostic evaluation of the tracheobronchial and the cardial system should be carried out in all cases of pulmonary artery sling. Simple correction of the aberrant vessel without correcting the tracheal stenosis is of no value in these cases. In some milder cases, a conservative approach is possible and probably less harmful than an operation.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Metabolic and hemodynamic responses of bivascularly perfused rat liver to nerve stimulation, noradrenaline, acetylcholine and glucagon in thioacetamide-induced micronodular cirrhosis.

Thioacetamide-induced rat cirrhosis was characterized by single-cell necroses, fibrosis, nodular parenchyma, decrease in parenchymal volume density and an increase in liver weight per body weight so that the total amount of parenchyma was not altered. The glycogen content was normal, and signs of decompensation were not found. Isolated livers were single-pass perfused by way of both the hepatic artery and the portal vein. In the normal livers stimulation of the nerve plexuses around the hepatic artery or portal vein (7.5 Hz; 2 msec) and infusions of noradrenaline (1 mumol/L) by way of either vessel and of acetylcholine (10 mumol/L) by way of the artery only increased glucose output, reduced both portal and arterial flow and increased the intravascular pressures. Glucagon (0.5 nmol/L) augmented glucose release and had no hemodynamic effects. In chronically thioacetamide-injured livers all stimuli caused smaller metabolic alterations per gram of liver weight and decreased portal flow more and arterial flow less with stronger enhancements of intravascular pressures than in the controls. The lowered metabolic responsiveness per gram of cirrhotic liver was largely compensated by the increase in liver weight. Thus despite massive histological alterations and pronounced increases in stimulation-dependent resistances - predominantly in the portal system - cirrhotic rat livers responded in their glucose metabolism to nervous and hormonal stimuli in almost the same manner as normal livers.

Acetylcholine↗

[Post-traumatic lesion of the distal radioulnar joint with disordered forearm pronation].

Within a period of 14 years in 27 cases operative correction of a traumatic lesion of the distal radioulnar joint has been performed at the University Clinic of Giessen. The follow-up of our results is to be confined to the last ten cases; all efforts to evaluate the outcome of 17 joints having been operated on previously unfortunately have proved to be unfeasible. Different types of corrective operative procedures have been accomplished. Improvement of wrist function, particularly of pronation and supination, was obtained in almost every case.

Humans↗

Quantitative studies on fatty acid metabolism in isolated parenchymal cells from normal and cirrhotic livers in rats.

Parenchymal cells isolated from normal and thioacetamide-induced micronodular cirrhotic rat livers were used to evaluate changes in hepatocellular fatty acid (FA) metabolism in cirrhosis. Exogenous free FA (FFA) are rapidly taken up by hepatocytes obtained either from normal or cirrhotic livers. They are predominantly esterified to triglycerides and accumulate intracytoplasmatically as lipid droplets with increasing cellular FFA uptake. In the parenchymal cells of cirrhotic livers, however, the following changes were observed when compared with controls: (i) decreased cellular output of esterified FA derived both from exogenous sources and from de novo FA synthesis; (ii) increased total ketone body production, mainly as beta-hydroxybutyrate; (iii) decreased cholesterol synthesis; and (iv) enhanced incorporation of newly synthesized FA into phospholipids in spite of an unaffected rate of FA synthesis. In summary, the data provide evidence for intrinsic alterations in the lipid metabolism in the parenchymal cells of cirrhotic livers which are preserved in the isolated hepatocytes under optimum incubation conditions for oxygen and substrate supply.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗

Treatment of ruptures of the symphysis and iliosacral joint in pediatric patients.

The three osseous parts of the human pelvis form a continuous structure because of the symphysis and both iliosacral joints that-owing to their mobility-make possible a shock-absorption of vertical forces. The goal in the treatment of ruptures of the symphysis and/or of the sacroiliac joints is the restoration of functioning joints. Especially in the adolescent, a stiffening of these joints has to be avoided. Therefore, we treat ruptures of the pelvic joints with an overbridging banding that preserves the function of shock absorption. Due to utilisation of a banding, made up of polydioxanone, another operation to remove internal fixation material is not necessary. Rupture of the symphysis or iliosacral joint in the pediatric patient is very rare. Only three among the 67 patients whom we operated on because of a rupture of the symphysis or iliosacral joints between 1984 and 1990 were children. These were an eleven-year-old girl and a nine-year-old boy, who had suffered a rupture of the symphysis, and an eight-year-old boy with a disrupted iliosacral joint. In these children a banding with PDS suture was performed. At a follow-up examination, the children were free from pain and did not feel restricted in their daily routine or their physical activities.

Child↗

Liver function after bilateral nephrectomy.

Consequences of bilateral nephrectomy (NX) for liver functions and for hepatic excretion of various endogenous substances were characterized in rats 24 h after NX. Plasma concentrations of urea, creatinine, fibrinogen, and glutathione increased significantly after NX, whereas the concentrations of total protein, albumin, and lipids decreased. The hepatic excretion of urea, creatinine, phospholipids, cholesterol, and aldosterone significantly increased in uremia, and excretions of protein and glutathione diminished. Active biliary transport can be diminished after NX by the effects of uremic toxins on the liver cells or by the competition phenomena between endogenous substances, which are normally excreted in urine, at the hepatocellular level. Reduced glutathione content and increased lipid peroxidation in hepatocytes have been found. Changes in lipid and protein metabolism after NX can be proved.

Albumins↗

Relative bio-availability of sultamicillin in healthy volunteers following administration of two tablet formulations.

The pharmacokinetics of both ampicillin and sulbactam obtained from a balanced, open two-way crossover study in 20 normal adult volunteers receiving a single 375 mg oral tablet of sultamicillin administered as two different formulations--the original product (Duocid) and a generic formulation that is commercially available in Turkey--were compared. Pharmacokinetic parameters for the two formulations and for both ampicillin and sulbactam were tested for bio-equivalence by the two one-sided Student's t-test (80-120% range; P < 0.1). Area under concentration--time curves and maximum concentrations for both components were found to be non-equivalent for the two formulations, the generic formulation having consistently lower mean values. The results were consistent with studies of the in vitro release of sultamicillin from the two tablets. It is concluded that the generic formulation is pharmacokinetically inferior to the original product.

Adult↗