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Biomedical subjects

U Heinrich

Publications and source records attributed to U Heinrich.

124 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Long-term study of virus contamination of surface water in the German Democratic Republic.

Between 1 January 1970 and 31 December 1979, a study of the concentration of viruses in surface water was carried out by 4 virological laboratories in different regions of the German Democratic Republic. All these laboratories used the same methods for virus detection.Altogether 1908 samples from 30 sampling points were evaluated. The rate of virus isolation ranged from 8% to 92% with a mean of 20%. There were considerable differences in isolation rate among the sampling points, and the rate for any particular point varied from year to year.The mean value of virus concentration, determined by the most probable number technique, was 2.7 cytopathogenic units (CU) per litre, while the maximum was 22.1 CU/litre. Viruses seen throughout the 10-year investigation included poliovirus, types 1, 2, and 3, echovirus types 6, 11, and 30, and coxsackievirus B 3 and B 5; echovirus 7 and 24, coxsackievirus B 1, and adenovirus 5 were seen occasionally. The results of the study reflected the high level of use of surface waters in the German Democratic Republic.Where water is intended for human use, e.g., as drinking-water or for recreation, reasonable safety measures, such as water treatment and disinfection, should be taken, in order to ensure that the level of viral contamination is within the permissible limits.

Germany, West↗

[Congenital lipoid hyperplasia of the adrenal gland and male pseudohermaphroditism: clinical aspects of two siblings].

Two siblings of consanguinous parents, one male and one female, presented with symptoms of adrenal insufficiency related to respiratory infection at the age of two and three months, respectively. Besides a reduction of the synthesis of gluco- and mineralocorticoids, the sexual hormones were found to be reduced as well. Therefore, the boy showed a female sexual phenotype (male pseudohermaphroditism). Additionally, minor malformations including epicanthal folds, anti-mongoloid palpebral fissures, low-set ears were noticed, which have not been reported in children with the suspected diagnosis previously. The female sibling had typical Addison's crisis twice during the following years. Endocrinological tests yielded evidence for Cholesterol-20,22-desmolase deficiency.

Adrenal Cortex Function Tests↗

Diagnosis and management of juvenile hyperthyroidism in Germany: a retrospective multicenter study.

This retrospective multicenter study was designed to survey the management of childhood and adolescent hyperthyroidism in six pediatric endocrinological units in Germany. Fifty-six patients aged between 1.1 and 17.0 yr (median 10.5 yr) were enrolled. Data were collected retrospectively from the patients' records by a trained pediatric endocrinologist using standardized questionnaires. After the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism was established on the basis of clinical and biological findings, treatment with antithyroid drugs (carbimazole, methimazole, thiamazole, propylthiouracil) was started in all patients. In 55/56 of the patients treated with antithyroid drugs, euthyroidism was achieved (98%). However, 26 patients (47%) were still hyperthyroid after discontinuation of the medication. Eight children with continued hyperthyroidism ultimately underwent subtotal thyroidectomy 13-136 (median 28) months after the initial diagnosis. Management principles of the participating centers were heterogeneous. As a consequence, prospective multicenter studies are urgently needed to establish clear standards for the diagnosis and therapy of childhood hyperthyroidism.

Adolescent↗

Comparative investigation of the effects of zardaverine and theophylline on pulmonary function in rats.

Zardaverine (Byk Gulden, Konstanz, Germany) is a new selective phosphodiesterase (PDE) III/IV inhibitor. The bronchodilating and bronchoprotective potency of zardaverine and the nonselective PDE inhibitor theophylline was compared by measuring typical spontaneous and forced respiratory function parameters in anesthetized female Wistar rats using whole-body plethysmography. Zardaverine (3, 10, 30 mumol/kg) and theophylline (30, 100, 300 mumol/kg), respectively, were given orally in 4% Methocel/0.9% saline solution 20 min before measurement. One week before treatment, control measurements were performed in the same animals after administration of the vehicle. When spontaneously breathing, the 30 mumol/kg zardaverine- (300 mumol/kg theophylline-) treated animals showed significant changes: a 23% (14% ns) decrease in lung resistance and a 43% (25%) increase in dynamic compliance. These changes can be interpreted as an indication of bronchodilation, since quasistatic lung compliance was unchanged. In the acetylcholine challenge test, treatment with only 10 mumol/kg zardaverine (but 300 mumol/kg theophylline) revealed significant changes compared to control measurement: a 37% (28%) lower resistance and 85% (44%) higher compliance. It has been determined that zardaverine is more than 30 times as potent as theophylline in inhibiting acetylcholine-induced bronchospasms, which is also supported by forced expiratory flow data.

Animals↗