[Photodynamic therapy in pneumology].
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to W Sauer.
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In the search for new anti-arrhythmic substances we discovered the class III activity of aminocarboxamides. These compounds show a prolongation of the effective refractory period. With some of them the prolongation is more pronounced after faster than after slower stimulation of the guinea pig papillary muscle. They should therefore be of interest in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias after myocardial infarction and atrial fibrillation. The chemical synthesis, the structure-activity relationships of the new derivatives, their efficacy on the action potential duration (APD) and the effective refractory period (ERP) in vitro of isolated guinea pig papillary muscles are described and discussed in this paper. Since AWD 160-275 (13) and AWD 23-111 (14) exerted a pronounced APD90 and ERP prolongation at faster stimulation, they were selected for further electrophysiological characterization in vitro and in vivo. Anti-arrhythmic and pro-arrhythmic effects were determined in several animal models in comparison with dofetilide, sematilide, and sotalol. 13 was found to be effective in preventing programmed electrical stimulation-induced arrhythmias in anaesthetized dogs and may therefore contribute to the therapy of dysrhythmias after myocardial infarction. The pro-arrhythmic effect of 14, investigated in a model of triggered activity in chloralose-anaesthetized rabbits under methoxamine infusion, is low in comparison with other class III anti-arrhythmics.
A series of new indazol-3-ol derivatives was synthesized. Some of these compounds exhibit interesting anti-inflammatory activities in various models of inflammation. 5-Methoxy-1-[quinoline-2-yl-methoxy)-benzyl]-1H-indazol-3-ol (27) strongly inhibits the oxidation of arachidonic acid to 5-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid catalyzed by 5-lipoxygenase (IC50 = 44 nM). 27 also inhibits the contraction of sensitized guinea pig tracheal segments (IC50 = 2.9 microM). In guinea pigs treated with 27 (1 mg/kg i.p.) 2 h before antigen provocation, there was a marked inhibition (47%) of the antigen-induced airway eosinophilia. After topical application of 1 microgram/ear 27 inhibits the arachidonic acid induced mouse ear edema (41%).
A series of new 5-substituted tricyclic 5,10-dihydro-11H-dibenzo[b,e][1,4]-diazepin-11-ones was identified as potential antiarrhythmic agents against bradyarrhythmias [1, 2]. The in vitro and in vivo interactions of the compounds with muscarinic receptors and the antiarrhythmic activity were examined. In receptor binding studies some derivatives showed a high affinity to the cardiac M2 receptor (Ki 10 nmol/l), an equal or smaller affinity to cortical M1 receptor and a lower affinity to the glandular M3 binding site. Functional experiments showed the derivatives as competitive antagonists with high affinity to the cardiac and smaller affinity to the intestinal muscarinic receptor. In vivo experiments correspond with the M2 selectivity. First the vagal or agonist-induced bradycardia was inhibited in rats and guinea pigs while the McNA-343 induced increase of blood pressure, methacholine-induced bronchi and bladder constriction as well as the salivation were inhibited only at higher doses. In conscious cats the tachycardia was examined in comparison with pupillomotoricity. The effect duration and the therapeutical range were determined in comparison to the M2 selective blocking agent AF-DX116. The antiarrhythmic activity was examined compared to quinidine sulfate in CaCl2-arrhythmia of rats, in atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter in dogs according to Scherf [2] and in electric induced atrial fibrillation under vagal stimulation in cats. In the atrial arrhythmias the derivatives are clearly longer effective than quinidine sulfate. The antiischemic activity was examined in the two-stages coronary ligature in dogs according to Harris. The long-running regularization of ectopies (about 2 h after i.v. injection) occurred without decrease of the heart rate, an effect particularly convenient to therapy of bradycardic dysrhythmias.
Distribution, organization, and molecular analysis of four unrelated satellite DNA components in Aveneae species are described. Highly repeated DNA elements were cloned from Helictotrichon convolutum (CON1 and CON2) and Helictotrichon compressum (COM1 and COM2). The lengths of the repeat monomers are 365 bp (CON1), 562 bp (CON2), 346 bp (COM1), and 476 bp (COM2). Similar repeats were detected by dot blots, Southern blots, and by DNA sequencing in other species of the genus Helictotrichon, in Aveneae species, and in species of the tribes Andropogoneae and Oryzeae. All four satellite DNAs are differently distributed in the taxonomic groups mentioned above. Remarkably, the longer elements are built up in a complex pattern of either shorter subrepeats arranged in tandem (COM2) or by duplications inserted into an original 369-bp element (CON2). Shorter representatives, 190 bp, similar to CON1 elements occur in Holcus species. In Koeleria species, COM1-related repeats are only 180 bp in length. No similarity was found among the sequences CON2, COM1, and COM2 or with sequences of other repetitive DNA elements of the grasses, but CON1 shows sequence similarity to an A genome specific repetitive DNA of Oryza (rice).
The oxidation level of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene specimens sterilized by gamma irradiation in either air or Ar gas was compared with that of unsterilized and ethylene oxide sterilized ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. The fatigue strength of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene specimens sterilized by gamma irradiation in air was compared with that of unsterilized and ethylene oxide sterilized ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. At the specimen surface, oxidation was highest for ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene gamma irradiated in air, lower for ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene gamma irradiated in Ar gas, and absent in unsterilized and ethylene oxide sterilized ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. At a depth of 3.5 mm below the specimen surface, oxidation levels were equivalent for ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene gamma irradiated in either air or Ar gas whereas unsterilized and ethylene oxide sterilized specimens were again unoxidized. Thus, even in an inert atmosphere, oxidative degradation of gamma irradiated ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene occurs. The 10 million cycle fatigue strength was similar for unsterilized and ethylene oxide sterilized ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene whereas the fatigue strength of gamma irradiated in air ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene was lower. Results of this study show that ethylene oxide gas does not degrade ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene whereas gamma radiation in air causes changes in the polymer that adversely affect its mechanical properties. Ethylene oxide gas is a viable alternative to gamma radiation in air that avoids oxidation and fatigue strength degradation known to accompany irradiation of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene polymer bearing surfaces in total joint implants.
Lipomas of the heart are benign neoplasias and have rarely been described. Due to the fact that they normally cause no symptoms, diagnosis is often purely accidental. In the current report, the case of a 55-year-old patient is described in whom serial chest x-rays showed massive, progressive cardiac enlargement. Echocardiography and NMR showed a large pericardial mass confirmed by subsequent surgery which revealed a giant pericardial lipoma.
A 50-year-old female patient complained about watery diarrhea for two weeks. Because of back pain nonsteroidal antirheumatics had been prescribed for months before. The endoscopic and radiologic investigation demonstrated a large gastrocolic fistula due to NSAID-induced gastric ulceration and an acid-induced colitis in the transverse colon. Treatment consisted in partial gastric resection and resection of the transverse colon.
Q fever is usually a self-limited febrile illness that involves the lungs and the liver. Acute complications are rare. We present the case of a 30-yr-old patient with spontaneous splenic rupture during the course of acute Q fever infection. He was admitted to the hospital with high temperature and the radiological signs of an atypical pneumonia. Forty-eight hours after admission, he developed shock. Because of free intraabdominal liquid, a laparatomy was performed that revealed a tear in the enlarged spleen. A splenectomy was performed. The diagnosis of Q fever was established by a significant titer increase in complement fixation test and IgM-ELISA. Serological investigations into the patient's surroundings revealed evidence of Q fever infection in 10 additional persons. Q fever should be taken into account as a possible differential diagnosis in patients with unexplained febrile illness and symptoms of pneumonia. The acute course of Q fever infection can be complicated by splenic rupture. The diagnosis of an acute infection with Coxiella burnetii often requires serologic testing of a second serum sample obtained at least 10 days after the onset of symptoms. Q fever should be ruled out in cases of unexplained splenic rupture particularly in Q fever endemic areas.
In patients medicated with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and undergoing regional anaesthesia there is a risk of traumatically induced haematoma, particularly near the spinal cord. The increased bleeding tendency following aspirin administration is due to a change in thrombocyte aggregation caused by irreversible inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis. In order to assess the bleeding risk, it was investigated whether and how much subaqueous bleeding time (SBT) and aggregation inhibition (AGI) change under low-dose medication, and when these values return to normal after the end of administration. RESULTS. 1. SBT increased significantly with daily ASA medication of 100 mg or of 300 mg. However, only 4.5% of the values measured were within a pathologic range. After discontinuation of the medication SBT significantly dropped on the 2nd day, reaching the initial level on the 4th day at the latest. 2. AGI was significantly reduced, to 20% of the normal value. Depending on the dosage, the 100-mg group reached full aggregation capacity on the 4th day and the 300-mg group on the 7th day following discontinuation of medication. 3. AGI returned to normal 2-3 days later than SBT. CONCLUSIONS. 1. In the case of pathologically increased values (greater than 6 min), the determination of SBT may indicate an increased bleeding risk. 2. If SBT is within the normal range during or shortly after ASA administration, thrombocytic function is still disturbed. Whether there is a correlation between inhibition of thrombocyte aggregation and the occurrence of spinal haematomas is not yet known. 3. In view of these results, the effect of ASA should be investigated by determining SBT prior to scheduled regional anaesthetic procedures near the spinal cord. 4. If SBT is increased (greater than 6 min) and regional anaesthesia near the spinal cord is indicated, the procedure involving the slightest trauma (spinal anaesthesia) should be chosen [31]. Careful postoperative follow-up (1-2 days) should be guaranteed with regard to neurological disorders.
For access to the central venous system numerous percutaneous methods and approaches exist. Questions are often raised concerning which approach is the safest. In 18 human cadavers, we punctured the internal jugular vein via an anterior and posterior approach and the subclavian vein via an infraclavicular route to determine which of these approaches is better with respect to success rate and frequency of puncture complications. The position of the needles was assessed by dissection. Successful venipunctures were achieved in 81% by the posterior approach, as opposed to 58% by the anterior approach and the infraclavicular route. The lowest frequency of complications was attained by the posterior approach (17%) too, whereas the anterior approach (33%) and the subclavian route (25%) had higher complication rates. The main complication of posterior and anterior approaches was inadvertent arterial puncture (9 vs. 19%). At the subclavian approach puncture of a 'wrong' vein was frequent (14%), and the complications included a case of pleura lesion. In conclusion the posterior approach to the internal jugular vein is superior to the other investigated approaches, and therefore, it can reasonably be proposed as a usual route for the insertion of a central venous catheter.
To evaluate the place of ultrasonography in the detection of intracorporeal drug packets (body-packs) ten volunteers were examined by ultrasound after having swallowed four body-packs each. Diagnostic criteria had first been established by ultrasound imaging of body-packs in a water bath. The body-packs contained finger-stalls, 1.5-1.8 cm in diameter, filled with hard-pressed glucose. The criterion for identification in the water-bath was shown to be a sickle-shaped echo with a dorsal echo deficit. This sign identified 23 of the 40 body-packs in eight of the ten subjects. Within the first three hours of ingestion 22 body-packs were demonstrated in eight of the subjects; after 17 hours nine body-packs were identified in the stomach of four subjects. In only one subject was it possible to identify (two) body-packs in the region of the small-large intestine. In practice, intracorporeal drug smugglers will almost always have the body-packs in the stomach at the time of likely examination. Extensive ultrasound screening of suspected smugglers is, therefore, recommended.
There is a tendency to perform increasingly severe operations on patients of advanced age. Because geriatric patients are of greater risk when under anesthesia during operation, it is necessary to be aware of the possible anesthesia-related and operation-related complications. In a retrospective study the complication rate with regard to patients (age, multimorbidity), operation (e.g. number and duration of procedures) and anesthesia was analyzed. Of particular interest were the kind and degree of certain complications at a particular time. Directly following the induction of anesthesia and the second application of cement the complication rate depended on patient age and multimorbidity, but the intraoperative complication rate was closely related to the operation. Sensory spreading of spinal anesthesia was one of the anesthesiological factors leading to an increase in the complication rate. Cardiovascular complications occurred most frequently following the induction of spinal anesthesia (hypotension: 6.50%, tachycardias: 3.74%, bradycardias: 3.68%). The most serious circulatory complication--shock--however was primarily seen during surgery [1.80% (n = 59)]. Asystoles [0.27% (n = 9)] were only seen intraoperatively and after the second cement application. Pulmonary embolism [0.12% (n = 4)], respiratory arrest [0.09% (n = 3)] and exitus [0.64% (n = 21)] exclusively occurred following the second administration of cement. Geriatric patients are particularly at risk directly after induction of anesthesia and following application of the second cement. Thorough preoperative preparation (with regard to the cardiac and circulatory situation), spinal anesthesia of less than Th 6 and a rapid surgical procedure are necessary to reduce the morbidity and mortality.
According to the Federal Criminal Office the number of undetected cases of intracorporal drug smuggling is startlingly high. To enable the investigating authorities to carry out searches of suspicious persons in the airport, a safe, comparatively cheap and simple procedure is required. Using nine volunteers the detection of swallowed packets is demonstrated by means of ultrasound techniques. The advantages and disadvantages of this method, as well as the value of the radiological pictorial methods (conventional X-rax check, digital radiography, 2-spectrum-radiography and X-ray computer tomography) which we have already tested, are presented.
An ultrasound investigation was undertaken of the neck region of 42 patients with normal neck anatomy in order to determine whether the results of ultrasound-gained topographical data provided pointers to the choice of entry site to the internal jugular vein (IJV). In addition, the IJV was punctured under ultrasound control in 23 patients in an intensive care unit in whom there was a problem of increased bleeding tendency, anatomical difficulty or previously failed "blind" puncture. In all of them a central venous catheter was placed without complication by the Seldinger technique via the primary chosen point for puncture. An approach through the sternocleidomastoid muscle, between the cricoid level and the "central" place of puncture between the two bellies of the sternocleidomastoid muscle proved to be the most satisfactory compromise between easy application of the ultrasound head, large vein diameter and reduction of any risk of mistakenly puncturing artery or pleura. This approach has to be varied according to the ultrasound findings. It is concluded from this experience that ultrasound is suitable for the placement of central venous catheters. But since the equipment is bulky it cannot be used in an emergency.
140 bakers with occupation-related asthma symptoms and/or rhinoconjunctivitis were tested for specific IgE antibodies against various enzyme-containing baking components. 5-24% of subjects were sensitive to several carbohydrate-splitting enzymes obtained from mould fungi (amyloglucosidase, hemicellulase and alpha-amylase), as well as/or against soya flour. But allergies against the proteolytic enzymes papain and B. subtilis protease were rare (about 1%). These results indicate that various baking components, especially mould enzymes, play a not insignificant role in the causation of baker's asthma.
For evaluation of 2 simple methods gastric emptying was studied simultaneously by ultrasound and scintigraphy. In 12 patients (25-76 years-old) gastric emptying was quantified by scintigraphy after ingestion of 300 ml Tc-99m-labelled orange juice; simultaneously, the region of the gastric antrum was measured in 5-minute intervals in the aortic longitudinal section. In the following day gastric emptying was studied after ingestion of the identical volume of orange juice by planimetry of the maximal gastric area in an anatomical long-axis section in dextro-decline position. By linear regression analysis a significant correlation coefficient (r = 0.83, p less than 0.001) was obtained between the results of the sonographic antrum method and scintigraphy and between scintigraphy and the sonographic dextro-decline method (r = 0.83, p less than 0.001). These results imply that gastric emptying of fluids can be quantified by both simple sonographic methods. The sonographic dextro-decline method is less influenced by air and hence easier to perform.
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