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Biomedical subjects

B Villiger

Publications and source records attributed to B Villiger.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

[Bronchial asthma and sports].

Physical exercise can induce an acute attack in most asthmatics. Exercise-induced asthma (EIA) is therefore a common clinical presentation of bronchial asthma. EIA is likely a consequence of bronchial hyperreactivity whereby alterations in bronchial osmolarity, heat-loss by hyperventilation and physical activity per se are discussed as pathogenic triggers. Clinical presentation, pathogenesis and diagnosis of exercise-induced asthma are summarized. Pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic possibilities are covered in some depth. In this context the value of sports-therapy in treatment of asthma is redefined. The possibilities and limitations for this form of treatment are explained.

Airway Obstruction↗
PubMed1992

[Acute deterioration of the CO diffusion capacity following exposure to ski-wax vapors].

In cross country skiing use of hot wax is of importance. 90% of the active swiss cross country skiers have their own, self maintained equipment. Long unprotected exposure to hot wax fumes may cause disturbance of lung function. To examine short lasting disturbance in pulmonary function, CO-diffusion capacity and dynamic and static lung volumes in five healthy human subjects after exposure for one hour to hot wax (containing Paraffin and Cera-F) were determined. The subjects complained about burning eyes and tears, sore throat and coughing. Immediately after exposure all subjects showed a significant decrease of the CO-diffusion capacity of 10.6% (SEM 3.9), related to the ventilated alveolar space (DCOSB/VA). Maximal decrease of 13.6% (SEM 2.4) was after 90 min. After 24 hours the reduction persisted with 9.4% (SEM 2.1). The dynamic and static lung volumes remained unchanged. In summary a reduction of the CO-diffusion capacity after inhalative hot wax exposure was observed for at least 24 hours.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Physiological changes and gastro-intestinal symptoms as a result of ultra-endurance running.

One hundred and seventy-two competitors of the Swiss Alpine Marathon, Davos, Switzerland, 1988, volunteered for this research project. Of these volunteers 170 (158 men, 12 women) finished the race (99%). The race length was 67 km with an altitude difference of 1,900 m between the highest and lowest points. Mean age was 39 (SEM 0.8) years. Average finishing times were 8 h 18 min (men) and 8 h 56 min (women). Loss of body mass averaged 3.4% body mass [mean 3.3 (SEM 0.2)%; 4.0 (SEM 0.4)%; men and women, respectively]. Blood samples from a subgroup of 89 subjects (6 women and 83 men) were taken prior to and immediately after completion of the race. Changes in haemoglobin (9.3 mmol.l-1 pre-race, 9.7 mmol.l-1 post-race) and packed cell volume (0.44 pre, 0.48 post-race) were in line with the moderate level of dehydration displayed by changes in body mass. Mean plasma volume decreased by 8.3%. No significant changes in plasma osmolality, sodium, or chloride were observed but plasma potassium did increase by 5% (4.2 mmol.l-1 pre-race, 4.4 mmol.l-1 post-race). Mean fluid consumption was 3290 (SEM 103) ml. Forty-three percent of all subjects, and 33% of those who gave blood samples, complained of gastro-intestinal (GI) distress during the race. No direct relationship was found between the quantity or quality of beverage consumed and the prevalence of GI symptoms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Tuberculosis therapy 1990].

The goal of modern therapy of tuberculosis is the rapid killing of all bacilli with potent and relatively atoxic antituberculous drugs. Currently available first-line drug regimens are highly effective, well tolerated and relatively easily administered. The addition of Pyrazinamide enables the minimum treatment period to be shortened to six months (two months Isoniazid, Rifampin, Pyrazinamide and four months Isoniazid, Rifampicin). This article reviews the available first-line drugs in treatment of tuberculosis, the rationale for the recommended chemotherapeutic regimens, the follow-up of treated patients and special issues related to the treatment of extrapulmonary tuberculosis and tuberculosis in HIV-infected patients.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

[Short-term therapy of lung tuberculosis using a fixed combination of isoniazid, rifampicin and pyrazinamide. Results after 2 years].

Treatment of tuberculosis should be as short and as simple as possible in order to improve patient compliance; and combinations of at least three drugs should be used in order to kill the different populations of mycobacteria and to avoid development of drug resistance.--In a controlled multicentre study two regimens were compared in 93 patients with newly-diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis: 1) Six-month therapy (47 cases): Daily rifampicin and isoniazid, supplemented with pyrazinamide for the first 2 months. A tablet with a fixed combination of 120 mg rifampicin, 50 mg isoniazid and 300 mg pyrazinamide (Rifater) was used. 2) Present Swiss standard therapy (46 cases): Daily rifampicin, isoniazid and ethambutol for 2 months followed by rifampicin and isoniazid for 7 months.--The time-course of culture negativation and the frequency of adverse events were similar in the two groups. During a follow-up period of at least two years only one relapse was observed in the six-month regimen, 3 months after completion of treatment. This was one of three patients with pretreatment resistance to isoniazid. Nevertheless, two of them were cured with the six-month regimen containing Rifater.--Patient compliance, assessed during outpatient treatment by detecting isoniazid metabolites in the urine, was very good (93% of tests were positive in each group).--These results with a follow-up of more than 2 years, indicate that short-course therapy of 6 months duration with the fixed combination tablet may be recommended as treatment of choice in pulmonary tuberculosis except in cases of isoniazid resistance and other special situations (i.e. large cavitations, large number of viable bacilli).

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Ultrastructural distribution of fibronectin in normal and fibrotic human lung.

We studied the distribution of fibronectin in normal and fibrotic adult human lung and normal hamster lung using affinity-purified antifibronectin Fab'-horseradish peroxidase conjugates. In normal lung, fibronectin staining was present in alveolar capillary and epithelial basal lamina and associated with interstitial collagen fibers. In airway and larger vessels, fibronectin staining was associated with the basal lamina of smooth muscles. In contrast to the relative paucity of staining in normal lung, the alveolar basal lamina of fibrotic lung stained intensely for fibronectin. In addition, there was strong, periodic (approximately 600 A) staining of native collagen fibers for fibronectin. We conclude that fibronectin antigenicity is present in the alveolar epithelial and capillary endothelial basal lamina of normal human and hamster lung. The marked alterations in the apparent amounts and distribution of fibronectin in fibrotic human lung suggest its involvement in the cellular events accompanying human lung fibrosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

[Myocardial function and metabolism during local coronary flow reduction].

In 6 open chest dogs, regional myocardial function und metabolic changes (ATP, creatine phosphate, lactate) were studied during coronary flow reduction in LAD by ultrasonic dimension gauges and transmural biopsies. After reduction of the perfusion pressure from 108 to 50 mm Hg the ischemic segment showed a marked dyskinesis: the enddiastolic segment length increased by 7%, and segment shortening and segment stroke work decreased by 22% and 63% respectively. Left ventricular (LV) enddiastolic pressure rose from 5 to 8 mm Hg (p less than 0.05). Heart rate, LV systolic pressure, LV max dP/dt and Vpm did not change significantly.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1976

[Effect of coronary flow reduction on the coronary flow distribution, the myocardial metabolism and left ventricular hemodynamics].

Myocardial blood flow, left ventricular performance, regional myocardial metabolites (ATP, CrP, lactate) and a-v differences of oxygen, lactate and pyruvate were determined in 6 open chest dogs with cannulated left coronary artery. A mean flow reduction from 92 to 43 ml/min/100 g heart weight resulted in marked heart failure accompanied by extensive flow reduction to the endocard with nearly 10 fold increase of lactate and a decrease of CrP content to 50% of control. In contrast, flow and metabolic parameters of the epicardial part changed only slightly. Furthermore, the DPTI/SPTI-ratio showed a good correlation with the subendocardial CrP content (r = 0.93, p less than 0.01).

Adenosine Triphosphate↗