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Biomedical subjects

D Caspari

Publications and source records attributed to D Caspari.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Inappropriate vasopressin secretion in severe alcohol withdrawal.

Forty-one male alcoholics suffering from alcohol withdrawal syndrome were investigated to assess the relationship between vasopressin (ADH), water homeostasis and alcohol withdrawal. During 10 d, we found a significant decrease in serum vasopressin, from 3.08 +/- 0.61 to 1.71 +/- 0.22 pg/nl. There were no concomitant changes in osmolality, so that a general dysregulatory state of vasopressin secretion during alcohol withdrawal cannot be assumed. Only patients with delirium tremens (8/41) had higher vasopressin levels despite lowered serum osmolalities. These findings support the hypothesis of an inappropriate rebound secretion of vasopressin in severe alcohol withdrawal. Furthermore, they may contribute to the pathogenesis of focal alcoholic brain damage, because rapid and/or profound changes in osmolality are suspected to cause circumscribed cerebral demyelinization.

Adult

[Treatment of delirium tremens--a comparison between clomethiazole and clorazepate with reference to effectiveness and rate of side effects].

In an open clinical trial patients with full-developed delirium tremens were treated either by controlled infusion of clomethiazol (n = 21) or by intravenous injections of clorazepate (n = 20). Acute symptomatic quickly decreased after a few days and medication could be reduced. By adding haloperidol a further stabilization in patients suffering from vivid hallucinations could be obtained. The duration of intravenous therapy and the total period of treatment did not differ in the two groups. Statistical analysis of cardiovascular parameters revealed a significant lower heart rate under clorazepate therapy. So treatment with clorazepate proved to be an alternative to standard therapy with clomethiazol even for severe cases of delirium tremens regarding its wide therapeutical range and the low rate of cardio-pulmonary complications.

Adult

[Acceptance of corpus cavernosum auto-injection therapy in long-term treatment of erectile dysfunction].

A total of 121 patients suffering from erectile dysfunction were evaluated by means of a questionnaire. In all these cases corpus cavernosum autoinjection therapy had been recommended. The aim of the study was to determine the acceptance and complications of the therapy, general level of satisfaction with it, and reasons for refusal. Completed questionnaire were received from 89 patients (75.5%), 56.2% of whom had applied the therapy continuously, while 18% had broken it off and 25.8% had never started on therapy (cumulative dropout rate 43.8%). The complications encountered were temporary hematomas (25.8) and deviations of the penis (10.1%). In 6.1% indurations of the penis were found. The frequency of prolonged erection needing an antidote was 0.07% in the continuous treatment group. The relatively high drop-out rate in the autoinjection therapy group shows the necessity for intensive patient care and the need for alternative therapy options and a more critical view of reports already published of success with autoinjection therapy.

Erectile Dysfunction

[The value of corpus cavernosum sonography following administration of vasoactive substances in the diagnosis of patients with erectile impotence].

In 70 Patients with erectile dysfunction, ultrasound examination of both corpora cavernosa after intracavernous injection of papaverine was done using B-scan, Duplex scan and Doppler color. B-scan can detect morphological disease in a penis profundis, the higher degrees of cavernous muscle myopathia, and disease of the tunica albuginea. For the analysis of pulse curve and the measurement of blood-flow velocity, the Duplex scan is necessary. Doppler color imaging enables ultra sonographic examination of a dorsalis and a penis profundis and can detect intracavernous vascular pathology. The results show that ultrasonography is an important diagnostic tool in patients with erectile dysfunction. A differentiated therapeutic strategy can be based on this examination, especially when revascularization procedures are being discussed. Additionally, better follow-up of patients under self-injection therapy is possible.

Adult

Utilization of trimethylamine and other N-methyl compounds for growth and methane formation by Methanosarcina barkeri.

A number of N-methyl compounds, including several methylamines, creatine, sarcosine, choline, and betaine, were readily fermented by enrichment cultures yielding methane as a major product. Methylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, and ethyldimethylamine were fermented by pure cultures of Methanosarcina barkeri; except for ethyldimethylamine, these amines are considered important substrates of this methanogenic microorganism. Creatine, sarcosine, choline, and betaine were fermented to methane only by mixed cultures. During growth of M. barkeri on methyl-, dimethyl-, or trimethylamine, methanol was not excreted into the medium. The fermentation of trimethylamine gave rise to an intermediary accumulation of methyl- and dimethylamine in the medium. An accumulation of methylamine during the fermentation of dimethylamine was not observed. Methane and ammonia were produced from the three methylamines by M. barkeri in amounts expected on the basis of the appropriate fermentation equations. The growth yield was 5.8 mg of cells (dry weight) per mmol of methane and was not dependent on the kind of methyl compound used as substrate.

Euryarchaeota