Biomedical subjects

G Wendler

Publications and source records attributed to G Wendler.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

[Depressive disorders in neurologic rehabilitation: therapy with paroxetine].

OBJECTIVE: Depression is a common problem in neurological rehabilitation. Although three double-blind studies have shown the efficacy of trazodone, citalopram and nortriptyline, antidepressant drug therapy of poststroke depression is not yet considered a state-of-the-art strategy. In a hospital for neurological rehabilitation we have performed an open study on the effects of the SSRI, paroxetine, in depressive disorders caused by neurological diseases. METHOD: 111 consecutive admissions were screened for depression and 9 patients were admitted to the study having a HDRS score > or = 14. RESULTS: 10-40 mg of paroxetine were well tolerated and led to a > or = 50% reduction of the HDRS score in 8/9 patients. A patient with pathological crying, but without depression, was also successfully treated with 20 mg of paroxetine. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the SSRI, paroxetine, is an effective and well-tolerated therapy of depressive disorders caused by various neurological diseases, including also other diagnoses than stroke.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

[ECG changes after paroxetine. 3 case reports].

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are known to exhibit far less cardiac side effects than tricyclic antidepressants. We report three cases in which the SSRI, paroxetine, induced clinically relevant ECG changes in patients with high risk profile. In two cases an increase in QTc time was observed, severe bradycardia was also observed twice.

Aged↗

PubMed1995

Wing-beat coupling between flying locust pairs: preferred phase and lift enhancement

Pairs of locusts flying in tandem in a wind tunnel are known to couple their wing-beats intermittently. The rhythmically oscillating air flow from the front locust's wing-beat, detected by the rear individual, appears to convey the timing information for coupling. Three predictions of this arrangement were tested quantitatively in this study. (1) Given that the oscillating air flow has a wavelength of 7.5 cm, placing the rear locust 7.5 or 15 cm behind the front one should produce the same phase of coupling, whereas placing it at an intermediate distance of 11 cm should produce an opposite phase. (2) At any distance, the preferred phase at which wing-beat coupling occurs should depend, in part, on the difference in the wing-beat frequencies of the two locusts just before the coupling began. (3) At the moment that the wing-beats of the two locusts become coupled, a change should be observed consistently in the wing-beat frequency of the rear individual only. Each of these three predictions was fulfilled. We also recorded the instantaneous lift of the rear locust by tethering it to a laser torque meter. Lift varied with the phase of the wing-beats between the two locusts. For a given distance between the two locusts, lift was greater by a mean of 16 % of the locust's body mass at those phases where coupling most commonly occurred than at opposite phases. This lift effect was seen even if the wing-beats of the two locusts drifted through these preferred phases without actually coupling. These results are discussed in terms of a possible energetic advantage conferred to the rear locust by flying in tandem and by coupling its flight rhythm to the leader's wing-beat.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1994

Wind-evoked evasive responses in flying cockroaches.

1) A standing cockroach (Periplaneta americana) responds to the air displacement made by an approaching predator, by turning away and running. The wind receptors on the cerci, two posterior sensory appendages, excite a group of ventral giant interneurons that mediate this response. While flying, these interneurons remain silent, owing to strong inhibition; however, the dorsal giant interneurons respond strongly to wind. Using behavioral and electromyographic analysis, we sought to determine whether flying cockroaches also turn away from air displacement like that produced by an approaching flying predator; and if so, whether the cerci and dorsal giant interneurons mediate this response. 2) When presented with a wind puff from the side, a flying cockroach carries out a variety of maneuvers that would cause a rapid turn away and perhaps a dive. These are not evoked if the cerci are ablated (Figs. 4, 5,6). 3) This evasive response appears to be mediated by a circuit separate from that mediating escape when the cockroach is standing (Fig. 7). 4) The dorsal giant interneurons respond during flight in a directional manner that is suited to mediate this behavior (Fig. 8). 5) Recordings of the wind produced by a moving model predator (Fig. 9), together with measurements of the behavioral latency of tethered cockroaches, suggest that the evasive response would begin just milliseconds before a predator actually arrives. However, as explained in the Discussion section, under natural conditions, the evasive response may well begin earlier, and could indeed be useful in escaping from predators. 6) If cockroaches had a wind-mediated yaw-correcting behavior, as locusts have, this could conflict with the wind-evoked escape. In fact, cockroaches show the opposite, yaw-enhancing response, mediated by the cerci, that does not present a conflict with escape (Figs. 10-14).

Animals↗

PubMed1994

[Pneumothorax in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (I)].

A case of pneumothorax during laparoscopic cholecystectomy is reported. Etiology, evaluation and therapy are discussed.

Aged↗

PubMed1984

Chronic traumatic tricuspid insufficiency.

Isolated tricuspid insufficiency (TI) is relatively uncommon and mostly of traumatic origin. We report clinical noninvasive and invasive findings and surgical results in 5 cases. All patients had complete clinical, noninvasive and invasive studies including right and left catheterization, and coronary angiographies in 3 patients. All but 1 patient had nonpenetrating trauma. All had large jugular V waves, right precordial impulse, systolic liver pulse, positive Carvallo sign documented also by noninvasive techniques. Right heart failure was present in 3 patients. Chest x-ray showed prominent right atrium and distended vena cavae. Electrocardiogram showed normal sinus rhythm in 4 patients and atrial fibrillation in 1. Two patients had right bundle-branch block, and 2 presented RSR'-pattern. Echocardiogram showed large right atrium (RA) (6-10 cm), floppy tricuspid valve (TV) in all, dilated right ventricle (RV) in 2 patients. Findings of left heart were normal in all. Three patients had right-to-left shunt. In RA A waves were 4-8, Y waves 1-3, and V waves 12-22 mmHg, respectively (mean RV and PA pressures were 23/3 and 23/10 mmHg, respectively). Four patients had anuloplasty, 2 of them repair of valve and chordae. Surgical results were good in 2 patients with valve repair, satisfactory in 1; there was significant TI resistance in 1 case. We conclude that TI has distinctive clinical findings and must be ruled out in all patients with chest trauma. Surgery must include not only anuloplasty, but, cusps and chordae must also be evaluated and reconstructed if necessary.

Electrocardiography↗

PubMed1983

Congestive heart failure in valvular heart disease in pregnancies with and without valvular prostheses and anticoagulant therapy.

The course and complications of pregnancies in 46 patients with valvular disease and congestive heart failure with or without valve prostheses are described. In group I consisting of 33 women without valve replacement and without anticoagulant therapy one thromboembolic event was seen, emergency closed or open heart surgery was necessary five times. One still-birth happened after open heart surgery. In group II, of 13 patients with prosthetic valve replacement and anticoagulation therapy there was no thromboembolism, but 2 spontaneous abortions and 2 premature stillbirths; 2 fetuses died after delivery, 3 had congenital abnormalities. Pregnancies in patients with valvular disease and congestive heart failure can be sustained relatively safely for the mother, even if emergency heart surgery becomes necessary. Heart surgery and anticoagulation treatment carry a higher risk for the fetus. Uterine blood loss is not increased, if coumadine treatment is switched to heparin administration shortly before delivery.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗

PubMed1975