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Biomedical subjects

H J Battista

Publications and source records attributed to H J Battista.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

[Flunitrazepam and driving ability].

Major contributions to the investigation of the influence of drugs on driving ability come from experimental studies as apart from epidemiological studies. Regarding experimental studies, the results of a single study are essentially determined by the experimental design. An established assessment of the risk of a drug in regard to driving ability should not be based on either a single study or on synopses, which record only a few studies without detailed information. This article presents an overview of published studies that directly or indirectly deal with the influence of flunitrazepam on driving ability. Benzodiazepines in particular, and amongst these especially flunitrazepam are brought into connection with the impairment of driving ability. This approach emphasises differences regarding the dosages used, the experimental designs and the methods of testing. For reasons of clarity the article on flunitrazepam is subdivided into the topics of acute effects, residual effects, and effects after subchronic application. Different results are reported. A statistical analysis in terms of a meta-analysis was not carried out due to a lack of standardization of the studies.

Anti-Anxiety Agents↗
PubMed2000

Selective and sensitive assay for the determination of benzodiazepines by high-performance liquid chromatography with simultaneous ultraviolet and reductive electrochemical detection at the hanging mercury drop electrode.

An isocratic chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of 10 benzodiazepines is presented. The selectivity of the assay was optimized by variation of stationary phase, temperature, as well as ionic strength, composition and pH of the mobile phase and the dependence of the detector response on the applied potential was investigated. The best results with respect to resolution at moderate retention times were obtained with a mixture of 0.02 mol/l phosphate buffer (pH 6) and acetonitrile in a volume ratio of 55:45 (v/v) on a LiChrospher-100 RP-8ec column (150x4.6 mm I.D.). Considerable improvement of selectivity was achieved if the column temperature was kept constant at 12 degrees C. Two detection modes were applied, UV detection at 250 nm, inserted upstream to the electrochemical detector, and reductive electrochemical detection at the hanging mercury drop electrode at -1.4 V (vs. Ag/AgCl), which proved to be especially sensitive in case of nitrophenyl-containing benzodiazepine species. The elaborated assay showed to be linear up to at least 2 mg/l for each compound. Detection limits generally were in the range of 6.5-123 ng/ml (130 pg-2.46 ng on-column, using a 20-microl loop) with relative standard deviations between 1.1 and 8.6% depending on the actual benzodiazepine investigated.

Benzodiazepines↗
PubMed1999

Effect of cannabis use on cognitive functions and driving ability.

BACKGROUND: Neither experimental nor epidemiologic approaches have so far given definitive answers to the question of the potential effect of cannabis on driving ability. METHOD: To shed more light on this topic, we conducted a placebo-controlled double-blind study including 60 healthy volunteers (a negative urine drug screening test was prerequisite). On the first day, baseline data were obtained from a physical examination and a psychological test battery for the investigation of visual and verbal memory as well as cognitive perceptual performance. On the second day, subjects received a regular cigarette or one containing 290 microg/kg body weight of tetrahydrocannabinol. Physical and psychological assessments were performed immediately (15 minutes) after subjects smoked their cigarettes. Twenty-four hours later, physical and psychological examinations were repeated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that perceptual motor speed and accuracy, 2 very important parameters of driving ability, seem to be impaired immediately after cannabis consumption.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Methadone-substitution and driving ability.

A general statement about the driving ability of HIV-positive as well as HIV-negative addicts undergoing methadone-substitution treatment cannot be made with certainty. Even isolated observations are not significant; only an individually performed assessment, free of prejudice and conscientiously done is decisive. The formal assertion that addiction equals driving-inability, which is largely practised at present, is inadmissible and therefore harmful to the therapeutic efforts for rehabilitation.

Austria↗
PubMed1993

A survey of drug deaths in western Austria.

We evaluated the drug deaths in western Austria during the period from 1981 to 1991. The increase of fatal cases is partly due to a change in statistical methods and the definition of 'drug victims'. In this paper a survey is given concerning the drug deaths investigated forensically and toxicologically in our area of responsibility.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Fatalities in drug-dependent patients. A critical analysis].

The disquieting increase in the mortality of drug addicts observed in recent years cannot be ascribed to only one or a few well defined causes, such as the spread of the HI virus or AIDS, changes in drug consumption habits of multiple dependents or ineffective therapeutic measures. Primarily, an interaction of medical, social and psychological causes is emerging. In a well-defined addict population, 35 deaths of intravenous drug users were registered in the period 1987-1990. By comparison, 7 deaths were recorded in the same geographical area between 1983 and 1986. A report of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs shows that in Western Europe, mortality in this high-risk group has doubled annually in the past few years.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1992

Incarcerated bariolith of the cecum eight months after a barium meal.

Barioliths consist of inspissated barium mixed with feces. They are a rare complication after barium contrast roentgenography and occur almost exclusively in the large bowel. Mostly asymptomatic or causing only slight symptoms and signs, they may persist for months or years. We report a severe case of cecal bariolith. Clinical symptoms and signs, radiological findings, intraoperative findings, and histology are presented and discussed with reference to the literature.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

[Rational control analysis within the scope of a methadone program].

To effectively control a methadone maintenance program a GC-MS-method was developed to simultaneously assay methadone, the opiates including monoacetylmorphine, cocaine and methaqualone. The automation of the GC-MS-analysis including the evaluation made possible by suitable operators renders possible a procedure, which is cheaper than the corresponding immunoassays while allowing to differentiate between the opiates without the second step.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Accidental glycol poisoning].

An acute ethylene glycol intoxication is reported. 100 to 130 ml monoethylene glycol which is used as antifreeze were taken by mistake. On admission to hospital the 41-year-old patient was not remarkable. Despite the lethal dose--according to literature--no renal failure developed by immediate intravenous ethanol therapy. While the patient was given 10 g of ethanol hourly, the serum glycol level decreased steadily (93 mg/dl). After a short oral treatment with 5 to 7 g of ethanol hourly, the serum glycol increased to 350 mg/dl, but could be lowered again--after the reinstitution of the intravenous therapy--to those values recorded before the oral therapy. The level of blood ethanol differed between 2.41 and 0.01 mg/l. The creatinine clearance was normal and the serum electrolytes could be kept in the normal range with adequate compensation despite of the polyuria of 13.81/24 h. It is known that even a low ethanol level inhibits the enzymic metabolism of ethylene glycol by ethanol dehydrogenase and prevents the formation of toxic metabolites. The patient luckily had already consumed about 40 g of alcohol (2 bottles of beer), so that an ethanol level existed already before this intoxication. From this case report one could conclude, that the parenterally given ethanol influences the serum glycol level far better than the orally given especially in case it is not more than 7 g/h. If glycol intoxication is sure, hemodialysis is--despite this especially good course of conservative treatment--the more efficient and quicker method because of its good ability of elimination.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1989

[Skin damage caused by fatal benzene fume inhalation].

Two young men tried to stop a leaking patrol pipe of a private car in a workshop pit. One of them died from petrol-vapour-poisoning. Toxicological analyses by means of headspace gas chromatography permitted the identification of gasoline vapour. The other victim lost consciousness for a few hours and survived. By investigation of both victims alterations of skin were observed and interpreted as combustions with burns and blisters. Therefore the law-enforcement agency supposed an explosion or deflagration of gasoline vapour. In reality the experts on burnings could not gain any indication of an explosion and we proved the skin alterations to be a dermatotoxic effect of petrol.

Burns, Chemical↗
PubMed1988

Short latency somatosensory evoked potentials and brain-stem auditory evoked potentials in coma due to CNS depressant drug poisoning. Preliminary observations.

In patients in coma due to severe CNS depressant drug overdose the central somatosensory conduction time (CCT) after median nerve stimulation is prolonged and N20 is dispersed. Brain-stem auditory evoked potentials demonstrate delayed interpeak latencies (IPLs) I-III, III-V and I-V. This was observed in 4 out of 5 patients investigated after intake of an overdose of amitriptyline (2 cases), barbiturates, meprobamate and nitrazepam (one case each). Toxic levels of drug overdose were related to prolonged CCT and IPLs, whereas normal CCT and IPLs were found at therapeutic drug plasma levels. CCT, IPLs and dispersion of N20 decreased during the course of coma. All patients were successfully treated. It appeared that SSEP and BAEP investigations could make a distinction between a 'toxic' and a 'therapeutic' coma level in severe drug overdose. It further appeared that normalization of CCT and IPLs preceded clinical improvement.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Separation and identification of non-steroidal antirheumatic drugs containing a free carboxyl function using high-performance liquid chromatography.

Different methods for the separation and identification of eighteen non-steroidal antirheumatics (non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs) and the application of these methods for systematic toxicological analysis are reviewed. A method for separating these compounds by high-performance liquid chromatography using an RP-18 column and mixtures of acetonitrile and acetate buffers as eluents is presented and the detectability of these substances with respect to their different UV maxima is discussed.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗
PubMed1985

[A modern information system for toxicologic analysis based on the (IV+V) system].

After a short description of the background and fundamentals, a program system for a microcomputer is described that permits the implementation of a laboratory-specific database and information system. Due to standardized program and data structures and compatibility with different hardware, as well as portability, similar laboratories have the potential of carrying out cooperative studies on a national and international basis.

Computers↗
PubMed1981

A case of fatal poisoning by rifampicin.

The toxicologic findings of a fatal poisoning with rifampicin (Rimactan) are presented. The concentration of rifampicin and its two major metabolites 25-desacetylrifampicin and 3-formylrifamycin in post-mortem blood, urine, bile and liver at about 10 h after ingestion of 14-15 g was determined using a high-performance liquid chromatographic method. The results of the toxicological analyses were compared with findings in fatal and non-fatal intoxications and after therapeutic administration of the drug. Possible explanation for the fatal outcome is given.

Adult↗