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Biomedical subjects

J M Berger

Publications and source records attributed to J M Berger.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Interhemispheric integration of compound nouns: effects of stimulus arrangement and mode of presentation.

Normal subjects had to name German compound nouns which were presented tachistoscopically. The compound nouns were displayed either unilaterally to the left or right visual field or bilaterally with one element to each visual field. In the bilateral condition a distinction was made as to whether familiar or unfamiliar arrangement of the elements was used. Representation in print was compared with pictorial representation of the compound nouns. A right visual-field superiority was observed with printed representation, but no laterality effects with pictorial representation. Bilateral processing was superior to unilateral processing. Within the bilateral conditions, the familiar arrangement of the elements yielded a significantly better performance than unfamiliar arrangement. This difference can be explained by reading habits and/or by different styles of interhemispheric integration.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Interhemispheric integration of information in a surface estimation task.

Normal subjects were asked to estimate the total surface of two black spots presented tachistoscopically, either both to the right or both to the left visual field, or bilaterally to either visual field. Performance was highest with unilateral left visual field presentation and lowest with bilateral presentation of the spots. Interhemispheric integration varied with the quantitative relation between the stimuli in the left and right visual fields. Errors may be due in part to an insufficient cooperation of the left hemisphere and/or to an ignorance of the right hemisphere and/or to an unreliable transfer by the cerebral commissures.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

A pronounced cognitive style improves interhemispheric integration: by hemispheric differentiation or by hemispheric similarity?

Under conditions of tachistoscopic stimulation normal subjects were presented visuospatial stimulus pairs which had to be integrated interhemispherically. The presence of a pronounced cognitive style improves the interhemispheric integration of this type of information. Two interpretations are discussed. The first explains the observed improvement with a qualitative division of labour, with one highly specialized and one just transmitting hemisphere, i.e., with hemispheric differentiation. The second emphasizes the relatively high capacity of the "subordinate" hemisphere in information processing, i.e., hemispheric similarity.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Resolution of bronchospasm by atropine: report of a case.

A case of bronchospasm during general anesthesia is presented in which atropine appeared to reverse bronchoconstriction, after high halothane concentrations, intratracheal lidocaine, and isoproterenol i.v. had all proved ineffective. This case illustrates a rational approach to the treatment of bronchospasm during anesthesia, based on determination of the most likely site of origin of bronchoconstriction within the tracheobronchial tree.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Crisis intervention: a drop-in support group for cancer patients and their families.

Cancer today presents patients and their families with an on-going series of crises. A drop-in, open ended, professionally-run support group for cancer patients and their families is described as a means of crisis intervention for the mobilization and promotion of adaptive responses and movement away from maladaptive responses to the stresses of cancer. This model is important because it can be easily generalized. As oncology units develop throughout the country in community-hospital settings, there must be concurrent development of psychosocial support systems.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1983

Lack of arrhythmogenicity of isoflurane following administration of aminophylline in dogs.

Induction of halothane anesthesia after aminophylline administration may cause ventricular arrhythmias. Isoflurane may be as effective a bronchodilator as halothane. This study was designed to determine whether induction of isoflurane anesthesia after intravenous aminophylline is arrhythmogenic in dogs. One group of six dogs was anesthetized with 1.5% isoflurane in the absence of aminophylline. Three additional groups of six dogs were given intravenous aminophylline 10, 25, or 50 mg/kg, respectively, followed 3 min later by 1.5% isoflurane. No arrhythmias occurred after aminophylline and isoflurane at any time in any animal. In contrast to halothane, induction of isoflurane anesthesia after aminophylline is safe and does not cause cardiac arrhythmias.

Aminophylline↗
PubMed1983

Enflurane, halothane, and aminophylline--uptake and pharmacokinetics.

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of induction of enflurane or halothane anesthesia on the distribution and elimination of previously administered intravenous aminophylline, and to evaluate the effect of previously administered intravenous aminophylline on the uptake of enflurane or halothane. Fifty-four dogs were studied: 6 received no anesthetic, 24 received enflurane, and 24 halothane. The six animals receiving no anesthetic were given 10 mg/kg of aminophylline. In each of the two groups of 24 animals, six animals served as controls and received no aminophylline. Of the other 18 animals in each group, six received 10 mg/kg of aminophylline, six received 25 mg/kg of aminophylline, and six received 50 mg/kg of aminophylline intravenously before induction of enflurane or halothane anesthesia. The redistribution (alpha) phase of theophylline was similar when anesthesia was induced with either enflurane or halothane and slightly more rapid when no anesthetic was given following aminophylline administration. The elimination (beta) phase of theophylline in the presence of either anesthetic was not significantly different than when no anesthetic was administered. The uptake of enflurane or halothane was unaffected by prior administration of aminophylline. Differences in arrhythmogenicity between enflurane and halothane after aminophylline administration are not related to alterations in theophylline pharmacokinetics or anesthetic uptake.

Aminophylline↗
PubMed1982

Cardiovascular effects of ketamine following administration of aminophylline in dogs.

The induction of halothane anesthesia following intravenous administration of aminophylline may cause ventricular arrhythmias. Ketamine has been recommended for anesthesia induction and maintenance in patients with asthma. This study was designed to determine whether induction and maintenance of ketamine anesthesia following intravenous aminophylline is arrhythmogenic in dogs. One group of six dogs was anesthetized with intravenous ketamine, 5 mg/kg, followed by infusion of 5 mg/kg/hr. Three additional groups of six dogs were given intravenous aminophylline, 10, 25, and 50 mg/kg, respectively, followed 3 minutes later by intravenous ketamine, 5 mg/kg, and a 5 mg/kg/hr ketamine infusion. No arrhythmias occurred at any time in any animal. Ketamine use following aminophylline would appear to lack arrhythmogenic potential and may be advantageous in the clinical setting.

Aminophylline↗
PubMed1981

Halothane-induced cardiac arrhythmias following administration of aminophylline in experimental animals.

Cardiac arrhythmias often occur when patients receiving aminophylline are anesthetized with halothane. This animal study was designed to define what constitute arrhythmogenic doses of aminophylline when administered before halothane anesthesia. One group of six dogs was given aminophylline, 10 mg/kg IV, followed in 3 minutes by inhalation of 1% halothane. In two additional groups of dogs the same experimental protocols were used except that aminophylline doses were 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg. In the first group, two of six dogs developed ventricular arrhythmias during induction of halothane anesthesia. One of six dogs given 25 mg/kg of aminophylline developed a ventricular arrhythmia. Three of six dogs given 50 mg/kg of aminophylline developed ventricular arrhythmias. Sustained ventricular arrhythmias occurred in 33% of the animals with "therapeutic" serum theophylline levels and in 33% of the animals with "toxic" levels. Induction of halothane anesthesia within 15 minutes of aminophylline administration may be dangerous and is likely to result in severe and persistent ventricular arrhythmias.

Aminophylline↗
PubMed1981

Safety of enflurane following administration of aminophylline in experimental animals.

The induction of halothane anesthesia following intravenous administration of aminophylline may cause ventricular arrhythmias. This study was designed to determine whether induction of enflurane anesthesia following intravenous aminophylline is arrhythmogenic in dogs. One group of six dogs was anesthetized with 2% enflurane in the absence of aminophylline. Three additional groups of six dogs were given intravenous aminophylline, 10, 25, or 50 mg/kg, respectively, followed 3 minutes later by 2% enflurane. No arrhythmias occurred at any time in any animal. In contrast to halothane induction of enflurane anesthesia following aminophylline appears to be safe and does not cause cardiac arrhythmias.

Aminophylline↗
PubMed1980

Aminophylline pharmacokinetics and cardiorespiratory effects during halothane anesthesia in experimental animals.

The pharmacokinetics and cardiorespiratory effects of aminophylline during halothane anesthesia are not well established and are the subject of this study. Eleven dogs were anesthetized with 1% halothane in air and given 10 mg/kg of intravenous aminophylline (theophylline ethylenediamine) over 5 minutes. Serum theophylline levels were measured over the next 60 minutes and were found to be in the therapeutic range (10-20 mg/L). Theophylline levels decayed according to a two-component exponential function. The half-time for the fast component was 4.5 minutes, while the slow component half-time was 134.5 minutes. Heart rate increased significantly (p less than 0.05) within 2 minutes following aminophylline, and remained significantly elevated for 60 minutes. Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and systemic vascular resistance decreased 2 minutes after aminophylline, as did the arterial-mixed venous oxygen content difference. Cardiac index increased 2 minutes following aminophylline. All these changes were transient, and values returned to near control values within 10 minutes after aminophylline. Arterial oxygenation, venous admixture, and physiologic dead space were not significantly (p less than 0.05) altered by aminophylline. No cardiac arrhythmias occurred. Other than a sustained 12% increase in heart rate, and transient hemodynamic changes immediately following its administration, aminophylline in therapeutic doses did not have adverse effects on cardiorespiratory function during prolonged 1% halothane anesthesia in normoxic, eucapnic dogs.

Aminophylline↗
PubMed1980

Arrhythmogenic effects of aminophylline during halothane anesthesia in experimental animals.

Arrhythmogenic effects of aminophylline (theophylline ethylenediamine) during halothane anesthesia have been reported but have not been related to serum theophylline levels. This study was designed to determine the arrhythmogenicity of therapeutic and toxic serum theophylline levels during halothane anesthesia. The study consisted of three parts. In part 1 (induction) six dogs were anesthetized for 15 minutes with 1% halothane in air and then given intravenous aminophylline, 50 mg/kg. In part 2 (maintenance) eight dogs were anesthetized for 2 hours with 1% halothane and then given intravenous aminophylline, 10 mg/kg. In part 3, after four additional hours of steady-state 1% halothane anesthesia, additional intravenous aminophylline, 25 mg/kg, was given to these eight animals. Three of six dogs in part 1 had arrhythmias following aminophylline, with serum theophylline levels ranging from 48 to 66 mg/L. No dog in part 2 had arthythmias following the 10 mg/kg dose of aminophylline, with serum theophylline levels of 14 to 23 mg/L. Six of eight dogs in part 3 had arrhythmias shortly after aminophylline, 25 mg/kg, with serum theophylline levels of 36 to 72 mg/L. Aminophylline administration after prolonger 1% halothane anesthesia appears free from arrhythmogenic effects if serum theophylline levels remain near the therapeutic range (10 to 20 mg/L). Aminophylline administration resulting in high serum theophylline levels (above 36 mg/L) causes ventricular arrhythmias when aminophylline is given during induction or maintenance of 1% halothane anesthesia. Arrhythmias usually (89%) begin with 5 minutes of aminophylline administration, and these arrhythmias always resolve spontaneously within 2 minutes of onset.

Aminophylline↗
PubMed1975

Estimation of testosterone and androstenedione in the plasma and testes of cryptorchid offspring of mice treated with oestradiol during pregnancy.

The injection of pregnant mice with 5 mg oestradiol dipropionate induced a high proportion of bilateral cryptorchidism in the male offspring. The ectopic testes were reduced in size and occupied one of three different positions in the abdomen: pararenal, paravesicular or inguinal. The seminal vesicles were found to be similarly reduced in size whereas the adrenals and pituitaries appeared to be unaffected. The total content of testosterone was reduced in the pararenally placed gonads but was not significantly different from that of the controls when the testes were in the inguinal region. The content of androstenedione was not significantly altered. The concentration of both hormones, however, was increased in all cases. Plasma testosterone levels were lower in all the offspring of treated mothers, especially in those with high ectopia.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗
PubMed1975

Factors affecting tracheobronchial mucociliary transport.

In vivo mucus transport rates were studied in humans and donkeys by external measurement of the rate of clearance of insoluble monodisperse gamma-tagged aerosols. The influence of temperature, environmental toxicants and drugs which affect the autonomic nervous system were studied by determining the changes in clearance produced by them in individual subjects. In donkeys, increased pretest ambient temperature accelerated clearance by greater than 1.7%/ degrees C. Smoking 2-7 cigarettes reduced the duration of bronchial clearance by approximately 50% in both humans and donkeys. Donkeys were exposed to higher doses; with progressive slowing of tracheal and bronchial clearance for greater than 10 cigarettes. HCN, at concentrations up to 1230 ppm, produced only a mild transient slowing of clearance. In man, atropine slowed clearance, while the adrenergic stimulating drugs, isoproterenol and epinephrine, both accelerated it by greater than or equal to 4 times, as did isoproterenol when given subsequent to atropine. The cholinergic stimulating drug methacholine increased mucociliary transport in the the donkey. Administration of a tap water aerosol for 10-15 min in humans increased bronchial clearance rates by approximately 25%.

Aerosols↗