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Biomedical subjects

M Zoppi

Publications and source records attributed to M Zoppi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Reduction of plasma cold agglutinin titers by means of plasmapheresis to prepare a patient for coronary bypass surgery.

A 53-year-old man with abnormally elevated cold agglutinins was treated successfully by plasma exchange so that he was able to sustain coronary artery surgery and extracorporeal circulation. Two plasma exchanges, consisting in the exchange of one plasma volume with a 5% albumin solution each, were performed in our intensive care unit with careful monitoring of vital parameters. The plasma exchanges resulted in a reduction of the titer of the cold agglutinins and of the thermal amplitude as well. With the exception of postoperative bleeding requiring re-intervention, the patient was successfully operated and could be dismissed on the 16th postoperative day in good condition.

Agglutinins↗
PubMed1991

Pain threshold changes by skin vibratory stimulation in healthy subjects.

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the changes of cutaneous pain threshold induced by vibratory stimuli applied to the skin. The pain threshold was tested by means of electrical stimuli using the method of limits. Both vibratory stimuli (conditioning stimuli) and electrical stimuli (test stimuli) were driven by a computer. The experiments were carried out on the dorsal surface of the second phalanx of the index finger in the dominant hand of 34 healthy subjects (18 males and 16 females). The conditioning stimuli were sinusoidal waves (250 microm peak to peak) at a rate of 30 and 300 Hz. During the experiment (6 min of vibration and 9 min after) the cutaneous temperature of the stimulated area was recorded. Both vibratory rates induced significant increases of the pain threshold but the 30 Hz vibrations were the more effective. After stimulation the pain threshold lowered to a steady value which was higher than before the start of vibrations. Such threshold changes showed no correlation throughout the experiment with changes in skin temperature. We therefore advance the hypothesis that the main factors which modulate the pain threshold are neuronal connections between tactile and pain pathways.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Hyperkalemia with potassium-sparing and potassium-losing diuretics. Results from the Comprehensive Hospital Drug Monitoring Bern (CHDM)].

Of 5047 in-patients in the Division of Internal Medicine, Zieglerspital Bern (regional/teaching hospital), admitted from 1982 to 1985, 2412 were treated with at least one diuretic. The hospital records of these patients were reviewed with regard in particular to serum potassium and creatinine values as well as potassium supplementation. On the basis of this evaluation the patients were assigned to 6 different treatment groups and the relative occurrence rate of hyperkalemia probably related to drug treatment was determined. Of the 590 patients treated with only potassium losing diuretics, none was found to show a hyperkalemia event; of the 742 patients on potassium losing diuretics and potassium supplementation, 27 (3.6%) developed hyperkalemia. In the 439 patients under combined diuretics (potassium sparing with potassium losing) without potassium substitution, 76 (17.3%), and in the 381 under combined diuretics with potassium substitution 24 (6.3%), developed hyperkalemia. The further groups of patients are also described. Renal function was estimated by the formula of Cockcroft and Gault. Reduced renal function is a significant risk-factor for hyperkalemic events under combined diuretics. All hyperkalemic events were within a serum potassium range of 5.1-7.0 mmol/l.

Creatinine↗
PubMed1990

Superoxide anion production by circulating polymorphonuclear leucocytes in rheumatoid arthritis.

In twelve rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, receiving only nonsteroid anti-inflammatory therapy, superoxide anion (02-) generation by polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs) was assessed by Cytochrome C reduction. The 02- production by non-activated PMNs in RA patients was significantly higher than in healthy controls. The 02- production by PMNs activated by zymosan and phorbol myristate acetate was significantly lower than in controls. PMNs from controls preincubated with rheumatoid sera generated higher 02- levels than the same PMNs incubated in normal sera.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Recurrent meningitis in a patient with congenital deficiency of the C9 component of complement. First case of C9 deficiency in Europe.

We describe the first cases, to our knowledge, of C9 deficiency in Europe that were detected in a Swiss family, of which two members--one with a complete deficiency and the other with approximately half-normal C9 levels--experienced bacterial meningitis. The index patient, a 56-year-old white man with a history of purulent meningitis at the age of 23 years, presented with an acute meningococcal meningitis. No impairment of cellular immunity or immunoglobulin deficiency could be found. Complement assays showed a complete deficiency of the C9 component, while the other individual component levels were normal and the hemolytic activity (measured using the CH50 assay) was only slightly reduced. A family study revealed complete C9 deficiency in the patient's healthy brother and half-normal C9 concentrations in his sister, his son (who also had experienced an episode of bacterial meningitis), and his niece, consistent with an inherited C9 deficiency. This first case of recurrent meningitis in a white patient with complete C9 deficiency suggests that this complement defect may also be a risk factor for bacterial, especially neisserial, infections.

Complement C9↗
PubMed1988

[Side-effects of frequently administered hypnotics and sedatives as well as of anxiolytics. Results from a Comprehensive Hospital Drug Monitoring (CHDM) program].

The occurrence and age distribution of patients with adverse drug reactions (ADR) were studied on the basis of a total of 17,653 admissions to the medical divisions of the Zieglerspital Bern and the Anna-Seiler-Haus, Inselspital Bern, during the period 1976-1982. Among this population 12,424 patients (70.4%) happened to have been treated with hypnotics, sedatives or anxiolytics. Results are as follows: 1. The occurrence rate of psychic and neurologic symptoms (with the exception of somnolence and hangover) is 0.14% of all treatments if the casualty category "definitely or probably drug-induced" is considered. For "other ADR" (non-psychic, non-neurologic) the rate is 0.16%. For the benzodiazepine preparations, the psychic and neurologic ADR occurred at about the same rate as for the neuroleptic drugs studied, whereas "other ADR" related to benzodiazepines were observed in only 0.04% of treatments. 2. There is a marked difference in ADR symptoms between benzodiazepines and neuroleptics. With benzodiazepines the most severe reactions were two episodes of shortlived respiratory arrest immediately after intravenous administration. With neuroleptic drugs the most severe symptoms were choreoathetosis, dyskinesia, hyperkinesia and Parkinson's syndrome. There was no fatal reaction. 3. With benzodiazepines there is a slight but significant increase in the occurrence of psychic and neurologic symptoms in the older group of patients, as compared to the younger patients, whereas with neuroleptics there is no age dependence.

Anti-Anxiety Agents↗