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Biomedical subjects

V Zahn

Publications and source records attributed to V Zahn.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

[Waste prevention and recovery of valuable raw materials in the hospital].

Quite a number of the diseases with which Public Health services are concerned are due to environmental factors. It is our aim that especially the Public Health staff should tackle with efficiency and dispatch all the problems connected with damage caused by such factors. Environmental protection is in fact Medical Science. The volume of the waste deposits has been exhausted to the full. Burning of refuse is not the proper alternative: natural science tells us that it is definitely no solution of the problem. The best kind of waste is not to waste anything, i.e. waste that does not arise at all. The belief that disposable or throwaway goods improve hygiene, is totally erroneous and a misconception. All persons engaged in Public Health must unanimously demand from industry the production of high-quality, well sterilisable and easy-to-clean package items for repeated use. Active environmental protection motivates the staff and enhances the reputation of their work.

Disposable Equipment↗
PubMed1979

Prenatal diagnosis of beta-thalassemia.

Prenatal diagnosis was attempted in 14 fetuses at risk for homozygous beta-thalassemia, gestational age 18-22 weeks. In 4 cases the placenta was entirely anterior, placental aspiration under ultrasonic control only had to be used for fetal blood sampling. In 10 fetuses fetoscopy was used for puncture of a chorionic blood vessel. Diagnoses were based on the rate of in vitro synthesis of beta-globin related to total non-alphaglobin synthesis. With the aid of fetoscopy, nearly pure fetal blood was obtained in general. Placental aspiration resulted in samples which contained a low percentage of fetal and a high percentage of maternal cells. The attempt of fetal blood sampling resulted in fetal loss in two cases. In 2 aspiration cases no diagnosis could be made because the samples were inadequate. In 2 cases the diagnosis was established in spite of low fetal cell content through determination of the specific radioactivity in the placental and pure maternal blood. Until now 6 children have been born in whom prenatal diagnosis had been attempted, none of them has homozygous thalassemia. Present efforts are directed toward improving the safety of fetal blood sampling and the biochemical methods for the diagnosis in placental samples with low fetal cell content. Although the prenatal diagnosis of beta-thalassemia is possible, the procedure has still to be considered experimental.

Female↗
PubMed1979

[On the feto-maternal transfusion of red blood cells during transplacental and para-placental genetic amniocenteses (author's transl)].

The concentrations of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) containing red blood cells in the peripheral blood of the mothers was studied in 113 cases by the method of Kleihauer & Betke prior and following trans-abdominal amniocenteses for genetic reasons between 15 and 18 weeks of pregnancy. Prior to the amniocentesis, 25% of the patients had HbF positive cells. Following the amniocentesis 36% of the patients showed HbF positive cells. In one out of six amniocenteses a measurable increase of the concentration of HbF containing red blood cells by approximately 0.22% was detected. These increases are within the limits found prior to amniocentesis and are not significant. There was no difference in the incidence and level of microtransfusions between paraplacental and transplacental amniocenteses. Because of the possibility of Rh sensitization Rh negative mothers should receive Rh immunoglobulin. None of the 112 patients had an abortion within two weeks following the amniocentesis.

Amniocentesis↗
PubMed1979

A new tocograph with cassette recording system and separate servo graphic recorder.

In order to register contractional activity, especially in the case of high-risk pregnancies, a tocograph was develop by means of which the contractions are registered by a small cassette recorder, which the patient can carry by about with her. A separate graphic recorder is responsible for the playback and this recorder remains at the doctor's practice. The patient is able to register her contractions herself as the unit is so simple to use. The recording section weighs only 500 grams, including the specially developed pressure transducer with optical distance-meter. The tocograph is produced in series.

Female↗
PubMed1978

Prenatal diagnosis of beta-thalassemia using selective hemolysis of maternal cells contaminating fetal blood sample.

The prenatal diagnosis of the severe, hereditary anemias may be impossible when a placental blood sample which contains a high percentage of maternal rather than fetal cells is obtained. An incubation system described by Boyer et al. [3] with minor modifications, was applied to mixtures of blood from prematures and adults in order to increase the proportion of premature cells. After 40 min incubation, 95% or more of adult red cells were destroyed, whereas 30-60% of premature red cells were recovered, as determined by several independent methods. In a pregnancy at risk for beta-thalassemia, a placental blood sample which was purely fetal was obtained. Complete lack of in vitro beta-globin synthesis showed the fetus to have homozygous beta-thalassemia. When fetal blood was mixed with maternal blood in a ratio of 1:15, beta-globin synthesis in the mixture was comparable to that of normal fetuses. In contrast, when the cell mixture was subjected to selective hemolysis prior to separation of globins, beta-globin synthesis again was not detectable. Thus, using selective hemolysis, the correct diagnosis could be established from a blood sample containing only about 6% of fetal cells.

Female↗
PubMed1978

[Physiology of uterine contractions (author's transl)].

The number of contractions was recorded in 26 healthy primiparae and 28 multiparae from the 25th to 41st week of pregnancy. A remarkable incidence peak was seen around the 32nd week. The number of pregnancy contractions is not sufficient as the only parameter for recognising an impending premature delivery. However, it does represent a valuable aid when taking the anamnesis and portio findings into consideration. The authors consider tocolysis indicated if more than two contractions per hour are recorded as mean value over a period of one week in conjunction with a tendency of the portio to open up, or if more than three contractions are recorded independent of this sign. Taking individual daily into consideration, the relevant limit is three contractions per hour between the 25th and 28th week, and five contractions per hour between the 29th and 32nd week of pregnancy.

Cervix Uteri↗
PubMed1977

Cataract in a fetus at risk for oculo-cerebro-renal syndrome (Lowe).

A high-risk pregnancy for X-linked recessive inherited Lowe's syndrome was terminated due to a male karyotype in the cultured amniotic fluid cells. The eyes of the male fetus showed specific cataracteous changes of the lens. A posterior lenticonus was due to a defect of the lens capsule. The lenses were of normal size. Loss of lens material through a lens capsule defect could account for the small discoid lens usually seen in Lowe's syndrome. Amino acids in amniotic fluid had normal concentrations except lysine and proline which were markedly elevated.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1977

[Inhibition of uterine contraction in emergencies (author's transl)].

During the first stage of labour 48 parturients were treated with the tocolytic agent TH 1165 a (Fenoterol-hydrobromide) because of danger to the foetus. The product was slowly injected i.v. in doses of 50 mcg (35 pat.) and 25 mcg (9 pat.) and on 4 patients in doses of 35 mcg. We investigated the effects of this therapy on labour, on the mother's and the child's circulation and on the foetal acid-base balance and foetal gas partial pressure. Whilst the different TH 1165a doses were not markedly different in their tocolytic effect, we discovered that side-effects occurred considerably more often and more intensively when higher doses of TH 116A WERE ADMINISTERED. We therefore recommend one i.v. injection of 25 mcg TH 1165a for clinical uterine relaxation in emergencies during labour. To guard against a vena cava compression syndrome, the injection should always be given with the patient in a lateral position. In emergency uterine relaxation the cardiac tocography (supplemented if necessary by micro blood gas analysis) should be monitored. In order tnce-only syringe containing 25 mcg TH1165a.

Blood Gas Analysis↗
PubMed1977

[Tocograph T 500].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Equipment and Supplies↗
PubMed1976

[Fetoscopy. A new method in prenatal diagnosis (author's transl)].

Fetoscopes are now being developed which make possible the inspection of human fetuses as well as withdrawal of a fetal blood sample in the early mid-trimester of pregnancy. The preliminary experiences of several groups are presented in this report. In addition, a fetoscopy including fetal blood sampling in a 24 week pregnancy prior to therapeutic abortion is described. The first prenatal diagnoses which have been made using this novel technique, concern defects of the fetal erythrocytes (sickle cel Hb, thalassemia). The fetal blood sample that was obtained in the present case was studied by appropriate methods. As expected, there was no evidence of either of these anomalies.

Anemia, Sickle Cell↗
PubMed1976

[Investigations on the occurrence of mycoplasma in the amniotic fluid (author's transl)].

In order to elucidate the pathogenetic importance of mycoplasma in amnionitis and in infectious syndrome of the amnion, the amniotic fluid of 185 healthy pregnant women was investigated for mycoplasma, bacteria and fungi. In no case mycoplasma were detected. This means that amniotic fluid is normally free of mycoplasma. If mycoplasma occurs in the amniotic fluid it has to be considered as a possible cause of amnionitis and infectious syndrome of the amnion.

Amnion↗
PubMed1975

[Prenatal diagnosis of a case of metachromatic leucodystrophy (author's transl)].

Metachromatic leucodystrophy was diagnosed from cell-free amniotic fluid (marked deficiency of arylsulphatase A) in the 20th week of pregnancy of a woman whose two previous children also had the disease. The pregnancy was immediately terminated. Subsequent amniotic cell culture also revealed a very low arylsulphatase concentration corresponding to the values found in amniotic fluid. An about four-fold increase of metachromatic material was found in the formalin-fixed brain of the aborted fetus.

Abortion, Therapeutic↗
PubMed1975

[Prenatal diagnosis of Sandhoff's disease (GM2-gangliosidosis, type 2)].

The diagnosis of GM2-gangliosidosis type 2 (Sandhoff's disease) was made prenatally (23rd week of pregnancy) by amniocentsis. A sibling with "Tay-Sachs disease" had died shortly before. Severe deficiency of total beta-hexosaminidase was found in amniotic fluid and amnion-cell culture. After interruption of the pregnancy the enzyme defect was also found in the fetal brain tissue and the concentration of ganglioside GM2 was three times normal, confirming the diagnosis.

Amniocentesis↗
PubMed1975

[Prostaglandin F2alpha as a method of choice for interruption of pregnancy (author's transl)].

Since March 1972 we have been applying Prostaglandin F2 alpha in 6 patients between the 8th and 12th week of pregnancy, in 2 patients between the 13th and 16th week, in 16 patients from the 17th week onwards, and in 10 women at term. The intravenous and extraamniotic application of Prostaglandin for interruption of pregnancy has proved a success even in severe general diseases. No severe side effects have been observed. Antidotes are beta-sympathicomimetics as for Oxytocin, too Prostaglandin is a valuable pharmacon in the obstetrical area.

Abortion, Induced↗