Effect of porcine calcitonin in primary hyperparathyroidism (author's transl)

In order to investigate the effect of calcitonin (CT) on calcium and phosphorus metabolism in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP), porcine calcitonin (80 MRC units) was injected intramuscularly at 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. for 10-14 days in 7 patients with parathyroid adenoma. Fasting blood specimens were drawn at 8:00 a.m. every other day and 24 hour urine samples were collected through out control and test days. To examine the acute effect of CT, blood and urine were checked several times until 8 hours after the first injection. A fall in the fasting serum calcium level observed in 5 patients during the repeated administrations of CT, as well as that observed in 6 patients within 6 hours after the first injection, showed a significant correlation with the initial serum calcium level. Serum phosphorus concentration decreased in all patients 6 hours after the first injection, while fasting levels seemed to remain unchanged. During the repeated administrations, urinary excretion of calcium and phosphrus decreased correspondingly with the fall in serum calcium levels, although no definite tendancy was observed within 8 hours after the first injection. Fasting serum PTH levels during the repeated administrations were measured in 2 patients. In a patient whose serum calcium returned to the initial level on the 7th day of administration, a gradual rise of PTH was observed, while in another patient whose serum calcium was kept lower than the initial level, PTH remained almost unchanged. These results indicate that, under such a condition where there is marked increase of bone resorption as PHP, repeated administrations of CT bring about not only a hypocalcemic effect but also the reduction of calcium and phosphorus excretion through a decreased filtered load. In addition, it was suggested that, in some cases of PHP, the hypocalcemic effect of CT may be abolished by an increase of PTH secretion from the parathyroid glands during long-term administration.     

Human urinary fluoride excretion at various ages (author's transl)

3 groups, each consisting of 5 subjects in the following age ranges (A 4 to 6 years, B 25 to 45 years, C 60 to 70 years) were given fluoride in the form of a single dose of 6 mg. Fluoride excretion in the urine was subsequently investigated over a period of 24 hours. In a second experiment a daily dose of 6 mg of F- was given to the 3 groups over a period of 10 days. The urinary excretion was determined in 24-hour urine samples. The results are presented in two figures. 1. A time drift in urinary fluoride excretion in the direction of delayed fluoride metabolism was seen in group C subjects. 2. A periodic increase in the urinary fluoride values was also seen in these elderly subjects, indicative of an altered regulatory mechanism.     

Diurnal variations in the urinary excretion of calcium and phosphate in hyperparathyroidism

The urinary excretion of calcium and phosphate during the day and night was studied in 20 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and in the same number of controls with normal function of the parathyroids. A significant difference in TRP between day and night was found in the controls but not in the HPT group. In other respects there were no substantial differences between day and night. The higher excretion of calcium observed in the HPT group was largely attributable to the patients with remal calculi. The simplified sampling procedure when only night urine is analysed has no disadvantages-it is more likely to improve the diagnostic reliability as it reduces the influence of meals, for example.     

Sterilization during puerperium (author's transl)

Sterilization of the woman during puerperium is performed immediately following delivery via a periumbilical incision during a caesaren section isthmica intraperitonealis via laparoscopy or 3--5 days following delivery by pelviscopy. The surgical procedure currently in use for ligating or severing the fallopian tubes is accompanied by extensive loss of blood. This procedure should, therefore, be replaced by the coagulation method which is safer and does not contribute to the formation of adhesions. If the abdomen has been dissected, either high frequency current or the Endo-coagulation procedure may be used to produce the destructive heat necessary to coagulate the fallopian tubes. If the abdomen has not been opened and the coagulation of the fallopian tubes must be performed via pelviscopy, the Endo-coagulation method should be used instead of the high frequency current procedure which cannot be absolutely controlled by the surgeon. The Endo-coagulation procedure works at or about the temperature of boiling water. The failure rate for this procedure is about 2--3 %0.     

Total parathyroidectomy and autologous parathyroid transplantation in secondary hyperparathyroidism (author's transl)

In a 17-year-old female patient with marked secondary hyperparathyroidism and progressive bone changes all four parathyroid glands were removed. Part of the endocrine tissue was reimplanted into the muscles of the forearm. The transplant took successfully and showed a satisfactory function. Total parathyroidectomy and autologous parathyroid transplantation has a number of advantages as compared with subtotal parathyroidectomy: The function of the transplant can be directly observed and tissue can be easily removed in the further course of the disease. It is thus possible to regulate parathormone secretion over long periods in patients with chronic renal failure.     

Amoxicillin and its excretion into bronchial secretion (author's transl)

Various dates on amoxicillin (resorption, distribution, elimination, tissue passage, urinary excretion) are presented. The bacterial spectrum is more fully discussed. Amoxicillin is compared with ampicillin. Dosage and therapeutical results are presented. Within repeated bronchoscopic examinations necessary on account of bronchopulmonary affections determination of germs were done in 88 children. At the same time examination of ampicillin levels in bronchial secretions were performed after amoxicillin therapy with different high doses (3 x 125 mg to 3 x 750 mg) for 7 days. It could be shown that good antibiotic levels could be found in secretion specimens above all obtained 2 to 4 hours after the last amoxicillin administration. They could be found too, if there did not exist any purulent secretion or stronger inflammation. There are relations between the amount of dosage, the level in secretion as well as the influence on germs.     

Effect of spirolactones on the urinary excretion of individual 17-oxosteroids and of pregnanediol in man (author's transl)

The effect of spirolactones on the urinary excretion of individual 17-oxosteroids and of pregnanediol in man was investigated under various conditions. After purification by thin-layer chromatography, the 17-oxosteroids and pregnanediol were determined by gas chromatography. Eleven male subjects (age 21-34 years) received a daily dose of 200 mg spironolactone (Aldactone) orally on seven consecutive days. Five female subjects (age 20-35 years) and ten pregnant women (age 20-35 years; 28th.-39th. week of gestation) were given a daily intravenous injection of 600 mg potassium canrenoate (Aldactone pro injectione) on three consecutive days. In the male subjects, the excretion of individual 17-oxosteroids and of pregnanediol was significantly reduced during administration of spironolactone. In the nonpregnant female subjects, the excretion of etiocholanolone and dehydroepiandrosterone was diminished, whereas in the pregnant women, the excretion of pregnanediol and dehydroepiandrosterone was decreased during treatment with potassium canrenoate. These results suggest that the reduced urinary excretion of steroids may be due to an inhibition of steroid metabolising enzymes by spirolactones. It seems likely that spirolactones affect the enzymatic conversion fo cholesterol to pregnenolone.     

Development of an implantable artificial urinary sphincter (author's transl)

Fifteen years experience with investigations of the neurologic aspects of lower urinary tract function has produced a therapeutic rationale that includes utilization of prosthetic devices in selected patients. Development of an implantable artificial sphincter evolved as a necessity for restoring urinary continence became apparent. The experimental design of animal models and the technologic methods in device development are herein described.     

Clinical results with a new intravenous immunoglobulin preparation (author's transl)

A new immunoglobulin preparation (Sandoglobulin) was administered to 20 patients, a total of 49 infusions at a dose averaging 12.6 gamma-globulin per infusion. Twelve patients had congenital or acquired immunoglobulin deficiency, in come of them very severe. A In-vivo recovery, on the basis of an estimated plasma volume, averaged 85% of expected values. Half-life on repeat substitutions was over 20 days. There were no severe side-effects or changes in important biochemical values. In one woman with an antibody deficiency syndrome fever regularly developed after several infusions, but it always fell to normal spontaneously after several hours. In two women followed for some time, both with severe antibody-deficiency syndrome, there was a definite decrease in severity and frequency of pulmonary infections.     

Experiments of electro-acupuncture-analgesia during delivery (author's transl)

We report about 20 patients who underwent electroacupuncture therapy during delivery with intent to reduce labor pains. Acupuncture steel needles situated in the thoracal, lumbal, sacral region and in the region above the symphysis were stimulated by a rectangular impulse current. A good effect for the reduction of labor pains could be observed in 5 cases, a moderate one in 6 cases. An absolute analgetic effect could not be achieved in any case, and in 9 cases no analgetic effect of acupuncture therapy on labor pains was visible. Acupuncture had no influence on labor or fetal heart rate, monitored by cardiotocography.     

Studies on the excretion of various aminoglycosides in rat milk (author's transl)

10 mg/kg of strepto-, neo-, kanamycin, genta- and sisomicin were applied s.c. to rats in lactation. After 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 24 h the animals were milked. The antibacterial concentrations in the milk were determined in comparison to the serum concentrations. Strepto-, neo- and kanamycin showed the highest concentrations in the serum, genta- and sisomicin the highest in the milk.