Effect of anticholinergic agents upon acquired nystagmus: a double-blind study of trihexyphenidyl and tridihexethyl chloride

We conducted a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial of two anticholinergic agents--trihexyphenidyl and tridihexethyl chloride (a quaternary anticholinergic that does not cross the blood-brain barrier)--in patients with acquired nystagmus and measured visual acuity and nystagmus before and at the end of 1 month on each medication. Of the 10 patients admitted to the study, only five completed trials of both drugs due to intolerance of medication or intercurrent illness. Of six patients who completed the trial of trihexyphenidyl, only one showed improvement. Of six patients who completed a trial of tridihexethyl chloride, four showed improvement. We conclude that (1) trihexyphenidyl is not a reliable treatment for acquired nystagmus, although occasional patients may benefit; (2) anticholinergic agents may suppress nystagmus by peripheral rather than central mechanisms; and (3) the side effects of anticholinergic agents limit their effectiveness in the treatment of nystagmus.     

Changes of electrocoagulographic parameters and erythrocyte deformability in multiple myeloma patients on various regimens of polychemotherapy]

Clinical and laboratory indications of hemocoagulatory disorders (according to the data of electrocoagulograph H-334 and red blood cell deformability) were compared for multiple myeloma patients. They received drugs according to 3 different polychemotherapy schemes involving various combinations and doses of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, rubomycin, paphencyl, sarcolysin and prednisolone. Pretreatment measurements in relevant patients revealed severe hemocoagulative and rheologic shifts responsible for hemorrhages, impaired microcirculation and cardiac failure. The most efficient polychemotherapy was found that gained benefit with addition of plasmapheresis. To control the effect of polychemotherapy, its intensity, individual deviations and duration, it is advisable to combine routine tests with citrated plasma electrocoagulography, assessment of AT-III activity and red blood cell deformability indicating hemocoagulative and rheologic disorders.     

The effect of sodium nucleinate on the proliferative and specific activity of hybridoma cells in vitro]

Sodium nucleinate, an officinal preparation (Na PHK), added to the growth medium in concentrations of 10 to 50 micrograms/ml enhanced the growth of hybridoma cells in vitro. Na PHK presence in the cultivation medium in the above concentrations enhanced the specific antibody-producing activity of hybridomas.     

Hygienic assessment of protective effects of overalls and individual protective devices used in the production of ampicillin trihydrate and its dosage form, ampicillin sodium salt

The working clothes and individual protective devices recommended by the industrial Rules for the production of ampicillin trihydrate and its medicinal derivatives such as natrium salt ampicillin, do not provide adequate protection of the skin and respiratory mucous from antibiotic contamination. The use of the overalls in combination with the pressurized helmet (designed and produced at the 'Sintez' enterprise) which provided air supply for breathing and, partially, under the overalls, significantly decreased contamination of the body. At the stages of manual handling of the finished products, adequate protection was attained by using the protective paste produced at the 'Altaivitamine' enterprise.     

Magenkarzinom – eine Infektionskrankheit

Gastric cancer still represents the second most common cause of gastrointestinal cancers in Germany. A disturbing issue is that at the time of diagnosis there are less than 15% of patients for whom a cure can be achieved. Nowadays, biological, histomorphological, molecular genetic and epidemiological data suggest that Helicobacter pylori eradication may lead to the prevention of gastric pre-neoplastic lesions and even gastric cancer. At present, eradication can be offered to selected patients and populations at increased risk, but more research is required before embarking on general and global H. pylori eradication for gastric cancer prevention. The main challenge is to determine how long mucosal abnormalities remain reversible and gastric cancer development can be halted.