[AIDS complications of the lung]. / AIDS-Komplikationen an der Lunge.

AIDS represents a virus-induced disturbance of the cell-determined immunity which is seen in ever increasing numbers of cases even in Europe. AIDS occurs in certain risk groups. Clinically the first symptoms of the disease which are seen are pulmonary, bouts of fever, unproductive coughing, dyspnoea whilst dullness, bronchospasmus and an increase in sputum production are rare. Interstitial infiltrates do not contain plasma cells. In X-ray pictures striped shadows, atypical lobular infiltrates and pleural fluid are not uncommon as is also the case in other atypical pneumonias. As a rule the pulmonary function-test shows a reduced DCO but this is not specific.

[Comparative study of diflorasone diacetate and clobetasol-17-propionate in PUVA-resistant psoriasis]. / Vergleichsstudie mit Diflorasondiacetat und Clobetasol-17-Propionat bei PUVA-resistenter Psoriasis.

In a double-blind controlled trial, we have compared the therapeutic effectiveness of Diflorason-Diacetate and Clobetasol-17-propionate with 50 PUVA-resistent psoriatics. Both externals resulted in a highly significant decline of psoriatic symptoms. The difference in therapeutic achievement between the two respective groups was statistically not significant. According to the physician's overall judgement, however, Clobetasol was favored significantly over Diflorasone-Diacetate, while the patients only showed a slight preference for Clobetasol. Based on these findings and previously published results, Diflorasone-Diacetate may be classified as one of the most effective skin corticosteroids, ranging just behind Clobetasol.

[The effect of unintentional overdoses of pilocarpine on pulmonary surfactant in mice]. / Die Wirkung akzidenteller Uberdosierung von Pilocarpin auf den pulmonalen Surfaktant an der Maus.

Pilocarpine, used in the treatment of glaucoma, shows basically parasympathomimetic activities and in contrast to choline derivatives an extremely potent effect on salivary and sweat glands and a noticeable increase of bronchial secretion. Investigations were carried out in mice to determine whether the administration of pilocarpine results in an increase of bronchial secretion as such or whether it likewise influences the secretion of surfactant, i.e., the phospholipoprotein responsible for the stability of the alveoli. Our experiments (P/V diagrams and histochemical staining) demonstrate that pilocarpine decreases the secretion of pulmonary surfactant. When pilocarpine and Ambroxol are administered the effects on the two parameters are similar to the controls. In other words, Ambroxol increases the secretion of surfactant even in cases of intoxication with pilocarpine.

[Bivalent-vegetative long-term therapy with glauko biciron (author's transl)]. / Zur bivalent-vegetativen Langzeittherapie mit Glauko Biciron.

Long-term therapy using a combination of Pilocarpine and Phenylephrine in three different concentrations is described. The trial was carried out in the form of a multi-center study by general practitioners and showed the constant effect over lengthy periods of time, with no signs of tachyphylaxis or an increase in effect, which would have pointed to an increase in the effective level. The number of side-effects is minimal, due to the submaximal doses used.

Upper respiratory syndrome: mechanisms of clearing.

The filter mechanism in the upper respiratory tract presupposes an intact ciliary epithelium and normal secretion from the goblet cells and tubular glands. The interaction of ciliary motion and the production of biochemically normal secretion leads to unimpeded mucociliary clearance. This is supported by immunological and cellular defence factors and can be promoted or inhibited by certain drugs.