A new encephalomagnetic effect in human brain generated by static magnetic fields.

Exposure to static magnetic fields as used in NMR-equipment generates a new encephalomagnetic field in human brain. Currents induced in coils placed at the cortex have a distinct frequency between 6 and 8 Hz.

Static magnetic fields increase the power intensity of EEG of man.

In static magnetic fields the power values of EEG are increased. This influence is different in the two cortical hemispheres and not the same for all EEG-frequencies. The increased control values following on inverted magnetic flux vector point to a - reversible - alteration of brain function induced by a static magnetic field.

The transcutaneous PO2 measurement as an additional evaluation index to the physiological and pathological conditions under delivery.

Transcutaneous PO2 was continuously recorded from 17 newborns sub partu by normal deliveries and four cases with umbilical cord complications. These data were correlated with the corresponding fetal heart rate alterations and the maximum of contraction directly and 30 s thereafter. During the course of delivery three stages are differentiated: first stage of labor, full cervix dilatation, second stage of labor. The statistical evaluation succeeded in the X2-test (P less than 0.01). Deriving from this result the tcPO2 measurement is an additional aiding procedure beside the cardiotocographic control for subpartal supervision.

[ECG-triggered EEG in a static magnetic field]. / EKG-getriggertes EEG im statischen Magnetfeld.

In static magnetic fields as used in MRT-equipment for clinical diagnosis the "spontaneous" EEG is triggered by each heart activity. The registered signal is characterized by an oscillation of potentials in the frequency range of 8 to 10/s, mostly beginning with the higher frequency. These data sampled are dependent of the magnetic flux vector, but not regularly and independent of the point of lead. These results point to a transition from the isotropic distribution of EEG-currents to an anisotropic state by static magnetic fields.

[Do encephalo-electric signals determine the pulse frequency in man?]. / Bestimmen beim Menschen enzephaloelektrische Signale die Pulsfrequenz?

One of the most interesting problems in EEG analysis is the question of the genuine generator of these biosignals. Each spontaneous EEG sampled by surface electrodes looks like a summary of stochastically distributed encephalo-electrical events. But analysing these data depending of the time distance of ECG R-waves we found signals which contain the information about the occurrence of the next ECG R-wave. The results make dubious the discussion about the autonomic character of sinus excitation as the heart pacemaker.

[Is the isotropic load distribution in the cortical space increased by a static magnetic field?]. / Wird durch statische Magnetfelder die isotrope Ladungsverteilung im kortikalen Raum aufgehoben?

Obviously, in static magnetic fields the isotropic distribution of cortical electrical charge movements becomes an anisotropic state. By this effect we have the phenomenon that the spontaneous EEG is triggered by external Zeitgeber like electrical stimuli of N. medianus or internally by the ECG. This orientation of charge transports leads to an additional varying magnetic field which induces currents in coils placed at the same positions like EEG-electrodes.

[Induction of respiratory defect as a function of energy metabolism regulation (author's transl)]. / Induktion des Atmungsdefekts als Funktion der Regulation des Energiestoffwechsels.

Metabolic disturbances can often be inferred from the regulation kinetics of glycolysis and energy metabolism. A short oxygen deficit leads to an irreversible change in the regulation system of yeast cells which results in a lower energy level for the cell. At the same time a higher "respiratory defect" mutation rate is also observed. These mutants are manifested by a glycogen deficiency. Furthermore, the entire glycolysis regulation is disturbed. Since these cells sometimes behave like tumour cells, this mutation induction is considered to be one of the molecular biological aspects of the regulation defect.

Do static magnetic fields of NMR influence biological signals?

When measuring auditory evoked potentials on test persons we found that an early signal, measurable between the mastoid and vertex electrodes and possibly caused by capacitive or/and inductive coupling from the electrodynamic headphone, was phase-shifted when the person was exposed to a static 0.35 T field. This shift only slowly (greater than 15 min) returned to zero after termination of the magnetic exposure. Using a circuit stimulating the EEG measurement we now show that this shift is caused by a change in the total capacity of the electrode impedances. Therefore, the magnetically induced shift may be explained by changes in electric capacities of the magnetically exposed biological system.

[Effect of a static 0.2 T magnetic field on the EEG power spectrum in periodic median nerve stimulation]. / Einfluss eines statischen 0,2T-Magnetfeldes auf das EEG-Leistungsspektrum bei periodischer N. medianus Reizung.

In static magnetic fields as used in n.m.r. equipment for clinical diagnosis we found an increase of the beta-EEG power value at the right hemisphere when stimulating simultaneously the N. medianus of the left hand with a periodicity of 140 ms. By a sequence of 120 ms there was no change of the power in this frequency band. But when stimulating continuously and switching on and off the magnetic field, in the beta- and alpha-frequency bands the power values of the left hemisphere were increased by the influence of the magnetic field, not depending of the field vector. In contrast to these data, in the beta-band the values increased at the right hemisphere, and, additionally are influenced by the field vector. Artifacts in the single frequency bands by the stimulus frequency itself could be excluded. The increase of power value only by a 140 ms-periodicity might be a hint that a "Zeitgeber"-function is activated by this external frequency.

Analysis of cephalosporin-induced changes in the volume distribution of Escherichia coli cultures by an electronic counter-channelanalyser.

The demonstration of morphological alterations of the bacterial cell together with bactericidal kinetics are of value for the description of the antibacterial activity of beta-lactam antibiotics. One of the indicators of antibiotic effect on bacterial morphology is the change in bacterial cell volume. This can be demonstrated graphically and numerically by means of electronic cell counting and volume distribution analysis using the Coulter Counter-Channelanalyser system connected to a computer. After registration of the distribution of the relative volume of the Escherichia coli population, the mean cell volume was calculated. The latter parameter increased more than 6 fold with increasing cefotaxim-exposure times. The onset of the delayed (2 h after cefotaxim administration) bacteriolytic effect was reorganized by the appearance of small cell breakdown particles and quantified by counting. In order to demonstrate the therapeutic process graphically the distribution curves were transformed to a common scale. Since a complete storage of the data per sample is performed normally within one minute, the Coulter Counter-Channelanalyser technique can be carried out simultaneously with the bactericidal kinetic experiment. The data demonstrate the speed and intensity of the morphological cell alterations induced by the beta-lactam antibiotic.

Bactericidal activity and induction of cell volume alterations of cephalosporins in Escherichia coli.

The bactericidal efficacy of cefuroxime and cephacetril on Escherichia coli cultures was measured by killing curves. Simultaneously bacterial cell volumes were analysed by electronic particle counting using a Coulter Counter Channelanalyser system in order to study the relationship between bactericidal activity and bacterial cell volume alterations. Various concentrations (2-120 mg/l cefuroxime and 16-120 mg/l cephacetril) and different exposure times (over a time period of 12 h) were used. Growth medium was human plasma ultrafiltrate. The bactericidal activity of cefuroxime, as measured by the rate of killing of the E. coli culture, was independent of the concentration and constant in the range 4-120 mg/l. The characteristic cefuroxime-induced change in bacterial cell volume was a marked volume increase up to a maximum of 5-fold after 160-200 min exposure with a low-grade bacteriolysis following. The cefuroxime-induced bacterial volume changes were, in accordance with the bactericidal testing, almost independent of the concentration. In contrast, the killing curves for cephacetril strongly depended on the drug concentration. However, this effect was short-lived and regrowth of the E. coli culture followed. The typical cephacetril-induced volume distribution curves were also highly concentration-dependent. With increasing drug levels bacterial cell volume increased up to 20-fold, and regrowth of a persisting bacterial population occurred at lower antibiotic concentrations. Bacteriolysis started earlier than with cefuroxime. The relationship between loss of viability and cell volume increase was more marked with cefuroxime than with cephacetril.

Relationship between the bactericidal and bacteriolytic activity of cephalosporins and changes in the cell volumes of Escherichia coli cultures.

The bactericidal effect of cefoxitin and cefotaxime in relation to concentration and exposure time, as demonstrated by the killing curve diagrams of Escherichia coli cultures, was compared with the degree of bacteriolysis and the cell volume increase measured by the coulter counter-channel analyser system. Human plasma ultrafiltrate was used as the growth medium. Cefoxitin has a higher bactericidal activity than cefotaxime. With increasing concentrations the bactericidal efficacy of cefoxitin increases more rapidly in the lower range of concentrations (2-10 mg/l) than in the higher range (10-40 mg/l). In contrast, the bactericidal effect of cefotaxime in the range 0.06-1.2 mg/l is virtually constant and can only be increased by high levels (10-40 mg/l). The morphometric effect of cefoxitin on E. coli cultures, as demonstrated by volume distribution curves, is characterized by intensive and rapidly appearing bacteriolysis 20 min after exposure to the antibiotic without a preceding increase in bacterial cell volume. Higher concentrations result in an earlier onset of bacteriolysis. In contrast, the application of cefotaxime reveals a massive increase in bacterial cell volume (more than five-fold) with a delayed (greater than 2 h) onset of bacteriolysis. High cefotaxime concentrations reduce the extent of bacterial cell volume increase, associated with an earlier and more intensive onset of bacteriolysis. With both cephalosporins, the bacterial cell alterations are particularly dependent on the exposure time. There is evidently a close correlation between bactericidal and bacteriolytic activity. This is valid both for the two cephalosporins and generally for the concentration-activity relationships.

[Is the intake of palm oil (palmitic acid) in meals associated with the low incidence of respiratory distress syndrome in Nigeria? (author's transl)]. / Hat die Ernährungsgewohnheit mit hohem Anteil an Palmöl (Palmitinsäure) Einfluss auf die niedrige Atemnotsyndromrate in Nigeria?

Comparative gaschromatographic assays of different domestic oils used in West Germany and the domestic oil (palm oil) used in Nigeria and other West African countries were performed. It was discovered that the palm oil contains extremely high amounts of palmitic acid and linoleic acid compared to the other oils used in Germany. In view of the fact that previous studies have shown that palmitic acid is required for the biosynthesis of lung lecithin, which is closely related to fetal maturation, we performed animal experiments with rabbits to determine the incorporation rate of 3H-marked palmitic acid into various fetal organs: (fetal lung, placenta, fetal liver, fetal intestine etc.) after a previous intravenous injection of the 3H-marked palmitic acid to the mother rabbit. The radiochromatogram showed high incorporation rates of palmitate into the lecithin by fetal lung and placenta. These results seem to document that the high content of palm oil in Nigerian meals can partly be related to the low incidence of respiratory distress syndrom in Nigerian premature infants.