[Bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with acute exacerbation: preclinical differential diagnostic and emergency treatment].

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchial asthma are the most common causes of obstructive pulmonary diseases and acute dyspnoea. In the preclinical emergency situation a distinction between bronchial asthma and exacerbated COPD is difficult because symptoms are similar. Although the preclinical measures differ only marginally, a differential diagnosis from other causes of respiratory obstruction and acute dyspnoea, such as cardiac decompensation, anaphylaxis, aspiration of foreign bodies, tension pneumothorax and inhalation trauma is necessary because alternative treatment options are required.

Effects of short- and long-term pulsed radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on night sleep and cognitive functions in healthy subjects.

There has been wide public discussion on whether the electromagnetic fields of mobile telephones and their base stations affect human sleep or cognitive functioning. As there is evidence for learning and memory-consolidating effects of sleep and particularly of REM sleep, disturbance of sleep by radiofrequency electromagnetic fields might also impair cognitive functions. Previously realized sleep studies yielded inconsistent results regarding short-term exposure.

Lung function in military oxygen divers: a longitudinal study.

It is increasingly recognized that professional diving may elicit adverse long-term effects on the lungs, but conflicting results have been reported from distinct diving cohorts. This study reports the longitudinal change in lung function in professional divers who employ closed-circuit oxygen rebreathing apparatuses. All oxygen divers who attended the German Naval Medical Institute between 1994 and 1999 for regular medicals underwent spirometry and were entered if they had at least two follow-up examinations.

Quetiapine in patients with borderline personality disorder and psychosis: a case series.

Objective Atypical antipsychotics appear to be effective and well tolerated in the treatment of borderline personality disorder. One such agent, quetiapine ("Seroquel"), has a favourable side-effect profile and may be of value in acute and chronic treatment of this disorder. Methods In this case series, 12 outpatients with psychotic disorders meeting ICD-10, DSM-IV and DIB-R criteria for borderline personality disorder were treated with quetiapine monotherapy 300-750 mg/day.