[Significance of respiratory compensation in acidosis in calves]. / Bedeutung respiratorischer Kompensationsvorgänge bei Azidosen des Kalbes.

The respiratory component PvCO2 of acid-base-status was observed in n = 36 calves (age: x +/- s = 8.7 +/- 5.0 d) with neonatal diarrhea and an acidosis (venous blood-pH: < 7.30; x +/- s = 7.08 +/- 0.15). In n = 10 (28%) calves with a severe metabolic acidosis (pH: x +/- s = 7.03 +/- 0.12; BE: x +/- s = -22.1 +/- 5.3 mmol/l) the PvCO2 was decreased < 5.3 kPa (x +/- s = 4.5 +/- 0.5 kPa) and showed a distinct respiratory compensation. A PvCO2 between 5.3-6.7 kPa (x +/- s = 6.0 +/- 0.4 kPa) was observed in n = 16 (44%) acidotic calves (pH: x +/- s = 7.11 +/- 0.13; BE: x +/- s = -15.2 +/- 7.4 mmol/l). These n = 26 (72%) calves showed a simple metabolic acidosis which is well known for calves with neonatal diarrhea. The remaining n = 10 (28%) calves showed an increase of the PvCO2 > 6.7 kPa (x +/- s = 8.0 +/- 1.5 kPa). These animals had a mixed respiratory-metabolic acidosis (pH: x +/- s = 7.08 +/- 0.20; BE: x +/- s = -13.9 +/- 10.3 mmol/l), as the decrease of the pH could not be determined by the decreased metabolic component HCO3- of acid-base-status alone. Calves which died during hospitalization and calves with a PvCO2 > 6.7 kPa tended to be younger and showed partially significant lower values for the parameters of oxygen-supply PvO2 and SvO2. Lactate was significantly higher in dying calves but not in calves with a mixed acidosis which on the other hand were more dehydrated. The functional capacity of respiratory compensation of acidotic disorders in the calves studied promised to be almost the same as in dog and man. One reason for the failure of respiratory compensation in some calves could be a more severe hypovolemia. With the use of "venous hypoxemia" (decrease PvO2 and decrease SvO2) the detection of tissue hypoxia was easier than with lactate concentration.

Intravenous fluid therapy of calves.

Dehydration in neonatal calves with diarrhea is a common cause of death. Severely dehydrated calves that are unable to suckle need intravenous fluids for effective resuscitation. This article gives an overview of the principles of intravenous fluid therapy for dehydrated calves including the types of fluids commonly used and methods of fluid administration. Practical on-farm options for simple clinical assessment and treatment of dehydration and acidosis in calves are also discussed in this article.

Neopterin as a prognostic parameter in patients with squamous-cell carcinomas of the oral cavity.

Concentrations of neopterin, which is produced by human monocytes/macrophages upon stimulation by interferon-gamma, were measured in urine specimens in 23 patients with squamous-cell carcinoma of the oral cavity at diagnosis and in 12 treated patients with the same disease when recurrence of the tumor was recognized. Tumor histology and routine laboratory parameters were concomitantly determined. Urinary neopterin values showed no statistically significant correlation with tumor differentiation, tumor size or patient age, but they were significantly higher in patients with a recurrent tumor. Patients were followed for up to 4 years, and the ability of all variables to predict fatal outcome was assessed. In univariate analysis, only neopterin (p = 0.01) and the variable recurrent vs. first-diagnosed tumor were significant predictors of survival. In multivariate analysis, a combination of neopterin (p < 0.01) and the variable recurrent vs. first-diagnosed tumor (p = 0.06) was found to jointly predict survival. Thus, urinary neopterin concentrations provide valuable prognostic information in patients with squamous-cell carcinoma of the oral cavity.

[Pathogenesis and diagnosis of systemic acidosis in animals with conclusions for effective forms of therapy]. / Pathogenese und Diagnostik von systemischen Azidosen bei Tieren mit Schlussfolgerungen für wirksame Therapieverfahren.

Intermediary metabolism produces daily approximately 285 mmol hydrogen ions per kilogramm metabolic body weight (BWkg 0.75). If the lung fails to eliminate the volatile acid H2CO3 sufficiently and/or if the kidneys do not eliminate the also produced nonvolatile acids a retention of acids in the organism results. This way, as well as increased acid production through metabolic processes, leads to a systemic acidosis. Systemic acidosis develops after a primary dysfunction of an organ. If there is only one cause of an acid-base-disturbance, e.g. metabolic acidosis, the organism will respond with compensation by the correspondent organ, e.g. the lung, which reduces the drop in the pH. If metabolic and respiratory acidosis occur simultaneously normal compensation is impaired and the fall in the pH is greater by additive effects. This can lead to a severe, life-threatening decline in the blood-pH (< 7.00). If the pH falls from normal value of 7.40 below 7.20, buffer therapy is necessary. Most alkalinizing agents in veterinary medicine, such as bicarbonate, lactate or acetate are only effective after increased pulmonary elimination of CO2 produced in buffer reactions. These substances are not suitable and are even contraindicated in therapy of primary respiratory or mixed respiratory-metabolic acidosis. New buffer agents, e.g. an equimolar mixture of NaHCO3 and Na2CO3 (= Carbicarb) open new promising possibilities in the treatment of acidotic disorders in animals. However clinical trials to determine the efficacy of Carbicarb in animals are still to be conducted.

Urinary neopterin excretion in patients with squamous carcinoma of the oral cavity.

Urinary neopterin concentrations were studied in 30 patients with squamous carcinoma or adenoid cystic carcinoma of the oral cavity. Compared to healthy controls 19 patients (63%) had increased neopterin concentrations. There was a statistically significant correlation between neopterin levels and tumor differentiation but no correlation of neopterin values with tumor size. Longitudinal studies will be necessary to evaluate a potential usefulness of neopterin concentrations to predict prognosis in squamous carcinomas of the oral cavity.

[A fatal paradoxical air embolism during a routine obstetric procedure (cervical cerclage)]. / Letale "paradoxe Luftembolie" bei geburtshilflicher Routineoperation (Zervixcerclage).

A lethal paradoxical air embolism (PLE) occurred in a 21-year-old secundigravida during general anaesthesia for cervical cerclage on account of cervical insufficiency. The diagnosis of PLE was verified postmortem; we initially diagnosed venous air embolism intraoperatively because of typical symptoms (cyanosis, pulmonary dysfunction, and vascular obstruction) and aspiration of air from the subclavian catheter. We also suspected an arterial embolism due to prominent neurologic deficits. In spite of corrective positioning, controlled ventilation (CPPV and PEEP), volume therapy, and sympathomimetics, resuscitation remained unsuccessful. This very rare complication depends upon several conditions: (1) opened, non-collapsible veins; (2) a pressure gradient from outside to inside the veins; (3) a patent foramen ovale; and (4) a right atrial pressure greater than that on the left, which can cause an air embolism to either the coronary or cerebral circulations. The pathophysiology and causative factors are discussed extensively as the immediately started resuscitation could not alter the lethal course.

Fine structure and function of interrenal (adrenocortical) cells of dexamethasone-treated trout (Salmo fario L.).

The ultrastructure of the interrenal (adrenocortical) cells of trout (Salmo fario L.) was studied after dexamethasone treatment. A procedure for identifying and isolating interrenal tissue fragments from the surrounding head kidney tissue prior to their preparation for electron microscopy is described. The peripheral plasma cortisol concentrations were measured in order to evaluate the steroidogenic activity of this tissue. The interrenal cells of control animals contain numerous mitochondria with tubular cristae, and a well developed and highly organized smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER). The scarcity, or absence, of lipid droplets contrasts markedly with the abundance of SER. Treatment with dexamethasone results in a decrease steroidogenic activity of the interrenal cells, as indicated by the fall in plasma cortisol concentrations. The interrenal cells are small, but still contain numerous mitochondria. The SER is poorly developed, but masses of densely intermeshed smooth cisternae subsist. Lipid droplets do not accumulate in these cells; this peculiarity is discussed in connection with the virtual absence of liposomes in teleost interrenal cells.

Ultrastructural demonstration of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in steroid-secreting cells.

The ultrastructural localization of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (NADP-linked) has been attempted in steroid-secreting cells. Rat adrenocortical cells and newt testicular glandular cells were fixed in an ice-cold mixture of 1% methanol-free formaldehyde and 0.25% glutaraldehyde. Potassium ferricyanide was used as the final electron acceptor. After incubation, the final copper ferrocyanide precipitate is exclusively observed in the hyaloplasm of these cells, provided that an electron carrier (1.0 mM PMS) has been added to the medium in order to by-pass the tissue "diaphorase" (NADPH-ferricyanide reductase) reaction. No precipitate appears in the absence of glucose-6-phosphate (substrate). Incubation in a medium devoid of PMS results in an exclusively mitochondrial reaction; the latter is that of the "diaphorase", which in these cells is mitochondrial. These results prove the importance of utilizing exogenous electron carriers (such as PMS) in coenzyme-linked dehydrogenase cytochemistry. Although polyvinyl alcohol was included in the washing and incubation media, in order to increase their viscosity, problems still exist concerning ultracytochemical localization of this "soluble" enzyme; these problems are discussed in the paper.

[Ultrastructural localization of 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in the glandular tissue cells of the testis of Pleurodeles waltlii Michach. (Amphibia, Urodela)]. / Localisation ultrastructurale de l'activité 3 beta-hydroxystéroïde déshydrogénasique dans les cellules du tissu glandulaire du testicule de Pleurodeles waltlii Michah. (Amphibien, Urodèle).

With the potassium ferricyanide method, the localization of the sites of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity has been investigated in the glandular tissue cells, previously fixed, of the Pleurodeles testis. An abundant copper ferrocyanide precipitate, the final reaction product, is observed in the vicinity of the external faces of the membranes of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum, or in contact with them. A very weak reaction occurs in mitochondrial cristae.

Electron microscopic localization of 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and NADH-ferricyanide reductase activities in amphibian interrenal cells.

3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and NADH-ferricyanide reductase activities were localized at the ultrastructural level in amphibian interrenal (adrenocortical) cells previously fixed in a mixture of formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde. Potassium ferricyanide was used as an electron acceptor. Copper ferrocyanide deposits resulting from 3beta-HSD activity were seen in close association with the external faces of the membranes of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Very rare grains of precipitate appeared in mitochondrial cristae. The addition of phenazine methosulfate to the incubation medium had no effect on these localizations. The interrenal cells showed also a strong NADH-ferricyanide reductase activity. The copper ferrocyanide grains were abundant in the mitochondrial cristae and in the hyaloplasm, where they were not preferentially associated with the smooth endoplasmic reticulum.

[Effect of the inhibition of "NADH-diaphorase" activity on the ultrastructural localization of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase]. / Effet de l'inhibition de l'activité "NADH-diaphorasique" sur la localisation ultrastructurale de la 3 beta-hydroxystéroïde déshydrogénase.

The NADH-ferricyanide oxidoreductase ("NADH-diaphorase") activity can be inhibited selectively with 0.5 mM p-chloromercuribenzoate, and the reduction of the potassium ferricyanide can be restored with an exogenous electron carrier (PMS). These operations do not affect the localization of the final precipitate of copper ferrocyanide which results from 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity.

Ultracytochemical demonstration and probable localization of 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity with a ferricyanide technique.

In order to localize 3beta-hydroxysteriod dehydrogenase activity on the ultrastructural level, sections of Newt and Rat adrenocortical tissues, fixed in a mixture of glutaraldehyde (0.25%) and formaldehyde (1%), were incubated in a medium containing namely a 3beta-hydroxysteroid as substrate, NAD, potassium ferricyanide as final electron acceptor and copper sulfate. In some experiments, phenazine methosulfate (PMS), an electron carrier which can substitute for the activity of the endogenous NADH-diaphorase, is added at various concentrations to the incubation medium. A final precipitate of copper ferrocyanide is observed in the immediate vicinity of the tubules of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum, or in contact with their external faces. The reaction product can also be seen in mitochondrial cristae. The reaction does not take place in incubation media lacking substrate or containing cyanoketone, a specific inhibitor of 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. the addition of PMS to the incubation medium increases the intensity of the reaction, but does not modify the localization of the precipitate.

[Ultrastructural demonstration of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity using potassium ferricyanide]. / Mise en évidence ultrastructurale de l'activité 3 beta-hydroxystéroïde déshydrogénasique au moyen de ferricyanure de potassium

Sections of Rat and Amphibian adrenocortical tissue fixed in a mixture of 1% formaldehyde and 0.25% glutaraldehyde, are incubated in a medium containing namely a 3 beta-hydroxysteroid (substrate), NAD, potassium ferricyanide (hydrogen acceptor) and copper sulfate. A hyaloplasmic copper ferrocyanide precipitate is observed in the immediate vicinity of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum membranes, or in close contact with them. This reaction, which does not occur in media lacking the substrate or containing cyanoketone, is a result of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. Problems concerning the precise localization of this enzyme are discussed.

[Ultrastructure of interrenal (adrenocortical) cells of an elamobranch, the common dogfish (Scyliorhinus caniculus L)]. / Caractères ultrastructuraux des cellules interrénales d'un Poisson Elasmobranche, la petite Roussette (Scyliorhinus caniculus L.)

The interrenal (adrenocortical) cells of the common dogfish show the ultrastructural features characteristic of steroid hormone producing cells. Their endoplasmic reticulum consists predominantly of smooth surfaced tubules. They are rich in mitochondria with tubular and vesicular cristae and in liposomes. This last characteristic differentiates them from the interrenal cells of Teleosts, which are devoid of liposomes. In addition, the interrenal cells of the common dogfish are strikingly rich in microfilament-like inclusions.

Observations on peroxisomes in interrenal (adrenocortical) cells of Triturus cristatus and Salamandra salamandra (Urodele Amphibians).

Intracellular organelles (average diameter: 0.3 mu) similar to peroxisomes were observed in the interrenal cells of Triturus cristatus and Salamandra salamandra. Their peroxisomal nature was demonstrated by incubating tissue sections in alkaline 3,3-diaminobenzidine. Oxidation of diaminobenzidine, a characteristic feature of peroxisomes, was observed. These organelles are devoid of a central nucleoid and are surrounded to various degrees by profiles of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum. The matrix of these organelles is sometimes in direct communication with the inside of the smooth tubules. These relationships suggest a possible origin of the peroxisomes from the smooth endoplasmic reticulum.

[The peroxisomes of Triturus cristatus (amphibian, urodele) adrenal cortex cells: peroxisome number as a function of steroidogenic activity]. / Les peroxysomes des cellules interrénales de Triturus cristatus (Amphibien, Urodèle) : variation de leur nombre en fonction de l'activité stéroïdogénique

Peroxisomes are scarce in the poorly active interrenal cells of hypophysectomized animals; their number increases drastically in cells which are stimulated by corticotrophic factors. A precise correlation appears thus to exist between the steroidogenic activity of the interrenal cells and the number of peroxisomes in these cells.