Distribution of bovine viral diarrhoea virus antigen in persistently infected white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus).

Infection with bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV), analogous to that occurring in cattle, is reported rarely in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). This study evaluated the distribution of BVDV antigen in persistently infected (PI) white-tailed deer and compared the findings with those from PI cattle. Six PI fawns (four live-born and two stillborn) from does exposed experimentally to either BVDV-1 or BVDV-2 were evaluated. Distribution and intensity of antigen expression in tissues was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Data were analyzed in binary fashion with a proportional odds model. Viral antigen was distributed widely and was present in all 11 organ systems. Hepatobiliary, integumentary and reproductive systems were respectively 11.8, 15.4 and 21.6 times more likely to have higher antigen scores than the musculoskeletal system. Pronounced labelling occurred in epithelial tissues, which were 1.9-3.0 times likelier than other tissues to contain BVDV antigen. Antigen was present in >90% of samples of liver and skin, suggesting that skin biopsy samples are appropriate for BVDV diagnosis. Moderate to severe lymphoid depletion was detected and may hamper reliable detection of BVDV in lymphoid organs. Muscle tissue contained little antigen, except for in the cardiovascular system. Antigen was present infrequently in connective tissues. In nervous tissues, antigen expression frequency was 0.3-0.67. In the central nervous system (CNS), antigen was present in neurons and non-neuronal cells, including microglia, emphasizing that the CNS is a primary target for fetal BVDV infection. BVDV antigen distribution in PI white-tailed deer is similar to that in PI cattle.

Onset of protection from experimental infection with type 2 bovine viral diarrhea virus following vaccination with a modified-live vaccine.

The onset of protection after the administration of a modified-live bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) vaccine was determined. Protection was determined following experimental infection with a virulent type-2 BVDV (strain 1373) in cattle vaccinated 3, 5, or 7 days before BVDV infection. Protection, as measured by reduced virus shedding, lack of leukopenia, reduction in viremia, and reduced mortality, was present as early as 3 days after vaccination with a single dose of modified-live BVDV vaccine. Complete protection was obtained in cattle vaccinated 5 or 7 days before BVDV experimental infection.

[Tracheal and bronchial rupture after blunt thoracic trauma]. / Tracheal- und Bronchusruptur nach stumpfen Thoraxtrauma.

Airway disruptions after blunt chest trauma are rather infrequent with an incidence of about 1%. Even in large centers with many such casualties they are episodical. The clinical picture is not an uniform one, and typical clinical signs occur often without an airway lesion. Therefore, the correct diagnosis may be delayed. Two case reports, one with a tracheal rupture, the other with complete disruption of the main right bronchus are presented. Both patients showed significant soft tissue emphysema, increasing dyspnea and hypoxia respectively within a few hours after their accident. The diagnosis was established bronchoscopically after time intervals of 8 and 32 hours respectively, followed by immediate surgical correction. Both patients experienced a smooth recovery with good longterm results. In blunt chest trauma presenting with subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax, hemoptysis and respiratory distress, tracheobronchial disruption should be considered. In this case, expert bronchoscopy, preferably by a surgeon with large thoracic experience, is mandatory.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy after unsuccessful shock-wave therapy.

Extracorporeal shock-wave therapy of gallstones was begun at the Surgical Department of the University of Freiburg, Germany, in March 1988; 85 patients were treated up to September 1991. The stone-free rate differed with the gallstone group. Patients with solitary stones less than 20 mm in diameter showed a significantly higher rate after 18 months of lithotripsy and dissolution therapy than patients with multiple stones (p < 0.01), that is, 83% and 49%, respectively. Open cholecystectomy was necessary for seven patients with complications following fragmentation. After starting laparoscopic cholecystectomy, eight patients decided in favor of this procedure because of constant biliary symptoms. These patients had a mean duration of dissolution therapy of 19 months. The minimal invasive procedure is an alternative for patients with unsuccessful lithotripsy and lysis who initially demanded conservative treatment. Indication for shock-wave therapy is limited to only a small group of patients with solitary cholesterol gallstones less than 20 mm who reject laparoscopic surgery.

[The surgical treatment of thoracic wall instability]. / Die operative Behandlung der Thoraxwandinstabilität.

Cardinal symptom of the instability of thorax with paradoxical respiration is the irreversible respiratory insufficiency. The lethality is over 50%. For the treatment often besides the longterm respiration with the well known complications the operative stabilisation of the chest wall by osteosynthesis of the ribs by small plates. Thereby the mortality of this severe injury can be reduced significantly, if there is a good indication for osteosynthesis.

[Extracorporeal piezoelectric gallstone lithotripsy: initial surgical experience with a new treatment. Technique and indications]. / Extrakorporale piezoelektrische Gallensteinlithotripsie: erste chirurgische Erfahrungen mit einer neueren Therapie. Technik und Indikationen.

The extracorporeal piezoelectric lithotripsy (EPL) is a new method for non-operative therapy of symptomatic gallbladder and problematic bile duct stones. The rare intrahepatic calculi were similarly disintegrated. Best results were reached with EPL as adjuvant measure or combined with oral cheno- and ursodeoxycholic acid therapy. EPL compared to other lithotripsy techniques is performed without any analgesia. That means advantage and patient's benefit.

[Minimal osteosynthesis of fractures of the head of the humerus. Indications, technic, results]. / Minimalosteosynthese von Oberarmkopffrakturen. Indikation, Technik, Ergebnisse.

Between 1983 and 1987 minimal osteosynthesis for proximal humeral fractures was performed in 30 patients, 23 women and 7 men, with an average age of 58.5 years. According to the Neer classification there were 10 two-part, 9 three-part and 11 four-part fractures. Internal fixation was achieved with Kirschner wire (n = 9), cancellous screws (n = 4) or tension band (n = 17). The technique of internal fixation with Kirschner wire and lateral tension band is described. Follow-up examination was possible in 26 patients after 14 months. The functional results were excellent in 6 cases, good in 4, satisfactory in 14, and poor in 2 cases. According to Neer's protocol the overall results were excellent in 5 cases, satisfactory in 7 cases, unsatisfactory in 7 cases and poor in 7 cases. The treatment of displaced proximal humeral fractures, especially in elderly patients, is still an unsolved problem. As functional results were satisfactory or even better in three-quarters of the four-part fractures treated, we conclude that internal fixation using Kirschner wire and tension band can be recommended.

Water content effects on photosynthetic response of Sphagnum mosses from the foothills of the Philip Smith Mountains, Alaska.

In tussock tundra areas of the foothills north of the Brooks Range, Alaska, up to two-thirds of annual precipitation may occur during intermittent summer thunderstorms. The seasonal pattern in capitulum water content of Sphagnum spp. depends on the frequency and duration of these precipitation events, on the microtopography of the habitat including depth of thaw, and on morphological characteristics of the individual species. The response of net photosynthesis to varying water content in Sphagnum squarrosum and S. angustifolium growing under willow canopies in a tussock tundra area near the Dalton Highway on the North Slope of Alaska was examined in the field. After a period in June required to develop photosynthetic capability, capitula water content was essentially optimal for photosynthesis in the range from 6 to 10 g H2O/g DW. Above this range, the rate of CO2 uptake was reduced, presumably due to limitations on CO2 diffusion to the photosynthetically active sites. At water contents below the optimum, net photosynthesis fell rapidly until reaching compensation at approximately 1 g H2O/g DW. Dependent on changes in weather conditions, average water content of Sphagnum samples collected in the field occasionally fell below 5 g H2O/g DW. During a particularly dry period, water content of individual Sphagnum hummocks fell below 1 g H2O/g DW, indicating that water stress does limit Sphagnum photosynthetic production in this habitat.

A portable steady-state porometer for measuring the carbon dioxide and water vapour exchanges of leaves under natural conditions.

A portable porometer is described for measuring the steady-state CO2 and H2O exchange rates of leaves under natural conditions. The porometer has an open gas exchange system which monitors the differences in concentrations of CO2 and H2O entering and leaving a cuvette which is clamped on or around leaves. The cuvette is designed to maintain ambient air temperature and humidity around the leaf. This instrument may also be used to determine CO2 response curves in the field. Examples of diurnal courses are presented for attached leaves of different species having high and low rates of CO2 exchange.