Potential adverse effects of inorganic pollutants on clinical parameters of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta): results from a nesting colony from Cape Verde, West Africa.

A large number of nesting loggerhead sea turtles (n = 201) were sampled to establish the blood levels of 11 elements (Cu, Mn, Pb, Zn, Cd, Ni, Cr, As, Al, Hg, and Se). Almost all of the samples showed detectable levels of these 11 elements, and Zn and Se exhibited the highest concentrations (median values as high as 6.05 and 2.28 µg/g, respectively). The median concentrations of the most toxic compounds, As, Cd, Pb, and Hg, were relatively low (0.38, 0.24, 0.06, and 0.03 µg/g, respectively). We also determined the haematological and biochemical parameters in a subsample of 50 turtles to evaluate the potential effects of these contaminants on clinical parameters and found several associations. Our study reinforces the usefulness of blood for the monitoring of the levels of contaminating elements and their adverse effects on blood parameters in sea turtles.

[Midazolam as an induction agent for surgery of the anterior segment of the eye]. / Le midazolam comme agent d'induction pour la chirurgie du segment antérieur de l'oeil.

A new water-soluble benzodiazepine, midazolam maleate, was used at a dosage of 0.15 mg X kg-1 to induce general anaesthesia for eye surgery in 30 patients. The following parameters were measured at times C (control), t1, t2 and t3 (2, 5 and 10 min after induction): systemic arterial blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, arterial blood gases and eye tone. Results showed very significant changes in acid-base balance, with an increase in PaCO2 and a significant fall in eye tone; changes in haemodynamic parameters were not significant. Midazolam therefore appeared to be a good drug to use for inducing anaesthesia in eye surgery, particularly in the elderly.