Embolic event in the puerperium with tragic end.

OBJECTIVE: To present a case of a patient with embolic event in the puerperium at the surgery for residual trophoblastic tissue. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Department of Obstertics and Gynaecology, Hospital Rakovník. CASE REPORT: We present the 33-year-old second-graders case of three weeks of labor at 40th weeks, which was operated at our workplace for residual trophoblastic tissue. The gynecological surgery took place without complications, however, after the operation, breathing and circulation arrest. Thrombolysis was given for suspicion of embolization etiology. In spite of an intense urgent CPR and multidisciplinary collaboration, there is a failure in the life and death of the patient. CONCLUSION: In presenting this serious case of an embolic event, the author want to emphasize the need for proper diagnosis, an indication of the surgical performance or the conservative procedure for placental remnants in the puerperium.

Intratracheal and intranasal immunization with ovalbumin conjugated with Bacillus firmus as a carrier in mice.

Inactivated Bacillus firmus (BF), G+ nonpathogenic bacterium of the external environment, was coupled to ovalbumin (OVA) and used in immunization experiments as antigen carrier. Balb/c mice were immunized thrice intra-tracheally and intra-nasally with conjugates of OVA and BF. Surprisingly, administration of OVA-BF conjugates inhibited anti-OVA IgG response in both sera and mucosal secretions if compared to an exposure to OVA alone. The suppression of antigen-specific antibody production was accompanied by promotion of TH1 phenotype.

Tissue macrophages of calves after high doses of glucan.

Relatively high doses of the soluble form of fungal glucan (50 mg/kg of body weight) were administered to two clinically healthy calves. Hepatosplenomegaly was not observed. Quantitative and significant qualitative changes were seen in macrophages in the medulla of lymph nodes as compared to the control animals. Both the fibrillar and the granular components in the vacuoles of phagocytosing cells appeared to be positive in the periodic acid-Schiff reaction (PAS); an amorphous component was PAS negative. Quantitative changes occurred also in the expression of IgM molecules on the surface of B lymphocytes. The results indicate that glucan can be used in ruminants also in a single high dose.

[Initial results of an in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer program in a private health institution]. / První výsledky v programu in vitro fertilizace a embryotransferu v nestátním zdravotnickém zarízení.

Between October 1994 and the end of February 1995 115 patients were included in our programme. In these patients we monitored 141 cycles, performed 128 punctures and 100 ET. In 14 instances (9.2%) the cycle was abolished. By puncture of 1468 follicles 1370 oocytes were obtained which corresponded to a recovery rate of 93.3%. On average by aspiration 11.9 oocytes per patient were obtained. From the total number of acquired oocytes 54.6% were fertilized and 43.5% divided. Of 596 embryos 290 were transferred and the remainder was vitrified. A total of 17 clinical pregnancies were achieved, incl. 5 which terminated by abortion, the remainder proceeds. The authors are aware that they present a relatively small group during a short period of time, and thus the first results of the centre cannot be presented as a current standard. Despite this the results permit some optimism for the future and indicate a certain amount of standardization of the authors' clinical and laboratory work.

Eosinophils in lymph nodes of cows infected by bovine leukaemia virus.

Prescapular lymph nodes from 109 animals positive to bovine leukaemia virus (BLV) were evaluated in this study. Lymph nodes of 81 animals (74.3%) showed an increased number of eosinophils (Eo) in a variety of pathological reactions. Eo counts in T-zonal hyperplasia (47 cases, 43.1%) and mixed hyperplasia (13 cases, 11.9%) were significantly higher (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively) than in the control group. Similarly, a significantly increased number of blood eosinophils (BEo) was observed in cows with diffuse infiltration by Eo in the lymph nodes as compared to the number of BEo in cows serologically positive to BLV but without morphological changes in the lymph nodes and in cows which were serologically negative (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). The possible role of eosinophilic granulocytes in the regulation of immune response to enzootic bovine leukaemia (EBL) is discussed.

[Mineral metabolism in calves during periods of milk feeding and weaning based on selected parameters in the blood]. / Hodnotenie úrovne minerálneho metabolizmu teliat v období mliecnej výzivy a odstavu na základe vybraných parametrov v krvi.

Concentrations of calcium, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium, sodium and potassium (Tab. I) were followed in the blood serum of calves in the period of milk diet and weaning (at the age of nine weeks), and the results were evaluated with respect to their deviations from the reference values. The average concentrations of calcium and inorganic phosphorus did not show any significant variations and they were within the range of reference values. Magnesium concentrations in the blood serum of calves on all-vegetable diet (11 weeks of age) were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in comparison with the starting value (at the age of two weeks) while they approached the lower boundary of reference range as late as at the age of nine weeks (Fig. 1). The highest percentage of hypocalcaemia (33.3%) and hypophosphataemia (47.3%) in individual animals was determined at weaning. The highest level of hypomagnesaemia was observed at the age of two and five weeks (57.1% of the calves). The subnormal values of the mentioned parameters were markedly adjusted in the calves on all-vegetable diet (Fig. 2). The concentrations of serum sodium and potassium (Fig. 3) were decreasing in the calves on milk diet, but after weaning they were stabilized at the values which were recorded at the age of five weeks (Na 146.3 mmol/l and K 5.19 mmol/l). With the exception of weaning, the average sodium concentrations in the blood serum of calves were slightly above the upper boundary of the reference range, their significant drop was observed only at weaning (p < 0.05). The concentrations of serum potassium were within the range of reference values except the values at the age of two weeks and the potassium concentrations in the serum were significantly lower at the age of 5, 9 and 11 weeks in comparison with the starting value (p < 0.01). The highest percentage of hypernatraemia (81%) and hyperkalaemia (85.7%) was determined in individual animals at the age of two weeks (Fig. 4).

[Use of selected parameters in the serum and blood of calves in the evaluation of nitrogen and energy metabolism]. / Vyuzitie vybraných parametrov v sére a krvi teliat pri posudzovaní úrovne dusíkového a energetického metabolizmu.

Concentrations of total proteins, albumin, total serum immunoglobulins, urea and total lipids in the blood serum and glucose concentrations in the blood were investigated in the periods of milk nutrition and weaning, and the results were evaluated with respect to their differences from the range of reference values. Concentrations of total proteins (TP) in the blood serum significantly decreased if the starting values at the age of two weeks (65, 45 g/l) were compared with the values at the age of five weeks, and they began to increase to the age of 11 weeks. The average TP values at the age of 11 weeks were significantly higher (p < 0.01) than the starting values (Fig. 1, Tab. I). TP concentrations were above the upper limit of the reference range since weaning (nine weeks of age). Subnormal TP values were recorded in individual animals at the age of two, five weeks, at weaning, at 11 weeks in the animals on all-vegetable diet in 4.8%, 19.1%, 4.8% and 9.5% of the calves, respectively (Fig. 2). The albumin concentrations were increasing from the age of five weeks but the changes in the values were statistically insignificant and the average values remained in the reference range (Fig. 1). The reduced albumin concentrations were recorded in individual animals in 28.6% of the calves at the age of two weeks, in 19.1% of the calves at the age of five weeks, in 42.9% of the calves at weaning, and in 38.1% at the age of 11 weeks. The concentrations of total serum immunoglobulins (TS-Ig) were increasing since the animal collection with their growing age (Fig. 1) while in comparison with the starting values the increases were significant at the age of five weeks (p < 0.05), nine and eleven weeks (p < 0.01). The average TS-Ig values rose to the reference range at the age of five weeks. In individual animals, the reduced TS-Ig values were recorded in the serum at the age of two weeks in 71.4% of calves, at the age of five weeks in 42.9%, at weaning in 33.3% and at the age of 11 weeks it was only in 9.5% of the calves (Fig. 2). The urea concentration in the serum was decreasing from the age of five weeks to weaning. In comparison with the starting values, the differences in the average values were statistically insignificant and the average values remained within the reference range (Fig. 1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[Lysozyme in the colostrum and blood of calves and dairy cows]. / Lyzozým v kolostre a krvnom sére teliat a dojníc.

During examination of lysozyme concentration we have found out that 90.3% of calf sera had the lysozyme concentration to 0.5 microgram . ml-1, 5.7% of sera showed zero values and only 4.0% of sera values from 0.5 to 1.4 microgram . ml-1. A higher lysozyme content was recorded in sera of calves up to the age of ten days in comparison with sera of calves after the second week post natum. The lysozyme concentration showed in calves a two-phase increase in the age dynamics up to the seventh to eighth week of life with a peak in second and fifth to eighth week of age. The increase rate in the first phase and the time onset of increase in the second phase were in negative, and/or positive relation to the level of immunity obtained through colostrum. The lysozyme concentration in serum of dairy cows was on fourth day post partum as much as ten times higher than in serum of their progenies 48 hours after parturition. In first colostrum the lysozyme concentration fluctuated within the range of 0.15 to 0.65 microgram X ml-1, with an average of 0.30 microgram X ml-1. The concentration of lysozyme and immunoglobulins of the IgG and IgM class in colostrum showed a contrary trend in first and second milk yield, with a tendency towards increase for lysozyme and towards decrease for immunoglobulins.

[Hemoconcentration in calves and its relation to the hematologic, protein, mineral and electrolyte profile]. / Hemokoncentrácia u teliat a jej vztahy k hematologickému, bielkovinovému, minerálnemu a elektrolytovému profilu.

The dynamics of hematological, protein, mineral and electrolytic profile was examined clinically in nine calves when the hemoconcentration was induced experimentally. The hemoconcentration occurred after diarrhea caused by the per os application of 12 g saccharose per one kg of live weight. The hemoconcentration culminated six hours after application. The calves where the hemoconcentration did not exceed the critical value were included in the first group, and the calves with the extreme hemoconcentration values in the other group. In the first group (with the increasing hemoconcentration degree), a statistically significant increase was found in the values of hematocrit, erythrocytes, hemoglobin, total protein in blood serum and total immunoglobins and a statistically insignificant increase in the levels of leucocytes, inorganic phosphorus, serum calcium and sodium. Serum potassium and magnesium showed the inverse dynamics, i. e. the decrease. In the second group (with the extreme hemoconcentration), hyperkalemia and slight hypermagnesemia were identified, while the other parameters showed deviations similar to those observed in the first group. After the rehydration of animals by a preparation without any influence on the studied parameters, the hemoconcentration and the parameters under study stabilized, while in the second group the hemoconcentration was increasing even during the rehydration and the levels of serum potassium and magnesium showed different tendencies. As follows from the results, in the calves suffering from scours accompanied by hemoconcentration the correction of the parameters of metabolic profile is necessary.

[Hemoconcentration in calves in relation to actual and corrected values of metabolic profile parameters]. / Hemokoncentrácia u teliat vo vztahu k aktuálnym a korigovaným hodnotám niektorých parametrov metabolického profilu.

Frequent pathogenetic condition of hemoconcentration in calves results in apparent increase in the parameters of metabolic profile above the standard level. These values, however, do not conform to the actual state and often lead to unsubstantiated diagnostic conclusions with pathological deviations. On the basis of experimental study on the dynamics of some parameters of hematological, protein, mineral and electrolytic profile in the calves with experimental hemoconcentration, a correction table and diagram for the calculation of corrected values for some parameters of metabolic profile were elaborated. At hematocrit value increased above the physiologic limit (0.45--0.60) the correction values of parameters in percent are subtracted from the actual value. The correction table was used to correct actual values of those parameters of metabolic profile which during the experimental hemoconcentration were found to have direct relations to the dynamics (Er, Hb, Le, CB, Ig, serum Ca, P and Na). The correction of serum potassium and of some enzymes (AST, ALT, gMT) is not indicated because no relations were determined. Whereas the actual values of the studied parameters reached their maxima (statistically significant differences in Er, Hb, CB, Ig levels) at the culmination of hemoconcentration (6th hour--1st sampling), the differences between the corrected values and initial values were in all parameters insignificant. The correction of actual values of parameters by means of the diagram or table is simple, expeditious and reliable.

[Absorption of colostral immunoglobulins and its interdependence]. / Absorpcia kolostrálnych imunoglobulínov a jej závislosti.

Three main factors underlying the immunity state of newborn calves are evaluated. During the absorption of colostral immunoglobulins the immunoprotein profile of a newborn calf is influenced by the following factors (arranged according to importance): volume of the first colostrum taken in, time of the first drinking, and immunoglobulin concentration (IgG and IgM) in colostrum. When given 1.1 or 2.0 litres of colostrum of about the same quality (as to immunity), the calves of the compared groups had significantly different levels of total serum Ig measured 24 hours after birth: 10.7 and 18.6 U ZST (P less than 0.05) and 48 hours after birth: 11.7 and 19.7 U ZST (P less than 0.01). A significant difference in total serum proteins was observed only in the 48th hour post partum (54.4 and 63.6 g per litre; P less than 0.05). At the intake of 1.5 litres of colostrum within two and five hours after birth, with the same total intake of the sum of IgG and IgM in the groups, the calves exhibited, in the 24th hour, total serum Ig levels of 14.4 and 12.4 U ZST (P greater than 0.05) respectively, and 56.0 and 47.9 g per litre (P greater than 0.05) of total serum protein, respectively. With a different concentration of colostral IgG (122.0 or 77.0 g per litre) the statistically significant Ig absorption into blood was adequately different (17.2 and 10.0 U ZST, respectively, P less than 0.05). The differences in the concentration of total serum Ig and total proteins between the 24th and 48th hour after birth were only very small and statistically insignificant. Regression analysis proved a significant relation (P less than 0.01) between the level of total serum Ig 24 and 48 hours after birth and the total amount of IgG and IgM taken in with the first colostrum. The calves coming from primiparae had a lower immunity (P less than 0.01) in comparison with the calves of multiparae. A similar relation in the absorption of colostral Ig was observed when the spontaneously born calves were compared with those born by the Caesarean section (P less than 0.01).

[The immunoprotein profile of calves raised under extremely healthy conditions]. / Imunobielkovinový profil teliat v zdravotne extrémnych podmienkach.

The immuno-protein profile of calves was studied. On the basis of the results obtained under extreme health conditions, attention is drawn to the incidence of subnormal values of total immunoglobulins in 74%, and hypoproteinaemia in 24%, of the calves in the first week after birth. Failure to respect the principles of colostral nutrition is also indicated by the finding of a marked immunodeficient state in 49% of the calves during the first three days of their life; 19% of the calves showed threshold values of total immunoglobulins. During the first 72 hours of life, a physiological concentration of total immunoglobulins was recorded only in 30% of the studied calves. In this group, hypoproteinaemia was recorded only in calves whose total immunoglobulin concentration was 2.66 +/- 1.45 U ZST, on the average. Within the studied age categories of calves, the lowest simultaneous levels of immunoglobulins and total protein were recorded in the third and fourth week of life. It was even in the seventh to eighth week post partum that up to 31% of the calves showed subnormal values of total immunoglobulins. Immunopoiesis as such depended on the level of colostral immunity.