Two methods to adapt the human haemoglobin-oxygen dissociation algorithm to the blood of white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) and to determine the accuracy of pulse oximetry.

Objectives: To adapt the algorithm for the calculation of oxygen saturation to the blood characteristics of the white rhinoceros by two different methods and to determine the accuracy of conventional pulse oximetry measurements.

Study Design: Adaptation of two mathematical models of the oxygen dissociation curve (ODC).

Animals: Twenty-five captive white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum), including 12 males and 13 females, aged 6-32 years.

A protocol to correct for intra- and interspecific variation in tail hair growth to align isotope signatures of segmentally cut tail hair to a common time line.

Rationale: In recent years, segmental stable isotope analysis of hair has been a focus of research in animal dietary ecology and migration. To correctly assign tail hair segments to seasons or even Julian dates, information on tail hair growth rates is a key parameter, but is lacking for most species.

Methods: We (a) reviewed the literature on tail hair growth rates in mammals; b) made own measurements of three captive equid species; (c) measured δ(2)H, δ(13)C and δ(15)N values in sequentially cut tail hairs of three sympatric, free-ranging equids from the Mongolian Gobi, using isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS); and (d) collected environmental background data on seasonal variation by measuring δ(2)H values in precipitation by IRMS and by compiling pasture productivity measured by remote sensing via the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI).

Human exposures to immobilising agents: results of an online survey.

Cases of human exposure to veterinary injectable anaesthetics were reviewed following a literature search and completion of an online questionnaire in an attempt to provide an objective approach to the problem. The modified Glasgow Coma Scale was used to rank cases according to their severity. From the cases examined, results showed that intoxication with potent opioids, such as etorphine, carfentanil and thiafentanil, need to be treated with antagonists such as naloxone, nalmefene or naltrexone, and not with antagonists with agonistic properties, such as diprenorphine.

Bilateral stenting of symptomatic and asymptomatic internal carotid artery stenosis due to fibromuscular dysplasia.

Stent grafting of internal carotid artery (ICA) stenoses due to fibromuscular dysplasia has been rarely and only unilaterally carried so far. Bilateral carotid stent grafting of ICA stenoses due to fibromuscular dysplasia has not been reported previously. In a 37 year old woman with recurrent right hemispheric transitory ischaemic attacks, a non-disabling minor stroke, and recurrent right amaurosis fugax despite antithrombotic therapy, cerebral angiography disclosed a long segment narrowing, distal, high grade (95%) stenosis of the right ICA and a long narrowing, distal high grade (70%) stenosis of the left ICA.

[Limitations of life support in patients with anoxic encephalopathy after CPR. Results of a questionnaire to Austrian intensive care units].

A questionnaire was sent to 97 Austrian intensive care units to define the current practises of predicting neurologic outcome in patients with anoxic encephalopathy after cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. All relevant prognostic predictors, such as clinical scales, electrophysiological techniques and laboratory tests were included to examine if these procedures influence the decision to withdraw life support. The answers of 68 (70%) units were collected and analysed.