Comparison of cortisol concentrations in plasma and saliva in dairy cattle following ACTH stimulation.

The experiments described in this research communication compared cortisol concentrations in plasma and saliva samples collected from dairy cattle before and after an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) application. For that purpose, blood and saliva samples were collected from five dairy cows at determined time intervals before (490 min and down to 0 min) and after (10 min and up to 500 min) an ACTH application. Mean baseline cortisol concentrations were greater in plasma compared to saliva.

[Fattening bull raising--alternative housing on slatted floors].

Rubber topped slatted floor gives more lying comfort to intensive fed fattening bulls, reduces risks of integument lesions as well as increases their locomotion comfort. On the other side there are more fissured alterations and defects in the sole and heel horn due to lack of sufficient wear away which often made the bearing surface to be overgrown. Overgrown claws are also seen on solid slatted floors, but these horn parts were normally grated down in short time that frequently goes along with abrasions of the claw peak and the wall horn as well.

Effect of restoration of AV synchrony on stroke volume, exercise capacity, and quality-of-life: can we predict the beneficial effect of a pacemaker upgrade?

The aim of this study was to assess to what extent patients with VVIR pacemakers and without overt symptoms of a pacemaker syndrome benefit from a pacemaker upgrade, and if a preoperative noninvasive measurement of the change in stroke volume (SV) could predict the effect of a pacemaker upgrade. The study group consisted of 20 (12 women, 8 men) VVIR patients with a mean age of 60 years. The indication for the first implantation was AV block in 13 patients and SSS in 7.

[Voluntary testing procedures of farm animal housing equipment according to the Animal Welfare Act of 1998].

Before its broad application in practice, housing equipment should be tested, in particular with regard to animal welfare. The differing positions of the German Federal Council (Bundesrat) and the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag), whether such testing should be mandatory or voluntary, have been conciliated in the amended animal welfare act by empowering the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries (BML) to fix official standards for voluntary testing procedures by regulation. On request of the BML, a report as scientific basis for a draft regulation is currently prepared by the scientific animal welfare committee of the German Agricultural Society (DLG).

[Maturational quality, adaptation reactions and clinical-chemical blood values in automatically milk-fed bred milk calves].

Calves of the dairy herd were used for this investigation. Body weight and growth rate were measured at 4, 6, 10, 12 and 13 weeks of life and venous blood acid base status, gas content, creatinine, urea, total protein, Ca, Mg, P, Na, K, Cl, Fe and catecholamine content at 15 days and at 90 days of age as well. Changes of blood values were analyzed in connection with growth performance and with the blood values of calves at 15 days of age testing the individually different degrees of adaptation and development.

Pacemaker electrode implantation in patients with persistent left superior vena cava.

Four out of 661 consecutive patients with permanent endocardial VVI pacing had the pacing lead introduced through a persistent left superior vena cava. It was difficult to introduce the lead from the right atrium into the right ventricle because the tip of the lead tended to be deflected away from the tricuspid orifice. This difficulty was overcome by shaping the lead into a pigtail with 3-4 cm wide loop.

[The case of the "runaway pacemaker"].

A case of a runaway pacemaker is described. Malfunctioning pacemaker produced stimuli with changeable amplitude and fast rate. It was a reason of intermittent capture, producing a variable ventricular rate; periods of life-threatening pacemaker-induced ventricular tachycardia or uneffective stimulation with slow ventricular escape rhythm.

Functionless retained pacing leads in the cardiovascular system. A complication of pacemaker treatment.

Twenty one patients with retained endocardial pacemaker leads were followed during a total observation period of 1097 months to assess the incidence of complications. Two patients developed thrombosis and occlusion of the superior vena cava, which was relieved by the development of a collateral venous circulation. In one patient the broken tip of the lead migrated to a pulmonary artery but did not cause overt complications.

Major venous thrombosis: a complication of transvenous pacemaker electrodes.

Two patients with transvenous permanent pacemakers developed thrombosis and occlusion of the superior vena cava around a broken pacing wire, with clot extending into the innominate, subclavian, and axillary veins. Both patients had symptoms and signs of the superior vena cava syndrome which failed to resolve despite anticoagulant and thrombolytic treatment. Obstruction to venous flow, however, was relieved in large measure by the development of collateral venous channels.

Acute myocardial infarction--prehospital and posthospital phases.

The prognosis of acute myocardial infarction depends to a large extent on quick access to medical facilities, preferably in a hospital. Total delay in hospitalization (THD) consists of patient's delay (PD--time from the onset of the attack to the call for a doctor), doctor's delay (DD--time from the call for a doctor to his arrival), and hospitalization delay (HD--time from the doctor's arrival to the admission in a hospital). In a group of 507 cases of acute myocardial infarction the median THD was 215 min.