[The determination of ammonia in rumen fluid]

The following 3 methods of NH3 determination were compared to each other for accuracy, on the basis of their results: microdiffusion acidimetric NH3 analysis, photometric NH3 analysis, using bivalent potassium tetra-iodomercurate, and steam distillation/acidimetric NH3 analysis. The results obtained from steam distillation at pH 7.6 were found to agree with those recorded from microdiffusion. However, photometric NH3 determination, using Nessler reagent, yielded overestimated values due to interference by other rumen juice substances.

[The dynamics of the content of ammonia and volatile fatty acids in the rumen fluid during the use of dry feed rations in the cow]

The development of the pH-value, the molar quota of volatile fatty acids and of the NH3 content in the change from silage rations to dried rations on the basis of pelleted feed and in dependence on the time after the beginning of feeding was tested in studies of the rumen fluid of four cows in order to explain the causes of the very low NH3 content of the rumen fluid in feeding experiments with rations based on pelleted straw-concentrate mixtures. An influence of the ration type and the time after the beginning of feeding on the molar quota of the individual volatile fatty acids and the NH3 content was ascertained. The ration type tested can cause an NH3 content in the rumen fluid below 1 mmol/l.

[Cardiac tamponade and chambered pericardial effusion complicating hemophilus influenzae pericarditis (author's transl)]

An unusual case of a 9 year old girl with primary pericarditis and cardiac tamponade due to Hemophilus influenzae is reported. Meningitis or manifestations in other organs could be excluded. Despite pericardial drainage for three weeks beginning at the 11th day of illness, a chambered pericardial effusion developed, which could be localized more exactly by cross-sectional echocardiography than by axial computerized tomography.

[Experimental results after acute and chronic ligation of bile duct (author's transl)]

The bile duct was ligated in 14 bastard dogs. Bilirubine, alcaline phosphatase, GOT, GPT, GLDH, and gamma GT were measured pre- and postoperatively. On the 8th postoperative day stenosis of the choledochus was eliminated using a patch plasty for dilatation in 7 dogs, whereas the occlusion remained in the other 7 dogs. Laboratory and histological results were characteristic for cholestasis 8 days after occlusion; these changes disappeared within 4 weeks after patch plastic surgery. In the controls these parameters normalized as well within 8 weeks, in spite of the persisting occlusion. These results show, that pathological changes after short term cholestasis are fully reversible; they demonstrate as well, that there are compensatory mechanisms operating in dogs with permanent occlusion of the bile duct.

[Diagnosis and therapy of acute pancreatitis (author's transl)]

In the course of acute pancreatitis an edematous and a hemorrhagic necrotizing pattern have to be discerned. Clinical symptoms are upper abdominal pain, shock, and metabolic derangements. Only subtle diagnostic procedures are appropriate as for instance x-ray of the chest and x-ray of the abdomen. Laboratory exams are of little value. For conservative treatment atropin, glucagon, calcitonin and antibiotics are being used nowadays, where as the efficacy of aprotinin is controversial. In the Department of Surgery of the Freiburg University Medical School an attempt at early surgery is made. In edematous pancreatitis the bursa omentalis is drained; in addition a T-drain has to be entered into the ductus choledochus. Seqmental necrosis of the pancreas may require resection of the left part of the pancreas. Necrotic areas of the head of the pancreas have to be removed by ablation. If there is total necrosis only drainage with an irrigation-suction pattern is possible.

[Conservative treatment of severe paralytic ileus. Clinical experiences with Ceruletid]

After the failure of other medicamentous treatment attempts for paralytic ileus, Ceruletid (Takus) was used in 20 surgical patients. Ceruletid was applied as an infusion of 40 microgram in 250 ml or 500 ml physiological saline solution over a period of 2-3 hours. During this time the occurrence of bowel sounds, flatulence and defecation was observed. The most important clinical and serological parameters were measured before and after treatment. Treatment was successful in 17 cases, in 3 cases no success was achieved. Severe side effects did not occur. The use of Ceruletid in the described form of administration can be recommended for the treatment of paralytic ileus.

[Diagnosis and treatment of blunt injury to the diaphragm (author's transl)]

Blunt injuries to the diaphragm are rare. They usually occur in combination with injuries to other structures (craniocerebral trauma, fracture of the pelvis, rupture of the spleen or liver). Regarding the diagnosis, knowledge of the mechanism of the accident may point to the possibility of a ruptured diaphragm, and so may auscultation and percussion of the chest. Examination of the gastrointestinal tract and contrast enema may show up displacement of abdominal viscera into the left pleural cavity. In cases of rupture of the right diaphragm coeliacography and scintillation scanning are indicated. As regards treatment: every rupture of the diaphragm needs surgical repair. If prolapse of viscera has been established, prompt intervention is necessary because of the risk of acute incarceration. Asymptomatic prolapse causing only minor complaints should also be rectified to obviate complications. The best approach for both early and late repair of the diaphragm is via the thorax.

The Pecked Cross Symbol in Ancient Mesoamerica

Attention is directed to a design, possibly of Teotihuacan origin, carved both in rock and in the floors of ceremonial buildings throughout ancient Mesoamerica. Consisting generally of a double circular pattern centered on a set of orthogonal axes, the so-called pecked cross or quartered circle figure is shown to exhibit a remarkable consistency in appearance throughout its 29 reported locations, thus suggesting that it was not perfunctory. The metric properties of the symbols gleaned from field surveys are delineated, and several interpretations of their possible functions are discussed. These symbols may have been intended as astronomical orientational devices, surveyor's bench marks, calendars, or ritual games. Evidence is presented which implies that more than one and perhaps all of these functions were employed simultaneously, a view which is shown to be consistent with the cosmological attitude of the pre-Columbian people.

[Metabolism of endogeneous gastrin (author's transl)]

The localization of production of gastrin is rather well known, the localization of metabolic breakdown however is still being discussed. Liver, kidneys, musculature and small intestine are being taken into consideration. Experiments were performed demonstrating a definite increase of serum gastrin after removal of the small intestine; the duodenum was not removed in these experiments, since enterogastrone is formed mainly in this organ. These results would suggest, that gastrin is metabolized in the small intestine. In order to further prove this point, truncal vagotomy was performed in rabbits, producing elevated serum gastrin levels. In other series subtotal removal of the small intestine was combined with truncal vagotomy. Serum gastrin levels were definitely higher after this latter procedure than after truncal vagotomy alone. These findings seem to support the hypothesis, that endogeneous gastrin is metabolized in the small intestine.

[Diagnostic value of thoracic and abdominal x-ray in acute pancreatitis (author's transl)]

Chest and abdominal films were retrospectively examined in 100 patients with acute pancreatitis excluding cases with pancreatitis concomitant to other diseases. Most frequently we found gastric and duodenal distension, diffuse distension of small bowel loops, localized meteorism of transverse colon as well as left flexure and diffuse colonic distension. The chest-films showed: elevated diaphragm and pleural effusion on the left, pneumonitis, pleuritis and and basal platelike atelectases. Pathologic radiological signs were absent in only 1% of the cases.

[Use of alloplastic material on the extrahepatic bile ducts]

Dogs (20 kg body weight) were laparotomized and the choledochous duct was ligated. Pre- and postoperative laboratory-parameters such as bilirubin, GOT, GPT, and alcaline phosphatase were controlled. Then, 8 days later, a patch-widening-plasty was performed after incision of the stenosis in 10 dogs. In the 10 other dogs the stenosis was resected and the defect was bridged over with a Teflon prosthesis. A few days later laboratory parameters became normal. Histologic investigation showed that after 4 weeks the Teflon prosthesis was covered with a bile duct-epithelial layer. In one of 3 patients with normal laboratory findings who have a Teflon patch, the operation took place 2 years ago.