Impact of <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> supplementation on reproductive performance, milk yield in ewes and offspring growth

Abstract. The effect of supplementing sheep diets with Saccharomyces cerevisiae Inter Yeast® dried brewer's yeast (Leiber GmbH, Bramsche, Germany) or with a Biolex® Beta-S (Leiber GmbH, Bramsche, Germany) extract containing over 70 % β-1,3/1,6-D-glucan was investigated. Experiment 1 was carried out with 120 ewes and 190 lambs. The animals were divided into three groups: I – control; II – fed yeast; and III – fed Biolex. The supplements were administered during a 3-week preparation period for tupping and a 70-day lamb-rearing period. The following reproductive parameters were analysed: fertility, prolificacy, lamb rearing and breeding performance, milk yield and lamb growth rate. Experiment 2 was conducted with 120 ewes divided into two groups: I – control and II – fed yeast during a 3-week preparation period. Fertility and prolificacy were analysed. Significant increases in prolificacy were recorded in sheep administered dried brewer's yeast: 28.51 % in experiment 1 and 31.33 % in experiment 2. Breeding performance was also higher by 35 %. Both yeast supplements had a stimulating impact on the milk yield of ewes and the growth rate of their offspring. Milk from the experimental ewes, especially in the group fed Biolex, had a substantially higher content of dry matter, mainly fat. The lambs in this group had the highest body weight at the age of 70 days. Finally, however, the production of livestock per mother was highest in the group fed the supplement with Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

[Blepharospasm and Meige's syndrome--a contribution to it's pathogenesis]

Two cases with blepharospasm followed by Meige syndrome were described. In the first magnetic resonants revealed bilateral hypodensive foci in thalamus. During the few years general dystonia has been developed after several relapses of disease diagnosed as multiple infarcts followed by aphasia, hemiparesis and asynergia. In the other one, who died, loss of neurons in striatum, especially in caudate nuclei was found. It is concluded that blepharospasm could be a syndrome of different origin and only the phase of Meige syndrome.

[Apomorphine in treatment of Parkinson's disease with fluctuations]

Apomorphine is a non-specific dopamine agonist, most similar to it, with a strong action on D2, D3, D4 receptors and weaker action on D1 and D5 receptors. It has been known since 100 years, and in Parkinson's disease it was used first in 1970 by Schwab and Cotzias. Apomorphine is used in Parkinson's disease with high-grade fluctuations of symptoms which cannot be controlled by oral drugs, especially in off" periods resistant to levodopa. After subcutaneous administration it changes the "off" to "on" period within 5-10 minutes. Unfortunately, its effect is short-lasting and wears off after 40-90 minutes. Apomorphine is administered in repeated single subcutaneous injections or in continuous subcutaneous infusion, if more than 7-9 single injections are required daily. Before beginning of treatment the optimal dose of apomorphine should be determined. For counteracting its emetic action domperidon (Motilium) is given additionally 20 mg t.d.s. Apomorphine produces no tolerance and is not losing its effectiveness with continued treatment. The most frequent adverse effects during long-term treatment are local cutaneous reactions, increased intensity of dyskinesia during the "on" period, visual hallucinations whose illusory character is clear to the patient, psychoses, orthostatic hypotension. The authors treated 8 patients with marked fluctuations in Parkinson's disease treated with levodopa. In 7 cases the effects was good--6 of them received 2-3 mg s.c. 3-4 times in 24 hours for 7-12 days. One patient has been treated 9 months with good result. In one case the intensity of dyskinesia made impossible treatment continuation.

[Neurologic signs in Addison-Biermer disease (report of 3 cases)]

The authors report three patients in whom a neurological syndrome was the first manifestation of Addison-Biermer disease. In the first case a paraneoplastic neurological syndrome was suspected, in two other cases the initial tentative diagnosis was multiple sclerosis. The correct diagnosis was reached after a prolonged diagnostic procedure and after ruling out of other diseases. The course of the disease was very serious in all cases leading to death of one patient despite intensive treatment (postmortem examination confirmed the diagnosis). In the second case the neurological syndrome failed to regress completely. The authors stress the necessity of considering this aetiology in neurological syndromes of atypical pattern and course.

[Cerebrolysin in treatment of acute ischemic stroke]

Cerebrolysin is composed of low molecular peptides and free amino-acids and as a nootropic drug it administered in various diseases of central nervous system. In an open clinical trial patients with acute ischaemic stroke in the region of the middle cerebral artery, were treated. Cerebrolysin was administered as intravenous infusion in daily dose of 15 ml during 21 days. Recovery in 10 patients and improvement in 3 was obtained and only one patient died. The results were compared to the large group of 108 patients treated earlier with other drugs. Therapeutic effect was similar in all groups.

[The so-called stroke headache]

Sudden violent headache occurring for the first time in life suggests subarachnoid haemorrhage and requires diagnostic management. In 20 cases the authors failed to find blood in cerebrospinal fluid, but in 8 cases the protein level was raised. The patients were examined again after 2-10 years, and had control neurological examination and CT of the brain. In half the cases similar headaches returned after various time periods, and haemorrhage was again ruled out. In all patient chronic headaches of lower intensity developed. Control CT examination showed in 7 cases scars or atrophy of brain tissue. It is difficult to qualify such headaches as migraine and other known types of headache. Recently in the literature a new name has been coined for them--thunderclap headaches, and some authors regard them as a sign of minor intracranial haemorrhage. CT changes, raised protein level in cerebrospinal fluid, and the type of pain may suggest haemorrhage. The usefulness of cerebral arteriography in such patients should be considered. We propose the name of stoke headache for suggesting the cause and special management.

Synthesis and pharmacological investigations of 3-(aminoalkylene)-1-aryl-2-thioxo-4,5-imidazolidinedione and 2,4,5-imidazolidinetrione derivatives

New derivatives of 2-thioxo-4,5-imidazolidinedione (3-6, 10, 11) and 2,4,5-imidazolidinetrione (7, 12) were synthesized by N,N'-acylation of asymmetric thioureas and ureas by oxalyl chloride. The obtained compounds were screened for their central action, mainly anticonvulsant activity.

1,3-disubstituted 2-thioxo-4,5-imidazolidinediones and 2,4,5-imidazolidinetriones and their anticonvulsant activity

New unsymmetrically 1,3-disubstituted derivatives of 2-thioxo-4,5-imidazolidinedione (3, 5-7, 9-12) and 2,4,5-imidazolidinetrione (2, 8, 13-15) were synthesized by condensation of the respective thioureas and ureas with oxalyl chloride. They were screened for their central, mainly anticonvulsant activity and only compound 8 revealed antianxiety and antiepileptic properties.

[Vertebrobasilar ischemia--clinico-radiologic correlations]

This term is used for describing disturbances of blood flow in the vertebral and basilar arteries due to atherosclerotic lesions causing stenosis or occlusion of these arteries. Clinical patterns of the resulting disturbances include transient symptoms, mainly vertigo, and stabilized syndromes with evidence of brain damage in this blood supply area. The purpose of the study was assessment of the blood flow in this vascular bed by means of dynamic computerized tomography (DCT) in relation to clinical signs, and a comparison of the results with those of similar DCT examinations in cases of circulatory disturbances in the carotid arteries. The study was carried out on 40 patients (20 with stabilized syndromes, 10 with transient disturbances and 10 with ischaemic episodes in the carotid artery supply. DCT abnormalities were found in 90% of patients with stabilized syndromes and in 40% of those with transient ischaemia. DCT may be an auxiliary diagnostic methods and may confirm the presence of vertebrobasilar circulatory failure. Normal result is not ruling out presence of changes in this arterial system.

[Clinical, CT and electrophysiologic studies of alcoholics with special reference to the cerebellum]

Comprehensive clinical examinations and laboratory investigations were carried out in 20 alcoholics (Group III according to Jellinek's classification) with particular reference to the cerebellum. Clinical cerebellar signs were found in 4 cases, and in 3 of them atrophic changes of the cerebellum and cerebrum were demonstrated in CT examinations, and in 3 electrophysiological changes compatible with neuropathy were found. Evoked auditory potential from the brainstem was changed in 12 cases, which might be explained as impairment of the cerebellar function. In 12 cases signs of polyneuropathy were disclosed, in 5 of them they were evident clinically and electrophysiologically, and in 7 they were found only in EMG. Changes in somatosensory and visual evoked potentials were less evident, but in connection with abnormalities in other investigations they suggested presence of diffuse or disseminated nervous system damage. These investigations suggest that cerebellar signs in alcoholics are not isolated and are a manifestation of a more generalized damage to the nervous system.

[Morphine epidural block in lumbosacral pain]

In 60 patients treated in hospital for discopathy the effectiveness of morphine epidural blockade was studied in the control of very strong pain. The patients were divided into 3 groups with 20 cases in each group. Group I received morphine 5 mg with 5 ml of 1% xylocaine. In group II and III the blockade was repeated giving by the double blind method either morphine with normal saline 5 ml followed by xylocaine as the second blockade (in 20 cases) or normal saline injected epidurally in 20 cases. The analgesic effect was assessed measuring the duration of analgesia. After morphine blockades the mean duration of analgesia was 20 hours, and the addition of xylocaine had no effect on it. Following xylocaine blockade the mean time of analgesia was 9.8 hours, and after normal saline injection it was 8.0 hours. The sensory phenomena experienced after morphine by most patients suggest that morphine exerts not only a local but also a central effect, while the similarity of the effects of xylocaine and normal saline suggests an analgesic effect independent of conduction block after epidural injection of these substances.

[Cavinton in the treatment of ischemic cerebral stroke. Clinical and computerized-tomographic evaluation]

Intravenous Cavinton (ethyl ester of apovincaminic acid) was given to 27 patients with acute ischaemic stroke, while 30 patients were given aminophylline twice daily during 10 days. The results of this treatment was compared on the basis of clinical manifestations and changes in computerized tomograms (CT) before and after the treatment. It was found that Cavinton gave similar results as aminophylline and other vasoactive preparations studied by other authors. In the group of severe strokes better results were observed after Cavinton, --out of 14 patients 2 died and 12 improved. In the aminophylline group 5 out of 10 patients died, and in 2 no improvement was observed. Clinical improvement was not correlated with CT improvement, while a significant correlation was observed between the state of the patient during admission and the size of the focus in CT. Cavinton had a significantly greater effect on the regression of CT changes.

Synthesis and pharmacological investigation of compounds containing a 2-thioxopyrrolidine-4,5-dione moiety

The synthesis of two Schiff bases of aryl methyl ketones and ethylenediamine 1c, 1d, symmetric adducts of aryl isothiocyanates with Schiff bases 2d-2m and 2-thioxopyrrolidine-4,5-dione derivatives 4d-4m obtained by condensation of oxalyl chloride with Schiff bases of aroylthioacetic acid anilides and ethylenediamine is described. Some of 13 investigated compounds 4a, 4b, 4d-4l, 5a, 5b of 2-thioxopyrrolidine-4,5-dione type showed sedative and analgesic action.

[Dynamics of clinical changes in correlation with computerized tomography in ischemic strokes]

Sixty patients with ischaemic stroke were studied observing during the acute period of the disease (10 days) changes in their neurological state in relation to findings in computerized tomography. It was found that in 24 patients with serious state changes prevailed involving nearly the whole lobe in CT. In patients with minor stroke CT demonstrated major lesions with involvement of a whole lobe as well as small deep lesions and cortical foci. In 27 patients the first CT examination demonstrated extensive lesions involving a whole lobe or a hemisphere. In this group clinical manifestations regressed completely in 3 cases within 10 days, in 15 cases an improvement was observed, 3 cases failed to improve and 6 patients died. In 12 cases with small cortical lesions regression of clinical manifestations was observed in 3 patients, 8 patients improved and one failed to improve. These observations showed a certain correlation between the clinical state and CT findings. Prognostic conclusions could be reached, however, only if a correlation existed between the clinical picture and CT. In case of lack of agreement, that is if extensive lesions coexisted with slight clinical changes or small lesions with a serious condition the clinical picture was of greater prognostic significance than CT findings.

[Pain tolerance and the effect of the treatment of headache by pinpoint stimulation of receptors]

In 53 patients with vasomotor headache treated by one of the methods of analgesic stimulation--pinpoint receptor stimulation (prs) the correlation was assessed between pain tolerance and the effect of prs. Pain tolerance was determined by the ischaemic tourniquet test of Smith. It was found that in patients with low pain tolerance much better therapeutic results were obtained (87.5%) than in patients with high pain tolerance (38.5%). No relationship was demonstrated between pain tolerance and the duration of improvement after prs.l Pain tolerance study may be important in qualification of patients for treatment by analgesic stimulation.

Synthesis and pharmacological activity of some 2,3-dihydrofuran-2,3-dione derivatives

New 2,3-dihydrofuran-2,3-dione derivatives (1-11) were obtained by condensation of oxalyl chloride with Schiff bases of acetyl- or benzoylacetone and aromatic amines. These compounds showed only weak sedative action and weak analgesic effect.

[Diurnal rhythm of pain in sciatica. Preliminary report]

Similarly as nearly all processes taking place continuously in the organism pain shows also frequently a circadian rhythm. In 30 patients with ischalgia pain intensity was studied over 24-hour periods during 7 successive days. The patients noted graphically the intensity of pain on a specially prepared scale. In the light of the data obtained from the patients three types of circadian pain rhythm curves were isolated. In 83,3% of cases the co urse of pain had an evident circadian rhythm returning during successive days. In 19 cases (63.3%) pain was particularly increased in the evening and night hours. In 6 cases (20%) the peak intensity of pain was in the morning hours (5-10 a.m.). In the remaining 5 cases (16%) its intensity was unchanged, without any circadian fluctuations. No relationship was demonstrated between pain rhythm and the age, sex, disease duration, spinal radiological changes, sensory or motor deficit. Pain rhythm is individual feature connected, probably, with other rhythmic processes in the organism, particularly with the rhythm of corticosteroid or endorphin release. Increased intensity of pain may be connected with falling level of these substances in the organism. In 35 patients with a significant nocturnal rhythm of ischalgic pain a trial was undertaken of treating the pain with dexomethasone administered in the evening hours in the painless period. The doses were 1-2 mg. In nearly 70% of cases (24 patients) a good effect of this treatment was obtained. This work based exclusively on clinical observations requires further studies and it is regarded by the authors as a preliminary communication.

[Acupuncture in headache and radicular syndromes]

The reported own experiences are related to acupuncture with injections of 10% NaCl solution (irritating the nerve endings) into selected points. Since 1973 this method was applied in 171 patients with radicular painful syndromes and 120 patients with headaches. In a group of 107 cases of sciatic pain a persistent analgesic effect was achieved in 30 cases (28%) and immediate disappearance of pain occurred in 21 cases (20%). In a group of 64 patients with shoulder pains a persistent effect was obtained in 36 cases (56%) and immediate but transient in 7 (10,9%). Among 43 patients with migraine a persistent good effect was observed in 24 cases (55,8%) and an immediate relief which was transient in 9 cases (20,9%). In 77 cases of vasomotor headaches a persistent effect was noticed in 37 patients (48%) and an immediate transient one in 23 (29,8%). It is not absolutely necessary to insert the needles into the traditional points accepted in classic acupuncture. During one procedure from 3 to 10 needles were inserted leaving them for about 15 minutes. From 3 to 15 procedures were given, mostly on consecutive days until a significant effect was obtained.

[Cervical discopathy, cervical migraine and vertebrobasilar arterial insufficiency: Clinical correlations]

The pathogenesis of cervical migraine may suggest that a connection exists between it and cervical discopathy and also vertebrobasilar arterial insufficiency. This correlation was studied in a group of 103 patients subjected to clinical observations. In 83 of them cervical discopathy was found, in 69 cervical migraine and in 40 vertebrobasilar insufficiency were present. Among those with discopathy migraine was present in 63.6% of cases, and vertebrobasilar insufficiency in 31%. In patients with cervical migraine degenerative changes of the type of cervical discopathy were present in 90% of cases, although in only 56.5% of cases clinical signs were present connected with these changes. Vertebrobasilar insufficiency was present in 45% of patients with cervical migraine, that is more frequently than in discopathy. In the group with vertebrobasilar insufficiency radiological changes in the cervical spine were present in 77.5% of cases and the same proportion of patients in this group had cervical migraine. These numbers confirm the connection between cervical migraine and radiological changes and clinical manifestations of discopathy, and they indicate also that cervical migraine may be a successive stage of vascular changes leading to circulatory failure in the area supplied by vertebral arteries. This failure may have a different course and pathological mechanism. In 12.5% of patients in this group no cervical migraine or radiological changes were demonstrated. The term "cervical migraine" seems inappropriate since this type of headache has another substrate and mechanism than true migraine.

[Modified acupuncture in the treatment of pain]

The authors report the results of treatment with a modification of acupuncture associated with chemical stimulation in 144 patients with painful radicular syndromes and headaches. In 57 cases sciatic pains were present, in 21 cases shoulder pains, in 20 migraine and in 46 vasomotor headaches. Permanent disappearance of pain, that is disappearance of pain during the procedure and lack of recurrence within several successive days, was obtained in about 40% of cases of radicular syndromes and in 62% of cases of headaches, early disappearance of pain for 3 to 48 hours after the procedure was obtained in 14% of radicular syndromes and nearly 26% headaches, while improvement, that is reduction of pain intensity, was achieved in 29.5% of radicular pains and 3% of headaches, while in 15.3% of cases of radicular syndromes and 9% of cases of headaches no improvement was observed. Both vasomotor headaches and neuralgias belong to the group of nervous system diseases in which pain is the basic and sole symptom, while treatment includes its removal. In these cases acupuncture is a valuable analgesic method. The presently reported results agree with those in the literature on the use of classical acupuncture and its modifications. It is worth stressing that insertion of needles into the traditional points used in classical acupuncture is without any greater importance was shown by the presently reported experiences (various points were used in the same case) as well as by the reports of other authors. The modification of acupuncture with addition of chemical stimulation has been tried by the authors for 4 years. A weak stimulus resulting from insertion of the needle and irritation of the nerve endings with concentrated sodium chloride acts similarly as mechanical or electrical irritation. The method is simple and completely safe.

[Type of pain, personality traits and effectiveness of modified acupuncture]

In 50 patients with headaches and 50 with radicular pains pain sensitivity and pain tolerance as well as personality traits (Eysenck and Cattell questionnaire) were determined and a modification of acupuncture (with additional chemical stimulation) was used for treatment. The results of treatment were compared with personality traits. Differences were found in the personality traits between patients with paroxysmal headaches and patients with radicular pains. No statistically significant correlation was found, on the other hand, between the results of treatment and personality traits. The obtained results were best in the group of patients with paroxysmal headaches (permanent analgesic effect obtained in 70% of cases). The results of treatment obtained in the group of patients with continuous headaches and with radicular pains were similar. In patients with a lower threshold of pain sensitivity a higher proportion of permanent disappearance of pain was observed after treatment, and this observation may be useful for establishing indications to this therapy. Lack of any influence of personality traits on the result of this modified acupuncture may suggest that the basic analgesic action of these procedure is at lower levels of the nervous system and that it causes blockade of inflow of pain stimuli.

[Case of chronic cerebrospinal memningitis with lymphocytic-monocytic reaction]

A case of cerebrospinal meningitis was observed with persistence of cerebrospinal fluid changes during 24 months of follow up. The changes had a lymphocytic-monocytic character with pleocytosis ranging from 49 to 1500/mm3. The course of the disease was mild with meningeal signs occurring only periodically. Despite very long duration of the inflammatory process no signs of nervous system damage were observed and the general condition of the patient was good. The investigations performed failed to explain the aetiology of the disease.