Wild boars (Sus scrofa) as bioindicators of environmental levels of selenium in Poland.

The objective of the study was to determine selenium content in selected organs (liver, kidney) of wild boars from different regions of Poland. Materials for the study were obtained from 28 sites located in 16 provinces of Poland. Selenium concentrations in organs were determined using spectrofluorometric methods after wet mineralization in HNO3 and HClO4 mixture. Mean selenium concentrations in the investigated wild boars from Poland were 0.230 µg/g wet weight in the liver and 1.327 µg/g w.w. in the kidneys. Hepatic and nephric Se concentrations ranged from 0.036-0.626 µg/g w.w. and 0.322-4.286 µg/g w.w., respectively. Selenium concentrations in the wild boars differed considerably according to geographical location. Concentrations of selenium were highest in wild boars from south-eastern provinces and lowest in animals from northern provinces. Most of Poland's area is environmentally deficient in this trace element, as evidenced by marginal selenium levels in the organs of the wild boars.

Evaluation of selenium status and its distribution in organs of free living foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from an Se deficient area.

The objective of the study was to determine selenium status and its distribution in the organs of free living foxes from selenium deficient areas of north-western Poland. Samples of organs harvested from 40 foxes shot during the 2008-2009 hunting seasons served as experimental material. Selenium concentration in the organs was determined spectrofluorometrically. Selenium distribution in tissues depends largely on its dietary content. Our study indicated that concentrations of selenium in the examined organs followed the order: kidney>liver>spleen>lung>heart and kidneys were the organ with the highest retention of this element. Mean selenium concentration in fox kidneys was 0.60 +/- 0.15 microg/g wet weight. Several times less selenium on average was found in the liver (0.27 +/- 0.09 microg/g w.w.), lungs (0.17 +/- 0.06 microg/g w.w.), spleen (0.19 +/- 0.06 microg/g w.w.) and heart (0.13 +/- 0.05 microg/g w.w.). All the animals studied were deficient in selenium.

[Selenium level in the sera of dogs and cats in West Pomerania and WestUkraine]. / Selengehalt im Serum von Hunden und Katzen in Westpommern und der Westukraine.

OBJECTIVE: Main function of the trace element selenium is the protection of the body against free radicals by means of the selenium-containing enzyme glutathione peroxidase acting as an intracytoplasmatic antioxydant. This study determined serum selenium concentration in dogs and cats from West Pomerania, Poland, and West Ukraine (Lviv region). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Serum samples were obtained from 74 dogs and 42 cats. 49 dogs and 20 cats were from West Pomerania, and 25 dogs and 22 cats from West Ukraine. Selenium concentrations were determined with a spectrofluorometric method according to Watkinson (1966), modified by Grzebula et al. (1977). RESULTS: The mean selenium concentrations in dog and cat serum in animals from West Pomerania were 2.927 and 6.169µmol/l, respectively and exceeded the serum selenium concentration in dogs and cats from West Ukraine by 0.687 and 2.053µmol/l, respectively. Statistically significant differences in selenium concentration were observed between healthy animals (3.842µmol/l) and those with symptoms of allergy (3.240µmol/l) or dogs with neoplasias (1.749µmol/l). No statistical differences in serum selenium concentration were related to age and to sex. CONCLUSION: This research shows that in dogs with neoplasias, serum selenium concentration was about 45% lower than in healthy dogs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In patients with selenium deficiency supplementation of selenium might have a positive impact on the course of diseases like neoplasia, heart insufficiency, liver necrosis, myopathy, and pancreatitis.

A new hereditary syndrome with a bleeding tendency, extreme miosis, spasms, dyslexia, thrombocytopathia etc. Pupillometric, evaporimetric, and ophthalmological observations.

A recently described familiar syndrome consists of the following components: A bleeding tendency with thrombocytopathia, miosis, muscular weakness and spasms, ichthyosis, asplenia, dyslexia, and headache. Four definite and 2 probable patients have been identified in 4 generations. In the present study, the pupillary behaviour was scrutinized in two 'definite' cases with the infrared, binocular pupillometer. The forehead sweating pattern was also investigated with an Evaporimeter. The basal pupillary widths were: 1.25-1.75 mm. Only minor responses were noted upon topical stimulation with an indirectly acting pupillodilating agent (OH-amphetamine). A directly acting sympathicomimetic drug (phenylephrine) exerted a more marked influence on the pupil, indicating a relative supersensitivity. The evaporimetric pattern in the forehead seemed to be within reference limits, at variance with what is the case in Horner's syndrome. Further findings were: the orbit seemed to be smaller than normal; a bilateral VI. cranial nerve palsy was identified, and a marked upward gaze palsy coexisted with pupils with Argyll Robertson's traits. There is no readily acceptable explanation for the ocular abnormalities. The disorder underlying the pupillary abnormality may possibly be located in the upper mesencephalon.

Electronic pupillometry in healthy controls. Response to sympathicomimetics.

The ocular sympathetic function was examined in 79 healthy volunteers (37 males and 42 females) by electronic pupillography. Pupillary diameters were first estimated under standard light conditions prior to drug application, these diameters being termed "basal values". Then, the pupils were stimulated pharmacologically by instillation of various sympathicomimetic drugs: tyramine tests were carried out in 42 individuals (24 females; 18 males), hydroxyamphetamine tests in 38 (22 females and 16 males), and phenylephrine tests in 43 individuals (23 females and 20 males). Generally, only a minor variation in the frequency of asymmetries was observed between sexes as well as between the various age groups, both when calculating the increase in pupillary diameter in millimeters, in per cent, and as the anisocoria index. In agreement with previous investigations, pupil size was found to diminish with age. The use of an age-matched control material is mandatory when comparing pupillographic recordings in patients in various categories, in the ordinary condition, as well as after topical drug administration.

Cervicogenic headache. Pupillometric findings.

Eleven female patients with cervicogenic headache (mean age, 43 years; range, 25-59 years) have been examined with the pupillometer. The pupillary diameter was examined in the basal state (that is, the status before pharmacologic stimulation) and after topically administered tyramine (2%), phenylephrine (1%), and hydroxyamphetamine (1%). A total of 51 tests were performed, 35 in the asymptomatic period and 16 during pain attacks. In a control group consisting of 26 age-matched women a total of 39 tests were carried out. Before pharmacologic stimulation (that is, in the "basal state") the pupils were smaller in the asymptomatic (pain-free) period than during pain attacks in the patients and also as compared with that of control individuals. The anisocoria (the difference in pupillary size in the same individual) observed was not significantly different between the patient group and control individuals either in the basal state (before pharmacologic stimulation) or after pharmacologic stimulation. The mydriasis resulting from the instillation of the three sympathicomimetic drugs was symmetrical in both controls and patients both during and between the pain attacks. This finding is in clear contrast to what is found in cluster headache, in which there is a "Horner-like" syndrome on the symptomatic side. These two headaches thus seem to differ essentially with regard to this variable.

Transdermal scopolamine in drooling.

The effect of oral anticholinergic drugs has been limited in the treatment of drooling. Transdermal scopolamine (1.5 mg/2.5 cm2) offers advantages. One single application is considered to render a stable serum concentration for 3 days. A distinct reduction of basal salivation was demonstrated in an open trial of six healthy volunteers. Eighteen mentally retarded patients with a drooling problem were studied in a double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over trial. The therapeutic effect of transdermal scopolamine was assessed by a visual analogue scale. Three patients dropped out due to loss of the system. In the remaining 15 patients, the active drug caused a reduction of drooling which was significant in the period from 24 to 72 h. There were few and slight objective signs of unwanted effects. Scopoderm may cause drowsiness and affect tooth health. The management of drooling should primarily be focused on the cause. Sensomotor training is often valuable in cerebral palsy. Factors such as nasal obstruction, mucosal irritation, and drug-induced parkinsonism should be given attention. Sometimes, however, a temporary symptomatic treatment is indicated, for example on special occasions or in order to cure peri-oral skin lesions. Transdermal scopolamine may offer this possibility.

Cluster headache pathogenesis: a pupillometric study.

Thirty-two cluster headache patients and healthy controls (n = 16-20 for the various tests) were examined by means of a Whitaker pupillometer during pain-free intervals. Eye drops of the sympathomimetic agents tyramine, hydroxyamphetamine, and phenylephrine were instilled into the conjunctival sacs on separate occasions, and pupillary diameters recorded at standard time intervals. The mydriatic responses of the two pupils were compared. A moderate, but statistically significant, basal relative miosis was found on the pain side in cluster headache. The symptomatic-side pupils were less responsive than their counterparts when stimulated with tyramine and hydroxyamphetamine, the difference being statistically significant for the OH-amphetamine test. With the phenylephrine test, however, the mydriasis on the symptomatic side significantly exceeded that of the contralateral pupil. This pattern of reactions does not quite correspond to those of "ordinary" Horner's syndrome (1st, 2nd, and 3rd neuron lesion). There are, however, gross similarities with the recently reported pattern in central sympathetic neuron dysfunction. In cluster headache there is probably a "Horner-like picture" rather than a proper Horner's syndrome.

Chronic paroxysmal hemicrania. X. On the autonomic involvement.

In four patients with chronic paroxysmal hemicrania, two of whom could precipitate attacks mechanically, various autonomic function tests were carried out in connection with attacks. Not all features could be studied in all patients. Forehead sweating and temperature were measured. Sweating, tearing, and nasal secretion were studied after systemic atropine administration, which reduced attack-related sweating, tearing, and nasal secretion markedly. Intra-ocular pressure was measured before and after the topical administration of an alpha-receptor blocking agent, thymoxamine. After topical thymoxamine no definite intra-ocular pressure increase occurred during precipitated attacks. In attacks precipitated by head movements, forehead sweating occurred seconds (up to 30 sec) before the pain. This study indicates that at least in some CPH cases, forehead sweating is not caused by the pain. Nor is the pain secondary to increase in intra-ocular pressure. The thymoxamine experiments seem to indicate that alpha-receptors in some way may be connected with the intra-ocular pressure increase during attack.

"Hemicrania continua". An indomethacin responsive headache. II. Autonomic function studies.

Various autonomic parameters have been studied in two patients with "hemicrania continua", a newly described unilateral headache which is aborted by indomethacin. Striking findings were made on pupillometry: In both patients, isocoria was present when untreated. Bilateral instillation of tyramine in the conjunctival sac resulted in a late appearing anisocoria, with the smaller pupil on the symptomatic side. Indomethacin medication corrected this anomaly. These findings add further evidence to our firm belief that "hemicrania continua" differs fundamentally from chronic paroxysmal hemicrania, where such pupillometric changes are not found. There thus seem to be at least two different types of hemicranias with an absolute indomethacin effect.

[Evaluation of the usefulness of rheoencephalography in diagnosing chronic cerebral circulatory failure]. / Ocena przydatnosci reoencefalografii w diagnostyce przewleklej niewydolnosci krazenia mózgowego.

Rheoencephalographic, electroencephalographic and echoencephalographic investigations were carried out in 44 patients with chronic cerebral circulatory failure aged from 49 to 79 years, and in a control group of 20 subjects in similar age range. The results of REG investigations suggested impaired elasticity and increased tonus of vascular walls in patients with cerebral circulatory failure. In comparison with EEG and EchoEG and REG investigation seems to be a more useful method for estimating the state of cerebral circulation.

[Clinico-rheographical correlations in patients with cerebrovascular disorders treated with intravenous cinnarizine]. / Korelacje kliniczno-reograficzne u chorych ze schorzeniami naczyniowymi mózgu leczonych cinnarizina podawana dozylnie.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of parenteral administration of Cinnarazin on cerebral haemodynamics by means of rheoencephalography in patients with cerebrovascular diseases. The studied group included 32 patients aged from 39 to 78 years. Cinnarazin was given in doses of 25 to 50 mg (3-6) intravenously daily for 10 days. Rheoencephalographic investigations were carried out repeatedly (before intravenous Cinnarazin and during 30-60 minutes after injection of the preparation at intervals of 5-10 minutes). The investigations showed that: 1) intravenous Cinnarazin produced in patients with cerebrovascular diseases good effects, particularly in cases of transient circulatory disturbances in the brain, particularly in cases of atrial rhythm disorders, 2) particularly evident rheoencephalographic changes developed after from 10 to 20 minutes after Cinnarazin administration intravenously and were recorded during 2 hours, according to clinical data the effect of the treatment persisted during three months after completion of treatment.

[Clinical and rheoencephalographical evaluation of prodectin in the treatment of cerebral arteriosclerosis]. / Kliniczna i reoencefalograficzna ocena dzialania prodectinu w miazdzycy naczyn mózgowych.

The reported investigations were carried out in a group of patients with evidence of cerebral circulatory disturbances aged from 43 to 72 years treated with Prodectin for 5-7 weeks. The dynamics of the clinical manifestations and REG curves were analysed before and after treatment. REG investigations were done using a II type rheograph with Fc-M leads. The basic parameters of the REG waves and reaction to nitroglycerin were evaluated. The results of REG were compared with the results of similar investigations in an age-matched control group. In nearly half the patients a tendency was observed for REG tracing normalization wit clinical improvement. Most frequently shortening of the ascending part of the REG wave was observed.