[Effects of housing conditions of farrowing and nursing sows on development of piglets: our own studies and an evaluation of the literature]. / Einflüsse der Haltungsbedingungen von ferkelnden und ferkelführenden Sauen auf die Entwicklung der Ferkel: Eigene Studien und eine Bewertung der Literatur.

Results of rearing and growing 3250 piglets derived from 287 litters of 99 German Landrace sows in parities 1-11, from parturition throughout 5 weeks post-weaning, were compared in two farrowing systems. The Group-Farrowing System (GFS) was designed according to natural behaviour of wild pigs and contained 8 farrowing boxes allowing sows and their litters to move freely on an area of 85.2 m2. In contrast, the Single Farrowing System (SFS) was a pen in which sows and their litters were housed individually and could move freely on a restricted area of 6.7 m2. Sows were only fixed during farrowing. The first experiment with a suckling period of 35 days comprised 98 litters from 60 sows (parities 1-4). The second experiment with a suckling period of 28 days involved 189 litters of 70 sows (parities 1-11). In experiment 1, body weight of GFS-piglets was significantly higher by 4.57 kg (19%) at the age of 70 d compared with SFS-piglets. In the second experiment, the proportion of stillborns was significantly lower by 50% in GFS than in SFS. Furthermore, body weight of GFS-piglets showed a greater homogeneity during the first 35 d of life than that of SFS-piglets. In SFS, a positive correlation between parity of the sow and stillborn rate was observed. Behavioural studies in both experiments revealed that GFS-piglets, reared during the suckling period in close contact to other sows and piglets from other litters, were in a better condition at weaning than SFS-piglets. Comparisons with other GFS-types show that the success of farrowing in group-housing is dependent on the type of housing conditions, in particular on the possibility for sows and piglets to live according to their specific behavioural repertoire. The factors critical in this context are discussed.

Valsalva-induced syncope during apnea diving.

A young man had two dangerous episodes of transient loss of consciousness during apnea diving in a swimming pool. Medical and neurologic examination results were normal. Standard autonomic test results (including heart rate variability, baroreflex sensitivity, tilt-table test, and Valsalva ratio) were unremarkable, with the exception of an increased blood pressure decrease during early phase II of the Valsalva maneuver. Syncope with arrhythmic myoclonic jerks could be evoked by a strong straining maneuver. Simultaneous physiologic recordings showed extreme blood pressure and cerebral blood flow velocity decreases and electroencephalographic slowing during syncope. The electrocardiogram showed a continuous sinus rhythm with a progressive tachycardia. The authors' findings were not compatible with baroreflex failure or vasovagal mechanisms (Bezold-Jarisch reflex activation) as the underlying causes. The authors concluded that mechanical factors (strong reduction of blood reflux to the heart) in combination with a reduced threshold of the brain for developing ischemia-related arrhythmic myoclonic jerks were responsible for Valsalva-induced syncope in the patient.

[Radiation-induced osteomyelitis of the mandible]. / Die Strahlenosteomyelitis des Unterkiefers.

Osteoradionecrosis of the mandible following primary or adjuvant radiotherapy of progressive oral and oropharyngeal malignancy is, for the affected patient, a feared and sometimes vitally threatening complication. In the authors' experience, the incidence rate of osteoradionecrosis between 1973 and 1987 was 4.1%, which makes the necessity of the prophylactic efforts described in the present study evident.

[Diagnostic value of orthopantomography in otorhinolaryngology]. / Der diagnostische Stellenwert der Orthopantomographie in der Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde.

The present paper emphasizes the diagnostic importance of panoramic radiography in ENT, as demonstrated by representative groups where this specialty is indicated. Pantomographic radiography, which has proved its work in dentistry for many years, often offers a valuable alternative beyond the supplementary evidence provided by routine radiological techniques.

[Orthopantomography and its significance for the otorhinolaryngologist]. / Die Orthopantomographie und ihre Bedeutung für den Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Arzt.

Orthopantomography, i.e. a single radiograph producing a panorama-like view of the entire jaw, was originally developed for the diagnosis of dental diseases. Further developments have made this technique useful for routine ENT examination also. The main indications for orthopantomography in otorhinolaryngology are: diseases of the maxillary sinus (especially of the basal parts), fractures of the jaws, sialolithiasis, tumours of the oral cavity invading the jaw, osseous tumours and facial anomalies.

[Dog bite injuries of the head and neck]. / Hundebissverletzungen im Kopf-Hals-Bereich.

Dog bite injuries of the head and neck concern mostly children. Early definite surgical treatment provides the best cosmetic results. If necessary, detached tissue must be re-implanted and defects be closed by flap plasties. Antibiotics are given to prevent infections. In most cases, a lack of knowledge or misinterpretation of the animal's behaviour caused the dog bite injury. Only a few animals were really "vicious". Rabies was not found among the animals covered by our study.

[Clinical experiences with a standardized balanced diet in maxillo-facial surgery]. / Klinische Erfahrungen mit einer standardisierten bilanzierten Diät in der Kiefer- und Gesichtschirurgie.

The clinical trial of a standardized balanced diet--Berodiet S--in maxillo-facial surgery during a year-period permits in regard to all aspects a fully satisfying review of this kind of tube feeding. The balanced relation of nutritive substances of biologically high value according to physiologically nutritional recommendations, a good tube passage, minimal energy of preparation and in case application by nursing personal and the practically unimportant danger of bacterial contamination in giving due regard to corresponding application notices fulfill all choosing criteria of clinical applicability of this tube feeding, which has to be evaluated also because of its individual compatibility as extremely positive and extensively free of secondary effects within the bounds of physiological requirements.

[Hypertrophy of the masseter: aetiology, diagnosis and treatment (author's transl)]. / Masseterhypertrophie Atiologie, Diagnose, Differentialdiagnose und Therapie.

An assessment of the pathogenesis of masseter muscle hypertrophy is first discussed. This is followed by an account of its diagnostic criteria and by a consideration of the differential diagnosis. General instructions regarding its treatment are presented.