Biochemical and haematological profile of pheasant hens during the laying period.

The present paper provides new experimental data on the biochemical and haematological profile of blood in pheasant hens, and points out the changes in both biochemical and haematological parameters that occur during the laying period. Significant effects of egg laying on both the biochemical and the haematological blood parameters of pheasant hens were found. Biochemical analyses revealed a significant increase in the metabolites cholesterol, uric acid, lactate, the enzyme aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and the minerals calcium and phosphorous, as well as a significant decrease in total protein, albumin and glucose in the course of the laying period. Haematological analyses revealed a significant increase in the count of leukocytes, lymphocytes, eosinophils, basophils and monocytes due to egg laying. In addition, the erythrocyte count and haemoglobin content significantly decreased in the middle of the laying period and then rebounded at the end of the laying period. The haematocrit content gradually decreased till the end of the laying period. All together, the results of this study underline the impact of the reproduction status of pheasant hens on basic blood parameters. The biochemical and haematological values presented in this study may be of help in assessing disease conditions in laying pheasant hens.

Non-dipping morning blood pressure and isolated systolic hypertension in elderly.

OBJECTIVE: Morning hypertension is currently the blind spot in the clinical practice of hypertension, home 24-hour blood pressure measurement has been recommended in patients with a high clinic blood pressure and patients with target organ damage. AIM: To assess whether an increased early morning blood pressure surge, established via a single 24-hour blood pressure monitoring, in treated elderly hypertensive's is related to more prominent target organ damage. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 310 treated hypertensive patients randomly attended the out-patient clinic of our hypertension centre. The patients were divided in 2 groups: systolic/diastolic blood pressure hypertension (n = 266) and isolated systolic hypertension (n = 44 76 ± 10 yrs). RESULTS: Equivalent in both males and females, despite the rise in nondippers with an early morning surge (higher in females). Hyperlipidemia arises equally in dippers and nondippers, 45 % of nondippers had diabetes mellitus; 30 % suffered previous renal insufficiency and about 29 % of patients suffered from an endocrine disorder, mostly thyroid. Metabolic syndrome was only found to be associated with a nondipping pattern (3 %). Left ventricular hypertrophy was present in 100 % of patients, heart failure in 60 % nondippers and 56 % dippers, potential renal insufficiency in 34 % nondippers and 22 % dippers, retinopathy in 31 % non dippers and 11 % dippers, aortic aneurysm was only in nondippers. CONCLUSION: Early morning surge is a predictor of hypertensive target organ damage, being a dipper or nondipper patient with isolated systolic hypertension, might not make a difference depending on one's own degree of target organ damage and diurnal variation (Fig. 2, Ref. 30).

[Hyponatraemia associated with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone hypersecretion (SIADH) - options for treatment]. / Hyponatriémia pri syndróme neprimeranej sekrécie vazopresínu (SIADH) - moznosti liecby.

Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte imbalance in outpatients and hospital inpatients and the syndrom of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) is one of the common causes of euvolemic hyponatremia. Recent studies showed significantly higher mortality and morbidity of hyponatriemic patients compared to normonatriemic controls. Moreover the morbidity and mortality of hyponatremic patients significantly increases in nontreated in comparison to those with the therapy. Clinical consequences of hyponatremia in SIADH could be devided according to stage of the disorder. The cerebral oedema with its symptoms (letargy, weakness, nausea, coma) is the most dangerous clinical feature. Clinical symptoms of hyponatremia also depend on how rapid the change of natremia is. Therefore the early diagnosis of disturbance and treatment are necessary. Not only acute but also chronic hyponatriemia must be treated. In the correction the restriction of water intake, loop diuretics (together with hypertonic solution of NaCl), demeclocyclin, urea and litium can be used. The blockers of vasopresin receptors - vaptans are perspective in treatment of patients with hyponatremia.

[Acid-base balance in haemodialyzed patients]. / Acidobázická rovnováha u hemodialyzovaných chorých.

Metabolic acidosis is a known complication of chronic renal failure. Maintenance of the pH within the reference range is important for influencing manifestations of the uraemic syndrome and the mortality of haemodialyzed patients. Intermittent bicarbonate haemodialysis should ensure the acid-base balance within the reference range also during the interval between haemodialyzations. In a short-term prospective study 20 haemodialyzed patients with chronic glomerulonephritis and pyelonephritis were examined. The authors assessed indicators of the acid-base balance (pH, HCO3-, pCO2) at the time of two haemodialyses and during the interval between haemodialyses. The blood flow in the dialyzation monitor was 300 ml/min. and the flow of the dialyzation solution 500 ml/min. The bicarbonate concentration in the dialyzation solution was 34 mmol/l. The duration of haemodialysis was 4 hours three times per week. Bicarbonate haemodialysis with a bicarbonate concentration of 34 mmol/l in the dialyzation solution ensured also during the interval between dialyzations a pH in the reference range in patients with chronic renal failure.