First Results on the Presence of Mycotoxins in the Liver of Pregnant Fallow Deer (Dama dama) Hinds and Fetuses

Reproductive abnormalities have been observed in fallow deer populations in Hungary. We supposed mycotoxin contamination to be one of the possible causes because multi-mycotoxin contamination is known to be dangerous even at low toxin levels, especially for young animals. We investigated the spatial pattern of mycotoxin occurrences and the relationship between maternal and fetal mycotoxin levels. A total of 72 fallow deer embryos and their mothers were sampled in seven forested regions in Hungary in the 2020/2021 hunting season. We analyzed Aflatoxin (AF), Zearalenone (ZEA), Fumonizin B1 (FB1), DON, and T2-toxin concentrations in maternal and fetal livers by ELISA. AF was present in 70% and 82%, ZEA in 41% and 96%, DON in 90% and 98%, T2-toxin in 96% and 85%, and FB1 in 84% and 3% of hind and fetus livers, respectively. All mycotoxins passed into the fetus, but only Fumonizin B1 rarely passed. The individual variability of mycotoxin levels was extremely high, but the spatial differences were moderate. We could not prove a relation between the maternal and fetal mycotoxin concentrations, but we found an accumulation of ZEA and DON in the fetuses. These results reflect the possible threats of mycotoxins to the population dynamics and reproduction of wild fallow deer.

Experimental determination of the flame expansion factor

The flame expansion factor (ratio of volumes of flame gases before and after burning) has been determined by mercury vapour introduction. The method is based on the determination of atomic concentration ratio in the flame and the flameless gas jet using the same sample introduction rate. A good agreement has been found between the expansion factors determined by the proposed method and those calculated by the gas law.

Chronic manipulation of dietary salt modulates renal physiology and kidney dopamine receptor subtypes: functional and autoradiographic studies

1. Compared to rats maintained on the normal NaCl (0.33%) diet, animals maintained on the low NaCl (0%) diet for 4 weeks exhibited increased plasma aldosterone and chloride and decreased urinary sodium excretion. 2. Rats maintained on the high NaCl (8%) diet for 4 weeks showed increased systolic blood pressure, water intake, urine volume, sodium and dopamine excretion and decreased plasma aldosterone and glomerular filtration rate. 3. Administration of SCH 23390 (10 mg/kg, po), but not domperidone to the high salt diet rats attenuated the diuretic effect, indicating the involvement of DA1 rather than DA2 receptors. The dopamine decarboxylase inhibitor, carbidopa (30 mg/kg, i.p.), also reduced the high salt-induced diuresis. 4. Kidney sections from rats fed the low NaCl diet showed a 63-100% decrease (P < 0.001-0.02) in cortical and medullary DA1 and DA2 binding sites, while rats fed the high NaCl diet demonstrated only a 70% decrease (P < 0.01-0.02) in cortical DA1 binding, without affecting DA2 binding. 5. These data indicate that chronic modification of dietary salt profoundly affects the sodium, water and dopamine excretion and leads to selective modulation of renal dopamine receptor subtypes.

[Endoscopic surgery in bilateral vocal cord paralysis (author's transl)]

The surgical treatments of bilateral vocal cord paralysis are briefly described, and the various endoscopic excisions of the arytenoid are presented. For this latter surgery careful preoperative assessment is necessary. Problems related to the optimal time for surgery and to the surgical technique itself are discussed.

[The implication of the cricothyroid muscle in paralysis of the vocal cords (author's transl)]

A report is given about one patient with bilateral paralysis of the vocal cords. After local anesthesia of the piriform sinus and novocain blockade of the R. externus of the superior laryngeal nerve of the same side a widening of the glottis and an improvement of the respiration was observed. After section of the R. externus of the superior laryngeal nerve we could observe even an improvement of the same effect as it has been observed after local anaesthesia. These observations were proved by spirography and photo-documentation. Because of paradox movements of the vocal cords a narrowing of the glottis was observed during inspiration. Therefore the patients dyspnea did not improve to the extent as it could be expected from the widening of the glottis after this therapy. The problems are discussed in relation to the literature.

[A new magnifying laryngoscope (epipharyngoscope) (author's transl)]

A new developed laryngoscope (epipharyngoscope) is demonstrated, which comes now to production stage after three years of experimental work. The endoscope-a high capacity optical system with an angled direction of view-allows a thorough inspection and easy fotodocumentation of the larynx and epipharynx without molesting the patient. Even under difficult conditions regarding the anatomy the findings can be inspected as a survey or under magnification, which is done-technically an innovation-by moving an integrated lens system of the endoscope.