Abstract. Elicitors released from hyphae or cell walls of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Hebeloma crustuliniforme (Bull. ex Fries.) Qu~l. induced in suspension-cultured cells of Picea abies (L.) Karst. a set of fast reactions: (i) an immediate efflux of C1-into the medium, followed by a K § efflux; (ii) an influx of Ca 2 § (measured as accumulation of 45Ca2+ in the cells); (iii) a phosphorylation of a 63-kDa protein and dephosphorylation of a 65-kDa protein (detectable by 4 min after elicitor application); (iv) an alkalinization of the medium, and (v) a transient synthesis of H202. The removal of extracellular Ca 2 + by EGTA delayed the elicitor-induced alkalinization. A further reduction of this response could be achieved by TMB-8 an inhibitor of Ca 2 § release from intracellular stores. Moreover, the inhibition of protein kinase activity by staurosporine prevented the extracellular alkalinization completely. However, the effectiveness of the elicitors in inducing the extracellular alkalinization was strongly impaired by constitutively secreted enzymes of spruce cells which cleaved the elicitors to inactive fragments. It is suggested that in ectomycorrhizae the efficacy of elicitors released from fungal cell walls is controlled by apoplastic enzymes of the host; the plant itself is able to reduce the activity of fungal elicitors on their way through the plant cell wall. But those elicitors which finally reach the plasma membrane of host cells induce reactions that are similar to the early defense reactions in plant-pathogen interactions.

The present study examines intracranial pressure (ICP), cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), and cerebral circulation immediately after experimental head injury in an animal model. The underlying systemic hemodynamic changes were also observed. To produce a standardized head injury, a fluid-percussion device was applied to the dura at the midline of 10 piglets. Seven other nontraumatized animals served as a control group. Hemodynamic parameters as well as ICP and CPP were recorded on-line, one value every 1.4 seconds. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebral vascular resistance (CVR) were measured three times using a microsphere technique. Immediately after head injury, the traumatized animals showed a sudden increase in ICP, with a maximum of 40 torr at 3 to 5 minutes, while there was a pronounced decrease in CPP from 85 to 40 torr. The CBF in the various brain areas fell from 55 to 22 ml/min/100 gm within 5 minutes after the impact, and CVR increased to 300% of control values within 90 minutes. The findings of this study demonstrated that cerebral circulation is critically jeopardized within a few minutes after trauma. This, in combination with a subsequent increase in CVR, makes the early development of ischemic brain damage very likely. In traumatized patients, treatment prior to hospital admission must therefore be directed at prevention of this fatal course.

Background: Worldwide, endemic goiter is prevalent and is often caused by inadequate iodine intake. On the other hand, iodine may not be deficient in some parts of the world, yet goiters still occur due to the presence of goitrogens in the diet which eventually leads to the thyroid gland enlargement by interfering with normal production of thyroid hormone. In Sub-Saharan Africa, iodine deficiency is widespread and is of public health concern. However, limited diagnostic and management possibilities in this area often result in long standing goiters which eventually develops into large goiters that consequently compress the airway. Case presentation: A 74-year-old woman diagnosed with multi nodular goiter was anesthetized for sub-total thyroidectomy. The goiter was large and multi nodular in nature, pushing the trachea to the left side of the neck. This subsequently led to tracheal compression, narrowing, and deviation. During induction of general anesthesia, intubation using flexible fibreoptic bronchoscopy techniques was impossible. Tracheal intubation was achieved via tracheostomy using size 7-mm cuffed endotracheal tube. We present this case at length and describe how the airway was secured during and after surgery. Conclusion: Airway management for thyroidectomy involving large goiters with severely compromised airways could be considered for tracheostomy in most hospitals in developing countries where advanced anesthesia equipment are not readily available.

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