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Zinc oxide-eugenol cements are considerably better tolerated by tissue than other dental materials. As they alleviate pain and are bacteriostatic and antiseptic, they are well tolerated by patients. The cements are good insulators and possess better sealing properties than zinc phosphate cements. Because of their poor mechanic properties, the conventional zinc oxide-eugenol cements are mainly used as temporary fixing contents and filling materials, for gingival dressings and together with filling materials as impression materials. Recently, reinforced zinc oxide-eugenol cements and cements containing ethoxy benzoic acid (EBA) have been developed. These new cements have considerably better mechanic properties and are therefore used for cement bases, indirect capping, long-term temporary fillings and in selected cases as definite fixing cements.

The influence of chloroform and ether on the catecholamine (CA) secretion from the adrenal medulla was investigated in cats in order to compare these effects to those of halothane and methoxyflurane studied previously. The CA concentrations in the blood of the adrenolumbar vein were measured spectrofluorometrically. During inhalation of chloroform (1.0-1.5%) no significant changes of spontaneous CA secretion were observed; contrary to that, the secretion evoked by splanchnic nerve stimulation was decreased. During inhalation of ether (4.0-6.0%) spontaneous CA output was increased and the CA release evoked by splanchnic nerve stimulation was inhibited. The results differ qualitatively from those obtained with methoxyflurane and halothane; these anesthetics caused a pronounced inhibition of spontaneous CA output. The inhibition by ether of CA secretion evoked by splanchnic nerve stimulation was less pronounced than that caused by the other anaesthetics. By comparison of the effects of four inhalation anaesthetics we evaluated, which circulatory side effects depend on changes of CA output.

In the proximal and distal convoluted segments and the collecting tubule of the kidneys of 24 male albino rats, type Wistar TNO W 70 SPF, the nuclear volume was measured after the animals had been anaesthetized with ether for 15, 40 and 80 min. In contrast to nontreated controls there was a decrease in average nuclear size of 12.6% and 11.1% after 15 and 40 min in the proximal convoluted segment. Changes in nuclear size could not be detected in the distal convoluted segment and in the collecting tubules. While the decrease in the nuclear volume in the proximal convolution is considered to be a direct effect of ether, the enhanced reabsorption of sodium mentioned in other studies could be explained by an alpha-receptor mediated transport effect of the narcotic agent.

For decapitation of rats in order to determine brain acetylcholine (Ach) content the animals may be anaesthesized slightly by ether no longer than for 2 min, since forebrain Ach content increases quickly up to about 170% throughout the following 3 min. The progress of brain Ach content up to its maximum level is decided both by duration and degree of cns depression: In the moment of most distinctly marked Brevinarcon -narcosis -- evident 2,5 min after i. v. injection (40 mg/kg) -- the forebrain Ach content merely is increased by about 15%, but when anaesthesia is reduced considerably again -- 2,5 min later -- the Ach content only reaches its maximum level.

The nuclear volumes were measured in the central, intermediate and peripheral zone of the classic liver lobule of adult male albino rats exposed to ether anaesthesia lasting 15, 40 and 80 min. Related to control animals there was a significantly lower nuclear size after a 40 min duration of narcosis and a significant higher volume after 80 min in the central part of the lobule. With a slight but not significant decrease of nuclear volume in the intermediate zone after 15 min and a significant increase after 80 min respectively, the peripheral lobular region constantly showed significantly smaller nuclei. But here, too, a disappearance of decrease was recorded after 80 min. The interpretation of the data is based upon a typical distribution of cell organelles, enzymatic pathways, and metabolites in the different zones of the hepatic lobule. The intensity of reaction and appearance of diminution in nuclear volume, indicating a functional depression and probably accentuated by a circular dependent low O2-tension of tissue, is interpreted in connection with different local concentrations of ether. An improvement of the blood flow by augmental local metabolites and an increased arterial influx presumably support the recovery and favour a concentration-dependent induction of microsomal enzymes in the central part of the lobule especially.

A significant decrease was observed in nuclear volume of the follicular cells of the thyroid gland and the cells of the parathyroid of albino rats subjected to ether anaesthesia, in contrast to generally unchanged nuclear size in animals anaesthetized by thiobutabarbitone sodium. It is suggested that ether exerts its depressant influence mainly by direct action on the function of the follicular cells of the thyroid. Thiobutabarbitone Sodium probably influences thyroid function especially by its antithyroid-drug effects, which have been reported by other authors. The highly significant increase of nuclear volume in the tracheal glands during ether narcosis is referred to the mucous secretion activating stimulus of ether vapors.

While the eluate of EBA cement does not have any toxic effect on the cell populations, the cells are noticeably damaged by the pH-corrected eluate of freshly mixed phosphate cement. Comparison between the cellular reaction to eluates and the solubility of the cements shows that the toxic effect is not a priori dependent on the composition of the material, but on the degree of dissolution which is primarily determined by the environment and the mixture ratio. The solutions of cement powder do not have any irritating effect on the cultivated cells. However, due to its content of eugenol, the EBA cement fluid solved in a considerably weaker concentration in the culture medium than the phosphate cement fluid damages the cells to such an extent that they die.

Published procedures for the isolation of polysaccharides from foods rich in proteins, especially fresh cheese, proved not very useful for the concentration in question (0,01--0.2%). We, instead, propose the following sample preparation: 1. Removal of lipids by an ethanol--ethyl ether--petrol ether mixture; 2. complete hydrolysis of proteins with pepsin, pronase E and a mixture of aminopeptidase M and prolidase; 3. separation of the polysaccharides from the low molecular substances and from enzyme residues by gel filtration on Biogel P-2; 4. concentration of the polysaccharides containing fraction by freeze drying, ultrafiltration or evaporation. --The method was tested with quarg and double cream fresh cheese, it can, however, be adopted to use in other products.

In catastrophe situations ether is an important alternative to the usual anaesthetics being easy to manage and economical. We wanted to study the effects of the new antiemetic Domperidone on vomiting after either anesthesia. Two groups of patients were anaesthetized for general surgical procedures by means of the EMO (Epstein-Macintosh-Oxford) Vaporizer. Half an hour before the end of the operation one group received 0.2 mg/kg domperidone while the randomized control group received no prophylactic antiemetic medication. The domperidone group showed better, statistically significant, results (p less than 0.05). Domperidone proved to have a good prophylactic antiemetic effect which does not cause side effects or circulatory alterations. In preparation for catastrophe situations ether anesthesia under improved conditions was again included in the regular training programme.