According tó the literature there is ho doubt about the structure of nicotinic acid in mineral acid or alkali hydroxide solutions. However, rather controversial opinions on the structure of the substance can be found in the literature when the state at the isoelectric point is considered. Structure J [1], II [2—4] or an equilibrium mixture [5] have been assigned to nicotinic acid at the isoelec...

Antimicrobials are one of the most widely prescribed classes of therapeutic agents. Although adverse effects of antimicrobials are generally minimal and reversible, serious sequelae can sometimes remain, such as unusual forms of renal failure, acid base disturbance and electrolyte abnormalities. Many antimicrobials, especially vancomycin or aminoglycosides, are associated with development of ac...

Disorders of water balance lead either to dehydration or overhydration. Because there is an intimate relationship between water and sodium concentration (water generally following salt), one can distinguish hypotonic, isotonic and hypertonic dehydration and the same for overhydration. The vast majority of water balance disorders are acquired. In this article, the focus is on the inherited disor...

Disorders of water balance lead either to dehydration or overhydration. Because there is an intimate relationship between water and sodium concentration (water generally following salt), one can distinguish hypotonic, isotonic and hypertonic dehydration and the same for overhydration. The vast majority of water balance disorders are acquired. In this article, the focus is on the inherited disor...

V . O2 is identical to tissue V . O2. This is extremely diffi cult to achieve clinically, particularly in mechanically ventilated subjects. Also determination of V . O2 becomes progressively less accurate as FIO2 increases. Various alternative means of measuring V . O2 which overcome some of these diffi culties are available and may be more appropriate for clinical use. For example, a pneumotac...

Two trials were conducted to study the effects of continuous infusion of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) on acid-base balance in broiler chickens. Osmotic pumps delivered 8 IU of ACTH in saline/kg of BW/d for 7 d or the same saline volume as used in ACTH at 1 microL/h for 7 d. Blood samples were taken on d 0 (baseline values) and on d 4, 7, and 14 after onset of the infusions. The ACTH treat...

Acid-base physiology is among the most complex topics in clinical medicine. Disturbances of this system are common in the critically ill, and important clinical decisions based on measured acid-base parameters occur on a daily, even hourly basis. Therefore, a sound understanding of acid-base physiology is mandatory for the intensivist. The field is full of complicated concepts and equations tha...

Disorders of water balance lead either to dehydration or overhydration. Because there is an intimate relationship between water and sodium concentration (water generally following salt), one can distinguish hypotonic, isotonic and hypertonic dehydration and the same for overhydration. The vast majority of water balance disorders are acquired. In this article, the focus is on the inherited disor...

To the Editor: In his review on acid–base disorders, Seifter (Nov. 6 issue)1 attempts to integrate the “traditional, bicarbonate-centered model” described by Davenport2 and Boron3 with Stewart’s strong-ion-difference model4: strong ion difference (in mmol per liter) = [Na+] + [K+] + [Ca2+] + [Mg2+] – [Cl−]. In unbuffered salt solutions, strong ion difference = [OH−] – [H+] and is thus a pH surr...