A compilation of North American tree provenance trials and relevant historical climate data for seven species.

Tree provenance trials consist of a variety of seed sources (or provenances) planted at several test sites across the range of a species. The resulting plantations are typically measured periodically to investigate provenance performance in relation to abiotic conditions, particularly climate. These trials are expensive and time consuming to establish, but are an important resource for seed transfer systems, which aim to match planting sites with well-adapted (climatically suitable) seed sources.

Exercise alveolar-arterial oxygen pressure difference in interstitial lung disease.

Abnormality of gas exchange is best evaluated by the exercise alveolar-arterial oxygen pressure difference, P(A-a)O2. We studied the P(A-a)O2 in 168 patients with sarcoidosis, desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP), usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP), berylliosis, and asbestosis who were seen for clinical and disability consultations. The increase of P(A-a)O2 with exercise was greatest in UIP (mean 16 mm Hg), least in sarcoidosis (mean 1 mm Hg), and intermediate in DIP, berylliosis, and asbestosis (means 9, 9, and 7 mm Hg, respectively).

Thromboxane and prostacyclin (epoprostenol) during exercise in diffuse pulmonary fibrosis.

Plasma thromboxane A2, a vasoconstrictor, and plasma prostacyclin (epoprostenol), a vasodilator, were assessed by double-antibody radioimmunological assay of their respective stable circulating metabolites, thromboxane B2 (TxB2) and 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha, in 9 patients with severe diffuse pulmonary fibrosis (DPF), who were known to become hypo-oxaemic during exercise, and in 9 healthy volunteers. In the 7 patients with the most severe DPF, mean arterial PO2 fell from 68 mm Hg at rest to 51 mm Hg at peak aerobic exercise, and mean TxB2 increased to twice the value at rest. The 9 controls remained oxygen saturated throughout exercise; their mean TxB2 did not change during aerobic exercise, but during anaerobic exercise increased to twice the value at rest, and increased further during recovery.

Comparison of hyperlipidemia in dialysis patients, renal transplant recipients, and steroid treated nonrenal patients.

Serum lipids were studied in 25 stable renal transplant recipients 3-60 months after transplantation, 25 stable patients maintained on hemodialysis, and 16 steroid-treated patients with normal renal functions. Lipid abnormalities were found in 72% of the transplant patients and 52% of dialysis patients. The mean serum triglyceride levels were significantly higher in the transplant and the dialysis group than age and sex matched controls, but were not significantly elevated in the steroid-treated patients with normal renal function.