Water potential of standing-dead shoots of an intertidal grass.

Dead stems and leaves of smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora Loisel.) undergo substantial fungal decay in the standing position. We conducted a series of experiments to determine the probable range of water availabilities that cordgrass-fungal decomposers experience; we determined the effects of duration of wetting and drying, site on shoots, leaching of osmotica, and stage of decomposition on water potential (ψ) of cordgrass shoots.

Double penetrating nail injury to the eye: a case report.

We report an unusual double penetrating eye injury in which a 26 mm carpenter's nail pierced the eye. The nail penetrated the sclera equatorially and pierced the retina posteriorly just above the superior temporal retinal vascular arcade. Six hours following the injury the nail was removed from the eye, trans-scleral cryotherapy was applied to the entry site, and an episcleral silicone band was used to create an encircling buckle.

Inspiratory and skeletal muscle strength and endurance and diaphragmatic activation in patients with chronic airflow limitation.

To determine whether patients with chronic airflow limitation have a specific alteration in skeletal muscle performance, the strength and endurance of inspiratory and limb muscles were compared in 11 patients with chronic airflow limitation and 11 control subjects during maximal voluntary contractions. Peak inspiratory pressure at observed functional residual capacity (FRC) was significantly less in the patients than in the control subjects (mean 72 (SD 25) v 93 (21) cm H2O), though only two patients had low maximal pressures across a wide volume range. Maximal voluntary torque of the elbow flexor muscles was also reduced in the patients but the difference was not significant (60 (17) v 72 (18) Nm).

Does mechanical ventilation precipitate gastro-oesophageal reflux during enteral feeding?

The influence of intermittent positive pressure ventilation on gastro-oesophageal reflux in preterm infants is not known. In many neonatal units, however, concern that ventilation may increase gastro-oesophageal reflux (and therefore aspiration) leads to avoidance of enteral feeding during ventilation. We have therefore performed a crossover study of gastrooesophageal reflux by monitoring lower oesophageal pH in a group of nine enterally fed, very low birthweight infants both during assisted ventilation and normal breathing.

The prevalence and risk of diabetic retinopathy among Indians of southwest Oklahoma.

The overall prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was 49.3% among 142 diabetic Indians examined at the Indian Health Service at Clinton, Oklahoma. Univariate analysis suggested a positive relationship between duration of diabetes and prevalence of retinopathy.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux in preterm infants.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux in very low birthweight infants was studied using a new 1 mm monocrystalline antimony oesophageal pH electrode. Gastro-oesophageal reflux was detected in 30 (85%) subjects. The mean (SEM) number of episodes of reflux in 24 hours was 12.

Digestive enzymes of the saltmarsh periwinkleLittorina irrorata (Mollusca: Gastropoda).

The saltmarsh periwinkleLittorina irrorata is well adapted for the digestion of a wide range of polysaccharides. Enzyme extracts attacked cellulose, pectin, xylan, bean gum and mannan (common in cell walls of higher plants), as well as starch and laminarin (representative of major polysaccharide classes in fungal, algal, and animal tissues). Activities were generally highes at a ph of 5 or 6.

Actions of gastrin-releasing peptide and related mammalian and amphibian peptides on ion transport in the porcine proximal jejunum.

The 27-amino acid peptide gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and the decapeptide neuromedin B (NMB) are structurally related to bombesin (BB) and exist within the mammalian small intestine. We examined the actions of porcine GRP and NMB on ion transport in the porcine proximal jejunum in vitro and compared their activities to those of their respective C-terminal amphibian homologs BB and ranatensin (RT). The 4 peptides transiently increased potential difference and short-circuit current (Isc) in jejunal mucosal sheets after their serosal administration in subnanomolar concentrations with an order of potency: GRP approximately RT greater than or equal to NMB greater than BB.

Fundamental procedures for determining ergosterol content of decaying plant material by liquid chromatography.

Portions of published procedures for measurement of ergosterol content of decomposing plants were examined for their influence upon ergosterol yield. Common methods of treatment of plant samples prior to sterol extraction (e.g.

Maturation of the lower oesophageal sphincter in the preterm baby.

There are few reported studies of the lower oesophageal sphincter in preterm infants and none has investigated babies of less than 34 weeks gestation. Using a modified manometric technique suitable for use on very low birth weight infants we have measured sphincter pressures on 68 occasions in 25 infants of postconceptional age between 27 and 41 weeks. In even the most preterm infants the lower oesophageal sphincter could be defined.

Rapid and pervasive occupation of fallen mangrove leaves by a marine zoosporic fungus.

Samples of leaves of red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) were incubated on an agar medium selective for pythiaceous oomycetes. Leaves on trees above the water did not contain oomycetes. Marine oomycetes, principally Phytophthora vesicula, had colonized leaves within 2 h of leaf submergence, probably finding them by chemotaxis.

A new instrument for nucleus prolapse: results and surgical technique.

A new instrument for use in prolapsing a cataract nucleus into the anterior chamber during extracapsular cataract extraction is described. This instrument is a modification of the Kelman Blunt Irrigating Cystatome and the Youens Lens Manipulating Cannula. The tip is elongated, rounded, broadened, and set at an angle from the instrument shaft to enhance broad surface contact of the instrument tip with the nucleus equator.

Thymidine Incorporation by the Microbial Community of Standing Dead Spartina alterniflora.

Thymidine incorporation by the microbial community on standing dead leaves of Spartina alterniflora did not obey many of the assumptions inherent in the use of the technique in planktonic systems. Incorporation rates of [methly-H]thymidine were nonsaturable over a wide concentration range (10 to 10 nM). Owing to metabolism by both fungi and bacteria, a major fraction of the radiolabel (mean, 48%) appeared in protein.

Processing changes across reading encounters.

Five experiments examined changes in the processing of a text across reading encounters. Experiment 1 showed that reading speed increased systematically across encounters, with no loss in the extensiveness of analyses of the printed text, as indicated by the ability to detect nonword errors embedded within that passage. Experiment 2 replicated this improved reading fluency with experience and showed that it occurred even with typescript changes across trials, thus indicating that a primed visual operations explanation cannot account for the effect.

Use of human growth hormone in treatment of nesidioblastosis in a neonate.

Growth hormone was effective in reducing the glucose requirement in an infant with nesidioblastosis. He was suffering from fluid overload secondary to glucose and water infusions necessary to maintain blood glucose. Early pancreatectomy is the preferred treatment in severe cases, but human growth hormone has a place in preoperative management.

Influence of rain, tidal wetting and relative humidity on release of carbon dioxide by standing-dead salt-marsh plants.

Dead parts of salt-marsh plants form a considerable fraction of their annual average standing crop. A microbial assemblage living on and in the standing-dead leaves and stems of Spartina alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus responds to saltwater, freshwater or water-vapor wetting by immediately beginning to release CO. Water-saturated, standing-dead leaves and culms of S.