Quantifying in situ phenotypic variability in the hydraulic properties of four tree species across their distribution range in Europe.

Many studies have reported that hydraulic properties vary considerably between tree species, but little is known about their intraspecific variation and, therefore, their capacity to adapt to a warmer and drier climate. Here, we quantify phenotypic divergence and clinal variation for embolism resistance, hydraulic conductivity and branch growth, in four tree species, two angiosperms (Betula pendula, Populus tremula) and two conifers (Picea abies, Pinus sylvestris), across their latitudinal distribution in Europe. Growth and hydraulic efficiency varied widely within species and between populations. The variability of embolism resistance was in general weaker than that of growth and hydraulic efficiency, and very low for all species but Populus tremula. In addition, no and weak support for a safety vs. efficiency trade-off was observed for the angiosperm and conifer species, respectively. The limited variability of embolism resistance observed here for all species except Populus tremula, suggests that forest populations will unlikely be able to adapt hydraulically to drier conditions through the evolution of embolism resistance.

[Intrahepatic cholestasis in pregnancy treated with ursodeoxycholic acid]. / Gravidtetsbetinget intrahepatisk kolestase behandlet med ursodeoxykolsyre.

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy is characterized by pruritus and raised maternal aminotransferases and bile acid in serum. It is correlated to increased risk of meconium staining of amniotic fluid, stillbirth and premature labour. A case of treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid from 26. to 36. week gestation is described. Ursodeoxycholic acid is an effective treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, but the effect seems to decrease after a period.

Transvaginal sonohysterography and hysteroscopy in the evaluation of female infertility, habitual abortion or metrorrhagia. A comparative study.

BACKGROUND: To assess the diagnostic value of sonohysterography in the evaluation of metrorrhagia and infertility with hysteroscopy as the standard. METHODS: Sixty-six women, 41 with metrorrhagia, 20 with infertility and five with habitual abortion, were examined by sonohysterography and hysteroscopy. Sterile saline instilled through a baby-feeding tube was used to distend the uterine cavity during sonohysterography. Hysteroscopy was performed with a 4 mm hysteroscope under general anesthesia. The endometrial polyps and submucous myomas were recorded and the findings subsequently compared. RESULTS: Of the 66 women, 60 were successfully examined by both sonohysterography and hysteroscopy. The overall sensitivity and specificity for sonohysterography was 90.9% and 100%, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 100% and 90%, respectively. When examining the metrorrhagia and infertility groups separately the sensitivity and specificity and predictive values were found to be 88.5%, 100%, 100% and 76.9% (metrorrhagia) and 100% for all parameters in cases of infertility. No complications were recorded during the procedures. CONCLUSION: Sonohysterography is a simple, fast, well tolerated and accurate method to evaluate the uterine cavity in patients with metrorrhagia or infertility.

[Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome--prevention and treatment]. / Ovarielt hyperstimulationssyndrom forebyggelse og behandling.

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is an iatrogenic, potentially life-threatening condition associated with ovulation induction. With increasing numbers of women receiving various ovarian stimulation protocols as part of different infertility treatments, the number of cases is likely to increase. The syndrome has a wide spectrum of clinical and laboratory findings, and is classified into mild, moderate and severe OHSS. The pathophysiology of this syndrome is unclear, and medical management has traditionally been conservative and supportive consisting of bedrest, volume expanders and replacement of fluid. When ascites is present, paracentesis under ultrasound guidance has been found to improve the condition of the patient by reducing the hydrostatic pressure. Prevention is very important, but at present it is doubtful if OHSS can be completely avoided due to the existence of a relatively small margin of safety between successful induction of ovulation and the development of OHSS.

[Adnexial torsion caused by ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome]. / Adnekstorsion ved ovarielt hyperstimulationssyndrom.

A case of adnexal torsion of an enlarged ovary during early pregnancy after gonadotropin therapy is presented. Adnexal torsion is a rare but serious complication to ovarian hyperstimulation. The diagnosis is difficult, but the combination of ovarian enlargement, abdominal pain, nausea, progressive leukocytosis and anaemia may indicate torsion of the adnex. Prompt diagnosis is important. Simple unwinding of the twisted adnex by a laparoscopic technique has been successful in most cases.

Subcutaneous noradrenaline concentration increase in normal subjects during cold exposure evaluated by microdialysis.

Changes in local noradrenaline level in subcutaneous tissue were measured in four healthy males (23-33 years) during cold stimulation using a microdialysis technique. The subcutaneous dialysate noradrenaline concentration increased during cold exposure by a factor of 3.5 (P < 0.003). A correction factor due to plasma overflow of noradrenaline to subcutaneous tissue was calculated from noradrenaline infusion studies. This correction had a minimal effect on the observed increase in dialysate noradrenaline concentration and the level of significance was only slightly altered after correction for plasma overflow. The microdialysis technique in combination with a sensitive radioenzymatic noradrenaline assay may be useful to assess changes in local subcutaneous noradrenaline level in man during physiological stimulation.

Determination of local catecholamine release by microdialysis.

Release of noradrenaline in subcutaneous tissue was measured using a microdialysis technique in combination with an ultrasensitive radio-enzymatic noradrenaline assay. Experiments were performed in conscious dogs with and without tyramine added to the perfusion medium. In the absence of tyramine, the interstitial noradrenaline levels in subcutaneous tissue were similar to arterial blood concentrations provided the former were corrected for recovery. With tyramine added to the perfusion medium, noradrenaline levels in subcutaneous tissue increased tenfold. Arterial noradrenaline concentrations did not change, indicating that noradrenaline was released only locally in the tissue. In four healthy males, the subcutaneous dialysate noradrenaline concentration increased during cold exposure by a factor of 3.5 (Friedman test, P < 0.003). Skin temperature decreased by an average of -12 degrees C +/- 0.6 degrees C during cold exposure. The microdialysis technique in combination with a sensitive radio-enzymatic noradrenaline assay may be useful to assess local subcutaneous noradrenaline release.

Clinical evaluation of a prototype glucose electrode.

A new prototype direct reading glucose electrode working with glucose oxidase and hydrogen peroxide was preliminarily tested clinically during insulin-induced hypoglycemia in eight healthy subjects, and during hyperglycemia in five dysregulated diabetic patients. The results for 282 whole blood samples were compared to those of our routine method, which measures the glucose concentration in whole blood. The correlation was: y = 1.05.x - 0.05 mmol/L, r = 0.99. The glucose electrode measured a glucose concentration of 10.5 mmol/L +- 0.49 mmol/L (between-day imprecision) in a control serum (glucose 10.0 mmol/L). The glucose electrode supposedly responds to the activity of glucose that equals the molality (mmol glucose per kg water). The ratio of results with the glucose electrode and our routine method was lower than the expected ratio between water concentration in calibrator and whole blood, which is 1.18. A steep gradient from blood sample to glucose electrode, depending on the diffusion coefficient and hematocrit might explain the discrepancy.