Structure and development of 'witches' broom' galls in reproductive organs of Byrsonima sericea (Malpighiaceae) and their effects on host plants.

Galls are anomalies in plant development of parasitic origin that affect the cellular differentiation or growth and represent a remarkable plant-parasite interaction. Byrsonima sericea DC. (Malpighiaceae) is a super host of several different types of gall in both vegetative and reproductive organs. The existence of galls in reproductive organs and their effects on the host plant are seldom described in the literature. In this paper, we present a novel study of galls in plants of the Neotropical region: the 'witches' broom' galls developed in floral structures of B. sericea. The unaffected inflorescences are characterised by a single indeterminate main axis with spirally arranged flower buds. The flower buds developed five unaffected brownish hairy sepals and five pairs of elliptical yellow elaiophores, five yellow fringed petals, 10 stamens and a pistil with superior tricarpellar and trilocular ovary. The affected inflorescences showed changes in architecture, with branches arising from the main axis and flower buds. The flower buds exhibited several morphological and anatomical changes. The sepals, petals and carpels converted into leaf-like structures after differentiation. Stamens exhibited degeneration of the sporogenous tissue and structures containing hyphae and spores. The gynoecium did not develop, forming a central meristematic region, from which emerges the new inflorescence. In this work, we discuss the several changes in development of reproductive structures caused by witches' broom galls and their effects on reproductive success of the host plants.

Gateway to wellness: an occupational therapy collaboration with the national multiple sclerosis society.

SUMMARY Occupational therapy is well equipped to build wellness for people with disabilities, particularly when partnering with community agencies or organizations. This article describes the collaborative relationship with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for the development of Gateway to Wellness, A Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis. Using the metaphor of a journey, issues relating to the collaborative relationship include language and power, paths and directions, the model design and evaluation, and negotiating expansion. The authors conclude with a summary of recommendations for positive partnering between occupational therapy and organizations that serve persons with disabling conditions.

Factors influencing compliance with home exercise programs among patients with upper-extremity impairment.

OBJECTIVE: Patient cooperation and satisfaction with home exercise programs are important for successful outcomes of intervention. This study investigated factors from three models to predict increased compliance and satisfaction with home exercise programs: the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO), including the volition subsystem (interests), habituation subsystem (roles), and performance subsystem (reported physical capacity); the Health Belief Model (HBM), including perceived barriers, benefits, self-efficacy, and severity; and the Health Locus of Control (HLOC). METHOD: Sixty-two outpatients at an orthopedic upper-extremity rehabilitation facility completed a battery of questionnaires and self-report instruments, including a health belief survey to assess HBM factors, the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale, the Modified Activity Profile to assess the performance subsystem of the MOHO, a demographic questionnaire (including roles), a report of home exercise, and a satisfaction scale of their therapist's treatment. Compliance was determined by comparing participants' report of exercises performed to exercises specified on their medical chart. RESULTS: Stepwise regression identified two predictors of compliance: perceived self-efficacy and internal HLOC, R2 = .16. CONCLUSION: Results supported the role of the MOHO's volition subsystem, but roles and physical capacity--representing the habituation and performance subsystems of the MOHO--did not contribute significantly to the prediction of compliance.

Defining functional limitation, disability, and societal limitations in patients with facial paresis: initial pilot questionnaire.

Experiences with patients with facial paralysis over the last 25 years and recent efforts to develop objective measures of paresis and synkinesis led us to three hypotheses: (a) dysfunction in certain regions of the face is more disturbing than that in others, (b) there are major psychosocial impacts of facial paralysis, and (c) the impact of facial paralysis is underestimated. An initial questionnaire of 10 open-ended items was submitted to 11 subjects stabilized after acoustic tumor resection. Responses were tabulated qualitatively, and frequency counts were made of responses. These results show that the region of the face that is most disturbing is the mouth; however, early in the time course of paralysis, the eye is most disturbing. Synkinesis above the eye is ultimately more disturbing than paresis in that region, and it may worsen. Major psychosocial impacts of paralysis appear common and underestimated. These pilot data qualitatively support the hypotheses.

Frequency selectivity of central auditory neurons without inner ear.

A group of neurons in the inferior colliculus (IC) of the chicken displayed frequency selectivity after surgical removal of both cochleae. Characteristic neuronal frequencies were evident in the following three measures. i) The cells fired spontaneously with discrete preferred interspike intervals; ii) Impulse responses of these neurons to electrical stimuli of cochlear nerves displayed oscillations at the preferred frequencies; iii) When the cochlear nerves were stimulated with a random pulse sequence, a reverse correlation analysis showed that the cells preferred the same frequencies in the stimulus input. Preferred frequencies observed thus far covered over 4 octaves of the auditory range. These "oscillating cells" were found only in a small rostromedial area in the IC. Neuronal frequency selectivity may serve a temporal analysis of sound and underlie sound identification with certain cochlear implants. It may also support interaural crosscorrelation necessary for directional hearing.

Recurrent psoas abscess.

Recurrence of a psoas abscess in exactly the same location is very unusual--in fact, we found no other reports in the literature. Laparotomy performed after the patient presented with the second abscess revealed an impacted calculus and diverticulitis of the appendix as the cause. Computed tomography was effective in establishing the diagnosis, but the question of the best method of treatment remains. Percutaneous drainage was insufficient in this case.

Observer error in blood pressure measurement.

This paper describes an experiment undertaken to determine observer error in measuring blood pressure by the auscultatory method. A microcomputer was used to display a simulated mercury manometer and play back tape-recorded Korotkoff sounds synchronized with the fall of the mercury column. Each observer's readings were entered into the computer, which displayed a histogram of all readings taken up to that point and thus showed the variation among observers. The procedure, which could easily be adapted for use in teaching, was used to test 311 observers drawn from physicians, nurses, medical students, nursing students and others at nine health care institutions in Ottawa. The results showed a strong bias for even-digit readings and standard deviations of roughly 5 to 6 mm Hg. The standard deviation for the systolic readings was somewhat smaller for the physicians as a group than for the nurses (3.5 v. 5.9 mm Hg). However, the standard deviations for the diastolic readings were roughly equal for these two groups (approximately 5.5 mm Hg).

Safety of anaesthesia breathing circuit connectors.

Conical connectors used in anaesthesia breathing circuits are prone to accidental disconnections. We tested 291 connectors of 15 and 22 mm size and found that most did not comply with dimensional requirements in voluntary standards such as those issued by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). However, measurements of disconnecting force showed no strong correlation with dimensional accuracy as determined by the standard gauge tests. When wrung together, metal-to-metal or plastic-to-plastic joints were considerably stronger than metal-to-plastic joints. Wrung joints were much stronger than connections made with a straight push, which showed no marked dependence on the type of material. Our results indicate that improved compliance with dimensional standards as determined by existing gauge tests will not improve connector performance. Rather, what is needed is a performance standard based on practical criteria. Under such a standard, some materials may prove unsuitable for friction-fit connections.

Results of the Canadian Anaesthetists' Society opinion survey on anaesthetic equipment.

Design shortcomings in carbon dioxide absorber bypasses and conical connectors in breathing circuits have been implicated in a number of fatal anaesthesia mishaps. In order to obtain users' views on the risks and benefits of these devices, a questionnaire was sent to 1,950 members of the Canadian Anaesthetists' Society. This paper presents a summary of the 313 responses received. Respondents were equally divided on whether the advantages of a CO2 absorber bypass outweigh the risks of accidental misuse. However, 53 per cent felt the bypass should not be removed from the absorber and 79 per cent favoured clearer labelling of the bypass setting. Accidental disconnections of conical fittings are daily occurrences. The most frequent site is the tracheal tube connector. Sixty-eight per cent of respondents use some method of securing the connectors, in most cases by taping them. The commonest reason given for not using commercial locking devices was that they are not available. Eighty-seven per cent of respondents use disconnect alarms when ventilating a patient.

Oncocercosis: alteraciones inmunologicas en las queratitis observables en Venezuela. / Onchocerciasis: immunological changes in keratitis observed in Venezuela

La oncocercosis fue descubierta en Venezuela en fecha relativamente reciente (1932); se caracteriza por considerable frequencia de lesiones oculares en general y por lesiones en la cornea, presentando los siguientes porcentajes en nuestras estadisticas: 54% de queratitis puntada y 12% de otras modalidades. En 3.524 pacientes con lesiones oculares, 1.510 presentaban lesiones en la cornea lo que representaba un 43,1% (revision de estadisticas del Ministerio de Sanidad y Asistencia Social). Se trata de explicar la patogenia de la patologia corneal por el edema y se incriminan tres factores: mecanicos, inflamatorios e inmunologicos. Se estudiaron 210 pacientes afectos de oncocercosis 109 de los cuales presentaron lesiones corneales. Se practico hematologia completa y determinaciones de inmunoglobulinas sericas y por raspado corneo-conjuntival y se encontro que hay relacion entre ciertos tipos de queratitis y la presencia, valores y ausencia de ciertas inmunoglobulinas ofreciendose una explicacion de la patogenia

Formation of precipitate in priming solutions for extracorporeal perfusion.

A precipitate observed in Hartman's solution used to prime a cardiopulmonary bypass circuit was identified as calcium carbonate. Analysis of the chemical equilibrium showed that the precipitation was caused by sodium bicarbonate added to prevent acidosis. Although this practice is acceptable for haemic primes, in which buffers and albumins will prevent precipitation, it should not be done with non-haemic primes prior to bypass.

Evacuated blood-collection tubes--the backflow hazard.

Five cases of nosocomial infection caused by Serratia marcescens were traced to backflow of blood from nonsterile evacuated blood-collection tubes. The mechanism of backflow was investigated theoretically and the conditions were determined under which backflow can occur. The theory was confirmed by experiments conducted on a simulated venous system and by measurements of the venous pressure in the brachial vein of a patient during application and removal of a tourniquet. Various possible solutions to the backflow hazard include strict adherence to correct venipuncture technique, sterilization of all blood-collection tubes, improvement of the vacuum in the tubes and incorporation of a check valve into the system.