Role of mycorrhizal fungi and phosphorus in the arsenic tolerance of basin wildrye.

Revegetation of arsenic (As)-rich mine spoils is often impeded by the lack of plant species tolerant of high As concentrations and low nutrient availability. Basin wildrye [Leymus cinereus (Scribner & Merr.) A. Löve] has been observed to establish naturally in soils with elevated As content and thus may be useful for the stabilization of As-contaminated soils. An experiment was conducted to evaluate how variable phosphorus (P) concentrations and inoculation with site-specific arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi influence As tolerance of basin wildrye. Basin wildrye was grown in sterile sand in the greenhouse for 16 weeks. Pots of sterile sand were amended to create one of four rates of As (0, 3, 15, or 50 mg As kg(-1)), two rates of P (3 or 15 mg P kg(-1)), and +/-mycorrhizal inoculation in a 2 x 4 x 2 factorial arrangement. After 16 weeks of growth, plants were harvested, shoots and roots thoroughly washed, and the tissue analyzed for total shoot biomass, total root and shoot As and P concentrations, and degree of mycorrhizal infection. Basin wildrye was found to be tolerant of high As concentrations allowing for vigorous plant growth at application levels of 3 or 15 mg As kg(-1). Arsenic was sequestered in the roots, with 30 to 50 times more As in the roots than shoots under low P conditions. Mycorrhizal infection did not confer As tolerance in basin wildrye nor did mycorrhizal fungi influence biomass production. Phosphorus concentrations of 15 mg kg(-1) effectively inhibited As accumulation in basin wildrye. Basin wildrye has the potential to be used for stabilization of As-rich soils while minimizing exposure to grazing animals following reclamation.

Dilutional hyponatremia in pre-eclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this report is to describe a defect in water metabolism, characterized by hyponatremia, in patients with pre-eclampsia-induced nephrotic syndrom. STUDY DESIGN: This was an observational study of 3 women. RESULTS: Hyponatremia was observed in 3 women with pre-eclampsia characterized by various extrarenal manifestations, as well as by nephrotic syndrome with normal or nearly normal renal function. Restriction in water intake partially corrected hyponatremia before delivery in each case, and no complications were observed in the neonates. The mechanism of impaired excretion of water in these patients is proposed to involve persistent and inappropriate production of vasopressin through stimulation of the nonosmotic mechanism for vasopressin secretion in response to a reduction in effective plasma volume. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate for the first time that women with pre-eclampsia are, at least when nephrotic, at risk for development of dilutional hyponatremia, which can cause neurologic complications that simulate those of eclampsia.

Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy procedures in a rural hospital.

Laparoscopic surgical procedures are replacing traditional, more invasive surgical procedures--even in small, rural hospitals. During a period of 12 months, the authors performed laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy procedures on two patients at a 20-bed hospital in North Dakota. Although surgeons in other countries have reported performing laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy procedures, this is the first published report of a US surgical team performing this procedure. Laparoscopic dissection of the distal pancreas allows preservation of patients' spleens, decreases postoperative pain and length of hospitalization, and permits patients to return to activities of daily living more quickly than with traditional open pancreatectomy procedures.

Ectopic atrial tachycardia in utero.

BACKGROUND: The antenatal diagnosis of fetal arrhythmias helps direct medical management, which may include intrauterine therapy. Ectopic atrial tachycardia is an unusual arrhythmia in children, and we know of no previous reports of antenatal diagnosis of this particular arrhythmia. CASE: The diagnosis of fetal ectopic atrial tachycardia was suggested by the monitor tracing during labor and was subsequently confirmed by the postpartum behavior of the arrhythmia and its electrocardiographic characteristics. CONCLUSION: Ectopic atrial tachycardia, although uncommon, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of fetal tachycardias. The fetal monitor tracing may be useful in making this diagnosis antenatally, which may help to direct management both before and after birth.

A nursing data base for initial patient assessment.

The introduction of nursing diagnoses at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center, Laguna Hills, CA, resulted in the nursing process becoming the basis for the documentation system. However, the medical model or body system remained the organizational structure for nursing data collection and narrative charting. The need for a model that would aid in identification and treatment of illness and not negatively affect the nursing process was the impetus behind the selection of Gordon's functional health patterns as the assessment format. These patterns provide a standard method for data collection and a holistic approach to assessment and diagnosis.

Serum copper and zinc in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Serum copper, zinc and caeruloplasmin levels were measured in 49 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis, in 33 patients with osteoarthritis and a group of blood donor controls. Serum copper and caeruloplasmin levels in the osteoarthritic patients were significantly higher and serum zinc levels significantly lower than in the blood donor controls. Although these differences could not be accounted for on the basis of age or drug administration neither did they correlate with a radiological grading of disease severity. Copper and caeruloplasmin levels were raised in the rheumatoid group as compared to both osteoarthritic and control groups. These were strong correlations between serum copper, caeruloplasmin, ESR and alpha 1 globulin levels in the rheumatoid patients. Although caeruloplasmin-bound copper accounted for most of the elevation in serum copper levels in the rheumatoid group, the calculated non-caeruloplasmin bound copper level was also elevated in rheumatoid, as compared to osteoarthritic patients. Serum zinc levels in the rheumatoid group were lower than in the control group but not significantly different to those in the osteoarthritic group.

Reoperation following failure of aortoiliofemoral arterial reconstruction.

Over a 19-year period, 729 primary arterial reconstructions for aneurysmal and occlusive disease of the aortoiliac arterial system were performed at the Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg. During the same interval 49 of these reconstructions required reoperation and 6 additional cases were referred for secondary repair from other institutions. The authors reviewed these 55 cases to determine the reasons for reoperation and the cumulative results of secondary repair. Secondary arterial repair was performed in 11.5% of cases of occlusive disease and in 1.2% of cases of aneurysmal disease. The overall frequency of reoperation was 6.7%. The mean interval between primary and secondary operation was 31.5 months. Perioperative failure, false aneurysm, graft infection, progression of disease and late technical problems were the major reasons for reoperation. Of the secondary repairs the results in 83.6% were satisfactory at 30 days. At 5 years, 57% of secondary repairs at risk remained satisfactory. The operative mortality for secondary arterial repair was 5.4%. The authors believe that continued aggressive management of failed primary aortoiliac reconstructions is justified.