Relationship between foliar chemical parameters measured in Melia azedarach L. and environmental conditions in urban areas.

A diagnostic study was done on Melia azedarach L. in relation to atmospheric pollutants in Córdoba city, Argentina. The study area receives regional pollutants, and it was categorized taking into account traffic level, industrial level, location of the sample point in relation to the corner, treeless condition, building type, topographic level and distance to the river. Water content and Specific Leaf Area (SLA) were calculated; and concentrations of soluble proteins, sulphur, hydroperoxy conjugated dienes (HPCD), chlorophylls (Total Chl) and pheophytins (Total Paeoph) were determined in leaf samples. HPCD correlated positively with industry, topographic level and distance to the river, and with a combination of the environmental variables (ECI); pigments correlated negatively with traffic level and with ECI; Total Phaeoph/Total Chl ratio correlated positively with traffic, building and ECI. On the basis of our results, traffic level, industrial level, building type, topographic level and distance to the river are the environmental variables to bear in mind when selecting analogous sampling points in a passive monitoring program. An approximation to predict tree injury may be obtained by measuring water content, soluble proteins, sulphur, HPCD and pigments as they are responsible for the major variability of data. This study revealed that M. azedarach was sensitive to air pollutants from traffic and industry. Thus, in those sampling sites with the maximum score for traffic level, industrial level and ECI, the highest values of the parameters that indicate foliar damage together with the least pigment concentration were observed.

Differences in responses to urban air pollutants by Ligustrum lucidum Ait. and Ligustrum lucidum Ait. f. tricolor (Rehd.) Rehd.

This study examined the chemical response of Ligustrum lucidum Ait. and Ligustrum lucidum Ait. f. tricolor (Rehd.) Rehd. when exposed to different sources of atmospheric pollutants. Dry weight/fresh weight ratio, specific leaf area (SLA), sulfur content, chlorophyll concentration, carotenoids, soluble proteins, malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydroperoxy conjugated dienes (HPCD) were determined for leaf samples taken from different sites in the city of Córdoba, Argentina. These sites were categorized in terms of their traffic levels and industrial levels. Both L. lucidum as well as L. lucidum f. tricolor accumulated sulfur in their leaves in sites with high traffic levels, the former being the most sensitive to this type of pollution. Ligustrum lucidum exhibited significantly low concentrations of soluble proteins, in sites with high industrial pollution levels. Ligustrum lucidum f. tricolor did not exhibit a significant response to industrial pollution.

Right stellate ganglion block for treatment of hypertension after cardiopulmonary bypass.

Right stellate ganglion block was performed on 24 patients in whom hypertension developed after cardiopulmonary bypass. Changes in blood pressure, central venous pressure, cardiac output, and heart rate were evaluated. Most patients evidenced a decrease in systolic blood pressure (average, 40 mm Hg) and diastolic blood pressure (average, 19 mm Hg). Systemic vascular resistance was measured in 8 patients, and 7 demonstrated a decrease (average reduction, 6.7 resistance units). Changes in cardiac output were variable. Although stellate ganglion block can be safely performed and, in most patients, markedly reduces systolic blood pressure, the results suggest that other hypotensive agents may be more advantageous in the treatment of hypertension subsequent to coronary artery operation.