Evolutionary Relationships and Range Evolution of Greenhood Orchids (Subtribe Pterostylidinae): Insights From Plastid Phylogenomics

Australia harbours a rich and highly endemic orchid flora with over 90% of native species found nowhere else. However, little is known about the assembly and evolution of Australia's orchid flora. Here, we used a phylogenomic approach to infer evolutionary relationships, divergence times and range evolution in Pterostylidinae (Orchidoideae), the second largest subtribe in the Australian orchid flora, comprising the genera Pterostylis and Achlydosa. Phylogenetic analysis of 75 plastid genes provided well-resolved and supported phylogenies. Intrageneric relationships in Pterostylis were clarified and monophyly of eight of 10 sections supported. Achlydosa was found to not form part of Pterostylidinae and instead merits recognition at subtribal level, as Achlydosinae. Pterostylidinae were inferred to have originated in eastern Australia in the early Oligocene, coinciding with the complete separation of Australia from Antarctica and the onset of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, which led to profound changes in the world's climate. Divergence of all major lineages occurred during the Miocene, accompanied by increased aridification and seasonality of the Australian continent, resulting in strong vegetational changes from rainforest to more open sclerophyllous vegetation. The majority of extant species were inferred to have originated in the Quaternary, from the Pleistocene onwards. The rapid climatic oscillations during the Pleistocene may have acted as important driver of speciation in Pterostylidinae. The subtribe underwent lineage diversification mainly within its ancestral range, in eastern Australia. Long-distance dispersals to southwest Australia commenced from the late Miocene onwards, after the establishment of the Nullarbor Plain, which constitutes a strong edaphic barrier to mesic plants. Range expansions from the mesic into the arid zone of eastern Australia (Eremaean region) commenced from the early Pleistocene onwards. Extant distributions of Pterostylidinae in other Australasian regions, such as New Zealand and New Caledonia, are of more recent origin, resulting from long-distance dispersals from the Pliocene onwards. Temperate eastern Australia was identified as key source area for dispersals to other Australasian regions.

Bioaccumulation and molecular effects of sediment-bound metals in zebrafish embryos

Predicting the bioavailability and effects of metals in sediments is of major concern in context with sediment risk assessment. This study aimed to investigate the bioavailability and molecular effects of metals spiked into riverine sediments to zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos. Embryos were exposed to a natural and an artificial sediment spiked with cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn) individually or as a mixture at concentrations ranging from 150 to 3000 mg/kg dry weight (dw) over 48 h, and uptake of metals was determined. Furthermore, transcript abundances of the metallothioneins MT1 and MT2, the metal-responsive element-binding transcription factor (MTF) and the genes sod1, hsp70 and hsp90α1 were measured as indicators of metal-induced or general cellular stress. D. rerio embryos accumulated metals from sediments at concentrations up to 100 times greater than those spiked to the sediment with the greatest bioaccumulation factor (BAF) for Cu from artificial sediment (275.4 ± 41.9 (SD)). Embryos accumulated greater concentrations of all metals from artificial than from natural sediment, and accumulation was greater when embryos were exposed to individual metals than when they were exposed to the mixture. Exposure of embryos to Zn or the mixture exhibited up to 30-fold greater transcript abundances of MT1, MT2 and hsp70 compared to controls which is related to significant uptake of Zn from the sediment. Further changes in transcript abundances could not be related to a significant uptake of metals from sediments. These studies reveal that metals from spiked sediments are bioavailable to D. rerio embryos directly exposed to sediments and that the induction of specific genes can be used as biomarkers for the exposure of early life stages of zebrafish to metal-contaminated sediments.

Road proximity increases risk of skeletal abnormalities in wood frogs from National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska

BACKGROUND

Skeletal and eye abnormalities in amphibians are not well understood, and they appear to be increasing while global populations decline. Here, we present the first study of amphibian abnormalities in Alaska.

OBJECTIVE

In this study we investigated the relationship between anthropogenic influences and the probability of skeletal and eye abnormalities in Alaskan wood frogs (Rana sylvatica).

METHODS

From 2000 to 2006, we examined 9,269 metamorphic wood frogs from 86 breeding sites on five National Wildlife Refuges: Arctic, Innoko, Kenai, Tetlin, and Yukon Delta. Using road proximity as a proxy for human development, we tested relationships between skeletal and eye abnormalities and anthropogenic effects. We also examined a subsample of 458 frogs for the trematode parasite Ribeiroia ondatrae, a known cause of amphibian limb abnormalities.

RESULTS

Prevalence of skeletal and eye abnormalities at Alaskan refuges ranged from 1.5% to 7.9% and were as high as 20% at individual breeding sites. Proximity to roads increased the risk of skeletal abnormalities (p = 0.004) but not eye abnormalities. The only significant predictor of eye abnormalities was year sampled (p = 0.006). R. ondatrae was not detected in any Alaskan wood frogs.

CONCLUSIONS

Abnormality prevalence at road-accessible sites in the Kenai and Tetlin refuges is among the highest reported in the published literature. Proximity to roads is positively correlated with risk of skeletal abnormalities in Alaskan wood frogs.

Comitogenic effect of catecholamines on rat cardiac fibroblasts in culture

OBJECTIVE

We studied the ability of norepinephrine and of other catecholamines to affect the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts isolated from adult rat hearts. Furthermore, we investigated the possible adrenergic receptor involved in this process.

METHODS

Norepinephrine (NE), phenylephrine (PE), isoproterenol (ISO), forskolin (FO), epidermal growth factor (EGF), platelet-derived growth factor AA (PDGF-AA) and specific inhibitors of the alpha(1)-, alpha(2)-, beta(1)- and beta(2)-adrenoceptors and of the protein kinase A (PKA) were applied to cardiac fibroblasts in culture. Cell number was measured by use of a Coulter Counter. Activation of the cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) was measured by Western blotting and subsequent use of a phospho-specific antibody. Activation of the p42- and the p44-mitogen activated protein kinase (p42/p44(MAPK)) was assessed by detection of phosphorylation shifts and by incorporation of 32P-labelled phosphate into myelin basic protein.

RESULTS

Fibroblasts isolated from hearts of adult rats were grown in 10% serum-containing media which induced an increase in cell number by 94%. After 48 h, treatment with 10 microM NE caused an even greater increase in cell number by 222%, i.e. another 128% (comitogenic effect). In contrast, NE alone had no effect on the growth of serum-deprived cells. EGF and PDGF-AA did not replace serum as the basic mitogen. After addition of NE to proliferating cells under serum conditions, there was a rapid, time-dependent significant activation of the p42/p44(MAPK) and of CREB for up to 60 and 120 min, respectively. In both cases, the maximum of activation was reached after 5 min. Application of FO (0.1-20 microM) caused a strong activation of CREB, while no increase in the phosphorylation of the p42/p44(MAPK) was detected. Treatment with 20 microM FO led to an identical increase in cell number as application of NE. Specific blockade of PKA with RpcAMPS prevented the activation of CREB and also the comitogenic effect of FO as well as of NE. The alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptor blocker carvedilol (10 microM) normalized all NE-induced effects. Prazosin and yohimbine, inhibitors of alpha(1)- and alpha(2)-adrenoceptor activation, respectively, did not influence the NE-evoked increase in cell number. In contrast, the non-selective beta-adrenoceptor blocker propranolol (1 microM) completely suppressed the comitogenic effect of NE. A similar effect was obtained with the specific beta(2)-adrenoceptor blocker ICI 118,551 (5 microM), while the beta(1)-adrenoceptor blocker metoprolol did not influence the increase in cell number.

CONCLUSIONS

NE elicits a comitogenic effect on cultured rat cardiac fibroblasts which is prevented by beta(2)-adrenergic blockade. The activation of CREB contributes to the increase in proliferation. The p42/p44(MAPK) which was also found to be activated by NE might as well be involved in the regulation of the comitogenic effect.

[Frequency and mean amplitude of spontaneous electrodermal fluctuations are not interchangeable indicators of psychological processes]

The study was concerned with the question of whether the frequency and the mean amplitude of spontaneous electrodermal fluctuations convey the same information about mental processes. In order to examine this, the content and the personal relevance of induced imaginations was varied experimentally. The experimental manipulations followed a 2 x 2 factorial design for independent groups (content of cells: 24 subjects each). Changes in electrodermal activity were measured as differences between the imagination and a resting phase. Results revealed that the two variables are not exchangeable indicators of mental processes. Although the two variables correlated significantly, they responded differently to the experimental manipulations. The imagination of death-related contents increased the frequency of spontaneous electrodermal fluctuations more than the imagination of neutral contents. High personal relevance enhanced the mean amplitude of these spontaneous fluctuations regardless of the imagined content. Therefore it was concluded that the two variables have something in common but, on the whole, do not depend on identical factors. Frequency of spontaneous electrodermal fluctuations seems to be a reflection of covert orienting processes, whereas their mean amplitude seems to reflect the activity of an appraisal system incorporating goals and past experiences. However, both variables, seem to be, in the same way, dependent on a kind of basal activation or vigilance.

Habituation and laterality of orienting processes as reflected by slow negative waves

The study is concerned with the question of whether the orienting wave (O-wave), a slow potential shift of the event-related brain potential, is a component of the orienting response (OR). As habituation is supposed to be the most important characteristic of the OR, we focussed particularly on any habituating aspect of the O-wave. Results suggest that its bilateral distribution over midfrontal areas might constitute such a link relating the O-wave to orienting activity. Hemispheric asymmetry linearly decreased its right-sided predominance in response to repeated presentations of an initially novel auditory stimulus. A similar, concomitant diminution of the skin conductance response (SCR) occurred. Both, the O-wave and the SCR varied, moreover, with signal value and electrodermal lability which are known to relate to the OR. Therefore we suggest the O-wave comprise features typical of a component of the OR. A hypothesis is put forward according to which the O-wave and its laterality are dependent on the ascending noradrenergic locus coeruleus system.

Determination of ethyl glucuronide, a minor metabolite of ethanol, in human serum by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

A rapid and sensitive determination procedure using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) has been developed for the determination of ethyl glucuronide (EtG) in human serum. Samples were precipitated with methanol, centrifuged and the supernatant was evaporated to dryness followed by reconstitution with distilled water. As mobile phase 30 mM ammonium acetate-acetonitrile (30:70, v/v) was utilized. The base peak observed at m/z 221 was the [M-H]- ion of EtG, which was detectable in satisfactory sense. The detection limit was 0.03 microg/ml in the selected ion monitoring mode. A calibration graph constructed for EtG in serum gave good linearity over the range from 0.1 to 25 microg/ml. This paper also presents the application of this LC-ESI-MS procedure to the analysis of authentic serum samples.

Effect of ribose on cardiac adenine nucleotides in a donor model for heart transplantation

Preservation time of explanted hearts is short. Cardiac function after transplantation declines dramatically in hearts that have been preserved for more than 4 to 6 hours. This has been linked to a critical decrease in high energy phosphates (HEP) after explantation. Ribose has previously been shown to stimulate HEP synthesis and to improve cardiac function. In this study, ribose was infused into 20 rats for 24 hours continuously before explantation (donor treatment) and also added to the solutions used for preservation. Saline was used in the control group. Myocardial tissue biopsies were taken after 24h of infusion and after 4h of preservation. High energy phosphates were determined by HPLC. Adenosine triphosphate content (ATP), energy charge and total adenine nucleotides (TAN) were significantly lower after 4h of preservation in both the ribose-treated and the control group compared to hearts before preservation. The difference in mean ATP concentrations between the 4 hours preserved ribose group and the control group was not significant. Single case analysis however revealed a minimum ATP level of 12.3 micromol/g dry weight in 10 ribose treated hearts whereas 2 out of 11 control hearts showed ATP levels below 10 micromol/g dry weight. - This study supports the hypothesis that ribose treatment is capable of maintaining ATP at a higher level in preserved rat hearts. Donor treatment and metabolic support with ribose during organ preservation may be suitable to prolong preservation time of donor hearts.

Poly(binaphthyl-20-crown-6) as receptor based molecular selective potentiometric electrodes for catecholamines and other 1,2-dihydroxybenzene derivatives

A novel type of poly(crown ether) electrode that is capable of selectively determining some 1,2-dihydroxybenzenes has been developed. A lipophilic macrocyclic crown ether, binaphthyl-20-crown-6, is electrochemically deposited on a platinum disc electrode. The film obtained is used as a sensory element for a potentiometric electrode for the determination of some neurotransmitters, namely, catecholamines. The new electrode is also capable of discriminating the steric shapes of 1,2-dihydroxybenzene moieties. The response of the new electrode is based on the principle of 'host-guest' chemistry. The potentiometric response is dependent on the pH of the solution and the nature of the buffer medium. The new sensor electrode has a useful analytical range of 1.5 x 10(-8) M-2 x 10(-5) M with a linear dynamic range between about 1 x 10(-7) M-5 x 10(-4) M with a 'super-Nernstian' slope of 110-130 mV/decade. The detection limit in phosphate buffer (0.1 M, pH 9.4) is ca. 3 x 10(-8) M for catecholamine. The sensor electrode is virtually insensitive towards interference from most inorganic ions and circumvents the interference from ascorbic acid, which is often found using amperometric methods in biological samples. A partial response mechanism of the present electrode is discussed, supported by results of electron dispersive analysis by x-rays (EDAX).

Study of procainamide hapten-specific antibodies in rabbits and humans

Procainamide (PA) is the drug most commonly associated with the induction of autoantibodies and drug-related lupus (DRL). While the majority of these patients express autoantibodies, antibodies to the parent drug and metabolites, PA-hydroxylamine (PAHA) or nitroso-PA (NOPA), have not been reported in humans. Hapten-carrier conjugates were prepared using human hemoglobin (HgB) or autologous rabbit erythrocytes with PAHA or NOPA. PA was conjugated to rabbit serum albumin (RSA) or egg albumin (OVA) via diazotization and condensation methods. Rabbits were immunized with hapten conjugates in Freund's adjuvant. These hapten-carrier compounds (5-10 micrograms/ml) were used as test antigens for antibodies in sera from the rabbits and 40 patients on chronic PA treatment. 10 SLE patients, 33 elderly and 20 young normal controls by ELISA. Type I and II collagens were also used as test antigens for human sera. Sera from rabbits immunized with the PA compounds had elevated IgG antibody values to PA, PAHA and NOPA, but no autoantibodies. Absorption of the rabbit sera with the PA compounds reduced the antibody levels; ssDNA and histones failed to inhibit the total binding values. Mean binding to PA-OVA was 0.95 +/- 0.41 for PA patients and 1.37 +/- 0.26 standard error of means (S.E.M.) in the SLE patients compared to 0.37 +/- 0.14 S.E.M. in the normal sera (P < or = 0.05); similar binding values to PAHA-HgB and NOPA-HgB were also observed. Sixty-eight percent of the PA patients had antibodies to type II collagen. Elevated binding values to PA compounds were inhibited by absorption of human sera with ssDNA or total histones; absorption with PA or PAHA had no significant effect. These findings suggest that sera from PA patients containing high titers of autoantibodies cross-react in vitro with unrelated antigens.

Stimulus rise time, intensity and the elicitation of unconditioned cardiac and electrodermal responses

In recent discussions on the differentiation of orienting, startle and defense responses, the importance of stimulus rise time for the elicitation of different cardiac response patterns was re-emphasized. Especially, it has been claimed that phasic accelerative heart rate (HR) responses-interpreted as indicators of startle-might not only be evoked by auditory stimuli with instantaneous rise times and high intensities, but also by low to moderate stimulus intensities with sudden onsets. The present study examined this question by manipulating rise time (instantaneous vs. 50 ms) and intensity (60 vs. 95 dB). Subjects (N = 120) were randomly assigned to one of the four independent groups. They performed a habituation experiment in which 12 tones of 1000 Hz with a constant interstimulus interval of 90 s were presented. On trial 13, a change in rise time was introduced by reversing the rise time condition in each group (i.e., from instantaneous to 50 ms and vice versa). Examination of HR changes across 4 poststimulus seconds, of maximal HR deceleration and acceleration, as well as examination of magnitude of skin conductance responses (SCRs) indicated clear intensity effects. Rise time, on the other hand, had no effects on HR and SC that could be interpreted as indicative of startle. Thus, it could neither be observed that instantaneous rise time led to stronger accelerative HR responses nor that the combination of instantaneous rise time and high intensity elicited anything but a dominant accelerative response pattern. These findings were also obtained when the first four trials were analyzed separately. As a consequence of stimulus change, larger SCRs as well as larger decelerative HR responses were observed without, however, being affected by the direction of the change in rise time. In sum, the present study suggests that the role attributed to rise time with respect to eliciting qualitatively different cardiac response patterns has been exaggerated. The consequences for the differentiation of different unconditioned responses are briefly addressed.

Electrochemistry and detection of some organic and biological molecules at conducting poly(3-methylthiophene) electrodes

Electrodes modified by the electrodeposition of poly(3-methylthiophene) were used as chemical sensors for some organic and biological molecules of industrial and medicinal interest. The electrochemical behaviors of ferri/ferrocyanide, catechol, ascorbic acid, hydroquinone, dopamine epinephrine, acetaminophen, p-aminophenol and NADH were examined by cyclic voltammetry. The results showed that the proposed modified surface catalyzes the oxidation of these compounds. Differential pulse and square wave techniques were used for the analysis of binary mixture of ascorbic acid with catechol, NADH, dopamine and p-aminophenol. Voltammetric peak resolution was also demonstrated for a ternary mixture of ascorbic acid, catechol and p-aminophenol. Polymer coated electrode was also used in an amperometric detector for flow injection analysis of most of the aforementioned compounds. The responses of the polymer electrode were 4-10 times larger as compared to those of platinum. The modified electrode displayed excellent response stability for successive injections and detection limits were 10 ppb for catechol, dopamine, epinephrine, NADH and p-aminophenol, 1 ppb for acetaminophen and 100 ppb for ascorbic acid. Voltammetric peak positions were affected by the nature of the electrolyte and its pH. Also, film thicknesses were shown to be a factor affecting both the current magnitudes and oxidation peak potential of NADH.

Psychometric properties of non-specific electrodermal response frequency for a sample of male students

In the present study data on the frequency of non-specific electrodermal responses (NSRs) are presented for a large and, with regard to sex, age and educational level, homogeneous sample of male students (n = 590). These data were obtained in 9 independent experiments in which NSRs were recorded under equivalent conditions. NSRs were scored as skin conductance changes greater than 0.02 muSiemens. A recording period of 5 min prior to experimental manipulations was chosen. A systematic comparison between the 9 studies, the distribution of NSRs for the total sample, as well as descriptive data for stabile and labile subgroups are presented. For 213 subjects NSR-frequency was recorded twice, with a retest interval of one day. For these subjects retest analyses and data on the degree of stability of the classification into stabile and labile groups are also presented. In the discussion the necessity to develop standardized scoring criteria for NSRs is emphasized.

Individual differences in resting heart rate and spontaneous electrodermal activity as predictors of attentional processes: effects on anticipatory heart rate deceleration and task performance

The present study was concerned with the question of whether tonic resting heart rate (HR) and resting spontaneous electrodermal activity account for the association between anticipatory HR deceleration and task performance in a choice reaction time (RT) task with a fixed foreperiod. The task employed (a varied mapping paradigm) differed from simple RT tasks especially with regard to processing and attention demands. Subjects were required to determine as quickly and accurately as possible whether a 'complex' probe, presented for 80 ms, was identical or not to one of two distinct memory items, presented at the onset of each trial. Reaction times as well as accuracy of responses were determined. Additionally, reaction time and error data were synthesized to obtain a joint measure of response behaviour. The results of the present study were indicative of a reliable anticipatory HR deceleration extended over the last seconds preceding the probe stimulus. In agreement with previous findings, the HR deceleration grew stronger over blocks of trials and was sensitive to detection requirements, i.e. probe complexity. Furthermore, HR deceleration was related to task performance. Subjects with stronger decelerations (below the median on mean deceleration) exhibited a more impulsive (fast-inaccurate) and subjects above the median a more reflective (slow-accurate) response style. The effect was mainly due to a significant difference in RT. Further results indicated that the relationship between anticipatory deceleration and RT performance was especially due to the response behaviour of one group of subjects. Subjects above the median of resting HR and resting spontaneous electrodermal activity behaved in a prominent reflective manner and also displayed the lowest foreperiod deceleration. Results were discussed in terms of differences in the regulation or control of attentional processes.

Electrochemical investigations of immunologically reactive procainamide metabolites

As a result of the implication of N-oxidized procainamide metabolites in drug-related lupus (DRL), the electrochemical behaviour of these compounds was investigated and a coulometric synthesis of the nitroso derivative developed using a previously described carbon packed bed bulk electrolysis flow cell. The electrochemical characterization of the parent p-substituted aromatic amine and the N-oxidized derivatives was achieved through systematic comparison with previously well described aromatic amine and nitro systems using cyclic voltammetry and liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (LC-EC). Chromatographically assisted hydrodynamic voltammetry indicated current limiting plateau potentials of 0.45 and -0.2 V versus Ag/AgCl, respectively, for synthetically prepared procainamide hydroxylamine and electrolytically prepared nitrosoprocainamide. Reaction characterization and binding behaviour is described for each of the procainamide metabolites following in vitro incubations with cysteine, glutathione, ascorbic acid and mouse haemoglobin.

Procainamide hydroxylamine lymphocyte toxicity--I. Evidence for participation by hemoglobin

A number of lines of evidence suggest that the lupus-like symptoms associated with procainamide therapy may be caused by products of metabolic N-oxidation. In the present study, the perfusion of the isolated rat liver with a hemoglobin-free solution containing procainamide (100 microM) resulted in the rapid appearance of the N-oxidation metabolite procainamide hydroxylamine in the perfusate. Addition of procainamide hydroxylamine in vitro to whole rat blood (1-40 microM) resulted in a concentration-dependent loss of proliferative response among mononuclear cells isolated from the treated blood and cultured with mitogens (phytohemagglutinin, PHA-P: concanavalin A, Con A; and pokeweed mitogen, PWM), as well as a loss of viability. Similar effects on lymphocyte mitogen responsiveness were observed when procainamide hydroxylamine (1-40 microM) was added to rat whole splenic cell populations. Carbon monoxide or ascorbic acid pretreatment inhibited the toxicity of procainamide hydroxylamine to lymphocytes in whole blood, but only carbon monoxide pretreatment inhibited procainamide hydroxylamine-induced methemoglobin formation. These observations are consistent with the participation of hemoglobin in a redox cycle with procainamide hydroxylamine, generating products which are primarily responsible for its cytotoxicity in blood.

Immunologic effects of hydralazine in hypertensive patients

Twenty-seven hypertensive patients (23 blacks, 4 whites) treated with hydralazine had frequent serologic evidence of autoimmunity. However, only 1 patient developed a lupus syndrome. Acetylator phenotype influenced the autoimmune response; slow acetylators had a higher incidence and titers of autoantibodies. The lupus patient not only had high titers of autoantibodies but they were predominantly IgG in contrast to the predominant IgM antibodies found in other slow acetylators. Hydralazine treatment did not alter cell-mediated immune responses and hydralazine antibodies were not detected. However, half the patients tested who received hydralazine had positive lymphoproliferative responses to the drug.

Prospective study of immunologic effects of hydralazine in hypertensive patients

Twenty-seven hypertensive patients (23 of whom were black) were treated with hydralazine as their major antihypertensive drug and were followed for evidence of autoimmunity and clinical systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Only one patient developed SLE but many, although asymptomatic, had serologic evidence of autoimmunity: antibodies to single- and double-stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA), single-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), histones, and lymphocytes. Acetylation phenotype profoundly influenced this response; slow acetylators had a higher incidence and larger amounts of autoantibodies. Antibodies to both types of RNA were a more sensitive index of autoimmunity than antinuclear antibodies. Hydralazine treatment did not alter cell-mediated immune responses. The hydralazine SLE patient had large amounts of autoantibodies that were predominantly IgG, while in the others IgM autoantibodies were predominant. No antibodies, but positive lymphoproliferative responses to hydralazine, were found in half the patients tested.

Successful rehabilitation following amputation of dominant versus nondominant extremities

In a study of 154 lower extremity amputees who received prostheses, those patients who lost a left lower extremity tended to make better progress in rehabilitation than those who required a prosthesis for the right leg. Eighty-three percent of the amputations were performed for vascular disease with no right-left difference. Heart disease played a greater role as a factor in limiting rehabilitation in those with left limb loss. Goals set and attained for loss of the left leg were higher than those for loss of the right leg. Left leg amputees can navigate more frequently without aids than can the right leg amputees. The use of a cane made both groups equal in rehabilitation time. Patients with a loss of the left leg attained maximum benefits of rehabilitation sooner than their colleagues with a loss of the right leg. Differences were nearly 2.3 weeks when the median was 22 weeks.

[Radiological interpretation of bone regeneration after cystectomy of odontogenic cysts]

38 patients who had undergone surgical intervention (Partsch II) for odontogenic cysts were examined radiographically as well as clinically. The extent of bone regeneration was estimated according to age, sex, location of the cyst in the jaw, cyst size, length of time elapsed after operation and function. To facilitate the interpretation of the results obtained, the patients were subdivided into five age groups. Bone regeneration was most frequent up to the age of 20 (85.7%). It occurred more often in women (in 11 of 16 patients = 68.75%) than in men (in 14 of 22 patients = 63.6%). Bone healing was most favourable in the anterior region of the mandible less, favourable in the posterior region of the maxillae and least favourable in the anterior region of the upper jaw. With increasing size of the cyst, the regenerative power of the bone decreased. An increase in regeneration was observed up to 3 years after surgical intervention.

Acetylator phenotype in systemic lupus erythematosus

The acetylation rate of sulfamethazine was studied in 25 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Seventeen of 25SLE patients, 68%, were slow acetylators compared to the reported incidence of 52% in the general population. There was no correlation between the acetylator phenotype in SLE patients and the various clinical manifestations or the activity of the disease. Lupus patients who were slow acetylators had a lower lymphocyte response to phytomitogens compared to rapid acetylators.

What influence does age have on rehabilitation of amputees?

A study of 194 male lower extremity amputees, with an average age of 56.8 years, showed that vascular disease is the most common cause of limb loss at all ages. Increasing age was correlated with an increasing incidence of bilateral amputation and arteriosclerotic and pulmonary problems, lower goals and levels of achievement, increased mortality during therapy, fewer amputees who were able to return home, an increased number of aids (cane, crutches, wheelchair), and a longer rehabilitation period. Many patients over age 65 required nearly a year of rehabilitation to achieve maximum benefit.

3-Hydroxymethyl-s-triazolo[3,4-a]phthalazine, a novel urinary hydralazine metabolite in man

The elucidation of the structure of a new major metabolic product of hydralazine, 3-hydroxymethyl-s-triazolo[3,4-a]-phthalazine, is described. The structures of several other previously described metabolites of the drug, phthalazone, s-triazolo[3,4-a]phthalazine, and 3-methyl-s-triazolo[3,4-a]phthalazine, are confirmed. A metabolic pathway of hydralazine is also proposed.

Induction of antibodies to nuclear antigens in rabbits by immunization with hydralazine-human serum albumin conjugates

The antihypertensive drug hydralazine can induce in man a syndrome similar to spontaneous systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The pathogenesis of this drug-induced syndrome is not understood. In this investigation, five groups of rabbits were studied: group I, 10 rabbits hyperimmunized with hydralazine conjugated to human serum albumin (HSA) in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA); group II, four rabbits with HSA in CFA; group III, four rabbits with CFA alone; group IV, five rabbits with hydralazine conjugated to rabbit serum albumin (RSA); and group V, four rabbits with a major metabolite of hydralazine conjugated to HSA. The rabbits immunized with hydralazine-HSA developed rising titers of antibodies to hydralazine and progressively increasing amounts of antibodies to both single-stranded and native DNA. The antibodies to DNA were cross-reactive with hydralazine as determined by inhibition of DNA binding and DNA hemagglutination tests. Similar results were obtained in rabbits immunized with the metabolite-HSA compound except the major hapten antibody response was to the metabolite. The DNA antibodies in this group were also capable of being absorbed by metabolite-HSA as well as hydralazine-HSA, indicative of the cross-reactivity between hydralazine and its metabolite. Immunization with hydralazine-RSA caused rabbits to produce antibodies to hydralazine but not to DNA, indicating the requirement for an immune response to the carrier protein in order for antibodies reactive with DNA to be produced. Thus, hyperimmunization of rabbits with hydralazine-protein conjugates may provide a useful animal model of SLE. The data suggests that an immune response to hydralazine may be important in human hydralazine-induced SLE.

Rehabilitation after bilateral lower extremity amputation

Fourty-four men (average age, 61.5 years) who had undergone amputation of both lower extremities were studied at a Veterans Administration hospital. Vascular insufficiency was the most frequent reason for amputation. In 26 of the patients bilateral below-knee amputations had been performed. Although diabetes mellitus was present in 26 of the patients, it severely hampered rehabilitation in only four. Twenty-nine (nearly 65%) of the 44 patients became totally independent in daily functions. However, the average time required for maximum rehabilitation was almost 30 weeks.

Associated diagnoses which complicate rehabilitation of the patient with bilateral lower extremity amputations

Cardiopulmonary problems were the most common limiting factor in the rehabilitation of 42 bilateral lower limb amputees. Diabetes mellitus and local stump problems, most common in below knee amputees, delayed rehabilitation but, subsequently, obtained the highest goals. Thirty of the 42 amputees finally were self sufficient; the average time required was 30 weeks to maximum benefit.