Auxin transport in roots : VIII. The distribution of radioactivity in the tissues of Zea root segments

Experiments involving soluble-compound microautoradiography and girdling procedures have been carried out in an attempt to identify the tissues responsible for the acropetally polarised transport of indole-3-acetic acid through segments of Zea mays roots. The results strongly suggest that acropetal movement of IAA takes place in both the stele and the cortex, but with a much greater efficiency in the former tissue than in the latter. Basipetal movement of IAA is much less than acropetal movement and appears to take place with equel efficiency in the cortex and stele.

Inhibitor content of phloem and xylem sap obtained from willow (Salix viminalis L.) entering dormancy

It is shown that there is one growth inhibitor in the phloem sap and two in the xylem sap of willow (S. viminalis L.). The concentration of the inhibitor in the phloem sap, (+)-abscisic acid, increases as the plants enter dormancy. This is also shown for (+)-abscisic acid in the xylem sap, but the concentration of the second inhibitor decreases in a reciprocal manner.

Hiccups due to gastroesophageal reflux

Hiccups (singultus) are most often a transient phenomenon that resolves without medical therapy. Intractable hiccups can be an indication of a serious underlying disease process and should be investigated. To demonstrate the evaluation of intractable singultus, we describe a patient who had unsuccessful outpatient therapy for persistent hiccups and who was subsequently found to have gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Efforts to determine the cause of the hiccups were negative except for endoscopically proven GER. On follow-up visits, antisingultus medications were withdrawn without return of hiccups, and repeat endoscopy showed substantial healing of the esophagitis. We conclude that GER may be underestimated as a cause of hiccups.

Evidence for gibberellin-like substances in phloem exudate of higher plants

Samples of sieve-tube sap were obtained as honeydew from aphids feeding on three species of higher plants. The honeydew was extracted, chromatographed and tested in several bioassays for the presence of gibberellin-like substances. The bioassay results indicated that gibberellin-like substances were translocated in the phloem of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), broad bean (Vicia faba) and willow (Salix viminalis). Results obtained with willow showed that the concentration of gibberellin-like substances in the sieve-tube sap is daylength dependent, high levels being present in plants maintained under long days and low levels in short day plants.

Further investigations into hormone-directed transport in stems

The effect of IAA and three synthetic auxins on the upward movement of (32)P-orthophosphate and (14)C-sucrose has been investigated in decapitated stems of Phaseolus vulgaris L., Pisum sativum L., Coleus blumci L. and Helianthus annuus L. IAA greatly enhanced the accumulation of (32)P-orthophosphate in Phaseolus vulgaris and Pisum sativum, whereas in C. blumei and H. annuus it did not. 2,4-D like IAA, caused an increase in (14)C-sucrose and (32)P-orthophosphate accumulation in Phaseolus vulgaris but, unlike IAA, caused no increase in Pisum sativum. The downward transport of (14)C-IAA, (14)C-NAA, (14)C-2,4-D and (14)C-2,4,5-T from the decapitated apex was also studied. Results are discussed in terms of current theories of hormone-directed transport.

Parents' resources and home management of the care of chronically ill infants

PURPOSE

To identify resources of parents or primary caretakers who managed chronically ill infants at home and to determine psychometric properties of Home Care Resources Inventory (HCRI).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional, descriptive

SETTING

Outpatient clinics.

PARTICIPANTS

Parents or primary caretakers (N = 100) of chronically ill infants who were discharged from hospital at least one week; 93% of sample were mothers; infants' ages ranged from 1-22 months.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

HCRI, the Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory, and a demographic questionnaire.

RESULTS

Parents reported strong resources in the area of support and inconsistent resources in areas of coping, time, and respite. The HCRI has acceptable psychometric properties.

CONCLUSIONS

Identifying resources, especially personal time and respite, is essential for successful home management of chronically ill infants. The HCRI can be used to pinpoint areas that are strong or weak in the two resource areas measured.

Case management roles of clinicians: a research case study

The purpose of this research multiple case study was to determine case management roles as demonstrated by four clinicians employed at a university medical center. Multiple sources of evidence were used to collect data, including interviews, nonparticipant observations, and chart audits. Case management was defined by the clinicians as a process for delivery of health care at the institution studied. Despite a lack of a uniform framework for case management practice, the clinicians used similar case management components. Chart audits demonstrated deficits and inconsistency in documentation that were supported by interview and observations. It was recommended that exposure to formal case management models and theory could strengthen clinical practice in this area. Additionally, investigation of factors that facilitate and/or impede consistent documentation of interventions and patient outcomes, particularly by CNSs is recommended.

The interchange of (14)C-kinetin and (14)C-gibberellic acid between the bark and xylem of willow

Considerable two-way interchange of label derived from (14)C-GA3 and (14)C-kinetin has been shown to occur between the xylem and extra-cambial tissue of Salix viminalis L. Radial translocation of both growth substances from the transpiration stream to the sieve-tube sap has been demonstrated by the use of an aphid technique. This is the first record of the bark-xylem interchange of these two growth hormones.A high percentage of (14)C-label is present in compounds other than GA3 and kinetin 8 hours after application.Mechanisms of lateral transfer are discussed together with their possible physiological significance.

Feasibility of Addressing the Spiritual Well-Being of Persons With Multiple Sclerosis: A Mixed-Methods Program Evaluation

IMPORTANCE

Spiritual well-being is an important aspect of health-related quality of life for persons with chronic illnesses such as multiple sclerosis (MS), yet research on interventions remains limited.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the feasibility of an occupational therapy intervention addressing the spiritual well-being of people with MS.

DESIGN

Mixed-methods program evaluation using theoretical thematic analysis of qualitative data.

SETTING

Community center serving people with MS in a midwestern U.S. city.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 42 participants attended at least one session; 22 participants provided qualitative data. Ten met the inclusion criteria for quantitative analysis, including completion of pretest and posttest measures and attendance of at least half of the sessions.

INTERVENTION

Making Meaning, a group intervention based on the Model of Occupational Wholeness, was conducted over eight weekly 45-min sessions. The focus was on exploring and integrating spiritual practices into daily life.

OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Participants completed the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being 12-Item Scale (FACIT-Sp-12) to measure spiritual well-being and answered open-ended questions. Attendance was recorded and the facilitator and observers provided qualitative observations.

RESULTS

Pretest-posttest comparisons of FACIT-Sp-12 scores indicated a moderate improvement in spiritual well-being (d = 0.41). Attendance and qualitative data supported the intervention's feasibility and suggested areas for refinement.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Making Meaning is a feasible intervention, showing promise for promoting spiritual well-being for people with MS. Further research is warranted. Plain-Language Summary: This study introduces a practical and acceptable occupational therapy group intervention, Making Meaning, which shows promising potential for improving the spiritual well-being of people with multiple sclerosis.