Mitochondria in plants

The Botanical Review - It is plain from this survey that the opinions of the most competent investigators are in conflict on many important points. The tendency of many workers to dogmatize upon...     

LARYNGOSPASM FROM THE ANESTHESIOLOGIST'S VIEWPOINT

Laryngeal spasm is a problem constantly confronting the anesthetist. It can be serious and may produce fatal cerebral or cardiac complications. Etiologic agents include primary vagal hypertonicity, anoxemia, and painful stimulation of whatever source.Laryngeal spasm must be differentiated from simple obstruction by the tongue or foreign bodies, epiglottic impaction, laryngeal edema, tracheal spasm and collapse, and bronchial spasm.Proper checking of the patient before anesthesia and adequate premedication with atropine or scopolamine are preventive measures of great value. Once spasm has developed the etiologic agent should be removed if possible. Other measures include intravenous administration of atropine or curare, tracheal intubation, and tracheotomy.     

Geographic Variation in the Prevalence of Obesity,Diabetes, and Obesity‐Related Behaviors**

Objective: To examine the variation in the prevalences of obesity and type 2 diabetes in weight loss counseling by health providers and in other potential obesity‐related determinants in 100 metropolitan statistical areas in the United States. Research Methods and Procedures: We performed a cross‐sectional study using data from the 2000 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the largest telephone survey of health behaviors in the United States, of age‐adjusted prevalence of obesity, type 2 diabetes, intake of ≥five servings of fruits and vegetables per day, participation in 150 minutes of leisure‐time physical activity per week, receipt of weight management advice, and reports of trying to lose or maintain weight among men and women more than 18 years old. Results: The age‐adjusted prevalence of obesity ranged from 13.1% to 30.0% and that of type 2 diabetes from 3.3% to 9.2%. Among participants who had visited a physician for a routine checkup in the previous 12 months, 13.1% to 27.1% of all participants recalled receiving advice from a health professional about their weight, and 11.7% to 34.6% of overweight or obese participants recalled receiving advice to maintain or lose weight. Discussion: Significant differences in the prevalence of obesity and self‐reported type 2 diabetes and in medical practice patterns regarding weight management advice exist among metropolitan statistical areas. These results suggest important opportunities to investigate reasons for these variations that could potentially be used to mitigate the current epidemic of obesity and to identify areas where obesity and diabetes prevention efforts may need to be targeted.     

Cutaneous and diphtheritic avian poxvirus infection in a nestling Southern Giant Petrel (Macronectes giganteus) from Antarctica

The Southern giant petrel (Macronectes giganteus) is declining over much of its range and currently is listed as vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Island-specific breeding colonies near Palmer Station, Antarctica, have been monitored for over 30 years, and because this population continues to increase, it is critically important to conservation. In austral summer 2004, six diseased giant petrel chicks were observed in four of these colonies. Diseased chicks were 6–9 weeks old and had multiple proliferative nodules on their bills and skin. One severely affected chick was found dead on the nest and was salvaged for necropsy. Histopathological examination of nodules from the dead chick revealed epithelial cell hyperplasia and hypertrophy with numerous eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusions (Böllinger bodies). A poxvirus was isolated from multiple nodules. Poxviral infection has not been reported in this species, and the reason for its emergence and its potential impact on the population are not yet known.