The turnover and transport of sugars are described in peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch), a species exporting both sucrose and sorbitol. Apparent export rate was slower in peach leaves than in leaves of herbaceous species. Sorbitol was the major soluble end product of photosynthesis and the major soluble carbohydrate in the leaf (higher than sucrose). Carbon fluxes were described using 14C labeling, radioactivity loss curves, and compartmental analysis during the second half of the photoperiod when chemical steady state was reached for soluble carbohydrates. The measured specific radioactivity of sucrose was typical of a primary product. The delayed decrease in specific radioactivity of sorbitol indicated that part of it was secondarily synthesized. Sucrose is proposed to be the carbon source for the delayed synthesis of sorbitol in the light. The sorbitol to sucrose ratio was higher in the petiole than in the leaf tissues. In phloem sap, obtained using stylectomy of aphids and collected from the main stem between source leaves and apex, this ratio was lower than in the petiole, suggesting a preferential sorbitol demand by sinks.

A prospective study was carried out to objectively quantificate the most important predictive factors in idiopathic facial paralysis (Bell's palsy). Stepwise discriminant analysis was applied to data prospectively obtained from 570 patients with Bell's palsy treated at the ENT Department of La Paz Hospital between January 1983 and January 1986. Due to statistical requirements the final number of patients included for discriminant analysis was 140. In all, 37 variables were studied in each patient. With data obtained from these variables a linear discriminant function was obtained, with an overall accuracy of 95%. The rate of correct prediction is 95.8% for patients with an expected complete facial recovery, and 90.9% for the group of patients with an expected recovery of less than 100%. The 8 predictor variables selected are: ENoG amplitude, stapedius reflex, familial incidence, Hilger test, maximum degree of the palsy, recurrent facial paralysis, facial pain, and hyperacusis. The discriminant function obtained is an easily adaptable method for routine practice in order to objectively assess the prognosis of patients with Bell's palsy.

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