Temporal effective size estimates of a managed walleye Sander vitreus population and implications for genetic-based management.

The goal of this research was to use the long-term fishery data set and DNA from archived scales of walleye Sander vitreus in Escanaba Lake, WI, U.S.A., to improve the understanding of the underlying mechanism(s) influencing genetic diversity in naturally recruiting populations. The introduced population of S. vitreus in Escanaba Lake has a low mean effective population size (N(E)) between 124.6 and 185.5 despite a mean census size (N(C)) of 4659 (N(E)/N(C)c. 0.04), suggesting an accelerated rate of genetic drift between 1952 and 2002. These values are smaller than the median N(E) range of several studies suggesting typical N(E)/N(C) ratios of 0.11-0.16 in a wide range of taxa. N(E) increased steadily during the past two sampled decades (1992 and 2002) and was consistent with a lowering of the variance in S. vitreus reproductive success, possibly linked to a large, sustained exploitation (mean 28%) rate. Variance in reproductive success is one of the most important factors influencing N(E) in species, like S. vitreus, which have a potential for large fecundities and large juvenile mortalities (type III survivorship). The N(B) estimates across six sequential cohorts (age classes of S. vitreus, assayed from 1994 to 1999) was consistent with estimates of N(E) reported for 1992-2002. These results, coupled with in-depth census and exploitation data, show that the genetic characteristics of Escanaba Lake S. vitreus have changed substantially and that management activities, such as supplemental stocking and harvest practices, have profoundly influenced the genetic dynamics of S. vitreus in this lake.

The value of clinical examination in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common neuropathy of the peripheral nerves. In diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome, the case history and physical examination are of primary importance. The goal of our research was to examine the dependencies between particular clinical parameters in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome. For this purpose 80 cases of carpal tunnel syndrome were analyzed, involving 51 patients ranging in age to 81 (average 50). When the patient history was taken, the major complaints were noted: numbness, swelling, stiffness of the fingers, pain in the region of the wrist and fingers. As part of the clinical testing Lovett's method was used to evaluate muscle strength in the short abductor muscles of the thumb and the antagonist muscle of the thumb in both hands; surface and bifocal sensation were tested on the tips of the first, second, and third fingers; and the Tinel and Phalen Tests performed. In the clinical interviews most often complained of nocturnal pain in the wrist region (98,75%). On the Lovett scale the muscle strength of the short abductor muscle of the thumb was 5 in 85% of the cases, and 4 in the other 15%. Similarly, when the antagonist muscle of the thumb was tested, the result was 5 in 77,5% of the cases, 4 in 17,5% and 3 in 5%. Reduced surface sensation within the innervation zone of the medial nerve was found in 70% of the examined cases. Weakened bifocal sensation occurred in the first finger of the affected hand in 21,25% of the cases, in the second finger in 20% and in the third finger in 22,5% of the cases. On physical examination 54% of the cases showed a positive Tinel symptom, and 87,5% a Phalen symptom. The Tinel test results showed positive correlation with weakened bifocal sensation in the first and second fingers, which was confirmed statistically. The lack of statistical correlation between the results of case history and physical examination render it impossible to diagnosis carpal tunnel syndrome exclusively on the basis of either case history or physical examination.

[Use of densitometry examinations for evaluation of proximal femur fracture risk in people over 50 years of age]. / Zastosowanie badania densytometrycznego w ocenie ryzyka zlaman blizszej nasady kosci udowej u osób powyzej 60 roku zycia.

The paper presents the use of dual energy X-ray absorptiometry for selecting patients with high risk of proximal femur fracture. A group of 63 patients with fracture has been compared with a group of 306 patients who fell down but did not sustain a fracture, all individuals aged over 60. Most significant bone density decrease (p < 0.001) presented as Z indices related to young population was found in all three examined areas of the proximal femur. The difference between the groups ranged between 1.62 to 2.19 SD depending on the area and the sex. Threshold values for ZYA have been established. For the femoral neck it was -1.3 SD, for Ward's triangle -1.5 SD and for trochanteric area -0.4 SD.

[Use of densitometric examination in evaluation of cementless hip endoprosthesis]. / Zastosowanie badania densytometrycznego w ocenie endoprotezoplastyki bezcementowej stawu biodrowego.

Five patients underwent densitometry in order to establish bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) around Parhofer-Mönch total hip components. The measurements were taken with LUNAR DPX unit twice: 11 days and 6 month postoperatively. "Orthopedic" software was employed to analyze them. Bone around the stem was evaluated with "auto analysis" option and relation to Gruen zones; "manual analysis" was used in modified DeLee and Charnley zones around the acetabulum. After six months BMC and BMD decrease in all Gruen zones was noted. In DeLee and Charnley zones BMC and BMD decreased in field 1 but slightly increased in field 2 and 3. The authors consider densitometry as important tool for monitoring and documentation of postoperative bone reaction to the implanted endoprosthesis.

[Reproducibility of densitometric examinations of the tibial shaft]. / Powtarzalnosc badania densytometrycznego trzonu kosci piszczelowej.

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the reproducibility of tibial shaft densitometry in own method under development. It will be expressed as percentage value of coefficient of variability (%CV). Bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) were measured with a dual energy X-ray densitometer Lunar DPX; the data were analyzed with a "Orthopedic" software. Three tibial bone scans were done in 10 males. High reproducibility was found, ranging from 0.98% to 1.45% and from 1.45% to 2.08% for BMC and BMD respectively. Reproducibility increases as the analyzed surface increases. Reproducibility so high allows for further investigations; it might be interesting to monitor BMC and BMD of the tibia in course of fracture treatment by Polfix or Zespol method.