Distal radius fractures: treatment using the Epibloc system.

The Epibloc system of percutaneous endomedullary internal fixation is best indicated for AO type A2-3 extra-articular fractures of the distal radius and AO type C1 slightly comminuted articular fractures. This system includes pins that can be inserted into the medullary canal and advanced without breaking through the second cortex. This fixation is stabilised by an external plate and rendered dynamic by the pins' elasticity which compresses the fractured surfaces. Moreover, this system results in transversal ligamentotaxis which helps prevent secondary reduction losses. The result of a preliminary series of 326 cases is evaluated.

Test to determine the Markov order of a time series.

The Markov order of a time series is an important measure of the "memory" of a process, and its knowledge is fundamental for the correct simulation of the characteristics of the process. For this reason, several techniques have been proposed in the past for its estimation. However, most of this methods are rather complex, and often can be applied only in the case of Markov chains. Here we propose a simple and robust test to evaluate the Markov order of a time series. Only the first-order moment of the conditional probability density function characterizing the process is used to evaluate the memory of the process itself. This measure is called the "expected value Markov (EVM) order." We show that there is good agreement between the EVM order and the known Markov order of some synthetic time series.

Mechanistic analytical models for long-distance seed dispersal by wind.

We introduce an analytical model, the Wald analytical long-distance dispersal (WALD) model, for estimating dispersal kernels of wind-dispersed seeds and their escape probability from the canopy. The model is based on simplifications to well-established three-dimensional Lagrangian stochastic approaches for turbulent scalar transport resulting in a two-parameter Wald (or inverse Gaussian) distribution. Unlike commonly used phenomenological models, WALD's parameters can be estimated from the key factors affecting wind dispersal--wind statistics, seed release height, and seed terminal velocity--determined independently of dispersal data. WALD's asymptotic power-law tail has an exponent of -3/2, a limiting value verified by a meta-analysis for a wide variety of measured dispersal kernels and larger than the exponent of the bivariate Student t-test (2Dt). We tested WALD using three dispersal data sets on forest trees, heathland shrubs, and grassland forbs and compared WALD's performance with that of other analytical mechanistic models (revised versions of the tilted Gaussian Plume model and the advection-diffusion equation), revealing fairest agreement between WALD predictions and measurements. Analytical mechanistic models, such as WALD, combine the advantages of simplicity and mechanistic understanding and are valuable tools for modeling large-scale, long-term plant population dynamics.

Compression of the lower branch of the suprascapular nerve by a cyst: description of a case and review of the literature.

Ganglion cysts responsible for compression syndrome of the lower branch of the suprascapular nerve are described, but they are rare. The authors describe a well-documented case that was treated in a traditional manner by exeresis conducted through posterior access. Pain was relieved immediately, while force in external rotation and electromyographic findings improved as early as two months after surgery. One year after surgery the patient does not complain of the recurrence of symptoms. The literature is analyzed and therapeutic options available are discussed.

Use of Lymphoblastoid Namalva Cell Cultures in a Toxicity Test. Application to the Monitoring of Detoxification Procedures for Fluorocarbons to be used as Intravascular Oxygen-Carriers.

Cultures of lymphoblastoid Namalva cells have been used to check the absence of toxic impurities in fluorocarbons destined for biomedical applications. The test comprises the measurement of growth rate and viability in the presence of the fluorocarbon, and of growth after reseeding. It was used to establish a procedure for the detoxification of a family of fluorocarbons by evaluating the effect on toxicity of a series of individual or combined treatments. A convenient, rapid and industrially feasible procedure was developed which includes washing with 10 % aqueous KOH, shaking with charcoal and filtration over alumina.