Closing the medullary canal after retrograde nail removal using a bioabsorbable bone plug: technical tip.

We describe a simple technique for closure of the intra-articular opening after the removal of a retrograde femur nail. With the use of a gelatine bioabsorbable bone plug the medullary canal is closed, reducing leakage of blood and cancellous bone particles from the bone into the knee joint.

Rigidity of unilateral external fixators--a biomechanical study.

INTRODUCTION: External fixation is the primary choice of temporary fracture stabilisation for specific polytrauma patients. Adequate initial fracture healing requires sufficient stability at the fracture site. The purpose of this study was to compare the rigidity of the Dynafix DFS(®) Standard Fixator (4 joints) with the Orthofix ProCallus Fixator(®) (2 joints), which differ in possibilities for adapting the configuration for clinical needs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Both devices were tested 10 times in a standardised model. In steps of 10N, loading was increased to a maximum of 160N in parallel, transversal and axial direction (distraction and compression). Translation resultant and rotation resultant were calculated. RESULTS: With a force of 100N in parallel direction the mean translation resultant (Tr(mean)) of the Dynafix DFS(®) Standard Fixator (6.65±1.43mm) was significantly higher than the ProCallus Fixator(®) (3.29±0.83mm, p<0.001; Student's t-test). With a maximum load of 60N in transverse direction the Tr(mean) of the Dynafix DFS(®) Standard Fixator was significantly lower (8.14±1.20mm versus 9.83±0.63mm, p<0.005). Translation was significantly higher with the Dynafix DFS(®) Standard Fixator, for both distraction (2.13±0.32mm versus 1.69±0.44mm, p<0.05) and compression (1.55±1.08mm versus 0.15±0.33mm, p<0.005). The mean rotation resultant (Rr(mean)) at 160N distraction was lower for the Dynafix DFS(®) Standard Fixator (0.70±0.17° versus 0.97±0.21°, p<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Both fixators were most sensitive to transverse forces. The Dynafix DFS(®) Standard Fixator was less rigid with parallel and axial forces, whereas transverse forces and rotation at distraction forces favoured the Dynafix DFS(®) Standard Fixator. Repeated heavy loading did not influence the rigidity of both devices.

Phytotoxicity of tolylfluanid in tomatoes.

The use of Euparen Multi (tolylfluanid) for controlling Botrytis cinerea in tomatoes has been decreased the last decade for several reasons. Because of the lack of different fungicides with a good efficacy it is important that growers can use different fungicides to prevent development of resistance of Botrytis cinerea against many fungicides. Tolylfluanid has negative side effects on some insect populations that are used for biological control. It is known that Euparen Multi and Euparen can have a negative effect on some predatory mites (Schmidt and Zeller, 1998) such as Phytoseiulus persimilis and some parasitic wasps like Encarsia formosa, Eretmocerus eremicus, Diglyphus isaea and Dacnusa sibirica. Recently investigation indicates that this fungicide is harmless for the predatory bug Macrolophus caliginosus (Biobest, 2006) frequently used in the cultivation of tomatoes as a predator for whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum). To investigate if tolylfluanid has a phytotoxic effect on tomato plants an experiment was performed. Young tomato plants were used, who are more sensitive. These plants were subdivided in different groups, from which each one was sprayed with a different concentration of tolylfluanid. The highest concentrations of tolylfluanid were used to stimulate the visibility of the possible phytotoxic effects. Results of this experiment demonstrate that there wasn't a difference between the different groups that were sprayed with tolylfluanid or the control group. This indicates that tolylfluanid doesn't seem to be phytotoxic. It is also important to mention that this experiment was done in the fall when the intensity of the sunlight was decreasing. There still exists the possibility that extreme irradiation in combination with tolylfluanid can provoke a phototoxic effect on young tomato plants.

[Local therapy of androgenetic alopecia with 17 alpha-estradiol. A controlled, randomized double-blind study (author's transl)]. / Lokaltherapie der Alopecia androgenetica mit 17 alpha-Ostradiol. Eine kontrollierte, randomisierte Doppelblindstudie.

In a controlled, randomized double-blind study, 51 patients with androgenetic alopecia and increased hair loss (telogen rate greater than 20%) were treated by local application of hair lotions with and without 17 alpha-estradiol (0.025%) for a period of at least 6 months. Before and after therapy trichograms were taken and evaluated under standardized conditions. In 63% of the treated patients a reduction of the amount of telogen hairs appeared, whereas in the control group the same reduction was found in only 37% of the cases. Similarly, in the treated group only 11% of the patients worsened, in contrast to 50% of the control group who showed an increased telogen rate (greater than 10%). The amount of growing anagen hairs and of seborrhea did not change significantly in both groups. Side effects were not seen. These findings indicate that hair lotions containing 17 alpha-estradiol may have a therapeutic value in reducing androgenetic hair loss, if applied topically for a long period of time, similar to 17 beta-estradiol. However, no regrowth of new hair was found.