The Ilizarov apparatus in the treatment of congenital dysmetria of the leg.

The effectiveness of the treatment of congenital leg length discrepancy depends on careful evaluation and selection before embarking on a programme of treatment. Over the years several types of surgery have been used to correct leg length discrepancy, starting with Codivilla (1905), who performed osteotomy followed by gradual transcalcaneal traction. This was succeeded by external fixators of various kinds. Unknown to most of the Western world, the Russian surgeon Ilizarov devised in 1950 an external fixation device which because of its mechanical and biological features could be applied to many orthopaedic and traumatological conditions. Since 1983 we have used this for the treatment of congenital dysmetria of the lower limbs resulting in leg length discrepancy.

Osteosynthesis of subtrochanteric fractures. A review of different methods.

The authors analysed the long-term results of 72 subtrochanteric fractures treated surgically over a period of 13 years. The case material was subdivided according to type of fracture and method of osteosynthesis and the results were evaluated with a view to ascertaining the best method of treatment in each type of fracture. The best results were obtained with osteosynthesis using an angled nail plate.

Arthrography in the investigation of persistent pain after meniscectomy.

The authors report 62 patients in whom arthrography of the knee had been performed because of persistent pain after menisectomy. In about 60% of the cases the interval between operation and arthrography was less than 18 months. The causes of residual pain identified by arthrography were divided into meniscal and extra meniscal. The most frequent findings were remnants of pathological meniscal tissue; lesions of the anterior cruciate ligament; synovial and chondral pathology. Thirty patients were checked by arthroscopy and were subjected to further operation. In 80% of these cases the arthrographic findings corresponded exactly with the operative findings. The writers confirm that arthrography is still a valid method of investigation in patients affected by persisting pain after meniscectomy.

Evaluation of double contrast arthrography in pigmented villonodular synovitis of the knee.

The authors report the arthrographic findings in 9 cases of diffuse villonodular pigmented synovitis of the knee in various phases of development before and after synovectomy. Arthrography was negative in only one case, while in the other cases the findings were significant but not pathognomonic.

Genetic analysis of tetraploid and hexaploid wheat by utilization of monopentaploid hybrids.

This report deals with a method of analysis which uses existing hexaploid wheat monosomics to establish gene-chromosome associations in a tetraploid variety. Monosomics of Triticum aestivum cv. Chinese Spring belonging to the 14 lines of A and B genomes were crossed as female parents with Triticum durum cv. Capeiti, a spring type at present widely grown in Italy. For each line, two F 1 populations were obtained, normal pentaploids (2 n = 35) and monopentaploid (2 n = 34), in which, in turn, the monosomic A or B chromosome present was supplied by the tetraploid wheat. The morphological and physiological differences observed in the monopentaploid lines are attributed to differential expression of the genetic information concerning the character investigated, carried by the chromosome present in hemizygous condition. Then, only recessive or partially dominant alleles of the variety to be tested can be identified and attributed to a specific chromosome in the F 1 generation.Eight parameters were analyzed: culm and spike length, length and width of 1st (flag) and 2nd uppermost leaves, days from germination to heading and awn development.As far as culm length is concerned, although heterotic effect is present, seven chromosomes seem to be responsible for the modification of this character (1A, 2A, 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B, and 6 A); chromosomes 2A and 2B in particular, carry major factor (s) for plant height. A similar picture is presented by spike length which seems to be controlled by factors located in several chromosomes belonging to homoeologous groups 1, 2, 3 and 5, as well as the chromosome 4B.Leaf length, also, shows a complex pattern of inheritance. Monosomic conditions for chromosomes 1A and 1B increased, while monosomy for 5A and 5B significantly decreased, leaf length. A highly significant correlation was found between the mean lengths of the 1st and 2 nd leaves (= 0.74). Some monosomic lines (4A, 4B, 5A; 5B; 6A; 7A and 7B) had leaves significantly narrower than in the control and only monosomic 2A had broader leaves. The period from germination to heading seems to be influenced by at least 6 chromosomes. Three monosomic lines are significantly earlier (mono 1A, 7A and 5B) and three (mono 5A, 2B and 7B) are significantly later than the hybrid control.Finally, 8 monosomic lines were found to interfere significantly with awn development. Three lines (mono 2A, 2B and 7A) show a decrease and 5 (mono 1B; 3A, 3B; 4B and 6B) show an increase in awn development. On the basis of evidence in the literature and our own results, it appears that this analysis fits previous results perfectly and actually adds to the picture two further awn-promoting factors, A9 and A10, located on the 7A and 1B chromosomes respectively.