Patterns of testosterone in male white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus): Seasonal and lifetime variation.

Testosterone is strongly associated with the annual development of antlers in cervids, but endocrine research on wild, freely breeding ungulates is often done without repeated capture of known-aged individuals. As a result, our knowledge on how testosterone fluctuates over the course of a lifetime and variation in lifetime patterns among individuals is limited. We investigated patterns of testosterone in a freely breeding population of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Alabama, USA, that breeds in January. Testosterone peaked during the height of the breeding season, despite this period occurring approximately 2 months later than in most temperate-region white-tailed deer populations. Age-related differences in testosterone were only prevalent during the breeding season, with bucks ≥3.5 years old having greater testosterone (853 ng/dl ± 96 SE; p = 0.012) than bucks 1.5-2.5 years old (364 ng/dl ± 100 SE). Additionally, an individual's testosterone level as a yearling was not positively associated with their lifetime maximum testosterone level (p = 0.583), and an individual's mean testosterone level was positively associated with lifetime testosterone variation (p < 0.001). To our knowledge, our study is one of the first to assess how testosterone early in life might relate to individual testosterone later in life. We believe these data provide insight into lifetime hormonal patterns in cervids, and that these patterns may indicate intraspecific variation of lifetime reproductive strategies.

Slip-Based Coding of Local Shape and Texture in Mouse S1.

Tactile objects have both local geometry (shape) and broader macroscopic texture, but how these different spatial scales are simultaneously encoded during active touch is unknown. In the whisker system, we tested for a shared code based on localized whisker micromotions (stick-slips) and slip-evoked spikes. We trained mice to discriminate smooth from rough surfaces, including ridged gratings and sandpaper. Whisker slips locked to ridges and evoked temporally precise spikes (<10 ms jitter) in somatosensory cortex (S1) that could resolve ridges with ∼1 mm accuracy. Slip-sensitive neurons also encoded touch and texture. On rough surfaces, both slip-evoked spikes and an additional non-slip signal elevated mean firing rate, allowing accurate rough-smooth texture decoding from population firing rate. Eighteen percent of neurons were selective among rough surfaces. Thus, slips elicit spatially and temporally precise spiking in S1 that simultaneously encodes local shape (ridges) and is integrated into a macroscopic firing rate code for roughness.

99mTc-HMPAO labelled white blood cell scintigraphy in patients with osteoarticular infection: the value of late images for diagnostic accuracy and interobserver reproducibility.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the diagnostic value of 99mTc-HMPAO labelled white blood cell scintigraphy (WBCS) in patients with suspected osteomyelitis using late images and to study interobserver reproducibility. This study prospectively included 120 patients, and after a follow-up of one year, only 70 patients (n = 49 with implants, n = 21 without implants) were selected. The final diagnosis of infection was based either on microbiological data (n = 54) or follow-up (n = 16). We performed WBCS with 4 h and 24 h scans. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were 77%, 72%, 83%, 64%, and 75% at 4 h, and 74%, 87%, 91%, 59%, and 79% at 24 h, respectively. The interobserver reproducibility shows a 63% prevalence of agreement between results (kappa = 0.5) at 4 h and 80% (kappa = 0.74) at 24 h, respectively. WBCS with 24-h images improves specificity and interobserver reproducibility in patients with suspected osteoarticular sepsis.

Functional outcome following one-part proximal humeral fractures: a prospective study.

A prospective study was undertaken to determine if patients recover pre-injury level of shoulder function 1 year after 1 part proximal humeral fractures. Of the 67 patients enrolled, 43 were female and 24 male with an average age of 64.8 years (range, 25-90 years). All patients underwent a similar treatment protocol consisting of early therapy for range of shoulder motion and strengthening. Baseline demographics and functional assessment, including the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) evaluation form and the SF-36, were obtained at the time of injury. Functional and demographic data were evaluated with a Student's t test. Fifty-four patients (80%) completed a 1-year follow-up. By 3 months, all patients attained radiographic and clinical evidence of union and no loss of reduction. At 1 year, the ASES score was similar to pre-injury status (93.7 vs 99.1; P = .12). The range of shoulder motion of the affected side was diminished compared to the unaffected extremity in internal rotation (P < .001) and external rotation (P < .001) but not forward flexion. Patients, who sustain minimally displaced proximal humeral fractures treated nonoperatively, largely returned to preoperative functional status at 1-year follow-up. Patients should be counseled and made aware of the decreased range of shoulder motion following this fracture.

Complications of intramedullary Hagie pin fixation for acute midshaft clavicle fractures.

The purpose of this report was to evaluate patient outcomes after treatment of acute midshaft clavicle fractures with an intramedullary Hagie pin, including clinical results and the incidence of postoperative complications. Between 1993 and 2003, 16 patients who underwent intramedullary Hagie pin fixation of a midshaft clavicle fracture were identified. The medical records of each patient were reviewed to ascertain the mechanism of injury, indication for surgical intervention, and treatment course. Clinical outcomes were evaluated with respect to time to fracture union, postoperative shoulder range of motion, and symptoms related to the fracture site and ipsilateral shoulder. The inpatient postoperative course and outpatient follow-up visits were assessed in an effort to document the incidence of postoperative complications. The most common mechanism of injury was participation in athletic activity. Operative indications included significant deformity, polytrauma, and neurovascular compromise. The mean time from injury to operative fracture stabilization was 15.8 days. No intraoperative complications occurred. All 16 patients (100%) were available for follow-up to fracture union, which occurred in all cases at a mean of 12.4 weeks. Of the 16 patients, 14 were available for further follow-up, and at a mean follow-up of 9 months, 85.7% had regained near-full to full range of shoulder motion and 93% had no symptoms related to the fracture site or ipsilateral shoulder. Postoperative complications occurred in 8 patients (50%), including 3 cases of skin breakdown related to hardware prominence, 2 cases of hardware breakage, 2 cases of decreased sensation in the region of the surgical incision, and 1 case of persistent pain over the operative site. When indicated, the use of intramedullary devices for the stabilization of clavicle fractures offers theoretic advantages over traditional plate and screw fixation. In this case series, intramedullary Hagie pin fixation resulted in fracture union in 100% of cases, with a high percentage of patients regaining full range of shoulder motion and resolution of symptoms. However, there was a 50% incidence of postoperative complications associated with this treatment method. We believe that the complication rate associated with the use of the Hagie pin should preclude the use of this particular implant.

Preoperative assessment of tibial nail length: accuracy using digital radiography.

This study was performed to determine if picture archiving communication systems can provide a more accurate method of determining implant length for intramedullary tibial nailing. Postoperative radiographs of 40 patients who underwent intramedullary nailing of their tibial shaft fractures using picture archiving communication systems were retrieved. In phase one and two of this investigation, tibial nail lengths were measured using "measuring distance" and "measure calibration" tools displayed on the respective digital systems. Phase 3 of this study involved 5 tibial Sawbones (Pacific Research Laboratories, Vashon, Wash) radiographically captured on the picture archiving communication systems with a radiograph marker of known length. Using the "measuring distance" and "measure calibration" tools in phases one and two did not result in accurate measurements. Of 40 digital radiographic images measured and calibrated with the on-screen ruler and using the digital system tools, 100% of our measurements were inaccurate. An average of 19.4-mm and 10.6-mm difference was noted in uncorrected measurements on anteroposterior (AP) and lateral views, respectively. An average 25.8 mm and 15.7 mm was noted in calibrated (corrected) measurements on AP and lateral views respectively. Digitally measured and calibrated lengths were an average 22 mm and 25 mm greater from the actual known length of the tibial nail, respectively. Phase 3 of our study presented the most accurate results in length determination of tibial nail length.

An extraperitoneal isolated vascularized bone marrow transplant model in the rat.

An isolated vascularized bone marrow transplant (iVBMT) model was previously developed in the rat to specifically study the role of bone marrow and its environment in a composite tissue allotransplant. An extraperitoneal model was successfully created to avoid laparotomy and cross-clamping of the great vessels. The extraperitoneal iVBMT model consisted of a left donor femur that was harvested with its nutrient vessels, anastomosed to the right femoral vessels in a syngeneic host, and then placed subcutaneously in the abdominal wall. At explant, the graft vessels were grossly patent, and histology of the graft bones showed a viable marrow compartment. Polymerase chain reaction demonstrated peripheral chimerism in the recipients. This model is technically simple with minimal morbidity in the recipient animals. By using the iVBMT, future studies across semiallogeneic and allogeneic barriers will help define the role of the bone marrow compartment in composite tissue allotransplants to potentially induce immune tolerance.

[Laser and phonosurgery (author's transl)]. / Laser et phonochirurgie.

Six patients are presented as examples of investigation and treatment of dysphonic patients in the ENT Department of the Tenon hospital, Paris. Investigations include photography, recording and sometimes sonograms before and after treatment. The multiplication of similar records will eventually show whether laser surgery should be preferred to instrumental surgery.