Posterior longitudinal ligament resection or preservation in anterior cervical decompression surgery.

We reviewed the literature to determine differences in clinical outcomes for the removal or preservation of the posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). The outcomes are surgeon and case-dependent for both practices. A literature review was performed in PubMed from the years 1960 to 2014 to identify studies describing surgeries where the PLL was removed or preserved during ACDF. Searches were performed using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and references included in the reviewed articles were also considered. Additionally we searched recent articles that cited those from the original search. The search yielded 79 articles and 115 pertinent citations. These 194 articles were reviewed for specific discussions of PLL resection or preservation. Four articles containing 122 patients were included in the final analysis. In 69 patients the PLL was removed and in 53 the PLL was preserved. Both groups improved in clinical scores during follow up. One patient in the PLL removal group had a cerebrospinal fluid leak. MRI and correlative outcome data suggest that a non-ossified PLL itself does not contribute to significant cord compression. Postoperative MRI of patients with the PLL removed showed a larger spinal cord diameter. Resection of the PLL is safe and common in ACDF surgery but there does not appear to be a demonstrable clinical difference in patients where it is resected. The ultimate decision is likely surgeon and case-dependent. Randomized trials could further determine the importance of PLL removal in ACDF treated patients.

Promoting physical activity: a low cost intervention programme for disadvantaged schools in Port Elizabeth, South Africa: physical activity

Physical activity guidelines recommend that children accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) daily. In South Africa; children from historically black communities and schools; previously disadvantaged by apartheid; have limited physical activity opportunities due to the marginalization of physical education in the school curriculum; inadequate extra-curricula and community sports provision and the paucity or poor standard of available facilities and equipment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a 6-week low-cost in-school intervention in promoting MVPA at three disadvantaged primary schools in Port Elizabeth; South Africa. The intervention was designed to stimulate free play in children. An experimental design involving quantitative and qualitative methods was used to evaluate the effect of the intervention. A total of 79 learners (ages 9 to 12; from Grades 3 to 6) and 9 teachers from three disadvantaged schools participated in the study. In-school physical activity was measured using ActiGraph accelerometers which were worn for 5 consecutive school days; pre- and 6-weeks post-intervention. Low-cost physical activity-friendly environments which included multicolour playground markings for games (hopscotch; 2-square and 4- square; mazes; and some traditional games); playground stations (balance beams; monkey bars; pull-up bars; tyre stations; shooting hoops; mini-soccer posts) and small equipment (skipping ropes; tennis balls; frisbees; soccer balls; netballs and rugby balls) were installed at participating schools; in partnership with school communities. The intervention was found to be effective in increasing children's in-school MVPA in the short term; and provided data which could help to promote the provision of physical education in disadvantaged schools

The Physical Activity and Health Status of Two Generations of Black South African Professional Women

Increased health risks associated with physical inactivity in the Black population have been reported in recent years. Black women; suffering the highest levels of inactivity; overweight and obesity; are at greatest risk of developing chronic diseases of lifestyle. This explorative-descriptive study investigated the physical activity patterns and health status of two generations of Black professional women; reflecting pre-democracy and post-democracy age groups. Quantitative measures were used; including the ActiGraph GT1M accelerometer; the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile. Sample groups comprised teachers; nurses; social workers and public sector managers. Participants aged between 35 and 45 years were allocated to the older generation group (n = 111); whilst those aged between 18 and 21 years (students in the mentioned professional fields) were allocated to the younger generation group (n = 69). The results indicated that these women displayed lower levels of health-promoting behavioural practices than expected; significantly lower levels of physical activity and significantly higher levels of overweight and obesity than the South African norms. The observation that the younger group appeared to be replicating the patterns of the older women is a cause of concern. Greater compliance to health-promoting behaviours was expected in this group owing to participants' professional involvement in health; education and social development fields. Wide-ranging initiatives are necessary to promote physical activity and health amongst the Black female population in South Africa

Pre-prandial vs. post-prandial capillary glucose measurements as targets for repaglinide dose titration in people with diet-treated or metformin-treated Type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: Repaglinide is an oral anti-diabetic agent that has a short duration of action, and is suitable for preventing post-prandial rises in glucose levels. Targeting post-prandial glucose levels may lead to lower HbA(1c) levels and rates of hypoglycaemia than targeting pre-prandial glucose levels. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In 42 centres, 193 drug-naive (n = 122) or metformin-treated (n = 71) individuals with Type 2 diabetes were randomly allocated to a 40-day period of repaglinide dose-titration (starting at 0.5 mg three times daily) based on either self-measured pre-prandial or post-prandial glucose levels. They were followed for a further 12 weeks and HbA(1c) and hypoglycaemia rates were recorded. RESULTS: Repaglinide reduced HbA(1c) by 1.25 and 1.07% in the post-prandial and pre-prandial groups, respectively (P for difference = 0.6), and achieved target glucose levels in 80.7 and 66.7%, respectively (P = 0.16). The effect of titration strategy differed by baseline drug therapy, and was more effective in the metformin-treated individuals who experienced a HbA(1c) fall of 0.6 vs. 1.10% with pre-prandial vs. post-prandial titration (P for metformin-allocated group interaction = 0.043). The rate of hypoglycaemia did not differ by group. CONCLUSIONS: In drug-naive individuals with Type 2 diabetes, similar HbA(1c) levels are achieved with repaglinide when dosing is adjusted according to either post-prandial or pre-prandial levels. Conversely, in metformin-treated individuals, repaglinide dosing according to post-prandial levels may lead to better glycaemic control than dosing according to pre-prandial levels.

Saw-toothed grain beetleOryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) (Coleoptera: Silvanidae) : Collection, identification, and bioassay of attractive volatiles from beetles and oats.

Over 200 beetle- and food-produced volatiles were collected from cultures of the saw-toothed grain beetleOryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) on oats. It proved possible to develop the electroantennogram recording technique for these beetles, despite their small size, allowing volatiles causing antennal responses to be identified by coupled GC-EAG and subsequent GCMS techniques. Three beetle-produced macrolide lactones were identified as (Z,Z)-3,6-dodecadien-11-olide, (Z,Z)-3,6-dodecadienolide, and (Z,Z)-5,8-tetradecadien-13-olide in an average ratio of 4.4∶1∶2. These have been reported as components of the aggregation pheromone from a different population of this species, although the ratio of the components produced was different. Three food volatiles with EAG activity were also identified: 1-octen-3-ol, 3-octanone, and nonanal. A mixture of the six identified volatiles produced similar levels of attraction, in a behavioral assay, to the entire mixture of collected volatiles.

A comparison of some effects of phosphine, hydrogen cyanide and anoxia in the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae).

The effects of phosphine, hydrogen cyanide and anoxia on levels of ATP, pyruvate and lactate in Rhyzopertha dominica are compared. The effect of phosphine on anaerobiosis is not directly comparable either with HCN or anoxia. Reduction of catalase by feeding 3 amino 1,2,4 triazole does not enhance the toxicity of phosphine in treated insects.