Local adaptation from afar: migratory bird populations diverge in the initiation of reproductive timing while wintering in sympatry.

The initiation of reproduction in many seasonally breeding animals is controlled by photoperiod and tends to be clinal: populations at higher latitudes breed later than those at lower latitudes, often reflecting a higher photoperiodic threshold. Migratory animals presumably time reproduction to match conditions at their breeding grounds, at least in part, by cues perceived on their wintering grounds. We asked how closely related dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis) populations that overwinter in sympatry but breed in allopatry respond to their shared winter environment by comparing early spring indices of readiness to migrate (fat and muscle condition) and breed (baseline and elevated testosterone). We measured stable hydrogen isotopes from feathers grown the preceding year and claws grown during winter to estimate breeding and wintering latitudes, respectively. We predicted that if reproductive initiation is adapted to the emergence of resources at their respective breeding destinations, then birds migrating to higher latitudes (slate-coloured junco; J. h. hyemalis) should delay breeding as compared with those migrating to lower latitudes (pink-sided junco; J. h. mearnsi) despite a common overwinter environment. We found higher testosterone in pink-sided juncos, consistent with earlier reproductive initiation, suggesting local adaptation in reproductive phenology is achieved through differential responses to predictive environmental cues.

Construction and evaluation of cDNA libraries for large-scale expressed sequence tag sequencing in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

A total of 37 original cDNA libraries and 9 derivative libraries enriched for rare sequences were produced from Chinese Spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), five other hexaploid wheat genotypes (Cheyenne, Brevor, TAM W101, BH1146, Butte 86), tetraploid durum wheat (T. turgidum L.), diploid wheat (T. monococcum L.), and two other diploid members of the grass tribe Triticeae (Aegilops speltoides Tausch and Secale cereale L.). The emphasis in the choice of plant materials for library construction was reproductive development subjected to environmental factors that ultimately affect grain quality and yield, but roots and other tissues were also included. Partial cDNA expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were examined by various measures to assess the quality of these libraries. All ESTs were processed to remove cloning system sequences and contaminants and then assembled using CAP3. Following these processing steps, this assembly yielded 101,107 sequences derived from 89,043 clones, which defined 16,740 contigs and 33,213 singletons, a total of 49,953 "unigenes." Analysis of the distribution of these unigenes among the libraries led to the conclusion that the enrichment methods were effective in reducing the most abundant unigenes and to the observation that the most diverse libraries were from tissues exposed to environmental stresses including heat, drought, salinity, or low temperature.

Ultrasound evaluation of blunt abdominal trauma: program implementation, initial experience, and learning curve.

OBJECTIVE: Although sonographic screening for blunt abdominal trauma is gaining acceptance, standards for implementation, training, credentialing, and quality control remain to be established. DESIGN: This prospective study examines a Level I trauma service experience with the de novo establishment of a trauma ultrasound (US) program credentialed through the Department of Surgery under the auspices of Continuous Quality Improvement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All trauma surgeons attended a combined didactic and "hands on" 8-hour trauma US course. Abdominal sonography was subsequently performed on patients with potential blunt abdominal trauma followed by a standard diagnostic evaluation, which included computed tomographic scan, diagnostic peritoneal lavage, or observation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Three hundred patients were studied over a 4-month period. They averaged 35 years of age with an average injury severity score of 12. The time required to perform the US examination averaged less than 3 minutes. Standard diagnostic evaluation included computed tomographic scan (21%), diagnostic peritoneal lavage (45%), and observation (34%). US examinations resulted in 277 true negatives, 17 true positives, two false positives, and four false negatives for a sensitivity of 81.0%, a specificity of 99.3%, and an accuracy of 98.0%. Annualized cost savings with the use of US evaluation versus standard diagnostic evaluation would amount to over $100,000.00. CONCLUSIONS: This experience with the de novo implementation of a trauma US program suggests that the training and credentialing requirements in this study are sufficient to provide surgeon ultrasonographers with acceptable competence in US diagnosis of blunt abdominal trauma.

Laparoscopic vs. open wedge biopsy of the liver.

This study was a post-hoc evaluation of laparoscopic versus open wedge biopsy of the liver performed as part of prospective phase I antibiotic trial. Consenting patients undergoing elective cholecystectomy were enrolled in a protocol which required samples of bile, blood, the gallbladder, and 1 gram of liver tissue. The study occurred during the evolution of laparoscopic surgery. Liver biopsy was done in standard fashion and laparoscopic liver biopsy was accomplished with cauterized scissors. Twenty-four patients, 4 male and 20 female averaging 42.1 years of age, were entered in this study. Eighteen patients underwent laparoscopic surgery and six patients underwent open surgery. They did not differ significantly in age (43.9 vs 42.1 years), operating room time (58.3 min vs 55.8 min), or complications (2/18 vs 2/6). Patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery, however, did have a shorter hospital stay (1.1 days vs 3.5 days, p < 0.001). All liver specimens were considered adequate. There were no complications related to the liver biopsy. Laparoscopic wedge biopsy of the liver is both a feasible and viable alternative to open wedge biopsy.

Colorectal trauma: primary repair or anastomosis with intracolonic bypass vs. ostomy.

This prospective, randomized, controlled study was undertaken to compare primary repair or anastomosis with intracolonic bypass vs. ostomy in severe colon and intraperitoneal rectal injury. Patients were randomized at surgery following confirmation of injury. Data collected included demographics, mechanism and location of injury, trauma score (TS), injury severity score (ISS), penetrating abdominal trauma index (PATI), complications, length of hospital stay, and hospital charges. Twenty-two patients were studied: 11 with intracolonic bypass and 11 controls. The experimental and control groups were statistically similar in demographics and mechanism of injury, severity of injury (TS = 13.8 vs. 12.8; ISS = 27.5 vs. 24.2; PATI = 40.5 vs. 35.0), and complication rate. Length of stay (12.2 days vs. 20.7 days) and charges $27,885 vs. $53,599) tended to be greater in controls, and the comparison did not include subsequent colostomy closure. This study supports intracolonic bypass as a safe alternative to ostomy in severe colon and intraperitoneal rectal trauma.

Physician review improves hospital DRG reimbursement in injury.

This was a prospective study of all DRG reimbursed trauma patients discharged during an 11-month period. Initial DRGs were assigned by hospital coding specialists (HCS). A surgeon (SURG) subsequently reviewed each chart and assigned DRGs to maximize reimbursement. The data for 244 patients were: age = 36.5 years, Trauma Score (TS) = 13.8, Injury Severity Score (ISS) = 16.9, and length of stay (LOS) = 10.3 days. Total charges for the 244 patients were $4,261,208 with an initial HCS projected reimbursement of $1,687,963. The SURG review resulted in a total projected reimbursement of $1,956,476, an increase of $268,513 in revenue (p less than 0.001). Charges correlated strongly with LOS and ISS. The HCS-coded and SURG-coded reimbursements also correlated positively with LOS and ISS, but to a lesser extent. The SURG review of DRG assignment improved hospital reimbursement for the injured patients. However, this reimbursement fell well below hospital billings.

Preoperative serum creatinine as a predictor of survival in perforated gastroduodenal ulcer.

Factors affecting survival were retrospectively analyzed in 89 patients (50 men) operated upon for perforated peptic ulcer. Mean age was 52 years. Only 18 per cent had no history of significant medical illness; almost 26 per cent were termed immune suppressed from high-dose steroid therapy or the presence of diffuse, metastatic cancer. The estimated interval between perforation and operation was over 24 hours in one-third. Preoperative serum creatinine, determined in 83 patients, ranged from 0.1 to 6.4 mg/dl (mean, 1.5 mg/dl); no patients were dialysis-dependent. At celiotomy, 75 per cent underwent ulcer plication only; the remainder had a definitive acid reduction procedure. Stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that a normal preoperative serum creatinine (less than 1.5 mg/dl) was the most powerful predictor of survival (P less than 0.00001), followed by absence of immune suppression, and age under 60 years. The interval between perforation and operation, the site of perforation, and the type of operation did not statistically affect survival.

Use of the EEA stapling instrument for control of bleeding esophageal varices.

Transection of the esophagus with the EEA stapling device (United States Surgical Corp.) has been used to treat 20 patients with bleeding esophageal varices. Their ages ranged from 38 to 73 years (mean 56.7 years). Sixteen patients (80%) had Laënnec's cirrhosis. A previous occluded portosystemic shunt was present in five patients. Based on Child's classification, there were one class A patient, 18 class C patient, and one patient who was unclassified. Five patients underwent elective operation; four survived (80%). The cases of the remaining 15 patients were treated as emergencies or semiemergencies after intensive preoperative intervention including intravenous administration of vasopressin (Pitressin) (100%), balloon tamponade in 11 (73%), and sclerotherapy in three (20%) failed to control the hemorrhage adequately. None of the patients had rebleeding from varices during the postoperative period. However, 11 of the 15 patients (73%) died. All deaths were related to liver failure, except for two patients who died of irreversible acidosis secondary to shock. Technical difficulty was encountered six times with use of the stapling device, resulting in three perforations of the esophagus, which were recognized and repaired at the time. No deaths were attributed to this complication. Of the eight patients who survived the early postoperative period, three have since died--two of variceal hemorrhage and the other of hepatic failure. Two others have had recurrent variceal hemorrhage controlled by sclerotherapy. The duration of follow-up ranges from 10 to 60 months (mean 31 months). Transection of the esophagus with the EEA stapling device for acute variceal hemorrhage is associated with an excessively high mortality rate despite the fact that it controls variceal hemorrhage. It appears to be of value when used on an elective basis for selected patients who cannot benefit from other modes of treatment.

Synthesis of beta-L-fucopyranosyl phosphate and L-fucofuranosyl phosphates by the MacDonald procedure.

Fusion of beta-L-fucopyranose tetraacetate with phosphoric acid for 1 min at 50 degrees gives a 9:1 anomeric mixture of the alpha- and beta-pyranosyl phosphates. Longer fusion times give the alpha-anomer exclusively. The L-fucofuranose tetraacetates were synthesized for the first time by acetolysis of methyl-2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-beta-L-fucofuranoside. Fusion of the furanose tetraacetates with phosphoric acid gave a mixture of the fucofuranosyl phosphates in which the beta-anomer predominated (beta/alpha= 2.4). Anomeric pairs in the fucofuranose series appear to be distinguishable by the chemical shift of the C-6 methyl protons, as already shown by Sinclair and Sleeter in the pyranose series.

Thrombocytopenia associated with long-term levodopa therapy.

A 63-year-old man had severe thrombocytopenia after long-term levodopa therapy. Serologic studies and clinical features indicate that the thrombocytopenia was due to an autoimmune process, presumably similar to that induced by the chemically similar drug methyldopa. Direct allergy to levodopa was ruled out by controlled challenge of the patient receiving levodopa. Combined levodopa-prednisone therapy was then instituted, with good clinical response and no recurrence of thrombocytopenia.