Carabidae diversity along an altitudinal gradient in a Peruvian cloud forest (Coleoptera).

Carabid beetles were sampled at five sites, ranging from 1500 m to 3400 m, along a 15 km transect in the cloud forest of Manu National Park, Perú. Seasonal collections during a one year period yielded 77 morphospecies, of which 60% are projected to be undescribed species. There was a significant negative correlation between species richness and altitude, with the number of carabid species declining at the rate of one species for each 100 m increase in altitude.

Changes in ground beetle diversity and community composition in age structured forests (Coleoptera, Carabidae).

We examined diversity, community composition, and wing-state of Carabidae as a function of forest age in Piedmont North Carolina. Carabidae were collected monthly from 396 pitfall traps (12×33 sites) from March 2009 through February 2010, representing 5 forest age classes approximately 0, 10, 50, 85, and 150 years old. A total of 2,568 individuals, representing 30 genera and 63 species, were collected.

International trends in health science librarianship: part 1 - the English speaking world.

This is the second in a series of articles exploring international trends in health science librarianship in the first decade of the 21st century. The invited authors were asked to reflect on developments in their country - viz. Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States.

Endogenous reproductive hormones and C-reactive protein across the menstrual cycle: the BioCycle Study.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is one of the most commonly used markers of acute phase reaction in clinical settings and predictors of cardiovascular risk in healthy women; however, data on its physiologic regulation in premenopausal women are sparse. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between endogenous reproductive hormones and CRP in the BioCycle Study (2005-2007). Women aged 18-44 years from western New York were followed prospectively for up to 2 menstrual cycles (n = 259).

Relation of blood cadmium, lead, and mercury levels to biomarkers of lipid peroxidation in premenopausal women.

Exposures to cadmium, lead, and mercury are associated with adverse health effects, including cardiovascular disease, which may be promoted by lipid peroxidation. The authors examined cadmium, lead, and mercury in relation to plasma levels of F(2)-8α isoprostanes (isoprostane), 9-hydroperoxy-10,12-octadecadienoic acid (9-HODE), 13-hydroxy-9,11-octadecadienoic acid (13-HODE), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in 252 women from western New York State (2005-2007). Healthy premenopausal women were followed for ≤2 menstrual cycles, with biomarkers of lipid peroxidation being assessed ≤8 times per cycle.

The time of the insult/triggering event in Legg-Calvé-Perthes' disease determined by incubation period modeling and the age distribution of children with Perthes'.

The time when the insult/triggering event occurs in Legg-Calvé-Perthes' (LCPD) is unknown. the purpose of this study was to determine, using the mathematical tool of incubation period modeling, the time of such event and the incubation period for LCPD. We reviewed 2,911 children with LCPD from 10 different centers around the world.

Correlations of follicular fluid oxidative stress biomarkers and enzyme activities with embryo morphology parameters during in vitro fertilization.

Objective: To measure antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation levels within follicular fluid (FF) and evaluate correlations with early embryo quality.

Design: Individual FF samples were obtained prospectively on the day of oocyte collection and assessed for lipid peroxidation as specific positional isomers of hydroperoxy and hydroxy fatty acids by high-performance liquid chromatography and antioxidant enzyme activities by automated kinetic enzyme assays. Spearman rank correlation coefficients, adjusted for age and day of transfer, were used to assess associations between antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation products and embryo quality using a 1 follicle-1 oocyte/embryo approach.

Initial severity rating of idiopathic clubfeet is an outcome predictor at age two years.

This study was performed to determine if rating the severity of clubfeet before Ponseti treatment was predictive of the outcomes at age two years. Four hundred and seventy-nine idiopathic clubfeet (323 patients) were numerically rated for severity using Dimeglio classification. Eighty-six feet rated moderate, 305 feet rated severe, and 88 feet rated very severe.

Open clavicle fractures: patterns of trauma and associated injuries.

Objectives: To describe the demographic distribution, mechanism of injury, and associated injuries of patients sustaining open clavicle fractures.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Setting: Level I trauma center.

Biomonitoring for exposure to multiple trace elements via analysis of urine from participants in the study of metals and assisted reproductive technologies (SMART).

Humans are exposed to concentrations of multiple trace elements through a variety of background sources; many are suspected reproductive toxicants. Prior to investigating associations between trace elements and human reproductive health, potential biomarkers of exposure should be characterized by sources of variability in the population at risk. Factors influencing elemental exposure should also be identified to ensure their consideration as potential confounding variables.

Hypertension in chronic kidney disease: navigating the evidence.

Hypertension is both an important cause and consequence of chronic kidney disease. Evidence from numerous clinical trials has demonstrated the benefit of blood pressure control. However, it remains unclear whether available results could be extrapolated to patients with chronic kidney diseases because most studies on hypertension have excluded patients with kidney failure.

Mechanical evaluation of a tapered thread-run-out half-pin designed for external skeletal fixation in small animals.

An in vitro mechanical study was performed to compare the stiffness, maximum load, and cyclic load-to-failure of a new external fixation half-pin design utilizing a tapered thread-run-out (TRO) feature with currently available positive profile thread (PP) half-pins. Five different sizes of each of the two pin types were evaluated. Under static loading, TRO pins were significantly stiffer and had a higher maximum load compared to the similar sized PP pins (p <0.

Local administration of ibandronate and bone morphogenetic protein-2 after ischemic osteonecrosis of the immature femoral head: a combined therapy that stimulates bone formation and decreases femoral head deformity.

Background: Bisphosphonate therapy has been shown to preserve the osteonecrotic femoral head in experimental and short-term clinical studies. However, a lack of new bone formation within the preserved femoral head due to the inhibition of bone remodeling is a concern. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if combined therapy consisting of ibandronate and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) can preserve the shape of the femoral head and stimulate new bone formation in an immature animal model of ischemic osteonecrosis.

Management of patients seen post-sexual assault at a north London inner city genitourinary medicine clinic 2005-2008.

An audit of all patients presenting to an inner city sexual health clinic post-sexual assault over a four-year period was undertaken to evaluate the overall management of these patients. Sixty-five cases were identified; 22.6% had a pre-existing vulnerability factor and 21.

Shoulder girdle: patterns of trauma and associated injuries.

Objectives: To develop a system of quantification of shoulder girdle injuries that stratifies their severity and to assess the association between shoulder girdle injuries and associated nonbony injuries to the head, thorax, and great vessels.

Design: Retrospective review.

Setting: Level I trauma center.

Healthy families Brooklyn: working with health advocates to develop a health promotion program for residents living in New York City housing authority developments.

Decreasing health disparities must increase access to care, improve health education and ease navigating the health care system. Community Health Workers (CHW) take on these tasks in professional and culturally competent manners. The Healthy Families Brooklyn (HFB) Program serves residents in two public housing developments in Brooklyn, NY.

Femoral nerve palsy in Pavlik harness treatment for developmental dysplasia of the hip.

Background: Transient femoral nerve palsy is a potential complication of the use of a Pavlik harness to treat developmental dysplasia of the hip. Our hypothesis was that patients who develop a femoral nerve palsy while undergoing Pavlik harness treatment for developmental dysplasia of the hip are more likely to have unsuccessful orthotic treatment and to require closed or open hip reduction.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of all patients who underwent Pavlik harness treatment for developmental dysplasia of the hip within a seventeen-year period (1992 to 2008).

Residual thoracic hypokyphosis after posterior spinal fusion and instrumentation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: risk factors and clinical ramifications.

Study Design: A retrospective review of clinical and radiographic data from a single-center, prospectively collected scoliosis database.

Objective: To assess risk factors for persistent thoracic hypokyphosis after posterior spinal fusion and instrumentation (PSFI) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and to compare clinical outcomes between patients with residual thoracic hypokyphosis and those with normal thoracic kyphosis after PSFI for AIS.

Summary Of Background Data: AIS is characterized by thoracic hypokyphosis, which should be corrected at the time of surgical treatment.

How much varus is optimal with proximal femoral osteotomy to preserve the femoral head in Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease?

Background: Although proximal femoral varus osteotomy is an established operative treatment for Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, there is a lack of data on how much varus at the osteotomy is optimal for preserving the spherical shape of the femoral head. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a correlation between the amount of varus used and the Stulberg radiographic outcome at maturity and to determine if the varus angulation improved over time.

Methods: The database and the radiographs of fifty-two patients treated with proximal femoral varus osteotomy from a multicenter prospective study were analyzed.

Effect of amputation level on energy expenditure during overground walking by children with an amputation.

Background: The oxygen cost of walking by adults with an amputation has been well described, but few studies have focused on this parameter in children who have had an amputation. Children with a transtibial amputation have been reported to maintain walking speed at a 15% higher oxygen cost than able-bodied children. The purpose of this study was to determine if the level of amputation in children has a differential impact on the self-selected speed of walking and the oxygen cost, and how the performance of these children compares with that of a group of able-bodied children.

Creating a medical home through the 340B Drug Pricing Program.

Objective: This study was designed to track inpatient and outpatient utilization before and after the implementation of the 340B Drug Pricing Program in a public university hospital.

Methods: Before and after design built upon administrative clinical and financial data.

Results: Outpatient and emergency department utilization rates increased with small increments of direct cost.

Effects of urbanization on occupancy of stream salamanders.

Urban development is the most common form of land conversion in the United States. Using a before-after control-impact study design, we investigated the effects of urbanization on larval and adult stages of southern two-lined salamanders (Eurycea cirrigera) and northern dusky salamanders (Desmognathus fuscus). Over 5 years, we estimated changes in occupancy and probabilities of colonization and survival in 13 stream catchments after urbanization and in 17 catchments that were not urbanized.

Pathogenesis, developmental consequences, and clinical correlations of human embryo fragmentation.

This narrative review summarizes the current state of knowledge about human embryo fragmentation during IVF. The clinical relevance of fragmentation is discussed and evidence supporting a central role for the oocyte in the pathogenesis of fragmentation is presented. A mechanism of fragmentation as aberrant cell division involving the cytoskeleton is described along with the novel concept of membrane instability in relation to follicular high-density lipoprotein metabolism and cholesterol transport.

Selective salpingography and recanalisation of blocked fallopian tubes.

Fallopian tubal disease is a common cause of subfertility. Reproductive surgery or assisted reproduction techniques such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) have been the main treatment options for patients with tubal disease in Ireland, although access to these treatments remains limited. We describe a case of pregnancy following selective salpingography and fallopian tube recanalisation.

Cryopreservation of hormonally induced sperm for the conservation of threatened amphibians with Rana temporaria as a model research species.

The survival of hundreds of threatened amphibian species is increasingly dependent on conservation breeding programs (CBPs). However, there is an ongoing loss of genetic variation in CBPs for most amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Low genetic variation results in the failure of CBPs to provide genetically competent individuals for release in supplementation or rehabitation programs.