Validation of the multiplier method for leg-length predictions on a large European cohort and an assessment of the effect of physiological age on predictions.

Purpose: The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) prospective cohort was used to determine the accuracy of the Paley multiplier method for predicting leg length. Using menarche as a proxy, physiological age was then used to increase the accuracy of the multiplier.

Methods: Chronological age was corrected in female patients over the age of eight years with documented date of first menses.

Serum lactate is a prognostic indicator in patients with hip fracture.

Background And Purpose: Serum lactate has been shown to be an indicator of adverse clinical outcomes in patients admitted secondary to general trauma or sepsis. We retrospectively investigated whether admission serum venous lactate can predict in-hospital mortality in patients with hip fractures.

Method And Results: Over a 38-month period the admission venous lactate of 807 patients with hip fractures was collated.

Early and ultra-early surgery in hip fracture patients improves survival.

Background: Hip fracture is a common injury with associated high mortality. Recent drives by the Department of Health have sought to prioritise these patients' care. In April 2010, the Best Practice Tariff was introduced in England and Wales.

Pharmacological profile of the 5-HT(2C) receptor agonist WAY-163909; therapeutic potential in multiple indications.

The 5-HT(2C) receptor subtype has been implicated in a wide variety of conditions including obesity, anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, migraine and erectile dysfunction and as a consequence has received considerable attention as a target for drug discovery. Here we review the pharmacological, pharmacokinetic and toxicological profile of WAY-163909 {(7bR,10aR)-1,2,3,4,8,9,10,10a-octahydro-7bH-cyclopenta-[b][1,4]diazepino[6,7,1hi]indole}, a novel 5-HT(2C) receptor selective agonist. Consistent with a potential therapeutic utility in obesity, schizophrenia and depression WAY-163909 was found to have robust dose-dependent effects in animal models of obesity, psychotic-like behavior or depression.

Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in Eurasian badgers.

Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii were detected in samples collected from 90 live-trapped adult Eurasian badgers (Meles meles) sampled at three sites (two agricultural and one woodland) in southern England. Serum was tested using a qualitative latex agglutination test procedure and 63 of 90 (70%) badgers tested positive for T. gondii antibodies.