Assessment of bias in carbon isotope composition of organic leaf matter due to pre-analysis milling methods.

Rationale: Stable isotope analysis of leaf material has many applications including assessment of plant water-use efficiency and palaeoclimatology. To facilitate interpretations of small shifts in the carbon isotope composition (δ C) of leaves, accurate and repeatable results are required. Pre-sample homogenisation is essential to ensure a representative sample is analysed, but can also introduce error.

Outcomes of Salvage Arthrodesis and Arthroplasty for Failed Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation of the Ankle.

Background: Osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation is a useful treatment for posttraumatic ankle arthritis in young patients, but failure rates are high and reoperations are not uncommon. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of failed ankle OCA transplantation converted to ankle arthrodesis (AA) or total ankle arthroplasty (TAA).

Methods: We evaluated 24 patients who underwent salvage procedures (13 AA and 11 TAA) after primary failed ankle OCA transplantation.

Arthroscopic Correlates of Subtle Syndesmotic Injury.

Background: Arthroscopic criteria for identifying syndesmotic disruption have been variable and subjective. We aimed to quantify syndesmotic disruption arthroscopically using a standardized measurement device.

Methods: Ten cadaveric lower extremity specimens were tested in intact state and after serial sectioning of the syndesmotic structures (anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament [AiTFL], interosseous ligament [IOL], posterior inferior tibiofibular ligament [PiTFL], deltoid).

Carbon isotope discrimination in leaves of the broad-leaved paperbark tree, Melaleuca quinquenervia, as a tool for quantifying past tropical and subtropical rainfall.

Quantitative reconstructions of terrestrial climate are highly sought after but rare, particularly in Australia. Carbon isotope discrimination in plant leaves (Δleaf ) is an established indicator of past hydroclimate because the fractionation of carbon isotopes during photosynthesis is strongly influenced by water stress. Leaves of the evergreen tree Melaleuca quinquenervia have been recovered from the sediments of some perched lakes on North Stradbroke and Fraser Islands, south-east Queensland, eastern Australia.

Pathological role of fibroblast-like synoviocytes in charcot neuroarthropathy.

This study was designed to characterize the synovium in the joints of Charcot neuroarthropathy (CNA) and investigate the potential role of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) in the pathology of CNA. Synovial samples were collected from CNA patients (n = 7) and non-CNA patients (n = 7), for control, during orthopaedic procedures and used for histology and isolation of FLS. Histological characterization of synovium included innervation and FLS localization.

Plating of metacarpal fractures with locked or nonlocked screws, a biomechanical study: how many cortices are really necessary?

Background: Dorsal plate and screw fixation is a popular choice for metacarpal stabilization. The balance between construct stability and soft tissue dissection remains a surgical dilemma. Historically, six cortices of bone fixation on either side of a fracture were deemed necessary.

Locked versus nonlocked plate fixation for first metatarsophalangeal arthrodesis: a biomechanical investigation.

Background: First metatarsophalangeal (MTP) arthrodesis using dorsal plate fixation is a common procedure for painful conditions of the great toe. Locked plates have become increasingly common for arthrodesis procedures in the foot, including the hallux MTP joint. The biomechanical advantages and disadvantages of these plates are currently unknown.

Platelet-rich plasma and the upper extremity.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a fraction of whole blood containing powerful growth factors and cytokines. Preclinical studies suggest PRP may be useful for tendon repair or regeneration. Clinical investigations have focused on the treatment of chronic lateral epicondylar tendinopathy and rotator cuff pathology.

Foot and ankle questions on the orthopaedic in-training examination: analysis of content, reference, and performance.

The purpose of this study was to provide a comprehensive analysis of the Orthopaedic In-Training Examination's (OITE's) questions, question sources, and resident performance over the course of residency training.The authors analyzed all OITE questions pertaining to foot and ankle surgery between 2006 and 2010. Recorded data included the topic and area tested, imaging modality used, tested treatment method, taxonomic classification, cited references, and resident performance scores.

Is carpal tunnel release under-utilized in veterans with spinal cord injury?

Objective: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common disorder among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Although carpal tunnel release is highly effective, the procedure may be under-utilized in this population. This study attempts to identify if CTS is under-treated in Veterans with SCI.

Building a new predictor for multiple linear regression technique-based corrective maintenance turnaround time.

Objectives: This research's main goals were to build a predictor for a turnaround time (TAT) indicator for estimating its values and use a numerical clustering technique for finding possible causes of undesirable TAT values.

Materials And Methods: The following stages were used: domain understanding, data characterisation and sample reduction and insight characterisation. Building the TAT indicator multiple linear regression predictor and clustering techniques were used for improving corrective maintenance task efficiency in a clinical engineering department (CED).

Magnetic resonance imaging of the ankle at 3.0 Tesla and 1.5 Tesla in human cadaver specimens with artificially created lesions of cartilage and ligaments.

Purpose: To compare magnetic resonance imaging of the ankle joint at 1.5 Tesla (T) and 3.0 T in the assessment of cartilage and ligament pathology in fresh human cadaver specimens.

Offering integrated medical equipment management in an application service provider model.

With the advancement of medical technology and thus the complexity of the equipment under their care, clinical engineering departments (CEDs) must continue to make use of computerized tools in the management of departmental activities. Authors of this paper designed, installed, and implemented an application service provider (ASP) model at the laboratory level to offer value added management tools in an online format to CEDs. The project, designed to investigate how to help meet demands across multiple healthcare organizations and provide a means of access for organizations that otherwise might not be able to take advantage of the benefits of those tools, has been well received.

MR imaging of the ankle at 3 Tesla and 1.5 Tesla: protocol optimization and application to cartilage, ligament and tendon pathology in cadaver specimens.

The objective of this study was to optimize ankle joint MR imaging in volunteers at 1.5 Tesla (T) and 3.0 T, and to compare these optimized sequences concerning image quality and performance in assessing cartilage, ligament and tendon pathology in fresh human cadaver specimens.