Modified mini-open technique with skin transillumination for decompression fasciotomy in the treatment of chronic exertional compartment syndrome.

Fasciotomy for chronic exertional compartment syndrome can be achieved by a variety of methods, many of which involve the blind passage of scissors or a fasciotome to release the affected compartments. We describe a modified open technique of fasciotomy which provides direct visualization of the fascia and the superficial peroneal nerve, using a single small incision. This technique requires a 4-cm longitudinal incision centered at the midpoint of the fibula.

Ultra-trace determination of beryllium in occupational hygiene samples by ammonium bifluoride extraction and fluorescence detection using hydroxybenzoquinoline sulfonate.

A highly sensitive molecular fluorescence method for measuring ultra-trace levels of beryllium has been previously described. The method entails extraction of beryllium workplace samples by 1% ammonium bifluoride (NH(4)HF(2), aqueous), followed by fluorescence detection using hydroxybenzoquinoline sulfonate (HBQS). In this work, modification of the existing procedure resulted in a significant improvement in detection power, thereby enabling ultra-trace determination of beryllium in air filter and surface wipe samples.

Adaptive climatic molecular evolution in wild barley at the Isa defense locus.

Wild barley (Hordeum spontaneum) represents a significant genetic resource for crop improvement in barley (Hordeum vulgare) and for the study of the evolution and domestication of plant populations. The Isa gene from barley has a putative role in plant defense. This gene encodes a bifunctional alpha-amylase/subtilisin inhibitor that inhibits the bacterial serine protease subtilisin, fungal xylanase, and the plant's own alpha-amylase.

A prospective investigation of outcomes after hospital discharge for endemic, community-acquired methicillin-resistant and -susceptible Staphylococcus aureus skin infection.

Background: Although community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infection has become increasingly common, prospective data on outcomes of patients with skin infection remain poorly defined.

Methods: We prospectively observed a cohort of 201 patients discharged after hospitalization for CA-MRSA infection or community-acquired methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (CA-MSSA) infection.

Reliability of kinematics and kinetics associated with horizontal single leg drop jump assessment. A brief report.

Determining the reliability of a unilateral horizontal drop jump for displacement provided the focus for this research. Eighteen male subjects were required to step off a 20cm box and land on a force plate with one leg and thereafter jump for maximal horizontal displacement on two different days. Dependent variables from the jump assessment included mean and peak vertical (V) and horizontal (H) ground reaction forces (GRF) and impulses, horizontal displacement and contact time.

Impact of extended-duration shifts on medical errors, adverse events, and attentional failures.

Background: A recent randomized controlled trial in critical-care units revealed that the elimination of extended-duration work shifts (> or =24 h) reduces the rates of significant medical errors and polysomnographically recorded attentional failures. This raised the concern that the extended-duration shifts commonly worked by interns may contribute to the risk of medical errors being made, and perhaps to the risk of adverse events more generally. Our current study assessed whether extended-duration shifts worked by interns are associated with significant medical errors, adverse events, and attentional failures in a diverse population of interns across the United States.

Contraction force specificity and its relationship to functional performance.

Best practice for improving strength and power through resistance strength training has been the subject of much research and subsequent conjecture. Much of the conjecture can be attributed to methodological discrepancies. The type of dynamometry used in testing, the training experience of research participants, the specific technique employed in a lift, and the methods of collection and calculation all impact on the final variables of interest.

Landscape context outweighs local habitat quality in its effects on herbivore dispersal and distribution.

Past studies with spatially structured herbivore populations have emphasized the primacy of intrinsic factors (e.g., patch quality), patch geometry (e.

Assessing dynamic knee joint range of motion using siliconcoach.

Objective: Compared to measuring static range of motion (ROM) the assessment of dynamic ROM has received very little research attention. The purpose of this study therefore was to determine the reliability of the siliconCOACH motion analysis system for assessing dynamic ROM of the knee joint.

Design: Test-retest reliability.

Extended work duration and the risk of self-reported percutaneous injuries in interns.

Context: In their first year of postgraduate training, interns commonly work shifts that are longer than 24 hours. Extended-duration work shifts are associated with increased risks of automobile crash, particularly during a commute from work. Interns may be at risk for other occupation-related injuries.

Water immersion: does it enhance recovery from exercise?

Purpose: To assess the effect that postexercise immersion in water has on subsequent exercise performance.

Methods: A literary search and review of water-immersion and performance studies was conducted.

Results: Seven articles were examined.

Kinematic, kinetic, and blood lactate profiles of continuous and intraset rest loading schemes.

The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the acute kinematic, kinetic, and blood lactate responses to continuous and intraset rest loading schemes that differed in terms of rest frequency but not total rest duration. Nine male subjects performed an isoinertial bench press task (6 repetition maximum load) with a continuous, an intraset rest equated by total rest time, volume, and load (ISRV), and an intraset rest equated by total rest time and load (ISRR) loading scheme. The scheme order was assigned in a block-randomized order with a minimum of 48 hours of recovery between testing sessions.

Physiological response to water immersion: a method for sport recovery?

Recovery from exercise can be an important factor in performance during repeated bouts of exercise. In a tournament situation, where athletes may compete numerous times over a few days, enhancing recovery may provide a competitive advantage. One method that is gaining popularity as a means to enhance post-game or post-training recovery is immersion in water.

The effect of missense mutations in the RhoGAP-homology domain on ocrl1 function.

Lowe syndrome is a rare X-linked disease characterized by congenital cataracts, defects in renal tubule cell function, and mental retardation. Mutations in the OCRL1 gene, which encodes ocrl1, a phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P(2)) 5-phosphatase, are the cause of Lowe syndrome. PtdIns(4,5)P(2), a substrate of ocrl1, is an important signaling molecule within the cell.

Validation of a standardized portable fluorescence method for determining trace beryllium in workplace air and wipe samples.

Beryllium is widely used in industry for its unique properties; however, occupational exposure to beryllium particles can cause potentially fatal disease. Consequently, exposure limits for beryllium particles in air and action levels on surfaces have been established to reduce exposure risks for workers. Field-portable monitoring methods for beryllium are desired in order to facilitate on-site measurement of beryllium in the workplace, so that immediate action can be taken to protect human health.

Recovery from medical errors: the critical care nursing safety net.

Background: Safety initiatives have primarily focused on physicians despite the fact that nurses provide the majority of direct inpatient care. Patient surveillance and preventing errors from harming patients represent essential nursing responsibilities but have received relatively little study.

Methods: The study was conducted between July 2003 and July 2004 in a 10-bed academic coronary care unit.

Possible stimuli for strength and power adaptation: acute hormonal responses.

The endocrine system plays an important role in strength and power development by mediating the remodelling of muscle protein. Resistance training scheme design regulates muscle protein turnover by modifying the anabolic (testosterone, growth hormone) and catabolic (cortisol) responses to a workout. Although resistance exercise increases the concentrations of insulin-like growth factor 1 in blood following exercise, the effect of scheme design is less clear, most likely due to the different release mechanisms of this growth factor (liver vs muscle).

Effect of interrepetition rest intervals on weight training repetition power output.

The purpose of this study was to determine the change in weight training repetition power output as a consequence of interrepetition rest intervals. Twenty-six elite junior male basketball and soccer players performed bench presses using a 6 repetition maximum (6RM) load. The power output for each repetition was recorded using a linear encoder sampling each 10 ms (100 Hz).

Intermetatarsal angle after first metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis for hallux valgus.

Background: First metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint arthrodesis is commonly done for hallux valgus with an arthritic joint. In patients with a wide preoperative first intermetatarsal (IM) angle an important question is whether the metatarsus varus will be corrected by the first MTP joint fusion alone or whether an additional basal osteotomy is necessary.

Methods: The charts and radiographs of 20 patients who had arthrodesis of the first MTP joint were retrospectively reviewed.

Possible stimuli for strength and power adaptation : acute metabolic responses.

The metabolic response to resistance exercise, in particular lactic acid or lactate, has a marked influence upon the muscular environment, which may enhance the training stimulus (e.g. motor unit activation, hormones or muscle damage) and thereby contribute to strength and power adaptation.

Influence of bicycle seat pressure on compression of the perineum: a MRI analysis.

It is a common belief that bicycle seat pressure compresses neurovascular tissues in the perineum and may lead to perineal and penile pathologies in male cyclists. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect bicycle seat pressure has on compression of the perineal cavernous spaces, which house the penile neurovascular tissues. A second purpose was to identify where peak cavernous compression occurs in relation to a bicycle seat.

Breach avoidance facilitator--managing the A&E 4-hour target.

This paper aims to explore the concept of the breach avoidance facilitator (BAF) within the Accident & Emergency (A&E) department. This is a role that has been introduced utilising Senior Nursing staff on a supernumerary basis to predominantly provide a trouble-shooting role to manage the A&E 4-hour target. The paper will explore the initial practical difficulties that were encountered during the introduction of the role.

Antagonisms, mutualisms and commensalisms affect outbreak dynamics of the southern pine beetle.

Feedback from community interactions involving mutualisms are a rarely explored mechanism for generating complex population dynamics. We examined the effects of two linked mutualisms on the population dynamics of a beetle that exhibits outbreak dynamics. One mutualism involves an obligate association between the bark beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis and two mycangial fungi.

Possible stimuli for strength and power adaptation: acute mechanical responses.

A great deal of literature has investigated the effects of various resistance training programmes on strength and power changes. Surprisingly, however, our understanding of the stimuli that affect adaptation still remains relatively unexplained. It is thought that strength and power adaptation is mediated by mechanical stimuli, that is the kinematics and kinetics associated with resistance exercise (e.

Host-parasitoid spatial ecology: a plea for a landscape-level synthesis.

A growing body of literature points to a large-scale research approach as essential for understanding population and community ecology. Many of our advances regarding the spatial ecology of predators and prey can be attributed to research with insect parasitoids and their hosts. In this review, we focus on the progress that has been made in the study of the movement and population dynamics of hosts and their parasitoids in heterogeneous landscapes, and how this research approach may be beneficial to pest management programs.