A Prospective Cohort Study of Symptomatic Venous Thromboembolic Events in Foot and Ankle Trauma: The Need for Stratification in Thromboprophylaxis?

The incidence of venous thromboembolic (VTE) events (deep vein thrombophlebitis [DVT] or pulmonary embolism [PE]) in foot and ankle trauma has been low, and the risk/benefit ratio associated with chemoprophylaxis is controversial. We compared the 90-day incidence of VTE events in 3 cohorts: group 1, tendo-Achillis (TA) ruptures managed with full weightbearing in a walker boot; group 2, ankle fractures immobilized non-weightbearing in a below-the-knee cast; and group 3, ankle fractures managed surgically, followed by non-weightbearing in a below-the-knee cast. Data were extracted from 2 prospectively collected trust databases for acute TA ruptures and ankle fractures.

A central neural pathway controlling odor tracking in Drosophila.

Chemotaxis is important for the survival of most animals. How the brain translates sensory input into motor output beyond higher olfactory processing centers is largely unknown. We describe a group of excitatory neurons, termed Odd neurons, which are important for Drosophila larval chemotaxis.

Excessive daytime sleepiness in sleep disorders.

Excessive daytime sleepiness is a significant public health problem, with prevalence in the community estimated to be as high as 18%. Sleepiness is caused by abnormal sleep quantity or sleep quality. Amongst others, multiple neurological, psychological, cardiac and pulmonary disorders may contribute.

Obesity as an independent predictor of subjective excessive daytime sleepiness.

Introduction: Sleepiness is one of the cardinal complaints of patients in tertiary referral centres for sleep disorders. It is commonly associated with sleep disorders, but the additional influence of obesity remains unclear. We hypothesised that obesity may be an independent predictor of sleepiness in this population.