Reduced Knee Flexion Strength 18 Years After ACL Reconstruction With Hamstring Tendon Versus Patellar Tendon.

Background: Bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) and double-looped semitendinosus and gracilis (hamstring) grafts are commonly used for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Short-term and midterm studies show little or no differences between the 2 grafts; however, there are only a few long-term studies to compare results between the 2 grafts.

Purpose: To compare the results after using either BPTB grafts or hamstring tendon grafts 18 years after ACL reconstruction.

Local health department factors associated with performance in the successful implementation of community-based strategies: a mixed-methods approach.

Objectives: We examined which local health department (LHD)-level factors contributed to successful implementation of policy, systems, and environmental change strategies in Minnesota.

Methods: We used a retrospective mixed-methods design to evaluate the relationship between the Statewide Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) grant initiative and key predictor variables (2009-2011). We obtained quantitative capacity data for 91 cities and counties in Minnesota; in addition, we conducted 15 key informant interviews to examine factors that facilitated and acted as barriers to LHD performance.

Measuring the authority of local public health directors in the context of organizational structure: an exploratory, multimodal approach.

Context: Studies have reported a relationship between the organization of public health services and variability in public health practice at the local and state levels. A national research agenda has prioritized practice-based research to understand pathways that lead to this variation and examine the impact of these differences on outcomes.

Objectives: To measure the extent to which Minnesota local health directors report having key authorities and examine the relationship between organizational structure and authority of local health directors.