Complications following management of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures: a prospective randomized trial comparing open reduction internal fixation with nonoperative management.

Objective: To report on all complications experienced by patients with displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures (DIACFs) following nonoperative management or open reduction internal fixation (ORIF).

Design: Prospective, randomized, multicenter study.

Setting: Four level I trauma centers.

mt4216C variant in linkage with the mtDNA TJ cluster may confer a susceptibility to mitochondrial dysfunction resulting in an increased risk of Parkinson's disease in the Irish.

Polymorphism of the mtDNA genome has been implicated as playing a role in the development and pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). A PCR-RFLP methodology was employed to generate genetic haplotypes for a cohort of 90 PD sufferers. No association was observed between the various mtDNA haplotypes observed and PD in comparison to healthy aged controls.

Displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures: variables predicting late subtalar fusion.

Objective: The goal of the current study was to analyze the prospective clinical outcome of patients who failed closed or open treatment of a displaced intra-articular calcaneal fracture. This cohort of patients required a secondary subtalar fusion by distraction bone-block arthrodesis.

Design: Review of prospective, randomized trial database.

First-aid management of minor burns in children: a prospective study of children presenting to the Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney.

Objective: To identify the adequacy of first aid care following minor burns in children.

Design: Prospective case series.

Setting: Emergency Department and Acute Wound Clinic, the Children's Hospital at Westmead (CHW), Sydney.

The IL12B 3' untranslated region DNA polymorphism is not associated with early-onset type 1 diabetes.

A recent study employing Australian and UK type 1 diabetes families has demonstrated significant transmission bias to affected offspring of a polymorphism (1188A allele; termed allele 1) in the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of the interleukin 12B (IL12B) gene which encodes the IL-12p40 subunit of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-12. However, results from replication studies in other populations have been controversial. We performed both case-control (n=120 cases; n=330 controls) and family-based (n=307 families) association studies, using the transmission disequilibrium test, to investigate if allele 1 is associated with early-onset type 1 diabetes in Northern Ireland.

Operative compared with nonoperative treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures: a prospective, randomized, controlled multicenter trial.

Background: Open reduction and internal fixation is the treatment of choice for displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures at many orthopaedic trauma centers. The purpose of this study was to determine whether open reduction and internal fixation of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures results in better general and disease-specific health outcomes at two years after the injury compared with those after nonoperative management.

Methods: Patients at four trauma centers were randomized to operative or nonoperative care.

Arthroscopic versus open acromioplasty: a prospective, randomized, blinded study.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether arthroscopic acromioplasty is equivalent or superior to open acromioplasty, in a prospective, randomized, controlled, blinded clinical trial. Seventy-one patients with a clinical diagnosis of impingement syndrome were randomized to arthroscopic or open acromioplasty. Nine were excluded because of full-thickness rotator cuff tears diagnosed after randomization.

Possible association between CTLA4 DNA polymorphisms and early onset type 1 diabetes in a UK population.

Linkage and association has been reported between CTLA4 DNA markers and susceptibility to type 1 diabetes in some populations, but not others. We performed case-control and family-based association studies to assess if the CTLA4 A49G and intron 1 C/T polymorphisms were associated with development of early onset type 1 diabetes in the Northern Ireland population. The distribution of A49G and C/T alleles in cases (n = 144) was similar to those observed in controls (n = 307).

Mitochondrial DNA polymorphism: its role in longevity of the Irish population.

The mtDNA genome has been implicated as playing a pivotal role in determining the longevity and success of the human lifespan. A PCR-RFLP methodology was used to identify polymorphic restriction enzyme sites within a 2643 bp region of the mtDNA genome and a table of genetic haplotypes for a healthy aged and a younger control cohort of patients was constructed. Forty-six different mtDNA haplotypes and 11 groups of related haplotypes were identified across the two age groups but statistical analysis failed to show any significant associations.

Isolation of Mycoplasma bovis from bovine clinical samples in the Republic of Ireland.

Mycoplasma bovis was detected in 134 (18 per cent) of 736 samples of bovine lung tissue collected from fatal pneumonia cases in the Republic of Ireland between April 1995 and December 1998. The cases occurred in 95 herds and recurred in four of them. Other respiratory pathogens were identified in 66 per cent of the M bovis-positive cases, with Pasteurella species, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis and parainfluenza 3 virus being most frequently detected.

Fixation of fractures of the shaft of the humerus by dynamic compression plate or intramedullary nail. A prospective, randomised trial.

We randomised prospectively 44 patients with fractures of the shaft of the humerus to open reduction and internal fixation by either an intramedullary nail (IMN) or a dynamic compression plate (DCP). Patients were followed up for a minimum of six months. There were no significant differences in the function of the shoulder and elbow, as determined by the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons' score, the visual analogue pain score, range of movement, or the time taken to return to normal activity.

Application of an indirect ELISA to milk samples to identify cows with Mycoplasma bovis mastitis.

An indirect ELISA was used to detect antibodies to Mycoplasma bovis in milk samples collected from a herd with M bovis mastitis. Antibodies were detected in samples from nine cows which had developed clinical M bovis mastitis. Milk from only three consistently antigen-negative cows tested positive for M bovis antibodies.

The wire interlock technique for harvesting a partial-width distally attached tendon graft.

A wire interlock technique useful for harvesting a partial-width tendon graft with an intact insertion for local reconstructive procedures is described. This technique is rapid and reliable for procuring attached tendon grafts with minimal exposure. The technique was used to harvest a flexor carpi radialis tendon graft for basal joint interposition arthroplasty in 12 patients.

Recurrent aneurysmal bone cyst of the proximal phalanx treated with cryosurgery: a case report.

A recurrent aneurysmal bone cyst of the proximal phalanx treated with curettage, cryosurgery, and bone grafting is presented. There is no evidence of recurrence after 5 years. Although cryosurgery is commonly used as an adjuvant for intralesional treatment for aneurysmal bone cyst, there have been no reports of its use for the treatment of a lesion arising in the hand.

Ankle fractures in diabetics. Complications of surgical management.

To determine the relative risk of complications in treating ankle fractures in patients with diabetes, we compared the results of the management of displaced malleolar fractures in 26 patients with those of a matched group of non-diabetic patients, using a case-controlled study. The groups were matched for patient age, fracture type and treating surgeon. The incidence of significant complications in diabetic patients was 42.

Cardiac troponin I measurement with the ACCESS immunoassay system: analytical and clinical performance characteristics.

We evaluated the ACCESS cardiac troponin I (cTnI) immunoassay as a marker for myocardial infarction (MI). Total imprecision was 6.0% to 13.

Pharmacokinetics and tissue disposition of danofloxacin in sheep.

The plasma pharmacokinetics of danofloxacin administered at 1.25 mg kg-1 body weight by the intravenous and intramuscular routes were determined in sheep. Tissue distribution was also determined following administration by the intramuscular route at 1.