Consumption rate, functional response and preference of the predaceous mite Iphiseius degenerans to Tetranychus urticae and Eutetranychus orientalis.

The functional response of females of the phytoseiid mite, Iphiseius degenerans (Berlese), to increasing densities of females of its prey, Tetranychus urticae Koch and Eutetranychus orientalis Klein, on bean leaves, were studied under laboratory conditions. Our results indicated that the predator consumed significantly more items of E. orientalis than of T.

Early changes of procalcitonin may advise about prognosis and appropriateness of antimicrobial therapy in sepsis.

Purpose: The objective of this study is to define if early changes of procalcitonin (PCT) may inform about prognosis and appropriateness of administered therapy in sepsis.

Methods: A prospective multicenter observational study was conducted in 289 patients. Blood samples were drawn on day 1, that is, within less than 24 hours from advent of signs of sepsis, and on days 3, 7, and 10.

Retrograde femoral nailing and knee function.

This study compares the functional outcomes of retrograde and antegrade femoral nailing for femur shaft fractures. Thirty-two patients who underwent femoral nailing for femur shaft fractures at 2 urban level I trauma centers were evaluated retrospectively. Fourteen nails were inserted retrograde (13 patients) and 19 were inserted antegrade.

The nomenclature for intra-articular vertical impact fractures of the tibial plafond: pilon versus pylon.

Although most of the controversy surrounding the treatment of intra-articular, vertical impact fractures of the lower tibia is due to the difficult clinical problems they pose, there is a minor, ongoing dispute regarding nomenclature. In the last several decades, these fractures have been called either pilon or pylon fractures. This study traces the etymology of both terms and relates them to their usage in the orthopaedic literature.

Effect of ankle and knee position on tension in the Achilles tendon.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relative contributions of ankle and knee position to tension in the Achilles tendon and to determine whether there exists a position of plantarflexion at which the passive tensioning effect of knee extension is eliminated. Seven matched pairs of fresh-frozen cadaver lower extremities were tested. A buckle transducer was used to measure forces in the tendon throughout the full range of knee motion, with the hindfoot fixed.