The contribution of insects to global forest deadwood decomposition.

The amount of carbon stored in deadwood is equivalent to about 8 per cent of the global forest carbon stocks. The decomposition of deadwood is largely governed by climate with decomposer groups-such as microorganisms and insects-contributing to variations in the decomposition rates. At the global scale, the contribution of insects to the decomposition of deadwood and carbon release remains poorly understood.

Kinematics of the human knee using an open chain cadaver model.

There continues to be controversy about the kinematics of the human knee. This study used seven knees from cadavers moved by pulling on the quadriceps tendon in an open chain fashion using video motion analysis to determine the instantaneous helical axis of movement. Computed tomography scans of the specimens allowed the axes to be related to condyles.

Stem surface roughness alters creep induced subsidence and 'taper-lock' in a cemented femoral hip prosthesis.

The clinical success of polished tapered stems has been widely reported in numerous long term studies. The mechanical environment that exists for polished tapered stems, however, is not fully understood. In this investigation, a collarless, tapered femoral total hip stem with an unsupported distal tip was evaluated using a 'physiological' three-dimensional (3D) finite element analysis.

The effect of implantation of aortic stents on compliance and blood flow. An experimental study in pigs.

Balloon dilation of coarctation of the aorta has been found to be an effective modality for treatment. Recently, in the older child and adult, implantation of endovascular stents has been considered a clinical alternative to dilation alone. Little is known, however, of the effect of implantation of stents on aortic compliance.

Surgical treatment of aortic arch hypoplasia in infants and children with biventricular hearts.

Background: Results of aortic arch reconstruction in the setting of biventricular physiology are well documented in the adult population, however, in children, surgical outcome of this subgroup of patients is less clear.

Methods: We studied the clinical outcomes of 37 children aged 8 days to 15 years (median 26 months), who underwent aortic arch reconstruction for arch hypoplasia from 1982 to 1997. The children were divided into three groups: Group 1 (20 patients) had isolated aortic arch lesions, Group 2 (13 patients) had associated intra-cardiac pathology yet conserving a biventricular physiology, Group 3 (4 patients) had Williams Syndrome.

Surgery for coarctation of the aorta in infants younger than 3 months: end-to-end repair versus subclavian flap angioplasty: is either operation better?

Objective: Recurrent coarctation is a complication which is seen at a consistent rate following all types of repair for coarctation of the aorta. Particularly disappointing late results are reported in younger infants, under 3 months of age. This retrospective analysis was undertaken to compare the outcomes on late follow-up between subclavian flap angioplasty and resection and end-to-end repair, in this age group.

Konno-aortoventriculoplasty with mechanical prosthesis in dealing with small aortic root: a good surgical option.

Objective: This study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness and the results with the Konno-aortoventriculoplasty.

Methods: Over a 10-year period, 21 Konno-aortoventriculoplasties were performed in 20 patients utilizing mechanical cardiac valvular prostheses, in 14 male and 6 female patients for complex left ventricular outflow tract stenosis. The mean age was 9.

Temporary stenting of the sternum after difficult cardiac operations.

Stenting the sternum may be essential to keep the sternal edges apart and optimize the hemodynamics in some patients, after cardiac operations. We have devised an effective stent that can be prepared very quickly from the equipment available in the operating room.

FK506-induced fulminant leukoencephalopathy after single-lung transplantation.

FK506 is being used increasingly to prevent rejection after organ transplantation. Its use is associated with a wide spectrum of neurotoxicity, which has been described after most solid organ transplantations, but reports after lung transplantation are extremely rare. This is a report of the pathologic correlation of the clinical and radiologic features of delayed FK506-induced fulminant leukoencephalopathy after single-lung transplantation.