Collaborative robot assistant for the ergonomic manipulation of cumbersome objects

Typescript (photocopy).Single spore isolates of Colletotrichum graminicola were taken from sorghum or johnsongrass in agricultural, research station and natural populations and compared on a series of sorghum differential varieties in the greenhouse. The isolates taken from johnsongrass and monocultured sorghum hybrids were of simple virulence capability, i.e. avirulent on all but the most susceptible host type. Research station isolates were virulent on numerous sorghum genotypes and therefore had complex virulence capabilities. Populations of C. graminicola were analyzed on two sorghum nurseries in the field. One consisted of a series of genotypes that had differential responses to different races of the fungus. The other nursery consisted of 20 sorghum lines selected for apparent horizontal resistance. These nurseries were planted three years consecutively at research stations in Texas, Puerto Rico and Georgia. Significant variance of rank reaction across all sites showed that the geographically isolated populations have some specific virulence difference(s), confirming allelic divergence. Within sites and across years the rank analysis showed yearly non-significant shifts in virulence punctuated by significant shifts to new virulence patterns in years with propitious environments for disease development. Equal ranking across sites, as determined by non-significant ANOVA, was found in 10 of the 20 suspected horizontally resistant lines. Only five of these 10 lines had low area under disease progress curve values. Analyses of rates of vegetative growth and spore production of four single spore isolates were performed on detached leaf pieces. The effect of initial spore density on the growth rates was studied. Higher initial spore densities greatly reduced secondary spore production (per initial spore) relative to low initial spore density. The effect of competition between isolates was studied by determining rates of vegetative growth and spore production when the isolates were grown in mixtures as compared to when they were grown singly. Rate parameters generated by fitting logistic curves were compared by statistical analysis and the isolates with a significant effect of competition were used in an intraspecific competition model..

The Thoracoplastic Approach to Chest Wall Reconstruction: Preliminary Results of a Multidisciplinary Approach to Minimize Morbidity.

BACKGROUND: Chest wall reconstruction remains challenging because of the variable nature of the defect. Muscle-sparing approaches have been described but are not widely applied today. The authors reviewed an institutional experience with chest wall reconstruction and describe the thoracoplastic approach, which aims to optimize flap selection. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted identifying all patients undergoing chest wall reconstruction performed by the senior author. Demographic information and operative characteristics were detailed and factors were analyzed for association with postoperative outcomes. Outcomes were also compared for conventional versus thoracoplastic groups. RESULTS: Forty-five patients underwent chest wall reconstruction at an average age of 54.2 ± 16.3 years. Sarcomas were most common (51 percent), followed by breast (16 percent) and lung (11 percent). The average number of ribs resected was 3.2 ± 1.4, with an average defect size of 212 ± 185 cm2. The most commonly used flaps included the latissimus dorsi and pectoralis major (72 percent). Mesh was incorporated in 58 percent of repairs and operative time was 6.2 ± 2.5 hours. The incidence of surgical complications was 23 percent, most commonly wound infection and nonhealing wound (20 percent). The thoracoplastic approach, used in 14 patients, demonstrated no differences in outcomes with follow-up of 14 months. Operative time was nearly identical, and the thoracoplastic group required significantly less blood products when transfused. Latissimus dorsi and pectoralis major flaps were used more frequently in the thoracoplastic group, although this did not reach significance (78.6 percent versus 69.2 percent). CONCLUSIONS: The thoracoplastic approach appears to be safe and effective when compared with conventional methods. Although definitive conclusions cannot be drawn, the authors\u27 early experience is promising. The authors believe applying these principles improves aesthetic and functional outcomes and preserves the oncologic safety profile

Postoperative Analgesia with Saphenous Block Appears Equivalent to Femoral Nerve Block in ACL Reconstruction

BACKGROUND: Adequate pain control following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL) often requires regional nerve block. The femoral nerve block (FNB) has been traditionally employed. Ultrasound application to regional nerve blocks allows for the use of alternatives such as the saphenous nerve block following ACL reconstruction. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: This study evaluated postoperative analgesia provided by the subsartorial saphenous nerve block (SSNB) compared to that provided by the traditional FNB for patients undergoing ACL reconstruction with patellar tendon (bone–tendon–bone (BTB)) autografts. METHODS: A randomized, blinded, controlled clinical trial was conducted using 80 ASA I–III patients, ages 16–65, undergoing ACL reconstruction with BTB. The individuals assessing all outcome measures were blinded to the treatment group. Postoperatively, all patients received cryotherapy and parenteral hydromorphone to achieve numeric rating scale pain scores less than 4. At discharge, patients were given prescriptions for oral opioid analgesics and a scheduled NSAID. Patients were instructed to complete pain diaries and record oral opioid utilization. Patients were contacted on postoperative days (POD) 1 and 2 to ascertain the level of patient satisfaction with the analgesic regimen. RESULTS: No differences between the two groups were found. Patient demographics and postoperative pain scores at rest were not different. In addition, there was no difference in opioid use, as measured in daily oral morphine equivalents between groups. A small but statistically significant report of higher patient satisfaction with the FNB was found on POD 1 but not on POD 2. CONCLUSION: These data support our hypothesis that the SSNB provides similar and adequate postoperative analgesia when compared to the FNB, following arthroscopic ACL reconstruction with patellar tendon autograft. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11420-014-9392-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users