The Chemistry of the Postpharyngeal Gland of Female European Beewolves

Females of the European beewolf, Philanthus triangulum, possess a large glove-shaped gland in the head, the postpharyngeal gland (PPG). They apply the content of the PPG to their prey, paralyzed honeybees, where it delays fungal infestation. Here, we describe the chemical composition of the gland by using combined GC-MS, GC-FTIR, and derivatization. The PPG of beewolves contains mainly long-chain unsaturated hydrocarbons (C23–C33), lower amounts of saturated hydrocarbons (C14–C33), and minor amounts of methyl-branched hydrocarbons (C17–C31). Additionally, the hexane-soluble gland content is comprised of small amounts of an unsaturated C25 alcohol, an unknown sesquiterpene, an octadecenylmethylester, and several long-chain saturated (C25, C27) and unsaturated (C23–C27) ketones, some of which have not yet been reported as natural products. Surprisingly, we found a dimorphism with regard to the major component of the PPG with some females having (Z)-9-pentacosene, whereas others have (Z)-9-heptacosene as their predominant component. The biological relevance of the compounds for the prevention of fungal growth on the prey and the significance of the chemical dimorphism are discussed

Support for maternal manipulation of developmental nutrition in a facultatively eusocial bee, Megalopta genalis (Halictidae)

Developmental maternal effects are a potentially important source of phenotypic variation, but they can be difficult to distinguish from other environmental factors. This is an important distinction within the context of social evolution, because if variation in offspring helping behavior is due to maternal manipulation, social selection may act on maternal phenotypes, as well as those of offspring. Factors correlated with social castes have been linked to variation in developmental nutrition, which might provide opportunity for females to manipulate the social behavior of their offspring. Megalopta genalis is a mass-provisioning facultatively eusocial sweat bee for which production of males and females in social and solitary nests is concurrent and asynchronous. Female offspring may become either gynes (reproductive dispersers) or workers (non-reproductive helpers). We predicted that if maternal manipulation plays a role in M. genalis caste determination, investment in daughters should vary more than for sons. The mass and protein content of pollen stores provided to female offspring varied significantly more than those of males, but volume and sugar content did not. Sugar content varied more among female eggs in social nests than in solitary nests. Provisions were larger, with higher nutrient content, for female eggs and in social nests. Adult females and males show different patterns of allometry, and their investment ratio ranged from 1.23 to 1.69. Adult body weight varied more for females than males, possibly reflecting increased variation in maternal investment in female offspring. These differences are consistent with a role for maternal manipulation in the social plasticity observed in M. genalis

Effectiveness and complications of primary C-clamp stabilization or external fixation for unstable pelvic fractures.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Unstable pelvic fractures frequently require emergency stabilization using a C-clamp or external (CC/EF) fixation. However, the effectiveness of this intervention and associated complications are still a matter of debate. PATIENTS AND METHODS The analysis used data available from the German Pelvic Trauma Registry to study general complications, infections and mortality after primary stabilization using CC/EF in 5,499 patients (n = 957 with vs n = 4,542 without). Furthermore, the subgroups with secondary surgery (n = 713 vs n = 1,695), and ilio-sacral screw implantation following C-clamp stabilization were evaluated (n = 24 vs n = 219). Calculated odds ratios were adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS Patients treated by CC/EF were younger (45 ± 20 vs 62 ± 24 years), had more C-type fractures (65% vs 28%), higher ISS (≥25 63% vs 20%) and displacement (≥3 mm 81% vs 41%), and more complex fractures (32% vs 5%). These features were independent risk factors for complications (p < 0.001). While mortality was reduced after CC/EF stabilization by 32% (OR 0.68 95%CI 0.49-0.95), the risk for general complications was slightly increased (OR 1.25 95% CI 1.02-1.53). In patients undergoing secondary surgery, CC/EF fixation had no influence on mortality, general complications or infections. Related to preceding C-clamp stabilization (OR 4.67 95% CI 1.06-20.64), the risk for infection increased from 3.2% to 20.8% in ilio-sacral screw fixation. INTERPRETATION Primary stabilization of unstable pelvic fractures with C-clamp or external fixation is associated with a decreased mortality and was not an independent risk factor for complications after secondary surgery. However, the risk for infection after ilio-sacral screw fixation increased almost 5-fold after C-clamp use

The Impact of Anatomical Predisposition and Mechanism of Trauma on Dislocation of the Patella: A Retrospective Analysis of 104 Cases

Background: The aim of this study was to determine whether traumatic dislocation of the patella is provoked by the presence of predisposing factors and examine the role of the mechanism of injury. Methods: Cases diagnosed with dislocation of the patella and covered by the workers’ compensation program were identified and classified as traumatic based on insurance regulations. We examined predisposing factors (e.g., frontal axis, torsional deviation, trochlear dysplasia, patella alta) in case groups based on age at dislocation and trauma mechanism. Retrospective cohort study, level of evidence III. Results: Our sample size comprised 104 cases, consisting of 54 children and 50 adults. The most common mechanism of injury in children and adults was rotational trauma. Only 20% of the children and 21% of the adults exhibited no relevant predisposing factors. Group specifically, falls accounted for the highest number of cases exhibiting none of the defined anatomical predisposing factors. Children are more frequently affected by predisposition-related dislocations than adults. Conclusion: The proportion of predispositions is high. A fall, direct impact, or rotational trauma can be viewed as an adequate mechanism of trauma. For successful treatment, it is paramount to analyze the exact mechanism of the trauma and address any underlying predispositions

Angioembolization for pelvic hemorrhage control: results from the German pelvic injury register

Hemorrhage from pelvic vessels is a potentially lethal complication of pelvic fractures. There is ongoing controversy on the ideal treatment strategy for patients with pelvic hemorrhage. The aim of the study was to analyze the role of angiography and subsequent embolization in patients with pelvic fractures and computed tomography scan-proven vascular injuries

Interprofessional approach for teaching functional knee joint anatomy

AbstractProfound knowledge in functional and clinical anatomy is a prerequisite for efficient diagnosis in medical practice. However, anatomy teaching does not always consider functional and clinical aspects. Here we introduce a new interprofessional approach to effectively teach the anatomy of the knee joint. The presented teaching approach involves anatomists, orthopaedists and physical therapists to teach anatomy of the knee joint in small groups under functional and clinical aspects. The knee joint courses were implemented during early stages of the medical curriculum and medical students were grouped with students of physical therapy to sensitize students to the importance of interprofessional work. Evaluation results clearly demonstrate that medical students and physical therapy students appreciated this teaching approach. First evaluations of following curricular anatomy exams suggest a benefit of course participants in knee-related multiple choice questions. Together, the interprofessional approach presented here proves to be a suitable approach to teach functional and clinical anatomy of the knee joint and further trains interprofessional work between prospective physicians and physical therapists as a basis for successful healthcare management

Age- and severity-adjusted treatment of proximal humerus fractures in children and adolescents—A systematical review and meta-analysis

<div><p>Background</p><p>Fractures of the proximal humerus in patients under the age of 18 years show a low incidence; existing clinical studies only comprise small patient numbers. Different treatment methods are mentioned in the literature but a comparison of the outcome of these methods is rarely made. Up to now, no evidence-based algorithm for conservative and operative treatment is available. The aim of this systematic review with meta-analysis was therefore to gather the best evidence of different treatment methods and their associated functional outcome, complication rates, rates of limb length discrepancies and radiological outcome.</p><p>Methods and findings</p><p>The OVID database was systematically searched on September 30th in 2016 in order to find all published clinical studies on the subject of proximal humerus fractures of patients ≤18 years. Exclusion criteria were previously defined. The Coleman Methodology Score was used to evaluate the quality of the single studies. 886 studies have been identified by the search strategy. 19 studies with a total of 643 children (mean age: 11.8 years) were included into the meta-analysis with a mean Coleman Methodology Score of 71 ± 7.4 points. 18 of the 19 studies eligible for inclusion were retrospective ones, of the best quality available (mean follow-up ≥ 1 year, mean follow-up rate ≥ 65%). 56% of the patients were male. Proximal humerus fractures were treated conservatively in 41% and surgically in 59% of the cases (Elastic Stable Intramedullary Nailing (ESIN): 31%; K-wires: 20%; 8% other methods, e.g. plate osteosynthesis, olecranon traction). The overall success rate (good/excellent outcome) for all treatment methods was 93%. The success rate of ESIN (98%) and of K- wire fixation (95%) was significantly higher (p = 0.01) than the success rate of conservative treatment options (91%). A subgroup analysis of severely displaced fractures (Neer grade III/IV, angulation ≥ 20°) resulted in a change of success rates, to the disadvantage of conservative treatment methods (conservative treatment 82%, ESIN 98%, K-wires 95%; p < 0.001). Complication rates did not differ to a significant extent. 9% of the complications occurred in the patients treated by K-wire fixation, 8% if a conservative treatment option was chosen and 7% in the fractures that were stabilized by ESIN. A change from a one-nail technique to a two-nail technique reduced the complication rate of ESIN significantly. Follow-up X- rays without residual deformity could be found in 96% of the patients treated by ESIN, a rate which was higher than in the patients treated conservatively (93%) or by K-wire fixation (88%). The rate of arm length discrepancies at final follow- up was lower if the fractures were stabilized by ESIN (4%) than if they were treated conservatively (9%) or by K-wires (19%). An evaluation of age-dependent treatment options was performed.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>By performing this meta-analysis an evidence-based treatment algorithm could be introduced to treat the fractures according to the severity of displacement and according to the patient's age. For severely displaced fractures ESIN is the method of choice, with the best clinical and radiological outcome.</p></div

Algorithm for the treatment of proximal humeral fractures in children and adolescents.

<p>Algorithm for the treatment of proximal humeral fractures in children and adolescents.</p

Study characteristics.

<p>The studies included into the meta-analysis and their characteristics such as year of publication, mean follow-up period, treatment method described, parameters of evaluation of the functional outcome and their Coleman Methodology Score (quality assessment) are shown.</p