Factors Associated with Revision Surgery after Internal Fixation of Hip Fractures

Background: Femoral neck fractures are associated with high rates of revision surgery after management with internal fixation. Using data from the Fixation using Alternative Implants for the Treatment of Hip fractures (FAITH) trial evaluating methods of internal fixation in patients with femoral neck fractures, we investigated associations between baseline and surgical factors and the need for revision surgery to promote healing, relieve pain, treat infection or improve function over 24 months postsurgery. Additionally, we investigated factors associated with (1) hardware removal and (2) implant exchange from cancellous screws (CS) or sliding hip screw (SHS) to total hip arthroplasty, hemiarthroplasty, or another internal fixation device. Methods: We identified 15 potential factors a priori that may be associated with revision surgery, 7 with hardware removal, and 14 with implant exchange. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses in our investigation. Results: Factors associated with increased risk of revision surgery included: female sex, [hazard ratio (HR) 1.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25-2.50; P = 0.001], higher body mass index (fo

Branching fraction and CP asymmetries of B0→KS0KS0KS0

We present measurements of the branching fraction and time-dependent CP-violating asymmetries in B0→K0SK0SK0S decays based on 227×106 Υ(4S)→BB decays collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy B factory at SLAC. We obtain a branching fraction of (6.9+0.9−0.8±0.6)×10−6, and CP asymmetries C=−0.34+0.28−0.25±0.05 and S=−0.71+0.38−0.32±0.04, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic

Improved Measurement of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa Angle α Using B0(B¯)→ρ+ρ- Decays

We present results from an analysis of B0(B̅ 0)→ρ+ρ- using 232×106 Υ(4S)→BB̅ decays collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy B factory at SLAC. We measure the longitudinal polarization fraction fL=0.978±0.014(stat)+0.021/-0.029(syst) and the CP-violating parameters SL=-0.33±0.24(stat)+0.08/-0.14(syst) and CL=-0.03±0.18(stat)±0.09(syst). Using an isospin analysis of B→ρρ decays, we determine the unitarity triangle parameter α. The solution compatible with the standard model is α=(100±13)°

Improved measurement of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa angle α using B0(B)→p+p- decays

We present results from an analysis of B0(B¯¯¯0)→ρ+ρ− using 232×106 Υ(4S)→BB¯¯¯ decays collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy B factory at SLAC. We measure the longitudinal polarization fraction fL=0.978±0.014(stat)+0.021−0.029(syst) and the CP-violating parameters SL=−0.33±0.24(stat)+0.08−0.14(syst) and CL=−0.03±0.18(stat)±0.09(syst). Using an isospin analysis of B→ρρ decays, we determine the unitarity triangle parameter α. The solution compatible with the standard model is α=(100±13)°

Fracture fixation in the operative management of hip fractures (FAITH): an international, multicentre, randomised controlled trial

Background Reoperation rates are high after surgery for hip fractures. We investigated the effect of a sliding hip screw versus cancellous screws on the risk of reoperation and other key outcomes. Methods For this international, multicentre, allocation concealed randomised controlled trial, we enrolled patients aged 50 years or older with a low-energy hip fracture requiring fracture fixation from 81 clinical centres in eight countries. Patients were assigned by minimisation with a centralised computer system to receive a single large-diameter screw with a side-plate (sliding hip screw) or the present standard of care, multiple small-diameter cancellous screws. Surgeons and patients were not blinded but the data analyst, while doing the analyses, remained blinded to treatment groups. The primary outcome was hip reoperation within 24 months after initial surgery to promote fracture healing, relieve pain, treat infection, or improve function. Analyses followed the intention-to-treat principle. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00761813. Findings Between Mar

Evolution of genes and genomes on the Drosophila phylogeny

Comparative analysis of multiple genomes in a phylogenetic framework dramatically improves the precision and sensitivity of evolutionary inference, producing more robust results than single-genome analyses can provide. The genomes of 12 Drosophila species, ten of which are presented here for the first time (sechellia, simulans, yakuba, erecta, ananassae, persimilis, willistoni, mojavensis, virilis and grimshawi), illustrate how rates and patterns of sequence divergence across taxa can illuminate evolutionary processes on a genomic scale. These genome sequences augment the formidable genetic tools that have made Drosophila melanogaster a pre-eminent model for animal genetics, and will further catalyse fundamental research on mechanisms of development, cell biology, genetics, disease, neurobiology, behaviour, physiology and evolution. Despite remarkable similarities among these Drosophila species, we identified many putatively non-neutral changes in protein-coding genes, non-coding RNA genes, and cis-regulatory regions. These may prove to underlie differences in the ecology and behaviour of these diverse species

Search for strange-pentaquark production in e+e− annihilation at √s=10.58 GeV

We search for strange pentaquark states that have been previously reported by other experiments -- the Θ(1540)+, Ξ5(1860)−−, and Ξ5(1860)0 -- in 123 fb−1 of data recorded with the BaBar detector at the PEP-II e+e− storage ring. We find no evidence for these states and set 95% confidence level upper limits on the number of Θ(1540)+ and Ξ5(1860)−− pentaquarks produced per e+e− annihilation event that are about eight and four times lower than the rates measured for ordinary baryons of similar mass

Measurements of branching fractions and time-dependent CP-violating asymmetries in B→η'K decays

We present measurements of the B -> eta' K branching fractions:for B+ -> eta' K+ we measure also the time-integrated charge asymmetry Ach, and for B0 -> eta' K0S the time dependent CP-violation parameters S and C. The data sample corresponds to 232 million B Bbar pairs produced by e+ e- annihilation at the Upsilon(4S). The results are BF(B+ -> eta' K+) = (68.9 +- 2.0 +- 3.2) * 10^-6, BF(B0 -> eta' K0) = (67.4 +- 3.3 +- 3.2) * 10^-6, Ach = 0.033 +- 0.028 +- 0.005, S=0.30 +- 0.14 +- 0.02, C=-0.21 +- 0.10 +- 0.02, where the first error is statistical and the second systematic