Posterior Hip Impingement at Maximal Hip Extension in Female Patients With Increased Femoral Version or Increased McKibbin Index and Its Effect on Sports Performance.

BACKGROUND The location of posterior hip impingement at maximal extension in patients with posterior femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is unclear. PURPOSE To investigate the frequency and area of impingement at maximal hip extension and at 10° and 20° of extension in female patients with increased femoral version (FV) and posterior hip pain. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS Osseous patient-specific 3-dimensional (3D) models were generated of 50 hips (37 female patients, 3D computed tomography) with a positive posterior impingement test and increased FV (defined as >35°). The McKibbin index (combined version) was calculated as the sum of FV and acetabular version (AV). Subgroups of patients with an increased McKibbin index >70° (24 hips) and FV >50° (20 hips) were analyzed. A control group of female participants (10 hips) had normal FV, normal AV, and no valgus deformity (neck-shaft angle, <139°). Validated 3D collision detection software was used for simulation of osseous impingement-free hip extension (no rotation). RESULTS The mean impingement-free maximal hip extension was significantly lower in patients with FV >35° compared with the control group (15° ± 15° vs 55° ± 19°; P 35° had osseous posterior extra-articular ischiofemoral hip impingement. At 20° of extension, the frequency of posterior extra-articular ischiofemoral impingement was significantly higher for patients with a McKibbin index >70° (83%) and for patients with FV >35° (76%) than for controls (0%) (P 70° versus <70° (251 vs 44 mm2; P = .001). CONCLUSION The limited hip extension found in our study could theoretically affect the performance of sports activities such as running, ballet dancing, or lunges. Therefore, although not examined directly in this study, these activities are not advisable for these patients. Preoperative evaluation of FV and the McKibbin index is important in female patients with posterior hip pain before hip preservation surgery (eg, hip arthroscopy)

Genetic variability and population structuring in the European Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus feldeggii

We analysed variation in 10 polymorphic microsatellites and a variable portion of control region of mtDNA in 24 specimens from 3 populations of European Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus feldeggii living in Sicily, continental Italy and the Balkan area to assess species' genetic diversity and population structure in the poorly investigated range of this threatened subspecies. We considered also a dataset of previously published mtDNA sequences of the other Lanner Falcon subspecies and of Hierofalco subgenus members (F. cherrug, F. rusticolus and F. jugger) to outline the genetic variation in the region on a wide-ranging basis. Regard with mtDNA we identified 6 haplotypes from our 24 European Lanner Falcon specimens, 3 of which were new and unique (1 Sicilian, 2 Balkans) and the 3 others already known and shared with other Hierofalcons. The 62.5% of our sample, including 14 of Sicilians and one Apulia specimen, belonged to haplotype H_24 shared with F. c. cherrug, F. rusticolus and F. jugger. MtDNA analyses of European Lanner Falcons showed a dispersed pattern of our specimens inside the main Hierofalco clades and haplo-groups in a way congruent to what found in recent literature. These analyses confirmed that none of the Hierofalcons form a monophyletic group, nonetheless the Lanner Falcons can be subdivided in two major Palaearctic (F. b. feldeggii, F. b. erlangeri and F. b. tanypterus) and sub-Sahara African (F. b. biarmicus and F. b. abyssinicus) clades. Microsatellites analysis yielded a first outline of population genetic structure, with genetic identity between continental Italy and Sicily and a moderate degree of differentiation of the Balkan area with Sicily and continental Italy. The 3 populations did not show significant departure from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, with low values of the inbreeding coefficients and had allele richness and haplotype diversity consistent with literature. Microsatellites analysis (Nm, frequency of private alleles) suggests a gene flow among the three examined populations and the connection of Sicilian population to those of mainland

Comparative Analysis of Lanner and Peregrine Trophic Niche in the Mediterranean

Predators are highly sensitive to availability and changes of their prey, which are limiting factors for successful reproductive performances. We studied the diet of the increasing Peregrine falcon (F. p. brookei) and the declining Lanner falcon (F. b. feldeggii) populations in Sicily. The two species coexist in the same habitats of this large Mediterranean island and require similar feeding resources. We described the type and diversity of prey taken by both species in order to understand whether differences in foraging ecology could explain their diverse population status. During 2014-2016, we collected prey remains and pellets in 15 Peregrine and 6 Lanner nests and we compared the current diets with past data from Sicily (Peregrine: 1978-81; Lanner: 1981-88). We identified 805 Peregrine and 250 Lanner prey. Prey remains per Peregrine nest was on average higher (55.3±28.6) than per Lanner nest (42.0±25.6). Peregrine confirmed to be strictly ornitophagous (100% of prey) while Lanner preyed on birds (92.9%) and also on small mammals (4.0%) reptiles (2.4%) and arthropods (0.8%). The average avian prey of Peregrine is smaller (97.7 g) than that of Lanner (122.5 g). Columbidae, starlings, magpies formed the bulk of prey in both species; swifts and orioles were important prey in Peregrine, while rabbit gave a significant contribution to prey biomass in Lanner. Currently both species are preying upon the collared dove a taxon not present in past ’80 diets. The comparison of trophic diversity showed some striking differences, as Lanner in the past preyed upon much more taxa (Spast = 55 vs Scurrent = 33) while the reverse occurred in the Peregrine (Spast = 38 vs Scurrent = 63). A similar figure occurs also for the alpha-diversity index, while the Simpson (1-D) diversity dropped in the current Lanner diet (0.83) respect with the past Lanner, current and past Peregrine diets (all Simpson values > 0.90). The past/current diet overlap, as showed by the Whittaker index, was generally medium in both species (Peregrine = 0.44; Lanner = 0.48) and across species (past Peregrine/Lanner = 0.42; current Peregrine/Lanner = 0.48). Both species are responding to change of habitats and prey populations (e.g. more predation upon wood pigeon, collared dove, etc) with the more flexible and aerial-hunting Peregrine performing better than the Lanner in altered agro-ecosystems

Limited External Rotation and Hip Extension Due to Posterior Extra-articular Ischiofemoral Hip Impingement in Female Patients With Increased Femoral Anteversion: Implications for Sports, Sexual, and Daily Activities.

BACKGROUND Posterior femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is poorly understood. Patients with increased femoral anteversion (FV) exhibit posterior hip pain. PURPOSE To correlate hip impingement area with FV and with combined version and to investigate frequency of limited external rotation (ER) and hip extension (<40°, <20°, and <0°) due to posterior extra-articular ischiofemoral impingement. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS Osseous patient-specific three-dimensional (3D) models based on 3D computed tomography scans were generated of 37 female patients (50 hips) with positive posterior impingement test (100%) and increased FV >35° (Murphy method). Surgery was performed in 50% of patients (mean age, 30 years; 100% female). FV and acetabular version (AV) were added to calculate combined version. Subgroups of patients (24 hips) with increased combined version >70° and patients (9 valgus hips) with increased combined version >50° were analyzed. The control group (20 hips) had normal FV, normal AV, and no valgus. Bone segmentation was performed to generate 3D models of every patient. Validated 3D collision detection software was used for simulation of impingement-free hip motion (equidistant method). Impingement area was evaluated in combined 20° of ER and 20° of extension. RESULTS Posterior extra-articular ischiofemoral impingement occurred between the ischium and the lesser trochanter in 92% of patients with FV >35° in combined 20° of ER and 20° of extension. Impingement area in combined 20° of ER and 20° of extension was larger with increasing FV and with higher combined version; correlation was significant (P 70° (vs 35° (100%) had limited ER 35° with limited extension 50° compared with patients with FV >35° (0%). CONCLUSION All patients with increased FV >35° had limited ER <40°, and most of them had limited extension <20° due to posterior intra- or extra-articular hip impingement. This is important for patient counselling, for physical therapy, and for planning of hip-preservation surgery (eg, hip arthroscopy). This finding has implications and could limit daily activities (long-stride walking), sexual activity, ballet dancing, and sports (eg, yoga or skiing), although not studied directly. Good correlation between impingement area and combined version supports evaluation of combined version in female patients with positive posterior impingement test or posterior hip pain

Hip Impingement Location in Maximal Hip Flexion in Patients With Femoroacetabular Impingement With and Without Femoral Retroversion.

BACKGROUND Symptomatic patients with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) have limitations in daily activities and sports and report the exacerbation of hip pain in deep flexion. Yet, the exact impingement location in deep flexion and the effect of femoral version (FV) are unclear. PURPOSE To investigate the acetabular and femoral locations of intra- or extra-articular hip impingement in flexion in patients with FAI with and without femoral retroversion. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS An institutional review board-approved retrospective study involving 84 hips (68 participants) was performed. Of these, symptomatic patients (37 hips) with anterior FAI and femoral retroversion (FV <5°) were compared with symptomatic patients (21 hips) with anterior FAI (normal FV) and with a control group (26 asymptomatic hips without FAI and normal FV). All patients were symptomatic, had anterior hip pain, and had positive anterior impingement test findings. Most of the patients had hip/groin pain in maximal flexion or deep flexion or during sports. All 84 hips underwent pelvic computed tomography (CT) to measure FV as well as validated dynamic impingement simulation with patient-specific CT-based 3-dimensional models using the equidistant method. RESULTS In maximal hip flexion, femoral impingement was located anterior-inferior at 4 o'clock (57%) and 5 o'clock (32%) in patients with femoral retroversion and mostly at 5 o'clock in patients without femoral retroversion (69%) and in asymptomatic controls (76%). Acetabular intra-articular impingement was located anterior-superior (2 o'clock) in all 3 groups. In 125° of flexion, patients with femoral retroversion had a significantly (P < .001) higher prevalence of anterior extra-articular subspine impingement (54%) and anterior intra-articular impingement (89%) compared with the control group (29% and 62%, respectively). CONCLUSION Knowing the exact location of hip impingement in deep flexion has implications for surgical treatment, sports, and physical therapy and confirms previous recommendations: Deep flexion (eg, during squats/lunges) should be avoided in patients with FAI and even more in patients with femoral retroversion. Patients with femoral retroversion may benefit and have less pain when avoiding deep flexion. For these patients, the femoral location of the impingement conflict in flexion was different (anterior-inferior) and distal to the cam deformity compared with the location during the anterior impingement test (anterior-superior). This could be important for preoperative planning and bone resection (cam resection or acetabular rim trimming) during hip arthroscopy or open hip preservation surgery to ensure that the region of impingement is appropriately identified before treatment

Large Hip Impingement Area and Subspine Hip Impingement in Patients With Absolute Femoral Retroversion or Decreased Combined Version.

BACKGROUND It remains unclear if femoral retroversion is a contraindication for hip arthroscopy in patients with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). PURPOSE To compare the area and location of hip impingement at maximal flexion and during the FADIR test (flexion, adduction, internal rotation) in FAI hips with femoral retroversion, hips with decreased combined version, and asymptomatic controls. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS Twenty-four symptomatic patients (37 hips) with anterior FAI were evaluated. All patients had femoral version (FV) <5° according to the Murphy method. Two subgroups were analyzed: 13 hips with absolute femoral retroversion (FV <0°) and 29 hips with decreased combined version (McKibbin index <20°). All patients were symptomatic and had anterior groin pain and a positive anterior impingement test ; all had undergone pelvic computed tomography (CT) scans to measure FV. The asymptomatic control group consisted of 26 hips. Dynamic impingement simulation of maximal flexion and FADIR test at 90° of flexion was performed with patient-specific CT-based 3-dimensional models. Extra- or intra-articular hip impingement area and location were compared between the subgroups and with control hips using nonparametric tests. RESULTS Impingement area was significantly larger for hips with decreased combined version (0° (P = .025). Hips with absolute femoral retroversion had a significantly higher frequency of extra-articular subspine impingement versus controls (92% vs 0%; P < .001), compared to 84% of patients with decreased combined version. Intra-articular femoral impingement location was most often (95%) anterosuperior and anterior (2-3 o'clock). Anteroinferior femoral impingement location was significantly different at maximal flexion (anteroinferior [4-5 o'clock]) versus the FADIR test (anterosuperior and anterior [2-3 o'clock]) (P < .001). CONCLUSION Patients with absolute femoral retroversion (FV <0°) had a larger hip impingement area, and most exhibited extra-articular subspine impingement. Preoperative FV assessment with advanced imaging (CT/magnetic resonance imaging) could help to identify these patients (without 3-dimensional modeling). Femoral impingement was located anteroinferiorly at maximal flexion and anterosuperiorly and anteriorly during the FADIR test

First evidence by satellite telemetry of lanner falcon's falco biarmicus feldeggii natal dispersal outside sicily, and a review of existing data

The Italian population of the threatened European Lanner Falcon is mainly sedentary. Thanks to satellite telemetry, we recorded the first evidence on natal dispersal of a juvenile male (Falc36) outside Sicily. Falc36 was deployed with a GPS-GSM device in May 2017, after an initial phase of movements close to the natal cliff and of short wandering in Sicily crossed the Messina Strait in mid July and arrived in Apulia (south Italy). There we were able to follow his displacements and settling until the end of November when the transmitter broke up. Falc36 used mainly open habitats composed of arable field and heterogeneous agricultural areas firstly north of Altamura and Gravina, and from late August in the Cerignola-Ascoli Satriano-Candela area. He preferentially used single trees to spend the night in arable plots. We reviewed the existing information on species’ records at the main Italian migratory watch-points to put in context the Falc36’s dispersal

Falcon Conservation: azioni pratiche per la tutela del lanario Falco biarmicus feldeggii

Il progetto Falcon Conservation nasce nel 2014 e dal 2016 è supportato dalla fondazione Nando ed Elsa Peretti, con lo scopo di acquisire nuovi dati sulla biologia e la conservazione dei Rapaci ed in particolar modo del lanario Falco biarmicus feldeggii e del pellegrino Falco peregrinus brookei. Falcon Conservation si basa sulla ricerca scientifica e sulla Citizen Science ed ha tra gli obiettivi la divulgazione e il coinvolgimento degli studenti universitari e dell’opinione pubblica in genere. Le azioni pratiche del progetto si sono concentrate sul monitoraggio di popolazione in tre aree-campione che corrispondono alla Sicilia occidentale, centrale ed orientale. I censimenti sul campo sono stati effettuati seguendo un modello predittivo multi-criterio ideato ad hoc per la popolazione di lanario che ha permesso la scoperta di nuovi siti riproduttivi. Annualmente nei siti monitorati vengono inanellati i giovani e prelevati campioni biologici per analisi genetiche, veterinarie ed analisi della dieta. Un campione di 19 pellegrini e 6 lanari è stato finora munito di trasmettitori GPS-GSM, per analizzare le dinamiche di dispersione post-natale e i tassi di mortalità. Le attività di Citizen Science si sono concentrate soprattutto su workshop di riconoscimento delle specie di Rapaci e sull’organizzazione di campi di sorveglianza, di 2-3 siti per anno, per evitare il prelievo illegale di uova e pulli. Nel 2017 sono stati coinvolti 33 volontari provenienti da tutta Italia. Il controllo continuato ha permesso di ridurre l’effettivo numero di fallimenti attribuibili al bracconaggio. Il progetto ha previsto inoltre la creazione di un sito web (www.biarmicus.wordpress.com) dove viene condiviso materiale di divulgazione e sono presenti circa 45 articoli scientifici. Il sito web ha una media di circa 1000 visite mensili. La pagina Facebook collegata al sito ha raggiunto circa 1200 follower. Un workshop sulla biologia e conservazione del lanario (novembre 2016) in diretta streaming ha riunito specialisti, ricercatori ed appassionati con l’obiettivo di analizzare lo stato della specie in Sicilia e proporre rimedi per la sua conservazione

Environmental suitability model for the lanner falcon Falco biarmicus feldeggii: planning, study and monitoring the Sicilian population

The identification of suitable areas, by spatially explicit distribution models, is crucial for conservation of threatened species as the lanner falcon Falco biarmicus feldeggii. Monitoring and collecting data on lanner falcon during years has proven to be essential for better defining the areas of species environmental suitability. Recent research shows that breeding performances of this species are strongly influenced by bioclimatic factors, especially monthly temperature and rainfall, or linked to landscape morphology, such as the slope of territories. These environmental parameters combined with species productivity (number of fledged juveniles per checked pair) of geo-referenced breeding sites have been used to develop a predictive model (PM). A former PM, restricted to eastern Sicily, has been now extended to the whole Sicilian territory thanks to field records collected within the frame of the project: ‘Practical actions for preserving the main European population of Lanner falcon’ supported by the Nando & Elsa Peretti Foundation. Such a new PM contains the database of productivity and georeferenced breeding sitesof a representative sample of the known Sicilian lanner population. PM is composed by dynamic GIS-level of cartographic structures (as rainfall and temperature raster) and needs periodic implementation with annual data to improve its accuracy and long-term validity. The model was used during winter 2016-2017 to search new territories, with the noticeable discovery of 5 new sites. In addition, the comparison of the 2017 productivity data with the environmental quality value, as indicated by the PM, proved the good predictive performances of the model: the most productive were also the most suitable. A potential progress is to extend its application to continental Italy in order to explore the areas of environmental suitability of lanner falcon across the whole Italian species range. PM could be a valuable tool for monitoring the Italian population, defining attention areas of Lanner and concrete conservation actions in the view of global change