Weight-Bearing and Mobilization in the Postoperative Care of Ankle Fractures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials and Cohort Studies

PurposeTo determine the effectiveness and safety of interventions used for rehabilitation after open reduction and internal fixation of ankle fractures.MethodsA systematic review and meta-analysis was performed using both randomized trials and cohort studies. The effect of mobilization, weight-bearing, and unprotected weight-bearing as tolerated on postoperative recovery was compared using the Olerud Molander score, return to work/daily activities, and the rate of complications.ResultsA total of 25 articles were included. Ankle exercises resulted in earlier return to work and/or daily activities compared to immobilization (mean difference (MD) -20.76 days; 95% confidence interval (CI) -40.02 to -1.50). There was no difference in the rate of complications between exercises and immobilization (risk ratio (RR) 1.22; 95% CI 0.60 to 2.45) or between early and late weight-bearing (RR 1.26; 95%CI 0.56 to 2.85).InterpretationResults of this meta-analysis show that following ankle surgery, 1) active exercises accelerate return to work and daily activities compared to immobilization, 2) early weight-bearing tends to accelerate return to work and daily activities compared to late weight-bearing. Active exercises in combination with immediate weight-bearing may be a safe option.     

Symbiosis-related pea genes modulate fungal and plant gene expression during the arbuscule stage of mycorrhiza with Glomus intraradices

The arbuscular mycorrhiza association results from a successful interaction between genomes of the plant and fungal symbiotic partners. In this study, we analyzed the effect of inactivation of late-stage symbiosis-related pea genes on symbiosis-associated fungal and plant molecular responses in order to gain insight into their role in the functional mycorrhizal association. The expression of a subset of ten fungal and eight plant genes, previously reported to be activated during mycorrhiza development, was compared in Glomus intraradices-inoculated wild-type and isogenic genotypes of pea mutated for the PsSym36, PsSym33, and PsSym40 genes where arbuscule formation is inhibited or fungal turnover modulated, respectively. Microdissection was used to corroborate arbuscule-related fungal gene expression. Molecular responses varied between pea genotypes and with fungal development. Most of the fungal genes were downregulated when arbuscule formation was defective, and several were upregulated with more rapid fungal development. Some of the plant genes were also affected by inactivation of the PsSym36, PsSym33, and PsSym40 loci, but in a more time-dependent way during root colonization by G. intraradices. Results indicate a role of the late-stage symbiosis-related pea genes not only in mycorrhiza development but also in the symbiotic functioning of arbuscule-containing cells.     

Phytoplankton community dynamics of two adjacent Dutch lakes in response to seasons and eutrophication control unravelled by non-supervised artificial neural networks

Long-term time-series of the eutrophic Dutch lakes Veluwemeer and Wolderwijd were subject to ordination and clustering by means of non-supervised artificial neural networks (ANN). A combination of bottom-up and top-down eutrophication control measures has been implemented in both lakes since 1979. Dividing time-series data from 1976 to 1993 into three distinctive management periods has facilitated a comparative analysis of the two lakes regarding both the seasonal and long-term dynamics in response to eutrophication control. Results of the study have demonstrated that non-supervised ANN are an alternative technique: (1) to elucidate causal relationships of complex ecological processes, and (2) to reveal long-term behaviours of ecosystems in response to different management approaches. It has been shown that external nutrient control combined with food web manipulation have turned both lakes from nitrogen to phosphorus limitation, and from blue-green algae to diatom and green algae dominance.     

Calmodulin-stimulated cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase from Neurosproa crassa

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase has been partially purified by calmodulin-Sepharose affinity chromatography from a soluble extract of Neurospora crassa. The phosphodiesterase activity remained bound to the affinity column even in the presence of 6 M urea and could only be eluted by calcium chelation. The enzyme exhibits cAMP and cGMP phosphodiesterase activities. Both activities can be enhanced by calmodulin in a Ca²⁺-dependent manner. Stimulation of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase by calmodulin can be inhibited by calmodulin antagonists such as pimozide, trifluoperazine and chlorpromazine.     

A multigene phylogeny demonstrates that Tuber aestivum and Tuber uncinatum are conspecific

For almost 2 centuries it has been disputed whether Tuber aestivum and Tuber uncinatum constitute two different species of truffles. Molecular markers have been applied previously to contribute to resolving this question, coming to different conclusions. In this study, we address this question by analyzing the genetic structure of truffles assigned to either of the two putative species from a geographically broad sampling across Europe. We used an approach involving multigene phylogenies and coalescent analyses of nine regions from five genes. All tests conducted supported the conspecificity of Tuber aestivum and Tuber uncinatum.