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Urban and agricultural land uses have the potential to severely compromise the quality of impoundments, if ineffectively managed and operated. A case in point is the upper uMngeni Catchment, including Midmar Dam, which is integral to the freshwater supply infrastructure in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Monitoring sites were established in varying land use types in three subcatchments of the upper uMngeni Catchment to assess water quality and ecosystem health impacts of current land uses. Conclusions about water quality were drawn using pairing of SASS5 and spot water quality data. Water quality and ecological condition were highest in commercial plantations and upstream of a high-density settlement where natural land cover and sparse settlement occurred. Although marked declines in water quality and ecological condition were observed under commercial agriculture. The most notable declines in water quality and ecological condition were observed downstream of the settlement with elevated nutrient loads. Shifts in aquatic biota were highly correlated with seasonal shifts in water quality, influenced markedly by land use. The cumulative effects of current land use activities, urban development and agriculture on Midmar Dam's water quality should be viewed with concern. Additional development in the form of additional social housing projects may exacerbate impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quality of life measures have neglected to include a critical self-assessment component in pediatric sarcoma patients. Our report shows how children rate their own quality of life and how that varies over time after surgery. Using the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument, quality of life data was prospectively collected and combined with a retrospective review of clinical parameters on 43 children with primary bone sarcoma, with an average followup of 3 years. Children reported good yet variable scores in five of the six domains. Lower scores were noted in the Sports/Physical Functioning domain, particularly in the first 12 months after surgery, with improvement seen up to 24 months after surgery. Tumor specific factors such as size larger than 8 cm and lower extremity location were negative predictors for Sports/Physical Functioning. The only demographic factor that predicted perceived quality of life scores was gender, with girls reporting lower scores in Sports/Physical Functioning, Pain/Comfort, and Global Functioning domains. The Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument gives discriminatory detailed textured evaluation of the outcome of children treated for skeletal sarcoma. Further development of quality of life measures is needed to allow its use in treatment selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bisphosphonates are the most clinically important class of antiresorptive agents available to treat diseases characterized by osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. Currently, seven bisphosphonates have the approval of the United States Food and Drug Administration. The most common adult diseases treated with bisphosphonates include osteoporosis, Paget disease, and metastatic bone disease. The treatment of pediatric disorders such as osteogenesis imperfecta and fibrous dysplasia with bisphosphonates has gained momentum, and initial investigations have demonstrated an acceptable safety profile. Currently, there is a lack of long-term follow-up data, which will be necessary for the development of responsible guidelines for therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pathologic proximal femur fractures result in substantial morbidity for patients with skeletal metastases. Surgical treatment is widely regarded as effective; however, failure rates associated with the most commonly used operative treatments are not well defined.Questions/purposes: We therefore compared surgical treatment failure rates among intramedullary nailing, endoprosthetic reconstruction, and open reduction-internal fixation when applied to impending or displaced pathologic proximal femur fractures.Patients and Methods: We retrospectively compared the clinical course of 298 patients who underwent intramedullary nailing (n = 82), endoprosthetic reconstruction (n = 197), or open reduction-internal fixation (n = 19) from 1993 to 2008. Primary outcome was treatment failure, which was defined as reoperation for any reason. Treatment groups were compared for differences in demographic and clinical parameters.Results: The number of treatment failures in the endoprosthetic reconstruction group (3.1%) was significantly lower than in the intramedullary nailing (6.1%) and open reduction-internal fixation (42.1%) groups. The number of revisions requiring implant exchange also was significantly lower for endoprosthetic reconstruction (0.5%), compared with intramedullary nailing (6.1%) and open reduction-internal fixation (42.1%).Conclusions: Endoprosthetic reconstruction is associated with fewer treatment failures and greater implant durability. Prospective studies are needed to determine the impact of operative strategy on function and quality of life.Level Of Evidence: Level III, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The increasing use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatment is paralleled by a growing demand for an evidence-based approach to CAM practice. In 2007, the Helfgott Research Institute at the National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM), in partnership with Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), both in Portland, OR, began a National Institutes of Health-funded initiative to increase the quality and quantity of evidence-based medicine (EBM) content in the curricula at NCNM. Design: One key strategy of the Research in Complementary and Alternative Medicine Program (R-CAMP) initiative was to create a faculty development program that included four components: intensive training in EBM; professional skills enhancement; peer and mentored support; and, ultimately, utilization of these skills to incorporate EBM into the curricula. This initiative is centered on a core group of faculty at NCNM, called the Vanguard Faculty, who receives early, intensive training in EBM and works to incorporate this training into classes. Training consists of an intensive, week-long course, monthly group meetings, and periodic individualized meetings. Vanguard Faculty members also receive mentorship and access to resources to pursue individualized faculty development, research or scholarly activities. Conclusions: Early evaluations indicate that this effort has been successful in increasing EBM content in the curricula at NCNM. This article describes the Vanguard Faculty program in an effort to share the successes and challenges of implementing a wide-ranging faculty development and curricular initiative at a complementary and alternative medicine institution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlabelled: Periprosthetic fractures after massive endoprosthetic reconstructions pose a reconstructive challenge and jeopardize limb preservation. Compressive osseointegration technology offers the promise of relative ease of prosthetic revision, since fixation is achieved by means of a short intramedullary device. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 221 patients who had Compress((R)) devices implanted in two centers between December, 1996 and December, 2008. The mean followup was 50 months (range, 1-123 months). Six patients (2.7%) sustained periprosthetic fractures and eight (3.6%) had nonperiprosthetic ipsilateral limb fractures occurring from 4 to 79 months postoperatively. All periprosthetic fractures occurred in patients with distal femoral implants (6/154, 3.9%). Surgery was performed in all six patients with periprosthetic femur fractures and for one with a nonperiprosthetic patellar fracture. The osseointegrated interface was radiographically stable in all 14 cases. All six patients with periprosthetic fracture underwent limb salvage procedures. Five patients had prosthetic revision; one patient who had internal fixation of the fracture ultimately underwent amputation for persistent infection. Periprosthetic fractures involving Compress((R)) fixation occur infrequently and most can be treated successfully with further surgery. When implant revision is needed, the bone preserved by virtue of using a shorter intramedullary Compress((R)) device as compared to conventional stems, allows for less complex surgery, making limb preservation more likely.Level Of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlabelled: Bone ingrowth promises more durable biologic fixation of megaprostheses. The relative performance of different types of fixation is unknown. We compared the fixation of two forms of biologically fixed femoral components: an intramedullary uncemented press-fit stem (UCS; Group 1, 50 patients) and a Compress((R)) uncemented fixation (CPS; Group 2, 41 patients). In Group 1, the overall Kaplan-Meier prosthetic survival rates were 85% at 5 and 71% at 10 years. Most failures were long-term developments. Aseptic loosening was the primary cause of failure. Stem diameters less than 13.5 mm and a diaphyseal/stem coefficient greater than 2.5 mm were associated with decreased prosthetic survival. In Group 2, the overall rate of CPS survival was 88% at 5 years. Failure of femoral fixation or fracture during the first year was the main reason for revision. Five-year survival rates were similar between the groups and we observed no difference in the functional success of the implants. We found no failures after 1-year followup in Group 2 (CPS). Any difference in prosthetic survival can only be proven by longer-term study or a randomized trial.Level Of Evidence: Level III, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We assessed our ability to achieve limb length equality (LLE) in children following limb-sparing surgery for distal femur osteogenic sarcoma using coaxial extendible prostheses in 12 children, averaging 11.6 years old at the time of tumor resection (range, 5.9-15.5 years). All but one child achieved clinical limb length equality. There were 23 extensions, averaging 3.8 extensions per patient (range, 1-5), by an average 13 mm per extension and an average total extension of 49.3 mm per patient extended. Eight children underwent revision surgery after an average of 45.1 months (range, 3-115 months). Aseptic loosening occurred more frequently among children with greater femoral diameter growth. The overall prosthetic survival was 60% at 3 years and 35% at 5 years. The survival until aseptic loosening at 3 and 5 years was 85% and 45%, respectively. Press-fit components survived longer than cemented stems. None of the devices loosened. At skeletal maturity the MSTS functional scores averaged 25. Using a coaxial extendible implant, we efficiently achieved LLE in this population. Prosthetic revision was needed frequently. Younger age and longer resection percentages were associated with shorter prosthetic survival and higher revision/aseptic loosening rates. Femoral diameter growth may contribute to loosening. Early experience with this extendible implant is promising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wetlands are increasingly exposed to human activities, resulting in degradation. As the wetland degrades, it loses functionality. In South Africa, wetlands can play an important water-regulating role. This study aims to establish the ecological condition of a historically utilised wetland on the Lions River floodplain in the uMngeni catchment, to provide a guide for the planning and implementation of rehabilitation interventions. A comprehensive assessment of the wetland's structure was undertaken in 2014, using vegetation and soil parameters, mapped and compared with changes in landuse on the wetland from historical aerial photographs. The study concluded that the wetland's ecological condition had declined, as a result of historical cultivation and commercial forestry. The wetland vegetation present is still generally aligned with the prevailing hydro-edaphic gradient and soil water regime; however, some areas of the wetland showed a mismatch in the soil water indicators and vegetation wetness indicators (the level of wetness based on vegetation being higher than that showed by the soil), suggesting localised drying out. A moderately high abundance of ruderal indigenous and invasive alien species in 61% of the wetland, particularly the drier areas of the wetland, contributed to the altered ecological condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlabelled: While low-grade juxtacortical and low-grade intramedullary osteogenic sarcomas are histologically indistinguishable, they have been studied as separate entities. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical, radiographic, histologic features and treatment of 59 patients treated surgically to compare the rate of local recurrence, grade progression, and survival between low-grade intramedullary and low-grade juxtacortical osteogenic sarcoma. Forty-five (76%) patients were treated for low-grade juxtacortical osteogenic sarcoma and 14 (24%) were treated for low-grade intramedullary osteogenic sarcoma. Local recurrence rates of 7% were similar for both groups studied. The rate of distant metastases was also similar for both groups. . The rate of dedifferentiation for the entire group was 29%. Dedifferentiated lesions were treated with adjuvant chemotherapy in 16 of 17 cases. Recurrence preceded dedifferentiation in four cases. Five-year survival was over 90% in both groups. Low-grade intramedullary and low-grade juxtacortical osteogenic sarcoma were clinically indistinguishable with identical rates of local recurrence, distant metastases, dedifferentiation, and survival.Level Of Evidence: Level III, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review to evaluate the evidence for the effect of breastfeeding on the risk of developing childhood leukemia. REVIEW METHODS: We sought studies providing data regarding the association of breastfeeding and occurrence of childhood leukemia. Studies were identified by using Medline, HHS Blueprint for Action on Breastfeeding, US Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, National Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, reference lists, and national experts. Methodologic quality was evaluated for each study by using criteria from the US Preventive Services Task Force and the National Health Service Centre for Reviews and Dissemination. RESULTS: We reviewed 111 citations to identify 32 potentially eligible full-text articles. Of the 10 studies reviewed, only 4 were sufficient to provide at least fair-quality evidence regarding the association between maternal breastfeeding and childhood leukemia. Studies conflicted regarding the protective effect of breastfeeding on childhood leukemia. In the 2 largest and highest quality studies, breastfeeding was associated with a significant risk reduction in one study with longer breastfeeding duration, reflecting greater protection, and a nonsignificant but suggestive difference in the other. Taken together, half of the studies associated breastfeeding with a lower risk of acute lymphocytic leukemia. CONCLUSIONS: There are few high-quality studies that examine the potential for a protective effect of breastfeeding for childhood leukemia. Furthermore, the few studies that exist disagree regarding the association. It is estimated that the United States spends 1.4 billion dollars annually on the treatment of childhood leukemia. Patients, clinicians, and policy makers do not have the data that they need to make decisions regarding this important potential preventive measure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

STUDY DESIGN.: Retrospective review plus 2 representative case reports. OBJECTIVE.: To evaluate the prevalence of scoliosis after extended hemipelvectomy (EH) and illustrate the problem's severity. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA.: No published series has analyzed this problem. Data are needed to decide the potential need for and timing of spine fusion in these patients. METHODS.: We treated 14 patients with EH over 10 years. Mean age was 47 years. Diagnoses included osteosarcoma (6); chondrosarcoma (4); metastatic cancer (2); and MFH and undifferentiated sarcoma (1 each). Operating time ranged from 7 to 15 hours, and mean estimated blood loss was 8 L. Patients were observed for scoliosis, functional results, and for oncological outcome (survival, disease progression). Two patients who became scoliotic after EH illustrate the problem: a 31-year-old man underwent EH for pelvic osteosarcoma and progressively developed a painful 44° scoliotic curve; and a 27-year-old woman who developed a 60° painful scoliotic curve and radiculopathy years after EH including L5-S1 disc disruption. RESULTS.: Of 12 patients, 8 died within 7 months of EH. Only 2 of 12 patients are long-term survivors free of disease (3 and 6 years after surgery), and 2 are alive with disease more than 1 year after surgery. In patients >1 year survival, 3 of 4 patients had curves greater than 20°. Of 10 evaluable patients, 2 developed a curve greater than 30° that warranted fusion. Four others had curves between 20° and 30°. Of these 6, 5 developed a sharp-angled lumbar curve with the concavity away from the operated side. Risk factors for symptomatic scoliosis after EH include disc disruption, paraspinal muscle/ligament resection, or facetectomies in ambulatory patients with a lengthy survival. CONCLUSION.: Primary spinal fixation should be avoided because of the high morbidity and early mortality of EH. Selected high-risk patients can be stabilized later if they develop painful instability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]