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The fundamental goal of a rare plant translocation is to create self-sustaining populations with the evolutionary resilience to persist in the long term. Yet, most plant translocation syntheses focus on a few factors influencing short-term benchmarks of success (e.g., survival and reproduction). Short-term benchmarks can be misleading when trying to infer future growth and viability because the factors that promote establishment may differ from those required for long-term persistence. We assembled a large (n = 275) and broadly representative data set of well-documented and monitored (7.9 years on average) at-risk plant translocations to identify the most important site attributes, management techniques, and species' traits for six life-cycle benchmarks and population metrics of translocation success. We used the random forest algorithm to quantify the relative importance of 29 predictor variables for each metric of success. Drivers of translocation outcomes varied across time frames and success metrics. Management techniques had the greatest relative influence on the attainment of life-cycle benchmarks and short-term population trends, whereas site attributes and species' traits were more important for population persistence and long-term trends. Specifically, large founder sizes increased the potential for reproduction and recruitment into the next generation, whereas declining habitat quality and the outplanting of species with low seed production led to increased extinction risks and a reduction in potential reproductive output in the long-term, respectively. We also detected novel interactions between some of the most important drivers, such as an increased probability of next-generation recruitment in species with greater seed production rates, but only when coupled with large founder sizes. Because most significant barriers to plant translocation success can be overcome by improving techniques or resolving site-level issues through early intervention and management, we suggest that by combining long-term monitoring with adaptive management, translocation programs can enhance the prospects of achieving long-term success.

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is an ultra-rare genetic disorder that leads to heterotopic ossification (HO), resulting in progressive restriction of physical function. In this study, low-dose, whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) were evaluated to determine the preferred method for assessing total body burden of HO in patients with FOP. This was a non-interventional, two-part natural history study in patients with FOP (NCT02322255; date of registration: December 2014). In Part A (described here), WBCT and DXA scans were individually assessed for HO presence and severity across 15 anatomical regions. All images were independently reviewed by an expert imaging panel. Ten adult patients were enrolled across four sites. The sensitivity to HO presence and severity varied considerably between the two imaging modalities, with WBCT demonstrating HO in more body regions than DXA (76/138 [55%] versus 47/113 [42%]) evaluable regions). Inability to evaluate HO presence, due to overlapping body regions (positional ambiguity), occurred less frequently by WBCT than by DXA (mean number of non-evaluable regions per scan 1.2 [standard deviation: 1.5] versus 2.4 [1.4]). Based on the increased sensitivity and decreased positional ambiguity of low-dose WBCT versus DXA in measuring HO in patients with FOP, low-dose WBCT was chosen as the preferred imaging for measuring HO. Therefore, low-dose WBCT was carried forward to Part B of the natural history study, which evaluated disease progression over 36 months in a larger population of patients with FOP.

BACKGROUND: One-third of US adults are bothered by excessive sweating, approximately 5% are diagnosed with hyperhidrosis. A topical patch using targeted alkali thermolysis (TAT) was developed for treatment of this condition. OBJECTIVE: This study was intended to assess the efficacy and safety of the TAT-Patch for axillary sweat reduction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized, multicenter, double-blind, sham-controlled, pivotal trial enrolled 120 subjects to a bilateral axillary treatment with a TAT patch (63 subjects) or sham patch (57 subjects). RESULTS: The primary end point was achieved; 64% of TAT-treated versus 44% of sham-treated subjects (p =.0332) improved from Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS) 3/4 to HDDS 1/2 at 4 weeks. Targeted alkali thermolysis treatment also showed a statistically significant improvement over sham treatment for all secondary end points, including gravimetric sweat production and subject-reported quality-of-life (QoL) assessments. The duration of effect is approximately 3 months, determined by the time to return to baseline HDSS. Mild-to-moderate treatment-site adverse events (AEs) were reported in 22% of TAT patch subjects. No serious or severe AEs were reported. CONCLUSION: HDSS, GSP, and QoL findings confirm clinically meaningful sweat reduction and a significant improvement in quality of life following a single TAT patch treatment. This device has potential to offer a new, noninvasive treatment option that is well tolerated with minimal downtime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION While only 15-20% of patients with foot and ankle injuries presenting to urgent care centers have clinically significant fractures, most undergo radiography. We examined the impact of electronic point-of-care clinical decision support (CDS) on adherence to the Ottawa Ankle Rules (OAR) as well as use and yield of foot and ankle radiographs in patients with acute ankle injury. METHODSInstitutional Review Board approval was obtained for this randomized controlled study performed April 18, 2012 through December 15, 2013.  All ordering providers credentialed at an urgent care affiliated with a quaternary care academic hospital were randomized to either receive or not receive CDS, based on the OAR and integrated into the physician order entry system, with feedback at the time of imaging order. If the patient met OAR low-risk criteria, providers were advised against imaging and could either cancel the order or ignore the alert. Patients with foot and ankle complaints were identified via ICD-9 billing codes and electronic health records and radiology reports reviewed for those who were eligible. Chi-square was used to compare adherence to the OAR (primary outcome), radiography utilization rate and radiography yield of foot and ankle imaging (secondary outcomes) between the intervention and control groups. RESULTSOf 14,642 patients seen at urgent care during the study period, 613 (4.2%, representing 632 visits) presented with acute ankle injury and were eligible for application of the OAR; 374 (59.2%) of these were seen by control group providers. In the intervention group, CDS adherence was higher for both ankle (239/258=92.6% vs. 231/374=61.8%, p=0.02) and foot radiography (209/258=81.0% vs. 238/374=63.6%; p