In addition, the SAW also facilitates other microfluidic capabili

In addition, the SAW also facilitates other microfluidic capabilities. For example, capillary waves excited at the free surface of a sessile drop by the SAW underneath it PLX4032 can be exploited for micro/nanoparticle collection and sorting at nodal points or lines at low powers. At higher powers, the large accelerations off the substrate surface as the SAW propagates across drives rapid destabilization of the drop free

surface giving rise to inertial liquid jets that persist over 1-2 cm in length or atomization of the entire drop to produce 1-10 mu m monodispersed aerosol droplets, which can be exploited for ink-jet printing, mass spectrometry interfacing, or pulmonary drug delivery. The atomization of polymer/protein solutions can also be used for the rapid synthesis of 150-200 nm polymer/protein particles

or biodegradable polymeric shells in which proteins, peptides, and other therapeutic molecules are encapsulated within for controlled release drug delivery. The atomization of thin films behind a translating drop containing polymer solutions Vorinostat supplier also gives rise to long-range spatial ordering of regular polymer spots whose size and spacing are dependent on the SAW frequency, thus offering a simple and powerful method for polymer patterning without requiring surface treatment or physical/chemical templating.”
“Folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism (FOCM) is associated with risk for numerous pathological states including birth defects, cancers, and chronic diseases. Although the enzymes that constitute the biological pathways have been well described and their interdependency through the shared use of folate cofactors appreciated, the biological mechanisms underlying disease etiologies remain elusive. The FOCM network is highly sensitive to nutritional status of several B-vitamins and numerous penetrant gene variants that alter network outputs, but current

computational approaches do not fully capture the dynamics and stochastic noise of the system. Combining the stochastic approach with a rule-based Buparlisib cost representation will help model the intrinsic noise displayed by FOCM, address the limited flexibility of standard simulation methods for coarse-graining the FOCM-associated biochemical processes, and manage the combinatorial complexity emerging from reactions within FOCM that would otherwise be intractable. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2013, 5:343365. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1209 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.”
“Idiopathic Confetti-like leukoderma in a young Indian is illustrated, emphasizing its cardinal clinical features and histopathological findings, and its differential diagnosis is briefly outlined for instant glance.”
“Documentation of inducible myocardial ischaemia, related to the coronary stenosis of interest, is of increasing importance in lesion selection for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

I then

I then GW4869 use some rough and ready data from the world’s poorest countries and regions to show that during the period 1970-2000 wealth per capita declined in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, even though the Human Development Index (HDI) showed an improvement everywhere and GDP per capita increased in all places (except in sub-Saharan Africa, where there was a slight decline). I conclude that, as none of the development indicators currently in use is able to reveal whether development has been, or is expected to be, sustainable, national statistical offices and

international organizations should now routinely estimate the (comprehensive) wealth of nations.”
“BACKGROUND: Infection is a significant source of morbidity and

mortality after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. Newer generation continuous-flow (CF) LVADs are smaller, requiring smaller pump pockets and drive-line exit sites as compared with pulsatile-flow (PF) devices. With their recent adoption, CF device patients benefit from improved provider experience in the detection and treatment of infectious complications. Given these advances in design and experience, we examined the incidence of infectious complications in patients receiving CF and PF devices.

METHODS: We reviewed patients who received CF or PF LVADs (June 2000 to May 2009) at our institution. Incidences and timing of systemic infections (bacteremia, sepsis, severe sepsis, this website BX-795 ic50 septic shock), device-associated infections (drive-line, LVAD pocket, sternal wound) and non device-associated infections (catheter-related bloodstream, pneumonia, urinary tract) were compared between devices. Primary outcomes were sepsis, severe sepsis, a composite of drive-line and LVAD pocket infection,. and catheter-related bloodstream infection.

RESULTS: Of 133 LVADs, 86 were CF. CF patients had lower pre-operative risk,

More recent device implantation, and longer LVAD support time. Device type was highly correlated with reduced infections; however, on multivariate analysis, implantation date appeared to drive this association. Kaplan-Meier estimates of freedom from all primary outcomes were improved with more recent implantation (p < 0.05). On multivariate analysis, implantation date was predictive of all primary outcomes except severe sepsis, for which advanced age and worse Seattle Heart Failure Model score were predictive.

CONCLUSION: In this institutional review of post-LVAD infections, a decrease in infectious complications in CF patients was likely related to increased provider experience associated with a more recent date of implantation. J Heart Lung Transplant 2011;30:164-74 (C) 2011 International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. All rights reserved.

The patient

The patient INCB028050 price caused an automobile accident and was brought to our hospital in an ambulance. A computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging revealed no fresh lesions, but showed a prominent serpentine structure with calcification and flow void in the region of the interhemispheric fissure, which was suspicious for arteriovenous malformation or arteriovenous fistula. Cerebral angiography demonstrated extensive dilatation of the anterior cerebral artery, but no evidence of arteriovenous malformation or arteriovenous fistula. Single photon emission computed tomography revealed hypoperfusion of the right

frontal lobe at rest. Electroencephalography showed no epileptic discharge. The patient’s course was uneventful, and she was discharged with no neurologic deficit. There are few reports of hemodynamic changes in cases of dolichoectasia. In the diagnosis of cerebral dolichoectasia, cerebral hemodynamics should be examined GSK1838705A order carefully in addition to evaluating vascular disease by angiography.”
“Objectives:

To develop and to evaluate a questionnaire of self-perception and self-care habits on oral health on a first level population.

Methods: A descriptive, observational study was performed to validate a questionnaire on oral health self-perception (UISESS-B). After non-probabilistic sampling, 94 users, 30-59 years of age, with either diabetes mellitus 2, hypertension or obesity were included. Duration of disease was lesser than 10 years. Pearson’s r, Cornbach’s alpha, factorial analysis, chi-square and Snedecor’s F tests were employed.

Results: A Pearson’s r of 0.7 and Cronbach’s

alpha of 0.8282 was observed on the pre-post values of the Selleck GSK2245840 global questionnaire. In the factorial analysis, the variance explained more than 60% for a first factor. A punctuation of very high risk for the three groups with the scale UISESSS-B that coincides with the index CPO-D and the index UISESS-F was observed.

Conclusions: The UISESS-B scale shows significant validity and reliability, suggggesting its use as a sensitive instrument for the measurement of oral health in people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity.”
“Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) following cerebral aneurysm rupture is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Surviving SAH patients often suffer from neurological impairment, yet little is currently known regarding the influence of subarachnoid blood on brain parenchyma. The objective of the present study was to examine the impact of subarachnoid blood on glial cells using a rabbit SAH model. The astrocyte-specific proteins, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and S100B, were up-regulated in brainstem from SAH model rabbits, consistent with the development of reactive astrogliosis. In addition to reactive astrogliosis, cytosolic expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine, high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) was increased in brain from SAH animals.


“Heart rate variability (HRV) has been used as a reliable


“Heart rate variability (HRV) has been used as a reliable method to detect cardiac autonomic

nervous system activity. Peak oxygen uptake (VO(2) peak) has been a predictor of death for adults with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). This study investigated the correlation between HRV and exercise capacity in 30 patients with TOF after surgery for total correction. The median age of the patients was 14 years (range, 9-25 years), and the median follow-up period was 11.6 months (range, 5.3-20.2 months). Low- and high-frequency-domain HRV significantly correlated with VO(2) peak (r = 0.56, P = 0.001 and r = 0.44, P = 0.02, respectively). After the 1-year follow-up evaluation, VO(2) peak and HRV analysis did not differ from those at entry to the study. However, low- and high-frequency-domain HRV still correlated significantly with VO(2) peak (r = 0.43, P = 0.03 and r = 0.52, SRT2104 P = 0.007, respectively). Left ventricular early diastolic myocardial velocity was most closely correlated with the VO(2) peak (r = 0.51, P = 0.005). Impaired cardiovascular autonomic control and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction may be responsible for exercise intolerance in patients with repaired TOF. Long-term follow-up evaluation with exercise testing and 24-h Holter monitoring are warranted.”
“Background Rapid treatment

of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) is important; KPT-8602 mouse causes of delay in emergency medical services

care of ACS are poorly understood.

Methods and Results We performed an analysis of data from IMMEDIATE (Immediate Myocardial Metabolic Enhancement during Initial Assessment and Treatment in Emergency Care), a randomized controlled trial of emergency medical C59 Wnt services treatment of people with symptoms suggesting ACS, using hierarchical multiple regression of elapsed time. Out-of-hospital ECGs were performed on 54 230 adults calling 9-1-1; 871 had presumed ACS, 303 of whom had ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and underwent percutaneous coronary intervention. Women, participants with diabetes mellitus, and participants without previous cardiovascular disease waited longer to call 9-1-1 (by 28 minutes, P<0.01; 10 minutes, P=0.03; and 6 minutes, P=0.02, respectively), compared with their counterparts. Time from emergency medical services arrival to ECG was longer for women (1.5 minutes; P<0.01), older individuals (1.3 minutes; P<0.01), and those without a primary complaint of chest pain (3.5 minutes; P<0.01). On-scene times were longer for women (2 minutes; P<0.01) and older individuals (2 minutes; P<0.01). Older individuals and participants presenting on weekends and nights had longer door-to-balloon times (by 10, 14, and 11 minutes, respectively; P<0.01).

Of 12 studies comparing GBBIR with CSII, six found improved

Of 12 studies comparing GBBIR with CSII, six found improved

glycemic control with CSII and six found no significant difference. These studies were often limited by small numbers of subjects and other study design parameters.

Methods: Saracatinib We reviewed hemoglobin (Hb) A1c data for youths with type 1 diabetes (n = 43) changing from conventional split mix insulin regimens (CSMIR) to GBBIR and subsequently to CSII at 3, 6 and 12 months after each transition. All subjects had a diabetes duration of at least 1 year before initiating GBBIR.

Results : HbA1c levels at 3 months, 6 months and 1 year were not significantly different for GBBIR and CSII regimens. HbA1c increased significantly during GBBIR (p = 0.036) and marginally during CSII (p = Selleckchem LY2606368 0.058) when 3-month and 1-year values were compared.

Conclusions : We found no significant difference in glycemic control, as reflected by HbA1c, in youths with type 1 diabetes treated with GBBIR and CSII for up to 1 year. Blood sugar control waned by 12 months in both the GBBIR (p = 0.036) and CSII (p = 0.058) groups,

which suggests that “”burn out”" qually affects those on each regimen. Additional investigation of glycemic variability and quality of life for those on GBBIR and CSII would be clinically relevant.”
“Severe liver disease in ASP2215 pregnancy is generally considered to have a favorable prognosis. The limited data available have not yielded disease-specific prognostic criteria or guidance on who should undergo liver transplantation (LT). We retrospectively evaluated 54 admissions with pregnancy-related liver disease to (1) evaluate if any admission parameters were associated with death and/or transplantation and (2) identify maternal complications. Eighteen had acute fatty liver of pregnancy and 32 had hypertension/eclampsia related disease. Seven patients (13%) died

and four (7%) underwent LT. Survival rates were 43/48 if not listed for LT and 4/6 if listed. Of the four transplanted, three survived. Patients who died and/or underwent LT were more likely to have encephalopathy (p = 0.04) and hyperlactaemia (p = 0.03). Serum lactate was the best discriminant (ROC AUC 0.84). An admission lactate greater than 2.8mg/dL had 73% sensitivity and 75% specificity for predicting death or LT. The addition of encephalopathy to this parameter increased sensitivity and specificity to 90% and 86%, respectively. The King’s College criteria were not effective in predicting outcome. This study confirms the overall favorable prognosis in pregnancy-related liver failure but indicates that elevated lactate levels in the presence of encephalopathy best identify patients at greatest risk of death or LT.

24) and the disagreement was asymmetric (Bowker’s test of symmetr

24) and the disagreement was asymmetric (Bowker’s test of symmetry P < 0.0001) with clinicians more often rating more abnormal morphologic categories. Agreement on axial location of the herniation was excellent (kappa = 0.81). There was disagreement between left SN-38 research buy or right side in only 3.3% of cases (kappa = 0.93).

Conclusion. Radiology reports frequently fail to provide sufficient detail to describe disc herniation morphology. Agreement between MRI readings by clinical spine specialists and radiologists was excellent when

comparing herniation vertebral level and location within level, but only fair comparing herniation morphology.”
“The present study was designed to estimate the effect of aqueous extract of licorice on metiram toxicity in mice. Treating mice with metiram at a dose level of [1/2] LD50 daily for 3 weeks check details induced many histological changes in the kidney cortex. The renal tubules lost their characteristic appearance and their lining epithelial cells were degenerated. The glomeruli were atrophied

and the renal blood vessels were congested. The intertubular spaces infiltrated by inflammatory leukocytic cells. Metiram caused an increase in proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in nuclei of tubular epithelial cells. Metiram also caused marked elevation in serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen. Treating animals with metiram and licorice aqueous extract led to an improvement, in both biochemical and histopathological alterations. These results proved

that licorice had an ameliorative effect against kidney injury induced by metiram and this effect may be attributed to its antioxidant activity. (c) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2013.”
“P>More children die of congenital heart disease (CHD) in low-income countries and acquired cardiac disease is more frequent. Advances in diagnosis, surgery, perfusion and anesthesia in the developed world have had dramatic results on children’s lives, and many forms of CHD can now be safely corrected or palliated. However, in developing countries, for the children who receive cardiac surgery, perioperative mortality and morbidity remain high. Pediatric cardiac anesthesia is learn more a specialty in its infancy worldwide, and in developing countries, it is often nonexistent. Visiting ‘specialists’ as part of medical mission teams often provides anesthesia, but the hope for the future is that local staff will be trained in pediatric cardiac anesthesia and collaborative regional cardiac centers will be the mainstay of care, offering safer surgery to more children.”
“Study Design. Prospective longitudinal study, mean follow-up period; 11.7 +/- 0.8 years was conducted from 1995 to 2007.

Objective. To clarify normal aging process of cervical spine and correlation between progression of disc degeneration and development of clinical symptoms.

Summary of Background Data. Aging of the cervical spine can inevitably occur in anyone.

Large grating period leads to higher-order coupled modes in the v

Large grating period leads to higher-order coupled modes in the visible. This contributes to the “”family”" of the MPC fabrication techniques and lowers significantly the rigorous requirements on fabrication method of the large-area nanoscale MPCs. (c) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3647767]“
“The present study was aimed to investigate perinatal outcome of elderly nulliparous patients.

A retrospective study was performed

comparing pregnancy outcomes of nulliparous patients XMU-MP-1 at three age groups: less than 35 years (reference group), 35-40 years, and above 40 years. The linear-by-linear association test was used to examine linear association between advanced maternal age and adverse pregnancy outcomes. A multiple logistic regression

model was used to control for confounders.

Out of 45,033 nulliparous women with singleton gestations, 1,036 were of women over the age of 35, and 188 over 40. A significant linear association was documented between advanced maternal age and adverse outcomes, such as intra uterine growth restriction, low birth weight, congenital malformations, and perinatal mortality. Using a multiple logistic Alvocidib mw regression model, controlling for gestational age, IUGR and malformations, advanced maternal age was not found to be an independent risk factor for perinatal mortality (adjusted odds ratio = 1.04, 95% confidence interval 0.7-1.4).

A significant linear association exists between advanced maternal age and adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. Nevertheless, in our population, advanced maternal age is not an independent risk factor for perinatal mortality.”
“In this study, ethylenevinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer was melt-mixed with multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT). To realize full-scale application of MWCNT to the polymer industries, the effect of melt-processing parameters on the surface resistivity in the polymer/MWCNT nanocomposites should be well-understood. The effect of mixing time, rotor speed, compression molding time, and temperature on the surface resistivity was investigated. Increasing the rotor

speed and longer mixing time lead to an improvement of dispersion of MWCNT in polymer matrix, resulting in a decrease of surface resistivity. The surface Nirogacestat mw resistivity of EVA/MWCNT nanocomposites is also sensitive to the press temperature and time. However, the dominant processing parameters to affect surface resistivity depend on the amount of MWCNT. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012″
“We have investigated the growth mechanism and surface structure of magnetite (Fe3O4) films grown on semiconducting ZnO substrates. Growth proceeds in a wetting layer plus island-mode and a later coalescence of islands, as was verified by electron diffraction, topography measurements of the surface, and the investigation of the microstructure.

The results are suggestive of possible link between absence of GS

The results are suggestive of possible link between absence of GSTM1 gene and telomere length alterations.”
“Background: Recent studies have demonstrated that insulin-like growth factor II mRNA-binding protein 3 (IMP3) is expressed in malignant tumors of various organs but not in normal tissue. We investigated IMP3 expression in various buy Ulixertinib benign lesions, premalignant lesions and carcinomas of the stomach. Methods: IMP3 immunohistochemical staining was performed on 24 benign gastric lesions, 24 gastric adenomas, and 322 gastric carcinomas. Results: IMP3 was not expressed in benign gastric lesions including adenomas with low-grade

dysplasia, but was expressed in 17% of adenomas with high-grade dysplasia, and in 44% of carcinomas. As the carcinomas were in the advanced stage, they expressed IMP3 more frequently and strongly. Patients with IMP3-positive tumors had poorer survival https://www.selleckchem.com/products/gm6001.html than those with negative tumors. Conclusions: IMP3 expression in gastric carcinoma may be related to tumor invasion and metastasis, and is an independent risk factor for poor prognosis.”
“Objective: Low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation

(rTMS) is emerging as a therapeutic tool in epilepsy. In recent years, several open-label trials have shown an encouraging reduction in seizure frequency in patients with epilepsy. However, the data from controlled trials are mixed with respect to antiepileptic rTMS efficacy, and the field would benefit from further

carefully controlled trials. Prior to initiating new trials, it is important assess the magnitude of the placebo Selleck GS-7977 effect of presently used sham rTMS methods.

Methods: We systematically analyzed individual subject data from three placebo-controlled trials and measured the placebo effect at follow-up intervals of 2, 4, and 8 weeks after sham rTMS treatment. Given the relatively small subgroup sample size, placebo condition data were pooled for analysis.

Results: Three methods for sham rTMS were employed in the reviewed studies: (1) coil positioning orthogonal to the scalp, (2) a spring-loaded sham coil, and (3) a double active-sham coil. The placebo response overall was consistently low across follow-up intervals, both for median change in seizure frequency (Kruskal-Wallis, P > 0.4, df=2) and for responder (defined as >= 50% seizure frequency reduction) rate (Fisher’s exact rest, P > 0.9, df = 2). The aggregate effect of the placebo condition was a 0-2% median seizure reduction rate and a responder rate of 16-20%.

Conclusion: We anticipate that these data will contribute to future power analysis as well as selection and design of sham rTMS methods for controlled rTMS trials. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“Colonoscopy is recommended for persons with a familial risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). A familial risk is identified by a family history with CRC and/or predisposing mutation(s).

?Clin Transplant 2011 DOI: 10 1111/j 1399-0012 2011 01530 x (C) 2

?Clin Transplant 2011 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-0012.2011.01530.x (C) 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Background: Post-reperfusion syndrome (PRS) during isolated intestinal transplantation selleck chemicals (ITx) is characterized by decreased systemic blood pressure, systemic vascular resistance, and cardiac output and by a moderate increased pulmonary arterial pressure. We hypothesize that the more severe PRS causes a poorer long-term outcome. The primary aim of this study was to determine the independent clinical predictors of intra-operative PRS, as well as to investigate the link between the severity of PRS and the intra-operative profiles and to examine the post-operative complications

and their relationship with transplant outcome. Methods: This observational study was conducted on 27 patients undergoing isolated ITx in a single adult liver and multivisceral transplantation center. PRS was considered when the mean arterial blood pressure was 30% lower than the pre-unclamping value and lasted for at least one min within 10 min after unclamping. Results and conclusions: The main results of this study can be summarized in two findings: in patients undergoing ITx, the duration of

cold ischemia and the pre-operative glomerular filtration Pevonedistat clinical trial rate were independent predictors of PRS and the occurrence of intra-operative PRS was associated with significantly more frequent post-operative renal failure and early post-operative death.”
“Nanoporous BaTiO3 particles with an average diameter of 27 nm have been synthesized using a soft template based on poloxamer. The pore width has been found to be similar to 10 nm. The nanoporous particles have a surface area of 107 m(2)gm(-1). This introduces a large surface

area leading to the creation of a large number of oxygen vacancies. The latter contributes to the ferromagnetic behavior of the nanoparticles. A multiferroic property was exhibited by these particles. GSK1210151A solubility dmso The oxygen vacancy concentration decreased as the BaTiO3 particle size increased. The magnetization decreased with an increase in the particle size. A magnetodielectric parameter of 11% has been observed in this system corresponding to an applied magnetic field of 10 kOe. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3641639]“
“Parents of children with tuberous sclerosis complex who underwent multistage resections for treatment of refractory seizures were offered a telephone questionnaire regarding quality of life (QOL) of child and family since surgery. Of 53 families, 39 responded. Age at epilepsy onset was birth to 3 months. Average duration of epilepsy before the first surgery was 5.1 years, and average age at surgery was 5.8. The average follow-up was 3.9. Seventy-seven percent had a > 90% reduction in disabling seizures. In all outcome categories, 46-85% had at least a moderate improvement in QOL There was a significant correlation between QOL variables and Engel outcome class.

Twenty

patients (eight males, age 46 5 +/- 12 5 years) di

Twenty

patients (eight males, age 46.5 +/- 12.5 years) diagnosed with AVNRT were randomized to receive CRYO (11) with a 6-mm-tip catheter or RF (nine) with a 4-mm-tip catheter. Patients’ pain perception and operator stress were assessed with a visual analogue scale (VAS) from 0 to 10 at the end of procedure.

Results: There was no selleck products significant difference in acute procedural success (CRYO 100% vs RF 89%, P = 0.257). There was no complication of permanent atrioventricular block in either group. The number of energy applications was significantly higher in the CRYO group (2.8 +/- 1.2 vs 1.6 +/- 0.9, P = 0.02). The fluoroscopic time was significantly reduced in the CRYO group (6.0 +/- 4.9 vs 10.9 +/- 5.4 minutes, P = 0.049) with no difference in procedure time (CRYO 49.3 +/- 12.5 vs RF 54.5 +/- 17.0 minutes, P = 0.462). Patients in the CRYO group experienced significantly less pain than patients in the RF group (VAS 2.3 +/- 2.8 vs 5.4 +/- 3.4, P = 0.024). The operator also experienced significantly less stress during CRYO than RF (VAS 1.9 +/- 0.8 vs 6.2 +/- 1.6, find protocol P < 0.001). There was no recurrence in both groups at 6-month follow-up.

Conclusions: CRYO, as compared with RF, produces less pain in patients and less stress in operator in the treatment of AVNRT. (PACE

2011; 2-7).”
“Study Design. A retrospective clinical study with a long-term follow-up in a single facility.

Objective. The purpose of this study is to compare bone union rate between autologous iliac crest bone graft and local bone graft in patients treated by posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) using carbon cage for single-level interbody

fusion.

Summary of Background Data. Recently, a number of authors have reported on local bone grafting using bone that is obtained from laminectomy, and have indicated that the achieved fusion rate is similar to that of autologous iliac bone grafting. However, there is no report comparing the fusion rates between autologous iliac bone and this website local bone graft with a detailed follow-up of fusion progression.

Methods. The subjects were 101 patients whose course could be observed for at least 2 years. The diagnosis was lumbar spinal canal stenosis in 14 patients, herniated lumbar disc in 19 patients, and degenerative spondylolisthesis in 68 patients. Single interbody PLIF was performed using iliac bone graft in 54 patients and local bone graft in 47 patients. Existence of pseudarthrosis on X-P (anteroposterior and lateral view) was investigated during the same follow-up period.

Results. No significant differences were found in operation time and blood loss. Significant differences were also not observed in fusion grade at any follow-up period or in fusion progression between the 2 groups. Donor site pain continued for more than 3 months in 6 cases (11%). The final fusion rate was 94.5% versus 95.8%.

Conclusion.