Simple treatment for torus fractures of the distal radius.

Torus (buckle) fractures of the distal radius are common in childhood. Based on the results of a postal questionnaire and a prospective, randomised trial, we describe a simple treatment for this injury, which saves both time and money. Over a six-month period, we randomised 201 consecutive patients with this injury to treatment with either a traditional forearm plaster-of-Paris cast or a 'Futura-type' wrist splint. All patients were treated for a period of three weeks, followed by clinical and radiological review. There was no difference in outcome between the two groups, and all patients had a good result. Only one patient did not tolerate the splint which was replaced by a cast. The questionnaire showed a marked variation in the way in which these injuries are treated with regard to the method and period of immobilisation, the number of follow-up visits and radiographs taken. We suggest that a 'Futura-type' wrist splint can be used to treat these fractures. The patient should be reviewed on the following day to confirm the diagnosis and to give appropriate advice. There is no evidence that further follow-up is required. This simple treatment has major benefits in terms of cost and reduction of the number of attendances.

Central fractures of the acetabulum: a critical analysis and review of literature.

Central fracture of the acetabulum is an uncommon traumatic lesion of the pelvis that is usually best managed by conservative measures. Adequate roentgenographic evaluation and closed manipulation followed by skeletal traction is essential to attain and maintain congruity of the weight-bearing dome with the femoral head. Reduction should be maintained with traction continued uninterrupted for three months. Open reduction and internal fixation may be warranted if the actabular dome elements are of sufficient size for reconstruction of the pelvic wall. An early exercise program will improve and, as a rule, restore the range of hip joint motion. Protected weight-bearing may safely begin approximately three to four months post-injury.

Acetabular disruption and central fracture-dislocation of the hip. A long-term study.

Displaced acetabular fractures are serious injuries often resulting in permanent disability. Fifty-five patients with fifty-six such injuries seen at the Campbell Clinic between 1927 and 1970 had either central dislocation with or without fracture of the weightbearing dome, or acetabular disruption usually associated with posterior displacement of the hip. After an average follow-up of 8.6 years, 56 per cent of those treated without surgery had good or satisfactory results compared with 54 per cent good or satisfactory results in those treated surgically. Patients with displaced fractures of the acetabular dome not reduced by manipulation and traction should be considered candidates for open reduction.

Microspectrophotometry of rhodopsin and metarhodopsin in the moth Galleria.

Fresh, frozen sections of the photoreceptor layer of the compound eye of the moth Galleria have been examined by microspectrophotometry, using 4 times 8 mum measuring beams that sampled from approximately two to four rhabdoms. The principal visual pigment absorbs maximally at 510 nm (P510), and on irradiation is converted to a thermally stable, pH-insensitive metarhodopsin with lambda max at 484 nm (M484) and a 43% increase in molar extinction coefficient. Subsequently, short wavelength irradiation of the metarhodopsin photoregenerates some P510, but the absence of an isosbestic point the cycle of spectral changes is consistent with the presence of smaller amounts of violet-or ultraviolet-sensitive visual pigment(s) that also are converted to a blue-absorbing metarhodopsin. Difference spectra for both P510 and M484 were measured, using hydroxylamine. The 484-nm metarhodopsin is reversibly converted to a form with lambda max at 363 nm by high concentrations of glycerol. Dark regeneration of rhodopsin in vivo after several minutes exposure of thoroughly dark-adapted animals to full sunlight requires several days.

Photoreceptors in primitive chordates: fine structure, hyperpolarizing receptor potentials, and evolution.

Two species of primitive chordates have hyperpolarizing photoreceptor potentials, as vertebrates do. In Salpa the photoreceptive membrane is composed of microvilli, whereas in Amaroucium it is modified from cilia. There appears to be no functional correlation between fine structure of photoreceptive membrane and polarity of response to light.