Germ-line transformation of the Mexican fruit fly.

Germ-line transformation of a major agricultural pest, the Mexican fruit fly (Anastrepha ludens Loew, Mexfly), was achieved using composite piggyBac transposable elements marked with green, yellow and red fluorescent proteins (CopGreen, PhiYFP and J-Red). We also investigated the possibility of generating transposon-free insertions, in order to address potential concerns relating to proposed field use of transgenic Mexfly. We describe a highly efficient method for transforming Mexfly, compare efficiency of piggyBac terminal sequences for transformation and also describe the derivation of a transposon-free insertion line. The development of an efficient transformation system for Mexfly holds great promise for improved applications of the sterile insect technique, a major component of the present control measures for this economically important pest species.

Bilateral spontaneous rupture of flexor digitorum profundus tendons.

Spontaneous tendon rupture is an unusual condition usually associated with underlying disease processes such as rheumatoid arthritis, chronic renal failure or bony abnormalities of the hand. We report a case of spontaneous, non-concurrent bilateral rupture of flexor profundus tendons in an otherwise healthy individual. Treatment was successful and consisted of a two-stage reconstruction of the ruptured tendon.

The use of calcium alginate dressings in deep hand burns.

Deep burns of the hand are a common serious surgical problem with major occupational and economic implications. Control of haemorrhage during excision and grafting is difficult and postoperative haematoma may reduce graft take. Following excision, important deep structures such as extensor tendons or joints may be exposed. Such tissues do not take free skin grafts satisfactorily. We have found calcium alginate dressings can be of immense help in minimizing these technical problems. We describe our experience in one patient; three other patients have been treated with equal success.

Facial fractures in Gaelic football and hurling.

A one year, retrospective, epidemiological study of all facial fractures, sustained whilst playing the GAA sports of football and hurling, treated in the Cork Regional Hospital was undertaken. The results have been analysed and compared to a similar study performed in this unit in 1975. Of 332 patients treated for facial fractures, 110 (33%) were injured whilst playing sport and 47% of these occurred when playing Gaelic football or hurling (52 injuries in all). Eighty per cent of Gaelic football and hurling patients required operative treatment. All surgery was performed under general anaesthetic. The numbers of hurling fractures have more than halved since 1975-76. This coincides with an increase in the numbers hurling, an increase in the use of protective headgear and vastly improved coaching. This study demonstrates that improved safety can be achieved without diluting sporting enjoyment.

Value of wearing head protection gear while playing hurling.

One of the three national games of Ireland, hurling is a contact team sport (15 a side) played with a metre long ash stick and a small hard leather ball. Over a 12 month period, 413 players were treated for hurling-related injuries at Cork Regional Hospital. While hand and facial trauma predominate, the proportion between the two sites has changed substantially from previous reports with a reduction in the level of facial injuries. The wearing of a helmet, and optionally a supplementary faceguard, is seen to have contributed to this trend. Despite this welcome reduction of facial injuries, a certain resistance to the use of protective headgear is evident, particularly among older players.

Severe dog-bite injuries, introducing the concept of pack attack: a literature review and seven case reports.

Attacks on humans by dogs acting as a pack, though uncommon, result in severe, sometimes fatal, injuries. We report seven cases of attacks by packs of dogs (five on children and two on elderly women) including one fatal case. The dangers of dogs acting as a pack are highlighted, particularly when confronted with an unaccompanied child or elderly female. The pattern of injuries and principles of treatment are discussed.

The horn flap: a curved V-Y advancement flap with lateral pedicle.

The Horn Flap, a curved V-Y advancement flap with a radially based subcutaneous pedicle, has proven to be a versatile, reliable method of reconstruction following excision of small facial lesions, particularly in the medial canthal area. Entry of the pedicle on the radial, or concave, side makes significant advancement possible.

Nail re-growth in fingertip injuries.

One hundred and fifty-five fingertip injuries were treated over a one-year period. Seventy-six patients with 90 fingertip injuries attended for follow-up. Sixty-four of these injuries were suitable for study. In ten cases, the nail was either trimmed and left in-situ, or cleaned and replaced (Group A). In the remaining 54 cases, the nail was either missing, or had been removed at operation (Group B). The two groups were compared in terms of nail re-growth and nail appearance, but no statistically significant difference was found. There was a direct correlation between final outcome and the degree of crush injury. We conclude that it is the severity of the original injury and the accuracy of the primary repair of the nailbed which are the main determinants of the outcome of a nailbed injury. Non-replacement of the nail did not appear to adversely affect nail re-growth and nail appearance.

Analysis of hurling and camogie injuries.

In 1984, 4500 people with sport injuries attended the Cork Regional Hospital. Of these, 817 were injured in the national game of hurling and camogie. Hand injuries were the most frequent occurring in approximately one third of injured players (33 per cent) and of these, just half had a closed metacarpal fracture. Facial injuries were the second most frequent category (28 per cent). Almost one third of these were nasal fractures, while forehead and eyebrow lacerations, fractured zygoma, loss of teeth are also common. Sport eye injuries referred to the Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital in Cork during the same period amounted to 107, of which 26 occurred in hurling. It is believed that a properly designed protective head gear would largely eliminate such facial and eye injuries.

An analysis of the pattern of facial injuries in a general accident department.

Over a period of one year 20 549 new patients attended an accident and emergency department. Of these patients, 15 555 were victims of accidents, including 875 who had sustained facial injuries. This latter group comprised 609 patients with soft tissue trauma and 266 with skeletal injury. The frequency, aetiology, age and sex distribution of the facial injuries were analysed and compared with other published statistical surveys of facial injury. It is concluded that facial injuries constitute a significant proportion of the work of a civilian accident unit and that any accident service must have adequate facilities for the management of these injuries.