Construction and characterization of a Coffea canephora BAC library to study the organization of sucrose biosynthesis genes.

The first bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library of Robusta coffee (Coffea canephora) was constructed, with the aim of developing molecular resources to study the genome structure and evolution of this perennial crop. Clone 126, which is highly productive and confers good technological and organoleptic qualities of beverage, was chosen for development of this library. The BAC library contains 55,296 clones, with an average insert size of 135 Kb per plasmid, therefore representing theoretically nine haploid genome equivalents of C. canephora. Its validation was achieved with a set of 13 genetically anchored single-copy and 4 duplicated RFLP probes and yielded on average 9 BAC clones per probe. Screening of this BAC library was also carried out with partial cDNA probes coding for enzymes of sugar metabolism like invertases and sucrose synthase, with the aim of characterizing the organization and promoter structure of this important class of genes. It was shown that genes for both cell wall and vacuolar forms of invertases were probably unique in the Robusta genome whereas sucrose synthase was encoded by at least two genes. One of them (CcSUS1) was cloned and sequenced, showing that our BAC library is a valuable tool to rapidly identify genes of agronomic interest or linked to cup quality in C. canephora.

[Functional and anatomical results after surgical treatment of ruptures of the rotator cuff. 2: postoperative functional and anatomical evaluation of ruptures of the rotator cuff]. / Résultats fonctionnels et anatomiques après traitement chirurgical des ruptures de la coiffe des rotateurs. 2ème partie: évaluation fonctionnelle et anatomique postopératoire des ruptures de la coiffe des rotateurs.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The authors examined the anatomic condition and the function of the rotator cuff obtained after an average period of four years following surgical repair in a series of 100 full thickness rotator cuff tears. The aim was to assess the validity of Constant's scoring method and to analyse risk factors and the frequency of recurrent tears. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The series comprised 98 patients, 62 men and 36 women whose average age was 56 years. It included 69 tears of less than 2 cm in size (39 cases) or between 2 to 4 cm (3 cases) of the supra-spinatus, 22 tears of the supra- and infraspinatus measuring between 2 to 4 cm, and 9 massive tears. The tendon of the long head of the biceps was pathological in 1/3 of cases. All 98 patients were operated on by the same surgeon using the same repair technique, and all followed ambulatory rehabilitation along the same principles of self-rehabilitation applied pre operatively. In each patient function was assessed using Constant's scoring method, and the condition of the repaired cuff was determined by ultrasonography at the time of clinical follow-up. The average follow-up period was 4 years (2 to 6 years). RESULTS: Ultrasonography revealed intact cuffs in 65 per cent, thinned cuffs in 11 per cent and recurrent full thickness tears in 24 per cent of cases. The risk of recurrent tear increased with the extent of the tear to be repaired (57 per cent), in older patient (25 per cent) and with a higher level of post-surgical occupational use (18 per cent). A drop in the post-operative Constant score had a predictive value for a full thickness recurrent defect. DISCUSSION: Constant's scoring method appears to be a reliable, reproducible method for analysing functional results following surgical repair of full thickness cuff tears and to reflect the anatomic condition of the repaired cuff. At clinical follow-up, the anatomic condition of the cuff is more determinant of final functional results than initial tear size. CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of functional results must be complemented by anatomic examination using ultrasonography in order to specify the size of any possible recurrent defect and to detect thinning of the cuff which cannot be identified by Constant's score. Analysis of the risk factors for recurrent tear led the authors to question the necessity of repairing massive tears in older patients and pointed to the valuable advantages of reinforcing fragile cuffs during initial repair especially in very active patients.

[Functional and anatomical results after surgical treatment of ruptures of the rotator cuff. 1: Preoperative functional and anatomical evaluation of ruptures of the rotator cuff]. / Résultats fonctionnels et anatomiques après traitement chirurgical des ruptures de la coiffe des rotateurs. 1ère partie: évaluation fonctionnelle et anatomique préopératoire des ruptures de la coiffe des rotateurs.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: In a consecutive series of 98 patients presenting 100 full thickness cuff tears and managed by the same medico-surgical team, the authors studied the correlation between preoperative shoulder function values and the anatomic lesions found at surgery. Predictive factors of tear size were evaluated and any elements that were likely to improve preoperative function were determined so that patients could be best prepared for surgery. The validity of preoperative radiographic assessment of lesions was examined. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prior to surgery, each patient was given the same rehabilitation program, the same arthrotomographic assessment of lesions and each was rated functionally using Constant's scoring method. Preoperative radiographic assessment of lesions showed supra-spinatus tears in 69 per cent, combined supraspinatus and infraspinatus tears in 22 per cent, and tears involving the supraspinatus, infraspinatus and subscapularis in 9 per cent. RESULTS: The preoperative Constant score averaged 46/100 points. The score was higher when patients had been prepared by preoperative rehabilitation to overcome stiffness. The optimum duration of rehabilitation was found to be 3 months (p < 0.05). Active range of motion was 90 per cent of normal in 84 per cent of cases. The patients in this series therefore underwent surgery more for continuing severe pain (25 per cent) and muscle weakness (86 per cent) than for reduced active motion. DISCUSSION: Examination of the correlations existing between an anatomic lesion and the preoperative rating of shoulder function shows that the Constant preoperative score provides a good prediction of the size of the tear to be repaired (p = 0.0063). The greater the tear size, the lower the preoperative Constant sore is. Active range of motion (especially in abduction and external rotation) and muscular strength are factors with the most predictive value contrary to pain and discomfort which are influenced by tear size. CONCLUSION: Preparing patients suffering full thickness cuff defects through preoperative rehabilitation to overcome stiffness provides the best conditions for surgery. Constant's functional scoring method gives a reproducible and reliable reflection of the anatomic rotator cuff lesion to be repaired. Its use for preoperative rating is useful for determining a reference value for function prior to surgery.

Functional and anatomical results after rotator cuff repair.

The anatomic condition of the rotator cuff and the functional results obtained were studied in a homogeneous series of 100 full thickness cuff tears in 98 patients with an average followup of 4 years. Constant's functional score, used by the European Society for Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, was done preoperatively and postoperatively in each patient, in addition to ultrasonography at followup. There was a close correlation between the anatomic condition of the cuff and Constant's functional score before surgery (p = 0.0063) and after repair, irrespective of the type of tear repaired (p = 0.0012) or the sonographic appearance of the cuff at followup (p = 0.0001). Ultrasonography showed 65% intact cuffs, 11% intact but thinned cuffs, and 24% recurrent defects. Three predisposing factors for recurrence were noted: size of tear to be repaired (p = 0.0001) accounted for 57%, age (p = 0.063) for 25%, and degree of occupational use for 18%. The functional results obtained were more related to the anatomic condition of the repaired cuff at followup than to the tear size at surgery. Predictive clinical factors for recurrence included overall Constant's functional score, reduced ability to perform daily activities, reduced active flexion, abduction and external rotation, and loss of muscular strength. Constant's functional score reflected the functional results with accuracy, reliability, and reproducibility. Additional ultrasonography appears necessary to specify the exact size of the recurrent defect and to distinguish between certain anatomic types, such as thinned cuffs, which can give rise to difficult problems in manual workers after defect repair.