Comment on "Post-Wildfire Logging Hinders Regeneration and Increases Fire Risk"

Donato et al. (Brevia, 20 January 2006, p. 352) concluded that logging after wildfire kills natural regeneration and increases fire risk. We argue that their paper lacks adequate context and supporting information to be clearly interpreted by scientists, resource managers, policy-makers, and the public.

Microcomputer-generated antigen panel worksheets

Many antibody identifications require testing with cells of rare or uncommon phenotypes. To expedite the resolution of these identifications, we developed a microcomputer database using Lotus 123 to enter antigen phenotypes from our frozen cell inventory. Data is entered into a customized screen input form and automatically copied to the database The use of an input form protects the database from inadvertent errors made while entering data. The database can be searched for any combination of red cell phenotypes. When found, the selected cells are extracted tu a predesigned worksheet. Panel worksheet forms are created with Allways, a software program used in conjunction with Lotus 123, Allways is specifically designed to generate quality printouts with a laser printer. The program has many formatting features that simplify horizontal and vertical ruling for the worksheet. In addition, the program provides degrees of shading to highlight specific antigens or entire columns or rows of information. Once the worksheet template has been designed, it is automatically saved with the database file. More than one worksheet template can be stored in the database file. This program reduces the amount of time spent searching through records to find the necessary cells for testing, It also reduces potential error in hand copying antigen phenotypes to a worksheet. This application can also he used for HLA panels.

Fatigue fracture of a forearm plate within a long-arm cast

Open fractures of both left ulna and radius, in which a segment of the radius was found to be missing, occurred in a 27-year-old man. The fractures were treated by open reduction, internal fixation with ASIF semitubular plates, and bone graft. Because of slow radiological union, regrafting was required twice. Approximately six months after the third operation, roentgenograms showed that the bone plate was broken, even though the fractures had been protected in a long-arm cast. The fatigue fracture of the plate, positioned on the posterior surface of the ulna, was presumably caused by the force of the finger flexors, most of which originate above the fracture site, and which were still able to contract because the fingers were not immobilized.

Incidence of antibody formation and positive direct antiglobulin tests in a multitransfused hemodialysis population

In order to determine the degree and significance of red cell antibody production by dialysis patients, two groups of patients were studied retrospectively. One hundred and five randomly selected dialysis patients (Group I) receiving a total of 1074 units of blood were reviewed, as were 38 patients who were given frozen-thawed red cells because of intractable nonhemolytic febrile reactions following transfusions of red cells stored conventionally (Group II). Eleven patients in Group I produced alloantibodies: nine after the start of dialysis. Of these, two patients had antibodies that were judged clinically insignificant. Eleven of 38 patients in Group II had red cell alloantibodies at the time of study, four of which were judged clinically significant. The direct antiglobulin test (DAT) was positive in 14 patients in Group I and eight patients in Group II for an overall percentage of 15. The cause of the positive DAT was determined in eluates for 26 percent of the cases studied. Clinically significant antibodies were produced by 6.7 percent of randomly selected dialysis patients (Group I). This incidence is lower than other chronically transfused patient populations reported, but higher than that reported in transfused patients at large. The incidence of positive DATs was higher than in some populations reported but not others.