Moderate Percentage Research Articles

Short-term culture for acute myeloid leukemia blast cells

This study was carried out to separate acute myeloid leukemia (AML) blast cells and studies their proliferation in short-term culture. The separation procedure include three steps; Ficoll gradient separation, depletion of macrophages and depletion of (lymphocytes and of monocytes) for preparation of highly pure native AML blast cells from blood samples collected from patients with moderate blast percentage. Results showed that this procedure is an inefficient due to a decrease in total cell number and contamination with other cells after each separation step. Proliferation of native AML blast cells in short term-culture by cultivating isolated AML blast cells in RPMI medium supplemented with 20% human plasma at a concentration 1×106/ml in the presence and absence of colony -stimulating factor which was provided by conditioned media (PHA-leucocytes-, plasmacytoma cell line- and Hep-2 conditioned medium. The effect of each conditioned medium on proliferation of AML blast cells was studied separately. Results showed that plasmacytoma cell line conditioned medium didnot stimulate the proliferation of native AML blast cells, while cells seeded on media containing 10%PHA-LCM showed an increase in cell number and growth of the cells was observed for approximately 3 days and then decreased.

Measuring health-related quality of life in Hungarian children with heart disease: psychometric properties of the Hungarian version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ 4.0 Generic Core Scales and the Cardiac Module

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Hungarian version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ (PedsQL™) Generic Core Scales and Cardiac Module.MethodsThe PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Core Scales and the PedsQL™ 3.0 Cardiac Module was administered to 254 caregivers of children (aged 2-18 years) and to 195 children (aged 5-18 years) at a pediatric cardiology outpatient unit. A postal survey on a demographically group-matched sample of the general population with 525 caregivers of children (aged 2-18 years) and 373 children (aged 5-18 years) was conducted with the PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Core Scale. Responses were described, compared over subgroups of subjects, and were used to assess practical utility, distributional coverage, construct validity, internal consistency, and inter-reporter agreement of the instrument.ResultsThe moderate scale-level mean percentage of missing item responses (range 1.8-2.3%) supported the feasibility of the Generic Core Scales for general Hungarian children. Minimal to moderate ceiling effects and no floor effects were found on the Generic Core Scales. We observed stronger ceiling than floor effects in the Cardiac Module. Most of the scales showed satisfactory reliability with Cronbach's α estimates exceeding 0.70. Generally, moderate to good agreement was found between self- and parent proxy-reports in the patient and in the comparison group (intraclass correlation coefficient range 0.52-0.77), but remarkably low agreement in the perceived physical appearance subscale in the age group 5-7 years (0.18) and for the treatment II scale (problems on taking heart medicine) scale of the Cardiac Module in children aged 8-12 years (0.39). Assessing the construct validity of the questionnaires, statistically significant difference was found between the patient group and the comparison group only in the Physical Functioning Scale scores (p = 0.003) of the child self-report component, and in Physical (p = 0.022), Emotional, (p = 0.017), Psychosocial Summary (p = 0.019) scores and in the total HRQoL (health-related quality of life) scale score (p = 0.034) for parent proxy-report.ConclusionThe findings generally support the feasibility, reliability and validity of the Hungarian translation of the PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Core Scales and the PedsQL™ 3.0 Cardiac Module in Hungarian children with heart disease.

TOXIC AND ANTIFEEDANT ACTIVITIES OF STERCULIA FOETIDA (L.) SEED CRUDE EXTRACT AGAINST SPODOPTERA LITURA (F.) AND ACHAEA JANATA (L.)

ABSTRACT Toxic and antifeedant effects of the Wild Indian almond, Sterculia foetida L. seed crude extract on the two important lepidopteran pests- castor semilooper, Achaea janata L. (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera) and the Asian armyworm, Spodoptera litura (Fab.) (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera) on castor (Ricinus communis L.) plants were studied by leaf disc bioassay method. The acetone extract applied to the leaf disc showed toxicity to the S. litura and feeding deterrency to the A. janata. Insecticidal and feeding deterrent activities of the crude extract acted in a dose dependent manner against the test insects. At a higher dose of 2.5 mg/cm2, 3rd instar larvae of S. litura died within 24h of treatment. The treated larvae were dehydrated and shrunken before death. Lower doses (0.5mg/cm2) also exhibited toxic effects to S. litura but with time delayed process. However, the same compound has produced 100 % feeding deterrent activity to A. janata at 4.0 mg/cm2. At lower doses employed, i.e. 2.0 mg/cm2 a moderate percentage (20 %) of feeding deterrent action was found after 24h treatment. It is interesting to find that the seed extract of S. foetida acted as insecticide to S. litura and as an antifeedant to the semilooper, thus indicating the dual mode of action of the compound against the different pest larvae treated. However, a study on the mechanism of action is presumed to reveal interesting observations on the mode of action of this botanical pesticide.

Is Mexico City Polycentric? A Trip Attraction Capacity Approach

The article explores whether Mexico City is a polycentric metropolis. Building upon previous methodologies, an alternative criterion is proposed for identifying employment centres, using a jobs to working residents ratio, while taking into account economic informality. Although a small set of minor sub-centres is traced, it is found that most jobs are concentrated in a large central agglomeration, with a moderate percentage of jobs concentrated in corridor-like shapes. Within this central agglomeration, are found inner nodes and corridor-like structures that had been identified in previous research as sub-centres. Additionally, economic specialisation is identified with the use of location quotients and the results are compared with those of previous methodologies. It is concluded that Mexico City has a hybrid, although still predominantly monocentric, urban form.

Organization of Hue Selectivity in Macaque V2 Thin Stripes

V2 has long been recognized to contain functionally distinguishable compartments that are correlated with the stripelike pattern of cytochrome oxidase activity. Early electrophysiological studies suggested that color, direction/disparity, and orientation selectivity were largely segregated in the thin, thick, and interstripes, respectively. Subsequent studies revealed a greater degree of homogeneity in the distribution of response properties across stripes, yet color-selective cells were still found to be most prevalent in the thin stripes. Optical recording studies have demonstrated that thin stripes contain both color-preferring and luminance-preferring modules. These thin stripe color-preferring modules contain spatially organized hue maps, whereas the luminance-preferring modules contain spatially organized luminance-change maps. In this study, the neuronal basis of these hue maps was determined by characterizing the selectivity of neurons for isoluminant hues in multiple penetrations within previously characterized V2 thin stripe hue maps. The results indicate that neurons within the superficial layers of V2 thin stripe hue maps are organized into columns whose aggregated hue selectivity is closely related to the hue selectivity of the optically defined hue maps. These data suggest that thin stripes contain hue maps not simply because of their moderate percentage of hue-selective neurons, but because of the columnar and tangential organization of hue selectivity.

Does spatial visualization ability improve after studying technical drawing?

Two studies were carried out to analyze whether learning technical drawing improves a person’s ability for spatial visualization. Visualization and inductive reasoning tests were applied at the beginning and end of a course in technical drawing in samples of first year engineering students. In both studies it was observed that a moderate percentage of students improved their Visualization test execution. The improvement was similar in men and women. There was no improvement on the inductive reasoning test. The results support the conclusion that the spatial visualization ability can be improved with training.

Functional TRP and ASIC-like channels in cultured urothelial cells from the rat

Transient receptor potential (TRP) and acid-sensing ion channels (ASIC) are molecular detectors of chemical, mechanical, thermal, and nociceptive stimuli in sensory neurons. They have been identified in the urothelium, a tissue considered part of bladder sensory pathways, where they might play a role in bladder function. This study investigated functional properties of TRP and ASIC channels in cultured urothelial cells from the rat using patch-clamp and fura 2 Ca(2+) imaging techniques. The TRPV4 agonist 4alpha-phorbol-12,13 didecanoate (4alpha-PDD; 1-5 microM) and the TRPA1/TRPM8 agonist icilin (50-100 microM) elicited transient currents in a high percentage of cells (>70%). 4alpha-PDD responses were suppressed by the TRPV4 antagonist HC-010961 (10 microM). The TRPV1 agonist capsaicin (1-100 microM) and the TRPA1/TRPM8 agonist menthol (5-200 microM) elicited transient currents in a moderate percentage of cells ( approximately 25%). All of these agonists increased intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)). Most cells responded to more than one TRP agonist (e.g., capsaicin and 4alpha-PDD), indicating coexpression of different TRP channels. In the presence of the TRPV1 antagonist capsazepine (10 microM), changes in pH induced by HCl elicited ionic currents (pH 5.5) and increased [Ca(2+)](i) (pH 6.5) in approximately 50% of cells. Changes in pH using acetic acid (pH 5.5) elicited biphasic-like currents. Responses induced by acid were sensitive to amiloride (10 microM). In summary, urothelial cells express multiple TRP and ASIC channels, whose activation elicits ionic currents and Ca(2+) influx. These "neuron-like" properties might be involved in transmitter release, such as ATP, that can act on afferent nerves or smooth muscle to modulate their responses to different stimuli.

Assessment of genetic variability and genotyping of Ceratitis capitata and Bactrosera zonata by molecular techniques*

Genomic DNA of Ciratitis capitata (Wied.) and Bactrocera zonata (Saund.) was analysed to determine the genetic diversity between them. The random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique as well as the electrophoretic analysis of total soluble protein were used for this purpose. Out of 10 tested primers, six gave positive results, producing 36 bands. Data obtained from RAPD analysis were employed to estimate the genetic similarity matrix based on Jaccard's coefficient. To determine the genetic relationship between both species, similarity values were used to construct DNA and protein dendrograms. The DNA dendrogram illustrated two major groups of clusters, each group consisted of minor clusters representing one of the two insects. A lower genetic similarity (25%) was noted between the two species. At the protein level, a moderate similarity percentage (67%) was detected. It was found that C. capita and B. zontata are genetically completely distant.

Does near total thyroidectomy offer advantage over total thyroidectomy in terms of postoperative hypocalcemia?

Total thyroidectomy (TT) has emerged as a surgical option in the surgical treatment of patients with multinodular goiter. TT carries potential risk to all parathyroid glands and both recurrent laryngeal nerve. The aims of this study are to evaluate the difference between serum calcium levels before and after total and near total thyroidectomy and to compare the rate of postoperative hypocalcemia according to surgical procedures. This prospective study included 143 consecutive patients undergoing surgical therapy for non-toxic multinodular goiter. Patients were randomly assigned to surgical procedures. Patients in group 1 ( n = 75) performed TT, and patients in group 2 ( n = 68) performed near total thyroidectomy (NTT). The difference between serum calcium levels and percentage decrease in serum calcium levels before and after thyroidectomy were calculated. TT had a 33-fold (OR: 33.1; 95% CI: 7.5–145.02) increased risk for hypocalcemia. Moreover, TT had a 8-fold (OR: 8.09; 95% CI: 3–21.4) and a 27-fold (OR: 27.9; 95% CI: 3.5–219.6) higher risk than NTT for moderate and severe percentage decreases in serum calcium level, respectively. NTT can offer an advantage over TT in terms of postoperative hypocalcemia in the patients with benign multinodular goiter.

Genetic characterization of the Burlina cattle breed using microsatellites markers

The present study was a contribution on the genetic characterization of the Burlina local cattle breed, and an approach to understanding the relationships between Burlina, Holstein Friesian and Brown Swiss which represent the majority of the dairy cattle reared nowadays in North-East Italy. The obtained results helped to clarify the genetic diversity and distinctiveness of Burlina population. In particular, the low genetic distance between Burlina and Holstein Friesian and the assignment of a moderate percentage of Burlina animals to Holstein Friesian suggested that crosses between them took place in the past, while crosses with Brown Swiss seemed to be less frequent. However, analyses of marker genotypes, showed a cluster with only Burlina individuals, which demonstrates the genetic distinctness of this breed. The Burlina breed showed the highest variability among the analysed breeds and its inbreeding coefficient was low. The data contribute to the feasibility of a conservation and selection programme for this breed and the results are useful for the implementation of a conservation strategy that should aim to conserve animals where the contribution from foreign breeds is as small as possible.

Adults with corrected oesophageal atresia: is oesophageal function associated with complaints and/or quality of life?

The aim of this study was to evaluate oesophageal function after correction of oesophageal atresia in adults, and to investigate the association between complaints, oesophageal function and quality of life (QoL). Twenty-five adults were included who participated in previous follow-up studies, during which complaints of dysphagia and gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR), results of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, oesophageal biopsies and QoL had been collected. Manometry was performed in 20 patients, 24 h pH-measurements were performed in 21 patients. pH-values (sample time 5 s) were calculated using criteria of Johnson and DeMeester. Associations were tested with ANOVA and χ2-tests. Ten patients (48%) reported complaints of dysphagia, seven (33%) of GOR. The amplitude of oesophageal contractions was low (<15 mmHg) in four patients (20%). pH-measurements showed pathological reflux in three patients (14%). Patients reporting dysphagia more often had disturbed motility (P = 0.011), and lower scores on the domains “general health perceptions” (SF-36) (P = 0.026), “standardised physical component” (SF-36) (P = 0.013), and “physical well-being” (GIQLI) (0.047). No other associations were found. This study shows a high percentage of oesophageal motility disturbances and a moderate percentage of GOR after correction of oesophageal atresia. Patients reporting dysphagia, whom more often had disturbed motility, seemed to be affected by these symptoms in their QoL.

Patterns of p53, p73 and mortalin gene expression associated with haemocyte polyploidy in the soft-shell clam, Mya arenaria

The molecular mechanisms by which haemocytes of clams are transformed in the course of haemic neoplasia remain by far unknown. The aim of this study was to quantify the expression of p53/p73 and mortalin genes, in relation with the ploidy status of clam haemocytes and to correlate the p53 expression with mortalin expression. For this purpose, soft-shell clams, Mya arenaria, were collected from an endemic zone for neoplasia. The ploidy of haemocytes was assessed for each individual clam by flow cytometry using a propidium iodide protocol, while p53/p73 and mortalin gene expressions were quantified by real-time RT-PCR. Results show that haemocytes of some clams with a moderate percentage (15–50%) of tetraploid cells have a significantly high level of p53 and p73 in comparison with clams belonging to categories with low (<15%) or high levels (>50%) of tetraploid cells, where low levels of expression of these genes were observed. Furthermore, mortalin gene expression is strongly correlated ( r 2 = 0.68, p < 0.01) with p53 gene expression level. This reinforces the hypothesis of a cytoplasmic p53 sequestration mechanism in clam haemic neoplasia. Further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results and further unravel the molecular pathways involved in this process. Our results are believed to provide phenotypic foundation for such studies to be undertaken.

Effect of genetic resistance of the hen toSalmonellacarrier-state on incidence of bacterial contamination: synergy with vaccination

Salmonella is one of the major sources of toxi-infections in humans. The association between egg consumption and Salmonella outbreaks is a serious economic and public health problem. To control the incidence of Salmonella in poultry flocks, many prophylactic means have been developed but none allows a total reduction of the risk. In a previous study, we derived mathematical models for Salmonella transmission and used them to appreciate the most important factors of variation of egg contamination rate and thus of risk of human contamination. Thanks to recent data of a selection experiment for increased or decreased rate of carrier-state (also called divergent selection), we showed that mixing, in an equal proportion, animals issued from a line selected for a lower (denoted Sal-) or higher propensity to carry Salmonella (denoted Sal+) results in a reduction by half of the maximal percentage of contaminated animals but does not accelerate the extinction of the disease. Vaccination and selection should be synergic, since a former contamination reduces the maximal prevalence by 45 and 71%, respectively, in Sal+ or Sal- flocks respectively. These results show the interest in the introduction, even at a rather moderate percentage, of animals selected for a reduced rate of Salmonella carrier-state within commercial flocks. This could be achieved by using one or more selected lines in commercial crosses. These results must be confirmed experimentally while the mathematical model could be extended with minor modifications to other animal species or pathogenic species.

Efficacy and Safety of Single-Agent Pertuzumab, a Human Epidermal Receptor Dimerization Inhibitor, in Patients with Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

Pertuzumab, a first-in-class human epidermal receptor 2 (HER2) dimerization inhibitor, is a humanized monoclonal anti-HER2 antibody that binds HER2's dimerization domain and inhibits HER2 signaling. Based on supporting preclinical studies, we undertook a Phase II trial of pertuzumab in patients with recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients with previously treated NSCLC accessible for core biopsy and naive to HER pathway inhibitors were treated with pertuzumab i.v. once every 3 weeks. Tumor assessments were done at 6 and 12 weeks and then every 3 months thereafter. The primary efficacy end point was overall response rate by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. Measurement of tumor glucose metabolism (SUVmax) by F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography was used as an exploratory pharmacodynamic marker of drug activity. Of 43 patients treated with pertuzumab, no responses were seen; 18 of 43 (41.9%) and 9 of 43 (20.9%) patients had stable disease at 6 and 12 weeks, respectively. The median and 3-month progression-free survival rates (PFS) were 6.1 weeks (95% confidence interval, 5.3-11.3 weeks) and 28.4% (95% confidence interval, 14.4-44.2%), respectively. Of 22 patients who underwent F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography, six (27.3%) had a metabolic response to pertuzumab as evidenced by decreased SUV max. These patients had prolonged PFS (HR = 0.11, log-rank P value = 0.018) compared with the 16 patients who had no metabolic response. Four patients (9.3%) experienced a grade 3/grade 4 adverse event judged related to pertuzumab; none exhibited grade 3/grade 4 cardiac toxicity. Pertuzumab is well tolerated as monotherapy. Pharmacodynamic activity correlated with prolonged PFS was detected in a moderate percentage of patients (27.3%). Further clinical development of pertuzumab should focus on rational combinations of pertuzumab with other drugs active in NSCLC.

Telomerase and Markers of Cellular Proliferation Are Associated With the Progression of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia Lesions

The expression of the catalytic subunit of telomerase protein (human telomerase reverse transcriptase [hTERT]), which is associated with telomerase activity, was evaluated as a potential marker of the high-grade premalignant cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 2/3) lesions. For comparison, cases of normal cervical squamous mucosa, low-grade CIN1 lesion, and cervical squamous cell carcinoma were included. The hTERT expression was also compared with Ki-67 and topoisomerase II-alpha (TPII-alpha) to determine the proliferative activity of the hTERT-positive dysplastic cells by a quantitative immunohistochemical staining method and was classified as follows: negative, 5% or less; moderate, 6% to 50%; or high, greater than 50% of the positive cells. The hTERT-positive cells were detected in a patchy pattern in the lower parabasal layers and in much of the basal layer in normal squamous mucosa. A similar frequency of Ki-67- or TPII-alpha-positive cells was observed, with the exception of the basal layer cells that were mostly negative. It is worthy to note that the recognizable intact basal layer cells in cases of CIN lesions were also consistently positive for the expression of hTERT, but rarely for Ki-67 or TPII-alpha. The expression of hTERT was detected in a less patchy pattern at a high or moderate percentage of the dysplastic epithelial cells each in 28.5% of cases of CIN1 lesions. A similar frequency, high and moderate percentage combined, of the TPII-alpha-positive dysplastic cell was also observed. In contrast, a high percentage of the hTERT-positive dysplastic cells were detected as diffuse basal or full-length thickness in 87.5% or 95% of cases of CIN2 or CIN3, respectively. A similar frequency of Ki-67 or TPII-alpha expression was observed in the dysplastic cells of CIN3 lesions. The pattern of hTERT-positive malignant cells in squamous cell carcinoma and dysplastic cells in the high-grade CIN lesions, to a greater extent, and dysplastic cells in the low-grade CIN lesion, to a lesser extent, was distinct from that of the normal cervical squamous mucosa. The results suggest that the progressive increase in the hTERT expression, together with the proliferative activity of the dysplastic epithelial cells of the high-grade CIN lesions, represents an early genetic abnormality in cervical pathogenesis.

Genotype × environment interaction and identification of dual-season cultivars in chickpea

Genotype-environment (G × E) interaction plays a significant role in the relative expression of different cultivars in different environments. The productivity of chickpea in the Central and West Asia and North Africa (CWANA) region is constrained mainly by terminal drought because it is traditionally cultivated as a spring crop using conserved soil moisture. Studies conducted at the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) have clearly demonstrated that planting chickpea in winter can produce almost twice the yield of the spring crop. This study examined the extent and nature of G × E interaction on the yield of chickpea and identified genotypes that can produce high yields in both seasons. Sixteen sets of genotypes were evaluated in lattice designs at two contrasting locations in Syria and Lebanon in both spring and winter. In the analysis of individual trials, spatial variability was modeled in terms of block structure, linear trend across columns, and auto correlated plot errors. Genotype × season interaction was significant. The best linear unbiased predictor (BLUP) was obtained from individual analyses and adjusted across trials to screen from all the entries. Keeping in view the occurrence of high G × E interaction, and small number of genotypes in individual trials, selection efficiency was kept at a relatively moderate percentage (10%) to cover most of the desirable genotypes. The dual-season lines identified were FLIP98-121C, FLIP97-49C, FLIP97-50C, FLIP97-21C, S95082, FLIP97-17C, FLIP98-56C, and FLIP97-24C for Syria; and FLIP98-90C, FLIP99-37C, FLIP 97-56C, S96026, FLIP97-131C, FLIP 98-21C, FLIP01-63C, FLIP97-93C, and S95082 for Lebanon. We suggest that these genotypes be evaluated in multi-location trials with larger plots to identify the most desirable promising lines suitable for dual-season planting. The approach used in this study can be used to identify dual-season varieties in different target environments.

Public procurement and contracting in bangladesh: An analysys of the perceptions of civil servants

This paper analyzes the perceptions of Bangladeshi civil servants towards public procurement and contracting practices in Bangladesh. The interview method was used in the study to analyze the perceptions of the Bangladeshi civil servants towards public procurement and contract-related issues in Bangladesh. The study reveals that civil servants of Bangladesh have diverse and varying perceptions towards public procurement and contracting practices in Bangladesh, even though they share some commonalities. The results of the survey demonstrate that a majority of the civil servants are in general familiar with public purchasing in Bangladesh. While earlier research depicted that almost all the civil servants in the US public agencies were found quite familiar with contracting and outsourcing, this study shows that less than a moderate percentage of the civil servants of Bangladesh is quite or pretty familiar with contracting and/or outsourcing.

Prevalence of Fasciola hepatica (ELISA and fecal analysis) in ruminants from a semi-desert area in the northwest of Mexico

The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of Fasciola hepatica in cattle, goats and sheep from the municipalities of Guaymas and Cajeme, Sonora State, Mexico using the indirect ELISA and Benedeck's sedimentation tests. A total of 2,936 serum and fecal samples from 1,346 bovines, 1,199 goats and 381 sheep were analyzed. Other parameters such as breed and age were also taken into consideration. The results indicated a moderate percentage of prevalence for fasciolosis in these municipalities. In bovines, a prevalence of 11.4 +/- 0.9 was found using the sedimentation test and 24.4 +/- 1.2 for the indirect ELISA. In goats, a prevalence of 24.5 +/- 1.2 was found for the fecal analysis and 43 +/- 1.5 for the indirect ELISA. In sheep, the prevalence for both tests was 19.4 +/- 2.0 and 30.6 +/- 2.7, respectively. Results showed a greater proportion of positive animals when the ELISA test was used than when the Benedeck's sedimentation test was applied. Moderate agreement was observed between both laboratory tests for the three species of ruminants included in the study (Cohen's kappa, K; cattle K=0.527, goats K=0.541 and sheep K=0.539).

Milking procedures and milk ejection in Italian Brown cows

The aim of the study was to describe, on the basis of field data, the traits of milk flow curves of Italian Brown cows and to investigate some sources of variation. A total of 1,450 milk flow curves of the whole udder were collected in 81 Italian Brown dairy herds in Lombardy, Italy, using electronic mobile milk flow meters. Parity order and days in milk affected most milk flow traits. Milk flow curves showed some defects dependent on milking management practices: very long machine-on time, long duration of overmilking phase, high percentage of stripping and moderate percentage of bimodality.

Interobserver and intraobserver reliability of radiographic evidence of bone healing at osteotomy sites

Plain radiographs are commonly used to evaluate the degree of bone healing after an osteotomy and the application of an external fixator. The purpose of the study was to assess intraobserver and interobserver reliability in determining bone healing, defined as bridging callus across three of four cortices, of osteotomy sites on radiographs. Substantial intraobserver reliability and a high intraobserver percentage agreement were found. Interobserver reliability was moderate and interobserver percentage agreement was less than half for agreement between all involved orthopaedic surgeons. The lower reliability across surgeons suggests that the determination of the extent of the bone healing is subjective.