Uptake and absorption of fluoranthene from spiked microplastics into the digestive gland tissues of blue mussels, Mytilus edulis L.

The present work intended to investigate the fate of contaminant-loaded microplastics if ingested by benthic filter feeder Mytilus edulis under laboratory conditions. In the course of a 7-day experiment the mussels were exposed to PVC microplastics in a size range ≤40 µm, in doses of 2000 particles L-1 (11.56 mg L-1). Particles were either virgin or loaded with one of four different nominal concentrations of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) fluoranthene (500, 125, 31.25 and 7.8125 µg g-1). Verification of fluoranthene concentrations on the particles provided evidence of the high absorptive capacity of PVC for this PAH, indicating that comparable particles may serve as considerable accumulation sites for high concentrations of hydrophobic contaminants in the aquatic environment. Analysis of digestive gland tissues via polarised light microscopy revealed the occurrence of particles and particle aggregates within stomach and intestines of all mussels treated with microplastics, thus making the xenobiotic bioavailable. Results of contaminant analysis in mussel tissues via equilibrium sampling point to a considerable capability of microplastics for the accumulation of hydrophobic contaminants from the environment and their potential to act as vehicles for the transport of theses contaminants into organismal tissues.

The PHILOS plate for proximal humeral fractures--risk factors for complications at one year.

BACKGROUND: Since 2003, we have used the Proximal Humerus Interlocking System plate for treatment of proximal humeral fractures. Although many patients have good and excellent results, the reported rate of complications varies. We have focused on the complication rate and risk factors for complications 1 year after surgery. METHODS: From 2003 until 2008, a total of 294 (223 women; 71 men; median age, 72.9) patients were included. General data were collected at the time of injury (Charlson Index, smoking, and steroid therapy). Fractures were classified (AO/OTA) retrospectively. The follow-up of 1 year included radiographs and Constant-Murley score for functionality. Complications and revision surgeries were analyzed specifically. RESULTS: We found 83 (28.2%) patients with a total of 105 complications, requiring a total of 72 (24.5%) revision surgeries. The most frequent complication was screw cutout (33 of 294, 11.2%), because of secondary fracture displacement or avascular necrosis (AVN). AVN (20 of 294, 6.8%) was the main reason for secondary arthroplasty. Smoking more than 20 pack years had a significant impact on the complication rate. Fractures classified 11-A3 showed more implant failures. Fracture dislocations predisposed to secondary screw cutout and AVN. Patients without complications (211, 71.8%) achieved a median Constant-Murley score of 89 (40-100) points. CONCLUSION: This study points out several predisposing factors for negative outcome after open reduction and internal fixation with the Proximal Humerus Interlocking System plate (fracture type: 11-A3, fracture dislocations, and smoking). Accounting for these, patient's risk for complications can be evaluated more individually and taken into consideration for the concept of treatment. Altering the surgical technique was associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of secondary screw cutout.

Results of volar locking plate osteosynthesis for distal radial fractures.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate functional, radiologic, and subjective outcome after volar locking plate osteosynthesis (VLPO) for unstable distal radius fractures (DRF). METHODS: In this study, patients treated with VLPO for isolated DRF between March 2005 and December 2007 were prospectively evaluated. Patients with multiple injuries or those unavailable for follow-up were excluded from further evaluation. Range of motion, grip strength, and the subjective Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation score were monitored for 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and finally 1 year after surgery. The uninjured contralateral wrist served as control. The radiologic outcome after 1 year was scored using the Lidstrom score. RESULTS: In total, 245 patients were included in the study with a mean age of 62 years ± 18 years. At the final follow-up, 1 year after surgery, 228 patients (93%) could be controlled. Range of motion significantly increased during follow-up. One year after surgery, mean flexion was 64° ± 15°, and mean extension reached 64 ° ± 15 ° corresponding with >90% of the uninjured contralateral wrist function. Grip strength increased from 14 kg ± 8 kg (54%) 6 weeks after surgery to 25 kg ± 11 kg (91%) at the final follow-up. Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation score resulted in mean 8 points ± 16 points after 1 year. Lidstrom score reached a mean of 1.3 points ± 0.6 points, demonstrating a good initial fracture reduction and stable fixation. A complication rate of 15% could be seen in our series, among secondary fracture displacement in two patients (1%). CONCLUSIONS: VLPO for the treatment of unstable DRF is a reliable technique with excellent subjective, objective, and radiologic outcome.

Inflammatory response in ventilated left and collapsed right lungs, serum and pleural fluid, in transthoracic esophagectomy for cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Open, right-sided, transthoracic esophagectomy with one-lung ventilation (OLV) triggers a massive inflammatory reaction. The influence of the OLV on the inflammatory cascade is unclear. Data on the inflammatory response in the ventilated left and collapsed right lung, respectively, are scarce. The aim of this study was to analyze this reaction in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from both lungs, the right pleural space and the peripheral blood, and to study its time course. METHODS: Concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10 and IL-1RA in the BAL fluids from the right and left lungs, respectively, in the peripheral blood and in the right pleural space in patients undergoing transthoracic esophagectomy for cancer, were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in 29 patients. RESULTS: Assay of the pro-inflammatory cytokines in the bilateral BAL fluids showed significantly higher concentrations in the ventilated left lung at the time of extubation. The anti-inflammatory response was only seen with respect to IL-1RA, but not IL-10, and was mostly restricted to the ventilated left lung. In the blood, only IL-6, IL-10 and IL-1RA increased, whereas IL-8 showed little change. The response was already observed at the end of surgery, indicating a rapid reaction to the surgical and anesthetic trauma. In the pleural fluid, all cytokine concentrations increased, and the highest values were detected on day one post-surgery, and decreased thereafter. Pulmonary complications or anastomotic leakage were not related to the cytokine concentrations. CONCLUSION: Both the ventilated left and the collapsed right lung showed an inflammatory response. The response was more pronounced on the ventilated left side and the time courses were significantly different. In the blood, the pro-inflammatory IL-6 and both anti-inflammatory cytokines increased early on. All cytokines increased in the pleural cavity. The findings underline the complexity of the inflammatory reaction associated with OLV in transthoracic esophagectomy.

Association of C-reactive protein levels and long-term survival after neoadjuvant therapy and esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) levels have been shown to be prognostic markers of survival in patients undergoing esophagectomy for cancer. No study has evaluated the predictive value for survival of CRP levels after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. METHODS: Preoperative CRP levels were assessed in patients undergoing neoadjuvant therapy and esophagectomy for cancer. Groups were defined according to normal value cutoffs of the CRP measurements. RESULTS: Seventy patients had normal CRP, and 20 patients had raised CRP. The groups did not differ in descriptives, comorbidities, white cell counts, pathological data, or morbidity. In-hospital death was higher in the raised CRP group (three versus one patient, p = 0.048). The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a significant survival advantage of patients with normal CRP compared to patients with raised CRP levels (median survival, 65.4 versus 18.7 months; log rank test, p = 0.027). The Cox regression analysis identified three independent prognostic factors for survival: UICC stage (IIB/III versus I/IIA, HR 3.48, p = 0.007), completeness of resection (HR 6.33, p = 0.002), and CRP levels (raised versus normal, HR 5.07, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Preoperative CRP levels are an independent prognostic marker for survival after neoadjuvant treatment in patients with esophageal cancer and may be of value in the re-staging process after neoadjuvant treatment.

Posterolateral approach to the displaced posterior malleolus: functional outcome and local morbidity.

BACKGROUND: Stable anatomical reconstruction of the joint surface in ankle fractures is essential to successful recovery. However, the functional outcome of fractures involving the posterior tibial plafond is often poor. We describe the morbidity and functional outcome for plate fixation of the displaced posterior malleolus using a posterolateral approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The posterolateral approach was used for osteosynthesis of the posterior malleolus in 45 consecutive patients (median age 54 years) with AO/Muller-classification type 44-A3 (n = 1), 44-B3 (n = 35), 44-C1 (n = 7), and 44-C2 (n = 2) ankle fractures. Thirty-three of the patients suffered complete fracture dislocation. Functional outcome at followup was measured using the modified Weber protocol and the standardized AAOS foot and ankle questionnaire. Radiological evaluation employed standardized anterior-posterior and lateral views. RESULTS: The fragment comprised a median of 24% (range, 10% to 48%) of the articular surface. Postoperative soft tissue problems were encountered in five patients (11%), one of whom required revision surgery. Two patients (4%) developed Stage I complex regional pain syndrome. Clinical and radiological followup at 25 months disclosed no secondary displacement of the fixed fragment. The median foot and ankle score was 93 (range, 58 to 100), shoe comfort score was 77 (range, 0 to 100). A median score of 7 (range, 5 to 16) was documented using the modified Weber protocol. CONCLUSION: The posterolateral approach allowed good exposure and stable fixation of a displaced posterior malleolar fragment with few local complications. The anatomical repositioning and stable fixation led to good functional and subjective outcome.