Temporal trends of mercury levels in fish (dab, Limanda limanda) and sediment from the German Bight (North Sea) in the period 1995-2020.

As a toxic and harmful global pollutant, mercury (Hg) enters the marine environment through natural sources, and human activities. It bioaccumulates through the food chain and therefore, Hg is of great importance for environmental monitoring. This study aims to answer the question if Hg contamination in fish and sediment from the German Bight follows temporal trends. Therefore, 496 individual female dab (Limanda limanda) were analyzed. The Hg concentrations in the muscle of dab from the German Bight showed significant increase in function of time with an annual percental change of 1.4%, leading to a 41% increase in Hg contamination level within 25 years of monitoring. At the same time, Hg concentrations in sediment-analyzed in 86 samples-significantly decreased in the nearby North Sea environment. This surprising contradiction is shown in the present study and possible causes are discussed. It could be clearly shown that contamination in sediment and biota can follow completely different time courses and therefore, different environmental matrices should be considered in future monitoring studies. Age of the fish turned out to be a biological factor of particular importance for temporal trend analysis.

The influence of limited postoperative weight-bearing on the outcome of drilling in osteochondritis dissecans tali.

INTRODUCTION: This prospective study was performed to assess the influence of limited weight-bearing on the outcome of osteochondral drilling in the treatment of an osteochondritis dissecans tali. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of a total of 85 patients, 68 (80%; 37 male, 31 female, average age 28 years) were followed up after open or arthroscopic drilling between July 1990 and March 2000. The total outcome of 6 weeks limited postoperative weight-bearing (n=26) was compared with the outcome of 12 weeks limited weight-bearing (n=42). The average follow-up time was 4.8 years after surgery. RESULTS: A significant increase (p<0.01) in the HSS and AOFAS scores was found for the entire study group ranging from HSS: 82 points; AOFAS: 68 points before surgery to HSS: 94 points; AOFAS: 90 points at the time of assessment. The duration of limited weight-bearing did not significantly influence the outcome of surgery. Through osteochondral drilling, the average AOFAS score increased 20 points (73/93) and the HSS score 12 points (84/96) in the 6-week group and the AOFAS score 23 points (65/88) and the HSS score 12 points (80/92) in the 12-week group. The total outcome between the two postoperative treatment regimens showed no significant difference. CONCLUSION: Osteochondral drilling is an adequate therapy for osteochondritis dissecans tali. The postoperative duration of limited weight-bearing does not significantly influence the surgical outcome.

The value of knee arthroscopy in patients with severe radiological osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to assess the value of knee arthroscopy in patients with radiological signs of severe osteoarthritis. METHODS: A total of 104 patients (50 men, 54 women, average age 60 years) with radiological knee osteoarthritis grade III/IV were followed up after knee arthroscopy between May 1989 and November 1996. The average follow-up time was 5.4 years after surgery. RESULTS: A significant ( p<0.01) increase in the Lysholm score was found, ranging from 40 points before arthroscopy to 69 points at the assessment. A total of 84 patients (81%) reported an increase in their activities of daily living, 44 patients (43%) were still without any complaints. The total outcome was rated very good or good by 67 patients (65%). Only 21 patients (20%) required further surgery before the assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Knee arthroscopy is a valuable treatment for patients with pain, swelling, and radiological signs of severe osteoarthritis. It improves the patients' activities of daily living and helps to postpone further surgery.