Common types of microdebris affect the physiology of reef-building corals.

Marine debris, particularly microdebris (< 1 mm) poses a potential threat to marine life, including reef-building corals. While previous research has mainly focused on the impact of single polymer microplastics, the effects of natural microdebris, composed of a mixture of materials, have not been explored. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effects of different microdebris, originating from major sources of pollution, on reef-building corals. For this, we exposed two scleractinian coral species, Pocillopora verrucosa and Stylophora pistillata, known to frequently ingest microplastics, to four types of microdebris in an 8-week laboratory experiment: fragmented environmental plastic debris, artificial fibers from clothing, residues from the automobile sector consisting of tire wear, brake abrasion, and varnish flakes, a single polymer microplastic treatment consisting of polyethylene particles, and a microdebris-free control treatment. Specifically, we (I) compared the effects of the different microdebris on coral growth, necrosis, and photosynthesis, (II) investigated the difference between the microdebris mixtures and the exposure to the single polymer treatment, and (III) identified potential mechanisms causing species-specific effects by contrasting the feeding responses of the two coral species on microdebris and natural food. We show that the fibers and tire wear had the strongest effects on coral physiology, with P. verrucosa being more affected than S. pistillata. Both species showed increased volume growth in response to the microdebris treatments, accompanied by decreased calcification in P. verrucosa. Photosynthetic efficiency of the symbionts was enhanced in both species. The species-specific physiological responses might be attributed to feeding reactions, with P. verrucosa responding significantly more often to microdebris than S. pistillata. These findings highlight the effect of different microdebris on coral physiology and the need for future studies to use particle mixtures to better mimic naturally occurring microdebris and assess its effect on corals in more detail.

Smaller radioulnar window is associated with a distal biceps tendon rupture in patients with limited forearm rotation: a 3-dimensional computed tomography comparison study of proximal impingement caused by radial tuberosity hypertrophy-a single-center case series.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that hypertrophy of the radial tuberosity may result in impingement leading to either a lesion of the distal biceps tendon or rotational impairment. Two previous studies on hypertrophy of the radial tuberosity had contradictory results and did not examine the distance between the radius and ulna: the radioulnar window. Therefore, this comparative cohort study aimed to investigate the radioulnar window in healthy subjects and compare it with that in subjects with either nontraumatic-onset rotational impairment of the forearm or nontraumatic-onset distal biceps tendon ruptures with rotational impairment of the forearm by use of dynamic 3-dimensional computed tomography measurements to attain a comprehensive understanding of the underlying etiology of distal biceps tendon ruptures. We hypothesized that a smaller radioulnar window would increase the risk of having a nontraumatic-onset distal biceps tendon rupture and/or rotational impairment compared with healthy individuals. METHODS: This study measured the distance between the radius and ulna at the level of the radial tuberosity using entire-forearm computed tomography scans of 15 patients at the Amphia Hospital between 2019 and 2022. Measurements of healthy subjects were compared with those of subjects who had nontraumatic-onset rotational impairment of the forearm and subjects who had a nontraumatic-onset distal biceps tendon rupture with rotational impairment of the forearm. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for individual comparisons, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for group comparisons. RESULTS: A significant difference was found between the radioulnar window in the forearms of the subjects with a distal biceps tendon rupture (mean, 1.6 mm; standard deviation 0.2 mm) and the radioulnar window in the forearms of the healthy subjects (mean, 4.8 mm; standard deviation, 1.4 mm; P = .018). A trend toward smaller radioulnar windows in the rotational impairment groups was also observed, although it was not significant (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: The radioulnar window in the forearms of the subjects with a distal biceps tendon rupture with rotational impairment was significantly smaller than that in the forearms of the healthy subjects. Therefore, patients with a smaller radioulnar window have a higher risk of rupturing the distal biceps tendon. Nontraumatic-onset rotational impairment of the forearm may also be caused by a similar mechanism. Future studies are needed to further evaluate these findings.

Intraoperative arthroscopic classification tool for posterolateral elbow instability.

Background: Introducing and implementing an arthroscopic classification tool for posterolateral elbow instability. Methods: Thirty arthroscopies were performed on 30 patients, and all recordings were collected, blinded, and labeled. Three orthopedic surgeons reviewed and scored all 30 recordings three times with a period of at least seven days in between to analyze the intraobserver and interobserver reliability. The classification consisted of five different grades. Results: Indications for elbow arthroscopy included impingement (n = 7), osteochondritis dissecans (n = 5), pain (n = 7), osteoarthritis (n = 6), and other (n = 5). The kappa value for intrarater reliability was 0.71, indicating good reliability, while the kappa value for inter-rater reliability was 0.38 indicating fair reliability. Conclusion: This new classification is a tool for an arthroscopic assessment of PLRI and can be used as a standardized grading system for further research and communication between orthopedic surgeons. We demonstrated good intrarater reliability (k = 0.71) with fair inter-rater reliability (k = 0.38). However, further research is necessary to study the clinical significance.

Three weeks of indomethacin is not superior to 1 week of meloxicam as prophylaxis for heterotopic ossifications after distal biceps tendon repair with a single-incision technique.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of 3 weeks of indomethacin, a nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, in comparison to 1 week of meloxicam as prophylaxis for heterotopic ossifications (HOs) after distal biceps tendon repair. METHODS: A single-center retrospective study was performed on 78 patients undergoing distal biceps tendon repair between 2008 and 2019. From 2008 to 2016, patients received meloxicam 15 mg daily for the period of 1 week as usual care. From 2016 onward, the standard protocol was changed to indomethacin 25 mg 3 times daily for 3 weeks. All patients underwent a single-incision repair with a cortical button technique. The postoperative rehabilitation protocol was similar for all patients. The postoperative radiographs at 8-week follow-up were assessed blindly by 7 independent assessors. If HOs were present, it was classified according to the Ilahi-Gabel classification for size and according to the Gärtner-Heyer classification for density. Statistical analysis was performed to analyze the difference in HO between the patients who were treated with indomethacin and with meloxicam. RESULTS: Seventy-eight patients, with a mean age of 48.8 years (range 30-72) were included. The mean follow-up after surgery was 12 months (range 2-45). Indomethacin (21 days, 25 mg 3 times per day) was prescribed to 26 (33%) patients. The 52 other patients (67%) were prescribed meloxicam 15 mg daily for 7 days. HOs were seen in 19 patients 8 weeks postoperatively. Five of 26 patients treated with indomethacin developed HO, and 14 of 52 patients treated with meloxicam developed HO (P = .5). Two patients had symptomatic HO with minor restrictions in movement; neither patient was treated with indomethacin. Significantly more HOs were seen in patients with a longer time from injury to surgery (P = .01) The intraclass correlation score for reliability between assessors for HO scoring on postoperative radiographs was good to excellent for both classifications. CONCLUSION: In this study, HOs were seen in 24% of postoperative radiographs. Three weeks of indomethacin was not superior to meloxicam for 1 week for the prevention of HO after single-incision distal biceps tendon repair.

Higher failure rate of suture anchors in partial distal biceps tendon ruptures in comparison with Endobutton fixation.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the preferred repair technique of partial tears of the distal biceps tendon. In this study, suture anchors were compared with the Endobutton technique for repair of partial distal biceps tendon ruptures, especially regarding failure rate. METHODS: A total of 59 patients with 62 partial distal biceps ruptures underwent surgical treatment between 2008 and 2019. Repair of the partially ruptured distal biceps tendon was performed using suture anchors (n = 21) or an Endobutton (n = 41). Postoperative evaluation consisted of integrity and physical examination of the distal biceps tendon, range of motion, stability, neurologic status, and radiographs in AP view and lateral direction of the elbow. RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 14 (1-82) months in all patients, a total of 5 patients had a rerupture of the reconstructed distal biceps tendon (8.1%). A significant higher rerupture rate was seen in the suture anchor group (n = 4) than in the Endobutton group (n = 1) (P = .04). The other outcome measures were similar between groups. Other than rerupture rate, there were complications in 21 patients (34%). The major symptomatic complication was attributed to lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve neuropraxia (n = 8, 15%). Heterotopic ossifications were seen in 12 patients (34%), and ossifications were symptomatic in 4 of these patients (33%). CONCLUSION: A significantly higher failure rate was seen after repair of a partial distal biceps rupture using suture anchors than by using an Endobutton technique. Overall, both techniques were accompanied with complications, in particular, lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve neuropraxia neuropraxia and the formation of heterotopic ossifications, though clinically less relevant than a rerupture.

Assessment of the reliability of a non-invasive elbow valgus laxity measurement device.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability of a new objective measurement tool to measure the valgus stress laxity of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the elbow, the "Elbow Tester". The anterior oblique portion of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the elbow is the primary static restraint to valgus stress during the overhead throwing motion. The main research question was if the "Elbow Tester" that we have developed was reliable and reproducible for further use in research and daily practice. METHODS: Three different examiners tested both elbows of 11 volunteers for UCL laxity. Each elbow was tested 5 times using a standard 2 Nm valgus load, and 3 times using a manual maximum valgus load. One examiner tested the volunteers again 1 week later. The outcomes of elbow valgus laxity were compared between examiners. The intraobserver reliability was assessed using an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and interobserver reliability was also assessed with a mixed model repeated ANOVA test. RESULTS: The device demonstrated a high level of intraobserver reliability with both the 2 Nm valgus force and manual maximum valgus force, using a minimum of three trials as determined by an ICC > 0.9 for all examiners. The interobserver reliability was moderate using the 2 Nm valgus load with an ICC value of 0.72 and significant different outcomes of elbow valgus laxity amongst examiners (p < 0.01). A high interobserver reliability (ICC value of 0.90) was observed using manual maximum valgus force and no differences between outcomes (p > 0.53). CONCLUSION: The noninvasive valgus elbow tester demonstrates high interobserver and intraobserver reliability using manual maximum valgus force and can be used for further research and daily practice.

The Mechanisms and Effects of Physical Activity on Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. An extensive part of this health problem can be prevented by an active lifestyle. Physical activity can reduce the risk of breast cancer, reduce the rate of recurrence, and increase the survival rate of patients with breast cancer. The aim of this review was to summarize our current knowledge regarding the effects of physical activity on breast cancer risk, recurrence, and survival. Furthermore, we investigated 5 possible underlying mechanisms through which physical activity has an influence on breast cancer (ie, a reduction of sex hormones, metabolic hormones, adipokines and oxidative stress, and an improvement of the immune function). In this review, we give a complete overview of this subject.

The Arginine/ADMA Ratio Is Related to the Prevention of Atherosclerotic Plaques in Hypercholesterolemic Rabbits When Giving a Combined Therapy with Atorvastatine and Arginine.

UNLABELLED: Supplementation with arginine in combination with atorvastatin is more efficient in reducing the size of an atherosclerotic plaque than treatment with a statin or arginine alone in homozygous Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbits. We evaluated the mechanism behind this feature by exploring the role of the arginine/asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) ratio, which is the substrate and inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and thereby nitric oxide (NO), respectively. METHODS: Rabbits were fed either an arginine diet (group A, n = 9), standard rabbit chow plus atorvastatin (group S, n = 8), standard rabbit chow plus an arginine diet with atorvastatin (group SA, n = 8) or standard rabbit chow (group C, n = 9) as control. Blood was sampled and the aorta was harvested for topographic and histological analysis. Plasma levels of arginine, ADMA, cholesterol and nitric oxide were determined and the arginine/ADMA ratio was calculated. RESULTS: The decrease in ADMA levels over time was significantly correlated to fewer aortic lesions in the distal aorta and total aorta. The arginine/ADMA ratio was correlated to cholesterol levels and decrease in cholesterol levels over time in the SA group. A lower arginine/ADMA ratio was significantly correlated to lower NO levels in the S and C group. DISCUSSION: A balance between arginine and ADMA is an important indicator in the prevention of the development of atherosclerotic plaques.

Novel nutritional substrates in surgery.

Pharmaco-nutrients have beneficial effects on protective and immunological mechanisms in patients undergoing surgery, which are important for recovery after injury and in combating infectious agents. The aim of this review article was to outline the potential of the administration of nutritional substrates to surgical patients and the underlying mechanisms that make them particularly important in peri-operative care. Surgery causes a stress response, which has catabolic effects on the body's substrate stores. The amino acid glutamine is a stimulating agent for immune cells. It activates protective mechanisms through its role as a precursor for antioxidants and it improves the barrier function of the gut. Arginine also enhances the function of the immune system, since it is the substrate for T-lymphocytes. Furthermore, n-3 PUFA stabilise surgery-induced hyper-inflammation. Taurine is another substrate that may counteract the negative effects of surgical injury on acid-base balance and osmotic balance. These pharmaco-nutrients rapidly become deficient under the influence of surgical stress. Supplementation of these nutrients in surgical patients may restore their protective and immune-enhancing actions and improve clinical outcome. Moreover, pre-operative fasting is still common practice in the Western world, although fasting has a negative effect on the patient's condition and the recovery after surgery. This may be counteracted by a simple intervention such as administering a carbohydrate-rich supplement just before surgery. In conclusion, there are various nutritional substrates that may be of great value in improving the condition of the surgical patient, which may be beneficial for post-operative recovery.