Treating open fractures in long bones can be challenging and if not performed properly can lead to poor outcomes such as mal/non-union, deformity, and amputation. One of the most common methods of ...treating these fracture types is temporary external fixation followed by definitive fixation. The shortage of high-quality affordable external fixators is a long-recognised need, particularly in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). This research aimed to develop a low-cost device that can be manufactured locally to international standards. This can provide surge capacity for conflict zones or in response to unpredictable incidents and situations. The fixator presented here and developed by us, the Imperial external fixator, was tested on femur and tibia specimens under 100 cycles of 100 N compression-tension and the results were compared with those of the Stryker Hoffmann 3 frame. The Imperial device was stiffer than the Stryker Hoffmann 3 with a lower median interfragmentary motion (of 0.94 vs. 1.48 mm). The low-cost, easy to use, relatively lightweight, and easy to manufacture (since minimum skillset and basic workshop equipment and materials are needed) device can address a critical shortage and need in LMICs particularly in conflict-affected regions with unpredictable demand and supply. The device is currently being piloted in three countries for road traffic accidents, gunshot wounds and other conflict trauma-including blast cohorts.
In 2009, the City of Cape Town (CoCT) adopted a stormwater policy which mandates that new and existing developments should reduce the concentration of phosphorus and suspended solids in stormwater ...runoff by 45% and 80%, respectively, but offered no explicit guidance about how these water quality targets might be achieved. This study aims to contribute to the limited knowledge that exists about the performance of local plant species to treat stormwater. A large nursery-based study was conducted to investigate the performance of 9 locally-occurring plant species to remove orthophosphate (PO4 -3), ammonia (NH3) and nitrate (NO3 -) found in urban stormwater. Synthetic stormwater was applied to each species as well as a control consisting only of soil (Malmesbury shale). The discharge was collected from a drainage pipe at the base of each of the 150 containers. The results show that all species (excluding Ficinia) reduced the average concentrations of PO4 -3 by 81% and NH3 by 90%. By contrast, NO3 - was reduced by an average of 69% (excluding by Elegia and Phragmites) with 8 of the 9 species removing significantly more than the control. The species that performed well for all three nutrients include Agapanthus and turf grasses, Stenotaphrum and Pennisetum. The results of the study highlight three important factors in the design of biofilters: that a substantial proportion of nutrients can be captured or absorbed by plants; that the soil medium is an important factor in the removal of PO4 -3 and NH3; and that plant choice is essential in the removal of NO3 -. Future research should test plant species in both the laboratory and field settings, and should include additional contaminants such as household detergents, heavy metals and bacteria.
Gladiolus tristis (ever-flowering gladiolus) was tested for its potential as a flowering potted plant, using the growth retardant paclobutrazol. The treatments included a control, 2, 4, 8 and 16 mg ...active ingredient (a.i.) per pot and were applied when the longest leaves reached 15 cm. All treatments reduced perpendicular leaf height. Inflorescence heights were significantly affected by paclobutrazol. The flower spikes of plants treated with 2, 4 and 8 mg a.i. per pot were only marginally shorter than the control, while the height of plants treated with 16 mg was significantly reduced. All plants reached first-flower anthesis within a month from 22 weeks after planting. Flowering was staggered throughout the month, from the control through to plants treated with 16 mg a.i., with the control flowering from 166 days after planting, gradually increasing to 178 for 2 mg, 181 for 4 mg, 183 for 8 mg, and 186 for 16 mg a.i./pot. The average number of flowers produced per pot significantly dropped with increasing strength of a.i. applied. The control produced an average of three flowers while plants treated with 16 mg a.i produced less than one.
Abstract
Background: An ultrahigh-performance LC (UHPLC)–tandem MS (MS/MS) method for determination of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins and tetrodotoxin (TTX) in bivalve molluscs was developed. ...To be used for regulatory testing, it needed to be validated through collaborative study. Objective: The aim was to conduct a collaborative study with 21 laboratories, using results to assess method performance. Methods: Study materials incorporated shellfish species mussels, oysters, cockles, scallops, and clams and were assessed to demonstrate stability and homogeneity. Mean concentrations determined by participants for blind duplicate samples were used to assess reproducibility, repeatability, and trueness. Results: Method performance characteristics were excellent following statistical assessment of participant data, with method trueness showing excellent method accuracy against expected values. No significant difference was found in the trueness results determined by different chromatographic column types. Acceptability of the between-laboratory reproducibility for individual analytes was evidenced by >99% of valid Horwitz ratio values being less than the 2.0 limit of acceptability. With excellent linearity and sensitivity fit-for-purpose over a range of mass spectrometer instruments, the UHPLC-MS/MS method compared well against other detection methods. It includes additional paralytic shellfish toxin (PST) analogues as well as TTX, which, to date, have not been incorporated into any other hydrophilic marine toxin official method of analysis. Conclusions: The results from this study demonstrate that the method is suitable for the analysis of PST analogues and TTX in shellfish tissues and is recommended as an official alternative method of analysis for regulatory control. Highlights: A new mass spectrometric method for PST and TTX has been validated successfully through collaborative study.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The seasonal trend and frequency of detection of Vibrionaceae in seawater samples and in molluscs collected in the Adriatic Sea was measured.
Over a 2-year period, 726 bacterial strains were ...isolated, of which 46.9% belonged to the Vibrio genus, 29.8% to the Aeromonas genus and the remaining 23.3% was made up of the Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Pasteurella, Agrobacterium and Ochrobacterium genera. Many of the isolated strains were shown to produce toxins.
The Vibrio genus, which was isolated more often than the other genera, was particularly prevalent in summer (54.4% of the total number of bacteria isolated during this season), while it was scarce in the winter months.
L. CROCI, P. SERRATORE, L. COZZI, A. STACCHINI, S. MILANDRI, E. SUFFREDINI AND L. TOTI. 2001.
Aims: The seasonal trend and frequency of detection of Vibrionaceae in seawater samples and in molluscs ...collected in the Adriatic Sea was measured.
Methods and Results: Over a 2‐year period, 726 bacterial strains were isolated, of which 46·9% belonged to the Vibrio genus, 29·8% to the Aeromonas genus and the remaining 23·3% was made up of the Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Pasteurella, Agrobacterium and Ochrobacterium genera. Many of the isolated strains were shown to produce toxins.
Conclusions: The Vibrio genus, which was isolated more often than the other genera, was particularly prevalent in summer (54·4% of the total number of bacteria isolated during this season), while it was scarce in the winter months.
Phenotypic data on 110 heterotrophic, facultative anaerobic, Gram negative marine bacteria were performed. The isolates were obtained from molluscs and seawater sampled over eight months in a marine ...coastal area of the Adriatic Sea. The strains were characterized by 69 morphological, biochemical, physiological and nutritional tests and compared with some Vibrio species, particularly important among those of medical and veterinary importance and commonly found in the coastal environments: V. cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus, V. alginolyticus, V. vulnificus, V. fluvialis, V. furnissii. Clustering yielded 11 phena at a similarity coefficient of 65 to 85% with the Adansonian method. The V. vulnificus-like group was the most representative, whereas the least were V. parahaemolyticus and V. alginolyticus
E' stata effettuata la caratterizzazione fenotipica di 110 batteri marini eterotrofi, anaerobici facoltativi, Gram negativi. Gli isolati sono stati ottenuti da molluschi e acqua di mare campionati nel corso di otto mesi in un'area costiera del Mare Adriatico. I ceppi sono stati caratterizzati mediante 69 test morfologici, biochimici, fisiologici e nutrizionali e confrontati con alcune specie del genere Vibrio, particolarmente importanti fra quelle di rilevanza medica e veterinaria e comunemente ritrovate negli ambienti costieri: V. cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus, V. alginolyticus, V. vulnificus, V. fluvialis, V.furnissii. Il raggruppamento ha portato alla costituzione di 11 gruppi fenotipici con un coefficiente di somiglianza dal 65 all'85% con il metodo Adansoniano. Il gruppo simile a V. vulnificus era il piu' rappresentato, mentre i meno rappresentati risultavano quelli simili a V. parahaemolyticus e V. alginolyticus
Background:
Persistent strength and biomechanical deviations remain after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Eccentric training may reduce these and associated reinjury or ...osteoarthritis risks.
Hypothesis:
For male patients who have undergone ACLR, eccentric training is more effective than concentric training at improving knee flexion angle and other biomechanical deviations, as well as strength and patient-reported outcomes, using a matched perceived exertion dose.
Study Design:
Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.
Methods:
A total of 26 men, 10-16 weeks after hamstring tendon graft ACLR, were randomized to an eccentric training group or a concentric control group. Both groups trained 3 times a week for 8 weeks using the same isokinetic cycle ergometer in a matched studio environment. Exercise dose was matched in training frequency, time, progression, and intensity using a target rating of perceived exertion. Baseline and follow-up testing included questionnaires, dynamometer strength testing, and walk/run gait analysis.
Results:
Eccentric training increased knee (+2.1°; P = .022) and hip (+2.1°; P = .010) flexion angles more than concentric training but not more than the minimal clinically important difference of 3°. Very large asymmetries in baseline knee abduction moment (walk, −0.10 N·m/kg/m; run, −0.54 N·m/kg/m) had not changed in either group by follow-up. Knee valgus angle effects were mixed. Tibial rotation angle increased in both groups, but concentric training was more effective at promoting symmetry (P < .001). Both groups had similar increases in affected limb quadriceps strength and knee flexion moments during walk/run gait (by 20% to 33%). Hamstring strength increased in the eccentric group (+15.4%) but not the concentric group. Eccentric group limb forces were 33% to 70% higher than those of the concentric group, with a lower heart rate. Both groups had low pain scores throughout.
Conclusion:
For rehabilitation after ACLR, progressive eccentric cycle training was not more clinically effective than concentric training at a matched perceived intensity dose in male patients. This can guide exercise prescription for reducing gait and strength deviations of these patients.
Registration:
PACTR201602001449365 (Pan African Clinical Trials Registry), NHREC 4344 (South African).
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