Comparison of above elbow and below elbow immobilisation for conservative treatment of distal end radius fracture in adults:A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Purpose:The aim of this study was to analyze if any difference exists on the type of immobilisation(above elbow vs.below elbow)in the conservative treatment of distal end radius fractures in adults.Methods:The study was performed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses.An electronic literature search was performed up to 1st October 2021 in Medline,Embase,Ovid and Cochrane database using the search terms,"distal end radius fractures OR fracture of distal radius","conservative treatment OR non-surgical treatment","above elbow immobilisation"and"below elbow immobilisation".Randomized clinical trials written in English,describing outcome of distal end radius fractures in adults by conservative or non-surgical means using above elbow immobilisation or below elbow immobilisation were included and assessed according to the risk of bias assessment(RoB2)tool by Cochrane collaboration.Non-randomized clinical trials,observational studies,retrospec-tive studies,review articles,commentaries,editorials,conference presentations,operative techniques and articles without availability of full text were excluded from this review.The meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager version 5.4.1(The Cochrane Collaboration,Copenhagen,Denmark).Results:Six randomized clinical trials were included for quantitative review.High heterogeneity(I2>75%)was noted among all the studies.The standard mean difference(MD)between the disability of the arm,shoulder and hand scores in both the groups was 0.52(95%CI:-0.28 to 1.32)which was statistically non-significantt.There was no statistical difference in the radial height(MD=0.10,95%CI:-0.91 to 1.12),radial inclination(MD=0.5,95%CI:-1.88 to 2.87,palmar tilt(MD=1.06,95%CI:-0.31 to 2.43)and ulnar variance(MD=0.05,95%CI:-0.74 to 0.64).It was observed that shoulder pain occurred more commonly as a complication in above elbow immobilisation and the values were statistically significant(above elbow:38/92,41.3%;below elbow:19/94,20.2%).Conclusion:This two-armed systematic review on the above elbow or below elbow immobilisation to be used for conservative treatment of the distal end radius fracture in adults resulted in non-significant differences in terms of functional and radiological scores among the 2 groups but significant increase in the complication rates in the above elbow group.

Immobilisation of electrochemically active bacteria on screen-printed electrodes for rapid in situ toxicity biosensing

are time-consuming and not sensitive enough.However,bacteria typically connect to electrodes through biofilm formation,leading to problems due to lack of uniformity or long device production times.A suitable immobilisation technique can overcome these challenges.Still,they may respond more slowly than biofilm-based electrodes because bacteria gradually adapt to electron transfer during biofilm formation.In this study,we propose a controlled and reproducible way to fabricate bacteria-modified electrodes.The method consists of an immobilisation step using a cellulose matrix,followed by an electrode polarization in the presence of ferricyanide and glucose.Our process is short,reproducible and led us to obtain ready-to-use electrodes featuring a high-current response.An excellent shelf-life of the immobilised electrochemically active bacteria was demonstrated for up to one year.After an initial 50% activity loss in the first month,no further declines have been observed over the following 11 months.We implemented our bacteria-modified electrodes to fabricate a lateral flow platform for toxicity monitoring using formaldehyde(3%).Its addition led to a 59% current decrease approximately 20 min after the toxic input.The methods presented here offer the ability to develop a high sensitivity,easy to produce,and long shelf life bacteria-based toxicity detectors.

Anisotropic gold nanoparticles: Preparation and applications in catalysis

Despite the high amount of scientific work dedicated to the gold nanoparticles in catalysis, most of the research has been performed utilising supported nanoparticles obtained by traditional impreg‐nation of gold salts onto a support, co‐precipitation or deposition‐precipitation methods which do not benefit from the recent advances in nanotechnologies. Only more recently, gold catalyst scien‐tists have been exploiting the potential of preforming the metal nanoparticles in a colloidal suspen‐sion before immobilisation with great results in terms of catalytic activity and the morphology con‐trol of mono‐and bimetallic catalysts. On the other hand, the last decade has seen the emergence of more advanced control in gold metal nanoparticle synthesis, resulting in a variety of anisotropic gold nanoparticles with easily accessible new morphologies that offer control over the coordination of surface atoms and the optical properties of the nanoparticles （tunable plasmon band） with im‐mense relevance for catalysis. Such morphologies include nanorods, nanostars, nanoflowers, den‐dritic nanostructures or polyhedral nanoparticles to mention a few. In addition to highlighting newly developed methods and properties of anisotropic gold nanoparticles, in this review we ex‐amine the emerging literature that clearly indicates the often superior catalytic performance and amazing potential of these nanoparticles to transform the field of heterogeneous catalysis by gold by offering potentially higher catalytic performance, control over exposed active sites, robustness and tunability for thermal‐, electro‐and photocatalysis.

Colour Removal from Aqueous Solutions of the Reactive Azo Dye Remazol Black B Using the Immobilised Cells (Shewanella Strain J18 143) –Cellulose-g.co-Monomer System

Consideration is given here to colour removal, carried out using immobilised biological cells, Shewanella strain J18 143. In order to provide greater control of an overall colour removal process and to give a basis for the effective recovery of the cell culture species, cell immobilisation has been established on chemically modified cellulose. The modification was achieved by chemically inducing the graft copolymerisation of methacrylic acid onto cotton fabric. The immobilised cells were able to decolorise the dye. The immobilisation methods, physical adsorption, “growing-in” and chemical coupling, were compared. Each of the methods was effective to some extent. However, the latter two immobilisation methods provided the greater effect in decoloration. Each of these immobilised systems is relatively simple to achieve, whether by adsorption, physical interlocking or covalent coupling. The graft copolymer is able to offer versatility in use. The decoloration was shown to be rapid under relatively simple processing conditions. Thus, compared with the established controls, complete decoloration of solutions of Remazol Black B was observed. The potential use of the graft copolymer substrate as support for a biochemical agent was confirmed.

Algae-Silica Hybrid Materials for Biosorption of Heavy Metals

Algae-silica hybrid materials for biosorption purposes were prepared using sol-gel technology. The resulting biological ceramics (biocers) ought to combine the mechanical stability and porosity of the silicate matrix with the algae’s capability for the biosorption for heavy metals. The structure, mechanical properties, and sorption capability of such algae-silicate materials were investigated. Comparative equilibrium sorption ex-periments were performed batchwise with 13 different microalgae and macroalgae powders, and the corre-sponding algae biocers using waters loaded with either concentrations of nickel below 3mg/L or a mixture of different heavy metals (Cr, Ni, Cu, Pb). The algae biocers showed good mechanical stability up to an algae content of 30-50% and a total porosity of 40-60%. The silica matrix itself was involved in the sorption of metals. The metal binding capability of embedded macroalgae biomass was unaffected by immobilisation in the silica matrix. In contrast, for waters with nickel or different heavy metals, reduced sorption capability was shown by embedded microalgae.

Hypo-activity induced skeletal muscle atrophy and potential nutritional interventions: A review

Periods of hypo-activity result in profound changes in skeletal muscle morphology and strength. This review primarily addresses the differential impact of de-training, bed-rest, limb immobilisation and unilateral lower limb suspension on muscle morphology, strength and fatigability. The degree of muscle atrophy differs depending on the hypo-activity model and the muscles in question, with the leg and postural muscles being the most susceptible to atrophy. Hypo-activity also results in the dramatic loss of strength that often surpasses the loss of muscle mass, and consequently, the nervous system and contractile properties adapt to adjust for this excessive loss of strength. In addition, the degree of muscle strength loss is different depending on the hypo-activity model, with immobilisation appearing to have a greater impact on strength than unloaded models. There is a step-wise difference in the magnitude of muscle loss so that, even after accounting for differential durations of interventions immobilisation ≥ unilateral lower limb suspension ≥ bed-rest ≥ de-training. Muscle fatigability varies between hypoactivity models but the results are equivocal and thismay be due to task-specific adaptations. This review also addresses potential nutritional interventions for attenuating hypo-activity induced muscle atrophy and strength declines, in the absence of exercise. Essential amino acid supplementation stands as a strong candidate but other supplements are good contenders for attenuating hypo-activity induced atrophy and strength losses. Several potential nutritional supplements are highlighted that could be used to combat muscle atrophy but extensive research is needed to determine the most effective.

Systematic adsorption process of petroleum hydrocarbon by immobilised petroleum-degradation bacteria system in degradation pathways

In order to effectively control petroleum hydrocarbon pollution by immobilisation technology,it is necessary to understanding the degradation pathways of petroleum hydrocarbon in immobilised petroleum-degradation bacteria system.However,the adsorption in degradation process is rarely studied.In this study,adsorption process of petroleum hydrocarbon was synergistically studied by means of the surface properties,adsorption thermodynamics and molecular simulation.The results indicate that the immobilised petroleum-degradation bacteria have many holes for the bacteria to adsorb.The diesel adsorption by immobilised petroleum-degradation bacteria is a spontaneous,entropy-increasing and endothermic process.Diesel is first adsorbed to the surface of immobilised petroleum-degradation bacteria through hydrogen bonding,and then is biodegraded.This study provided substantial knowledge of immobilised technology in controlling petroleum hydrocarbon pollution.

When Computers Can Kill—Two Unusual Cases of “E-Thrombosis”

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common and potentially fatal vascular event when it leads to pulmonary embolism. Occurring as part of the broader phenomenon of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE), DVT classically arises when Virchow’s triad of hypercoagulability, changes in blood flow (e.g. stasis) and endothelial dysfunction, is fulfilled. Although such immobilisation is most often seen in bedbound patients and travellers on long distance flights, there is increasing evidence that prolonged periods of work or leisure related to using computers while seated at work desks, is an independent risk factor. In this report, we present two cases of “e-thrombosis” from prolonged sitting while using a computer.

THE BINDING BEHAVIOUR OF IMMOBILISED LOW MOLECULAR WEIGHT LIGAND WITH PEPTIDES IN BIOSENSOR-BASED SYSTEM

In this study a hovel metal ion affinity ligand was immobility onto the sensor chip. Three poly-histidine peptides were used to study the interaction of tile peptides and the immobilised metal ion affinity ligand via biosensor system . The results obtained in this study indicate that the affinity of immobilised Ni(Ⅱ) ion affinity ligand for these peptides appear to be related to the arrangement of the histidine residues in the peptides. This study first documents the application of biosensor technique for paptide screening.

Biosorption of copper and zinc by immobilised and free algal biomass,and the effects of metal biosorption on the growth and cellular structure of Chlorella sp.and Chlamydomonas sp.isolated from rivers in Penang,Malaysia

In this study, the biosorption of copper and zinc ions by Chlorella sp. and Chlamydomonas sp. isolated from local environments in Malaysia was investigated in a batch system and by microscopic analyses. Under optimal biosorption conditions, the biosorption capacity of Chlorella sp. for copper and zinc ions was 33.4 and 28.5 mg/g, respectively, after 6 hr of biosorption in an immobilised system. Batch experiments showed that the biosorption capacity of algal biomass immobilised in the form of sodium alginate beads was higher than that of the free biomass. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analyses revealed that copper and zinc were mainly sorbed at the cell surface during biosorption. Exposure to 5 mg/L of copper and zinc affected both the chlorophyll content and cell count of the algal cells after the first 12 hr of contact time.

Soil Respiration, Microbial Biomass and Nutrient Availability in Soil After Addition of Residues with Adjusted N and P Concentrations

Microbial activity and nutrient release are known to be influenced by organic matter properties,but it is difficult to separate the effect of C/N ratio from that of C/P ratio because in most plant residues both ratios are either high or low.An incubation experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of reducing the C/N and C/P ratios of slowly decomposable plant residues(young eucalyptus leaves,mature wheat straw,and sawdust) to those of rapidly decomposable residues(young kikuyu shoots) on soil respiration,microbial biomass,and N and P availability.The C/N and C/P ratios of the former were adjusted to 15 and 89,respectively,by adding N as(NH_4)_2SO_4,P as KH_2PO_4 or both and residues were added at 10 g C kg-1 to a silt loam.Soil respiration was measured over21 d;microbial biomass C(MBC) and available N and P were measured on days 0,7,and 21.Compared to the unamended soil,addition of kikuyu increased cumulative respiration 20-fold,MBC concentration 4 to 8-fold,and available P concentration up to4-fold,whereas the increase in available N concentration was small and transient.Cumulative respiration and MBC concentration were low in the sawdust-amended soil and were not influenced by reducing the C/N and C/P ratios.Cumulative respiration with original wheat and eucalyptus was 30%-40%of that with kikuyu.Reducing the C/N ratio alone or both C/N and C/P ratios increased cumulative respiration and MBC concentration 2-fold compared to the original wheat and eucalyptus,whereas reducing the C/P ratio had little effect.Throughout the experiment,the available N concentration after addition of residues with reduced C/N ratio increased in the following order of eucalyptus < wheat < sawdust.By independently lowering the C/N and C/P ratios,microbial activity was more limited by C and N than P.However,lowering the C/N ratio of very slowly decomposable sawdust had no effect on soil respiration and MBC concentration,suggesting that other properties such as concentration of poorly decomposable C compounds limited decomposition.

Impact of a Phosphate Amendment on the Environmental Availability and Phytoavailability of Cd and Pb in Moderately and Highly Carbonated Kitchen Garden Soils

The behaviour of metals mainly depends on soil p H, carbonate contents and contamination level, which should be considered for the management of contaminated soils. In this study, kitchen garden topsoils(0–25 cm) were sampled from the area around three smelters in France, with different Cd and Pb contamination levels. Effect of a phosphate amendment(a mixture of diammonium phosphate and hydroxyapatite) on the environmental availability and phytoavailability of Cd and Pb was evaluated by different chemical extractions and cultivating lettuce(Lactuca sativa L.), respectively. Changes in the distribution of Cd and Pb were found in most contaminated soils after phosphate amendment. An increase of Cd and Pb in the residual phase was highlighted in almost all carbonated contaminated soils, whereas a decrease of Pb in the exchangeable, water and acid-soluble phase was observed in most contaminated soils with the lowest carbonate contents. The concentrations of extractable Cd and Pb using calcium chloride and acetic and citric acids generally decreased after the soil amendment. Lettuces grown on amended soils were acceptable for human consumption as regard to Pb concentration. In contrast, some lettuces were unacceptable for human consumption, since the concentrations of Cd in the leaves were higher than the European legislation limit. Surprisingly, in carbonated soils with very low concentration of Cd, the Cd concentrations in lettuce reached up to the European legislation limit, making the lettuce unacceptable for human consumption.Our study highlighted the fact that the total metal concentration in soils does not always allow to predict the metal accumulation in the edible parts of vegetables in order to make a judgement about their acceptability or unacceptability for human consumption.