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.

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.