Passive sampling in support of biota monitoring of hydrophobic substances under the Water Framework Directive.

This paper presents an approach to apply aquatic passive sampling (PS) in regulatory chemical water quality monitoring in Europe. Absorption-based passive sampling is well developed and suitable for the sampling of hydrophobic chemicals, some of which are European Water Framework Directive priority substances with Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) derived for biota. Considering a chemical activity approach to chemical risk assessment, we propose equilibrium concentration in lipids (from passive water sampling) as a reference value for measured concentrations in biota.

From Trophic Magnification Factors to Multimedia Activity Ratios: Chemometers as Versatile Tools to Study the Fate of Hydrophobic Organic Compounds in Aquatic Ecosystems.

We applied passive equilibrium sampling using silicone-based chemometers to nine biota species, sediment, and water in a multimedia aquatic ecosystem. They allowed for direct comparison of the concentration of regulated and emerging hydrophobic organic compounds in the silicone across species as well as the comparison of biota with sediments and water. We derived chemometer-based trophic magnification factors (TMFs) of diverse compounds that agreed with the traditionally derived TMFs.

Cement Viscosity and Application Time Lead to Significant Changes in Cement Penetration and Contact Surface Area.

Background: Application time and viscosity are factors that can significantly affect the properties of bone cement and implant fixation. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of different application times of 2 different cements on mechanical parameters, cement interdigitation, and cement distribution.

Methods: P.

A multidisciplinary perspective on the role of plastic pollution in the triple planetary crisis.

In this perspective paper, we discuss the negative impacts of plastics and associated chemicals on the triple planetary crisis of environmental pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss from a multidisciplinary perspective. Plastics are part of the pollution crisis, threatening ecosystems and human health. They also impact climate change and accelerate biodiversity loss; in this, they aggravate the triple planetary crisis.

Screening the release of chemicals and microplastic particles from diverse plastic consumer products into water under accelerated UV weathering conditions.

Photodegradation of plastic consumer products is known to accelerate weathering and facilitate the release of chemicals and plastic particles into the aquatic environment. However, these processes are complex. In our presented pilot study, eight plastic consumer products were leached in distilled water under strong ultraviolet (UV) light simulating eight months of Central European climate and compared to their respective dark controls (DCs).

The time for ambitious action is now: Science-based recommendations for plastic chemicals to inform an effective global plastic treaty.

The ubiquitous and global ecological footprint arising from the rapidly increasing rates of plastic production, use, and release into the environment is an important modern environmental issue. Of increasing concern are the risks associated with at least 16,000 chemicals present in plastics, some of which are known to be toxic, and which may leach out both during use and once exposed to environmental conditions, leading to environmental and human exposure. In response, the United Nations member states agreed to establish an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, the global plastics treaty.

Mid- to long-term periprosthetic bone density changes after cementless short stem hip arthroplasty in elderly: A clinical and radiological analysis.

Introduction: Short stem prostheses were originally designed for younger and more active patients. In recent years, they have been increasingly offered to older patients. This study evaluates the mid-to long-term survival of a short stem prosthesis and the changes in periprosthetic bone density following implantation of a cementless short hip stem in patients over 60 years of age.

Hunting for pigments in bacterial settlers of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a significant collection of plastic introduced by human activities, provides an ideal environment to study bacterial lifestyles on plastic substrates. We proposed that bacteria colonizing the floating plastic debris would develop strategies to deal with the ultraviolet-exposed substrate, such as the production of antioxidant pigments. We observed a variety of pigmentation in 67 strains that were directly cultivated from plastic pieces sampled from the Garbage Patch.

[Implant anchorage: In vivo and in vitro analyses : Clusters for implant anchorage and safety].

Aseptic implant loosening is the primary cause of revisions in arthroplasty. Various in vitro and in vivo methods are available for assessing implant fixation and stability. The aim of the Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Network (MSB-NET) is to continuously improve or develop these methods.

Assessment, distribution, and ecological risk of contaminants of emerging concern in a surface water-sediment-fish system impacted by wastewater.

The presence of contaminants of emerging concern in aquatic ecosystems represents an ever-increasing environmental problem. Aquatic biota is exposed to these contaminants, which can be absorbed and distributed to their organs. This study focused on the assessment, distribution, and ecological risk of 32 CECs in a Spanish river impacted by effluents from a wastewater treatment plant, analyzing the organs and plasma of common carp.

Hotspots of Floating Plastic Particles across the North Pacific Ocean.

The pollution of the marine environment with plastic debris is expected to increase, where ocean currents and winds cause their accumulation in convergence zones like the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre (NPSG). Surface-floating plastic (>330 μm) was collected in the North Pacific Ocean between Vancouver (Canada) and Singapore using a neuston catamaran and identified by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Baseline concentrations of 41,600-102,700 items km were found, dominated by polyethylene and polypropylene.

Development and Finite Element (FE) analysis of a novel short hip stem concept.

Introduction: In order to improve the anchorage behavior of short hip stems, this development project aims at designing a short hip stem concept that preserves the femoral neck and minimizes interference with the physiological stress distribution of the femur. The new design will be evaluated according to ISO 7206-4 which is the standard for testing Implants for surgery.

Methods: Basic CAD models based on an established short stem prosthesis were created and evaluated using finite element analysis.

Acoustical determination of primary stability of femoral short stem during uncemented hip implantation.

Background: Preparing the medullary space of the femur aims to create an ideal form-fitting of cementless implants to provide sufficient initial stability, which is crucial for osseous integration, ensuring good long-term results. Hammering the implant into the proximal femur creates a press-fit anchoring of the endoprosthesis in the medullary space. Implanting the optimal size of the shaft for best fitting should avoid damage to the bone.

Micromotion measurement at the interfaces of cemented tibial endoprosthetic replacements: A new standardized in vitro model using open-cell rigid foam.

Early aseptic loosening following primary total knee arthroplasty related to several factors might appear at the interface implant-cement or cement-bone. A standardized in vitro model might provide information on the relevance of single variable parameter of cementation including technique and cement respectively bone structure on fixation strength. Micromotion measurement using different directions of load should detect the primary stability of the interfaces.

Retrospective clinical and X-ray-based outcome analysis of a short-stem hip arthroplasty taking into account the operative learning curve over 7 years in the 3-year control course.

Introduction: Self-monitoring is crucial to work progressively with a high-quality standard. A retrospective analysis is a valuable tool for studying the postoperative outcome of a prosthesis and for evaluating the learning process for the surgeon.

Materials And Methods: The learning process of one surgeon was analysed in 133 cases of hip arthroplasty.

Influence of muscle traction on the primary stability of a reverse humeral prosthesis.

Background: Currently, the influence of muscle traction on the postoperative stability of humeral prostheses is not adequately researched. This study analyzed the prosthesis' stability during muscle traction considering different bone defect sizes.

Methods: The reverse humeral prosthesis "AEQUALIS™ ADJUSTABLE REVERSED" (Stryker) was implanted using press-fit into ten bones with a length of 200 mm and 160 mm.

Toxicokinetic modelling of the transfer of non-dioxin like polychlorinated biphenyls from feed into edible tissues of pigs.

Non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (ndl-PCBs) are persistent environmental pollutants that accumulate in the tissues of exposed animals and humans. Contaminated feed can lead to ndl-PCB contaminated food of animal origin; such foods are the main route of human exposure. Therefore, predicting ndl-PCB transfer from feed into animal products is important for human health risk assessment.

Characterizing the marine mammal exposome by iceberg modeling, linking chemical analysis and bioassays.

The present study complements work on mixture effects measured with bioassays of passive equilibrium sampling extracts using the silicone polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) in organs from marine mammals with chemical profiling. Blubber, liver, kidney and brain tissues of harbor porpoise (), harbor seal (), ringed seal () and orca () from the North and Baltic Seas were investigated. We analyzed 117 chemicals including legacy and emerging contaminants using gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry and quantified 70 of those chemicals in at least one sample.

Spectrum of ANCA-specificities in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. A retrospective multicentre study.

Objectives: To determine the spectrum of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) antigen-specificities in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), an ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) entity.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 73 EGPA patients from three German tertiary referral centres for vasculitis. In addition to in-house ANCA testing, pentraxin 3 (PTX3)- and olfactomedin 4 (OLM4)-ANCA were determined using a prototype cell-based assay for research (EUROIMMUN, Lübeck, Germany).

Transfer and toxicokinetic modeling of non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (ndl-PCBs) into accidentally exposed dairy cattle and their calves - A case report.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent environmental pollutants that accumulate in tissues of exposed animals and humans. This case report refers ton=3 dairy cows accidentally exposed to non-dioxin-like PCBs (ndl-PCBs) of unknown origin on a German farm. At study start they had a cumulative total of 122-643 ng/g fat in milk and 105-591 ng/g fat in blood, consisting mainly of PCBs 138, 153, and 180.

Chemometers: an integrative tool for chemical assessment in multimedia environments.

We propose novel chemometers - passive equilibrium samplers of, , silicone - as an integrative tool for the assessment of hydrophobic organic compounds in multimedia environments. The traditional way of assessing levels of organic pollutants across different environmental compartments is to compare the chemical concentration normalized to the major sorptive phase in two or more media. These sorptive phases for hydrophobic organic compounds differ between compartments, , lipids in biota and organic carbon in sediments.

Development and validation of an algorithm to determine the minimal factors needed for non-invasive measurement of the in vivo primary stability of cementless hip implants.

Aseptic loosening is a frequent cause for revision of endoprosthesis. X-ray examinations like Radio-Stereometry-Analysis (RSA) are among the most widely used in vivo methods for its detection. Nevertheless, this method is not used routinely because of bone marker and related radiation exposure.

Measuring Young's modulus of single trabeculae in cancellous bone using a two-point bending test.

Backround: Surgical treatment of proximal humeral fractures poses a major challenge, especially in osteoporotic bone. At present, there appears to exist neither a suitable model for research to optimize the osteosynthesis processes nor are the structural data available which are required for developing such a model. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the microscopic morphology and Young's modulus of cancellous bone from human humeral heads considering osteoporotic changes.