Versailles project on advanced materials and standards (VAMAS) interlaboratory study on measuring the number concentration of colloidal gold nanoparticles.

We describe the outcome of a large international interlaboratory study of the measurement of particle number concentration of colloidal nanoparticles, project 10 of the technical working area 34, "Nanoparticle Populations" of the Versailles Project on Advanced Materials and Standards (VAMAS). A total of 50 laboratories delivered results for the number concentration of 30 nm gold colloidal nanoparticles measured using particle tracking analysis (PTA), single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICP-MS), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) light spectroscopy, centrifugal liquid sedimentation (CLS) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The study provides quantitative data to evaluate the repeatability of these methods and their reproducibility in the measurement of number concentration of model nanoparticle systems following a common measurement protocol.

Pandemic planning and its relevance to surgeons.

This article will briefly discuss pandemic planning and its relevance to surgeons. It will cover principally the UK response to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2), although it will also compare and contrast other diseases and reference more general principles of major incident planning. Areas that individual surgeons and departments can, and should, influence are discussed.

Global quieting of high-frequency seismic noise due to COVID-19 pandemic lockdown measures.

Human activity causes vibrations that propagate into the ground as high-frequency seismic waves. Measures to mitigate the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused widespread changes in human activity, leading to a months-long reduction in seismic noise of up to 50%. The 2020 seismic noise quiet period is the longest and most prominent global anthropogenic seismic noise reduction on record.

Recurrent rhabdomyolysis caused by carnitine palmitoyltransferase II deficiency, common but under-recognised: Lessons to be learnt.

We discuss two adult siblings who presented with symptoms of myalgia and rhabdomyolysis following exercise with myoglobinuria; genetic testing confirmed carnitine palmitoyltransferase II deficiency and resulted in institution of appropriate crisis management and dietary advice. We explore the phenotypic variability of this commonest fatty oxidation defect that remains under-diagnosed in the adult population and provide clues for early recognition and diagnosis.

Decompressive laparotomy for abdominal compartment syndrome.

Background: The effect of decompressive laparotomy on outcomes in patients with abdominal compartment syndrome has been poorly investigated. The aim of this prospective cohort study was to describe the effect of decompressive laparotomy for abdominal compartment syndrome on organ function and outcomes.

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study in adult patients who underwent decompressive laparotomy for abdominal compartment syndrome.

Exposure determinants of cadmium in European mothers and their children.

The metal cadmium (Cd) is a widespread environmental pollutant with documented adverse effects on the kidneys and bones from long-term environmental exposure, but with insufficiently elucidated public health consequences such as risk of cardiovascular disease, hormone-related cancer in adults and developmental effects in children. This study is the first pan-European human biomonitoring project that succeeded in performing harmonized measurements of Cd in urine in a comparable way in mother-child couples from 16 European countries. The aim of the study was to evaluate the overall Cd exposure and significant determinants of Cd exposure.

The European COPHES/DEMOCOPHES project: towards transnational comparability and reliability of human biomonitoring results.

COPHES/DEMOCOPHES has its origins in the European Environment and Health Action Plan of 2004 to "develop a coherent approach on human biomonitoring (HBM) in Europe". Within this twin-project it was targeted to collect specimens from 120 mother-child-pairs in each of the 17 participating European countries. These specimens were investigated for six biomarkers (mercury in hair; creatinine, cotinine, cadmium, phthalate metabolites and bisphenol A in urine).

A double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial to assess the effect of Doppler optimized intraoperative fluid management on outcome following radical cystectomy.

Purpose: Cardiovascular optimization via esophageal Doppler can minimize gastrointestinal hypoperfusion, reducing the risk of multiple organ dysfunction and postoperative complications during major surgery. We assessed the effect of esophageal Doppler guided cardiovascular optimization in patients undergoing radical cystectomy.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled trial at a United Kingdom teaching hospital between 2006 and 2009.

Renal replacement in the deployed setting.

We present a case of a UK soldier suffering multiple injuries in Afghanistan including a lacerated liver, complicated by acute anuric renal failure. His condition was stabilised prior to transfer to the UK using continuous venovenous haemofiltration. This is the first deployed use of renal replacement therapy by UK forces for several decades, and raises questions regarding the provision of this high level capability in the deployed setting.

Lethal/severe osteogenesis imperfecta in a large family: a novel homozygous LEPRE1 mutation and bone histological findings.

We report a large consanguineous Turkish family in which multiple individuals are affected with autosomal recessive lethal or severe osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) due to a novel homozygous LEPRE1 mutation. In one affected individual histological studies of bone tissue were performed, which may indicate that the histology of LEPRE1 -associated OI is indistinguishable from COL1A1/2 -, CRTAP -, and PPIB -related OI.

PPIB mutations cause severe osteogenesis imperfecta.

Deficiency of cartilage-associated protein (CRTAP) or prolyl 3-hydroxylase 1(P3H1) has been reported in autosomal-recessive lethal or severe osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). CRTAP, P3H1, and cyclophilin B (CyPB) form an intracellular collagen-modifying complex that 3-hydroxylates proline at position 986 (P986) in the alpha1 chains of collagen type I. This 3-prolyl hydroxylation is decreased in patients with CRTAP and P3H1 deficiency.

Quality of life and functional outcome at 3, 6 and 12 months after acute necrotising pancreatitis.

Purpose: To prospectively determine the quality of life and functional outcome at 3, 6 and 12 months following acute necrotising pancreatitis.

Methods: Thirty-one consecutive patients with acute necrotising pancreatitis requiring intensive care in our hospital were identified. Survivors were assessed at 3, 6 and 12 months following hospital discharge by an investigator blinded to their previous treatment.

CRTAP mutations in lethal and severe osteogenesis imperfecta: the importance of combining biochemical and molecular genetic analysis.

Autosomal recessive lethal and severe osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is caused by the deficiency of cartilage-associated protein (CRTAP) and prolyl-3-hydroxylase 1 (P3H1) because of CRTAP and LEPRE1 mutations. We analyzed five families in which 10 individuals had a clinical diagnosis of lethal and severe OI with an overmodification of collagen type I on biochemical testing and without a mutation in the collagen type I genes. CRTAP mutations not described earlier were identified in the affected individuals.

Early noncardiogenic pulmonary edema and the use of PEEP and prone ventilation after emergency liver transplantation.

Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema in liver transplant recipients is usually secondary to TRALI (transfusion related acute lung injury) or liver ischemic-reperfusion injury. If persistent, the resultant hypoxemia is associated with increased ventilator days, prolonged length of stay (intensive care and hospital) and increased 28-day mortality. Ventilation strategies for the management of hypoxemia in acute lung injury include moderate to high levels of PEEP (positive and expiratory pressure) and prone ventilation (PV).

Locally developed guidelines reduce immediate complications from percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy using the Ciaglia Blue Rhino technique: a report on 200 procedures.

Ciaglia Blue Rhino percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy is used as an aid to ventilatory weaning. It carries an immediate complication rate previously reported in 100 consecutive patients by Fikkers et al at 6% for "major" complications and 30% for "minor" complications. Mortality has been associated with the procedure.