Mixed infection by fowlpox virus and Chlamydophila psittaci in a commercial laying hen flock

An outbreak of fowlpox occurred in a commercial laying hen flock in one of the western provinces of Poland. Clinical signs suggested fowlpox and the diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological detection of Bollinger bodies within the epithelial cells. Detailed ultrastructural examination revealed an additional concurrent infection with chlamydia-like particles. The particles were identified by PCR as fowlpox virus and Chlamydophila psittaci. It is worth noting that both pathogens can generate morphologic forms capable of prolonged survival and inducing latent and persistent infection. We suggest a possible interaction between the two pathogens on ultrastructural level and assess the clinical consequences of the mixed infection. This study also demonstrates a potential of the transmission electron microscope (TEM) for identifying a superinfection with another pathogen (in this case C. psittaci), which may remain undetected by routine techniques

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Characteristics of selected bioaccumulative substances and their impact on fish health

The aim of this article was to evaluate the influence and effects of chosen bioaccumulative substances i.e. heavy metals, pesticides, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on fish, as well as provide information on time trends and potential threat to human health. Chemical substances which pollute water may affect living organisms in two ways. First of all, large amounts of chemical substances may cause sudden death of a significant part of the population of farmed fish, without symptoms (i.e. during breakdown of factories or industrial sewage leaks). However, more frequently, chemical substances accumulate in tissues of living organisms affecting them chronically. Heavy metals, pesticides, and polychlorinated biphenyls are persistent substances with a long-lasting biodegradation process. In a water environment they usually accumulate in sediments, which makes them resistant to biodegradation processes induced by, e.g., the UV light. These substances enter the fish through direct consumption of contaminated water or by contact with skin and gills. Symptoms of intoxication with heavy metals, pesticides, and PCBs may vary and depend on the concentration and bioavailability of these substances, physicochemical parameters of water, and the fish itself

Clinical and functional evaluation of anterior crucial ligament reconstruction by internal bracing technique in adolescents

Wstęp. Uszkodzenia więzadła krzyżowego przedniego (WKP) stanowią ok. 50% urazów więzadłowych stawu kolanowego. Niewielki potencjał do pierwotnego biologicznego gojenia się WKP sprawia, że obecnie najczęściej stosowaną metodą leczenia jest zabieg rekonstrukcji z użyciem przeszczepu. Najnowsze badania pokazują, że alternatywą do pełnego leczenia rekonstrukcyjnego, zwłaszcza w przypadkach częściowego uszkodzenia, może być technika wzmacniania uszkodzonego więzadła za pomocą taśm syntetycznych określana jako internal bracing. Celem pracy była ocena możliwości wykorzystania taśmy syntetycznej FiberTape w częściowych uszkodzeniach więzadła krzyżowego przedniego u młodzieży. Materiał i metody. Badanie miało charakter retrospektywnych badań kohortowych. Analizie poddano 16 osób, leczonych w latach 2015-2016, z powodu częściowego uszkodzenia więzadła krzyżowego przedniego (uszkodzenie pęczka przednio-przyśrodkowego). W badaniu ortopedycznym oceniano zakres ruchu stawu kolanowego i wykonywano testy: Lachmana, szuflady przedniej i Pivot-Shift. Przednie przemieszczenie piszczeli oceniano za pomocą rolimetru. Badanie uzupełniono o ocenę subiektywną na podstawie skal IKDC 2000 i Lysholma. Okres obserwacji minimum 2 letni Wyniki. U wszystkich pacjentów uzyskano stabilność przednią stawu kolanowego w ocenie subiektywnej i obiektywnej, ocenianych przy użyciu testów Lachmana, szuflady przedniej, Pivot-Shifta oraz rolimetru. Zakres ruchomości wynosił 0-0-138,35±6,75. Wyniki subiektywne wynosiły w skali Lysholma 92,6±7,08 pkt, w skali IKDC 2000 95,79±5,42 Wnioski. Wzmocnienie za pomocą taśmy syntetycznej więzadła krzyżowego przedniego w częściowych uszkodzeniach pozwala uzyskać stabilność stawu kolanowego. Wyniki oceny subiektywnej odpowiadają wynikom w ocenie funkcjonalnej.Background. Damage to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) constitutes approximately 50% of ligamentous injuries of the knee joint. The large number of these injuries and the low potential for the primary biological healing of ACL are the reasons why the most frequently used method nowadays is a reconstruction using a transplant. Recent research shows that the technique of strengthening a damaged ligament with synthetic tapes (internal bracing) may be the alternative to reconstructive treatment, especially in cases of partial ACL damage. The aim of the study was to evaluate the possibility of using the synthetic FiberTape in partial lesions of the anterior cruciate ligament in adolescents. Material and methods. The study was a retrospective cohort study. The analysis involved 16 people treated in 2015-2016 due to partial lesion of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) involving anteromedial bundle damage. The orthopedic examination evaluated the range of knee joint motion with the use of the Lachman Test, the Anterior Drawer Test and the Pivot-Shift Test. The forward dislocation of the tibia was evaluated by means of a Rolimeter. The surgery was supplemented with a subjective assessment based on the IKDC 2000 and the Lysholm scoring scales. The follow up was carried out after 2 years Results. The analysis of postoperative results showed that the knee joint regained anterior stability in subjective and objective assessments, with the use of the Lachman test, the Anterior Drawer test, the Pivot-Shift Test and the Rolimeter, in all the patients. The range of postoperative mobility of the knee joint was 0-0-138.35 ± 6.75 degrees. The subjective results were respectively: 92.6 ± 7.08 points on the Lysholm scale, 95,79 ± 5,42 points on the IKDC 2000 scale Conclusions. Internal bracing of the anterior cruciate ligament is an effective treatment approach for instability of the knee joint. The results of the subjective assessment correspond to the results of the functional assessment