Investigation of mercury concentration and its interaction with zinc and selenium at the muscle and liver tissues of Whitecheek Shark (Carcharhinus dussumieri) from Persian Gulf

Mercury, zinc and selenium concentrations were analyzed in the muscle and liver of 25 Whitecheek Shark (Carcharhinus dussumieri) from the coast of Bandar Abbas. The level of Hg accumulation and its interaction with Zn and Se in Whitecheek Shark were studied. Hg, Zn and Se concentrations were determined by an Advanced Mercury Analyzer (LECO, AMA 254), Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (ASS,PU 9400) and Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (Perkin Elmer 3030) respectively. The mean (±SD) of Hg, Zn and Se concentrations were 0.05±0.02, 0.92±0.25 and 0.13±0.05µg/g wet wt in the muscle and 1.07±0.86, 1.57±0.43 and 0.46±0.19µg/g wet wt in the liver tissues, respectively. The mean of Hg, Zn and Se in liver tissue was significantly higher than muscle tissue. Also, 64% of liver samples showed levels above the acceptable limit established by WHO and FAO. A positive correlation was found between Hg and Se concentrations in the muscle and liver tissues with weight and length variables were statistically significant. In this study, the accumulation of Se in the muscle and liver of Whitecheek shark showed a positive correlation with Hg concentration. The mean molar ratio of Se to Hg found in the muscle and liver were 6.36±1.77 and 2.74±3.61, respectively. Positive correlations between Hg and Se showed efficient detoxifying mechanism and as a result, the possibility of reduction in toxicity of mercury in both tissues via Se-Hg complexes or the binding of Hg with selenoproteins

Three Cationic: Nonporous CuI-Coordination Polymers: Structural Investigation and Vapor Iodine Capture

Three cationic nonporous copper(I) coordination polymers containing bis-pyrazolyl flexible ligands have been prepared and characterized, namely, [Cu(\u3bc-bdb)1.5](PF6)n (1), [Cu(\u3bc-bpb)2](PF6)n (2), and [Cu(\u3bc-bpmb)2](PF6)n (3) (bdb = 1,4-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl) methyl)benzene; bpb = 1,4-bis(pyrazolyl)butane; bpmb = 1,4-bis(pyrazolyl)methyl)benzene). All compounds were characterized by infrared, powder X-ray diffraction, elemental and thermal analyses, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1, with methyl-substituted pyrazolyl ligand, forms a chain of alternating rings and ribbons in which the copper(I) centers are three coordinated in distorted trigonal planar geometry. In compounds 2 and 3 copper(I) atoms adopt distorted tetrahedral geometries giving two-dimensional sheet structures with 44-sql topology. Interestingly, iodine sorption experiments show that colorless crystals of 2 and 3 remain unchanged in the presence of iodine vapors, while the three-coordinated compound 1 immediately absorbs iodine and turns dark. Anion exchange behavior of compounds 1 and 2 was also investigated both in solution and in the solid state

Design and Evaluation of a Percutaneous Fragment Manipulation Device for Minimally Invasive Fracture Surgery

Reduction of fractures in the minimally invasive (MI) manner can avoid risks associated with open fracture surgery. The MI approach requires specialized tools called percutaneous fragment manipulation devices (PFMD) to enable surgeons to safely grasp and manipulate fragments. PFMDs developed for long-bone manipulation are not suitable for intra-articular fractures where small bone fragments are involved. With this study, we offer a solution to potentially move the current fracture management practice closer to the use of a MI approach. We investigate the design and testing of a new PFMD design for manual as well as robot-assisted manipulation of small bone fragments. This new PFMD design is simulated using FEA in three loading scenarios (force/torque: 0 N/2.6 Nm, 75.7 N/3.5 N, 147 N/6.8 Nm) assessing structural properties, breaking points, and maximum bending deformations. The PFMD is tested in a laboratory setting on Sawbones models (0 N/2.6 Nm), and on ex-vivo swine samples (F = 80 N ± 8 N, F = 150 ± 15 N). A commercial optical tracking system was used for measuring PFMD deformations under external loading and the results were verified with an electromagnetic tracking system. The average error difference between the tracking systems was 0.5 mm, being within their accuracy limits. Final results from reduction maneuvers performed both manually and with the robot assistance are obtained from 7 human cadavers with reduction forces in the range of (F = 80 N ± 8 N, F = 150 ± 15 N, respectively). The results show that structurally, the system performs as predicted by the simulation results. The PFMD did not break during ex-vivo and cadaveric trials. Simulation, laboratory, and cadaveric tests produced similar results regarding the PFMD bending. Specifically, for forces applied perpendicularly to the axis of the PFMD of 80 N ± 8 N deformations of 2.8, 2.97, and 3.06 mm are measured on the PFMD, while forces of 150 ± 15 N produced deformations of 5.8, 4.44, and 5.19 mm. This study has demonstrated that the proposed PFMD undergoes predictable deformations under typical bone manipulation loads. Testing of the device on human cadavers proved that these deformations do not affect the anatomic reduction quality. The PFMD is, therefore, suitable to reliably achieve and maintain fracture reductions, and to, consequently, allow external fracture fixation

Vision-based real-time position control of a semi-automated system for robot-assisted joint fracture surgery

Purpose: Joint fracture surgery quality can be improved by robotic system with high-accuracy and high-repeatability fracture fragment manipulation. A new real-time vision-based system for fragment manipulation during robot-assisted fracture surgery was developed and tested. Methods: The control strategy was accomplished by merging fast open-loop control with vision-based control. This two-phase process is designed to eliminate the open-loop positioning errors by closing the control loop using visual feedback provided by an optical tracking system. Evaluation of the control system accuracy was performed using robot positioning trials, and fracture reduction accuracy was tested in trials on ex vivo porcine model.Results: The system resulted in high fracture reduction reliability with a reduction accuracy of 0.09mm (translations) and of (Formula presented.) (rotations), maximum observed errors in the order of 0.12mm (translations) and of (Formula presented.) (rotations), and a reduction repeatability of 0.02mm and (Formula presented.). Conclusions: The proposed vision-based system was shown to be effective and suitable for real joint fracture surgical procedures, contributing a potential improvement of their quality

Intra-operative fiducial-based CT/fluoroscope image registration framework for image-guided robot-assisted joint fracture surgery

Purpose Joint fractures must be accurately reduced minimising soft tissue damages to avoid negative surgical outcomes. To this regard, we have developed the RAFS surgical system, which allows the percutaneous reduction of intra-articular fractures and provides intra-operative real-time 3D image guidance to the surgeon. Earlier experiments showed the effectiveness of the RAFS system on phantoms, but also key issues which precluded its use in a clinical application. This work proposes a redesign of the RAFS’s navigation system overcoming the earlier version’s issues, aiming to move the RAFS system into a surgical environment. Methods The navigation system is improved through an image registration framework allowing the intra-operative registration between pre-operative CT images and intra-operative fluoroscopic images of a fractured bone using a custom-made fiducial marker. The objective of the registration is to estimate the relative pose between a bone fragment and an orthopaedic manipulation pin inserted into it intra-operatively. The actual pose of the bone fragment can be updated in real time using an optical tracker, enabling the image guidance. Results Experiments on phantom and cadavers demonstrated the accuracy and reliability of the registration framework, showing a reduction accuracy (sTRE) of about 0.88 ±0.2mm (phantom) and 1.15±0.8mm (cadavers). Four distal femur fractures were successfully reduced in cadaveric specimens using the improved navigation system and the RAFS system following the new clinical workflow (reduction error 1.2±0.3mm, 2±1∘). Conclusion Experiments showed the feasibility of the image registration framework. It was successfully integrated into the navigation system, allowing the use of the RAFS system in a realistic surgical application

International lower limb collaborative (INTELLECT) study: a multicentre, international retrospective audit of lower extremity open fractures

Trauma remains a major cause of mortality and disability across the world1, with a higher burden in developing nations2. Open lower extremity injuries are devastating events from a physical3, mental health4, and socioeconomic5 standpoint. The potential sequelae, including risk of chronic infection and amputation, can lead to delayed recovery and major disability6. This international study aimed to describe global disparities, timely intervention, guideline-directed care, and economic aspects of open lower limb injuries