Blood Ion Concentrations Research Articles

3D-assembled microneedle ion sensor-based wearable system for the transdermal monitoring of physiological ion fluctuations

Monitoring human health is of considerable significance in biomedicine. In particular, the ion concentrations in blood are important reference indicators related to many diseases. Microneedle array-based sensors have enabled promising breakthroughs in continuous health monitoring due to their minimally invasive nature. In this study, we developed a microneedle sensing-array integrated system to continuously detect subcutaneous ions to monitor human health status in real time based on a fabrication strategy for assembling planar microneedle sheets to form 3D microneedle arrays. The limitations of preparing 3D microneedle structures with multiple electrode channels were addressed by assembling planar microneedle sheets fabricated via laser micromachining; the challenges of modifying closely spaced microneedle tips into different functionalized types of electrodes were avoided. The microneedle sensing system was sufficiently sensitive for detecting real-time changes in Ca2+, K+, and Na+ concentrations, and it exhibited good detection performance. The in vivo results showed that the ion-sensing microneedle array successfully monitored the fluctuations in Ca2+, K+, and Na+ in the interstitial fluids of rats in real time. By using an integrated circuit design, we constructed the proposed microneedle sensor into a wearable integrated monitoring system. The integrated system could potentially provide information feedback for diseases related to physiological ion changes.

Ion release and local effects of titanium metal particles from dental implants: An experimental study in rats.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the accumulation of ions in blood and organs caused by titanium (Ti) metal particles in a mandibular defect in rats, together with a description of the local reaction of oral tissues to this Ti alloy debris. Twenty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly distributed into three groups: an experimental group with a mandibular bone defect filled with metallic debris obtained by implantoplasty; a positive control group; and a negative control group. Thirty days after surgery, the rats were euthanized and perilesional tissue surrounding the mandibular defect was removed, together with the lungs, spleen, liver, and brain. Two blood samples were collected: immediately before surgery and before euthanasia. The perilesional tissue was histologically analyzed using hematoxylin-eosin staining, and Ti, aluminum, and vanadium ion concentrations in blood and organs were measured by TQ-ICP-MS. Descriptive and bivariate analyses of the data were performed. All rats with implanted metal debris showed metal particles and a bone fracture callus on the osseous defect. The metal particles were surrounded by a foreign body reaction characterized by the presence of histiocytes and multinucleated giant cells (MNGCs). The experimental group had a significant higher concentration of Ti ions in all studied organs except lung tissue (p<0.05). In addition, there were more V ions in the brain in the experimental group (p=0.008). Although further studies are required to confirm the clinical relevance of these results, Ti metal particles in the jaw might increase the concentration of metal ions in vital organs and induce a foreign body reaction.

11-Year outcomes in patients with metal-on-metal ASR hip arthroplasty

BackgroundWe analysed the long-term revision rate, clinical outcomes and metal ion concentrations in blood over time in patients who had undergone metal-on-metal Articular Surface Replacement (ASR) hip arthroplasty. MethodsA total of 38 patients (43 hips) were included: 24 patients (28 hips) underwent large-head total hip arthroplasty (XL THA), and 14 patients (15 hips) underwent hip resurfacing arthroplasty (HRA). The median follow-up time was 11 (range 7-12) years. ResultsNone of 15 HRA implants were revised. Nine of 28 XL THA implants (32%) in 8 patients were revised. The Co ion levels significantly increased in the XL THA group (p=0.009) over a median time period of 84 (25-97) months. ConclusionThe levels of Co ions in blood were higher in the patients who had undergone XL THA and increased significantly over time.

Microfluidic aptasensor POC device for determination of whole blood potassium

An integrated microfluidic Au nanoparticle (AuNP) aptasensor device is proposed for monitoring the concentration of potassium (K+) ions in the bloodstream of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). In the proposed detection device, the AuNPs in the AuNP/aptamer complex are displaced by the serum K+ ions and react with NaCl to produce a color change in the detection region from which the K+ ion concentration is then inversely derived. The microfluidic device comprises two main components, namely an AuNP aptasensor PMMA (Poly(methyl methacrylate))/paper-microchip and a colorimetric analysis system for the quantitative detection of K+ ion concentration in whole blood. The functions of PMMA/paper microchips include reagent storage, K+ ion/aptamer reaction, and separation of serum from whole blood samples (blood filter). Experimental results show that the microfluidic device provides a linear response over the K+ ion concentration in range of 0.05–9 mM in artificial serum and has a detection limit (LOD) of 0.01 mM. Moreover, the detection results obtained for the 137 whole blood and 287 serum samples of CKD patients are very consistent (R2 = 0.968 and R2 = 0.980) with the measurement results obtained using an ion-selective electrodes (ISE) method. Results confirm that the current microfluidic aptasensor device provides a highly-sensitive and convenient method for performing the point-of-care (POC) monitoring of the whole blood K+ ion concentration.

Inflammatory tissue reactions around aseptically loose cemented hip prostheses: A retrieval study of the Spectron EF stem with Reflection All-Poly acetabular cup.

The cemented Spectron EF stem in combination with the cemented non‐crosslinked Reflection All‐Poly cup showed a high rate of mid‐term aseptic loosening. However, the failure mechanisms are not fully known. We assessed the inflammatory tissue reactions and wear particles in periprosthetic tissues, implant wear and blood metal ion levels in 28 patients with failed implants. Histological analysis showed a macrophage pre‐dominant pattern with randomly distributed lymphocytes, with various amounts of neutrophils and giant cells. The number of different cell types in the tissue samples from patients in the cup group and in the stem group was similar. Wear particles, mainly ZrO2, CoCrMo, and polyethylene particles of different sizes and shapes, were associated with macrophages/giant cells, and total particle load/mm2 was higher in cases of stem loosening. The Spectron EF stems were heavily worn, abraded, and polished. Stem abrasion correlated with metal ion concentrations in blood. The median polyethylene wear rate of the Reflection cups was 0.23 mm/year. The high proximal roughness of the Spectron EF stem resulted in excessive cement wear during loosening. The resulting inflammatory tissue responses to the degradation products both from the cup and the stem led to massive osteolysis and subsequent implant loosening.

Inhibition of an organophosphate-detoxifying bacterial phosphotriesterase by albumin and plasma thiol components

The phosphotriesterase of the bacterium Brevundimonas diminuta (BdPTE) is a naturally occurring enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of organophosphate (OP) nerve agents as well as pesticides and offers a potential treatment of corresponding intoxications. While BdPTE mutants with improved catalytic efficiencies against several OPs have been described, unexpectedly, less efficient breakdown of an OP was observed upon application in an animal model compared with in vitro measurements. Here, we describe detailed inhibition studies with the high-activity BdPTE mutant 10-2C3(C59M/C227A) by human plasma components, indicating that this enzyme is inhibited by serum albumin. The inhibitory activity is mediated by depletion of crucial zinc ions from the BdPTE active site, either via the known high-affinity zinc binding site of albumin or via chemical complex formation with its free thiol side chain at position Cys34. Albumin pre-charged with zinc ions or carrying a chemically blocked Cys34 side chain showed significantly reduced inhibitory activity; in fact, the combination of both measures completely abolished BdPTE inhibition. Consequently, the available zinc ion concentration in blood plays an important role for BdPTE activity in vivo and should be taken into account for therapeutic development and application of a catalytic OP scavenger.

Catastrophic failure of femoral stem modular junction when combined with metal-on-metal bearing in comparison to ceramic-on-ceramic: A retrospective cohort study

BackgroundMetal ion release from total hip arthroplasty's (THA) metal-on-metal (MoM) bearing surfaces or head-neck modular junction (trunnionosis) has been identified as a major cause of adverse reaction to metal debris (ARMD). No study has compared the effects of these bearing couples when combined with modular neck femoral stems (MNFS) (i.e. did a modular CoCr have a higher effect than large MoM bearings on whole blood ion concentrations and ARMD). Therefore we did a retrospective comparative analysis of prospectively collected data aiming to: (1) assess the difference in metal ion release between a group of MoM and CoC bearings implanted with a non-cemented MNFS; (2) compare the ARMD and the related revision rates between the two bearing types; (3) compare the patients’ HOOS and Harris Hip scores. HypothesisMetal ion levels and complications rate will be higher in MoM group. MethodsThirty hips received the same short MNFS with modular CoCr. Seventeen had CoC bearing (16=36mm) and 13 large diameter head (LDH) MoM bearing (mean=50mm, 44-54mm) Both groups had whole blood Cobalt (Co) and Chromium (Cr) concentrations measurements at last follow up or before revision surgery (if any) and were compared to 41 control individuals without implants. ARMD, revision rates and other complications were censed. Functional outcome differences between operative groups were assessed with HOOS and Harris Hip scores. ResultsMean whole blood Co and Cr were 1.9μg/L (0.1–10.6 min–max) and 1.2μg/L (0.2–4.6 min–max) in the CoC group and 12.7μg/L (2.5–40.7 min–max) and 8.2μg/L (2.8–40.6 min–max) for MoM group. Controls presented whole blood Co and Cr levels of 0.2μg/L (0.04–0.2 min–max) and 0.6μg/L (0.1–0.7 min–max) respectively. CoC had significantly higher whole blood metal ion concentrations than controls, while MoM had significantly higher concentrations than both (p<0.001). MoM had a 9/13 (69%) revision rate due to ARMD (with stem-neck junction corrosion and wear were present in all cases) while the CoC had none. Functional scores at last follow up did not statistically differ between groups (Harris: CoC=94.1±8.4 vs MoM 91.8±14.8 (p=0.22) and CoC HOOS 90.2±10.7 vs 75.6±21.7 (p=0.08)). ConclusionIn our study, MNFS with CoCr modular neck released metal ion systemically, as shown in CoC THAs, but when combined with MoM LDH bearings, that elevation was significantly higher. In MNFS MoM, these high metal ion levels translated into a dramatic ARMD related revision rate where stem-neck junction corrosion and wear were present in all cases. More research is required to understand the effects of MoM bearing on neck-stem junctions, and its mechanisms of corrosion. Level of evidenceIII; retrospective comparative study.

Effects of salinity on the growth, plasma ion concentrations, osmoregulation, non-specific immunity, and intestinal microbiota of the yellow drum (Nibea albiflora)

The yellow drum (Nibea albiflora) is a coastal fish species that is intensively farmed in China. The aquaculture of this species is mainly restricted to coastal ponds and net cages in areas that may experience a wide variation in salinity due to rainfall or freshwater input. However, our knowledge regarding the impacts of salinity on the growth and health of yellow drum is limited. In this study, we evaluated salinity tolerance of yellow drum based on their survivals at various salinity treatments in a 7-day experiment, and investigated the effects of salinity on the growth performance, blood ion concentrations, Na+-K+-ATPase and non-specific immune enzyme activities, and intestinal microbiota composition of this species in a 7-week experiment. The median lethal time (LT50) revealed that yellow drum reared in water with salinities ranging from 0 to 60 parts per thousand (ppt) survived within a salinity range of 2 to 45 ppt and that large-sized fish (body length = 25.70 ± 0.51 cm) showed a higher salinity tolerance than small-sized fish (body length = 9.52 ± 0.74 cm). Among juvenile fish (small size) maintained for 7 weeks in water with salinities of 6, 12, 18, 30, and 42 ppt, we observed that growth was restricted only at 42 ppt. Although the parameters measured in the blood ion concentrations and activities of Na+-K+-ATPase, antioxidant enzymes, and immunomodulatory enzymes (alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase) were mainly non-significant among the fishes in the 6, 12, 18, and 30 ppt groups, in most instances, these parameters were significantly different from those in the fish from the 42 ppt group. This indicates that high salinity would probably represent a stress factor for the yellow drum. Comparison of the intestinal microbiota composition among fish in the 6, 30, and 42 ppt groups revealed that the composition was altered by the salinity level. Notably, the relative abundance of several probiotic taxa that can promote the growth and enhance the immunity of fish was found to be relatively higher in the 6 and 30 ppt groups. However, the abundance of Vibrio species, which are potentially detrimental to fish health, was relatively higher in the 42 ppt group. The findings of this study will enable us to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the effects of salinity on the growth and health of yellow drum and contribute to improvements in the aquaculture of this species.

Electrolytes, Serum biochemical and Acid-Base Disturbances in Dogs with Foul-Smelling Bloody Diarrhoea

Metabolic alkalosis is an electrolyte abnormality accompanied by an elevation in bicarbonate ion concentration in blood and a rise in blood pH. This study aims to determine the serum concentration of electrolytes and levels of some biochemical parameters in dogs presented with profuse foul-smelling bloody watery diarrhoea. From October 2018 to February 2019, 60 client-owned dogs were presented at the University of Nigeria Veterinary Teaching Hospital (UNVTH) for vaccination, treatment and regular deworming. Five (5) out of 60 dogs had profuse foul-smelling watery diarrhoea and were sampled. A full history and physical examinations were undertaken for the sampled dogs. Clinical signs such as profuse foul-smelling bloody diarrhoea, vomiting, anorexia, weakness, dehydration, lethargy was observed in the affected dogs. Three dogs were 4 months old while two dogs are adults. Blood samples (2 ml) were collected from the cephalic vein of dogs with the above presentation, and sera were harvested for serum biochemical analysis. Standard procedures were followed in all the serum biochemistry determinations. The most common electrolyte and serum biochemical abnormalities in 5 dogs with profuse foul-smelling bloody watery diarrhoea were hypokalemia (100%), increased serum bicarbonate level (100%), hyponatremia (75%), and hypoglobulinemia (100%). Hypochloremia occurred in 20% of the cases, while hypoproteinemia, hypoglobulinemia, and low serum creatinine levels were recorded in 100% of the cases. Increased urea level was observed in 40% of the affected dogs. Our study demonstrated that all affected dogs developed hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis following loss of potassium through the gastrointestinal tract consequent upon severe watery diarrhoea.

Lsolated acetabular revisions of articular surface replacement (ASR) XL implants with highly porous titanium cups and Delta bearings.

Articular surface replacement (ASR) XL implants exhibit higher-than-expected revision rates, blood ion concentrations and soft tissue lesions, making revisions troublesome and potentially unsatisfying. Appropriate techniques and outcomes in ASR XL revisions are rarely documented. The aims of this study were the assessments of pre-revision data, post-revision clinical and radiographic outcomes and ion levels in isolated acetabular ASR XL revisions performed using highly porous titanium cups and Delta ceramic articulations. 18 isolated acetabular ASR XL revisions in 16 patients were performed using Ti-Por cups (Adler Ortho, Milan, Italy) and Delta bearings (CeramTec, Plochingen, Germany). Pre-revision demographic, clinical, radiological and implant-related features were assessed. Clinical and radiographic parameters (cup positioning, osseointegration) after revisions were evaluated at a minimum follow-up of 5 years. Ion concentrations in blood and urine were collected in pre-revision setting and 1 year after revision. 4 complications occurred in 3 different revisions (16.7%), 1 dislocation, 2 infections, 1 psoas impingement. No re-revision was performed at 5 years (1 scheduled arthroscopy). Good clinical outcomes were achieved (HHS score: 88.3 ± 9.2). All the cups showed reassuring signs of osseointegration (>3 parameters). Blood ion concentrations significantly decreased: patients with Co blood ion concentration over the threshold (7 μg/l) decreased from 76.5% to 0%. No pre-revision or intraoperative data influenced the revision outcomes. Highly porous titanium cups and Delta ceramic articulations provided reliable mid-term clinical and radiographic outcomes in isolated acetabular ASR XL revisions. Ion concentrations significantly decreased. Multicentre prospective controlled studies are required to confirm these preliminary outcomes.

Anti-diabetic Effect of Emblica-officinalis (Amla) Against Arsenic Induced Metabolic Disorder in Mice.

Chronic exposure to arsenic through drinking water and occupational exposure has been found to be associated with the diabetic symptoms. Earlier, we reported that arsenic induced enhanced oxidative stress, inflammation, dislipidemia and hepatotoxicity in mice have been protected by treatment with Emblica officinalis (amla). The present study has therefore been focused to investigate the efficacy of amla in mitigation of arsenic induced hyperglycemia in mice. Arsenic exposure (3mg/kg b.w./day for 30days) in mice altered glucose homeostasis and significantly decreases hepatic glucose regulatory enzyme, glucokinase (43%), glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase (38%), malic enzyme (60%) and significantly increases the level of glucose-6 phosphates (65%), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (43%), lactate, (59%) Na+ (6.8%) Cl- (10.4%), anion gap (13.9%) and pancreatic (IL-1β, TNF-α) inflammation markers (52%, 53%) as compared to controls. Arsenic exposure also significantly decreased serum insulin (44%) and c-peptide protein (38%) in mice as compared to controls. Co-administration of arsenic and amla (500mg/kg b.w./day for 30days) balanced blood sugar level, hepatic glucose regulatory enzyme (glucokinase, glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme (68%, 37%, 45%) and significantly decreases glucose-6 phosphatase (25%), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (22%), blood ion concentration and also lactate, Na+, Cl- and anion gap (20%, 4.6%, 6.7%, 5.2%), pancreatic (IL-1β, TNF-α) inflammation marker (21%, 24%) and significantly increased the serum insulin (57%) and c-peptide protein (31%) as compared to those treated with arsenic alone. Results of the present study suggests that the hypoglycemic and antioxidant property of amla could be responsible for its protective efficacy in arsenic induced hyperglycemia.

Integrated internal standards: A sample prep-free method for better precision in microchip CE.

Point-of-care systems based on microchip capillary electrophoresis require single-use, disposable microchips prefilled with all necessary solutions so an untrained operator only needs to apply the sample and perform the analysis. While microchip fabrication can be (and has been) standardized, some manufacturing differences between microchips are unavoidable. To improve analyte precision without increasing device costs or introducing additional error sources, we recently proposed the use of integrated internal standards (ISTDs): ions added to the BGE in small concentrations which form system peaks in the electropherogram that can be used as a measurement reference. Here, we further expand this initial proof-of-principle test to study a clinically-relevant application of K ion concentrations in human blood; however, using a mock blood solution instead of real samples to avoid interference from other obstacles (e.g. cell lysis). Cs as an integrated ISTD improves repeatability of K ion migration times from 6.97% to 0.89% and the linear calibration correlation coefficient (R2 ) for K quantification from 0.851 to 0.967. Peak area repeatability improves from 11.6-13.3% to 4.75-5.04% at each K concentration above the LOQ. These results further validate the feasibility of using integrated ISTDs to improve imprecision in disposable microchip CE devices by demonstrating their application for physiological samples.

Acid-Base Balance and Arterial Ion Concentrations in Rat Under Three Types of General Anaesthesia: Chronobiological Study

The design and development of experimental, in vivo , chronobiological animal models may help reveal some of the relationships between circadian rhythms and biological functions. In vivo experiments require the use of appropriate anaesthesia, which should be selected according to their particular effect on the organism. The aim of study was to review the status of acid-base balance and ion concentration in arterial blood under common used general anaesthesias in experiments in dependence on the light-dark (LD) cycle in spontaneously breathing rats. The experiments were performed using three- to four-month-old pentobarbital (P)-, ketamine/xylazine (K/X)- and zoletil (Z)-aneasthetized female Wistar rats after a four-week adaptation to an LD cycle (12h light:12h dark). It was concluded that P anaesthesia disturbs LD dependence of acid-base balance compared to K/X and Z anaesthesia, but LD differences in plasma ion concentrations are disturbed under all type of general anaesthesia. P anaesthesia is not the most appropriate type of anaesthesia in rat chronobiological experiments. It eliminated LD differences, and also produces a more acidic environment, more pronounced hypercapnia and hypoxia than K/X and Z anaesthesias. This should be taken into account because the altered internal environment may affect the activity of systems whose functions are primarily dependent on acid-base balance or/and ion concentrations.

Culture and Releasing Potentials of Blacksea Sea Trout (Salmo trutta labrax L.)

In this study, physiological reaction of the Black Sea trout was&amp;nbsp;aimed to identified, during the Black Sea transferring period to Black Sea (18‰).After salty water treatment of the two similar groups in November, individual&amp;nbsp;morphometric adaptation success was identified. Fish in both groups were sorted evaluated fish parr marks formations, because of smoltification adaptation&amp;nbsp;success. As a result of the analysis, it was observed that Black Sea trout could be successful after total length of 11.5 cm.&amp;nbsp;Experimental fish group, measured as 11 cm mean length and 11.6 g mean weighed were divided two similar groups randomly. Both groups were fedunder the Black Sea salinity and fresh water condition during the November-April period. At the end of the five moth feeding period, mean lengths were reached to15.8±2.79 cm in seawater, 16.1±2.05 cm in fresh water conditions.&amp;nbsp;During the exposure of the required size fish to 18‰ salinity, blood plasma sodium and chlorine ion concentrations were increased in first 3 days, then&amp;nbsp;stabilized after 7th day. Blood potassium ion concentration were decreased until 17th day, then stabilized. When fish were exposed to ocean salty water (30‰),&amp;nbsp;blood ion concentrations were relatively stabilized after 14th day.&amp;nbsp;During the salty water adaptation period, there is no mortality under 18‰ salty water, but totally 10% mortality was observed in 30‰ salty water&amp;nbsp;exposures.&amp;nbsp;As a conclusion, it was determined that Black Sea trout bigger sized than 11.5 cm length could be adapted to Black Sea salinity (18‰), and physiologic&amp;nbsp;adaptation duration could be reached to 17 days. During the releasing applications to the marine water of the Black Sea trout, if 17 day adaptation period of the&amp;nbsp;identified minimum capable sized fish are taken in to consideration, groups’ competition ability and survival rate will be increased.

Changes in blood ion levels after removal of metal-on-metal hip replacements

Background and purpose — In patients with metal-on-metal (MoM) hip prostheses, pain and joint effusions may be associated with elevated blood levels of cobalt and chromium ions. Since little is known about the kinetics of metal ion clearance from the body and the rate of resolution of elevated blood ion levels, we examined the time course of cobalt and chromium ion levels after revision of MoM hip replacements.Patients and methods — We included 16 patients (13 female) who underwent revision of a painful MoM hip (large diameter, modern bearing) without fracture or infection, and who had a minimum of 4 blood metal ion measurements over an average period of 6.1 (0–12) months after revision.Results — Average blood ion concentrations at the time of revision were 22 ppb for chromium and 43 ppb for cobalt. The change in ion levels after revision surgery varied extensively between patients. In many cases, over the second and third months after revision surgery ion levels decreased to 50% of the values measured at revision. Decay of chromium levels occurred more slowly than decay of cobalt levels, with a 9% lag in return to normal levels. The rate of decay of both metals followed second-order (exponential) kinetics more closely than first-order (linear) kinetics.Interpretation — The elimination of cobalt and chromium from the blood of patients who have undergone revision of painful MoM hip arthroplasties follows an exponential decay curve with a half-life of approximately 50 days. Elevated blood levels of cobalt and chromium ions can persist for at least 1 year after revision, especially in patients with high levels of exposure.

Hooking injury, physiological status and short-term mortality of juvenile lemon sharks (Negaprion bevirostris) following catch-and-release recreational angling.

Sport fishing for sharks, including fishing with the intent to release, is becoming more prevalent within the recreational angling community. Common targets of recreational anglers are juvenile lemon sharks (Negaprion brevirostris) that frequent shallow tropical nearshore habitats. In this study, we captured 32 juvenile lemon sharks (530-875 mm total length) with conventional angling gear (i.e. spinning rods, dead fish bait and 5/0 barbed circle hooks) from the coastal waters of Eleuthera, The Bahamas, to determine the consequences of capture for individual sharks. Each shark was examined for hooking injuries, blood sampled to quantify physiological disturbance, assessed for reflex impairment and then monitored to assess post-release behaviour and mortality. Four sharks (12.5%) died following release during the 15 min tracking period. Principal components (PC) analysis revealed four axes describing 66.5% of the variance for blood physiology parameters, total length and water temperature. The PC1 and PC3 scores, characterized by positive factor loadings for indicators of exercise-induced stress and blood ion concentrations, respectively, were significantly related to fight time but were not associated with short-term mortality. Short-term mortality was significantly related to factor scores for PC4 that loaded heavily for water temperature and total length. Ten sharks (31%) exhibited impaired reflexes, with loss of bite reflex being most prevalent. Sharks that died had the following characteristics: (i) they had two or more impaired reflexes; (ii) they were hooked in the basihyal; (iii) they exhibited no movement after the initial bout of directional swimming; and (iv) they experienced high water temperatures (i.e. >31°C). Collectively, these results indicate that for juvenile lemon sharks inhabiting tropical flats, fight time can influence the degree of physiological disturbance, while water temperature contributes to the likelihood of survival following release.

Fabrication of a nitric oxide gas sensor using microwires and basic research for its application

Purpose: Although nitric oxide (NO) is considered one of the initial signals that promote postsurgery liver regeneration, NO’s exact role in the liver regeneration mechanism is still not clear. Therefore, developing a practical gas sensor and testing it in a clinical setting through basic research will lay the groundwork for advanced clinical research on the action mechanism of NO. Methods: A thin nano wire NO sensor was made by wrapping a pair of parlyene-coated gold wires around a needle. The NO blood concentration determined by measuring the potential difference across the oscilloscope using electrical conductivity. In order to measure changes in NO level before and after the surgery, the NO sensor was inserted in the hepatic portal vein and a 75 percent partial hepatectomy was performed. The NO blood concentration was measured regularly with both the NO kit and the sensor. Results: One significant challenge was separation of the wire upon insertion into the hepatic portal vein. Despite separation, the constant measurements of the wire-type sensor were similar to those measured by the NO measurement kit. Conclusion: The development of a needle-type sensor allowed for easier insertion. In the future, using difference in electric potential, as used in the NO sensor, may be a more effective method of measuring blood ion concentration.

Chromium and cobalt ion concentrations in blood and serum following various types of metal-on-metal hip arthroplasties

Background and purpose Widely different metal ion concentrations in blood and serum have been reported with metal-on-metal (MoM) implants. We reviewed the literature on blood and serum ion concentrations of chromium (Cr) and cobalt (Co) following various MoM hip arthroplasties.Methods Studies were searched for in the Medline database, Embase, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Highest mean or median ion concentrations of Cr and Co after a minimum of 1 year of follow-up were extracted and grouped according to sample- and articulation type, and average values were calculated.Results 43 studies were included and 16 different MoM implants were identified. For the different types of bearings, average ion concentrations and range were calculated from the mean or median ion concentration. The average Cr concentration ranged between 0.5 and 2.5 μg/L in blood and between 0.8 and 5.1 μg/L in serum. For Co, the range was 0.7–3.4 μg/L in blood and 0.3–7.5 μg/L in serum.Interpretation When the average blood ion concentrations calculated for the different implants, together with the concentrations measured in the individual studies, were compared with the upper acceptable limit for Cr and Co in blood, no clear pattern was recognized. Furthermore, we were unable to detect any clear difference in ion concentrations between different types of implants (THA and resurfacing).

Changes in blood moisture,osmolality and ion concentration of juvenile Chinese sturgeon(Acipenser sinensis)in the Yangtze Estuary

Changes in blood moisture,osmolality and ion concentration of juvenile Chinese sturgeon(<i>Acipenser sinensis</i>)in the Yangtze Estuary

An analysis of metal ion levels in the joint fluid of symptomatic patients with metal-on-metal hip replacements

We retrospectively analysed concentrations of chromium and cobalt ions in samples of synovial fluid and whole blood taken from a group of 92 patients with failed current-generation metal-on-metal hip replacements. We applied acid oxidative digestion to our trace metal analysis protocol, which found significantly higher levels of metal ion concentrations in blood and synovial fluid than a non-digestive method. Patients were subcategorised by mode of failure as either 'unexplained pain' or 'defined causes'. Using this classification, chromium and cobalt ion levels were present over a wider range in synovial fluid and not as strongly correlated with blood ion levels as previously reported. There was no significant difference between metal ion concentrations and manufacturer of the implant, nor femoral head size below or above 50 mm. There was a moderately positive correlation between metal ion levels and acetabular component inclination angle as measured on three-dimensional CT imaging. Our results suggest that acid digestion of samples of synovial fluid samples is necessary to determine metal ion concentrations accurately so that meaningful comparisons can be made between studies.