Bioaccumulation of trace metals in the plastisphere: Awareness of environmental risk from a European perspective

The term "Plastisphere" refers to the biofilm layer naturally formed by microorganisms attaching to plastic surfaces. This layer possesses the capability to adsorb persistent organic and inorganic pollutants, particularly trace metals, which are the focus of this research study. Immersion experiments were concurrently conducted in five locations spanning four European countries (France, Ireland, Spain, and Italy) utilising eight distinct polymers. These immersions, repeated every three months over a one-year period, aimed to evaluate the baseline bioaccumulation of 12 trace metals. The study underscores the intricate nature of metal bioaccumulation, influenced by both micro-scale factors (such as polymer composition) and macro-scale factors (including geographical site and seasonal variations). Villefranche Bay in France exhibited the lowest metals bioaccumulation, whereas Naples in Italy emerged as the site where bioaccumulation was often the highest for the considered metals. Environmental risk assessment was also conducted in the study. The lightweight nature of certain plastics allows them to be transported across significant distances in the ocean. Consequently, evaluating trace metal concentrations in the plastisphere is imperative for assessing potential environmental repercussions that plastics, along with their associated biota, may exert even in locations distant from their point of emission.

The risks of transmission of acute hepatitis A and B virus infection in an urban centre

In a large urban centre of a developed nation, 63 household contacts of 20 index cases with acute hepatitis A virus infection and 95 household contacts of 29 index cases with acute hepatitis B virus infection were prospectively followed for 2 years to document the risk of acquiring acute hepatitis from the index case. Twenty-one of 63 (33%) hepatitis A virus household contacts had serologic evidence of previous hepatitis A virus infection on the initial serum sample. Of the remaining 42 susceptible individuals, 22 (52%) were or became IgM anti-HAV positive within 6 months of the diagnosis in the index case. With respect to hepatitis B virus infection, 18/95 (17%) household contacts had serologic evidence of previous hepatitis B virus infection on the initial serum sample. Of the remaining 77 susceptible individuals, four (5%) had or developed serologic evidence of acute hepatitis B virus infection (IgM anti-hepatitis B core antigen positive) during the 2 years of follow up. In three of these four individuals, acquisition of hepatitis B virus was apparent within 6 months of the diagnosis in the index case. The results of this study indicate that in this urban centre, the risk of acquiring acute hepatitis A virus infection from index cases within the household is approximately 10 times greater than that for acute hepatitis B virus infection. These results support the need for continued passive and/or active immunization against hepatitis A and B virus infection in susceptible household contacts.

A phase II study of crisnatol mesylate in patients with ovarian carcinoma

Fourteen patients with advanced ovarian cancer received a 72 hour infusion of a new DNA intercalator, crisnatol mesylate, administered intravenously. There was no evidence of antitumor efficacy. A syndrome of nausea and vomiting associated with vertigo, dizziness and ataxia was observed in nearly all patients. Two of the patients developed severe CNS toxicity manifested in one by a grand-mal seizure and in the other by peripheral neuropathy. Further explorations into the potential efficacy of crisnatol mesylate administered intraperitoneally are underway.

Iatrogenic disease in hospitalized elderly veterans

To help determine whether or not the elderly are at unusually high risk for hospital-related complications, a study was made of consecutive admissions involving 48 patients less than 65 years old (mean 50.3 years) and 174 patients more than 65 years old (mean 73.1 years). They were prospectively followed during their hospital stays, and were monitored daily. According to admission data, they were classified as : Group 1, likely to die soon after admission; Group II, likely to die within a year; Group III, likely to live longer than a year. Complications were listed under the causal factors: trauma, infection, hospital procedures, drugs, and miscellaneous. About 90 per cent of all 222 patients in both age categories were in Group III. The overall complication rates were 29 per cent for patients under 65, and 45 per cent for those over 65 (P less than 0.05). For the under-65 Group III patients, the rates were 17 per cent and 42 per cent for medical and surgical patients, respectively; for the over-65 patients, the rates were 40 per cent (medical) and 43 per cent (surgical). This indicated a major increase in complications among medical patients more than 65 years old. Procedure-related problems were most common among surgical patients under 65. For over-65 patients, the complication rates for procedure-related, trauma, miscellaneous, infection, and drug toxicity categories were fairly evenly distributed within the range of 16.8-12.8 per cent, in that order. Major psychiatric deterioration was observed in 10.7 per cent of patients over 65, but in none of the younger subjects. Drug toxicity and traumatic complications were also more common in the older patients. These data confirm the disproportionately high incidence of iatrogenic diseases in hospital patients over the age of 65. Several of these complications are amenable to control.