PURPOSE: Surgical mesh, often made from polypropylene, is commonly recommended to enhance hernia repair outcomes in adults. Concerns about polypropylene, as a cause of allergy and/or autoimmune disease prompted this study to evaluate immunological parameters in patients with mesh and healthy controls. METHODOLOGY: A case-control cohort study was conducted at a university hospital. Electronic patient records of hernia repairs using polypropylene mesh (January 2018-April 2022) were analysed. Blood samples from patients and healthy controls were assessed using various methods, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence, immunoblotting, and flow cytometry. RESULTS: The database search identified 1544 participants. After applying the exclusion criteria 33 patients remained in the polypropylene mesh group. Patients with mesh had lower median IgG3 levels (p = 0.02) and Rheumatoid factor (RF) IgM (p = 0.018) compared to the control group. Although both IgG3 and RF IgM levels were in the normal reference range. In addition, 5 patients in the mesh group tested positive for serum ANCA levels compared to none in the control group (p = 0.053). No other differences in immunoglobulins, autoantibodies, complement, or immune cell subtypes were observed. CONCLUSION: Patients with polypropylene mesh exhibited median IgG3 and RF IgM serum levels that were within the normal reference range but slightly lower compared to the control group. Among patients with polypropylene mesh, five displayed positive serum ANCA levels without autoimmune-related symptoms. Overall, no definitive signs of autoimmunity caused by polypropylene mesh. A larger, prospective study is warranted to further explore potential immune responses to polypropylene mesh.
- MeSH
- Surgical Mesh * adverse effects MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Immunoglobulin G blood MeSH
- Immunoglobulin M blood MeSH
- Cohort Studies MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Herniorrhaphy * instrumentation MeSH
- Polypropylenes * adverse effects MeSH
- Rheumatoid Factor blood MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Case-Control Studies MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
UNLABELLED: Potassium chlorate has long been utilized as an excellent oxidizing agent in pyrotechnics and explosives. As mixtures of potassium chlorate and any type of combustible material can be explosive, there is a potential risk of misuse in homemade explosives. Unlike commercial explosives, homemade chlorate and oil mixtures do not have a constant composition, which limits their understanding. This study reports the effects of two types of oil (motor oil and cooking oil) and their ratios (ranging from 2.5% to 40.0% (w/w)) on the explosive properties of such mixtures. The impact sensitivity was highest at a motor oil ratio of 5%. The friction sensitivity increased with an increasing oil ratio, reaching a maximum at an oil ratio of ~22.5%, and was close to those of primary explosives. The motor oil mixtures exhibited higher sensitivity than the cooking oil mixtures at oil ratios of 25.0% or less. A 10% oil mixture, which was close to the ratio of oxygen balance equal to zero, detonated in weak confinement, such as a paper cylinder. The highest detonation velocities in a polypropylene tube were ~2 300 and 2 550 m/s at a 10% ratio of motor oil and cooking oil, respectively. The velocities of the metal case wall, measured by photonic Doppler velocimetry, reached ~1 100 m/s near the end of acceleration. These results show that homemade chlorate and oil mixtures are capable of detonation and quite sensitive over a wide range of oil ratios, with sufficient power to cause damage in the vicinity. KEY POINTS: Simple mixtures of potassium chlorate and oil can be used as a homemade explosives.Oil types and ratios considerably affect the sensitivity and detonation velocity.Mixtures are sufficiently potent to generate hazardous fragments.Long-term storage causes an internal oil gradient.Mixtures with wide-ranging oil ratios can have highly sensitive points.
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Medzirebrová herniácia pľúc je definovaná ako protrúzia pľúcneho tkaniva za normálne hranice hrudnej steny. Prvý prípad pľúcnej hernie opísal v roku 1499 Roland. Pomer získaných a vrodených pľúcnych hernií je 4 : 1. Na základe anatomickej lokalizácie sú známe cervikálne, medzirebrové (interkostálne) a diafragmatické formy pľúcnej herniácie. Rizikovou zónou posttraumatickej a pooperačnej medzirebrovej pľúcnej hernie je v dôsledku slabého svalového krytu predná stena hrudníka. Kazuistika prezentuje 71-ročného muža, ktorý pred 9 rokmi podstúpil aortokoronárny bypass, náhradu mitrálnej chlopne, plastiku trikuspidálnej chlopne a zákrok MAZE. Pred pol rokom ďalej podstúpil transapikálnu implantáciu mitrálnej chlopne. Po implantácii chlopne pacient podstúpil opakovanú pleurálnu punkciu z dôvodu pleurálneho výpotku. Pacient prišiel do nemocnice pre bolestivú rezistenciu v mieste jazvy po torakotómii, ktorá sa zväčšila počas Valsalvovho manévru. Ultrasonografia a počítačová tomografia potvrdili diagnózu medzirebrovej pľúcnej hernie. Bola vykonaná resekcia herniálneho vaku a defekt bol uzavretý implantáciou polypropylénovej sieťky. Pacient bol prepustený v dobrom stave. Transapikálna implantácia chlopne predstavuje unikátnu kombináciu rizikových faktorov pre vznik medzirebrovej pľúcnej hernie ako zo strany pacienta, tak aj zo strany operačného prístupu. Dôsledné sledovanie pacientov za účelom včasnej identifikácie prítomnosti medzirebrovej pľúcnej hernie by malo byť bezpodmienečnou súčasťou pooperačného sledovania pacientov po transapikálnej implantácii chlopne.
Intercostal lung herniation is defined as a protrusion of lung tissue beyond the normal limits of the chest wall. The first case of pulmonary hernia was described in 1499 by Roland. The ratio of acquired to congenital lung hernias is 4 : 1. Based on anatomical localisation, cervical, intercostal, and diaphragmatic forms of lung herniation are known. The risk zone for posttraumatic and postoperative intercostal lung hernia is the front wall of the chest due to the poor muscular cover. The case report presents a 71-year-old man who underwent aortocoronary bypass, replacement of the mitral valve, repair of the tricuspid valve, and the MAZE procedure 9 years ago, as well as transapical implantation of the mitral valve through thoracotomy half a year ago. Repeat pleural puncture due to pleural effusion after valve implantation was needed. The pa- tient came to the hospital because of a painful resistance at the site of the thoracotomy scar which increased during the Valsalva manoeuvre. Ultrasonography and computed tomography confirmed the diagnosis of an intercostal lung hernia. A resection of the hernial sac was performed, and the defect was closed by implant- ing a polypropylene mesh. The patient was discharged in a good condition. Transapical valve implantation represents a unique combination of risk factors for the formation of an intercostal lung hernia, both from the patient's side and from the operative approach. Consistent monitoring of patients for the purpose of early identification of the presence of an intercostal lung hernia should be an unconditional part of the postoperative monitoring of patients after transapical valve implantation.
- MeSH
- Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation * methods adverse effects MeSH
- Diagnosis, Differential MeSH
- Hernia * diagnostic imaging etiology pathology therapy MeSH
- Thoracic Surgical Procedures methods adverse effects MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Mitral Valve surgery MeSH
- Pleural Effusion etiology MeSH
- Lung Diseases surgery diagnostic imaging etiology pathology MeSH
- Tomography, X-Ray Computed MeSH
- Risk Factors MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Thoracotomy methods adverse effects MeSH
- Valsalva Maneuver MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Publication type
- Case Reports MeSH
Background and Objectives: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a significant complication following ventral hernia repair, potentially leading to prolonged hospital stays and increased morbidity. This study aimed to evaluate whether closed incision negative pressure wound therapy (ciNPWT) reduces the incidence of SSI after ventral hernia repair with polypropylene mesh compared to standard wound care. Materials and Methods: A randomized study was conducted with 100 patients undergoing ventral hernia repair using a polypropylene mesh. Participants were divided into two groups: a control group (n=50), which received standard sterile gauze dressing with an iodine-based disinfectant, and an intervention group (n=50), treated with the ciNPWT system (Vivano® by HARTMANN) for 5 days postoperatively. The primary outcome was the incidence of SSI within one year after surgery. Secondary outcomes included the influence of factors such as age, sex, smoking status, and hernia size on SSI occurrence. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee at the University Hospital Ostrava, adhering to the ethical standards of the Helsinki Declaration. Results: The incidence of SSI was lower in the ciNPWT group compared to the standard care group (4% vs. 12%), though this difference did not reach statistical significance. No significant effect of sex or smoking status on SSI was observed. The control group had a shorter mean length of hospital stay. Larger hernias in the non-ciNPWT group were more prone to SSIs, as expected. Conclusions: Although limited by a small sample size, the findings suggest that ciNPWT may be associated with a reduced rate of SSI following ventral hernia repair. Further studies with larger populations are needed to confirm these results.
- MeSH
- Surgical Mesh * MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Incidence MeSH
- Surgical Wound Infection * prevention & control epidemiology MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Herniorrhaphy * methods adverse effects MeSH
- Polypropylenes * MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy * methods MeSH
- Hernia, Ventral * surgery MeSH
- Treatment Outcome MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Randomized Controlled Trial MeSH
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of surface-treated hernia implants modified by a hybrid nanolayer with incorporated Ag, Cu, and Zn cations using the sol-gel method. METHODS: The materials (polypropylene, polyester, and polyvinylidene difluoride) were activated by vacuum plasma treatment or UV C radiation, then modified and tested for bacterial strains of Escherichia coli (gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (gram-positive). The AATCC 100 (2019) method for quantitative and the ISO 20645 agar plate propagation method for qualitative evaluation of microbiological efficacy were used. The gradual release of incorporated ions was monitored over time in simulated body fluids (blood plasma, peritoneal fluid) and physiological saline using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. The thickness and the homogeneity of the layers were measured for individual random samples with scanning electron microscope analysis (SEMA) and evaluated with an elemental analysis. RESULTS: Qualitative and quantitative microbiological tests clearly show the great suitability of vacuum plasma and UV C with sol AD30 (dilution 1:1) surface treatment of the implants. The absolute concentration of Ag, Cu, and Zn cations in leachates was very low. SEMA showed a high degree of homogeneity of the layer and only very rare nanocracks by all tested materials appear after mechanical stress. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that surface treatment of meshes using the sol-gel method significantly increases the antibacterial properties. The nanolayers are sufficiently mechanically resistant and stable and pose no threat to health.
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
A miniature probe for electromembrane extraction is developed and constructed. The tubular probe with an internal volume of 1.1 μL is made of polypropylene hollow fiber with a supported liquid membrane of 85% nitrophenyloctyl ether (NPOE) with 15% bis(2-ethylhexyl)phosphonic acid (DEHP). The probe is connected on-line to the electrophoresis with short separation capillary via an air assisted flow gating interface cast from poly (dimethylsiloxane). The compact instrument is computer controlled via LabView. The probe parameters are tested for extraction of creatinine and basic amino acids from artificial solution and human urine. The sensitivity of the electrophoretic determination after 300 s extraction at 150 V compared to the sensitivity without extraction is 4.9-fold and 2.6-fold higher for creatinine and arginine, respectively. The RSDs for peak area measured from 5 repeated extractions of 50 μM solutions are 7.5%, 7.2%, 8.6% and 9.2% for Crea, Lys, Arg and His, respectively. The probe can be used for all-day measurements. The preparation of the probe is simple and requires no special tool.
- MeSH
- Electrophoresis, Capillary * methods MeSH
- Ethers * chemistry MeSH
- Creatinine MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Membranes, Artificial MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this work was the evaluation of surface modification in surgery of normally used hernia implants and thus improving their antimicrobial properties. The modification consisted of applying hybrid nanolayers with immobilized antiseptic substances (metal cations of Ag, Cu, and Zn) by sol-gel method which ensures prolonged effect of these substances and thus enables a greater resistance of the implant towards infection. In this work, attention is drawn to the issue of applying hybrid nanolayers, activation of mesh surfaces by physical plasma modification or ultraviolet C (UV C) radiation, and influence of these modifications on the mechanical properties of the final meshes. Next work will continue concentrating on the issue of antimicrobial efficacy and eventual toxicity of the prepared layers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Present-day materials of the most commonly used types of implants for reconstruction of the abdominal wall in surgery (polypropylene, polyester, polyvinylidenefluoride) were tested. Optimum conditions of application of nanolayers by sol-gel method and their thermal stabilization were examined first. Surface modification was verified by scanning electron microscope. The surface of implants was first activated for better adhesion by plasma treatment or UV radiation after preliminary tests. Maximum strength and ductility after activation and hybrid nanolayer modification were objectively measured on a universal Testometric tensile testing machine. RESULTS: The results of surface activation of the meshes (by both plasma treatment or UV C radiation) provided similar and satisfactory results, and particular conditions differed based on the type of material of the mesh. Usage of antimicrobial sol AD30 diluted by isopropyl alcohol in 1:1 proportion appear to be optimal. All tested cases of meshes activated by plasma treatment or UV C radiation and with applied nanolayer concluded in a slight reduction of mechanical properties in modified meshes in comparison with the original ones. However, a slight reduction of test values was not of clinical importance. CONCLUSION: It was verified that surface modification of implants by sol-gel method is effective and technically possible, providing hopeful results.
Advanced solid phase extraction (SPE) fibrous sorbents including polyethylene, polypropylene poly (hydroxybutyrate), and polyamide 6 nanofibers, polycaprolactone microfibers/nanofibers, polycaprolactone microfibers/polyvinylidene difluoride nanofibers, and poly (hydroxybutyrate) microfibers/polypropylene microfibers composites, as well as commercial molecularly imprinted polymers and restricted access media sorbent were compared in terms of bisphenols extraction from milk and their clean-up efficiency. Three on-line SPE-HPLC methods were completely validated for the extraction and detection of bisphenols A, AF, C, A diglycidyl ether, and F diglycidyl ether in bovine milk. Polycaprolactone composite nanofibers compared favorably to restricted access media, enabled excellent clean-up of bisphenols from the proteinaceous matrix, and yielded recoveries 98.0-124.5% and 93.0-115.0%, respectively, with RSD less than 10%. Total analysis time including on-line SPE step lasted only 12 min, which represents a significant reduction in time compared with previously reported as well as official European Union and AOAC methods defined for the determination of bisphenols in various matrices.
- MeSH
- Adsorption MeSH
- Ethers MeSH
- Solid Phase Extraction methods MeSH
- Hydroxybutyrates MeSH
- Milk MeSH
- Molecularly Imprinted Polymers MeSH
- Molecular Imprinting * methods MeSH
- Nanofibers * chemistry MeSH
- Polypropylenes MeSH
- Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid methods MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Polypropylene (PP) belongs among the most important commodity plastics due to its widespread application. The color of the PP products can be achieved by the addition of pigments, which can dramatically affect its material characteristics. To maintain product consistency (dimensional, mechanical, and optical), knowledge of these implications is of great importance. This study investigates the effect of transparent/opaque green masterbatches (MBs) and their concentration on the physico-mechanical and optical properties of PP produced by injection molding. The results showed that selected pigments had different nucleating abilities, affecting the dimensional stability and crystallinity of the product. The rheological properties of pigmented PP melts were affected as well. Mechanical testing showed that the presence of both pigments increased the tensile strength and Young's modulus, while the elongation at break was significantly increased only for the opaque MB. The impact toughness of colored PP with both MBs remained similar to that of neat PP. The optical properties were well controlled by the dosing of MBs, and were further related to the RAL color standards, as demonstrated by CIE color space analysis. Finally, the selection of appropriate pigments for PP should be considered, especially in areas where dimensional and color stability, as well as product safety, are highly important.
- MeSH
- Fungi MeSH
- Elastic Modulus MeSH
- Plastics * MeSH
- Polypropylenes * MeSH
- Excipients MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
A novel method for the extraction of river water contaminants as model analytes of ranging polarities, including bisphenols A, C, S, Z, fenoxycarb, kadethrin, and deltamethrin, using small compact fibrous disks has been developed and validated. Polymer nanofibers and microfibers prepared from poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), polypropylene, polyurethane, polyacrylonitrile, poly(lactic acid), and polycaprolactone doped with graphene were evaluated in terms of extraction efficiency, selectivity, and stability in organic solutions. Our novel extraction procedure comprised preconcentration of analytes from 150 mL river water to 1 mL of eluent using a compact nanofibrous disk freely vortexed in the sample. Small nanofibrous disks with a diameter of 10 mm were cut from a compact and mechanically stable 1-2 mm thick micro/nanofibrous sheet. After 60 min extraction in a magnetically stirred sample located in a beaker, the disk was removed from the liquid and washed with water. Then, the disk was inserted into a 1.5 mL HPLC vial and extracted with 1.0 ml methanol upon short intensive shaking. Our approach avoided the undesired problems related to the manual handling typical of "classical" SPE procedure since the extraction was carried out directly in the HPLC vial. No sample evaporation, reconstitution, or pipetting was required. The nanofibrous disk is affordable, needs no support or holder, and its use avoids creation of plastic waste originating from disposable materials. Recovery of compounds from the disks was 47.2-141.4% depending on the type of polymer used and the relative standard deviations calculated from 5 extractions ranged from 6.1 to 11.8% for poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), 6.3-14.8% for polyurethane, and 1.7-16.2% for polycaprolactone doped with graphene. A small enrichment factor was obtained for polar bisphenol S using all sorbents. A higher preconcentration reaching up to 40-fold was achieved for lipophilic compounds such as deltamethrin when using poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and graphene-doped polycaprolactone.
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
