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Background: One of the common complications after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). The differential diagnosis should include allergies to implant components or cement constituents, for which the clinical manifestation may mimic an infection. An allergic skin reaction to suture material after TKA mimicking acute PJI has to date never been described in the literature. Case report: We present a case of acute allergic skin reaction to polydioxanone suture material (Stratafix™, Ethicon, Johnson & Johnson) initially suspected to be acute PJI one week after TKA. The patient was treated with debridement, extensive synovectomy, irrigation and implant retention followed by antibiotic therapy. The bacteriological analysis was negative and the histological examination of the excised wound showed Wells-type eosinophilic cellulitis. The definitive diagnosis was an allergic reaction to sutures mimicking an acute PJI. Conclusion: An allergic skin reaction to suture material mimicking acute PJI has an extremely low incidence and therefore has been barely described. The different clinical presentations complicate diagnosis and treatment decisions, particularly in acute settings. The formal diagnosis is made by histopathological analysis of wound tissue in the presence of negative microbiological cultures. We may consider wound biopsy during or before surgical revision as an additional tool in PIJ strategy work-up.

The valorization of food industry byproducts has become a significant issue worldwide because of the drive towards a circular economy. The "zero waste target" in human activities seems to be a dominant objective in the design of future products by enterprises. In this work, food waste from the crayfish processing industry was converted into useful products (quantum dots), as nowadays, biowaste-derived materials tend to be more attractive than conventionally produced materials with a similar structure due to their lower production costs and environmentally friendly development processes. More specifically, shell waste from the crayfish industry was treated hydrothermally and, after a freeze-drying process, was transformed to useful quantum dots. Instrumental and chemical techniques, such as XRD, SEM-EDS, AFM, XPS, elemental analysis, fluorescence spectroscopy, TG, Microtox bioassay, and DPPH antioxidant activity, were employed to characterize the final product. The results indicated the existence of thermally stable spherical particles, with a diameter of 5–8 nm, which were mainly composed of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, calcium, and sulfur. Their external surface was rough and rich with various functional groups that further contributed to their overall optical properties. The final product presented low ecotoxicity, as studied by the Microtox assay. The superior antioxidant activity of this product compared to other similar materials reported elsewhere renders it a potential material for, e.g., food packaging applications. In addition, for the first time, N/S-Carbon QDs were applied as an antioxidant/antibacterial agent for strawberry preservation, showing promising results as the coated strawberries maintained their color and weight for three consecutive days with no mold growth observed on their surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, food saving, a circular economy, and zero environmental fingerprints are of major interest. Scientific efforts for enhanced food preservation using "green" methods have been intensified. Even though chemicals could achieve such targets effectively, the global trend against the "greenhouse effect" suggests the use of environmentally friendly biobased materials for this purpose. In this study, the promising biopolymer chitosan is incorporated with the promising biodegradable polymer polyvinyl alcohol to produce an improved biopolymeric matrix. This biodegradable biopolymer was further mixed homogeneously with 15% thymol/nano-zeolite nanohybrid material. The properties of the final developed film were improved compared to the relevant values of chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol film. The mechanical properties were enhanced significantly, i.e., there was a 34% increase in Young's modulus and a 4.5% increase in the ultimate tensile strength, while the antioxidant activity increased by 53.4%. The antibacterial activity increased by 134% for Escherichia coli, 87.5% for Staphylococcus aureus, 32% for Listeria monocytogenes, and 9% for Salmonella enterica. The water vapor diffusion coefficient and the oxygen permeability coefficient decreased to −51% and −74%, respectively, and thus, the water vapor and oxygen barrier increased significantly. The active pads were used in strawberries, and the antimicrobial activity evaluation against the mold of fungi was carried out. The visual evaluation shows that the active pads could extend the shelf life duration of strawberries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This report highlights a rare case of complex metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint dislocation, commonly referred to as Kaplan's lesion. This type of dislocation typically results from a hyperextension injury and requires surgical intervention as closed maneuvers are unsuccessful in reducing the dislocation. Surgical reduction for complex MCP joint dislocations is commonly done through classic volar or dorsal approaches. This report presents a case of a complex MCP joint dislocation and the surgical approach taken to address the issue., Case Report: We present a case of a complex MCP joint dislocation in a 5-year-old male patient who sustained a hyperextension injury to his index finger. The patient underwent open reduction surgery using a volar approach due to the buttonholing of the phalangeal head through the volar plate and blockage between the flexor tendons and lumbrical muscle. Following the procedure, the joint was immobilized in a palmar splint at 30° flexion for 2 weeks before being allowed unrestricted mobilization. At the 4-week follow-up, the patient reported being pain-free and had regained nearly full range of motion in the index finger MCP joint., Conclusion: Although there are multiple techniques to address complex MCP dislocation, the classic volar approach is still considered an effective treatment option for pediatric patients with this injury. In such cases, open reduction through a volar approach can enable surgeons to access the joint and address complex dislocations, which are often difficult to manage with closed reduction alone. Consequently, this surgical approach can help achieve a successful reduction and restore the joint's functionality. Therefore, despite the availability of alternative approaches, the classic volar approach should still be considered as a viable option for treating complex MCP joint dislocations in the pediatric population., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: Nil, (Copyright: © Indian Orthopaedic Research Group.)

Introduction: The identification of high-risk patients in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is still a challenge. The classical clinical risk factors for sudden death have been reported by studies coming from referral HCM cohorts. So far, other studies of community-based HCM populations have not managed to identify risk factors for sudden cardiac death. The aim of the present study was to determine the clinical course of the disease in a community-based HCM population, as well as to identify the clinical factors of sudden death in such a population., Methods: Three hundred four (304) consecutive HCM patients (202 males, age 48 ± 18.5 years) from 280 different families were assessed. Referral was based on disease diagnosis, irrespective of clinical status or treatment needs. All patients were examined clinically, echocardiographically, by 24h ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring, and by cardiopulmonary exercise testing at regular intervals, for a period of 56.4 ± 29.9 months., Results: Most patients (n=264/304, 87.2%) were in New York Heart Association functional class I or II. The disease was familial in 60.5%. At initial examination, maximum left ventricular wall thickness was 19 ± 4.4 mm and a left ventricular outflow gradient >30 mmHg was present in 30.9% patients. The annual sudden death mortality was 1.2%. Familial sudden death, non-sustained ventricular tachycardia, severe left ventricular hypertrophy >30 mm, and young age were predictors of sudden cardiac death., Conclusions: In this community-based HCM population, the risk factors for sudden death were similar to those found in referral cohorts.