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- Fell, Daniel, et al.
(author)
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Serum metal ion levels following spinal deformity surgery : a case-control study of 182 individuals
- 2022
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In: European spine journal. - : Springer Nature. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932. ; 31:11, s. 3036-3041
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PurposeThe aim of this study is to evaluate the levels of chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), and titanium (Ti) after instrumented fusion for scoliosis.MethodsSerum samples were collected at median 2.24 (range 0.1–38.8) years after fusion surgery for scoliosis in 91 individuals, of which 71 had been treated with steel implants and 20 with titanium implants. 91 sex and age-matched non-surgically treated individuals with scoliosis were used as controls. Levels of Cr, Co, and Ti were measured.ResultsIn the 91 surgically treated individuals median levels of Cr were 0.54 µg/l vs 0 µg/l in the 91 controls, p < 0.001. Corresponding results for Co were 0.29 µg/l vs. 0.24 µg/l, p = 0.19, and for Ti were 0 µg/l vs. 0 µg/l, p < 0.001.In the individuals with steel implants and their corresponding controls median Cr levels were 0.63 µg/l vs. 0.00 µg/l, p < 0.001 and Co levels 0.27 µg/l vs. 0.23 µg/l, p = 0.36. No Ti was detected.In the individuals with titanium implants, median Cr levels were 0 µg/l vs. 0 µg/l in their corresponding controls, p = 0.38. Corresponding results for Co was 0.39 µg/l vs. 0.31 µg/l, p = 0.27 and for Ti 4.31 µg/l vs. 0 µg/l, p < 0.001.In the individuals with steel implants a negative correlation between implant time in situ and levels of Cr was found (ρ= − 0.52, p < 0.001) but not with Co (ρ = − 0.14, p = 0.23). Ti was not detected.In the individuals with titanium implants, there was no correlation between implant time in situ and levels of Cr (ρ= 0.36, p = 0.12), Co (ρ = − 0.12, p = 0.60) or Ti (ρ = 0.22, p = 0.35).ConclusionThe use of stainless steel and titanium implants in spinal fusion surgery is associated with elevated metal ion concentrations several years after surgery.
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| 2. |
- Fredin, Kristofer, et al.
(author)
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Effect on Cell Efficiency following Thermal Degradation of Dye-Sensitized Mesoporous Electrodes Using N719 and D5 Sensitizers
- 2009
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In: The Journal of Physical Chemistry C. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1932-7447 .- 1932-7455. ; 113:43, s. 18902-18906
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This work examines the comparative durability of two common dyes at temperatures that may be experienced during fabrication of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) such as through the application of thermoplastics for encapsulation or the use of a molten solid-state hole conductor. Dye-sensitized electrodes were heated in an atmosphere of air or nitrogen and thereafter used as working electrodes in DSCs. Electrodes sensitized with N719 appeared more sensitive to thermal degradation than electrodes sensitized with D5, although absorbance measurements suggest similar first-order degradation rates for the two dyes. Intensity modulated photovoltage spectroscopy and intensity modulated photocurrent spectroscopy were used to measure the effect of heating on electron lifetime and transport. It was found that the electron diffusion length may.. be as low as 10% for heated samples, compared to that of the unheated counterpart, and therefore, we assess recombination as an additional efficiency limiting process in our experiments.
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| 3. |
- Launonen, Antti P., et al.
(author)
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Operative versus non-operative treatment for 2-part proximal humerus fracture : A multicenter randomized controlled trial
- 2019
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In: PLoS Medicine. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1549-1277 .- 1549-1676. ; 16:7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundAlthough increasingly used, the benefit of surgical treatment of displaced 2-part proximal humerus fractures has not been proven. This trial evaluates the clinical effectiveness of surgery with locking plate compared with non-operative treatment for these fractures.Methods and findingsThe NITEP group conducted a superiority, assessor-blinded, multicenter randomized trial in 6 hospitals in Finland, Estonia, Sweden, and Denmark. Eighty-eight patients aged 60 years or older with displaced (more than 1 cm or 45 degrees) 2-part surgical or anatomical neck proximal humerus fracture were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to undergo either operative treatment with a locking plate or non-operative treatment. The mean age of patients was 72 years in the non-operative group and 73 years in the operative group, with a female sex distribution of 95% and 87%, respectively. Patients were recruited between February 2011 and April 2016. The primary outcome measure was Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score at 2-year follow-up. Secondary outcomes included Constant–Murley score, the visual analogue scale for pain, the quality of life questionnaire 15D, EuroQol Group’s 5-dimension self-reported questionnaire EQ-5D, the Oxford Shoulder Score, and complications. The mean DASH score (0 best, 100 worst) at 2 years was 18.5 points for the operative treatment group and 17.4 points for the non-operative group (mean difference 1.1 [95% CI −7.8 to 9.4], p = 0.81). At 2 years, there were no statistically or clinically significant between-group differences in any of the outcome measures. All 3 complications resulting in secondary surgery occurred in the operative group. The lack of blinding in patient-reported outcome assessment is a limitation of the study. Our assessor physiotherapists were, however, blinded.ConclusionsThis trial found no significant difference in clinical outcomes at 2 years between surgery and non-operative treatment in patients 60 years of age or older with displaced 2-part fractures of the proximal humerus. These results suggest that the current practice of performing surgery on the majority of displaced proximal 2-part fractures of the humerus in older adults may not be beneficial.
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