Evidence for non-selective ingestion of microplastic in demersal fish.

Microplastics have been observed in >100 species of fish, with considerable variability in levels of contamination in different species and different geographic locations. Here, we investigated the incidence of microplastic in five species of demersal fish (four wild-caught species and one from a mariculture business) in Hong Kong. We observed that 54% of fish stomachs contained microplastic (hard fragments and fibres) with no significant difference in the abundance of microplastic ingested between the species, between wild and commercial fish farms, or between locations. In addition, we observed no difference between the type of microplastics (shape or composition) ingested by fish. However, we did observe spatial variation, with fish closest to the Pearl River having higher frequency of occurrence of microplastics which reinforce the evidence that fish collected close to urban area are more likely to ingest microplastics.

One-stop evaluation of globus pharyngeus symptoms with transnasal esophagoscopy and swallowing function test.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of a one-stop assessment of patients complaining of globus sensation with transnasal esophagoscopy (TNE) and functional endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES). DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized, experimental investigation. SETTING: Tertiary referral centre. METHODS: Sixty-three consecutive patients complaining of a lump in the throat were evaluated by this combined approach. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The safety and feasibility of performing a one-stop TNE plus FEES were explored by subjective measurement of the patients' tolerance and satisfaction and comments from surgeons. The possible therapeutic effects were also assessed 2 months after the procedure. RESULTS: All 63 patients completed the TNE and FEES without any complications. The average duration of the examination was 6.27 ± 2.52 (95% CI 5.63-6.91) minutes. The findings included arytenoid cyst, epiglottic cyst, vocal cord nodules, vocal cord palsy, esophageal reflux, and foveolar gland hyperplasia. Two patients (3.2%) demonstrated some degree of fluid penetration or aspiration. Nine specialists all scored highly on a visual analogue scale on the manipulation, visualization, and satisfaction of the TNE procedure (median  =  8 of 10). Patients also rated a low pain score (median  =  1 of 10) and a high satisfaction score (median  =  9 of 10). CONCLUSION: The combined technique of TNE and FEES can be used safely as a one-stop examination tool for patients with globus pharyngeus symptoms.

Surgical salvage nasopharyngectomy for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a multivariate analysis of prognostic factors.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to identify independent prognostic factors that influenced local relapse-free survival (LRFS) and overall survival (OS) of patients who underwent salvage surgery for residual or recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHODS: Ninety-seven patients who had been treated with radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy for NPC underwent a nasopharyngectomy for a residual or recurrent local tumor between November 1987 and June 2007. The subsequent minimum follow-up was 2 years. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors for LRFS and OS. RESULTS: The 5-year LRFS and OS was 46.7% and 51.9%, respectively. On multivariate analysis for LRFS and OS, respectively, recurrent regional disease (hazard ratio [HR], 3.245; p = .008) and (HR, 4.990; p = .001), and positive surgical margins (HR, 5.963; p = .000), and (HR, 4.912; p = .000) were independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing surgical salvage nasopharyngectomy for residual or recurrent NPC, positive surgical margins have an independent negative influence on LRFS and OS.