Medical management of acute non-specific low back pain: comparison of different medical treatments, one center's retrospective analysis.

Within the developed countries, low back pain and related ailments represent one of the most relevant conditions, affecting both health and socio-economic systems. Non-specific acute low back pain (nsALBP) could represent either an isolated event or the presenting symptom of an underlying condition. Its management is usually medical and radiological investigations should be avoided. However, a general agreement on the best pharmacological treatment is still missing. In the present study, we retrospectively collected patients' data from the institutional database. Two different medical treatments were recognized and groups consequently set. Outcomes were the clinical status, measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS) score for back pain, the use rate of rescue drugs, side effects related to medical treatment, compliance to the treatment, and global satisfaction. The pharma blending of Tramadol 75 mg and Dexketoprofen 25 mg (available blended in a single tablet), resulted effective in the nsALBP management, with less side effects and rescue-drug use along with a higher compliance. Furthermore, patient satisfaction in this treatment group was significatively higher. Many different medical treatments have been investigated and reported in nsALBP management during the last decades. Associations of different drugs are the most common protocols, even though there is no general agreement. Tramadol and Dexketoprofen provide a good clinical result, fewer side effects and a long-lasting and more effective painkiller action, reducing the use of rescue drugs. Moreover, our results suggest that a single tab may provide a higher compliance rate.

Molecular recognition of naphthalene diimide ligands by telomeric quadruplex-DNA: the importance of the protonation state and mediated hydrogen bonds.

In depth Monte Carlo conformational scans in combination with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and electronic structure calculations were applied in order to study the molecular recognition process between tetrasubstituted naphthalene diimide (ND) guests and G-quadruplex (G4) DNA receptors. ND guests are a promising class of telomere stabilizers due to which they are used in novel anticancer therapeutics. Though several ND guests have been studied experimentally in the past, the protonation state under physiological conditions is still unclear. Based on chemical intuition, in the case of N-methyl-piperazine substitution, different protonation states are possible and might play a crucial role in the molecular recognition process by G4-DNA. Depending on the proton concentration, different nitrogen atoms of the N-methyl-piperazine might (or might not) be protonated. This fact was considered in our simulation in terms of a case by case analysis, since the process of molecular recognition is determined by possible donor or acceptor positions. The results of our simulations show that the electrostatic interactions between the ND ligands and the G4 receptor are maximized in the case of the protonation of the terminal nitrogen atoms, forming compact ND G4 complexes inside the grooves. The influence of different protonation states in terms of the ability to form hydrogen bonds with the sugar-phosphate backbone, as well as the importance of mediated vs. direct hydrogen bonding, was analyzed in detail by MD and relaxed force constant (compliance constant) simulations.

Probiotics for prevention of atopic diseases in infants: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Growing evidence underlines the pivotal role of infant gut colonization in the development of the immune system. The possibility to modify gut colonization through probiotic supplementation in childhood might prevent atopic diseases. The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of probiotic supplementation during pregnancy and early infancy in preventing atopic diseases. PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library were searched for randomized controlled trials evaluating the use of probiotics during pregnancy or early infancy for prevention of allergic diseases. Fixed-effect models were used, and random-effects models where significant heterogeneity was present. Results were expressed as risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Seventeen studies, reporting data from 4755 children (2381 in the probiotic group and 2374 in the control group), were included in the meta-analysis. Infants treated with probiotics had a significantly lower RR for eczema compared to controls (RR 0.78 [95% CI: 0.69-0.89], P = 0.0003), especially those supplemented with a mixture of probiotics (RR 0.54 [95% CI: 0.43-0.68], P < 0.00001). No significant difference in terms of prevention of asthma (RR 0.99 [95% CI: 0.77-1.27], P = 0.95), wheezing (RR 1.02 [95% CI: 0.89-1.17], P = 0.76) or rhinoconjunctivitis (RR 0.91 [95% CI: 0.67-1.23], P = 0.53) was documented. The results of the present meta-analysis show that probiotic supplementation prevents infantile eczema, thus suggesting a new potential indication for probiotic use in pregnancy and infancy.

Adrenocortical insufficiency is not a problem in preterm infants treated with antifungal prophylaxis with fluconazole.

AIM: Fluconazole prophylaxis of invasive fungal infections is a cornerstone of neonatal care, but in vitro studies have shown that it inhibits corticosteroid production. This study assessed whether preterm infants demonstrated an association between fluconazole administration, and its duration, and symptoms of adrenocortical insufficiency. METHODS: We compared two groups who were treated before and after we introduced the use of fluconazole to our neonatal intensive care unit. Infants with a gestational age of ≤27 weeks or with a birth weight of ≤750 g were considered for the retrospective analysis. In order to assess whether the duration of prophylaxis was related to adrenocortical insufficiency, regression models were performed in all preterm infants in the fluconazole group. RESULTS: The fluconazole group (n = 37) and nonfluconazole group (n = 41) were compared. No differences were found in the percentage of infants with symptoms of adrenocortical insufficiency, such as hypotension or need of vasopressor therapy. The incidence of hypotension and the use of vasopressor therapy were not related to duration of fluconazole prophylaxis. CONCLUSION: Fluconazole and it duration were not associated with the incidence of symptoms related to adrenocortical insufficiency. Further prospective trials are needed to better define the relationship between fluconazole and adrenocortical insufficiency.

Factors associated with Pap smear screening among French women visiting a general practitioner in the Rhône-Alpes region.

BACKGROUND: To help prevent cervical cancer, three yearly opportunistic Pap smear screening is recommended in France for women aged 25-65 years. Pap smear screening coverage varies with age and socioeconomic level. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to identify factors associated with a low uptake of Pap smear screening among women with no limited access to healthcare. METHODS: We analyzed data from women aged 25-65 living in the Rhône-Alpes region who completed a self-administered questionnaire given to them by general practitioners between June and August 2008. The questionnaire covered knowledge about cervical cancer and its prevention as well as the women's history of Pap smear screening and other health-related behaviors. The relationship between low uptake of Pap smear screening--defined as not having had the test within the past 3 years--and a range of possible contributing factors was investigated using logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 1186 women with an intact uterus who completed the questionnaire, 89.1% said they had had a Pap smear within the past 3 years. On multivariate analysis, the 10.9% who had not were significantly more likely to live alone (1.76 [1.13-2.74]), to have no children (2.17 [1.31-3.62]), to have never used contraception (5.35 [2.98-9.62]), to have less knowledge about Pap smear screening (3.40 [1.55-7.49]), and to be unvaccinated against hepatitis B (0.55 [0.35-0.87]). CONCLUSION: Despite high overall compliance with Pap smear screening recommendations among women who consulted general practitioners, several factors were significantly associated with a low uptake of the service. Considering these factors may help to refine messages aimed at cervical cancer prevention.

Feasibility study of tomato fruit characterization by fast XRF analysis for quality assessment and food traceability.

Food product nutritional and sensory characteristics are often deeply linked to its territory of origin; therefore, its authentication by means of elemental composition becomes crucial for traceability and fighting food fraud. This study aims to establish a fast and reproducible procedure for origin and quality assessment of Sicilian tomato fruits, including PGI "Pomodoro di Pachino", by using the X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technique. Measurements were performed on different parts of PGI Pachino tomatoes belonging to the same production lot. Principal Component and Cluster Analyses show that the samples cluster accordingly with the production lot, disentangling the different parts of the fruit. This procedure, which uses XRF yield elemental pattern and statistical analysis, establishes a solid basis for characterizing elemental profiles by a fast XRF in-situ campaign, supporting the traceability system. The reliability of XRF results was confirmed by comparing elemental concentrations with ICP-MS measurements, performed for comparison, and tomato literature values.

Lymphoid tumours and breast cancer in ataxia telangiectasia; substantial protective effect of residual ATM kinase activity against childhood tumours.

BACKGROUND: Immunodeficiency in ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) is less severe in patients expressing some mutant or normal ATM kinase activity. We, therefore, determined whether expression of residual ATM kinase activity also protected against tumour development in A-T. METHODS: From a total of 296 consecutive genetically confirmed A-T patients from the British Isles and the Netherlands, we identified 66 patients who developed a malignant tumour; 47 lymphoid tumours and 19 non-lymphoid tumours were diagnosed. We determined their ATM mutations, and whether cells from these patients expressed any ATM with residual ATM kinase activity. RESULTS: In childhood, total absence of ATM kinase activity was associated, almost exclusively, with development of lymphoid tumours. There was an overwhelming preponderance of tumours in patients <16 years without kinase activity compared with those with some residual activity, consistent with a substantial protective effect of residual ATM kinase activity against tumour development in childhood. In addition, the presence of eight breast cancers in A-T patients, a 30-fold increased risk, establishes breast cancer as part of the A-T phenotype. CONCLUSION: Overall, a spectrum of tumour types is associated with A-T, consistent with involvement of ATM in different mechanisms of tumour formation. Tumour type was influenced by ATM allelic heterogeneity, residual ATM kinase activity and age.

Massive venous thrombosis of inferior vena cava as primary manifestation of renal Ewing's sarcoma.

We report an extraordinarily rare case of a 17-year-old male with an extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma (ESS) of the kidney and a massive thrombosis involving the inferior vena cava (IVC), from the iliac axis to the right atrium. This onset resembled renal cell carcinoma (RCC), although histological examination revealed it was an extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma/peripheral neuro-ectodermal tumor (EES/PNET). EES/PNET should benefit from neoadjuvant chemotherapy to reduce the risk of metastasis and of recurrent disease due to delay in suitable treatment. Therefore, in the presence of a renal mass with tumor extension of IVC, it is reasonable to bear in mind that other tumors, apart from RCC, could occur. In such cases, a US or CT-scan guided biopsy could be useful.

Muscle synergies for the control of single-limb stance with and without visual information in young individuals.

PURPOSE: Single-limb stance is a demanding postural task featuring a high number of daily living and sporting activities. Thus, it is widely used for training and rehabilitation, as well as for balance assessment. Muscle activations around single joints have been previously described, however, it is not known which are the muscle synergies used to control posture and how they change between conditions of normal and lack of visual information. METHODS: Twenty-two healthy young participants were asked to perform a 30 s single-limb stance task in open-eyes and closed-eyes condition while standing on a force platform with the dominant limb. Muscle synergies were extracted from the electromyographical recordings of 13 muscles of the lower limb, hip, and back. The optimal number of synergies, together with the average recruitment level and balance control strategies were analyzed and compared between the open- and the closed-eyes condition. RESULTS: Four major muscle synergies, two ankle-dominant synergies, one knee-dominant synergy, and one hip/back-dominant synergy were found. No differences between open- and closed-eyes conditions were found for the recruitment level, except for the hip/back synergy, which significantly decreased (p = 0.02) in the closed-eyes compared to the open-eyes condition. A significant increase (p = 0.03) of the ankle balance strategy was found in the closed-eyes compared to the open-eyes condition. CONCLUSION: In healthy young individuals, single-limb stance is featured by four major synergies, both in open- and closed-eyes condition. Future studies should investigate muscle synergies in participants with other age groups, as well as pathological conditions.

Migration of the femoral component and clinical outcomes after total knee replacement: a narrative review.

Loosening is considered as a main cause of implant failure in total knee replacement (TKR). Among the predictive signs of loosening, migration is the most investigated quantitative parameter. Several studies focused on the migration of the tibial component in TKR, while no reviews have been focused on the migration of the femoral component and its influence on patients' clinical outcomes. The aim of this narrative review was (1) to provide information about of the influence of migration in femoral component of TKR prostheses, (2) to assess how migration may affect patient clinical outcomes and (3) to present alternative solution to the standard cobalt-chrome prostheses. A database search was performed on PubMed Central® according to the PRISMA guidelines for studies about Cobalt-Chrome femoral component migration in people that underwent primary TKR published until May 2020. Overall, 18 articles matched the selection criteria and were included in the study. Few studies investigated the femoral component through the migration, and no clear migration causes emerged. The Roentgen Stereophotogrammetric Analysis has been mostly used to assess the migration for prognostic predictions. An annual migration of 0.10 mm seems compatible with good long-term performance and good clinical and functional outcomes. An alternative solution to cobalt-chrome prostheses is represented by femoral component in PEEK material, although no clinical evaluations have been carried out on humans yet. Further studies are needed to investigate the migration of the femoral component in relation to clinical outcomes and material used.

Propofol/alfentanil and propofol/ketamine procedural sedation in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: safety, efficacy and their correlation with pain neuromediator expression.

Invasive procedures, such as the lumbar puncture, can cause anxiety and pain in children undergoing treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). We investigated the safety and efficacy of two different protocols for analgo-sedation in 20 children with ALL undergoing lumbar puncture. We have conducted a prospective, cross-over study. Protocol A was composed of an association between propofol and alfentanil. Protocol B consisted in the combination of propofol and ketamine. We also evaluated the levels of nerve growth factor, substance P and enkephalins in the cerebrospinal fluid of these patients. All patients showed a satisfactory sedation and analgesia. We found a statistically significant difference of vital parameters between protocol A and protocol B, while there were no significant differences between sedation scores and the other parameters evaluated. Patients in protocol A showed a higher incidence of major side effects, such as respiratory depression. Pain neuromediator levels did not show any statistical difference between the two groups. This study shows that both protocols are effective to obtain a good sedation and analgesia in children with ALL undergoing lumbar puncture, but the association between propofol and ketamine appears to be safer due to the lower incidence of side effects.

Instrumented platforms for balance and proprioceptive assessment in patients with total knee replacement: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The functional outcome of total knee replacement (TKR) is usually satisfying. However, patients may show functional limitations for years after surgery, which have been ascribed to impairments in balance and proprioception, mainly during standing tasks. A number of instrumentations and parameters have been used, rising confusion for clinical decisions on the assessment of patients. RESEARCH QUESTION: Which are the most widespread and consistent procedures to assess balance and proprioception following TKR? METHODS: A literature review was conducted in Pubmed, PEDro, and Cochrane database. From a total sample of 112 articles, 23 original studies published between 2008 and 2019 met inclusion criteria. The primary outcomes selected were variables related to balance and proprioception assessment in static and dynamic tasks performed with instrumented platforms. Data from papers using the same instrumentation, on patients with unilateral TKA and at least 12 months postoperatively were synthesized quantitatively in a random effect meta-analysis. RESULTS: Fourteen articles were appropriate for the review. A large variability was found both in the instrumentation and the parameters used. The Neurocom Balance Master System™ was the most used instrument (four articles). On a total population of 186 patients with unilateral TKR 12 months postoperatively, a low degree of heterogeneity was found adopting the random effect in the four tasks explored (Firm and Foam Surface both with Eyes Open and Eyes Closed). SIGNIFICANCE: This review found a large variability in the instrumentation used to assess balance and proprioception in patients operated on TKR. The meta-analysis demonstrated that the Neurocom Balance Master System™ for static assessment of balance showed an acceptable consistency and can be considered as a reference for further studies. However, balance and proprioception impairments following TKR have not been widely quantified by means of instrumented platforms. Further research is needed to address this issue, and improve clinical practice.

Polychlorinated biphenyl and organochlorine pesticide contamination signatures in deep-sea fish from the Mediterranean Sea.

Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and OCP concentrations were determined in the livers of two deep-sea fish species, roughsnout grenadier and hollowsnout grenadier, from the Adriatic Sea. In both species, contaminant concentrations were in the following order: PCBs>DDTs>>HCB. Contaminant load was higher in roughsnout grenadier (PCB: 12,327ngg(-1); DDTs: 5357ngg(-1); HCB: 13.1ngg(-1)) than in hollowsnout grenadier (PCB: 1234ngg(-1); DDTs: 763ngg(-1); HCB 6.3ngg(-1)). PCB patterns were dominated by higher chlorinated congeners (hexa-CBs: 50.3-52.1%, hepta-CBs: 29.6-35.5%, penta-CBs: 8.0-11.1% and octa-CBs :5.2-5.4%). PCBs 138, 153 180 and 187 were the most abundant. Regarding the DDT pattern, p,p'-DDE was prevalent in both species (roughsnout grenadier: 99.7%, hollowsnout grenadier: 90%), suggesting no recent DDT input. In both species, the total 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin toxic equivalent (TEQ) concentrations (roughsnout grenadier: mean 43.77pg/g, hollowsnout grenadier: mean 20.49pg/g), calculated from non- and mono-ortho PCBs, reached those encountered in marine organisms at higher levels in the trophic chain.

Intercalation of daunomycin into stacked DNA base pairs. DFT study of an anticancer drug.

We have computationally studied the intercalation of the antitumor drug daunomycin into six stacks of Watson-Crick DNA base pairs (i.e., AT-AT, AT-TA, GC-AT, CG-TA, GC-GC, GC-CG) using density functional theory (DFT). The proton affinity of the DNA intercalator daunomycin in water was computed to be 159.2 kcal/mol at BP86/TZ2P, which is in line with the experimental observation that daunomycin is protonated under physiological conditions. The intercalation interaction of protonated daunomycin with two stacked DNA base pairs was studied through a hybrid approach in which intercalation is treated at LDA/TZP while the molecular structure of daunomycin and hydrogen-bonded Watson-Crick pairs is computed at BP86/TZ2P. We find that the affinity of the drug for the six considered base pair dimers decreases in the order AT-AT > AT-TA > GC-AT > GC-TA > GC-CG > GC-GC, in excellent agreement with experimental data on the thermodynamics of the interaction between daunomycin and synthetic polynucleotides in aqueous solution. Our analyses show that the overall stability of the intercalation complexes comes mainly from pi-pi stacking but an important contribution to the computed and experimentally observed sequence specificity comes from hydrogen bonding between daunomycin and hetero atoms in the minor groove of AT base pairs.

Persistent organic pollutants (PCBs and DDTs) in small size specimens of bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) from the Mediterranean Sea (Ionian Sea).

The concentration levels and pattern distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (DDTs), were investigated in liver of small size specimens of bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) from Mediterranean Sea (Ionian Sea). PCB concentrations (average: 526 ng g(-1) lipid wt) were comparable with DDT levels (average: 435 ng g(-1) lipid wt). The specific analysis of PCB congeners revealed a profile dominated by hexa-, penta- and heptachlorinated congeners, while among DDTs, the compounds with the higher concentration was p,p'-DDE, constituting 91.9% of the total DDT. The total 2,3,7,8-TCDD toxic equivalent (TEQs) of coplanar PCBs, including mono- and non-ortho congeners, was 0.55 pg g(-1) wet weight with. The congeners with highest TEQs values were non-ortho congeners followed by mono-ortho ones.

Total and subcellular distribution of trace elements (Cd, Cu and Zn) in the liver and kidney of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) from the Mediterranean Sea.

This study investigated the subcellular distribution of Cd, Cu and Zn in liver and kidney of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) stranded along the Italian coast of the South Adriatic Sea (Eastern Mediterranean). Cd and Zn mean concentrations did not differ significantly between liver (4.26microgg(-1) and 34.53microgg(-1), respectively) and kidney (5.06microgg(-1) and 26.39microgg(-1), respectively), whereas the levels of Cu were significantly higher in liver (32.75microgg(-1)) than in kidney (8.20microgg(-1)) (p<0.009). Most of Cd, Cu and Zn was present in hepatic and renal cytosol, and their concentrations increased with total levels in both organs, indicating that cytosol has a crucial role in metal accumulation. Cd and Cu in hepatic and renal cytosol were present mostly in metallothionein fractions (MTs), whereas Zn was fractionated into MTs and high-molecular-weight-substances (HMWS). The comparison with the results of other investigations on individuals of the same species collected in different marine areas shows good agreement relatively to essential metals. For Cd our data are comparable with those encountered in specimens from the Mediterranean Sea (Cyprus) confirming the homogeneity of the area comprising the south-eastern basin of the Mediterranean Sea from an ecological point of view.

Multi-scale laboratory routine in the efficacy assessment of conservative products for natural stones.

The evaluation of conservative treatments' efficacy on natural building stones are usually based on standard recommendation routines finalized to evaluate compatibility and harmfulness of products in turn of the substrate. However, the visualization and the quantification of products inside pore structure of natural stones is not immediate through standard tests, so that imaging and advanced techniques are recently proposed in material conservation field to improve knowledge on penetration depth, modification of pore-air interface at different scale and monitor dynamic absorption processes. Moreover, natural stones are usually characterized by complex structure, which changes due to conservative treatments have to be inspected at different scale (from micrometer to nanometer). In this prospective, the assessment of laboratory practices able to integrate multiscale methods and give back a complete overview on interaction between new conservative formulates and natural stones is of high interest. In this paper, we propose a methodological routine for efficacy assessment of conservative products, incorporating classical and innovative nondestructive techniques. Validation of the workflow has been verified on a high porous natural stone treated with new hybrid formulates appropriately customized for conservation issues. •The study intends to add new insights on problems related to consolidation of high porous carbonate stone, application methods in consolidating natural stones and methods to evaluate efficacy of new products.•A multi-scale laboratory investigation procedure is proposed by integrating standard and innovative nondestructive methods. Merits and limits of each applied method are discussed during validation.•The possibility to incorporate standard routines and/or substitute destructive testing with non-destructive ones seem to be a valid alternative to evaluate efficiency and monitor behavior of stones treated with consolidating products.

Polychlorinated biphenyls and other chlorinated organic contaminants in the tissues of Mediterranean loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta.

Polychlorinated biphenyls including coplanar congeners and DDT compounds were measured in different organs and tissues (liver, kidney, lung and muscle tissue) of loggerhead turtles Caretta caretta from the eastern Mediterranean Sea. The highest levels of these compounds were found in liver (PCBs: 52.32 ng/g; DDTs: 18.27 ng/g), followed by kidney (PCBs: 19.05 ng/g; DDTs: 5.70 ng/g), lung (PCBs: 12.75 ng/g; DDTs: 3.76 ng/g ) and muscle tissue (PCBs: 4.65 ng/g; DDTs: 1.45 ng/g). PCBs revealed a profile dominated by hexa-, penta- and hepta-chlorinated congeners, while among DDTs, the compound in the greatest concentration was p,p'-DDE, (liver: 85.2%, kidney: 93.6%, lung: 86.4%, muscle tissue: 93.2%). The estimated toxic equivalents (pg TEQs/g wet wt) of non- and mono-ortho PCBs were in the range of 1.54-5.86 pg TEQs/g wet wt. Non-ortho coplanar PCB 77 accounted for more than 90% of the total TEQs leaving to mono-ortho only 2.6-6.2%.

Synthesis and biophysical characterization of G-rich oligonucleotides conjugated with sugar-phosphate tails.

A number of 5'-and 3'-glycoconjugates of the oligonucleotide (5')d(TGGGAG)(3') have been synthesized, exploiting fully automated, online phosphoramidite-based solid phase strategy, as potential anti-HIV-1 agents. The thermodynamic stability of the resulting quadruplexes has been investigated by thermal denaturation studies, via a detailed CD Q1 analysis.

Concentrations and composition of organochlorine contaminants in different species of cephalopod molluscs from the Italian waters (Adriatic Sea).

Persistent organochlorines, such as polychlorinated biphenyls including coplanar congeners and DDT compounds were measured in the liver of different species of mollusc cephalopods: broadtail squid (Illex coindetii), horned octopus (Eledone moschata) and spider octopus (Octopus salutii) collected in two different areas of the Adriatic Sea (central and southern Adriatic Sea). The concentration of PCBs exceeded DDT ones in horned octopus (PCBs: 617.0 ngg(-1) lipid weight, DDTs: 188.0 ngg(-1) lipid weight) and in spider octopus (PCBs: 590.0 ngg(-1) lipid weight, DDTs: 293.0 ngg(-1) lipid weight), while in broadtail squid PCB load (748.0 ngg(-1) lipid weight) was similar to those of DDTs (514.5 ngg(-1) lipid weight). No significant difference in PCB levels was observed among species, while DDT concentrations were higher in broadtail squid than in horned octopus and spider octopus. DDTs composition showed slight differences in relation to species, thought p,p'-DDE was the predominant compound in all cephalopod species (broadtail squid: 88.1%, horned octopus 94.1%, spider octopus: 97.5%). PCB isomer profiles were similar among species being hexachlorinated isomers the most abundant, followed by penta- and heptachlorobiphenyls, while tri- and tetrachlorobiphenyls made up a small percentage of the total PCB residues. Regarding coplanar congeners, non-ortho PCBs were below the detection limit in all samples and the 2,3,7,8-TCDD toxic equivalent (TEQ) concentrations were very low. The influence of biological and ecological factors (size/weight and location) on the bioaccumulation of organochlorine compounds has been discussed.