Use of (Q)SAR genotoxicity predictions and fuzzy multicriteria decision-making for priority ranking of ethoxyquin transformation products.

Ethoxyquin (EQ; 6-ethoxy-2,2,4-trimethyl-1,2-dihydroquinoline) has been used as an antioxidant in feed for pets and food-producing animals, including farmed fish such as Atlantic salmon. In Europe, the authorization for use of EQ as a feed additive was suspended, due to knowledge gaps concerning the presence and toxicity of EQ transformation products (TPs). Recent analytical studies focusing on the detection of EQ TPs in farmed Atlantic salmon feed and fillets reported the detection of a total of 27 EQ TPs, comprising both known and previously not described EQ TPs. We devised and applied an in silico workflow to rank these EQ TPs according to their genotoxic potential and their occurrence data in Atlantic salmon feed and fillet. Ames genotoxicity predictions were obtained applying a suite of five (quantitative) structure-activity relationship ((Q)SAR) tools, namely VEGA, TEST, LAZAR, Derek Nexus and Sarah Nexus. (Q)SAR Ames genotoxicity predictions were aggregated using fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (fAHP) multicriteria decision-making (MCDM). A priority ranking of EQ TPs was performed based on combining both fAHP ranked (Q)SAR predictions and analytical occurrence data. The applied workflow prioritized four newly identified EQ TPs for further investigation of genotoxicity. The fAHP-based prioritization strategy described here, can easily be applied to other toxicity endpoints and groups of chemicals for priority ranking of compounds of most concern for subsequent experimental and mechanistic toxicology analyses.

[New developements in endovascular infrarenal aortic aneurysm treatment]. / Aktuelle Neuerungen bei der endovaskulären Versorgung infrarenaler Aortenaneurysmen.

CLINICAL/METHODICAL ISSUE: New technical developments in endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) have broadened the range of patients eligible for minimally invasive aneurysm treatment. Optimization of delivery sheaths and catheters by considerable downsizing of diameters, increase of pushability and stability combined with flexibility are important parameters. PERFORMANCE: Especially patients characterized by small and tortuous iliac access vessels can nowadays be treated by EVAR. Ease and effectiveness of applicability guarantee safety and quality improvement, which results in better treatment of patients. Progress in stent-graft design with integrated options for repositioning, active positioning and aneurysm sealing facilitate treatment of angulated vessel segments or hitherto unsuitable sealing zones. PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Interventionalists have to be familiar with all available stent-graft materials and techniques. Profound knowledge helps to choose the best material for a patient's individual anatomy, confident application and long-term satisfactory results.

[Sonography and biliary extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL)]. / Sonographie und biliäre extrakorporale Stosswellenlithotripsie (ESWL).

Ultrasound is an indispensable tool for preliminary diagnosis ("filter function"), during treatment ("monitoring function") and in the follow-up examinations ("follow-up function") after shock-wave lithotripsy of gallstones. It permits rapid and reliable assessment of the therapeutic outcome and early identification of complications, which present-day experience has shown to be rare.