Created by the Monte Peron rock avalanche: Lago di Vedana (Dolomites, Italy) and its sediment record of landscape evolution after a mass wasting event

The timing of the Monte Peron Landslide is revised to 2890 cal. BP based on a radiocarbon-dated sediment stratigraphy of Lago di Vedana. This age fosters the importance of hydroclimatic triggers in the light of accelerating global warming with a predicted increase of precipitation enhancing the regional predisposition to large landslides. Moreover, a layer enriched in allochthonous organic and minerogenic detritus dating to the same wet period is interpreted as response to a younger and yet unidentified mass wasting event in the catchment of Lago di Vedana. Rock debris of the Monte Peron Landslide impounded the Cordevole River valley and created a landslide-dammed lake. Around AD 1150, eutrophication of this lacustrine ecosystem started with intensified human occupation – a process that ended 150 years later, when the river was diverted back into its original bed. Most likely, this occurred due to artificial opening of the river dam. In consequence, Lago di Vedana was isolated from an open and minerogenic to an endorheic and carbonaceous lacustrine system. After a monastery was established nearby in AD 1457, a second eutrophication process was initiated due to intensified land use linked with deforestation. Only in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, deposition of organic matter decreased coinciding with climatic (Little Ice Age) and cultural changes. Conversational measures are the likely reasons for a trend towards less eutrophic conditions since AD 1950.

Stoma location and Parastomal Hernia. A Virtual Simulation Approach.

An ostomy is a surgical procedure by which an artificial opening in the abdominal wall, known as a stoma, is created. We assessthe effects of stoma location on the abdominal wall mechanics. We perform three–dimensional finite element simulations on ananatomy model which was generated on the basis of medical images. Our simulation methodology is entirely based on opensource software. We consider seventeen different locations for the stoma incision (trephine) and we simulate the mechanicalresponse of the abdominal wall when an intraabdominal pressure as high as 20 kPa is applied. We focus on factors relatedto the risk of parastomal hernia development such as the deformation experienced by the abdominal wall, the stress levelssupported by its tissues and the corresponding level of trephine enlargement.No significant dependence was found between stoma location and the levels of abdominal wall deformations or stress supportedby tissues, except for the case with a stoma located on the linea alba. Trephine perimeter and area respectively increased byas much as 44% and 85%. The level of trephine deformation depends on stoma location with considerably higher trephineenlargements found in stomas laterally located with respect to the rectus abdominis muscle.

Created by the Monte Peron rock avalanche: Lago di Vedana (Dolomites, Italy) and its sediment record of landscape evolution after a mass wasting event

The timing of the Monte Peron Landslide is revised to 2890 cal. BP based on a radiocarbon-dated sediment stratigraphy of Lago di Vedana. This age fosters the importance of hydroclimatic triggers in the light of accelerating global warming with a predicted increase of precipitation enhancing the regional predisposition to large landslides. Moreover, a layer enriched in allochthonous organic and minerogenic detritus dating to the same wet period is interpreted as response to a younger and yet unidentified mass wasting event in the catchment of Lago di Vedana. Rock debris of the Monte Peron Landslide impounded the Cordevole River valley and created a landslide-dammed lake. Around AD 1150, eutrophication of this lacustrine ecosystem started with intensified human occupation – a process that ended 150 years later, when the river was diverted back into its original bed. Most likely, this occurred due to artificial opening of the river dam. In consequence, Lago di Vedana was isolated from an open and minerogenic to an endorheic and carbonaceous lacustrine system. After a monastery was established nearby in AD 1457, a second eutrophication process was initiated due to intensified land use linked with deforestation. Only in the 18th and 19th century, deposition of organic matter decreased coinciding with climatic (Little Ice Age) and cultural changes. Conversational measures are the likely reasons for a trend towards less eutrophic conditions since AD 1950.

Retroauricular Emphysema as a Late Complication After Bonebridge Implantation: Case Report

Bonebridge (BB) is the first active implantation system for bone conduction that is placed fully under the skin. Experience suggests that BB is characterized by low incidence of postoperative complications. This case report presents a rare case of a 16-year-old girl with incidence of emphysema occurring over the implant 1 year after operation. We performed a computed tomography scan that showed pockets of gas above the floating mass transducer so we provided the revision surgery and sealed the artificial opening with fat from the earlobe and fibrin glue. Since that time, no air has collected in the retroauricular area and the implant has been fully functional.

Factors Affecting Seed Germination and Establishment of an Efficient Germination Method in Sugar Pine (Pinus lambertiana Dougl.)

Mature sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana Dougl.) trees produce large amounts of viable seeds but have seed dormancy. In this study, we used three sugar pine genotypes, 8877, 9306, and 9375, to test seed germination response. Seed germination from local sources varied greatly, and germination percentages were poor. There was a large variation in seed size and seed weight among the genotypes. Seeds of 9375 and 9306 were significantly larger and heavier (30.7 and 28.8 g/100 seeds, respectively) than 8877 (23.6 g/100 seeds). Three types of seeds—intact seeds, hulled seeds, and naked embryos—were examined for germination. Intact seeds failed to germinate due to the physical restraint and water impermeability of the seed. Chemical scarification with 5 m hydrochloric acid and 5 m sodium hydroxide did not soften the hard seedcoat and also failed to induce any germination of intact seeds. Hulled seeds resulted in an extremely low germination percentage (≤5%) with abnormal seedling development even though the endosperm was water permeable. Germination of the hulled seeds was not increased by adding 1 mg·L−1 gibberellic acid to the culture medium. Artificial opening of the hulled seeds created by longitudinal or horizontal cuts on the endosperm after removal of the seedcoat to avoid physical restraint and allow air exchange also failed to improve germination, indicating that inhibitors related to germination were present in the endosperm. However, naked embryos of all three genotypes germinated rapidly and uniformly with 70% to 95% germination percentage regardless of cold stratification treatment. Our data indicate that sugar pine seeds from the current source did not have physiological dormancy of embryos themselves, but dormancy was imposed by the seedcoat and endosperm. Using the naked embryos as donor explants, we have successfully established an efficient in vitro culture system. The protocol described here can be applied for the tissue culture and genetic transformation of sugar pine.

Intestinal Ostomies Created During Emergency Surgery Possess Unique Challenges

Background: The surgical creation of an artificial opening of the bowel, called ostomy, can become necessary for very different causative diseases. A special subgroup are ostomies created during emergency surgery, which pose particular challenges to affected patients. This work is dedicated to their detailed characterization.Methods: A retrospective analysis of surgical ostomy creations at an acute care university hospital and an online survey for patients with an ostomy were performed and evaluated.Results: In our study, about one third of all ostomies were created during emergency surgery (37.4%). Compared to patients who received an ostomy during elective surgery, emergency patients had a higher ASA score and diagnoses requiring acute surgical care. Patients undergoing emergency surgery were more likely to have inadequate preoperative medical education (60% vs. 33.3%, p=0.029), and rarely received preoperative ostomy marking (4% vs. 79.2%, p<0.001). Emergency patients underwent minimally invasive surgery less frequently (26.8% vs. 51.3%, p=0.001), and showed a higher rate of peristomal wound dehiscence (9.9% vs. 2.5%, p=0.028). Accordingly, emergency ostomies often resulted in an overall reduction in postoperative quality of life.Conclusion: Ostomies are often created during emergency surgery under suboptimal perioperative conditions. This results in higher complication rates and negative physical and psychological effects. Therefore, intensive interdisciplinary care is essential to provide the best possible care for patients affected by these artificially created intestinal outlets.

Study of intestinal stoma: our experience at Rajarajeswari Medical College and Hospital

Background: Stoma is an artificial opening of intestinal or urinary tract to the abdominal wall. The purpose of the present study was to identify indications for commonly performed intestinal stomas and to study complications related to it.Methods: This is a retrospective descriptive observational study carried out in a surgical unit of Rajarajeswari Medical College and Hospital, Bangalore from August 2015 to August 2016. Data was collected by previous record files including age, gender, history of presenting illness, indication, type of stoma, type of surgery, appropriate operative findings and follow up of the cases. The results were collected, analysed and compared with other studies.Results: A total of 25 patients were evaluated age ranged between 20-70 years. Out of 25 patients 17 were admitted in emergency while 8 in out-patient department. The most common type of stoma made was loop ileostomy (44%) followed by end ileostomy (28%), end colostomy (16%) and loop colostomy (12%). Main indication for a stoma formation was enteric perforation (56%) followed by carcinoma colon and rectum (32%), perianal sepsis (21%), Koch’s abdomen (11%), penetrating injuries (11%). Of the various complications encountered with intestinal stoma, peristomal skin Excoriation (16%) was the most common complication observed followed by other complications as mentioned in study.Conclusions: In spite of enormous exposure of general surgeons towards stoma formation the complications are inevitable. Early detection of complication and its timely management is the keystone.

Postinvasive Bacterial Resistance Conferred by Open Stomata in Rice

Stomata are leaf pores that regulate gas exchange and water transpiration in response to environmental cues. They also function in innate immunity by limiting pathogen entry through actively closing in so-called stomatal defense. However, roles of stomata in plant disease resistance are not fully elucidated, especially in monocots. Here, we report that non–race specific resistance of the rice abscisic acid-deficient mutant Osaba1 to Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae is due to increased stomatal conductance. Reducing stomatal conductance in the Osaba1 mutant increases its susceptibility to X. oryzae pv. oryzae. Artificial opening of stomata in wild-type plants leads to enhanced resistance to X. oryzae pv. oryzae. The rice mutant es1-1 with constitutively higher stomatal conductance exhibits strong resistance to X. oryzae pv. oryzae. Additionally, Osaba1 and es1-1 are resistant to X. oryzae pv. oryzicola. The data support that open stomata confer postinvasive resistance against bacterial pathogens in rice, and such resistance probably results from decreased leaf water potential. Our findings reveal a novel role of stomata in plant immunity through modulation of leaf water status, which provides physiological insight into the interactions between plant, pathogen, and environment.