Mycorrhiza Reduces Phosphorus Uptake from Struvite in Rye (Secale cereale L.) Plants

To reduce dependency on inorganic phosphorus (P) fertiliser, secondary P fertilisers such as struvite are becoming more important. However, the P uptake of these new fertilisers by plants is often not known and may be enhanced by plant associated microorganisms. We therefore investigated the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) on P uptake in rye (Secale cereale L.), grown in the middle compartment of a box with chambers separated by a 30 µm mesh allowing fungal hyphae but not roots to penetrate. Plants with (AM) or without (control) mycorrhizae (Rhizophagus irregularis) were grown in a P limited sand medium for 72 days. After harvest, plants were analysed for mycorrhizal colonization, shoot and root development and nutrient (P, Ca, Mg) uptake. Further, pH was measured in each compartment. Shoot biomass of both treatments was not different, but root biomass was significantly lower in AM plants. Despite plants of the AM treatment being colonised by mycorrhizae, their P uptake was substantially lower compared to the control treatment, but root nutrient concentration was higher. Even though the pH in the mycorrhizal compartment of the AM treatment was significantly lower compared to the control, water- and CAL-extractable P were similar, indicating little P uptake from this compartment. Extractable P was reduced only in the root compartment of the control, which was associated with a lower pH compared to the AM treatment. In conclusion, mycorrhizae did not increase P uptake from struvite in rye plants. Non-mycorrhizal plants which invested more biomass into roots took up more P. Graphical abstract

Changes of the quality of sexual life following pelvic organ prolapse surgery

Summary Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the percentage of sexually active women with a higher degree of descent in the anterior and middle compartment (in one compartment at least ≥ III degree) and how the surgical solution affects the quality of sexual life and overall quality of life in women who underwent surgery. Methods: Patients who underwent prolapse surgery were included in the study. Before the operation, a complete urogynecological examination was performed, including ultrasound examination, history and POP-Q (pelvic organ prolapse quantification system) evaluation, and quality of life questionnaires were completed. We compared the quality of sexual life in sexually active women before and after surgery to ascertain the effect of surgery in this respect. Results: The study included 128 patients who underwent pelvic organ descent surgery from January 2018 to April 2019. Depending on the type of operation, they were divided into three groups: reconstruction with anterior vaginal implant fixed to the sacrospinous ligament, laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy and sacrospinous vaginofixation according to Amreich-Richter. The differences between the groups in the results of the surgical solution were not statistically significant due to the size of the monitored group. Sexual activity of the patients even in the advanced stage of pelvic organ setup was reported preoperatively by 45.9% of women and postoperatively – after 1 year – by 44.8% of women. Comparing the quality of life preoperatively and postoperatively, there was a very significant improvement in 58.0% of respondents, a significant improvement in 36.0% and a slight improvement in 2.0%: only in 3.0% of women, there was a deterioration (ranging from mild to very significant). Surgical treatment of the descent slightly worsened the quality of sexual life in 20.8% of women, did not change it in 33.3% and significantly improved it in 45.8% of them. Conclusion: A high percentage of patients are sexually active even at an advanced stage of descent. Comparing the quality of life preoperatively and postoperatively, there was a significant improvement or even complete resolution of the problems associated with descent in most women. For some women, the surgical treatment of the descent may slightly worsen the quality of sexual life; in others, its quality remains at the same level, but the largest section of the studied group feels a significant improvement in the perception of sexual activities.

High Efficient Seawater Desalination Based on Parallel Nanopore Systems

Graphene is one of the most attractive two-dimensional materials that can be used for efficient desalination due to its ideal physical properties and high performance in ion selectivity and salt rejection. Here, in this paper, molecular dynamics simulations were applied to investigate the possibility of using a parallel nanopore system to pump ions so that the ions of both cation and anion species in the middle compartment could be evacuated at an extremely rapid rate. By building hexagonal parallel single-layer graphene films with spacing of 3.0 nm and changing the pore numbers and surface charge densities of the nanopores, the efficiency of desalination could be well controlled. It is found that the ion concentration decreases exponentially with time. The more the number of nanopore is, the stronger the surface charge density of nanopore is, the evacuation of ions in the middle compartment is more obvious, offering a new means for controlling the desalination efficiency. The simulations performed here provide theoretical insights for designing and fabricating high efficient and less energy consumption graphene desalination devices in the future.

Anorectal Physiology Testing for Prolapse—What Tests are Necessary?

Rectal prolapse frequently occurs in conjunction with functional and anatomic abnormalities of the bowel and pelvic floor. Prolapse surgery should have as its goal not only to correct the prolapse, but also to improve function to the greatest extent possible. Careful history-taking and physical exam continue to be the surgeon's best tools to put rectal prolapse in its functional context. Physiologic testing augments this and informs surgical decision-making. Defecography can identify concomitant middle compartment prolapse and pelvic floor hernias, potentially targeting patients for urogynecologic consultation or combined repair. Other tests, including manometry, ultrasound, and electrophysiologic testing, may be of utility in select cases. Here, we provide an overview of available testing options and their individual utility in rectal prolapse.

Ventral Rectopexy

Rectal prolapse is a debilitating condition that often results in impaired quality of life. Posterior compartment defects including rectal prolapse and rectal intussusception are often associated with middle and anterior compartment prolapse and require a multicompartment approach to treatment. In recent years, ventral rectopexy, with or without sacrocolpopexy for combined middle compartment prolapse, has emerged as a safe and effective method of treatment for rectal prolapse. In this article, we aim to review the etiology of rectal prolapse and intussusception, describe the indications and workup for surgery, discuss technical aspects of ventral rectopexy alone and in combination with sacrocolpopexy, review potential surgical complications, and describe the reported outcomes of the surgery.

ROLE OF MULTIDETECTOR COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY SCAN IN THE ASSESSMENT OF MEDIASTINAL MASSES

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to determine the sensitivity and specificity of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in the evaluation of masses present in the mediastinum and to determine the localization and the common age group exposed to mediastinal masses. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study included 33 males and 21 females’ samples in the age range between 20 to 70 years. The patients who are specifically suspected of mediastinal masses were included in this research study and accumulated the data. The research was conducted between August 2017 to March 2018. The analysis of the data was performed using Microsoft Excel 2010. Results: Patients were referred for MDCT scan of the chest to the department of radiodiagnosis with a clinical suspicion of a mediastinal mass or who had an abnormal chest radiograph suggestive of mediastinal mass during the study period. The final result of the study clearly indicates that the majority of the patients that fall within the age group of 40–49 years and 50–59 years have the highest probability of occurring mediastinal masses. Conclusion: The present study concluded that anterior mediastinum is the most usual compartment involving the formation of mediastinal mass, followed by the posterior and middle compartment. MDCT is the modality of choice, which can evaluate mediastinal mass with higher accuracy.