Additional secure circular suture during sphincteroplasty — preliminary results on the efficacy of fecal incontinence surgery in urogynecological patients

Objectives: The paper is a ten case series study presenting women with complex pelvic floor disorders involving fecal incontinence (FI) with stress urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse.  Our study aimed at ascertaining whether FI-induced sphincteroplasty with an additional secure circular suture around the external anal sphincter muscle (EAS) may improve long term success rates.  Materials and methods: Twelve patients had scheduled urogynecological surgery and overlapping sphincteroplasty with the placement of an additional circular suture around the EAS. Of these, the status of ten women was established by way of the Cleveland Clinic Fecal Incontinence Score/Wexner Score before and about 70 months after surgery.  Results: Statistical analysis of fecal incontinence score showed that patients were not completely cured from FI, but were significantly better (p = 0.011).  Conclusions: A circular secure suture around the external anal sphincter in FI patients may help to improve anal sphincter function. 

The Influence of pH of Extracting Water on the Composition of Seaweed Extracts and Their Beneficial Properties on Lepidium sativum

Baltic seaweeds were used to obtain aqueous extracts (E) through changing initial pH of deionised water added to algal biomass (EpH3⋅H 2 O, EpH7⋅H 2 O, and EpH10⋅H 2 O) and through changing pH of the mixture of algae and deionised water (EpH3, EpH7, and EpH10). Algal extracts were characterized in terms of the concentration of polyphenols and micro-and macroelements. The highest concentration of polyphenols was determined in extract EpH3 and the lowest in extract EpH10⋅H 2 O. It was found that the obtained extracts had similar concentrations of elements (except EpH3). The phytotoxicity of algal extracts (0.5, 2.5, and 10%) was examined in the germination tests on Lepidium sativum. No phytotoxic effects were observed. It was found that they had beneficial effects on the cultivated plants (length and weight). The best biostimulant effect was observed in the groups treated with EpH3 (2.5%), EpH7 (2.5%), and EpH7 (10%). The dry weight of plants was similar in all the groups. Algal extract also improved the multielemental composition of plant. The greatest concentration of total chlorophyll in plants was obtained by using extract EpH10⋅H 2 O, 0.5%. These results proved that algal extracts have high potential to be applied in cultivation of plants

Coexistence of Parry-Romberg syndrome with homolateral segmental vitiligo

Parry-Romberg syndrome or progressive facial hemiatrophy was first described by Caleb Parry in 1825 and Moritz Romberg in 1846. This disorder is characterized by slowly progressing acquired unilateral hemifacial atrophy, which affects subcutaneous tissue together with the muscles and underlying bones. The pathogenesis and precise incidence of the syndrome remain unclear. Immune-mediated processes and disturbed central regulation, leading to the hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system, are primarily considered in the pathogenesis of this disorder. Parry-Romberg syndrome and localized scleroderma are considered to be interrelated as both of them have a similar clinicopathological appearance. We report the case of a 46-year-old man affected by both progressive atrophy of the left side of the face and homolateral, segmental vitiligo in the left side of the trunk and face

Bromidotetra­kis­(1H-2-ethyl-5-methyl­imidazole-κN 3)copper(II) bromide

The CuII ion in the title compound, [CuBr(C6H10N2)4]Br, is coordinated in a square-based-pyramidal geometry by the N atoms of four imidazole ligands and a bromide anion in the apical site. Both the CuII and Br− atoms lie on a crystallographic fourfold axis. In the crystal, the [CuBr(C6H10N2)4]+ complex cations are linked to the uncoordinated Br− anions (site symmetry ) by N—H⋯Br hydrogen bonds, generating a three-dimensional network. The ethyl group of the imidazole ligand was modelled as disordered over two orientations with occupancies of 0.620 (8) and 0.380 (8)

Plant extracts - importance in sustainable agriculture

Plants due to the high content of various bioactive compounds are the main raw material for production of valuable, and useful bio-products (e.g., food, cosmetics, medicines, biostimulants, biopesticides, and feed). Different plant parts, for instance: seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, and roots can be used for their manufacture. Nowadays, there is a clear need to develop new, efficient, and environmentally safe methods of stimulation of plant, growth and crop protection. Plant-based extracts are new, natural, and multi-compounds products that could be used for these purposes. They possess antifungal, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, antiprotozoal, antioxidant, medicinal, aromatic, and anti-inflammatory properties. This group of natural products has the potential to become a new generation of bio-products suitable for use in sustainable agriculture. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the literature describing the impact of plant-derived extracts/biostimulants (PDBs) on crops grown in controlled, and real conditions as well as under various abiotic and biotic stresses; the extraction methods used to obtain PDBs, and the specific constituents responsible for their biostimulating activity. The application of these bio-products could be beneficial for sustainable production, due to several advantages, such as low toxicity to humans and the environment, enhanced resistance of cultivated plants to biotic and abiotic stress, increased yields and quality of crops, as well as the reduction in the use of mineral fertilisers and pesticides. However, deeper cooperation between industrial and academic research is required to accelerate the development of new environmentally safe solutions for future agriculture. Highlights - Higher plants constitute a rich source of various bioactive compounds for the production of useful natural products.  - The importance of the proper choice of extraction method and solvent to process and preserve the desired substances. - Plant extracts as biostimulants and plant protection products for use in modern and sustainable agriculture.  - The positive effects of plant-based extracts on plants cultivated under normal and unfavourable conditions. - Plant extracts as a new generation of eco-friendly products for the increment of the production of high-quality food

Hysterectomy trends for benign indications over a 15-year period in an academic teaching center in Poland: a retrospective cohort study

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate changes in the operative trends for various types of hysterectomy due to benign indications, between 2001 and 2015, at the 2nd Department of Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, as compared to the National Health Service (NHS) registry in Poland. Material and methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Data from the Internal Hospital Discharge Registry and Pathological Results Registry have been compared to the NHS database, which has been available nationwide since 2009. Results: The study group included 5629 women who underwent hysterectomy due to benign indications. During the study period, the following number of procedures were performed: total abdominal hysterectomy — 344 (6.11%), total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy — 1760 (31.27%), total vaginal hysterectomy — 563 (10.00%), subtotal abdominal hysterectomy — 2536 (45.05%), and laparoscopically-assisted subtotal hysterectomy (LASH) — 426 (7.57%). The abdominal route, with the preference for subtotal abdominal hysterectomy, was the main approach to hysterectomy. Symptomatic fibroids were the most common indication for the procedure. Comparison of data collected over the last five years revealed a significant difference in the approach to hysterectomy in favor of subtotal abdominal hysterectomy (SAH) and LASH. Conclusions: Less invasive techniques of hysterectomy (LASH, SAH), which are the preferred choice at the 2nd Department of Gynecology (Lublin), are safe and effective options of treating benign conditions. We are of the opinion that these ap­proaches should be offered to patients instead of more radical techniques. Proper training of physicians may influence the decision-making process in favor of minimally invasive techniques

The level of proinflammatory cytokines : interleukins 12, 23, 17 and tumor necrosis factor \alpha in patients with metabolic syndrome accompanying severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

Introduction: The incidence of metabolic syndrome is estimated at 15-24% in the general population and at 30-50% in patients with psoriasis. A probable cause of the described correlation is a constant release in chronic dermatosis of proinflammatory cytokines and their influence on individual systems and organs. Aim: Assessment of the concentration of the proinflammatory cytokines (IL-12, IL-23, IL-17 and $TNF-\alpha$) in blood serum and their correlation with the intensity of skin lesions, the presence of psoriatic arthritis and the risk of development of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Material and methods: The concentrations of subunit p70 IL-12, IL-17 and IL-23, and $TNF-\alpha$ in subjects with psoriasis and metabolic syndrome were determined. Results: The level of the studied cytokines, IL-17, IL-23 and $TNF-\alpha$ was higher in patients diagnosed with psoriasis. Higher levels of IL-17, IL-23 and $TNF-\alpha$ were observed in patients with metabolic syndrome accompanying psoriasis. A higher level of IL-17 and IL-23 was found in sera of patients with psoriatic arthritis in comparison to normal psoriasis. Conclusions: In the study, a higher level of IL-17 and IL-23 was also shown in patients with psoriatic arthritis in comparison to patients with normal psoriasis. The effectiveness of anti-IL12/23 drugs in psoriatic arthritis is a confirmation of the obtained results of the studies. Additionally, the increased level of IL-17, both in patients with metabolic syndrome and with psoriasis, could indirectly indicate an increased cardiovascular risk in patients with affected joints in comparison to psoriasis affecting only the skin

Bromidotetra­kis­(2-isopropyl-1H-imidazole-κN 3)copper(II) bromide

The CuII atom in the title salt, [CuBr(C6H10N2)4]Br, is coordinated in a square-pyramidal geometry by four imidazole N atoms and one bromide anion that is located at the apex of the pyramid. The cations and the anions form a two-dimensional network parallel to (001) through N—H⋯Br hydrogen bonds