Finney and Jaboulay pyloroplasties for the treatment of benign gastric outlet lesions in dogs and cats: technique and outcome in 13 cases (2015-2024).

OBJECTIVES: To describe the use, complications and outcome of Finney or Jaboulay pyloroplasties for the treatment of benign gastric outlet lesions in dogs and cats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of dogs and cats surgically treated with Finney or Jaboulay pyloroplasty for benign gastric outflow tract disease in three institutions between January 1, 2015 and August 31, 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Eight dogs and five cats were diagnosed with benign obstructive or perforating gastric outlet lesions, including chronic hypertrophic pyloric gastropathy (n = 4), perforating pyloro-duodenal peptic ulcer (4), sub-obstructive pyloro-duodenal eosinophilic sclerosing fibroplasia (2) and antral or proximal duodenal obstructive mass (3). Nine cases were treated using hand-sewn Finney pyloroplasty and four cases were treated using stapled Jaboulay pyloroplasty. No major complications were recorded. Cases were followed for a median of 16.1 [11 to 29.6] months. At the last follow-up, the outcome was excellent in all cases, with no clinical signs recorded and no medical treatment required. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This case series suggests that Finney and Jaboulay pyloroplasties were safe and effective procedures for the surgical treatment of benign obstructive or perforating gastric outlet lesions in dogs and cats.

Co-removal and recycling of Ba2+ and Ca2+ in hypersaline wastewater based on the microbially induced carbonate precipitation technique: Overlooked Ba2+ in extracellular and intracellular vaterite.

This study investigates the co-precipitation of calcium and barium ions in hypersaline wastewater under the action of Bacillus licheniformis using microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) technology, as well as the bactericidal properties of the biomineralized product vaterite. The changes in carbonic anhydrase activity, pH, carbonate and bicarbonate concentrations in different biomineralization systems were negatively correlated with variations in metal ion concentrations, while the changes in polysaccharides and protein contents in bacterial extracellular polymers were positively correlated with variations in barium concentrations. In the mixed calcium and barium systems, the harvested minerals were vaterite containing barium. The increasing concentrations of calcium promoted the incorporation and adsorption of barium onto vaterite. The presence of barium significantly increased the contents of O-CO, N-CO, and Ba-O in vaterite. Calcium promoted barium precipitation, but barium inhibited calcium precipitation. After being treated by immobilized bacteria, the concentrations of calcium and barium ions decreased from 400 and 274 to 1.72 and 0 mg/L (GB/T15454-2009 and GB8978-1996). Intracellular minerals were also vaterite containing barium. Extracellular vaterite exhibited bactericidal properties. This research presents a promising technique for simultaneously removing and recycling hazardous heavy metals and calcium in hypersaline wastewater.

Effect of Ba2+ on the biomineralization of Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions induced by Bacillus licheniformis.

The effect of barium ions on the biomineralization of calcium and magnesium ions is often overlooked when utilizing microbial-induced carbonate precipitation technology for removing barium, calcium, and magnesium ions from oilfield wastewater. In this study, Bacillus licheniformis was used to bio-precipitate calcium, magnesium, and barium ions. The effects of barium ions on the physiological and biochemical characteristics of bacteria, as well as the components of extracellular polymers and mineral characteristics, were also studied in systems containing coexisting barium, calcium, and magnesium ions. The results show that the increasing concentrations of barium ions decreased pH, carbonic anhydrase activity, and concentrations of bicarbonate and carbonate ions, while it increased the contents of humic acids, proteins, polysaccharides, and DNA in extracellular polymers in the systems containing all three types of ions. With increasing concentrations of barium ions, the content of magnesium within magnesium-rich calcite and the size of minerals precipitated decreased, while the full width at half maximum of magnesium-rich calcite, the content of O-C=O and N-C=O, and the diversity of protein secondary structures in the minerals increased in systems containing all three coexisting ions. Barium ions does inhibit the precipitation of calcium and magnesium ions, but the immobilized bacteria can mitigate the inhibitory effect. The precipitation ratios of calcium, magnesium, and barium ions reached 81-94%, 68-82%, and 90-97%. This research provides insights into the formation of barium-enriched carbonate minerals and offers improvements for treating oilfield wastewater.

Interaction of microorganisms with carbonates from the micro to the macro scales during sedimentation: Insights into the early stage of biodegradation.

The assembly process of Organic Matter (OM) from single molecules to polymers and the formation process of Ca-CO3 ion-pairs are explored at the micro-scale, and then the relationship between OM and carbonate based on the results of microbially-induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) laboratory experiments is established at the macro-scale. Molecular dynamics (MD) is used to model the assembly of OM (a) in an aqueous solution, (b) on surfaces of calcite (10 1‾ 4) crystals and (c) on defective calcite (101‾ 4) crystal surfaces. From the MICP experiments, carbonate minerals containing abundant OM were precipitated and were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Diffractometry (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The results of the MD show that OM is assembled into polymers in all three simulation systems. Although the Ca-CO3 ion-pairs and OM were briefly combined, the aggregation assembly of OM molecules and the precipitation of carbonate calcium are not related in the long run. The highly specific surface area of the defective calcite shows an increase in the adsorption of OM. The van der Waals forces, which are primarily responsible for controlling the assembly of OM molecules, increase with the degree of aggregation. According to the MICP experiments, OM is enriched on the mineral surfaces, and more OM is found at the steps of defective crystals with their larger surface areas. Through MD and MICP laboratory experiments, this work systematically describes the interaction of OM and carbonate minerals from the micro to the macro scales, and this provides insight into the interaction between OM and carbonates and biogeochemical processes related to the accumulation of OM in sediments.

Gonad pathology, sex hormone modulation and vitellogenin expression in Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus from Lagos and Epe lagoons within the southern-lagoon system, Nigeria.

Introduction: Estrogenic chemicals in aquatic environments impact fish reproductive health, with vitellogenin protein levels serving as a crucial biomarker for xenoestrogen exposure. Limited knowledge exists on estrogenic effects in tropical environments, prompting an investigation into the influence of environmental estrogens on Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus in Lagos and Epe lagoons. Methods: A total of 195 fish samples underwent analysis for vitellogenin protein, sex hormones (testosterone and 17 ß-estradiol), and gonad pathology in effluent-receiving areas of the specified lagoons. Results: Gonadal alterations were observed in male and female fish, including empty seminiferous tubules and distorted ovaries. Intersex occurred in 3.81% of Lagos and 3.33% of Epe. Testosterone levels were generally higher in females and males from both lagoons, while E2 levels were higher in females from both lagoons, with Lagos showing higher levels than Epe. Vtg levels were higher in males than females in Lagos samples but showed no significant difference in Epe samples. Discussion: Contaminant analysis revealed similar trends in metals (Hg, As, Cr) and phthalates (DEHP, DBP, DEP) in both sexes in the Epe population. Multivariate depictions from the PCA showed sex-specific patterns of metal uptake (Cd) in male fishes at the Lagos Lagoon. The positive association between higher pH loadings and metal and DBP levels in sediment at the Lagos lagoon suggests the influence of higher alkalinity in lower bioavailability of contaminants. Conclusion: Endocrine disrupting effects were observed in male and female Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus in Lagos and Epe lagoons populations, with notable differences in hormone and contaminant concentrations between the two lagoon systems. Identification of specific contaminants and their spatial and temporal trends can inform targeted management and remediation efforts to protect and restore these valuable aquatic ecosystems.

Clinical Voice Outcomes for Two Voice Rest Protocols after Phonomicrosurgery.

OBJECTIVES: Voice rest is commonly recommended for patients with benign vocal fold lesions (BVFLs) after phonomicrosurgery. The study compares the clinical voice outcomes of two protocols, 7-day complete voice rest (CVR) and 3-day CVR followed by 4-day relative voice rest (CVR + RVR), for patients with BVFLs after phonomicrosurgery. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized controlled trial. METHOD: Patients with BVFLs undergoing phonomicrosurgery were recruited prospectively and randomly assigned to either protocol. Outcomes were assessed on objective measures of acoustics (fundamental frequency, frequency range, mean intensity, cepstral peak analysis) and aerodynamics (vital capacity, airflow rate, subglottal pressure, phonation threshold pressure), as well as subjective measures, both provider-reported through the Consensus Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Voice (CAPE-V), and patient-reported through the Voice Handicap Index (VHI). Clinical measures were collected at three-time points: preoperatively, 1-week postoperatively (on voice rest), and 1-month postoperatively. In addition, adherence was estimated using a vocal dosimeter. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were recruited and randomized to 7-day CVR (n = 13) and CVR + RVR regimen (n = 12). Statistically significant changes were found within both groups for subglottal pressure (p = 0.03) and VHI score (p < 0.001) comparing pre-operative baseline to 1-month postoperative follow-up. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups. Regardless of group assignment, a significant decrease in overall severity ratings for the CAPE-V was found by comparing the preoperative scores to postoperative scores at 1-week (p < 0.001) and 1-month (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Both groups improved their overall voice quality comparably 1 month after undergoing phonomicrosurgery as measured by objective and subjective parameters. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: 2. Laryngoscope, 134:2812-2818, 2024.

Mn2+ recycling in hypersaline wastewater: unnoticed intracellular biomineralization and pre-cultivation of immobilized bacteria.

Microbially induced manganese carbonate precipitation has been utilized for the treatment of wastewater containing manganese. In this study, Virgibacillus dokdonensis was used to remove manganese ions from an environment containing 5% NaCl. The results showed a significant decrease in carbonic anhydrase activity and concentrations of carbonate and bicarbonate ions with increasing manganese ion concentrations. However, the levels of humic acid analogues, polysaccharides, proteins, and DNA in EPS were significantly elevated compared to those in a manganese-free environment. The rhodochrosite exhibited a preferred growth orientation, abundant morphological features, organic elements including nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur, diverse protein secondary structures, as well as stable carbon isotopes displaying a stronger negative bias. The presence of manganese ions was found to enhance the levels of chemical bonds O-C=O and N-C=O in rhodochrosite. Additionally, manganese in rhodochrosite exhibited both + 2 and + 3 valence states. Rhodochrosite forms not only on the cell surface but also intracellularly. After being treated with free bacteria for 20 days, the removal efficiency of manganese ions ranged from 88.4 to 93.2%, and reached a remarkable 100% on the 10th day when using bacteria immobilized on activated carbon fiber that had been pre-cultured for three days. The removal efficiency of manganese ions was significantly enhanced under the action of pre-cultured immobilized bacteria compared to non-pre-cultured immobilized bacteria. This study contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the mineralization mechanism of rhodochrosite, thereby providing an economically and environmentally sustainable biological approach for treating wastewater containing manganese.

Humor intelligence: Production, perception, prediction, and measurement.

We introduce Humor Intelligence (HI) as a distinct form of intelligence. We distinguish HI from both General Intelligence (IQ) and Emotional Intelligence (EI), and we identify three key components of HI: Production, Perception, and Prediction. Production represents the ability to generate and deliver humor; perception represents the ability to recognize humor; and prediction represents the ability to forecast what others will find funny. We introduce a measure to assess Humor Production.

Dual-promotion: Bragging better by promoting peers.

To create favorable impressions and receive credit, individuals need to share information about their past accomplishments. Broadcasting one's past accomplishments or claiming credit to demonstrate competence, however, can harm perceptions of warmth and likability. In fact, prior work has conceptualized self-promotion as a hydraulic challenge: tactics that boost perceptions along one dimension (e.g., competence) harm perceptions along other dimensions (e.g., warmth). In this work, we identify a novel approach to self-promotion: We show that by combining self-promotion with other-promotion (complimenting or giving credit to others), which we term "dual-promotion," individuals can project both warmth and competence to make better impressions on observers than they do by only self-promoting. In seven preregistered studies, including analyses of annual reports from members of Congress and experiments using social network, workplace, and political contexts (total N = 1,448), we show that individuals who engage in dual-promotion create more favorable impressions of warmth and competence than those who only engage in self-promotion. The beneficial effects of dual-promotion are robust to both competitive and noncompetitive contexts and extend to behavioral intentions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Viruses participate in the organomineralization of travertines.

Travertines, which precipitate from high temperature water saturated with calcium carbonate, are generally considered to be dominated by physico-chemical and microbial precipitates. Here, as an additional influence on organomineral formation, metagenomic data and microscopic analyses clearly demonstrate that highly diverse viral, bacterial and archaeal communities occur in the biofilms associated with several modern classic travertine sites in Europe and Asia, along with virus-like particles. Metagenomic analysis reveals that bacteriophages (bacterial viruses) containing icosahedral capsids and belonging to the Siphoviridae, Myoviridae and Podoviridae families are the most abundant of all viral strains, although the bacteriophage distribution does vary across the sampling sites. Icosahedral shapes of capsids are also the most frequently observed under the microscope, occurring as non-mineralized through to mineralized viruses and virus-like particles. Viruses are initially mineralized by Ca-Si amorphous precipitates with subordinate Mg and Al contents; these then alter to nanospheroids composed of Ca carbonate with minor silicate 80-300 nm in diameter. Understanding the roles of bacteriophages in modern carbonate-saturated settings and related organomineralization processes is critical for their broader inclusion in the geological record and ecosystem models.

Preoperative computed tomography, surgical treatment and long-term outcomes of dogs with abscesses on migrating vegetal foreign bodies and oropharyngeal stick injuries: 39 cases (2010-2021).

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated success rates of surgical treatment of head and neck abscesses and draining tracts for suspected migrating vegetal foreign body and oropharyngeal penetrating injuries, and compared the outcomes according to whether a vegetal foreign body was identified in preoperative computed tomography (CT) examination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study involved 39 dogs that underwent CT and subsequent surgical exploration of abscesses and/or draining tracts in the head and neck, in a single institution between 2010 and 2021. Recorded data included signalment, history, physical examination, CT and surgical findings. The postoperative follow-up period was at least 8 months. Cases were classified according to whether a foreign body was identified on CT or was only suspected because of the presence of cavities and/or draining tracts on CT. RESULTS: A vegetal foreign body was identified on CT in 11 of 39 cases and later confirmed at surgery in 10 cases. In 28 of 39 cases, a vegetal foreign body was not identified on CT, but in seven of these 28 cases it was found at surgery. Resolution of clinical signs was achieved in 11 of 11 cases when a vegetal foreign body was identified on CT and in 26 of 28 cases without a foreign body identified on CT. Two cases of recurrence were observed in animals in which no foreign body was detected. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In this population of dogs undergoing surgery after preoperative CT scan, we observed resolution of clinical signs after a single surgical procedure in 95% of the cases. All animals in which a foreign body was identified were cured.

Understanding target-specific effects of antidepressant drug pollution on molluscs: A systematic review protocol.

BACKGROUND: The environmental prevalence of widely prescribed human pharmaceuticals that target key evolutionary conserved biomolecules present across phyla is concerning. Antidepressants, one of the most widely consumed pharmaceuticals globally, have been developed to target biomolecules modulating monoaminergic neurotransmission, thus interfering with the endogenous regulation of multiple key neurophysiological processes. Furthermore, rising prescription and consumption rates of antidepressants caused by the burgeoning incidence of depression is consistent with increasing reports of antidepressant detection in aquatic environments worldwide. Consequently, there are growing concerns that long-term exposure to environmental levels of antidepressants may cause adverse drug target-specific effects on non-target aquatic organisms. While these concerns have resulted in a considerable body of research addressing a range of toxicological endpoints, drug target-specific effects of environmental levels of different classes of antidepressants in non-target aquatic organisms remain to be understood. Interestingly, evidence suggests that molluscs may be more vulnerable to the effects of antidepressants than any other animal phylum, making them invaluable in understanding the effects of antidepressants on wildlife. Here, a protocol for the systematic review of literature to understand drug target-specific effects of environmental levels of different classes of antidepressants on aquatic molluscs is described. The study will provide critical insight needed to understand and characterize effects of antidepressants relevant to regulatory risk assessment decision-making, and/or direct future research efforts. METHODS: The systematic review will be conducted in line with the guidelines by the Collaboration for Environmental Evidence (CEE). A literature search on Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, as well as grey literature databases, will be carried out. Using predefined criteria, study selection, critical appraisal and data extraction will be done by multiple reviewers with a web-based evidence synthesis platform. A narrative synthesis of outcomes of selected studies will be presented. The protocol has been registered in the Open Science Framework (OSF) registry with the registration DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/P4H8W.

Lower Extremity Amputation Rates in People With Diabetes Mellitus: A Retrospective Population Based Cohort Study in Zwolle Region, The Netherlands.

OBJECTIVE: Lower extremity amputations are a major complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). In a previous Dutch study, the incident rate of major amputations was 89.2 per 100 000 person years. The primary aim of this study was to describe the lower extremity amputation rates in people with DM in the Zwolle region, where preventive and curative footcare is organised according to the guidelines of the International Working Group of the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF). The secondary aim was to evaluate outcomes and underlying characteristics of these people. METHODS: This was a retrospective regional population based cohort study. Data from all people with DM treated in primary and secondary care, living in the region Zwolle were collected. All amputations in the period 2017 to 2019 were analysed. Comparisons were made between those with and without an amputation. RESULTS: In the analysis 5 915 people with DM were included, with a mean age of 67.8 (IQR 57.9, 75.9) years. Of those people, 47% were women and the median HbA1c was 53 (IQR 47, 62) mmol/mol. Over the three year study period 68 amputations were performed in 59 people: 46 minor, 22 major. This translated into an average annual crude amputation incidence rate of non-traumatic major and minor amputations of 41.5 and 86.9 per 100 000 person years among people with diabetes. Compared with those not undergoing amputations, those who underwent an amputation were more often men, older, mainly had T2DM, were treated in secondary care, had higher diastolic blood pressure, worse diabetic footcare profile, longer DM duration and higher HbA1c. At the end of the follow up, 111 people died: 96 (1.6%) without and 15 (25.4%) with amputations (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study provides detailed insight into the rate of amputations in Dutch people with diabetes in the region Zwolle. Compared with previous Dutch estimates, these data suggest a considerable decrease in the major amputation incidence rate.

The incorporation of Mg2+ ions into aragonite during biomineralization: Implications for the dolomitization of aragonite.

Bacteria can facilitate the increase of Mg2+ content in biotic aragonite, but the molecular mechanisms of the incorporation of Mg2+ ion into aragonite facilitated by bacteria are still unclear and the dolomitization of aragonite grains is rarely reported. In our laboratory experiments, the content of Mg2+ ions in biotic aragonite is higher than that in inorganically-precipitated aragonite and we hypothesize that the higher Mg content may enhance the subsequent dolomitization of aragonite. In this study, biotic aragonite was induced by Bacillus licheniformis Y1 at different Mg/Ca molar ratios. XRD data show that only aragonite was precipitated in the media with Mg/Ca molar ratios at 6, 9, and 12 after culturing for 25 days. The EDS and atomic absorption results show that the content of Mg2+ ions in biotic aragonite increased with rising Mg/Ca molar ratios. In addition, our analyses show that the EPS from the bacteria and the organics extracted from the interior of the biotic aragonite contain the same biomolecules, including Ala, Gly, Glu and hexadecanoic acid. The content of Mg2+ ions in the aragonite precipitates mediated by biomolecules is significantly higher than that in inorganically-precipitated aragonite. Additionally, compared with Ala and Gly, the increase of the Mg2+ ions content in aragonite promoted by Glu and hexadecanoic acid is more significant. The DFT (density functional theory) calculations reveal that the energy needed for Mg2+ ion incorporation into aragonite mediated by Glu, hexadecanoic acid, Gly and Ala increased gradually, but was lower than that without acidic biomolecules. The experiments also show that the Mg2+ ion content in the aragonite significantly increased with the increasing concentration of biomolecules. In a medium with high Mg2+ concentration and with bacteria, after 2 months, micron-sized dolomite rhombs were precipitated on the surfaces of the aragonite particles. This study may provide new insights into the important role played by biomolecules in the incorporation of the Mg2+ ions into aragonite. Moreover, these experiments may contribute towards our understanding of the dolomitization of aragonite in the presence of bacteria.

Evaluation of a small-bore needle arthroscope for diagnosis and treatment of medial coronoid disease in dogs: a pilot study with short-term assessment.

CASE HISTORY: Dogs (n = 15) that were presented to a single veterinary teaching hospital with elbow dysplasia-associated lameness between September 2021 and May 2022, and were determined to require arthroscopy based on imaging results, were prospectively recruited into the study. The median duration of lameness was 4 (min 1, max 24) months. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Various breeds were represented with a median body weight of 31.6 (min 15, max 46.4) kg and median age at presentation of 14 (min 8, max 83) months. Results of imaging modalities (CT) were consistent with medial coronoid disease with fissured or fragmented medial coronoid process in all dogs. ARTHROSCOPIC FINDINGS: Feasibility of the needle arthroscopy (NA) procedure was firstly assessed in a preliminary cadaveric study in forelimbs (n = 10) collected from 10 adult dogs euthanised for reasons unrelated to the study. Elbow exploration was performed through a medial approach beginning with NA (1.9 mm 0° angle scope) followed by standard arthroscopy (SA; 2.4 mm 30° angle scope). The quality and extent of visualisation (scored through the number of anatomical structures visualised) were recorded and statistically compared. As the cadaver study indicated that NA allowed safe inspection of all structures in medial/caudal compartments, this procedure was then used in the dogs requiring treatment. In the clinical setting, elbow exploration was successful in all dogs and the treatment (removal of osteochondral fragments) was performed without requiring conversion into SA. One month after surgery, all dogs had an improvement in their lameness score (0-5) and 12/15 dogs were no longer lame. There was a reduction in Canine Orthopaedic Index scores measured a median of 99 (min 47, max 180) days after surgery (24 (IQR 19.5-31.5)) compared to the pre-operative period (49 (IQR 46.5-57); p < 0.001). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Needle arthroscopy-assisted removal of osteochondral fragments was performed in all dogs with satisfactory short-term clinical outcome. NA is a feasible technique for diagnosis and lesion assessment in dogs with a fissured or fragmented coronoid process. Larger clinical studies with longer follow-up are necessary to validate the NanoScope operative arthroscopy system as an alternative strategy to SA for video-assisted treatment of medial coronoid disease.

Knockout of murine Lyplal1 confers sex-specific protection against diet-induced obesity.

Human genome-wide association studies found single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near LYPLAL1 (Lysophospholipase-like protein 1) that have sex-specific effects on fat distribution and metabolic traits. To determine whether altering LYPLAL1 affects obesity and metabolic disease, we created and characterized a mouse knockout (KO) of Lyplal1. We fed the experimental group of mice a high-fat, high-sucrose (HFHS) diet for 23 weeks, and the controls were fed regular chow diet. Here, we show that CRISPR-Cas9 whole-body Lyplal1 KO mice fed an HFHS diet showed sex-specific differences in weight gain and fat accumulation as compared to chow diet. Female, not male, KO mice weighed less than WT mice, had reduced body fat percentage, had white fat mass, and had adipocyte diameter not accounted for by changes in the metabolic rate. Female, but not male, KO mice had increased serum triglycerides, decreased aspartate, and decreased alanine aminotransferase. Lyplal1 KO mice of both sexes have reduced liver triglycerides and steatosis. These diet-specific effects resemble the effects of SNPs near LYPLAL1 in humans, suggesting that LYPLAL1 has an evolutionary conserved sex-specific effect on adiposity. This murine model can be used to study this novel gene-by-sex-by-diet interaction to elucidate the metabolic effects of LYPLAL1 on human obesity.

Calcium ion removal at different sodium chloride concentrations by free and immobilized halophilic bacteria.

Much attention has been paid to Ca2+ ion removal by biomineralization due to the dangers of Ca2+ on industrial processes and human health. However, Ca2+ removal from hypersaline water by biomineralization is quite difficult due to there being few halophilic bacteria tolerating higher salinities. In this study, free and immobilized Virgibacillus massiliensis C halophilic bacteria exhibiting carbonic anhydrase activity were used to remove Ca2+ ions from water at different NaCl concentrations. With increasing NaCl concentrations (10, 50, 100, 150 and 200 g/L), Ca2+ ion concentrations in the presence of free bacteria and in two groups of immobilized bacteria for a period of 6 days sharply decreased from 1200 mg/L to 219-562 mg/L, 71-214 mg/L and 21-159 mg/L, respectively; Ca2+ precipitation ratios were 55%-81%, 82%-94% and 87%-98%, respectively. The humic acid-like substances, protein, DNA and polysaccharide, released by the bacteria, promoted the Ca2+ ion removal. The immobilized bacteria were able to be recycled and precultured, which would save industry costs and increase Ca2+ ion removal efficiency. Biological processes for Ca2+ ion removal include cell surface, intracellular and extracellular biomineralization. The biogenesis of calcium carbonate was proved by SEM-EDS, FTIR, XPS and stable carbon isotope values. This study provides insights into the effective removal of Ca2+ ions by biomineralization in hypersaline water.

Feline ureteral rupture with para-ureteral urinomas following blunt trauma: clinical presentation and long-term outcome after treatment by urinary diversion for five cases from 2012 to 2019.

CASE HISTORY: Medical records were reviewed for cats that underwent surgical treatment of traumatic ureteral rupture (TUR) using urinary diversion procedures between 2012 and 2019. CLINICAL FINDINGS AND TREATMENT: Five cats had presented with injuries associated with road traffic accidents. These included three cats with abdominal hernias that required surgical management. At a median of 15 days after the accident, cats represented with lethargy, the presence of an abdominal mass or with lower urinary tract symptoms and in all cats contrast diagnostic imaging showed proximal unilateral TUR with associated para-ureteral urinoma. Four cats received subcutaneous ureteral bypass (SUB) device placement and one had ureteral anastomosis over a stent. Unilateral cyst-like retroperitoneal fluid consistent with para-ureteral urinoma was observed in all cats and a diffuse retroperitoneal haematoma was noticed in four cats. No immediate major complications occurred, and all cats had post-operative serum creatinine concentration within the reference interval. The cat that had received a ureteral stent subsequently required placement of a SUB following stent encrustation 15 months after surgery. Median follow-up time was 34 (min 28, max 58) months and renal function was normal in all cats at the last follow-up. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Urinary diversion procedures provided long-term stable renal function following proximal TUR in these five cats. Delayed, subtle non-specific clinical signs subsequent to high-energy blunt trauma causing abdominal hernia and associated diffuse retroperitoneal haematoma, should raise suspicion of TUR. ABBREVIATIONS: AFAST: Abdominal focused assessment with sonography for trauma; SUB: Subcutaneous ureteral bypass; TUR: Traumatic ureteral rupture.

Editor's Choice - Two Year Results of the Randomised DISCOVER Trial Comparing Covered Versus Bare Metal Stents in the Common Iliac Artery.

OBJECTIVE: It has been suggested that covered stents (CS) may lower restenosis rates compared with bare metal stents (BMS) after endovascular treatment of the common iliac artery. This trial aimed to provide additional evidence on the efficacy of CS vs. BMS in the common iliac artery. METHODS: This multicentre, randomised, single blind controlled superiority trial compared balloon expandable CS and balloon expandable BMS for advanced atherosclerotic lesions in the common iliac artery; this was defined as a stenosis > 3 cm in length or occlusion. The primary end point was freedom from binary restenosis after two years of follow up. The study was conducted according to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki (version: October 2008) and registered with the Dutch Trial register (NTR3381). RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-four limbs were included between 2012 and 2019 with 87 limbs in each group. Six patients crossed over from the BMS group to the CS group but were analysed according to an intention to treat principle. Freedom from binary restenosis after two years of follow up was 84.7% (95% CI 76.7 - 92.7%) in the BMS group and 89.1% (95% CI 82.4 - 95.8%) in the CS group (p = .40). Freedom from occlusion was 95.0% (95% CI 90.3 - 95.7%) in the BMS group and 96.4% (95% CI 92.5 - 100%) in the CS group (p = .66). Freedom from target lesion revascularisation was 91.1% (95% CI 84.8 - 97.3%) and 95.2% (95% CI 90.7 -99.7%), respectively (p = .31). Technical success, complications, haemodynamic success, and clinical success were also comparable between both groups. Per-protocol analysis did not affect the outcomes of the study. CONCLUSION: No difference was found between balloon expandable CS and BMS for treating advanced atherosclerotic lesions of the common iliac artery.

Embracing Complexity: A Review of Negotiation Research.

In this review, we identify emerging trends in negotiation scholarship that embrace complexity, finding moderators of effects that were initially described as monolithic, examining the nuances of social interaction, and studying negotiation as it occurs in the real world. We also identify areas in which research is lacking and call for scholarship that offers practical advice. All told, the existing research highlights negotiation as an exciting context for examining human behavior, characterized by features such as strong emotions, an intriguing blend of cooperation and competition, the presence of fundamental issues such as power and group identity, and outcomes that deeply affect the trajectory of people's personal and professional lives.