Transanal irrigation: best practice in the community.

Chronic constipation, which is common and often difficult to treat, has numerous origins, including neurological and other conditions, and adverse reactions to drugs, especially opioids. Chronic functional constipation lacks a clear underlying cause. Increasing evidence suggests that transanal irrigation (TAI) aids faecal evacuation and is well tolerated in many people with bowel dysfunction who do not adequately respond to first-line treatments. Recent papers offer insights that help nurses and other healthcare professionals implement best practice in the community, including discussing any need for assistance before starting TAI, agreeing the most appropriate device with patients and optimising the irrigation protocol. Training, careful follow-up and ongoing supervision improve adherence and success. Further studies are needed, however, and patients who do not respond adequately or are unable to tolerate TAI should be referred to a specialist service.

Pets, obesity and nurses: surgical site infections in the community.

Many surgical site infections (SSI) emerge after the patient is discharged from hospital. So, practice and district nurses should remain alert for SSIs and address modifiable risk factors, which include helping obese patients lose weight, optimising glucose control in people with diabetes and encouraging smoking cessation. Animals, including pets, are important reservoirs of resistant bacteria. By optimising SSI care, nurses can not only improve wound healing but also help preserve antibiotic efficacy.

Widespread triazole pesticide use affects infection dynamics of a global amphibian pathogen.

The sixth mass extinction is a consequence of complex interplay between multiple stressors with negative impact on biodiversity. We here examine the interaction between two globally widespread anthropogenic drivers of amphibian declines: the fungal disease chytridiomycosis and antifungal use in agriculture. Field monitoring of 26 amphibian ponds in an agricultural landscape shows widespread occurrence of triazole fungicides in the water column throughout the amphibian breeding season, together with a negative correlation between early season application of epoxiconazole and the prevalence of chytrid infections in aquatic newts. While triazole concentrations in the ponds remained below those that inhibit growth of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, they bioaccumulated in the newts' skin up to tenfold, resulting in cutaneous growth-suppressing concentrations. As such, a concentration of epoxiconazole, 10 times below that needed to inhibit fungal growth, prevented chytrid infection in anuran tadpoles. The widespread presence of triazoles may thus alter chytrid dynamics in agricultural landscapes.

Effects of soil redistribution by tillage on subsequent transport of pesticide to subsurface drains.

BACKGROUND: Tillage operations will change the distribution in soil for any pesticide residues still present from earlier applications. This redistributive effect of tillage has been neglected in the study of pesticide leaching behavior. This study reviews the literature to characterize this redistributive effect for different tillage operations and uses a pesticide leaching model to investigate the impact of redistribution on pesticide transport to subsurface drains which is a significant input route to surface water bodies. RESULTS: Inversion ploughing moves the majority of any residues of pesticide present at or near the soil surface into the bottom two-thirds of the plough layer, whereas non-inversion ploughing has only a limited redistributive effect. Incorporating this redistributive effect into model simulations resulted in large changes (typically 5-10-fold difference) in both the maximum concentration and total mass of pesticide transported to drains over the winter following cultivation. More intense cultivation decreased subsequent leaching for relatively mobile compounds (Koc ≤1000 mL g-1 ), but increased it for strongly sorbed pesticides (Koc ≥2000 mL g-1 ). CONCLUSION: The redistributive effect of soil tillage on pesticide residues can have a large effect on subsequent transport to subsurface drains. This effect has been neglected in the literature. Field research is required to validate the model simulations presented here, and consideration should be given as to whether the effect needs to be included within risk assessment procedures. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Lower extremity lymphoedema: some recent literature highlights.

Lower extremity lymphoedema is common after many cancers. Nevertheless, epidemiological estimates of the prevalence of lower extremity lymphoedema vary widely. A recent study, however, clarified the rates in women with colorectal, endometrial and ovarian malignancies: about one third self-reported lower extremity lymphoedema. The study also confirmed that lower extremity lymphoedema can markedly undermine physical functioning. Some patients, however, seem to be at especially high-risk of developing lower extremity lymphoedema, such as those who undergo extensive lymphadenectomy. Moreover, until recently, few clinical trials assessed treatment benefits from the patient's perspective. A recent study explored the goals and benefits that matter most to patients, which may help healthcare professionals individualise management.

Recent insights into catheter-related urinary tract infections.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) commonly develop in people with urinary catheters. Inserting a catheter can damage the urothelial barrier and trigger the formation of a biofilm on the catheter that allows bacteria direct access to the bladder. Biofilms also protect bacteria from the immune system and reduce antibiotic effectiveness. In addition, a growing literature suggests that the urinary tract harbours bacteria even in people with negative conventional cultures. The urinary microbiome is highly individual. Nevertheless, changes in the urinary microbiome may identify individuals at risk of UTIs and, for example, suggest that a catheter should be replaced more frequently and, in turn, avoid the need for antibiotics. This article outlines the importance of biofilms in the development of catheter-related UTIs and introduces the urinary microbiome.

Regulatory groundwater monitoring: Realistic residues of pinoxaden and metabolites at vulnerable locations.

A bespoke groundwater monitoring programme was designed to generate a database of pinoxaden and metabolite concentrations in shallow groundwater at agricultural locations across Europe. The data generated from this programme represent a higher tier refinement of modelled exposure estimates and provide realistic information on groundwater quality at vulnerable locations which will aid plant protection product (PPP) assessment in Europe in relation to Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2009. The Regulatory GeoPEARL_3.3.3 model developed by RIVM was used to estimate the vulnerability of cereal growing regions to leaching of two pinoxaden metabolites across the entire EU at a 1 km2 level using 20 years of daily weather data (MARS, EU JRC). Seventy sites located within the upper 50th percentile of leaching vulnerability from this modelling exercise, crop density and shallow groundwater were selected for monitoring groundwater. Retrospective and prospective pinoxaden product applications at candidate sites were recorded and these data used to place sites in the distribution for Europe. The 70 sites all fulfil the site assessment criteria and have no confining layers which may prevent or delay leaching. All sites equipped with groundwater wells had a minimum of two pinoxaden applications in the preceding four years to cereal crops. A total of 1326 samples were analysed from up to 90 down hydraulic gradient wells at 70 locations between June 2015 and July 2018. Results indicate that pinoxaden and pinoxaden metabolites are very unlikely to reach shallow groundwater at concentrations greater than 0.1 µg/L for relevant metabolites, or 10 µg/L for non-relevant metabolites, respectively (Sanco/221/2000-rev.10). Over 38 months of groundwater monitoring the annual average and 90th percentile for pinoxaden or its metabolites never exceeded 0.1 µg/L and it is proposed that these data infer that exposure to these metabolites is minimal.

Presence of low virulence chytrid fungi could protect European amphibians from more deadly strains.

Wildlife diseases are contributing to the current Earth's sixth mass extinction; one disease, chytridiomycosis, has caused mass amphibian die-offs. While global spread of a hypervirulent lineage of the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (BdGPL) causes unprecedented loss of vertebrate diversity by decimating amphibian populations, its impact on amphibian communities is highly variable across regions. Here, we combine field data with in vitro and in vivo trials that demonstrate the presence of a markedly diverse variety of low virulence isolates of BdGPL in northern European amphibian communities. Pre-exposure to some of these low virulence isolates protects against disease following subsequent exposure to highly virulent BdGPL in midwife toads (Alytes obstetricans) and alters infection dynamics of its sister species B. salamandrivorans in newts (Triturus marmoratus), but not in salamanders (Salamandra salamandra). The key role of pathogen virulence in the complex host-pathogen-environment interaction supports efforts to limit pathogen pollution in a globalized world.

Correction: Sexual dichromatism in the neotropical genus Mannophryne (Anura: Aromobatidae).

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223080.].

Sexual dichromatism in the neotropical genus Mannophryne (Anura: Aromobatidae).

Recent reviews on sexual dichromatism in frogs included Mannophryne trinitatis as the only example they could find of dynamic dichromatism (males turn black when calling) within the family Aromobatidae and found no example of ontogenetic dichromatism in this group. We demonstrate ontogenetic dichromatism in M. trinitatis by rearing post-metamorphic froglets to near maturity: the throats of all individuals started as grey coloured; at around seven weeks, the throat became pale yellow in some, and more strongly yellow as development proceeded; the throats of adults are grey in males and variably bright yellow in females, backed by a dark collar. We demonstrated the degree of throat colour variability by analysing a large sample of females. The red: green (R:G) ratio ranged from ~1.1 to 1.4, reflecting variation from yellow to yellow/orange, and there was also variation in the tone and width of the dark collar, and in the extent to which the yellow colouration occurred posterior to the collar. Female M. trinitatis are known to be territorial in behaviour. We show a positive relationship between throat colour (R:G ratio) and escape performance, as a proxy for quality. Our field observations on Tobago's M. olmonae showed variability in female throat colour and confirmed that males in this species also turn black when calling. Our literature review of the 20 Mannophryne species so far named showed that all females have yellow throats with dark collars, and that male colour change to black when calling has been reported in eight species; in the remaining 12 species, descriptions of males calling are usually lacking so far. We predict that both dynamic and ontogenetic sexual dichromatism are universal in this genus and provide discussion of the ecological role of dichromatism in this genus of predominantly diurnal, non-toxic frogs, with strong paternal care of offspring.

Botulinum Toxin in Aesthetic Medicine: Myths and Realities.

BACKGROUND: Several formulations of Botulinum toxin serotype A (BoNT-A) for aesthetic indications are available, with numbers likely to increase. Preparations are not interchangeable, based on dose unit comparisons. OBJECTIVE: Numerous myths and misconceptions regarding the use of BoNT-A for aesthetic indications have arisen, which this review aims to lay to rest. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This review assesses evidence for and against each of the most common myths regarding BoNT use in aesthetics. RESULTS: BoNT-A neurotoxin/protein complexes are irrelevant to the toxin's therapeutic/aesthetic indications. BoNT-A neurotoxin/protein complexes do not influence movement from injection site or immunogenicity. Any relationship between neutralizing antibody formation and clinical response is complex and clinicians should consider other factors that may induce an apparent loss of clinical response. Diffusion appears predominately, perhaps exclusively, dose dependent. Careful placement and correct dosing optimizes likelihood of good outcomes. Manufacturers recommend reconstitution of products with sterile nonpreserved saline. However, compelling evidence suggests that reconstitution using preserved saline dramatically improves patient comfort without compromising efficacy. Several post-treatment instructions/restrictions are widely used despite the lack of evidence, but muscle activity after injection may be beneficial. Cooling the treatment area might hinder BoNT-A translocation and should probably be abandoned. CONCLUSION: The existing evidence suggests that experienced users should achieve equivalent results regardless of BoNT-A formulation, but additional, well-designed, adequately powered, controlled randomized studies should be performed.

UrgoClean Ag: evidence base and mode of action.

UrgoClean Ag is indicated for all exuding wounds with signs of increased bioburden and biofilm. This article describes the evidence base supporting its efficacy.

Development and Application of an eDNA Method to Detect the Critically Endangered Trinidad Golden Tree Frog (Phytotriades auratus) in Bromeliad Phytotelmata.

The use of environmental DNA (eDNA) to monitor rare and elusive species has great potential for conservation biology. Traditional surveying methods can be time-consuming, labour-intensive, subject to error or can be invasive and potentially damaging to habitat. The Trinidad golden treefrog (Phytotriades auratus) is one such species that would benefit from such an approach. This species inhabits the giant bromeliad (Glomeropitcairnia erectiflora) on two peaks on the Caribbean island of Trinidad. Traditional survey methods for this species have required the destruction of the giant bromeliad, which is the only known habitat of this frog. Here we described the development of an eDNA PCR-based assay that uses water drawn from the water-filled phytotelmata of the giant bromeliad along with the use of a synthetic DNA positive control that can be easily amplified in the bacterium Escherichia coli. The assay can detect to a DNA concentration of 1.4ng. Sampling of 142 bromeliads using this method revealed 9% were positive for P. auratus DNA. These data suggest that eDNA methods also have great potential for revealing the presence of elusive species in arboreal habitats.

Persistent hypertriglyceridemia in statin-treated patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

PURPOSE: This paper reports the results of an audit that assessed the prevalence of residual hypertriglyceridemia and the potential need for intensified management among patients with statin-treated type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in primary care in the UK. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, observational, systematic audit of patients with diagnosed diabetes from 40 primary care practices was undertaken. The audit collected basic demographic information and data on prescriptions issued during the preceding 4 months. T2DM patients were stratified according to the proportion that attained European Society of Cardiology treatment targets. RESULTS: The audit collected data from 14,652 patients with diagnosed diabetes: 89.5% (n = 13,108) of the total cohort had T2DM. Of the people with T2DM, 22.2% (2916) were not currently receiving lipid-lowering therapy. Up to approximately 80% of these people showed evidence of dyslipidemia. Among the group that received lipid-lowering therapy, 94.7% (9647) were on statin monotherapy, which was usually simvastatin (69.5% of patients receiving statin monotherapy; 6707). The currently available statins were prescribed, with the most common dose being 40 mg simvastatin (44.2%; 4267). Irrespective of the statin used, around half of the patients receiving statin monotherapy did not attain the European Society of Cardiology treatment targets for triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, and total cholesterol. CONCLUSION: T2DM patients managed in UK primary care commonly show persistent lipid abnormalities. Clinicians need to optimize compliance with lipid-lowering and other medications. Clinicians also need to consider intensifying statin regimens, prescribing additional lipid- modifying therapies, and specific treatments aimed at triglyceride lowering to improve dyslipidemia control in statin-treated patients with T2DM.