Intravaginal electrical stimulation increases voluntarily pelvic floor muscle contractions in women who are unable to voluntarily contract their pelvic floor muscles: a randomised trial.

QUESTION: In women who are unable to contract their pelvic floor muscles voluntarily, what is the effect of an intravaginal electrical stimulation regimen on their ability to contract the pelvic floor muscles and on self-reported urinary incontinence? DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial with concealed allocation, blinded assessors and intention-to-treat analysis. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-four women with pelvic floor muscle function assessed by bi-digital palpation to be grade 0 or 1 on the Modified Oxford Scale. INTERVENTION: For 8 weeks, participants randomised to the experimental group received weekly 20-minute sessions of intravaginal electrical stimulation with instructions to attempt pelvic floor muscle contractions during the bursts of electrical stimulation in the final 10 minutes of each session. The control group received no intervention. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was ability to voluntarily contract the pelvic floor muscles, evaluated through vaginal palpation using the Modified Oxford Scale. Secondary outcomes were prevalence and severity of urinary incontinence symptoms assessed by the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire on Urinary Incontinence-Short Form (ICIQ-UI-SF) score from 0 to 21. RESULTS: Sixty-one participants provided outcome data. After the intervention, the ability to contract the pelvic floor muscles was acquired by 36% of the experimental group and 12% of the control group (absolute risk difference 0.24, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.43). The experimental group also improved by a mean of 2 points more than the control group on the ICIQ-UI-SF score (95% CI 0.02 to 3.97). CONCLUSION: In women who are unable to contract their pelvic floor muscles voluntarily, 8 weeks of intravaginal electrical stimulation with voluntary contraction attempts improved their ability to contract their pelvic floor muscles and reduced the overall severity and impact of urinary incontinence on quality of life. Although the main estimates of these effects indicate that the effects are large enough to be worthwhile, the precision of these estimates was low, so it is not possible to confirm whether the effects are trivial or worthwhile. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03319095.

Obtención y evaluación de concentrado proteico hidrolizado de residuos animales como alternativa de alimentación en Piaractus brachypomus (Cuvier 1818) / Obtaining and evaluating hydrolyzed protein concentrate from animal waste as a feeding alternative in Piaractus brachypomus (Cuvier 1818)

RESUMEN En la industria acuícola, se vienen desarrollando acciones encaminadas a buscar fuentes proteicas alternativas palatables y de alto valor biológico para reemplazar las fuentes convencionales. Debido al potencial nutricional de los subproductos animales, se han adoptado tecnologías para su uso, como las técnicas de bioconversión por hidrólisis enzimática. En consecuencia, el objetivo de este estudio fue obtener y evaluar un concentrado de proteína hidrolizada de residuos animales (CPHRA) como alternativa en dietas para Piaractus brachypomus. Las vísceras de los subproductos avícolas se evaluaron utilizando ácido fórmico y vísceras de trucha al 20% para promover la hidrólisis enzimática a un pH más bajo (pH 3,66). El producto resultante se utilizó en la formulación de dietas para determinar coeficiente de digestibilidad aparente (CDA) de energía y nutrientes, utilizando una dieta control () y tres dietas con inclusión de 10%, 20% y 30% de CPHRA (T1, T2 y T3). Se alimentaron por triplicado ciento veinte juveniles de híbridos de cachama blanca con un peso promedio de 145 ± 3,0 g. La CPHRA presentó alto contenido proteico y se evidenciaron diferencias significativas (p < 0,05) para los CDA de materia seca, proteína bruta, grasa bruta, energía bruta y absorción de cenizas, calcio y fósforo. Los CDA de nutrientes y energía estaban por encima del 80%. En consecuencia, el concentrado de proteína hidrolizada de los desechos de aves de corral tiene un gran potencial como alternativa proteica y energética de alto valor nutricional en la alimentación de los peces.

ABSTRACT The aquaculture industry aims to find new strategies to replace fishmeal in formulated diet-sources with high attraction and palatability and high biological value to replace conventional sources. Due to the nutritional potential of animal by-products, technologies have been adopted for their use, such as bioconversion techniques by enzymatic hydrolysis. Consequently, the objective of this study was obtaining and evaluating a hydrolyzed protein concentrate of animal waste (CPHRA, by its Spanish acronym) in diets for Piaractus brachypomus. Viscera from poultry by-products was evaluated by using formic acid and a 20% trout viscera to promote the catalyst at lower pH (3,66). The resulting product was used in feed formulation to determine the Apparent Digestibility Coefficient (ADC) of energy and nutrients, using a control diet (T0) and three diets with 10%, 20%, and 30% CPHRA (T1, T2 y T3). One hundred and twenty juveniles of hybrids of cachama blanca with an average weight of 145 ± 3,0 g were fed in triplicate groups. The CPHRA presented high protein content and significant differences (p < 0,05) were evidenced for the ADCs of dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, crude energy, and ash absorption, calcium and phosphorus. The ADCs for nutrients and energy were above 80%. Accordingly, the hydrolyzed protein concentrate from poultry waste has great potential as a protein and energy alternative of high nutritional value in fish feeding.

Efficacy of Mebendazole and Praziquantel against Soil-Transmitted Helminths and Schistosoma mansoni Infections among Schoolchildren in Northwest Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) and Schistosoma mansoni are the main causes of morbidity among schoolchildren in the tropics. A school-based deworming program was launched to control and eliminate the infection in endemic countries including Ethiopia. Although periodic deworming is conducted in endemic areas, the prevalence of the infection is high in the country. In addition, periodic evaluation of the efficacy of the anthelminthic drug is limited. OBJECTIVE: This study is aimed at checking the efficacy of mebendazole and praziquantel with the respective STHs and Schistosoma mansoni parasites. METHODS: A longitudinal study was conducted from February to March 2018 among 422 schoolchildren. Stool samples were collected at baseline and at 2 and 4 weeks posttreatment and were processed using the Kato-Katz technique. Schoolchildren positive for STHs were treated with mebendazole and those positive for Schistosoma mansoni with praziquantel. After two weeks, a second round of stool was collected and examined, and then, single-dose redosing was given to each positive child. Lastly, the third stool sample was collected two weeks after the initiation of the redosing and checked for STHs and S. mansoni parasites. A close follow-up of students who were treated was done. All the data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20 for analysis. Descriptive statistics was used to compute the cure rate and egg reduction rate of mebendazole and praziquantel. RESULTS: Among 422 participants, the prevalence of STHs, hookworm, Ascaris lumbricoides, and S. mansoni was 44.7%, 35.1%, 21.1%, and 13.9%, respectively. The cure rate of mebendazole against A. lumbricoides increased from 60% in the single dose to 100% in redosing after two weeks. The cure rate of mebendazole against hookworm also increased from 32.4% in the single dose to 91.0% in the redosing. The cure rate of praziquantel against S. mansoni-infected children was 91.5% in the first round and 100% in the redosing phase. There was a 98.6-100% egg reduction rate in the redosing regimen of both drugs. CONCLUSION: The cure and egg reduction rates of single-dose mebendazole in the treatment of hookworm and A. lumbricoides are lower at week two than at redosing, while cure and egg reduction rates of single-dose praziquantel are satisfactory to treat S. mansoni. Therefore, single-dose praziquantel to S. mansoni and redosing of single-dose mebendazole to A. lumbricoides and hookworm infections can be used for treatment purposes.

Efficacy of biofeedback, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and pelvic floor muscle training for female neurogenic bladder dysfunction after spinal cord injury: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Neurogenic bladder dysfunction is prevalent in female patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), and previous guidelines have recommended pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) for first-line conservative treatment. However, the actual regimen of PFMT varies widely and the single treatment does not satisfy the need of some patients. Therefore, this study aims to provide a detailed rationale and methodology for comparing the effectiveness of PFMT, biofeedback and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) as adjunct treatments for neurogenic bladder dysfunction. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This trial is a single-centre randomised controlled trial for female patients with urinary incontinence (UI) in phase of chronic SCI. Eligible participants will be randomised to one of four arms: (1) PFMT, (2) PFMT with biofeedback, (3) PFMT and rTMS and (4) PFMT with biofeedback and rTMS. There will be 44 participants in each arm and all the subjects will undergo 20 treatment sessions, five times a week for 4 weeks. The outcomes will be evaluated at 4 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after randomisation. The primary outcome is the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form, and the secondary outcomes include bladder diary, pelvic floor muscle function and the International Spinal Cord Injury Quality of Life Basic Data Set. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The Clinical Research and Biomedical Ethics Committee of the West China Hospital, Sichuan University has approved this trial and the approval number is 2019-885. All participants will be provided written informed consent after verification of the eligibility criteria. The results of this study will be accessible in peer-reviewed publications and be presented at academic conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR1900026126).

Characterization and fate of polychlorinated biphenyls, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans in soils and sediments at the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant, Ohio.

The U.S. Department of Energy Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant is in the early stages of decommissioning and decontamination. During operations, the site drew a large amount of electric power and had multiple large switchyards on site. These are a source of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) contamination to both on-site and off-site streams. Some soil remediation has been completed in the main switchyard. During 2011 and 2012, fifteen sites were sampled at the surface (<10 cm) and subsurface (20-30 cm) to characterize the extent of PCB contamination, to identify weathering and migration of PCB contamination and to explore potential polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) contamination due to transformer fires and explosions in the 1950s and 1960s. Stagnant sites tended to exhibit more migration of contamination to deeper sediments than sites with fast-moving waters, and the highest concentrations were found at the bottom of a settling pond. A signature set of five dioxin-like PCBs were consistently found across the site with higher concentrations in carbon rich surface sediments. PCB concentrations had a significant inverse correlation with clay content, suggesting that PCBs did not bind to clays at this site. Remediation has reduced PCB concentrations throughout the site compared to levels found in previous studies and long-term upkeep of sediment lagoons is necessary to retain PCB and dioxin-rich sediments. The flow regimen, organic carbon and clay content play a very important role in the fate of PCBs in the environment at the surface as well as downward migration.

Fast changes in seasonal forest communities due to soil moisture increase after damming / Cambios estacionales acelerados en comunidades boscosas debidos al aumento en la humedad del suelo después de la construcción de una represa

Local changes caused by dams can have drastic consequences for ecosystems, not only because they change the water regime but also the modification on lakeshore areas. Thus, this work aimed to determine the changes in soil moisture after damming, to understand the consequences of this modification on the arboreal community of dry forests, some of the most endangered systems on the planet. We studied these changes in soil moisture and the arboreal community in three dry forests in the Araguari River Basin, after two dams construction in 2005 and 2006, and the potential effects on these forests. For this, plots of 20m x10m were distributed close to the impoundment margin and perpendicular to the dam margin in two deciduous dry forests and one semi-deciduous dry forest located in Southeastern Brazil, totaling 3.6ha sampled. Besides, soil analysis were undertaken before and after impoundment at three different depths 0-10, 20-30 and 40-50cm. A tree minimum DBH of 4.77cm community inventory was made before T0 and at two T2 and four T4 years after damming. Annual dynamic rates of all communities were calculated, and statistical tests were used to determine changes in soil moisture and tree communities. The analyses confirmed soil moisture increases in all forests, especially during the dry season and at sites closer to the reservoir; besides, an increase in basal area due to the fast growth of many trees was observed. The highest turnover occurred in the first two years after impoundment, mainly due to the higher tree mortality especially of those closer to the dam margin. All forests showed reductions in dynamic rates for subsequent years T2-T4, indicating that these forests tended to stabilize after a strong initial impact. The modifications were more extensive in the deciduous forests, probably because the dry period resulted more rigorous in these forests when compared to semideciduous forest. The new shorelines created by damming increased soil moisture in the dry season, making plant growth easier. We concluded that several changes occurred in the T0-T2 period and at 0-30m to the impoundment, mainly for the deciduous forests, where this community turned into a riparian-deciduous forest with large basal area in these patches. However, unlike other transitory disturbances, damming is a permanent alteration and transforms the landscape to a different scenario, probably with major long-term consequences for the environment.

Los cambios locales provocados por las represas pueden tener consecuencias para un ecosistema, ya que no solo cambian el régimen de las aguas, sino que también modifican las áreas a la orilla de los lagos. Por lo tanto, este trabajo tuvo como objetivo observar los cambios en la humedad del suelo después de la construcción de represas, para entender las consecuencias de esta modificación a la comunidad arbórea de los bosques secos, que son uno de los sistemas más amenazados del planeta. Después de la construcción de tres represas, se estudiaron los cambios en la humedad del suelo y la comunidad arbórea en 3 bosques secos de la cuenca del río Araguari, en donde se construyeron dos represas en 2005 y 2006. Se demarcaron parcelas de 20x10m que se distribuyeron cerca y perpendicular al margen de la represa en dos bosques secos caducifolios y un bosque seco semideciduo ubicado en el sureste de Brasil, en total se muestrearon 3.6 hectáreas. Se realizó un análisis de la humedad del suelo antes y después de la construcción del embalse en tres profundidades 0-10, 20-30, 40-50cm. El inventario de la comunidad arbórea DAP de 4.77cm se realizó antes T0, dos T2 y cuatro T4 años a partir de la retención del agua. Además se calcularon las tasas anuales dinámicas de todas las comunidades, y se utilizaron pruebas estadísticas para confirmar los cambios en la humedad del suelo y las comunidades de árboles. Los análisis confirmaron aumento de humedad del suelo en todos los bosques, especialmente durante la estación seca y en los lugares más cercanos al embalse, con un aumento del área basal debido al rápido crecimiento de muchos árboles. El mayor volumen de modificaciones se produjo en los primeros dos años después de La construcción del embalse, principalmente debido a la mayor mortalidad de los árboles más cerca del margen de la represa. Sin embargo, todos los bosques mostraron reducción de las tasas dinámicas en los años siguientes T2-T4, lo que indica que estos bosques tienden a estabilizarse después de un fuerte primer impacto. Las modificaciones fueron más severas en los bosques caducifolios, probablemente debido a una estación seca más severa en estos bosques en comparación con el semideciduo. Las nuevas márgenes creadas por el embalse aumentaron la humedad del suelo en la época seca facilitando el crecimiento de muchas plantas. Se concluye que los cambios que se produjeron en el período de T0-T2 y de 0-30m del embalse, principalmente en los bosques caducifolios estan transformando estas comunidades en bosque de ribera-caducifolia con gran área basal en estos parches. Sin embargo, este impacto es diferente a otras alteraciones transitorias, así la construcción del embalse es un cambio permanente y transforma el paisaje en otro escenario, probablemente con importantes consecuencias a largo plazo para el ambiente.

Resultados de la rehabilitación kinésica de piso pélvico en un grupo de mujeres con incontinencia de orina / Results of pelvic floor kinesiologic rehabilitation in a group of women with urinary incontinence

Según la ICS, la primera línea de tratamiento para Incontinencia de Orina debería ser la rehabilitación kinésica de piso pélvico ya que se produce una mejoría de los síntomas hasta en un 85 por ciento de los casos. El objetivo de este trabajo fue describir los resultados de una cohorte de mujeres incontinentes tratadas con un protocolo de rehabilitación, comparando la técnica biofeedback manual versus biofeedback electromiográfico. Se analizó un total de 68 mujeres de 30 a 80 años de edad con diagnóstico médico de IU, derivadas a Rehabilitación kinésica de piso pélvico entre marzo de 2011 y marzo de 2012. Se generaron 2 grupos de intervención mediante muestreo dirigido. En el grupo 1 (G1) constó de 48 mujeres que recibieron el siguiente protocolo: biofeedback manual (BM), pauta de ejercicios en domicilio y neuro modulación de tibial posterior. El grupo 2 (G2) constó de 20 mujeres que fueron tratadas con biofeedback electromiográfico (BEM) y la misma pauta de ejercicios en domicilio y protocolo de neuro modulación de tibial posterior. Al evaluar los datos obtenidos no se objetivaron diferencias signi-ficativas entre ambos grupos previo a la intervención. En todos los casos y con ambas técnicas se objetivan mejorías significativas en cuanto a frecuencia miccional diurna / nocturna, numero de apósitos diurno / nocturno, cuantía de la fuga, fuerza muscular y calidad de vida. Sin embargo, se objetivo menor frecuencia de micción diurna al final del seguimiento con técnica BEM (mediana de 5, IC 95 por ciento 1.12 – 7) respecto al BM (mediana de 7, IC 95 por ciento 6-7) p= 0.0208. Conclusión: Ambas protocolos de rehabilitación kinésica del piso pélvico mostraron mejoría significativa en la calidad de vida y fuerza perineal, evidenciando una disminución en los episodios de incontinencia, urgencia y uso de apósitos. Por otra parte, la única diferencia significativa entre el protocolo de biofeedback electromiográfico y manual, fue que el primero mostró menor...

According to the ICS, the first line of treatment for urinary incontinence should be pelvic floor rehabilitation, as it shows an improvement of symptoms in 85 percent of cases. The aim of this study was to describe the results of a cohort of incontinent women treated with a rehabilitation protocol, comparing the techniques: Manual versus Electromyographic biofeedback. Material and methods: We analyzed a total of 68 women, 30- 80 years of age, with medical diagnosis of urinary incontinente referred to Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation between March 2011 and March 2012. 2 groups were generated by targeted intervention. Group 1 (G1) consisted of 48 women who received the following protocol: Manual biofeedback (BM), exercise regimen at home and posterior tibial neuromodulation. Group 2 (G2) consisted of 20 women who were treated with Electromyographic biofeedback (BEM) and the same pattern of exercise protocol and posterior tibial neuromodulation. The data obtained showed no signi¬ficant differences between the two groups before the intervention. In all cases and with both techniques are we objectified significant improvements in terms of urinary frequency day / night, number of pads day / night, amount of leakage, muscle strength and quality of life. However, we observed less daytime micturition frequency at follow- up with BEM technique (median 5, 95 percent CI 1.12 - 7) compared to BM (median of 7, 95 percent CI 6- 7) p = 0.0208. Both pelvic floor reahabilitation protocols showed significant improvement in quality of life and perineal strength, showing a decrease in incontinence episodes, urgency and use of pads. Moreover, the only signi¬ficant difference between electromyographic biofeedback protocol and manual biofeedback protocol, was that the daytime voiding frequency was lower in the ¬ first Group compared to the second.

Biofeedback for fecal incontinence: a randomized study comparing exercise regimens.

BACKGROUND: Fecal incontinence affects up to 11% of Australian community-dwelling adults and 72% of nursing home residents. Biofeedback is a recommended conservative therapy when medication and pelvic floor exercises have failed to improve patient outcomes. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the impact of a new exercise regimen on the severity of fecal incontinence and the quality of life of participants. DESIGN: This was a randomized clinical study. SETTINGS: This study was conducted at the Anorectal Physiology Clinic, Townsville Hospital, Queensland, Australia. PATIENTS: Seventy-two participants (19 male), with a mean age of 62.1 years, attended 5 clinic sessions: 4 weekly sessions followed by 4 weeks of home practice and a follow-up assessment session. A postal survey was conducted 2 years later. INTERVENTION: Thirty-seven patients (12 male) were randomly assigned to the standard clinical protocol (sustained submaximal anal and pelvic floor exercises) and 35 patients (7 male) were randomly assigned to the alternative group (rapid squeeze plus sustained submaximal exercises). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcomes were measured by use of the Cleveland Clinic Florida Fecal Incontinence score and the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale survey tool. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the 2 exercise groups at the beginning or at the end of the study or as a result of treatment in objective, quality-of-life, or fecal incontinence severity measures. Sixty-nine participants completed treatment. The severity of fecal incontinence decreased significantly (11.5/20 to 5.0/20, P < .001). Eighty-six percent (59/69) of participants reported improved continence. Quality of life significantly improved for all participants (P < .001). Results were sustained 2 years later. Patients who practiced at least the prescribed number of exercises had better outcomes than those who practiced fewer exercises. LIMITATIONS: This study was limited because it involved a heterogeneous sample, it was based on subjective reporting of exercise performance, and loss to follow-up occurred because of the highly mobile population. CONCLUSIONS: Patients attending this biofeedback program attained significant improvement in the severity of their fecal incontinence and in their quality of life. Although introduction of rapid muscle squeezes had little impact on fecal incontinence severity or patient quality of life, patient exercise compliance at prescribed or greater levels did.

Urinary tract infections after pelvic floor gynecological surgery: prevalence and effect of antimicrobial prophylaxis. A systematic review.

We evaluated the prevalence of urinary tract infection (UTI) after pelvic floor operations for non-malignant etiology and the effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis. This was made possible by a review of the evidence from relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Nineteen out of 879 initially identified studies met the criteria for inclusion in our review. Four RCTs compared an antibiotic prophylactic regimen with placebo, 11 two different prophylactic antibiotic regimens, and four had three different treatment arms. Among placebo recipients undergoing pelvic floor surgery, 10-64% developed UTI. In contrast, UTI after pelvic floor gynecological surgery occurred in 0-15% of the patients who received cephalosporins as antibiotic prophylaxis; the likelihood for postoperative UTI was higher for patients receiving cotrimoxazole (28%), ampicillin/sulbactam (13.6%), metronidazole plus ampicillin (20%), metronidazole (10-22.7%), or ciprofloxacin (27.2%). The use of a cephalosporin as perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis is the optimal regimen in preventing UTIs after pelvic floor surgery.

Evaluation of six pesticides leaching indexes using field data of herbicide application in Casablanca Valley, Chile.

A field study was performed to evaluate the accuracy of six pesticide screening leaching indexes for herbicide movement. Adsorption, dissipation and soil movement were studied in a vineyard in a sandy loam soil during 2005 season. Simazine, diuron, pendimethalin, oxyfluorfen and flumioxazin were applied to bare soil at rates commonly used, and their soil concentrations throughout soil profile were determined at 0, 10, 20, 40 and 90 days after application (DAA). Herbicides were subjected to two pluviometric regimens, natural field condition and modified conditions (plus natural rainfall 180 mm). Leaching indexes utilized were: Briggs's Rf, Hamaker's Rf, LEACH, LPI, GUS and LIX. Simazine reached 120 cm, diuron 90 cm, flumioxazin 30 cm soil depth respectively. Pendimethalin and oxyfluorfen were retained up to 5 cm. None of the herbicides leaching was affected by rainfall regimen. Only flumioxazin field dissipation was clearly affected by pluviometric condition. The best representation of the herbicide soil depth movement and leaching below 15 cm soil depth were: Hamaker's Rf < Briggs's Rf < GUS < LPI, < LEACH < LIX. Field results showed a good correlation between herbicides K(d) and their soil depth movement and mass leached below 15 cm soil depth.

Aboveground biomass production and nitrogen content in gliricidia sepium (jacq) walp: under several pruning regimes

Se estudió el potencial de producción de materia orgánica y la incorporación total de nitrógeno al suelo de plantas de Cocoite (Gliricidia sepium) (Jacq.) Walp. en diferentes regímenes de poda. El estudio se realizó en una plantación de 6 meses de edad (6670 plantas/ha) bajo un arreglo factorial 4x2 en un diseño de parcelas divididas con cuatro repeticiones. La frecuencia de las podas (4, 8, 12 y 24 semanas) se asignó a las parcelas principales, mientras que la altura de poda (0,5 and 1,0m) se asignó a las subparcelas. La altura de la poda no afectó la producción de materia orgánica ni su calidad; sin embargo, las variables bajo estudio fueron significativamente modificadas por la frecuencia de la poda. La producción de materia seca aumentó desde 0,50 hasta 10,52tonúha-¹ para los regímenes de 4 y 24 semanas, respectivamente. La proporción de la biomasa de los tallos aumentó desde 20 hasta 53 por ciento en el régimen de 4 y 24 semanas. La concentración total de nitrógeno en la biomasa aérea disminuyó de 3,19 a 2,64 por ciento al reducirse la frecuencia de podas de 4 a 24 semanas, pero el nitrógeno total acumulado fue superior en el régimen de 24 semanas (272kgúha-¹) que en otras frecuencias de poda debido a la mayor producción de biomasa en aquel. Sin embargo, en las muestras de suelo colectadas dos meses después de la última poda en ningún régimen se observó incremento en la materia orgánica o nitrógeno del suelo. Para detectar cambios en la materia orgánica y nitrógeno del suelo, se requiere de mayores períodos de tiempo que permitan la descomposición de la biomasa

Estimacion del aporte potencial de sedimientos y nutrientes a laguna de Coña Coña / sss

Utilizando un evento de lluvia dado (con precipitacion maximas), de 2,5 horas en la cuenca urbana y 2 horas en las cuencas rurales, para tiempos de retorno de 10, 15 y 20 años, fue posible estimar la taza de perdida de suelos, produccion de sedimientos y de nutrientes que las cuencas Taquiña, Pintumayu, La Paycha y la correspondiente Urbana al area de drenaje, aportan a la laguna Coña Coña. En terminos de peridad de suelo por erosion hidrica y prooduccion potencial de sedimientos en toneladas netas dentro de las cuencas Taquiña es la que presenta mayor area de zonas altamente erodables y produccion de sedimentos, seguida de las cuencas de Pintumayu, La Paycha y la cuenca Urbana respectivamente. En terminos de perdida de suelo y produccion potencial de sedimentos promedio en tn/km2 la cuenca Pajcha es la que presenta los registros mas altos. Estos resultados no consideran las practicas de manejo y conservacion de cuencas que actualmente viene impulsando el PROMIC en la cuenca de Taquiña y por lo tanto las mejoras alcanzadas a estas actividades no se ven reflejadas en los mismos...

Long-term effect of pelvic floor muscle exercise 5 years after cessation of organized training.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinically and urodynamically the effect of pelvic floor muscle exercise on genuine stress incontinence 5 years after cessation of a structured training program. METHODS: All 23 women who had participated in a 6-month intensive pelvic floor muscle exercise regimen participated in the follow-up study. Mean age was 50.7 years (range 30-70). The assessment included history by interview, use of subjective rating instruments (leakage index and social activity index), vaginal palpation, measurement of pelvic floor muscle strength by use of vaginal pressure measurement, cystometry, urethral pressure profiles during cough, and pad test with standardized bladder volume. RESULTS: Three of 23 women had been treated surgically. Sixteen (70%) were exercising the pelvic floor muscles once a week or more. This included two of the women treated surgically. Of the 20 women not treated surgically, 70% were satisfied and did not want further treatment. Fifteen of 20 (75%) did not show any visible leakage during cough, and 11 had positive closure pressure during cough. There was a statistically significant increase in the scores of the leakage index and the pad test (P < .05) but not on the social activity index (P = .09). Pelvic floor muscle strength was reduced from a mean of 22 cm H2O (95% confidence interval [CI] 17-26.9) to 19.1 (95% CI 13.2-24.9) (P = .113) during the 5-year period. CONCLUSION: There was a significant increase in incontinence measured by pad test and leakage index 5 years after cessation of organized pelvic floor muscle exercise. However, 75% showed no leakage during stress test, and 70% were satisfied with the condition. Seventy percent were exercising the pelvic floor muscles at least once a week, and pelvic floor muscle strength was maintained.

Persistence and distribution of pollution indicator bacteria on land used for disposal of piggery effluent.

Numbers of pollution indicator bacteria (fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci) were assessed on land to which effluent from intensively housed pigs had been applied. Topsoil (to a 30-mm depth) was found to provide a more favorable environment for fecal coliform persistence than was pasture or subsoil. Times required for a 90% reduction in number (T90) in topsoil (calculated by linear regression of log counts obtained in a 6-week period after effluent application) ranged from 7 to 20 days (mean T90, 11 days). T90 values for fecal coliforms fell within this range irrespective of the season of application and for a number of soil types and climatic conditions. The range in die-off times was encountered irrespective of the fecal coliform count in the applied effluent or the application regimen (125 to 1,000 kg of elemental nitrogen in the form of effluent per ha; return periods, 3 to 12 months). Autumn and winter conditions were conducive to the persistence of a survivor tail of these bacteria at 10(1) to 10(3) cells per g of topsoil. Fecal streptococci survived similarly on soil and pasture (T90, ca. 14 days) and appeared slightly more suited to survival in the environment than did fecal coliforms. Contamination of subsoils after effluent applications occurred at a rate well in excess of the infiltration capacity of the soil, presumably by percolation of the effluent through soil cracks. Contamination levels of subsoils in the experimental area generally remained low.