Enhancement of soil aggregation and physical properties through fungal amendments under varying moisture conditions.

Soil structure and aggregation are crucial for soil functionality, particularly under drought conditions. Saprobic soil fungi, known for their resilience in low moisture conditions, are recognized for their influence on soil aggregate dynamics. In this study, we explored the potential of fungal amendments to enhance soil aggregation and hydrological properties across different moisture regimes.

Heterogeneity in Spore Aggregation and Germination Results in Different Sized, Cooperative Microcolonies in an Aspergillus niger Culture.

The fungus Aspergillus niger is among the most abundant fungi in the world and is widely used as a cell factory for protein and metabolite production. This fungus forms asexual spores called conidia that are used for dispersal. Notably, part of the spores and germlings aggregate in an aqueous environment.

Visualising long distance sugar transport in fungi using infrared fluorescence scanning imaging.

Mycelia of saprotrophic basidiomycetes can cover large areas in nature that are typified by their heterogeneous nutrient availability. This heterogeneity is overcome by long distance transport of nutrients within the hyphal network to sites where they are needed. It is therefore key to be able to study nutrient transport and its underlying mechanisms.

Single Cell Analysis and Sorting of by Flow Cytometry.

Experimental results in fungal biology research are usually obtained as average measurements across whole populations of cells, whilst ignoring what is happening at the single cell level. Microscopy has allowed us to study single-cell behavior, but it has low throughput and cannot be used to select individual cells for downstream experiments. Here we present a method that allows for the analysis and selection of single fungal cells in high throughput by flow cytometry and fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS), respectively.

Growth induced translocation effectively directs an amino acid analogue to developing zones in Agaricus bisporus.

The vegetative mycelium of Agaricus bisporus supplies developing white button mushrooms with water and nutrients. However, it is not yet known which part of the mycelium contributes to the feeding of the mushrooms and how this depends on growth conditions. Here we used photon counting scintillation imaging to track translocation of the C-radiolabeled metabolically inert amino acid analogue α-aminoisobutyric acid (C-AIB).

Cycling in degradation of organic polymers and uptake of nutrients by a litter-degrading fungus.

Wood and litter degrading fungi are the main decomposers of lignocellulose and thus play a key role in carbon cycling in nature. Here, we provide evidence for a novel lignocellulose degradation strategy employed by the litter degrading fungus Agaricus bisporus (known as the white button mushroom). Fusion of hyphae allows this fungus to synchronize the activity of its mycelium over large distances (50 cm).

Cell Wall Composition Heterogeneity between Single Cells in Aspergillus fumigatus Leads to Heterogeneous Behavior during Antifungal Treatment and Phagocytosis.

can cause a variety of lung diseases in immunocompromised patients, including life-threatening invasive aspergillosis. There are only three main classes of antifungal drugs currently used to treat aspergillosis, and antifungal resistance is increasing. Experimental results in fungal biology research are usually obtained as average measurements across whole populations while ignoring what is happening at the single cell level.

Subpopulations of hyphae secrete proteins or resist heat stress in Aspergillus oryzae colonies.

Hyphae at the outer part of colonies of Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus oryzae are heterogeneous with respect to transcriptional and translational activity. This heterogeneity is maintained by Woronin body mediated closure of septal pores that block interhyphal mixing of cytoplasm. Indeed, heterogeneity between hyphae is abolished in ΔhexA strains that lack Woronin bodies.

Novel Approach to Treat Uncomplicated Sigmoid Volvulus Combining Minimally Invasive Surgery with Enhanced Recovery, in a Rural Hospital in Zambia.

Aim: In sub-Saharan Africa, sigmoid volvulus is a frequent cause of bowel obstruction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of acute sigmoid resection and anastomosis via a mini-laparotomy in patients with uncomplicated sigmoid volvulus, following the principles of "Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS)", in a low-resource setting.

Materials And Methods: Patients with uncomplicated sigmoid volvulus were operated acutely, via a mini-laparotomy, according to the principles of ERAS.

Value of macrobiopsies and transanal endoscopic microsurgery in the histological work-up of rectal neoplasms: A retrospective study.

Aim: To evaluate a step up approach: Taking macrobiopsies and performing excision biopsies in patients with suspected rectal cancer in which biopsies taken though the flexible endoscope showed benign histology.

Methods: Patients with a rectal neoplasm who underwent flexible endoscopy and biopsies were included. In case of benign biopsies rigid rectoscopy and macrobiopsies were employed.

Prophylactic Mesh Placement During Formation of an End-colostomy Reduces the Rate of Parastomal Hernia: Short-term Results of the Dutch PREVENT-trial.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of parastomal hernias (PSHs) after end-colostomy formation using a polypropylene mesh in a randomized controlled trial versus conventional colostomy formation.

Background: A PSH is the most frequent complication after stoma formation. Symptoms may range from mild abdominal pain to life-threatening obstruction and strangulation.

Large Contaminated Ventral Hernia Repair Using Component Separation Technique with Synthetic Mesh.

Background: Large ventral hernia repair represents a major reconstructive surgical challenge, especially under contaminated conditions. Synthetic mesh is usually avoided in these circumstances because of fear of mesh infection, although evidence is outdated and does not regard new materials and techniques. The authors evaluated the safety of synthetic mesh in large contaminated ventral hernia repair.

Prophylactic mesh placement to prevent parastomal hernia, early results of a prospective multicentre randomized trial.

Purpose: Parastomal hernia (PSH) is a common complication after colostomy formation. Recent studies indicate that mesh implantation during formation of a colostomy might prevent a PSH. To determine if placement of a retromuscular mesh at the colostomy site is a feasible, safe and effective procedure in preventing a parastomal hernia, we performed a multicentre randomized controlled trial in 11 large teaching hospitals and three university centres in The Netherlands.

Surgery and Obstetric Care are Highly Cost-Effective Interventions in a Sub-Saharan African District Hospital: A Three-Month Single-Institution Study of Surgical Costs and Outcomes.

Background: The Lancet recently sponsored a commission examining the role of surgery in global health. There is a paucity of published information on the cost-effectiveness of surgery in low- and middle-income countries, a key metric in the prioritisation of limited resources.

Methods: All patients undergoing emergency laparotomy, elective and emergency inguinal hernia repair, elective and emergency caesarean section, amputation, fracture manipulation, or fracture fixation over a 3 months period in a single district African hospital were assessed.

Selective transport between heterogeneous hyphal compartments via the plasma membrane lining septal walls of Aspergillus niger.

Hyphae of ascomycetes are compartmentalized by septa. The central pore in these septa allows for cytoplasmic streaming. However, many of these pores are closed by Woronin bodies in Aspergillus, which prevents cytoplasmic mixing and thus maintains hyphal heterogeneity.

A Markov Decision Model to Guide Treatment of Recurrent Colonic Diverticulitis.

Background & Aims: Although colonic diverticulitis is a common disorder, there is no clear treatment strategy for patients with recurrent episodes of diverticulitis. We investigated whether colonic resection or conservative or medical treatments have the greatest effects on quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs).

Methods: A Markov model simulating patients with 2 episodes of non-surgically treated diverticulitis was used to simulate all relevant outcomes of each treatment strategy.

Switching from a unicellular to multicellular organization in an Aspergillus niger hypha.

Unlabelled: Pores in fungal septa enable cytoplasmic streaming between hyphae and their compartments. Consequently, the mycelium can be considered unicellular. However, we show here that Woronin bodies close ~50% of the three most apical septa of growing hyphae of Aspergillus niger.

VeA of Aspergillus niger increases spore dispersing capacity by impacting conidiophore architecture.

Aspergillus species are highly abundant fungi worldwide. Their conidia are among the most dominant fungal spores in the air. Conidia are formed in chains on the vesicle of the asexual reproductive structure called the conidiophore.

Safety and durability of one-stage repair of abdominal wall defects with enteric fistulas.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and long-term durability of 1-stage repair of enteric fistulas in the presence of an abdominal wall defect.

Background: Patients with enteric fistulas and an abdominal wall defect present an extreme challenge to surgeons and have been associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Durability of repair is unknown as studies fail to report this or use limited follow-up periods.

Large and complex ventral hernia repair using "components separation technique" without mesh results in a high recurrence rate.

Background: Recurrence rates after component separation technique (CST) are low in the literature but may be underestimated because of inadequate follow-up methods.

Methods: Prospective patient follow-up was performed of consecutive patients who underwent repair of large and complex ventral hernias using CST without mesh utilization. Primary outcome was recurrent hernia determined by clinical examination at least 1 year after surgery in all living patients.

Toward an evidence-based step-up approach in diagnosing diverticulitis.

Background: The lack of pathognomonic findings and the chance of complicated disease have resulted in the widespread use of additional imaging to diagnose acute colonic diverticulitis (ACD). The added value of additional imaging in the diagnostic workup of patients suspected of ACD is not well defined.

Aims: The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature of the accuracy of the clinical evaluation and diagnostic modalities for patients with suspected ACD, to come to an evidence-based approach to diagnose ACD.

External validation of two tools for the clinical diagnosis of acute diverticulitis without imaging.

Aim: External validation and comparison of the diagnostic accuracy of two predictive tools, the emergency department triad and the clinical scoring tool in diagnosing acute diverticulitis.

Methods: Two derivation datasets were used crosswise for external validation. In addition, both tools were validated in a third independent cohort.

Guidelines of diagnostics and treatment of acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis.

Background: The incidence of acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis (ACD) is increasing in the Western world. To improve the quality of patient care, a guideline for diagnosis and treatment of diverticulitis is needed.

Methods: A multidisciplinary working group, representing experts of relevant specialties, was involved in the guideline development.