Increased overwintering temperature reduces reproductive success of the solitary bee species Osmia bicornis.

Solitary wild bees play a key role as pollinators of wild plants and crops, but they are increasingly at risk from anthropogenic global change, such as climate warming. However, how warmer temperature during overwintering affects reproductive success of those bees remains largely unknown. In a semi-field experiment we assessed individual life-long reproductive success of 144 females of the solitary bee species Osmia bicornis that had been wintered at three different temperatures.

The Pelvic Floor Disorders Network: Evolution Over Two Decades of Female Pelvic Floor Research.

Importance: This review aimed to describe research initiatives, evolution, and processes of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development-supported Pelvic Floor Disorders Network (PFDN). This may be of interest and inform researchers wishing to conduct multisite coordinated research initiatives as well as to provide perspective to all urogynecologists regarding how the PFDN has evolved and functions.

Study Design: Principal investigators of several PFDN clinical sites and Data Coordinating Center describe more than 20 years of development and maturation of the PFDN.

Racial differences in the levator ani muscle and levator hiatus in individuals of reproductive age.

Background: Most studies on pelvic floor muscle morphology (dimensions, shape) and its relationship with patient characteristic risk factors of pelvic floor dysfunction (demographics, medical history) have largely pertained to White individuals with vaginas. There is a need to establish normative data on pelvic floor muscle anatomy and identify morphological differences in racially diverse cohorts that may play a role in racial differences in the prevalence and pathophysiology of pelvic floor dysfunction.

Objective: This study aimed to compare levator ani muscle thickness and levator hiatal morphology and their association with patient characteristics, between asymptomatic Black and White women-identifying individuals with a vagina of reproductive age.

Vaginal Orthosis After Native Tissue Reconstructive Surgery: Design and Phase 0.

Importance: Pelvic organ prolapse recurrence following native tissue repair occurs with composite failure rates of 9-19% within 12 months, predominantly involving apical/anterior compartments. Objective The objective of this study was to develop a novel vaginal orthosis (NVO) device prototype through an iterative design process based on investigator and user feedback.

Study Design: The NVO was designed based on pelvic floor biomechanical principles to mitigate unopposed intra-abdominal pressure of the anterior vagina by absorbing and redirecting intra-abdominal forces to the levator ani and tailored to accommodate postoperative vaginal caliber and axis.