Aerospace-foraging bats eat seasonably across varying habitats.

Recent research has confirmed the efficiency of insectivorous bats as pest suppressors, underlining the ecological services they offer in agroecosystems. Therefore, some efforts try to enhance bat foraging in agricultural landscapes by acting upon environmental factors favouring them. In this study, we monitored a Miniopterus schreibersii colony, in the southern Iberian Peninsula.

Continuous low-intensity predation by owls () on bats () in Spain and the potential effect on bat colony stability.

Owls prey on bats, but information on owl predation is scarce, its impact on bat mortality is unclear, and reports on behavioural responses, including roost-switching and fission-fusion behaviour, are equivocal. To study the link between owl predation and anti-predator behaviour in bats, we evaluated seven months of video recordings at roosts and the behaviour of 51 passive integrated transponder (PIT)-tagged bats and bats without tags in a geographically isolated colony of greater noctule bats () in Spain. We found the tawny owl to almost continuously hunt , from perches and on the wing, well after the bats emerged at dusk and when they returned to their roosts.

A new Pipistrelle bat from the oceanic Island of Príncipe (Western Central Africa).

We describe a population of pipistrelle-like bats from Príncipe Island (Gulf of Guinea, Western Central Africa) as a new species based on the molecular and morphological characteristics of six specimens collected more than 30 years ago. The description of this new species was not possible until the traditionally entangled systematics of the whole pipistrelle group was clarified in recent years with the inclusion of molecular techniques and adequate species sampling. In this new taxonomic framework, the new species was clearly included within the dark-winged group of the recently described genus .

The role of forest structure and composition in driving the distribution of bats in Mediterranean regions.

Forests are key native habitats in temperate environments. While their structure and composition contribute to shaping local-scale community assembly, their role in driving larger-scale species distributions is understudied. We used detailed forest inventory data, an extensive dataset of occurrence records, and species distribution models integrated with a functional approach, to disentangle mechanistically how species-forest dependency processes drive the regional-scale distributions of nine forest specialist bats in a Mediterranean region in the south of Spain.

Can normalized carcinoembryonic antigen following neoadjuvant chemoradiation predict tumour recurrence after curative resection for locally advanced rectal cancer?

Aim: The aim of this work was to evaluate whether normalized carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) following neoadjuvant chemoradiation predicts the prognosis following curative resection in locally advanced rectal cancer.

Method: Patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiation and curative resection for locally advanced rectal cancer between 2010 and 2015 were divided into three groups: Group A (n = 119, normal-to-normal): normal CEA before and after neoadjuvant chemoradiation; Group B (n = 37, high-to-normal): elevated CEA before and normal CEA after neoadjuvant chemoradiation; Group C (n = 36, high-to-high): elevated CEA before and after neoadjuvant chemoradiation. Overall and disease-free survival were compared.

Anal dysplasia as an incidental finding: the importance of specimen evaluation.

Aim: The incidence of anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has increased dramatically in the USA. The squamous intraepithelial lesion has been identified as a precursor lesion to SCC, stratifying the abnormality into low grade or high grade. There have been studies on the prevalence of incidentally found SCC in haemorrhoidectomy specimens, but there are no studies to date on the incidence of dysplasia.

Bats from different foraging guilds prey upon the pine processionary moth.

Outbreaks of the processionary moth (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775), a forest pest from the Palearctic, are thought to induce a behavioral response of bats, but up to now the moth has been seldom identified as bats' prey. Studies on bat diets suggest moths with cyclical outbreaks attract a wide array of bat species from different foraging guilds. We test whether bats feed upon in the Iberian Peninsula irrespective of the predator's ecological and morphological features.

How reliable is laparoscopic colorectal surgery compared with laparotomy for octogenarians?

Background: Due to the current increased longevity in the elderly population and the increased size of that population, major abdominal intervention is more frequently performed among octogenarians. This study aimed to compare the surgical and postoperative outcomes of laparoscopic colorectal resections with those of open surgery in the octogenarian population.

Methods: Retrospective analysis based on a prospectively maintained database of octogenarians who underwent laparoscopic or open elective colorectal resections from 2001 to 2008 was performed.

Short-term outcome of infliximab and other medications on patients with inflammatory bowel disease undergoing ileostomy reversal.

Aim: We evaluated the impact of immunosuppressive drugs on the short-term outcome following loop ileostomy closure in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Method: Data on 249 patients with inflammatory bowel disease, who underwent loop ileostomy closure from 2001 to 2008, were retrospectively reviewed from a prospectively maintained database. Patients were distributed among groups according to the inflammatory bowel disease drugs used.

Short-term outcomes of laparoscopic total mesorectal excision following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (TME) in mid and lower rectal cancers following neoadjuvant chemoradiation (nCRT).

Background: The laparoscopic approach for colon cancer has been widely accepted. A few studies have shown that there are advantages of laparoscopic over open TME surgery for rectal cancer.

Factors associated with failure of the artificial bowel sphincter: a study of over 50 cases from Cleveland Clinic Florida.

Purpose: This study investigated the risk factors related to artificial bowel sphincter infection, complications, and failure.

Method: Complications may occur at any time after artificial bowel sphincter implantation. Early-stage complication is defined as any complications that occurred before artificial bowel sphincter activation, whereas late-stage complications are defined as any complications that occurred after device activation.

Laparoscopic versus open proctectomy for rectal cancer: patients' outcome and oncologic adequacy.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare laparoscopic management of rectal cancer to open surgery.

Methods: The medical records of patients who underwent elective laparoscopic or open proctectomy for rectal cancer between November 2004 and July 2006 were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: Thirty-two patients in the laparoscopic group (LG) were matched for tumor location, stage, comorbidity, and type of surgical procedure to 50 patients in the open group (OG).

Conversion in laparoscopic surgery: does intraoperative complication influence outcome?

Background: Conversion from laparoscopy to laparotomy can be expected in a variable percentage of surgeries. Patients who experience conversion to a laparotomy may have a worse outcome than those who have a successfully completed laparoscopic procedure. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of converted cases based on whether the case was a reactive conversion (RC, due to an intraoperative complication such as bleeding or bowel injury) or a preemptive conversion (PC, due to a lack of progression or unclear anatomy).

Anal fistula plug: initial experience and outcomes.

Purpose: This study was designed to analyze the efficacy of the Cook Surgisis AFP anal fistula plug for the management of complex anal fistulas.

Methods: This was a retrospective review of all patients prospectively entered into a database at our institution who underwent treatment for complex anal fistulas using Cook Surgisis AFP anal fistula plug between July 2005 and July 2006. Patient's demographics, fistula etiology, and success rates were recorded.

The effect of colorectal surgery in female sexual function, body image, self-esteem and general health: a prospective study.

Objective: To evaluate women's sexual function, self-esteem, body image, and health-related quality of life after colorectal surgery.

Summary Background Data: Current literature lacks prospective studies that evaluate female sexuality/quality of life after colorectal surgery using validated instruments.

Methods: Sexual function, self-esteem, body image, and general health of female patients undergoing colorectal surgery were evaluated preoperatively, at 6 and 12 months after surgery, using the Female Sexual Function Index, Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale, Body Image scale and SF-36, respectively.

Gracilis muscle interposition for the treatment of rectourethral, rectovaginal, and pouch-vaginal fistulas: results in 53 patients.

Background: The aim of this study was to review our experience with gracilis muscle interposition for complex perineal fistulas.

Material And Methods: A retrospective review of all patients who underwent repair of perineal fistula using the gracilis muscle between 1995 and 2007 was undertaken. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the fistula type by gender: females (rectovaginal and pouch-vaginal) and males (rectourethral).

The correlation between tumour regression grade and lymph node status after chemoradiation in rectal cancer.

Objective: To determine the correlation between tumour response to preoperative RCTX and lymph node status, an established parameter of clinical outcome.

Method: After IRB approval, 86 consecutive rectal cancer patients who received preoperative RCTX were identified. Fifty seven were males.

Prophylactic ureteric catheters in laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of ureteric catheter placement in laparoscopic colorectal surgery and to assess the morbidity related to this procedure.

Methods: Between 1994 and 2001, 313 elective laparoscopic colorectal surgeries were performed. Patients with and without ureteric catheters were retrospectively analyzed.

Slow transit constipation: a review of a colonic functional disorder.

Constipation is a common gastrointestinal complaint that can cause significant physical and psychosocial problems. It has been categorized as slow transit constipation, normal transit constipation, and obstructed defecation. Both the definition and pathophysiology of constipation are unclear, but attempts to describe each of the three types have been made.

Imbrication of the external anal sphincter may yield similar functional results as overlapping repair in selected patients.

Objective: Overlapping external anal sphincter repair is the preferred procedure for incontinent patients with functional yet anatomically disrupted anterior external anal sphincter. When incomplete disruption, thinning or technically difficult mobilization of the external anal sphincter occurs, imbrication without division may be the more feasible surgical option. The aim of the study was to assess retrospectively the indications for external anal sphincter imbrication in patients who underwent either overlapping external anal sphincter repair or external anal sphincter imbrication, and to compare the success rates.

Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome: clinical findings, surgical treatment, and outcomes.

Background: Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (SRUS) is a rare disorder often misdiagnosed as a malignant ulcer. Histopathological features of SRUS are characteristic and pathognomonic; nevertheless, the endoscopic and clinical presentations may be confusing. The aim of the present study was to assess the clinical findings, surgical treatment, and outcomes in patients who suffer from SRUS.

Do elderly patients benefit from laparoscopic colorectal surgery?

Background: The steadily increasing age of the population mandates that potential benefits of new techniques and technologies be considered for older patients.

Aim: To analyze the short-term outcomes of laparoscopic (LAP) colorectal surgery in elderly compared to younger patients, and to patients who underwent laparotomy (OP).

Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent elective sigmoid colectomies for diverticular disease or ileo-colic resections for benign disorders; patients with stomas were excluded.

Faecal incontinence in male patients.

Objective: Data concerning faecal incontinence (FI) in men are lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the historical aetiology and contrast aetiologies in younger and older men suffering from FI.

Method: After institutional review board approval, a retrospective chart review was undertaken of all patients with FI seen between 1999 and 2005.

Laparoscopic vs. open surgery for acute adhesive small-bowel obstruction: patients' outcome and cost-effectiveness.

Background: Numerous studies have demonstrated the feasibility of laparoscopy in the management of acute adhesive small-bowel obstruction (AASBO). However, comparative data with laparotomy are lacking. The aim of this study was to compare laparoscopy and laparotomy for the treatment of AASBO in terms of patient outcome and cost-effectiveness.