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Excess phosphorus (P) in wastewater effluent poses a serious threat to aquatic ecosystems and can spur harmful algal blooms. Revolving algal biofilm (RAB) systems are an emerging technology to recover P from wastewater before discharge into aquatic ecosystems. In RAB systems, a community of microalgae take up and store wastewater P as polyphosphate as they grow in a partially submerged revolving biofilm, which may then be harvested and dried for use as fertilizer in lieu of mined phosphate rock. In this work, we isolated and characterized a total of 101 microalgae strains from active RAB systems across the US Midwest, including 82 green algae, 9 diatoms, and 10 cyanobacteria. Strains were identified by microscopy and 16S/18S ribosomal DNA sequencing, cryopreserved, and screened for elevated P content (as polyphosphate). Seven isolated strains possessed at least 50% more polyphosphate by cell dry weight than a microalgae consortium from a RAB system, with the top strain accumulating nearly threefold more polyphosphate. These top P-hyperaccumulating strains include the green alga Chlamydomonas pulvinata TCF-48 g and the diatoms Eolimna minima TCF-3d and Craticula molestiformis TCF-8d, possessing 11.4, 12.7, and 14.0% polyphosphate by cell dry weight, respectively. As a preliminary test of strain application for recovering P, Chlamydomonas pulvinata TCF-48 g was reinoculated into a bench-scale RAB system containing Bold basal medium. The strain successfully recolonized the system and recovered twofold more P from the medium than a microalgae consortium from a RAB system treating municipal wastewater. These isolated P-hyperaccumulating microalgae may have broad applications in resource recovery from various waste streams, including improving P removal from wastewater.

Objective Urology practice has undergone several changes in recent years mainly related to novel technologies introduced. We aimed to get the residents’ perspective on the current residency program in Israel and propose changes in it. Methods A web-based survey was distributed among urology residents. Results 61 residents completed the survey out of 95 to whom it was sent (64% compliance). A total of 30% replied that the 9 months of mandatory general surgery rotation contributed to their training, 48% replied it should be shortened/canceled, and 43% replied that the Step A exam (a mandatory written certifying exam) in general surgery was relevant to their training. A total of 37% thought that surgical exposure during the residency was adequate, and 28% considered their training “hands-on.” Most non-junior residents (post-graduate year 3 and beyond) reported being able to perform simple procedures such as circumcision and transurethral resections but not complex procedures such as radical and laparoscopic procedures. A total of 41% of non-junior residents practice at a urology clinic. A total of 62% of residents from centers with no robotics replied its absence harmed their training, and 85% replied they would benefit from a robotics rotation. A total of 61% of residents from centers with robotics replied its presence harmed their training, and 72% replied they would benefit from an open surgery rotation. A total of 82% of the residents participated in post-graduate courses, and 81% replied they would engage in a clinical fellowship. Conclusion Given the survey results we propose some changes to be considered in the residency program. These include changes in the general surgery rotation and exam, better surgical training, possible exchange rotations to expose residents to robotic and open surgery (depending on the availability of robotics in their center), greater out-patient urology clinic exposure, and possible changes in the basic science period.

BACKGROUND: Pain is the primary indication for both primary and revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA); however, most arthroplasty outcome measures do not take pain into account.

Abstract: MitraClip is an attractive and less invasive alternative to mitral valve surgery in serve mitral regurgitation in patients with moderate or severe risk for operation. It has been described to be effective and safe in functional as well as in degenerative mitral regurgitation. We report a case of MitraClip procedure with the pull out of the anterior leaflet during the intervention. The patient underwent cardiopulmonary support and surgical intervention with a good outcome. With this report we illustrated the etiology and management of this complication.

Abstract: Mitral regurgitation is associated with a worsened prognosis in dilated cardiomyopathy. First standard therapy consists of a mitral valve reconstruction through heart surgery including heart lung machine. In patients with high co-morbidity, catheter-based techniques, have been developed. In the Evolution I study the MONARC-system which was implanted in the coronary sinus in the functional mitral regurgitation. A reduction in regurgitation by over 1 grade was documented in 50% of patients. MitraClip is an alternative, edge-to-edge technique, which joined the posterior and anterior leaflet by implanting a clip. It can be used for both functional and degenerativ mitral regurgitation. We reported a case of MitraClip procedure with the use of two clips and a reduction of mitral regurgitation to grade 0-1 after implanting a MONARC-device four years ago with missing relevant reduction in mitral regurgitation. With this report we illustrated the management of Mitraclip in a patient with implanted MONARC-device and technical difficulties through the bowing of the posterior anulus.