Montana University System

Climate forecasts for semi-arid landscapes suggest changes in seasonality and form of precipitation. These shifts are expected to alter the structure and function of grassland and steppe ecosystems and present challenges for land management and crop production in regions like the Northern Great Plains, North America. Precipitation in lower-elevation, semi-arid areas provides a local supply of soil water that drives biogeochemical cycling, agricultural production, and groundwater recharge. However, studies of the fate of precipitation are far less common in lower-elevation areas compared to studies of the fate of seasonal snowpack and runoff in alpine areas. This research uses isotopic composition of water (δ O and δ H) to explore the sources and fate of soil water in lower elevation areas of the Judith River watershed, in the headwaters of the Missouri River in Montana, USA. Extensive non-irrigated crop production in this area occurs on well-drained soils and depends on careful water management. Agricultural fertilization and organic matter mineralization have resulted in excessive nitrate leaching from cultivated soils into shallow aquifers and streams. Our observations indicate that colder precipitation contributes isotopically distinct water to cultivated terrace soils relative to downgradient groundwaters and streams. Riparian waters also exhibit isotopically distinct contributions from colder precipitation. Apparent contributions from colder precipitation in terrace and riparian soil waters suggest that snowmelt is an important component of water supply to these systems. In riparian waters, influence of evaporation is also evident, suggesting sufficient residence times and atmospheric exposure for local processing to occur. The evolution of isotopic composition from soils to shallow aquifers to stream corridors indicates source water partitioning as precipitation moves through a semi-arid agricultural landscape. Mixing processes apparent in landscape water isotopic compositions reveal source water dynamics that facilitate plant uptake, solute processing, and contaminant leaching.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-in source decay (MALDI-ISD) analysis is a useful technique in the structural analysis of glycans. Our recent publication demonstrated that magnetic carbon nanoparticles (MCNPs), used as a MALDI co-matrix, significantly enhanced ISD efficiency for glycomic analysis by MALDI-TOF. In this study, MCNPs were used for the structural study of isomeric glycans. Results from the standard glycans confirmed easy distinction of positional and linkage isomers without the need for further derivatization of glycan molecules. Extensive glycosidic and cross-ring fragmented ions provided different fragment patterns for various glycan isomers. Core- and branch-fucosylated isomers were distinguished by several unique ions, and pseudo-MS3 data were used to recognize the fucosylated branch. Although no diagnostic fragment ion was observed for 2,3- and 2,6-linked sialic acid isomers, their MALDI-ISD patterns were found to be significantly different (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the method introduced in this study could not only be used for the identification of glycan isomers but has also proved effective for the isomeric structural confirmation of gangliosides. GD1a and GD1b gangliosides were easily distinguished by the diagnostic ion originated from GD1a, produced by Z4αZ2β cleavages. Moreover, liquid chromatography coupled with MALDI-TOF was applied to analyze N-glycan isomers derived from a pooled human blood serum sample, providing an alternative method of isomeric glycomic analysis of biological specimens.

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and urinary incontinence (UI) are more prevalent with increasing life expectancy. Up to 75% of women age 45 to 85 years have some degree of prolapse. Typical symptoms related to POP include pelvic pressure, pelvic and low back pain, urinary and bowel symptoms, and sexual dysfunction. The purpose of this report is to describe the theoretical basis of a novel conservative intervention for the treatment of symptoms related to POP and incontinence in older women through the use of a case description. Methods: The conservative management program combines deep pelvic and hip muscle exercises with pelvic postural inversion. The case description exemplifies the treatment protocol that has the potential to reduce the severity or degree of prolapse and improve symptoms and quality of life in women with POP and associated UI. Conclusion: The basis for the novel conservative approach to treatment of POP and UI revolves around the perspective that POP is the functional failure of the pelvic organ support system and associated lumbopelvic hip musculoskeletal system. The combined organ and musculoskeletal system, the “pelvic core” system, includes all structures within the lower pelvis. As one organ's descent occurs, it leads to alterations in the position of adjacent organs, fascia, and muscles. Postural or positional inversion of the pelvis simultaneous with deep pelvic muscle and pelvic core exercises theoretically realigns the pelvic organs within the pelvic cavity and reduces strain on fascia and ligaments. Without the strain of the organs descending in the pelvis, the pelvic core muscles can theoretically work more efficiently for muscle strengthening and motor control retraining. Organ realignment and deep pelvic core muscle activation theoretically recreates the support system for optimal organ function and symptom-free daily activities.

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