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Rabbits have played a significant role in both livestock production and the advancement of reproductive scientific research. Their unique biological traits, including induced ovulation and a reproductive process that closely mirrors that of humans, have been pivotal in their use as a model. Moreover, their body size is perfectly aligned with the 3Rs principles: Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement. Consequently, techniques for gamete collection and embryo recovery, followed by their use in artificial insemination or embryo transfer, are characterized by being minimally invasive. However, refining in vitro fertilization and embryo culture techniques continues to present challenges. The incorporation of cutting‐edge genomic editing tools, such as CRISPR/Cas9, has reestablished rabbits as essential models in genetic and biomedical research, driving scientific progress. This review aims to describe the most effective reproductive biotechnologies for both male and female rabbits and how these methodologies are in line with the 3Rs principles—Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement—highlighting their significance in conducting ethical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) ‐supplemented extenders have emerged as a welfare‐orientated method to induce ovulation in the artificial insemination (AI) of rabbits. The main factor that limits the bioavailability of GnRH analogue on intravaginal administration is the proteolytic activity of enzymes present in rabbit seminal plasma. The use of GnRH analogues with higher biological potency would allow us to decrease their concentration in the seminal dose without compromising effectiveness. The current study was designed to assess the efficacy of various GnRH analogues concerning their ability to induce ovulation in rabbit AI. The base solution used for experimental extenders contained an aminopeptidase inhibitor. Four experimental groups were used, females from the Control group were induced to ovulate with an intramuscular administration of 1 μg of buserelin, while in the other three groups females received an intravaginal administration of 3.5 μg of buserelin (BUS), deslorelin (DES) or fertirelin (FER) within the seminal dose. Results showed that the ovulation frequency was similar in all groups studied. A concentration of 3.5 μg of the different GnRH analogues tested in this study showed similar potency in inducing ovulation in non‐lactating females, yielding comparable results in terms of pregnancy rate at birth and prolificacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The vasculature function is mainly regulated by the autonomic nervous system. Importantly, the sensory‐motor nervous system also innervates peripheral vessels and has the capacity to modulate vascular tone. Here we investigated the effects of electrical stimulation of a mixed nerve trunk on blood flow in deep arteries and muscle perfusion. Our hypothesis is that stimulation of a mixed nerve can modify blood flow. Methods: Twenty‐nine healthy participants were included into a randomized‐crossover and blinded clinical trial. Each subject received a placebo and two percutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation (pPNS) protocols on the median nerve: Pain Threshold continuous Low Frequency (PT‐cLF) and Sensory Threshold burst High Frequency (ST‐bHF). Blood flow was then assessed bilaterally using Power Doppler Ultrasonography at the main arteries of the arm, and blood perfusion at the forearm muscles. Afterwards, blood flow was quantified using a semi‐automatized software, freely shared here. Results: Placebo, consisting in needle insertion, produced an immediate and generalized reduction on peak systolic velocity in all arteries. Although nerve stimulation produced mainly no effects, some significant differences were found: both protocols increased the relative perfusion area of the forearm muscles, the ST‐bHF protocol prevented the reduction in peak systolic velocity and TAMEAN of the radial artery produced by the control protocol and PT‐cLF produced a TAMEAN reduction of the ulnar artery. Conclusions: Therefore, the arterial blood flow in the arm is mainly impervious to the electrical stimulation of the median nerve, composed by autonomic and sensory‐motor axons, although it produces mild modifications in the forearm muscles perfusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In fact, two outcome were possible as oxazolidine of type B 2 b can be viewed as bifunctional reagents possessing both O and N atoms susceptible to compete for electrophilic carbene intermediates. With these precedents in mind, we wondered what would happen with mixed oxazolidines and whether it would be possible to control the reactivity of -imino carbene intermediates toward either Lewis basic (LB) oxygen or nitrogen atoms. [54] From complex B A b , C-N bond formation occurs between the carbene complex and oxazolidines B 2 b carrying aryl substituents, achieving the nitrogen ylide intermediate B B b (blue cycle). Keywords: carbenes; diazaoxa heterocycles; 8-membered rings; regiodivergency; Rh(II) catalysis; triazoles; ylides EN carbenes diazaoxa heterocycles 8-membered rings regiodivergency Rh(II) catalysis triazoles ylides 1472 1476 5 07/11/23 20230725 NES 230725 Graph I N i -Sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles B 1 b , made readily through Cu(I)-catalyzed azide alkyne cycloadditions (CuAACs), [1] are prime building blocks in biological, medicinal, and synthetic chemistry. [Extracted from the article]

This paper presents a new Remote Hyperspectral Imaging System (RHIS) embedded on an Unmanned Aquatic Drone (UAD) for plastic detection and identification in coastal and freshwater environments. This original system, namely the Remotely Operated Vehicle of the University of Littoral Côte d'Opale (ROV-ULCO), works in a near-field of view, where the distance between the hyperspectral camera and the water surface is about 45 cm. In this paper, the new ROV-ULCO system with all its components is firstly presented. Then, a hyperspectral image database of plastic litter acquired with this system is described. This database contains hyperspectral data cubes of different plastic types and polymers corresponding to the most-common plastic litter items found in aquatic environments. An in situ spectral analysis was conducted from this benchmark database to characterize the hyperspectral reflectance of these items in order to identify the absorption feature wavelengths for each type of plastic. Finally, the ability of our original system RHIS to automatically recognize different types of plastic litter was assessed by applying different supervised machine learning methods on a set of representative image patches of marine litter. The obtained results highlighted the plastic litter classification capability with an overall accuracy close to 90%. This paper showed that the newly presented RHIS coupled with the UAD is a promising approach to identify plastic waste in aquatic environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Ovulation in female rabbits is induced via the sensory stimulation associated with mating. Consequently, when artificial insemination is used, as there is no stimulation via coitus, an analogue of the hormone responsible for ovulation induction must be used, which could be performed intramuscularly, intravenously, or intravaginally. Addition of the hormonal analogue to the seminal dose, for intravaginal administration, is the least stressful way to induce ovulation in does. However, due to the high level of enzymes present in rabbit seminal plasma and the poor permeability of the vaginal mucosa, the amount of analogue required for successful ovulation induction via the vaginal route may be 20–30 times the dose needed for the intramuscular route. Protection of the analogue via nanoencapsulation can help overcome enzyme degradation and improve its bioavailability. The efficacy of two extenders with chitosan–dextran sulphate or chitosan–alginate nanoparticles entrapping the hormone analogue will be studied. The main aim of the current work is to assess the effect of both encapsulation systems on reproductive performance after insemination. Results showed that both nanoencapsulation systems used here are an efficient way of intravaginal ovulation induction, allowing a reduction in the concentration of the hormone used in artificial insemination to four micrograms per female without affecting fertility and prolificacy. Rabbit is a reflexively ovulating species. Accordingly, in the practice of artificial insemination (AI) ovulation must be induced via exogenous GnRH (Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone) administration, which may be performed intramuscularly, subcutaneously, or intravaginally. Unfortunately, the bioavailability of the GnRH analogue when added to the extender is lower due to the proteolytic activity in the seminal plasma and the poor permeability of the vaginal mucosa. The aim of the study was to refine the practice of AI practice in rabbits by replacing parenteral GnRH analogue administration (subcutaneous, intravenous, or intramuscular injection) with intravaginal application, while reducing its concentration in the diluent. Extenders containing the buserelin acetate in chitosan–dextran sulphate and chitosan–alginate nanoparticles were designed and 356 females were inseminated. Reproductive performance of females inseminated with the two experimental extenders, receiving 4 μg of buserelin acetate intravaginally per doe, was compared with that in the control group, the does of which were inseminated with the extender without the GnRH analogue and induced to ovulate with 1 μg of buserelin acetate administered intramuscularly. The entrapment efficiency of the chitosan–dextran sulphate complex was higher than that of chitosan–alginate. However, females inseminated with both systems showed similar reproductive performance. We conclude that both nanoencapsulation systems are an efficient way of intravaginal ovulation induction, allowing a reduction in the level of the GnRH analogue normally used in seminal doses from 15–25 μg to 4 μg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista FSA is the property of Revista FSA (Faculdade Santo Agostinho) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Artificial insemination (AI) has become a popular technique in rabbit farms worldwide. This report discusses the progress made on semen extenders used in rabbit AI, setting out the latest innovations. Fresh and frozen semen have different requirements, so the extender composition will vary depending on the type of semen used. We discuss the endocrine supplementation of extenders for ovulation induction, the use of active molecules as an alternative to conventional antibiotics and the extenders developed for rabbit sperm cryopreservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of reproductive technologies in this species is contributing decisively to the development of rabbit farming and the preservation of genetic resources. Obtaining embryos is an essential step to both genetic diffusion and the preservation of genetic resources from genetic erosion or natural disasters. In rabbits, it is common for embryos to be recovered post-mortem after ovarian hyperstimulation with gonadotrophins, although the quality and number of embryos are variable, affecting the embryo viability and offspring rate by the donor. In vivo embryo production within a conservation programme aims not only to obtain a large number of embryos, but also that they come from a greater number of male and female origins, in order to ensure an adequate representation of the original population. This is why both the quality and quantity of embryos obtained per donor rabbit and the rate of donors with offspring after embryo cryopreservation must be considered, as well as the response of the embryos to the chemical, physical and physiological stress to which they are subjected in the rederivation process and its postnatal repercussions on those that survive. Rederived rabbits from cryopreserved and transferred embryos showed phenotypic growth changes, which calls into question the neutrality of the technique and its usefulness in those cases in which a control population is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Sanidad Militar is the property of Ministerio de Defensa, Subdireccion General de Publicaciones y Patrimonio Cultural and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: To systematically review the literature on the use of the transcranial static magnetic stimulation (tSMS) technique in humans and animals, its effects on different areas of the central nervous system (CNS), its influence on neural excitability and on the subject's behavior, and its biological effects and future possibilities. All static magnetic field applications that can be considered to have a physiologically similar effect have been reviewed. Methods: We searched studies using key terms in NCBI PubMed, Scopus, PEDro, SciELO, Cochrane, and links to publications (inception to September 2019). Three reviewers independently selected the studies, extracted data, and assessed the methodological quality of the studies using the recommendations described in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions, PRISMA guidelines. Results: We analyzed 27 studies. The reviewed literature suggests that the use of these magnetic fields has an inhibitory effect on different areas of the CNS, such as motor, somatosensory, and visual cortex, cerebellum, and spinal cord. Regarding subject's behavior, the different effects of tSMS appear to be transient and dependent on the stimulated area, such as loss of visual discrimination or improvement of somatosensory perception. In addition, the technique has some therapeutic utility, specifically in pathologies with cortical hyperexcitability. Conclusions: These results suggest that tSMS may be a promising tool to modulate cerebral excitability in a safe and non-invasive way. Further investigations could give a better explanation of its precise mechanisms of action and applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant myxodiasporous species have the ability to release a polysaccharidic mucilage upon imbibition of the seed (myxospermy) or the fruit (myxocarpy). This is a widespread capacity in angiosperms providing multiple ecological functions including higher germination efficiency under environmental stresses. It is unclear whether myxodiaspory has one or multiple evolutionary origins and why it was supposedly lost in several species. Here, we summarize recent advances on three main aspects of myxodiaspory. (a) It represents a combination of highly diverse traits at different levels of observation, ranging from the dual tissular origin of mucilage secretory cells to diverse mucilage polysaccharidic composition and ultrastructural organization. (b) An asymmetrical selection pressure is exerted on myxospermy‐related genes that were first identified in Arabidopsis thaliana. The A. thaliana and the flax intra‐species mucilage variants show that myxospermy is a fast‐evolving trait due to high polymorphism in a few genes directly acting on mucilage establishment. In A. thaliana, these actors are downstream of a master regulatory complex and an original phylogenetic overview provided here illustrates that this complex has sequentially evolved after the common ancestor of seed plants and was fully established in the common ancestor of the rosid clade. (c) Newly identified myxodiaspory ecological functions indicate new perspectives such as soil microorganism control and plant establishment support. The ability to secrete mucilage around seeds is widespread among angiosperms. This feature is highly diverse and provides numerous ecological roles. In natural variability, the involved genes show a conservation for master regulators but also a great variability for few direct actors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional is the property of Universidade Estadual de Campinas - Portal de Periodicos Eletronicos Cientificos and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Surgery & Clinical Research is the property of Master Editora and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background Cannabis is illegal in France but, as in many countries, legalization is under debate. In the United States, an increase of emergency department (ED) visits related to cannabis exposure (CE) in infants and adults was reported. In France, a retrospective observational study also suggested an increase of CE in children under 6 years old. This study only included toddlers and the data sources used did not allow repeated analysis for monitoring. Methods Our study aimed to evaluate the trend in visits for CE in ED in patients younger than 27 years old in Southern France. A cross-sectional study using the Electronic Emergency Department Abstracts (EEDA) included in the national Syndromic Surveillance System. CE visits were defined using International Classification of Disease (ICD-10). Results From 2009 to 2014, 16 EDs consistently reported EEDA with <5% missing diagnosis code. Seven hundred and ninety seven patients were admitted for CE including 49 (4.1%) children under 8 years old. From 2009–11 to 2012–14, the rate of CE visits increased significantly across all age groups. The highest increase was in the 8–14 years old (+144%; 1.85–4.51, P < 0.001) and was also significant in children under 8 (0.53–1.06; P = 0.02). Among children under 8, hospitalization rate (75.5% vs. 16.8%; P < 0.001) and intensive care unit admissions (4.1% vs. 0.1%; P < 0.001) were higher compared with patients older than 8 years. Conclusion These trends occurred despite cannabis remaining illegal. EEDA could be useful for monitoring CE in EDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural variations help in identifying genetic mechanisms of morphologically and developmentally complex traits. Mountainous habitats provide an altitudinal gradient where one species encounters different abiotic conditions. We report the study of 341 individuals of Arabidopsis thaliana derived from 30 natural populations not belonging to the 1001 genomes, collected at increasing altitudes, between 200 and 1800 m in the Pyrenees. Class III peroxidases and ribosomal RNA sequences were used as markers to determine the putative genetic relationships among these populations along their altitudinal gradient. Using Bayesian-based statistics and phylogenetic analyses, these Pyrenean populations appear with significant divergence from the other regional accessions from 1001 genome (i.e., from north Spain or south France). Individuals of these populations exhibited varying phenotypic changes, when grown at sub-optimal temperature (22 vs. 15°C). These phenotypic variations under controlled conditions reflected intraspecific morphological variations. This study could bring new information regarding the west European population structure of A. thaliana and its phenotypic variations at different temperatures. The integrative analysis combining genetic, phenotypic variation and environmental datasets is used to analyze the acclimation of population in response to temperature changes. Regarding their geographical proximity and environmental diversity, these populations represent a tool of choice for studying plant response to temperature variation. HIGHLIGHTS: - Studying the natural diversity of A. thaliana in the Pyrenees mountains helps to understand European population structure and to evaluate the phenotypic trait variation in response to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contents: Superovulation protocols are designed to achieve maximum embryo yields. Nevertheless, ovarian response control and the quality of obtained embryos are still a challenge. On the other hand, to save the superovulated embryos until their subsequent use, it is usual to cryopreserve them, so it is also crucial to assess their cryotolerance. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of a single injection of corifollitropin alfa (FSH‐CTP) alone or supplemented with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and to determine the impact of this stimulation on in vitro and in vivo development of fresh or devitrified embryos. Our outcomes showed that ovulation rate and recovered embryos were significantly increased when hCG was used. In vitro development of fresh and devitrified embryos and survival at birth were not significantly affected by superstimulation treatment. Results of this study suggest that a single injection of long‐acting FSH‐CTP supplemented with hCG can be effectively used in rabbits to elicit an increase in ovulation rate and number of recovered embryos. Furthermore, we demonstrated that hCG supplementation had no negative effects in embryo cryosurvival and development, showing similar survival rate at birth than FSH‐CTP alone group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite multiple recommendations, intramuscular epinephrine is poorly prescribed in emergency department receiving pediatric anaphylaxis. To evaluate the role of severity symptoms on this use, we included all admissions for a diagnosis linked to possible allergy in the two pediatric emergency departments of our institution between January 2010 and December 2015. Selection and analysis were restricted to children under 18 years fulfilling Sampson's criteria for anaphylaxis. We retrospectively ranked these admissions with the Ring and Messmer anaphylaxis severity score and compared the use of epinephrine according to this classification. Among 422,483 admissions, 204 (0.05%) fulfilled the anaphylaxis criteria (170 (83.3%) grade II anaphylaxis, and 34 (16.7%) grade III; mean age 7.9 years). Previous allergy, anaphylaxis, and asthma were found in respectively 60.8%, 36.8%, and 35.1%. Food allergy was the main suspected causal trigger. Epinephrine was used in 32.7% (n = 65/199), before admission (11.4% (n = 23/201)) or in the emergency department (22.2% (n = 45/202)). Epinephrine was more frequently prescribed in grade III than in grade II anaphylaxis (84.8% vs 22.3%, p < 0.001; OR = 19.05 [7.05-54.10]). Upon discharge, epinephrine auto-injectors prescription and allergy referral were rare (31.7% and 44.2%).Conclusion: Pediatricians intuitively adapt their epinephrine use to the severity of the anaphylaxis and contribute to epinephrine underuse in pediatric anaphylaxis. What is known: • Intramuscular epinephrine is the recommended treatment for pediatric anaphylaxis. However, most of the European and North-American studies show a low prescription rate of epinephrine in both prehospital and pediatric emergency department management. • Reasons for such a low prescription rate are unknown. What is new: • This study confirms that intramuscular epinephrine is poorly prescribed in pediatric anaphylaxis (about one case among 10 before admission and one among 5 in pediatric emergency departments). • Despite recommendations, pediatricians intuitively adapt their prescription to the clinical severity of anaphylaxis, with a fourfold increase prescription in grade III compared to grade II anaphylaxis. This medical behavior ascertainment may be in part explained by the delay between the ED admission/management and the anaphylactic episode onset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Colloquium Agrariae is the property of Asociacao Prudentina de Educacao e Cultura (APEC) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Colloquium Vitae is the property of Asociacao Prudentina de Educacao e Cultura (APEC) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional is the property of Universidade Estadual de Campinas - Portal de Periodicos Eletronicos Cientificos and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background. A 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) seems to be associated with a reduction of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children. Methods. To explore the link between PCV13 implementation and children' visits in emergency departments (EDs) for pneumonia, we analyzed mandatory Electronics Emergency Department Abstracts (EEDA), in 7 EDs, located in southern France, from 2009 to 2014. Diagnosis related to visits were coded using International Classification Diseases-10 codes. All codes available for EEDA were used to define bacterial pneumonia (BP), viral pneumonia (VP), and nonspecific pneumonia (NSP). For adjustment, we also used codes related to influenza and bronchiolitis. Comparisons between periods (pre-PCV13, transitional, early post-PCV13, and late post-PCV13) were made by logistic regression. On daily aggregated data, a general linear model was constructed with daily proportion of BP as dependent variable, period as fixed factor, and daily proportion of viral respiratory infections (flu plus bronchiolitis) as covariate. Results. Among 718 758 visits, 7284 were coded as CAP. A significant decline in CAP was noted only for children between 2 and 5 years of age. In contrast, the proportion of BP was dramatically reduced: 2.49 vs 5.17/1000 visits (odds ratio, 0.48; 95% confidence interval, 0.42-0.55), whereas the proportion of VP was similar and NSP increased. After adjustment on influenza plus bronchiolitis, the decrease of BP remained significant. Conclusions. Electronics Emergency Department Abstracts analysis confirms an important reduction in children ED visits for BP after PCV13 implementation. The EEDA also allow a real-time surveillance of pneumonia and an adjustment on confounding factors, such as viral respiratory infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children's asthma is multifactorial. Environmental factors like air pollution exposure, meteorological conditions, allergens, and viral infections are strongly implicated. However, place of residence has rarely been investigated in connection with these factors. The primary aim of our study was to measure the impact of particulate matter (PM), assessed close to the children's homes, on asthma-related pediatric emergency hospital visits within the Bouches-du-Rhône area in 2013. In a nested case-control study on 3- to 18-year-old children, each control was randomly matched on the emergency room visit day, regardless of hospital. Each asthmatic child was compared to 15 controls. PM10 and PM2.5, meteorological conditions, pollens, and viral data were linked to ZIP code and analyzed by purpose of emergency visit. A total of 68,897 visits were recorded in children, 1182 concerning asthma. Short-term exposure to PM10 measured near children's homes was associated with excess risk of asthma emergency visits (adjusted odds ratio 1.02 (95% CI 1.01-1.04; p = 0.02)). Male gender, young age, and temperature were other risk factors. Conversely, wind speed was a protective factor.Conclusion: PM10 and certain meteorological conditions near children's homes increased the risk of emergency asthma-related hospital visits in 3- to 18-year-old children in Bouches-du-Rhône. What is Known: • A relationship between short-term exposure to air pollution and increase in emergency room visits or hospital admissions as a result of increased pollution levels has already been demonstrated. What is New: • This study confirms these results but took into account confounding factors (viral data, pollens, and meteorological conditions) and is based on estimated pollution levels assessed close to the children's homes, rather than those recorded at the hospital. • The study area, the Mediterranean, is favorable to creation of secondary pollutants in these sunny and dry seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contents The study was designed to evaluate the influence of genetic origin on rabbit seminal plasma protein profile variation along the year. Seminal plasma of rabbits from line A (maternal line) and R (paternal line) collected during a natural year was subjected to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis ( SDS- PAGE). The electrophoretic profile of rabbit seminal plasma resulted in multiple protein bands of different intensity ranging from 9 to 240 kDa. Results showed that seven protein bands were significantly different between genetic lines, and among these, three protein bands were significantly different between seasons. The differentially expressed proteins were identified by MALDI- TOF/ TOF or LC- MS/ MS analysis and were the following ones: FAM115E-like (220, 113 and 59 kDa), ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase 3 isoform X2 (72 kDa), annexin A5 (32 kDa), lipocalin allergen Ory c 4 precursor (19 kDa), and haemoglobin subunit zetalike (13 kDa) between genetic lines and FAM115E-like (113 kDa), haemoglobin subunit zetalike (13 kDa) and β-nerve growth factor (12 kDa) between seasons. These results indicate that proteins from rabbit seminal plasma are under both seasonal control and genetic control. Furthermore, the differential presence of these proteins could be one of the causes explaining the differences observed in fertility and seminal parameters between these two lines in earlier studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Marseille, the 2016 EURO football cup days were independently associated with a 43% increase in alcohol-related visits in the Emergency Department (ED). Patients admitted for alcohol consumption were younger (41 vs. 46.6; P<0.001), more often male (82.8% vs. 60.1%; P < 0.001) and more often admitted as inpatients (24.0% vs. 16.5%; P = 0.03) than those admitted for injury. Unlike reported in previous studies, injury-related visits did not increase. This could be explained by coding practice variability between EDs (alcohol or injury). To account for this variability, both diagnosis groups must be separately included when using ED data for preparing and monitoring major gatherings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The freezing step of the cryopreservation protocol negatively influences the quality and fertilising ability of rabbit spermatozoa. This study determines the effect of different rates of freezing on the quality and fertilising ability of rabbit spermatozoa cryopreserved with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) (1.75 M) and sucrose (0.05 M). Ejaculates from meat rabbit line males (n = 12) were pooled and each pool (n = 7) was split into four aliquots. One group of straws (control, C) was frozen in static liquid nitrogen vapour (5 cm above the liquid nitrogen, 10 min) and the other groups were frozen at different freezing rates (°C min-1) from -6°C to -100°C using a programmable freezer: slow (-15°C min-1, S), medium (-40°C min-1, M) or fast (-60°C min-1, F). After thawing (50°C, 12 s), the quality was highest (P < 0.05) in C and M samples and lowest in S and F samples. F samples presented the lowest litter sizes (P ≤ 0.05) and fertility whilst M samples exhibited the highest values. In conclusion, the freezing rate affects both the quality and the fertilising ability of frozen-thawed rabbit spermatozoa, with both slow (-15°C min-1) and fast (-60°C min[sup -1]) freezing rates being detrimental for the quality and fertilising ability. The freezing step of the protocol for rabbit sperm cryopreservation negatively influences the performance of the spermatozoa. In this study we show the important role that the freezing rate plays in the quality and fertilising ability of the spermatozoa, with medium freezing rates (-40°C min-1) more suitable for freezing rabbit spermatozoa. These results could help to develop reliable protocols for rabbit sperm cryopreservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contents The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of maternal and embryonic genotype on prenatal survival and foetal growth during pregnancy. Embryos were recovered at 48 h of gestation from two different donor lines (R = 46 and A = 40) and transferred to nulliparous recipient does (26 R and 24 A). Each recipient doe received six embryos into one oviduct from line R, and six embryos form line A into the other. Laparoscopy was performed at Day 14 to determine implantation rate. Recipient females were slaughter at Days 14, 24 and 30 (12, 24, and 14, respectively) to determine the number of live foetuses and the weight of live foetuses, foetal placenta and maternal placenta. A transcriptome analysis was performed to search for differences between foetal placentas at Days 14 and 24 of development. Prenatal survival at Days 14, and 24 was affected by embryonic genotype and determined by maternal genotype at Day 30. Foetal weight at Day 14 was influenced by both genotypes, being the weight higher for group A/A (0.29 ± 0.01 g vs 0.19 ± 0.01 g, for group R/R). However, both genotypes were determinant for foetal placenta weight at Day 24, while those genotypes affected maternal placenta weight at Day 30. Nevertheless, no differences in foetal placenta at transcriptome level and progesterone and IGF-I plasma levels in recipient does were found. In conclusion, results indicate that the influence of embryo and maternal genotype on the prenatal survival and growth seems to be changing over gestation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the results and maternal data of cell-free DNA test in maternal blood (cfDNA) from our centre. We collected data from all patients who underwent a cfDNA test between 2017 and 2019. Methods In our centre, cfDNA test is indicated in moderate risk pregnancies classified on the first trimester screening with a risk of aneuploidy between 1/10 and 1/250. [Extracted from the article]

Before the implementation of cfDNA test in maternal blood, all patients in the intermediate and high risk were studied with an invasive procedure (chorion biopsy or amniocentesis). But since then, we perform a cfDNA test in intermediate risk patients and invasive procedures only in high-risk patients, patients with special findings in ultrasound and those whose cfDNA test had a high risk of aneuploidy. To evaluate if the introduction of the cell-free DNA test in maternal blood (cfDNA) has reduced the number of invasive fetal tests along with their complications. [Extracted from the article]

Contents This study was designed to develop chitosan ( CS)-dextran sulphate ( DS) nanoparticles containing a Gn RH analogue and to study their effect on rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) semen quality. Six experimental extenders were tested as follows: (control) Tris-citric acid-glucose ( TCG), (1) 0.05% CS-0.05% DS (4:1), (2) 0.1% CS-0.05% DS (4:1), (3) 0.05% CS-0.05% DS (3:1), (4) 0.1% CS-0.05% DS (3:1), (5) 0.1% CS-0.05% DS (2:1). CS and DS were dissolved in TCG medium, and nanoparticles were obtained through magnetic stirring. Rabbit seminal samples were incubated up to 5 hr at 37°C in the extenders, and seminal quality was evaluated. The entrapment efficiency was 40%-50%. After 5 hr at 37°C, a 20% of the hormone was released. Results showed that the presence of CS- DS nanoparticles did not affect rabbit semen motility, viability and membrane functionality; however, acrosome integrity was significantly higher versus control ( p < .001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Contents This study aimed to assess the effect of different cryopreservation procedures (slow freezing vs vitrification) on the gene expression in pre-implantation embryos and its implication in post-implantation embryo losses in rabbit. For this purpose, rabbit morulae were recovered at Day 3 of development, frozen or vitrified and transferred to recipients. Then, embryos were recovered on Day 3 post-transfer (Day 6 of development) or kept until the end of gestation. Apart from the gene expression analysis at Day 6, we also studied the pre-implantatory and foetal development ability of both cryopreserved embryo types by evaluating late blastocyst development at Day 6, embryo implantation at Day 11 post-transfer (Day 14 of development) and birth rate. We reported that slow freezing and vitrification have similar effects on embryo developmental ability till Day 6, but the distribution of losses changes during implantation and further development. These similarities at Day 6 of development were also reflected in gene expression patterns, and transcriptome analysis showed no differences between frozen and vitrified embryos. Our results confirm that vitrification provides better implantation and birth rates than slow freezing for rabbit embryos. As both the techniques are commonly used in human assisted reproduction, further experiments must be conducted to clarify the causes that may hinder foetal development and their impact on adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although numerous studies have demonstrated that cryopreservation alters gene expression, less is known about those embryos that implanted successfully and continued in gestation. To raise the question of the neutrality of this technique, we examine the effects of vitrification through gestation in rabbit before and after the implantation. We monitored the distribution of losses of 569 vitrified morulae, observing that embryos which reach the last pre-implantatory stage are able to implant. However, we found that not all implanted embryos had the ability to continue with their gestation. The results reveal that vitrification decreased foetus and maternal placenta weights at mid-gestation, but led to a higher offspring birth weight. A novel finding is that while no differences in gene expression were detected in pre-implantatory embryos at day 6, vitrification affects a gene and protein expression in the placenta at day 14. Our results for first time reveal strong evidence of modifications in implanted embryos subjected to vitrification, suggesting that the crucial step that vitrified embryos must overcome is the placenta formation. On the basis of these findings, our work leaves the question open as to whether the effects we observed that cause vitrification during foetal development could give rise to some type of physiological or metabolic alteration in adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to elucidate the effect of different freezing extenders on two lines selected for hyperprolificacy and longevity (H and LP, respectively). In extender A, dimethyl sulphoxide (Me2SO) and sucrose were used as cryoprotectants. In extenders B and C, the sucrose was replaced by 20% egg yolk, and in extender C the Me2SO was substituted by acetamide. Semen was packaged in 0.25 ml plastic straws and cooled at 5°C for 45 min, and then was frozen in liquid nitrogen vapour for 10 min before being plunged into the liquid nitrogen. Thawing was carried out by immersing the straws in a water bath at 50°C for 10 s. Frozen-thawed semen characteristics and reproductive parameters were affected by freezing. Extender C showed significantly lower post-thawing quality traits than any of the three extenders. Acrosome integrity was significantly improved when Me2SO was used as cryoprotectant. Sucrose replacement by 20% egg yolk had no effect on acrosome integrity but provided significantly lower sperm motility and viability. Freezing extender affected fertility rate, total born, number of implantation sites and gestational losses, obtaining better results when extender A was used. The acrosomal integrity after frozen-thawed process showed a significant correlation with fertility at 12th day and also at birth, indicating that an increase in acrosomal integrity leads to an increase in both fertilities (12th day and at birth). A positive correlation between motility of semen and implantation sites was found. The post-thawing quality traits of semen were not affected by the genetic line, although LP line showed higher total born and lower foetal and gestational losses. The findings of this study suggest that freezing extender composition has a significant effect on the success of rabbit sperm for preservation, and when Me2SO was used as permeable cryoprotectant sucrose provided better protection compared with egg yolk and improved reproductive traits, and, on the other hand, the male genotypes used in the present study had no effect on frozen-thawed sperm parameters but negatively affected some of the reproductive parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The choice of medium and supplements can affect meiotic regulation and may have an impact on the regulation of mammalian oocyte growth and embryonic cell function. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of oxygen concentration and endogenous lanosterol on the in vitro maturation (IVM) media without serum and based on recombinant human chorionic gonadotrophin in prepubertal ewe oocytes. Firstly, the effect of varying oxygen concentrations (5% and 20%) during IVM in TCM-199 supplemented (4 mg/ml bovine serum albumin (BSA), 100 μM cysteamine, 0.3 mM sodium pyruvate, 0.1 UI/ml recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (r-FSH; Gonal-F® 75 UI, Serono, Italy), 0.1 UI/ml recombinant leuteinizing hormone (r-LH; Lhadi® 75 UI, Serono, Italy) and 1 μg/ml estradiol-17β) on subsequent nuclear maturation of oocytes examined under ultraviolet light following staining with bisbenzimide (Hoechst 33342) was investigated. Secondly, two concentrations of lanosterol (0, 10 and 50 μM) were added to the IVM medium. Nuclear maturation of oocytes was examined as previously. Lipid content in oocytes, an important indicator of cytoplasmic maturity, was also measured using Nile red fluorescent stain. The results showed that low oxygen concentration affected the nuclear maturation. Similarly, a significantly higher rate of meiosis resumption was observed with 10 μM (72.3%) of lanosterol compared with the control (51.8%) or 50 μM of lanosterol (59.4%). A significantly higher content of lipids was also observed with 10 and 50 μM of lanosterol (7.3 ± 0.2 × 106 and 7.4 ± 0.2 × 106 arbitrary units of fluorescence) compared with the control (6.7 ± 0.2 × 106 arbitrary units of fluorescence). The results indicate that 10 μM lanosterol during IVM in medium without serum and based on recombinant human chorionic gonadotrophin has a positive effect on maturation of prepubertal ewe oocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Aim To assess how efficiently the COMFORT behaviour scale measures acute pain in neonates, in comparison with skin conductance activity, a validated measure of pain and stress. Methods Images of 36 newborns were analysed before, during and after painful heel pricks to measure glucose levels and compared with skin conductance activity variables. Results Scale indicators and skin conductance variables were sensitive to changes in the periods 'during-before' and 'during-after' (Wilcoxon's test, p < 0.01). Significant values were found between all scale indicators and number of waves for Kendall's coefficient (p < 0.05), although responses differed when it came to how long they took to increase and correlations varied from fair to moderate (r < 0.6). Facial tension was more closely related to 15 sec after the painful event, while crying and calmness were more closely related to the later intervals (30 and 180 sec). Conclusion All scale indicators were related to skin conductance activity in all periods, indicating pain perception. Facial tension was the most efficient indicator, while others varied in performance after painful events and possibly indicated stress after trauma. These results are discussed from a phenomenological approach and in an anxiety paradigm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In experiments based on ruminants’ individual dry matter intake (DMI) assessment, several external markers can be used to estimate faecal output when total faeces collection is not possible. However, preparation of the markers to be administered and analytical procedures used for marker content determination are time-consuming thus strongly limiting the number of animals involved in the experiments. In this paper, polyethylene glycol (PEG, molecular weight 6000 da) was tested as a faecal marker. Four trials were conducted on dry, non-lactating ewes kept in digestibility crates that allowed individual measurements. The overall experiment was designed to assess the major factors that could lessen the effectiveness of this method, assuming that the use of grab samples of faeces is sufficient. Trial 1 was designed to test two levels of PEG (20 and 40 g/day) administered in two equal amounts. Trial 2 was designed to test the effect of either a single morning (0800 h) dose (20 g/day) or a twice daily administration (0800 and 1600 h) of the same fractionated dose. Trial 3 was designed to test a 20 g/day dose of PEG administered once daily to ewes fed with hays of different qualities: medium (MH) and low (LH). In trial 4, a lower dose of PEG (10 g/day) was administered once a day to ewes fed with fresh oat–vetch forage. It was demonstrated that PEG could be precisely estimated (average prediction error = 3.47 g/kg) with near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS). On the basis of the four trials, it has been proved that PEG administration (20 and 40 g/day) did not significantly affect the DMI of ewes fed dry diets (trials 1, 2 and 3), whereas there was an unexpected increase of DMI for ewes fed exclusively with green feed (trial 4) without DM digestibility modification. Providing PEG as a single dose (0800 h) or split into two equal parts (0800 and 1600 h) did not alter the estimated DMI. Considering the interest of grab sampling, there were clear variations of PEG in faeces with higher concentrations observed at 0800 and 1600 h and lower concentrations at 1400 h. Consequently, with PEG (measured with NIRS) administered once and using the grab sampling procedure (morning collection), it is possible to estimate the DMI of dry feeds with good accuracy. For green feeds, more research is needed as the estimated results are still highly variable. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Aerobic training is related to an increase in blood oxidation markers. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the antioxidant capacity of Lippia citriodora extracts (PLX®) on plasma and blood cell oxidative status of university students beginning a 21 days aerobic training routine (3 days/week). Using a double-blind design, 15 male athletes (21 ± 2.1 years) were assigned to a group consuming 1.8 g/day of the plant extract (PLX®-group) or a placebo (PLB-group). Two blood extractions were performed at day 0 and 21, from which lymphocytes, erythrocytes and plasma were isolated. Several circulating parameters, antioxidant enzyme activities and oxidative stress markers were measured. The PLX®-group displayed an increased HDL-cholesterol, a modest decrease in erythrocyte number and an increased circulating urea. Activation of glutathione (GSH)-reductase was observed in erythrocytes and lymphocytes of PLX®-group, accompanied by lower levels of oxidative stress markers, such as malondialdehyde and protein carbonyls in plasma. The antioxidant action exerted by PLX® on GSH-reductase seems to be post-translational and mainly due to verbascoside, a phenylpropanoid that represents 10% (w/w) of extract content. In conclusion, PLX® shows antioxidant properties that could play an important role in modulating GSH-reductase activity in lymphocytes and erythrocytes and protecting plasma from exercise oxidative damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Contents This study aims to assess the efficiency of in vivo oocyte and embryo recovery after a recombinant human FSH (rhFSH) treatment in rabbit does. Females were distributed in two experimental groups: donor does were treated with rhFSH (superovulation group) for 3 days prior to artificial insemination (embryo recovery) or ovulation induction (oocyte recovery) and does without treatment remained as the control group. Mature oocytes or embryos were collected with the laparoscopy technique 16 h after ovulation induction (oocytes) or 72 h after artificial insemination (embryos). Up to four recoveries were performed with each doe. Recovery efficiencies differed significantly between embryos (84%) and oocytes (58%). Yet, the recovery rates for the superovulation and control groups did not differ. The rhFSH group was associated with a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the number of oocytes and embryos recovered in comparison with the control group (10.2 ± 1.0 and 14.3 ± 1.2 vs 6.0 ± 2.7 and 8.4 ± 2.3 for oocytes and embryos, respectively). Results from this study indicate that repeated in vivo oocyte and embryo recovery from rhFSH superovulated does maximizes the number of oocytes or embryos collected from the same female. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contents The site where the semen is deposited appears to be one of the most important factors affecting pregnancy of inseminated goats. In Murciano–Granadina (MG) goats, post-cervical insemination is achieved in a limited number of females. An effective way to increase fertility rate could be by increasing post-cervical inseminations. Effect of exogenous oxytocin application to facilitate the cervical penetration and its effect on kidding rate and prolificacy in MG goats were investigated. Oestrus was synchronized using progesterone-impregnated sponges for 11 days. Females were randomly divided into three groups (n = 190) and received either an i.v. injection of 100 or 200 IU of oxytocin or saline solution 15 min before being inseminated. Data on semen deposition depth were recorded for each animal using a catheter scaled in centimetres (up to 4 cm). Depth of semen deposition was affected by the oxytocin treatment (p < 0.05). Oxytocin enhanced cervical passage only with the dose of 200 IU compared with the control group, increasing the deposition depth (2.9 cm vs 1.9 cm). No significant effect of oxytocin treatment on kidding rate and prolificacy was detected. Depth of semen deposition affected kidding rate (p < 0.01). In conclusion, oxytocin treatment improved the depth of semen deposition in AI of MG goats, but kidding rate and prolificacy was not affected. More studies must be conducted to assess the minimal effective dose required for sufficient cervical dilation, and to determine the effects of such doses of oxytocin on uterine motility, sperm transport and fertility in goats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phasic hemodynamics and reverse blood flows in the aortic isthmus and pulmo- nary arteries of preterm lambs with pulmonary vascular dysfunction. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 295: H2231-H2241, 2008. First published September 26, 2008; doi: 10.1 152/ajpheart.00410.2008.- Time-domain representations of the fetal aortopulmonary circulation were carried out in lamb fetuses to study hemodynamic consequences of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and the effects of endo- thelin-receptor antagonist tezosentan (3 mg145 mm). From the isthmic aortic and left pulmonary artery (PA) flows (Q) and isthmic aortic, PA, and left auricle pressures (P) on day 135 in 10 controls and 7 CDH fetuses (28 ewes), discrete-triggered P and Q waveforms were modelized as P~ and Q~ functions to obtain basic hemodynamic profiles, pulsatile waves [P, Q, and entry impedance (Ze)], and P and Q hysteresis loops. In the controls, blood propelling energy was accounted for by biventricular ejection flow waves (kinetic energy) with low Z~ and by flow-driven pressure waves (potential energy) with low Ze. Weak fetal pulmonary perfusion was ensured by reflux (reverse flows) from PA branches to the ductus anteriosus and aortic isthmus as reverse flows. Endothelin-receptor antagonist blockade using tezosentan slightly increased the forward flow but largely increased diastolic backward flow with a diminished left auricle pre- and postloading. In CHD fetuses, the static component overrode phasic flows that were detrimental to reverse flows and the direction of the diastolic isthmic flow changed to forward during the diastole period. Decreased cardiac output, flattened pressure waves, and in- creased forward Ze promoted backward flow to the detriment of forward flow (especially during diastole). Additionally, the intrapulmonary arteriovenous shunting was ineffective. The slowing of cardiac output, the dampening of energetic pressure waves and pulsatil- ity, and the heightening of phasic impedances contributed to the lowering of aortopulmonary blood flows. We speculate that reverse pulmonary flow is a physiological requirement to protect the fetal pulmonary circulation from the prominent right ventricular stream and to enhance blood flow to the fetal heart and brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]