Search

The decreasing number of veteran trees in Europe threatens old‐growth habitats and the fauna they support. This includes rare taxa, such as the violet click beetle, Limoniscus violaceus (Müller, 1821).Samples of wood mould were taken from all beech trees in Windsor Forest previously confirmed to have contained L. violaceus larvae, and from trees where L. violaceus had not previously been detected, the latter categorised as having high, medium or low likelihood of containing the beetle during recent surveys. Habitat characteristics were measured, and volatile profiles determined using gas‐chromatography mass‐spectrometry.Water content significantly differed between tree hollows of different violet click beetle status, high‐potential habitats having higher and relatively stable water content compared with habitats with medium or low potential of beetle occupancy. Several volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were significantly associated with L. violaceus habitats. No differences in other characteristics were detected.The distinction in water regime between habitats highlights that recording this quantitatively could improve habitat surveys. Several potential L. violaceus attractant VOCs were identified. These could potentially be integrated into existing monitoring strategies, such as through volatile‐baited emergence traps or volatile‐based surveying of habitats, for more efficient population monitoring of the beetle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A conference paper about the economic implications of the privatization in Europe is presented. It analyzes the concept and nature of privatization. It provides information on the regulatory adjustments that European countries have to make to accommodate the newly privatized companies. It discusses several econometric studies to assess the efficiency effects of privatization.

Dreissenid mussels (including the zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha and the quagga mussel D. rostriformis) are among the world's most notorious invasive species, with large and widespread ecological and economic effects. However, their long‐term population dynamics are poorly known, even though these dynamics are critical to determining impacts and effective management. We gathered and analyzed 67 long‐term (>10 yr) data sets on dreissenid populations from lakes and rivers across Europe and North America. We addressed five questions: (1) How do Dreissena populations change through time? (2) Specifically, do Dreissena populations decline substantially after an initial outbreak phase? (3) Do different measures of population performance (biomass or density of settled animals, veliger density, recruitment of young) follow the same patterns through time? (4) How do the numbers or biomass of zebra mussels or of both species combined change after the quagga mussel arrives? (5) How does body size change over time? We also considered whether current data on long‐term dynamics of Dreissena populations are adequate for science and management. Individual Dreissena populations showed a wide range of temporal dynamics, but we could detect only two general patterns that applied across many populations: (1) Populations of both species increased rapidly in the first 1–2 yr after appearance, and (2) quagga mussels appeared later than zebra mussels and usually quickly caused large declines in zebra mussel populations. We found little evidence that combined Dreissena populations declined over the long term. Different measures of population performance were not congruent; the temporal dynamics of one life stage or population attribute cannot generally be accurately inferred from the dynamics of another. We found no consistent patterns in the long‐term dynamics of body size. The long‐term dynamics of Dreissena populations probably are driven by the ecological characteristics (e.g., predation, nutrient inputs, water temperature) and their temporal changes at individual sites rather than following a generalized time course that applies across many sites. Existing long‐term data sets on dreissenid populations, although clearly valuable, are inadequate to meet research and management needs. Data sets could be improved by standardizing sampling designs and methods, routinely collecting more variables, and increasing support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A dilated native right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) presents unique challenges for transcatheter management using balloon-expandable valves. The Alterra Adaptive Prestent was designed to expand transcatheter therapy to treat patients with dilated RVOTs., Objectives: The aim of this study was to report 2-year outcomes of the main cohort of the ALTERRA (Multicenter Study of Congenital Pulmonic Valve Dysfunction Studying the SAPIEN 3 THV With the Alterra Adaptive Prestent) pivotal trial using the prestent with transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement., Methods: The prestent device used with the 29 mm SAPIEN 3 transcatheter heart valve (THV) was evaluated for the management of patients with moderate or greater pulmonary valve regurgitation (PR). The primary endpoint was THV dysfunction at 6 months, defined as a nonhierarchical composite of RVOT/pulmonary valve reintervention, moderate or greater total PR on transthoracic echocardiography, and mean RVOT/pulmonary valve gradient 35 mm Hg or greater on transthoracic echocardiography. The primary endpoint and outcomes through 2 years are presented in this analysis., Results: Of 97 patients screened, 60 underwent prestent and THV implantation. There was 1 staged procedure. No patients had THV dysfunction at 6 months. At 2 years, the majority of patients (92.5%) had mild or less PR, with no reports of coronary compression, stent fractures warranting reintervention, or endocarditis. Of the 21 patients (34.4%) who experienced early (days 0-1) arrhythmias, 12 had episodes of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia that resolved with medication. One patient underwent reintervention secondary to an iatrogenic RVOT obstruction; there were no deaths or explantations through 2 years., Conclusions: The Alterra prestent in combination with the SAPIEN 3 THV has excellent outcomes at 2 years, with no significant valve dysfunction in the main pivotal cohort., Competing Interests: Funding Support and Author Disclosures Edwards Lifesciences sponsored this study. Dr Dimas is a proctor and consultant for Edwards Lifesciences, Medtronic, and B. Braun; and is a consultant for Abbott. Dr Babaliaros is a consultant for Edwards Lifesciences and Abbott Vascular; and holds stock options in TransMural Systems. Dr Kim is a consultant for Edwards Lifesciences. Dr Lim has received research grants to his institution on his behalf from Abbott, atHeart, Boston Scientific, Corvia, Edwards Lifesciences, Medtronic, V-Wave, and W.L. Gore; and has received personal consulting fees from LagunaTech, Philips, Valgen, and Venus. Dr Morgan is a consultant and proctor for Edwards Lifesciences. Dr Jones is a consultant for Edwards Lifesciences and atHeart Medical; and is a consultant and proctor for Medtronic, Abbott, and W.L. Gore. Dr Armstrong is a consultant for Abbott, Medtronic, Edwards Lifesciences, and Starlight Cardiovascular. Dr Berman is a consultant and proctor for Abbott, B. Braun, Edwards Lifesciences, and Medtronic. Dr Aboulhosn is a consultant and proctor for Edwards Lifesciences and Medtronic. Dr Mahadevan is principal investigator for clinical trials sponsored by Abbott, and RECOR Medical; and is a proctor for Edwards Lifesciences. Dr Gillespie is a consultant and proctor for Abbott, Medtronic, and W.L. Gore. Dr Balzer is a consultant and proctor for Abbott, Edwards Lifesciences, and Medtronic. Dr Yu is an employee of Edwards Lifesciences. Dr Shirali has received institutional grant funding from Edwards Lifesciences. Dr Parthiban has received grant funding to the institution from Edwards Lifesciences. Dr Leipsic has institutional computed tomography core laboratory contracts with Edwards Lifesciences, Medtronic, Abbott, and Boston Scientific. Dr Blanke is a consultant for Edwards Lifesciences and LARALAB. Dr Zahn is a consultant for Abbott, Edwards Lifesciences, and Medtronic. Dr Shahanavaz is a consultant for Edwards Lifesciences and Medtronic. Dr Zellers has reported that he has no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Context: The European Association of Urology (EAU) has updated its guidelines on sexual and reproductive health for 2021., Objective: To present a summary of the 2021 version of the EAU guidelines on sexual and reproductive health, including advances and areas of controversy in male infertility., Evidence Acquisition: The panel performed a comprehensive literature review of novel data up to January 2021. The guidelines were updated and a strength rating for each recommendation was included that was based either on a systematic review of the literature or consensus opinion from the expert panel, where applicable., Evidence Synthesis: The male partner in infertile couples should undergo a comprehensive urological assessment to identify and treat any modifiable risk factors causing fertility impairment. Infertile men are at a higher risk of harbouring and developing other diseases including malignancy and cardiovascular disease and should be screened for potential modifiable risk factors, such as hypogonadism. Sperm DNA fragmentation testing has emerged as a novel biomarker that can identify infertile men and provide information on the outcomes from assisted reproductive techniques. The role of hormone stimulation therapy in hypergonadotropic hypogonadal or eugonadal patients is controversial and is not recommended outside of clinical trials. Furthermore, there is insufficient evidence to support the widespread use of other empirical treatments and surgical interventions in clinical practice (such as antioxidants and surgical sperm retrieval in men without azoospermia). There is low-quality evidence to support the routine use of testicular fine-needle mapping as an alternative diagnostic and predictive tool before testicular sperm extraction (TESE) in men with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA), and either conventional or microdissection TESE remains the surgical modality of choice for men with NOA., Conclusions: All infertile men should undergo a comprehensive urological assessment to identify and treat any modifiable risk factors. Increasing data indicate that infertile men are at higher risk of cardiovascular mortality and of developing cancers and should be screened and counselled accordingly. There is low-quality evidence supporting the use of empirical treatments and interventions currently used in clinical practice; the efficacy of these therapies needs to be validated in large-scale randomised controlled trials., Patient Summary: Approximately 50% of infertility will be due to problems with the male partner. Therefore, all infertile men should be assessed by a specialist with the expertise to not only help optimise their fertility but also because they are at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease and cancer long term and therefore require appropriate counselling and management. There are many treatments and interventions for male infertility that have not been validated in high-quality studies and caution should be applied to their use in routine clinical practice., (Copyright © 2021 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To investigate whether age and valve size at implant contribute to outcomes after Melody transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement (TPVR)., Background: Patient age and valve size at implant contribute to longevity of surgical pulmonary valves., Methods: All patients discharged with a Melody valve in the pulmonary position, as part of three prospective Melody valve multicenter studies, comprised the study cohort. Acute and time-related outcomes were analyzed according to age: children (≤12 years), adolescents (13-18 years), young adults (19-29 years), and older adults (≥30 years)., Results: Successful Melody valve implantation occurred in 49 children, 107 adolescents, 96 young adults, and 57 older adults. Pediatric patients (≤18 years) were more likely to have TPVR for conduit stenosis than adults (62% vs. 44%); children had the smallest conduits. After TPVR, pediatric and adult patients had similar decreases in right ventricular (RV) size by MRI, but adults had improved percentage predicted peak VO 2 (58% preimplant to 64% postimplant, p = .02) and FEV1 (69% pre to 71% post, p = .005). Younger age was associated with shorter freedom from RVOT dysfunction, reintervention, and explant. Children had the shortest freedom from endocarditis (p = .041), but all other groups had 5-year freedom from endocarditis of ≥90%., Conclusions: Younger age was associated with shorter time to RVOT dysfunction, reintervention, and explant after Melody TPVR. Patients ≥13 years of age were at low risk for endocarditis and explant to 5 years. A better understanding of time-related outcomes by age will aid in the comparison of therapeutic options for TPVR candidates., Clinical Trial Registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00740870 (NCT00740870), https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01186692 (NCT01186692), and https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00688571 (NCT00688571)., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Objectives: This study describes procedural and 1-year outcomes of the 16 mm Melody PB1016 valve in patients with dysfunctional RVOT conduits., Background: The Melody PB1016 is a standard Melody valve produced from a 16 mm bovine jugular vein and is intended for deployment up to 20 mm., Methods: This is a prospective, non-randomized, multicenter study of the procedural and short-term outcomes of Melody PB1016 TPV replacement within dysfunctional RVOT conduits. Data from eight centers were included in the analysis., Results: During the study period, 39 patients underwent attempted Melody TPVR. Of the 39 patients, 30 underwent successful Melody TPVR. The majority of patients underwent placement of one or more stents prior to TPVR. There was a significant reduction in peak conduit pressure gradient following TPVR (38 mmHg vs. 11 mmHg, P < 0.001). There were three cases of confined conduit tears successfully treated with covered stents or the valve itself. Repeat catheterization was performed in one patient for early re-obstruction that was successfully treated with balloon valvuloplasty. At recent follow-up, there were no cases of more than mild valve regurgitation and the mean pulmonary valve gradient by echocardiogram remained reduced relative to pre-TPVR implant measurements (33.5 mmHg vs. 15.2 mmHg). There were no cases of valve stent fracture or endocarditis reported at the 1-year follow-up., Conclusions: Our analysis of TPVR with the PB1016 valve in RVOT conduits showed it to be safe and effective and can be performed in a wide range of conduit sizes with preserved valve function. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02347189., (© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)