Physical and molecular characteristics of day 75 nuclear transfer cloned bovine conceptuses

2012 Spring.Includes bibliographical references.This study was designed to measure fetal and placental characteristics in bovine day 75 nuclear transfer and control pregnancies. Responses included mRNA concentration of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system [IGF-1, IGF-2, IGF1R, IGF2R, IGFBBP-1, -2, -3] and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) system [VEGF, PlGF, VEGF1R, and VEGF2R]. Fetal attrition of the cloned pregnancies up to day 75 was high (89%, 63 out of 71 frozen embryos transferred; 8 of 16 cloned conceptuses present on day 30 survived to day 75, as did 5 of 5 controls). No significant differences in mean weights of large and medium placentomes were observed between 8 clones and 5 controls. However, the variance of mean weight of large placentomes was greater in clones than in controls; one gestation had placentomes six standard deviations larger than controls. Interestingly, the mean umbilical cord weight/length ratio was significantly greater for clones (P 0.1) between clones and controls. However, unequal variances were common, and data points with statistical outlier behavior were observed for clones, which highlights the heterogeneity of the cloned population. This variation in gene expression may exacerbate abnormal placentation later in gestation, and might explain some of the increased morbidity and mortality seen in calves resulting from cloning by nuclear transfer

Outcomes from elective colorectal cancer surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

This study aimed to describe the change in surgical practice and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on mortality after surgical resection of colorectal cancer during the initial phases of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

BHPR research: qualitative1. Complex reasoning determines patients' perception of outcome following foot surgery in rheumatoid arhtritis

Background: Foot surgery is common in patients with RA but research into surgical outcomes is limited and conceptually flawed as current outcome measures lack face validity: to date no one has asked patients what is important to them. This study aimed to determine which factors are important to patients when evaluating the success of foot surgery in RA Methods: Semi structured interviews of RA patients who had undergone foot surgery were conducted and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis of interviews was conducted to explore issues that were important to patients. Results: 11 RA patients (9 ♂, mean age 59, dis dur = 22yrs, mean of 3 yrs post op) with mixed experiences of foot surgery were interviewed. Patients interpreted outcome in respect to a multitude of factors, frequently positive change in one aspect contrasted with negative opinions about another. Overall, four major themes emerged. Function: Functional ability & participation in valued activities were very important to patients. Walking ability was a key concern but patients interpreted levels of activity in light of other aspects of their disease, reflecting on change in functional ability more than overall level. Positive feelings of improved mobility were often moderated by negative self perception ("I mean, I still walk like a waddling duck”). Appearance: Appearance was important to almost all patients but perhaps the most complex theme of all. Physical appearance, foot shape, and footwear were closely interlinked, yet patients saw these as distinct separate concepts. Patients need to legitimize these feelings was clear and they frequently entered into a defensive repertoire ("it's not cosmetic surgery; it's something that's more important than that, you know?”). Clinician opinion: Surgeons' post operative evaluation of the procedure was very influential. The impact of this appraisal continued to affect patients' lasting impression irrespective of how the outcome compared to their initial goals ("when he'd done it ... he said that hasn't worked as good as he'd wanted to ... but the pain has gone”). Pain: Whilst pain was important to almost all patients, it appeared to be less important than the other themes. Pain was predominately raised when it influenced other themes, such as function; many still felt the need to legitimize their foot pain in order for health professionals to take it seriously ("in the end I went to my GP because it had happened a few times and I went to an orthopaedic surgeon who was quite dismissive of it, it was like what are you complaining about”). Conclusions: Patients interpret the outcome of foot surgery using a multitude of interrelated factors, particularly functional ability, appearance and surgeons' appraisal of the procedure. While pain was often noted, this appeared less important than other factors in the overall outcome of the surgery. Future research into foot surgery should incorporate the complexity of how patients determine their outcome Disclosure statement: All authors have declared no conflicts of interes

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

Les types d’utilisation du sol dans les périphéries des villes d’Europe Médiane : le cas de la Pologne et de la Roumanie

International audienceThis research aims to identify the land-use patterns that characterize the peripheries of the cities from Central and Eastern Europe, after the fall of the communism. It wishes to check if there is a common regional pattern and if it is true that suburbanization is following the same trends than in Western Europe. In order to find the similarities or the dissimilarities between cities, the study is based on the review of the literature, as well as on a GIS analysis on the post-socialist urban morphological and functional patterns of the peripheries of 98 cities. An emphasis is put on Polish and Romanian cities, which will be compared with a general model of what characterizes the periphery of the Central and Eastern European city.Cette recherche vise à identifier les types d’utilisation du sol caractérisant les périphéries urbaines en Europe médiane après la chute du communisme. Elle souhaite vérifier s’il existe un type régional commun, et s’il est vrai que la périurbanisation suit les mêmes tendances qu’en Europe occidentale. Afin de déceler les similarités et dissimilarités entre les villes, l’étude est fondée sur une revue de la littérature ainsi que sur une analyse géomatique des types morphologiques et fonctionnels des périphéries de 98 villes. L’accent sera mis sur les villes polonaises et roumaines, qui seront comparées au modèle général des villes d’Europe médiane

Les types d’utilisation du sol dans les périphéries des villes d’Europe Médiane : le cas de la Pologne et de la Roumanie

International audienceThis research aims to identify the land-use patterns that characterize the peripheries of the cities from Central and Eastern Europe, after the fall of the communism. It wishes to check if there is a common regional pattern and if it is true that suburbanization is following the same trends than in Western Europe. In order to find the similarities or the dissimilarities between cities, the study is based on the review of the literature, as well as on a GIS analysis on the post-socialist urban morphological and functional patterns of the peripheries of 98 cities. An emphasis is put on Polish and Romanian cities, which will be compared with a general model of what characterizes the periphery of the Central and Eastern European city.Cette recherche vise à identifier les types d’utilisation du sol caractérisant les périphéries urbaines en Europe médiane après la chute du communisme. Elle souhaite vérifier s’il existe un type régional commun, et s’il est vrai que la périurbanisation suit les mêmes tendances qu’en Europe occidentale. Afin de déceler les similarités et dissimilarités entre les villes, l’étude est fondée sur une revue de la littérature ainsi que sur une analyse géomatique des types morphologiques et fonctionnels des périphéries de 98 villes. L’accent sera mis sur les villes polonaises et roumaines, qui seront comparées au modèle général des villes d’Europe médiane

A comparative analysis of the land-use patterns of the post-socialist urban peripheries in Central and Eastern Europe

International audienceThe literature about post-socialist city mainly addresses the socio-economic and political dimensions of transformations after the fall of communism : decentralization, real estate privatization, motorization of households, growth of services and the end of industrial primacy, etc. (Hausserman, 1996; Kovacs, 1999; Tsenkova and Buckleyand, 2001). It very seldom makes urban morphology and functionality the main entry. Nevertheless, it often claims that urban sprawl has been a new common trend in this region of Europe. This research aims to identify the land-use patterns that characterize urban peripheries in Central and Eastern Europe, after the fall of the communism. It wishes to check if there is a common regional pattern of urban morphology, of land use, or if there are national or regional particularities, defined and influenced by the smoothness of the transition from an urban central planning to a capitalist one. Is it true that suburbanization is the main trend of urban transformation, and if yes, what is its rhythm? Based on the review of the literature, as well as on a GIS approach, the study analyses the peripheries of 132 cities in order to outline their morphological and functional profiles, derived with the aid of indicators like the location quotient, which allows the quantification the spatial concentration for different land-use types. An emphasis is put on Polish and Romanian cities, which are compared with a general model of evolution of the periphery of Central and Eastern European cities. Therefore, are, indeed, the peripheries of the central and eastern European city a ground of chaotic urban development

Europeanisation, westernisation or globalisation of the book market in Poland? Evidence from translation flows in Poland (1980-2022)

The article provides evidence for the opening of Polish culture in the last four decades, focusing on incoming translation flows, i.e., the books translated from foreign languages to Polish. It answers the question of whether the circulation of cultural goods has followed the same pattern as the economy, i.e., a shift towards Western European influences. It shows, with quantitative data completed with qualitative data, that the Polish culture has opened up to Western culture but also to an increasingly global culture. The article explains the differences between both databases used for the research. The evidence further demonstrates that the sociology of translation influences the geography of translation flow

Analyzing the spatial patterns of the urban development in post-socialist cities from Eastern and Central Europe

International audienceThe fall of the communism represents an important element in the history and geography of Central and Eastern Europe. It is clear that its impact was not only on the institutional, political and socio-economic processes, but also on the urban morphology and functionality. Nevertheless, the most often, in the literature, these particularities are explained through the prism of the first processes mentioned above, while the quantification of the spatial processes is quasi-absent. Therefore, this research aims to outline some of the morphological and functional spatial patterns that characterize the post-socialist city from countries of Central and Eastern Europe that are members of the European Union. Using a quantitative methodology, that combines both statistical and GIS methods, the study analyses 132 cities, chosen based on demographic criteria, but also in regard to their position in the national hierarchy. Consequently, the main questions of the study focus on identifying what particularities (if any) can be identified for the morphological and functional pattern of the cities from Central and Eastern Europe? What role (if any) plays the socialist heritage in the spatial patterns of the urban development of post-socialist cities from Eastern and Central Europe? And finally, are there similarities or dissimilarities in regard to the western European city

Trajectoires et inerties territoriales en Europe Centre-orientale

International audienceDans l’analyse des territoires, la diversité des situations locales impose un développement incessant de méthodologies censées les mieux encadrer, diagnostiquer, expliquer et visant même à prédire leurs évolutions par l’intermédiaire de modèles généralisant toujours plus puissants. Ces efforts se concentrent ouvent sur la beauté ou sur la complexité de l’outil méthodologique, au risque de faire passer en second plan l’objet de la recherche. C’est une des conséquences extrêmes de la démarche hypothético-déductive et de la hyperspécialisation des chercheurs. Dans le concert des efforts de description des réalités territoriales de ce laboratoire grandeur-nature qu’est le monde ayant quitté le communisme, notre communication se propose de revaloriser les vertus de l’analyse inductive, partant des cas d’évolution individuelle des entités spatiales/territoriales afin de déceler d’éventuels comportements collectifs, décrivant des classe d’évolution commune, en fonction de différentes échelles fonctionnelles des territoires. L’observation des trajectoires individuelles, depuis 1990, des unités NUTS 3 du territoire roumain permet d’avancer l’idée que l’étude de leurs comportements individuels face aux aléas conjoncturels majeurs (comme par exemple la récente crise économique) peut offrir des informations quant à leur degré d’intégration dans des dynamiques plus larges et par là, à leur degré de participation aux efforts de convergence promus par la politique régionale européenne. Nos études empiriques tendent à suggérer que la similitude des trajectoires cache souvent une grande diversité de situations individuelles, diversité qui retrouve un certain niveau de similarité et d’organisation à des échelles spatiales et fonctionnelles différentes. Par exemple, les courbes de l’évolution du PIB départemental de la capitale nationale et d’une ville régionale située dans une région très pauvre peuvent présenter une allure identique, voire la même pente, tout comme les courbes d’un département fonctionnellement isolé et d’un département fortement intégré dans les réseaux de la mondialisation/européanisation. Il est évident que les réalités cachées derrière ces évolutions statistiquement identiques ou équivalentes sont très différentes. L’analyse et la classification des structures territoriales différentes qui engendrent les mêmes trajectoires est donc au centre de cette communication, qui cible la recherche des invariants (ou des „inertiaux”) spatiaux susceptibles d’esquisser des échelles spatio-fonctionnelles des territoires d’action et/ou des territoires d’intervention. Partant des cas roumain et polonais, notre recherche essaye une généralisation de la méthode à l’échelle des pays de l’Europe Centre-orientale, membres de l’Union Européenne