Effect of seminal plasma on hipoosmotic swelling test in fresh alpaca spermatozoa

A study was designed with the objective of evaluating the effect of seminal plasma on the response to the hypoosmotic swelling test (HOST) in alpaca spermatozoa, for which three experimental groups were organized as follows: Group 1(n=15) plasma free sperm seminal (obtained from the vas deferens, aspirated in PBS), Group 2(n=15) free seminal plasma sperm reconstituted with seminal plasma (obtained from the vas deferens, aspirated in PBS, mixed in 50/50% with seminal plasma) and Group 3(n=15) whole semen (obtained by artificial vagina), The samples were incubated in a hypoosmotic solution adjusted to 100mOsmol (sodium citrate+fructose+2H2Ocsp 100mL). 0.1mL of semen+0.9mL of hypoosmotic solution was mixed, incubated for 30minutes in a water bath at 37°C and the reaction was stopped with 0.1mL of 4% formaldehyde. A count of at least 200 spermatozoa was performed per sample, using an optical microscope with immersion objective (100X), the vitality was evaluated by supravital eosin staining (0.7%)-nigrosin(1%), the results indicate that it does not exist a detrimental effect of the seminal plasma on the endosmotic response, being, on the contrary, superior in the whole semen; the vitality of the spermatozoa with and without seminal plasma is similar, however it decreases when it is reconstituted with seminal plasma, possibly due to the seminal plasma of another animal; there is no positive correlation between endosmosis and vitality, indicating that the latter would not necessarily reflect the integrity of the membrane, which is why it is recommended to perform this test routinely in alpaca semen exams

Historical trends in Hg, Pb and Zn sedimentation in the central shelf area of Portugal

Temporal records of excess 210Pb, and the determination of major (Al and Ca) and trace elements (Zn, Cr, Ni, Pb, Cu and Hg) in two sediment box-cores, collected in the central area of the Portuguese shelf of North of the Nazaré canyon (offshore from the Lis River), allow evaluation of the deposition of various chemical elements normally associated with anthropogenic activities. In order to compensate for the natural sediment variability, heavy metal contents were normalised to Al. Temporal variations of Hg, Pb and Zn (Al-normalised) show an increasing trend since the beginning of the 1920’s, recording the development of industrial activities. Enrichment factors (EF) were calculated to estimate the level of contamination in these sediments. Mercury is the element with the highest average EF values (EF = 3), followed by Pb (EF = 1.5) and Zn (EF = 1.2). The results indicate that since 1991 64% of total Hg, 44% of total Pb and 24% of total Zn are derived from anthropogenic sources. The average anthropogenic fluxes of Hg, Pb and Zn (0.008, 3, 6 μg cm-2yr-1, respectively) for the last 40 years in a ca. 400 km2 deposition area represent a total accumulation of approximately 30, 12000 and 24400 kg per year of Hg, Pb and Zn, respectively. These results indicate that despite the high-energy conditions and the generally sandy nature of the Portuguese shelf sediments, it is possible to identify significant anthropogenic enrichments in some areas of sediment accumulation. These contaminants are not necessarily related to immediate sources but may instead indicate atmospheric and or marine transport from more distant sources.Los registros temporales del 210Pb en exceso, elementos mayores (Al y Ca), y elementos traza (Zn, Cr, Ni, Pb, Cu y Hg) de 2 box-cores procedentes de la plataforma continental al norte del cañón de Nazaré han permitido caracterizar depósitos de elementos químicos asociados a actividades antropogénicas. Los contenidos de metales pesados han sido normalizados con Al para compensar la variabilidad natural. La variación temporal de Hg, Pb y Zn, normalizados con Al, muestran un incremento desde el inicio de la década de 1920 reflejando el desarrollo de la actividad humana. El nivel de contaminación de los sedimentos ha sido calculado en base a Factores de Enriquecimiento (EF). Los valores medios más altos de FE son de mercurio (EF = 3), seguidos de plomo (EF = 1.5) y zinc (EF = 1.2). Los resultados obtenidos indican que a partir de 1991 el 64% del total de Hg, 44% del total de Pb y 24% del total de Zn son de origen antropogénico. La media para los últimos 40 años de los flujos de Hg, Pb y Zn (0.008, 3, 6 μg cm-2 año-1, respectivamente), en un área de deposición de aproximadamente 400 km2, se traduce en la acumulación de 30, 12000 y 24400 kg por año de Hg, Pb y Zn. Sin embargo, a pesar de las condiciones de alta energía y el carácter arenoso de los sedimentos de la plataforma continental portuguesa, se pueden identificar importantes enriquecimientos antropogénicos en depocentros de sedimentos, no relacionados con fuentes antropogénicas próximas pero que pueden indicar transporte marino y atmosférico de fuentes de contaminación distantes

Evening choruses in the Perth Canyon and their potential link with Myctophidae fishes

An evening chorus centered at near 2.2 kHz was detected across the years 2000 to 2014 from seabed receivers in 430-490 m depth overlooking the Perth Canyon, Western Australia. The chorus reached a maximum level typically 2.1 h post-sunset and normally ran for 2.1 h (between 3 dB down points). It was present at lower levels across most of the hours of darkness. Maximum chorus spectrum levels were 74-76 dB re 1 µPa2/Hz in the 2 kHz 1/3 octave band, averaging 6-12 dB and up to 30 dB greater than pre-sunset levels. The chorus displayed highest levels over April to August each year with up to 10 dB differences between seasons. The spatial extent of the chorus was not determined but exceeded the sampling range of 13-15 km offshore from the 300 m depth contour and 33 km along the 300 m depth contour. The chorus comprised short damped pulses. The most likely chorus source is considered to be fishes of the family Myctophidae foraging in the water column. The large chorus spatial extent and its apparent correlation with regions of high productivity suggest it may act as an acoustic beacon to marine fauna indicating regions of high biomass

USE OF HIGH SURFACE NANOFIBROUS MATERIALS IN MEDICINE

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Prospect theory, mitigation and adaptation to climate change

Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges in current environmental policy. Appropriate policies intended to stimulate efficient adaptation and mitigation should not exclusively rely on the assumption of the homo oeconomicus, but take advantage of well-researched alternative behavioural patterns. Prospect theory provides a number of climate-relevant insights, such as the notion that evaluations of outcomes are reference dependent, and the relevance of perceived certainty of outcomes. This paper systematically reviews what prospect theory can offer to analyse mitigation and adaptation. It is shown that accounting for reference dependence and certainty effects contributes to a better understanding of some well-known puzzles in the climate debate, including (but not limited to) the different uptake of mitigation and adaptation amongst individuals and nations, the role of technical vs. financial adaptation, and the apparent preference for hard protection measures in coastal adaptation. Finally, concrete possibilities for empirical research on these effects are proposed

Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19-Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19-free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19-free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS: Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19-free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19-free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score-matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION: Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19-free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Elective cancer surgery in COVID-19-free surgical pathways during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: An international, multicenter, comparative cohort study

PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19–free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19–free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19–free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19–free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score–matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19–free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks