Effect of climate and insemination technique on reproductive performance of gilts and sows in a subtropical zone of Mexico

The objective of this study was to analyse the reproductive performance of hybrid (Yorkshire x Landrace) gilts/sows in relation to temperature-humidity index (THI) at artificial insemination (AI), season of AI, occurrence of estrus >8 d post-weaning, repeated estrus, insemination technique (cervical, CAI or post-cervical, PCAI) and parity. Data included 8851 reproductive records (1771 for gilts and 7080 for sows) from a pig farm in a sub-tropical zone (THI ranged from 72.9 in January to 81.8 in June). A decrease in pregnancy rate (PR, 89.8 vs 93.0%; P<0.01) and a tendency to decline farrowing rate (FR, 87.9 vs 90.3%; P=0.07) following AI during high THI (>82), compared to AI at <74 THI were observed. The spring and summer season were associated with decreased (P<0.01) PR compared with fall and winter (90.0% vs 93.0%). Likewise, FR decreased in spring and summer compared to fall and winter (88.5% vs. 90.9%). FR was higher (P<0.01) in non-repeat breeders compared with that of repeat-breeders (90.3% vs 76.2%). Litter size increased (P<0.01) from 10.8 ± 3.2 to 11.1 ± 3.1 pigs when the interval from weaning to estrus was >8 d. The insemination technique did not affect PR and FR but the litter size decreased (P<0.05) from 11.3 ± 3.0 to 11.1 ± 2.9 pigs when PCAI was used compared to CAI. This study reaffirms the negative effects of the hot season on reproductive performance of gilts/sows, although thermal stress at AI did not cause foetal losses. Also, there is no advantage in using the PCAI as compared to the CAI in gilts/sows with high numbers of sperm cells per AI

RF tumor ablation with internally cooled electrodes and saline infusion: what is the optimal location of the saline infusion?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of tumors by means of internally cooled electrodes (ICE) combined with interstitial infusion of saline may improve clinical results. To date, infusion has been conducted through outlets placed on the surface of the cooled electrode. However, the effect of infusion at a distance from the electrode surface is unknown. Our aim was to assess the effect of perfusion distance (PD) on the coagulation geometry and deposited power during RFA using ICE.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Experiments were performed on excised bovine livers. Perfusion distance (PD) was defined as the shortest distance between the infusion outlet and the surface of the ICE. We considered three values of PD: 0, 2 and 4 mm. Two sets of experiments were considered: 1) 15 ablations of 10 minutes (n ≥ 4 for each PD), in order to evaluate the effect of PD on volume and diameters of coagulation; and 2) 20 additional ablations of 20 minutes. The effect of PD on deposited power and relative frequency of uncontrolled impedance rises (roll-off) was evaluated using the results from the two sets of experiments (n ≥ 7 for each PD). Comparisons between PD were performed by analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis test. Additionally, non-linear regression models were performed to elucidate the best PD in terms of coagulation volume and diameter, and the occurrence of uncontrolled impedance rises.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The best-fit least square functions were always obtained with quadratic curves where volume and diameters of coagulation were maximum for a PD of 2 mm. A thirty per cent increase in volume coagulation was observed for this PD value compared to other values (<it>P </it>< 0.05). Likewise, the short coagulation diameter was nearly twenty five per cent larger for a 2 mm PD than for 0 mm. Regarding deposited power, the best-fit least square function was obtained by a quadratic curve with a 2 mm PD peak. This matched well with the higher relative frequency of uncontrolled impedance rises for PD of 0 and 4 mm.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Saline perfusion at around 2 mm from the electrode surface while using an ICE in RFA improves deposition of energy and enlarges coagulation volume.</p

Effect of surgical experience and spine subspecialty on the reliability of the {AO} Spine Upper Cervical Injury Classification System

OBJECTIVE The objective of this paper was to determine the interobserver reliability and intraobserver reproducibility of the AO Spine Upper Cervical Injury Classification System based on surgeon experience (&lt; 5 years, 5–10 years, 10–20 years, and &gt; 20 years) and surgical subspecialty (orthopedic spine surgery, neurosurgery, and "other" surgery). METHODS A total of 11,601 assessments of upper cervical spine injuries were evaluated based on the AO Spine Upper Cervical Injury Classification System. Reliability and reproducibility scores were obtained twice, with a 3-week time interval. Descriptive statistics were utilized to examine the percentage of accurately classified injuries, and Pearson’s chi-square or Fisher’s exact test was used to screen for potentially relevant differences between study participants. Kappa coefficients (κ) determined the interobserver reliability and intraobserver reproducibility. RESULTS The intraobserver reproducibility was substantial for surgeon experience level (&lt; 5 years: 0.74 vs 5–10 years: 0.69 vs 10–20 years: 0.69 vs &gt; 20 years: 0.70) and surgical subspecialty (orthopedic spine: 0.71 vs neurosurgery: 0.69 vs other: 0.68). Furthermore, the interobserver reliability was substantial for all surgical experience groups on assessment 1 (&lt; 5 years: 0.67 vs 5–10 years: 0.62 vs 10–20 years: 0.61 vs &gt; 20 years: 0.62), and only surgeons with &gt; 20 years of experience did not have substantial reliability on assessment 2 (&lt; 5 years: 0.62 vs 5–10 years: 0.61 vs 10–20 years: 0.61 vs &gt; 20 years: 0.59). Orthopedic spine surgeons and neurosurgeons had substantial intraobserver reproducibility on both assessment 1 (0.64 vs 0.63) and assessment 2 (0.62 vs 0.63), while other surgeons had moderate reliability on assessment 1 (0.43) and fair reliability on assessment 2 (0.36). CONCLUSIONS The international reliability and reproducibility scores for the AO Spine Upper Cervical Injury Classification System demonstrated substantial intraobserver reproducibility and interobserver reliability regardless of surgical experience and spine subspecialty. These results support the global application of this classification system

Effect of remote ischaemic conditioning on clinical outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (CONDI-2/ERIC-PPCI): a single-blind randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Remote ischaemic conditioning with transient ischaemia and reperfusion applied to the arm has been shown to reduce myocardial infarct size in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). We investigated whether remote ischaemic conditioning could reduce the incidence of cardiac death and hospitalisation for heart failure at 12 months. METHODS: We did an international investigator-initiated, prospective, single-blind, randomised controlled trial (CONDI-2/ERIC-PPCI) at 33 centres across the UK, Denmark, Spain, and Serbia. Patients (age >18 years) with suspected STEMI and who were eligible for PPCI were randomly allocated (1:1, stratified by centre with a permuted block method) to receive standard treatment (including a sham simulated remote ischaemic conditioning intervention at UK sites only) or remote ischaemic conditioning treatment (intermittent ischaemia and reperfusion applied to the arm through four cycles of 5-min inflation and 5-min deflation of an automated cuff device) before PPCI. Investigators responsible for data collection and outcome assessment were masked to treatment allocation. The primary combined endpoint was cardiac death or hospitalisation for heart failure at 12 months in the intention-to-treat population. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02342522) and is completed. FINDINGS: Between Nov 6, 2013, and March 31, 2018, 5401 patients were randomly allocated to either the control group (n=2701) or the remote ischaemic conditioning group (n=2700). After exclusion of patients upon hospital arrival or loss to follow-up, 2569 patients in the control group and 2546 in the intervention group were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. At 12 months post-PPCI, the Kaplan-Meier-estimated frequencies of cardiac death or hospitalisation for heart failure (the primary endpoint) were 220 (8·6%) patients in the control group and 239 (9·4%) in the remote ischaemic conditioning group (hazard ratio 1·10 [95% CI 0·91-1·32], p=0·32 for intervention versus control). No important unexpected adverse events or side effects of remote ischaemic conditioning were observed. INTERPRETATION: Remote ischaemic conditioning does not improve clinical outcomes (cardiac death or hospitalisation for heart failure) at 12 months in patients with STEMI undergoing PPCI. FUNDING: British Heart Foundation, University College London Hospitals/University College London Biomedical Research Centre, Danish Innovation Foundation, Novo Nordisk Foundation, TrygFonden

Vegetation on geomorphic surfaces in the Monserrat Island in the Gulf of California

ABSTRACT Knowledge about vegetation patterns along topographic gradients is crucial for conservation and management of arid islands. The objective of this study was to identify environmental, soil, and topography variables affecting plant distribution in Monserrat Island. A floristic and environmental survey was undertaken on this island (25o 41’ 00” N, 111o 03’ 00” W; 19.9 km2) in the Gulf of California, Mexico. Seven geoform zones were distinguished. The vegetation is predominantly a sarcocaule xerophilous scrub which develops mainly in ravines and bottoms of streams. One hundred fourteen species were recorded, of which 33 plants (28.9%) are endemic belonging to 92 genera and 38 families of vascular plants. The most abundant families were: Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Poaceae, and Cactaceae. The Bursera trees are more abundant in areas with little steep slopes (less than 25o). On areas with steep slopes (greater than 45o), the development of vegetation is scarce. Northern exposure slopes had denser vegetation, with higher canopy cover values. Slope was far more reliably measure for describing vegetation distribution than altitude, although, the latter variable influences Olneya tesota. Euphorbia magdalenae was strongly associated with slope, and both Jouvea pilosa and Marina parryi was influenced by soil characteristics. Jatropha cuneata was found in almost all geoforms. It was concluded that Monserrat Island possesses a distinctive mix of xeric species making this island unique due to the high presence of endemic plants.RESUMEN El conocimiento de los patrones de la vegetación en gradientes topográficos es crucial para la conservación y el manejo de islas en ecosistemas áridos. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar variables ambientales, de suelo y topográficas que afectan la distribución de las plantas en la Isla Monserrat. Se realizó un estudio florístico y ambiental en esta isla (25o 41’ 00” N, 111o 03’ 00” O; 19.9 km2) en el Golfo de California, México. Se distinguieron siete geoformas. La vegetación es predominantemente un matorral sarcocaule xerófilo que se desarrolla principalmente en barrancos y fondo de arroyos. Se registraron 114 especies de plantas, de las cuales 33 (28.9%) son endémicas y pertenecen a 92 géneros y 38 familias de plantas vasculares. Las familias más abundantes fueron: Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Poaceae y Cactaceae. Los árboles de Bursera son más abundantes en áreas con pequeñas pendientes pronunciadas (menos de 25o). En áreas con pendientes pronunciadas (más de 45o), el desarrollo de la vegetación es escaso. Las pendientes de exposición norte tienen una vegetación más densa, con valores más altos de cobertura del dosel. La pendiente fue mucho más confiable para describir la distribución de la vegetación que la altitud, aunque esta última variable influye en Olneya tesota. Euphorbia magdalenae está fuertemente asociada con la pendiente, y tanto Jouvea pilosa como Marina parryi están influenciadas por las características del suelo. Jatropha cuneata se encontró en casi todas las geoformas. Se concluyó que la Isla Monserrat posee una mezcla distintiva de especies xéricas que hacen que esta isla sea única debido a la alta presencia de plantas endémicas

Small ablation zones created previous to saline infusion result in enlargement of the coagulated area during perfusion RF ablation: an ex vivo experimental study

[EN] One of the strategies for enlarging coagulation zone dimensions during RF ablation of liver tumours is to infuse saline solutions into the tissue during ablation. The aim of this study was to evaluate experimentally whether the creation of a small coagulation adjacent to a bipolar RF applicator and prior to perfused RF ablation would allow enlargement of the coagulation zone. Thirty bipolar RF ablations (group A, n = 15; group B, n = 15) were performed in excised bovine livers. Additionally, in group B a monopolar RF application (60 W, 20 s) was performed before bipolar ablation using three small additional electrodes. Electrical parameters and dimensions of the ablation zone were compared between groups. Despite the fact that all three ablation zone diameters were greater in group B, only one of the minor diameters was significantly longer (5.52 +/- 0.66 cm versus 4.87 +/- 0.47 cm). Likewise, volume was significantly bigger in group B(100.26 +/- 24.10 cm(3) versus 79.56 +/- 15.59 cm(3)). There were no differences in the impedance evolution, allowing a relatively high constant power in both groups (around 90 W). The efficacy of delivering energy (expressed as the delivered energy per coagulation volume) was significantly better in group B, showing a lower value (578 J cm(-3) versus 752 J cm(-3)). These results suggest that the creation of small ablation zones prior to saline infusion improves the performance of this perfusion system, and hence the total volume.The authors would like to thank the R+D+i Linguistic Assistance Office at the Universidad Politécnica of Valencia for their help in revising this paper. They also thank the reviewers for their constructive comments. This work was partially supported by the Programa de Promoción de la Investigación Biomédica y en Ciencias de la Salud del Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo of Spain (PI052498) and by the Plan Nacional de Investigación Científica, Desarrollo e Innovación Tecnológica del Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia of Spain (TEC 2005-04199/TCM).Navarro, AC.; Burdío, F.; Berjano, E.; Güemes, A.; Burdío, JM.; Sousa, R.; Lozano, R.... (2007). Small ablation zones created previous to saline infusion result in enlargement of the coagulated area during perfusion RF ablation: an ex vivo experimental study. Physiological Measurement. 28(6):29-37. https://doi.org/10.1088/0967-3334/28/6/N02S2937286Aubé, C., Schmidt, D., Brieger, J., Schenk, M., Kroeber, S., Vielle, B., … Pereira, P. L. (2006). Influence of NaCl Concentrations on Coagulation, Temperature, and Electrical Conductivity Using a Perfusion Radiofrequency Ablation System: An Ex Vivo Experimental Study. CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology, 30(1), 92-97. doi:10.1007/s00270-006-0091-yBerjano, E. J., Burdío, F., Navarro, A. C., Burdío, J. M., Güemes, A., Aldana, O., … Gregorio, M. A. de. (2006). Improved perfusion system for bipolar radiofrequency ablation of liver: preliminary findings from a computer modeling study. Physiological Measurement, 27(10), N55-N66. doi:10.1088/0967-3334/27/10/n03Boehm, T., Malich, A., Goldberg, S. N., Reichenbach, J. R., Hilger, I., Hauff, P., … Kaiser, W. A. (2002). Radio-frequency Tumor Ablation: Internally Cooled Electrode versus Saline-enhanced Technique in an Aggressive Rabbit Tumor Model. Radiology, 222(3), 805-813. doi:10.1148/radiol.2223010573Bowles, B. J. (2001). Safety and Efficacy of Radiofrequency Thermal Ablation in Advanced Liver Tumors. Archives of Surgery, 136(8), 864. doi:10.1001/archsurg.136.8.864Burdı́o, F., Güemes, A., Burdı́o, J. M., Navarro, A., Sousa, R., Castiella, T., … Lozano, R. (2003). Large hepatic ablation with bipolar saline-enhanced radiofrequency: an experimental study in in vivo porcine liver with a novel approach. Journal of Surgical Research, 110(1), 193-201. doi:10.1016/s0022-4804(02)00091-4Burdío, F., Güemes, A., Burdío, J. M., Navarro, A., Sousa, R., Castiella, T., … Lozano, R. (2003). Bipolar Saline-enhanced Electrode for Radiofrequency Ablation: Results of Experimental Study of in Vivo Porcine Liver. Radiology, 229(2), 447-456. doi:10.1148/radiol.2292020978Burdío, F., Navarro, A., Sousa, R., Burdío, J. M., Güemes, A., Gonzalez, A., … de Gregorio, M. A. (2006). Evolving technology in bipolar perfused radiofrequency ablation: assessment of efficacy, predictability and safety in a pig liver model. European Radiology, 16(8), 1826-1834. doi:10.1007/s00330-005-0131-zCurley, S. A. (2003). Radiofrequency Ablation of Malignant Liver Tumors. Annals of Surgical Oncology, 10(4), 338-347. doi:10.1245/aso.2003.07.017Elias, D., Baton, O., Sideris, L., Matsuhisa, T., Pocard, M., & Lasser, P. (2004). Local Recurrences After Intraoperative Radiofrequency Ablation of Liver Metastases: A Comparative Study with Anatomic and Wedge Resections. Annals of Surgical Oncology, 11(5), 500-505. doi:10.1245/aso.2004.08.019Nahum Goldberg, S., Scott Gazelle, G., Solbiati, L., Rittman, W. J., & Mueller, P. R. (1996). Radiofrequency tissue ablation: Increased lesion diameter with a perfusion electrode. Academic Radiology, 3(8), 636-644. doi:10.1016/s1076-6332(96)80188-7Haemmerich, D., Lee, F. T., Schutt, D. J., Sampson, L. A., Webster, J. G., Fine, J. P., & Mahvi, D. M. (2005). Large-Volume Radiofrequency Ablation of ex Vivo Bovine Liver with Multiple Cooled Cluster Electrodes. Radiology, 234(2), 563-568. doi:10.1148/radiol.2342031122Haemmerich, D., Staelin, T., Tungjitkusolmun, S., Lee, F. T., Mahvi, D. M., & Webster, J. G. (2001). Hepatic bipolar radio-frequency ablation between separated multiprong electrodes. IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, 48(10), 1145-1152. doi:10.1109/10.951517Haemmerich, D., Wright, A. W., Mahvi, D. M., Lee, F. T., & Webster, J. G. (2003). Hepatic bipolar radiofrequency ablation creates coagulation zones close to blood vessels: A finite element study. Medical and Biological Engineering and Computing, 41(3), 317-323. doi:10.1007/bf02348437Hänsler, J., Neureiter, D., Wasserburger, M., Janka, R., Bernatik, T., Schneider, T., … Strobel, D. (2004). Percutaneous US-guided Radiofrequency Ablation with Perfused Needle Applicators: Improved Survival with the VX2 Tumor Model in Rabbits. Radiology, 230(1), 169-174. doi:10.1148/radiol.2301021136HOEY, M. F., DIXON, C. M., & PAUL, S. (1998). Transurethral Prostate Ablation Using Saline-Liquid Electrode Introduced via Flexible Cystoscope. Journal of Endourology, 12(5), 461-468. doi:10.1089/end.1998.12.461Kettenbach, J., Köstler, W., Rücklinger, E., Gustorff, B., Hüpfl, M., Wolf, F., … Goldberg, S. N. (2003). Percutaneous Saline-Enhanced Radiofrequency Ablation of Unresectable Hepatic Tumors: Initial Experience in 26 Patients. American Journal of Roentgenology, 180(6), 1537-1545. doi:10.2214/ajr.180.6.1801537Lee, J. M., Han, J. K., Kim, S. H., Lee, J. Y., Choi, S. H., & Choi, B. I. (2004). Hepatic bipolar radiofrequency ablation using perfused-cooled electrodes: a comparative study in theex vivobovine liver. The British Journal of Radiology, 77(923), 944-949. doi:10.1259/bjr/67069976Lee, J. M., Han, J. K., Kim, S. H., Sohn, K. L., Choi, S. H., & Choi, B. I. (2004). Bipolar radiofrequency ablation in ex vivo bovine liver with the open-perfused system versus the cooled-wet system. European Radiology, 15(4), 759-764. doi:10.1007/s00330-004-2375-4Livraghi, T., Goldberg, S. N., Monti, F., Bizzini, A., Lazzaroni, S., Meloni, F., … Gazelle, G. S. (1997). Saline-enhanced radio-frequency tissue ablation in the treatment of liver metastases. Radiology, 202(1), 205-210. doi:10.1148/radiology.202.1.8988212Miao, Y., Ni, Y., Mulier, S., Yu, J., De Wever, I., Penninckx, F., … Marchal, G. (2000). Treatment of VX2 liver tumor in rabbits with «wet» electrode mediated radio-frequency ablation. European Radiology, 10(1), 188-194. doi:10.1007/s003300050031Miao, Y., Ni, Y., Yu, J., Zhang, H., Baert, A., & Marchal, G. (2001). An ex vivo study on radiofrequency tissue ablation: increased lesion size by using an «expandable-wet» electrode. European Radiology, 11(9), 1841-1847. doi:10.1007/s003300100891Mulier, S., Miao, Y., Mulier, P., Dupas, B., Pereira, P., de Baere, T., … Ni, Y. (2005). Electrodes and multiple electrode systems for radiofrequency ablation: a proposal for updated terminology. European Radiology, 15(4), 798-808. doi:10.1007/s00330-004-2584-xPereira, P. 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RF tumor ablation with internally cooled electrodes and saline infusion: what is the optimal location of the saline infusion?-3

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "RF tumor ablation with internally cooled electrodes and saline infusion: what is the optimal location of the saline infusion?"</p><p>http://www.biomedical-engineering-online.com/content/6/1/30</p><p>BioMedical Engineering OnLine 2007;6():30-30.</p><p>Published online 16 Jul 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC1936989.</p><p></p>adratic) relationship between distance and coagulation volume (A), maximum transverse diameter of coagulation (B), and minimum transverse diameter (C). Goodness of fit of the models is individually assessed by r. Note the improved effect at 2 mm distance

RF tumor ablation with internally cooled electrodes and saline infusion: what is the optimal location of the saline infusion?-0

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "RF tumor ablation with internally cooled electrodes and saline infusion: what is the optimal location of the saline infusion?"</p><p>http://www.biomedical-engineering-online.com/content/6/1/30</p><p>BioMedical Engineering OnLine 2007;6():30-30.</p><p>Published online 16 Jul 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC1936989.</p><p></p>adratic) relationship between distance and coagulation volume (A), maximum transverse diameter of coagulation (B), and minimum transverse diameter (C). Goodness of fit of the models is individually assessed by r. Note the improved effect at 2 mm distance