Evaluation of CNN architectures for gait recognition based on optical flow maps

This work targets people identification in video based on the way they walk (\ie gait) by using deep learning architectures. We explore the use of convolutional neural networks (CNN) for learning high-level descriptors from low-level motion features (\ie optical flow components). The low number of training samples for each subject and the use of a test set containing subjects different from the training ones makes the search of a good CNN architecture a challenging task.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec

Determination of Arsenic, Mercury and Barium in herbarium mount paper using dynamic ultrasound-assisted extraction prior to atomic fluorescence and absorption spectrometry

A dynamic ultrasound-assisted extraction method using Atomic Absorption and Atomic Flourescence spectrometers as detectors was developed to analyse mercury, arsenic and barium from herbarium mount paper originating from the herbarium collection of the National Museum of Wales. The variables influencing extraction were optimised by a multivariate approach. The optimal conditions were found to be 1% HNO3 extractant solution used at a flow rate of 1 mL min-1. The duty cycle and amplitude of the ultrasonic probe was found to be 50% in both cases with an ultrasound power of 400 W. The optimal distance between the probe and the top face of the extraction chamber was found to be 0 cm. Under these conditions the time required for complete extraction of the three analytes was 25 min. Cold vapour and hydride generation coupled to atomic fluorescence spectrometry was utilized to determine mercury and arsenic, respectively. The chemical and instrumental conditions were optimized to provide detection limits of 0.01ng g-1 and 1.25 ng g-1 for mercury and arsenic, respectively. Barium was determined by graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, with a detection limit of 25 ng g-1. By using 0.5 g of sample, the concentrations of the target analytes varied for the different types of paper and ranged between 0.4–2.55 µg g-1 for Ba, 0.035–10.47 µg g-1 for As and 0.0046–2.37 µg g-1 for Hg

High-Throughput System for the Early Quantification of Major Architectural Traits in Olive Breeding Trials Using UAV Images and OBIA Techniques

The need for the olive farm modernization have encouraged the research of more efficient crop management strategies through cross-breeding programs to release new olive cultivars more suitable for mechanization and use in intensive orchards, with high quality production and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. The advancement of breeding programs are hampered by the lack of efficient phenotyping methods to quickly and accurately acquire crop traits such as morphological attributes (tree vigor and vegetative growth habits), which are key to identify desirable genotypes as early as possible. In this context, an UAV-based high-throughput system for olive breeding program applications was developed to extract tree traits in large-scale phenotyping studies under field conditions. The system consisted of UAV-flight configurations, in terms of flight altitude and image overlaps, and a novel, automatic, and accurate object-based image analysis (OBIA) algorithm based on point clouds, which was evaluated in two experimental trials in the framework of a table olive breeding program, with the aim to determine the earliest date for suitable quantifying of tree architectural traits. Two training systems (intensive and hedgerow) were evaluated at two very early stages of tree growth: 15 and 27 months after planting. Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) were automatically and accurately generated by the algorithm as well as every olive tree identified, independently of the training system and tree age. The architectural traits, specially tree height and crown area, were estimated with high accuracy in the second flight campaign, i.e. 27 months after planting. Differences in the quality of 3D crown reconstruction were found for the growth patterns derived from each training system. These key phenotyping traits could be used in several olive breeding programs, as well as to address some agronomical goals. In addition, this system is cost and time optimized, so that requested architectural traits could be provided in the same day as UAV flights. This high-throughput system may solve the actual bottleneck of plant phenotyping of "linking genotype and phenotype," considered a major challenge for crop research in the 21st century, and bring forward the crucial time of decision making for breeders

Optically active Er–Yb doped glass films prepared by pulsed laser deposition

3 pages, 2 figures.Active rare-earth Er3 + –Yb3 + co-doped phosphate glass films are produced in a single step by pulsed laser deposition. The films are multimode waveguides and exhibit the highest refractive index, optical density and 1.54 µm photoluminescence intensity and lifetime when deposited at low oxygen pressure (Pox4 (menor o igual) 10–5 Torr). The density of the films obtained under these conditions is higher than that of the target material as a consequence of the high kinetic energy of the species generated during ablation. Luminescent emission can be excited by optical pumping the Er3 + ions either directly or through cross-relaxation of the Yb3 + . Post-deposition annealing allows us to improve the luminescence performance.This work has been partially supported by CICYT (Spain) under Project No. TIC96-0467. One of the authors (J.M.B.) acknowledges financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Education.Peer reviewe

Stratigraphy and chemostratigraphy of the Valanginian (pro parte) from Loma Solana, Sierra de Quípar (External Subbetic, Cehegín, Murcia)

The stratigraphy, biostratigraphy and geochemistry (C stable isotopes and RSTE trace elements) of a succession of Valanginian age outcropping in Loma Solana (External Subbetic) is presented. The succession is composed of two local sections, one cropping out to the west of Cehegín (Murcia) and another in the Garranchal gorge, to the SSW of this locality. The lithology consists of marl and marlstone rhythmically interbedded, which is typical of the Carretero Fm of the Subbetic. The ammonite zones and subzones of the middle- late early Valanginian and the complete late Valanginian, except for the lattermost part, have been identified, without any evidence of stratigraphic discontinuity between the two local sections. The δ13C curve show a similar shape to those of the same age obtained in other basins and the positive excursion of the δ13C characterizing the Weissert episode of environmental change (EECWeissert) has been identified. The RSTE, redox sensitive trace elements, analyzed do not show any particular increase as is typical of anoxic events and consequently conclude that anoxia due not exist in this part of the Subbetic basin during this EECSe presenta el estudio estratigráfico, bioestratigráfico y geoquímico de una sucesión del Valanginiense que aflora en Loma Solana (Subbético Externo). Se trata de una sección compuesta de dos secciones parciales, una de ellas levantada al oeste de Cehegín (Murcia) y la otra en el barranco del Garranchal, al SSO de dicha localidad. La litología,margas y margocalizas en alternancia rítmica, es la típica de la Fm. Carretero, a la que corresponde. Se identifican las zonas y subzonas de ammonites de la parte media-alta del Valanginiense inferior y de todo el Valanginiense superior, excepto la parte más terminal del mismo, sin que se haya denotado discontinuidad alguna entre una sección y otra. La curva de valores de δ13C muestra una forma similar a la obtenida en otras cuencas para la misma edad y en ella se puede identificar la excursión positiva del δ13C que caracteriza el episodioWeissert de cambio ambiental. Los elementos traza analizados, sensibles a cambios en las condiciones redox del medio sedimentario (elementos RSTE), no indican que hubiera condiciones anóxicas en el mismo durante este episodio de cambio ambienta

The upper Valanginian of the Oliva section (Prebetic Zone, Valencia): facies analysis, biostratigraphy, C-isotope stratigraphy and organic geochemistry

The Upper Valanginian stratigraphic section of the sierra de la Oliva (Prebetic, Valencia province) records a significant sedimentary episode which has been named as ”Weissert Event”.This event is characterized by a positive excursion in the δ13C profile, which have been considered to be linked to a global perturbation in the carbon cycle, with environmental consequences that have been the object of debate, especially the degree of oxygenation of the sea bottom waters.We studied the sedimentary evolution during the late Valanginian in a shallow platform setting, beginning with the drowning of the early Valanginian carbonate platform, followed by a succession of shallowing- upwards sequences, which define a general deepening-upward evolution. The δ13C profile records a positive excursion during the late Valanginian, and the biomarker study has revealed the episodic development of anoxia, coeval to the deposition of organic rich facies, occurred during the episode of maximum deepening of the platform.This study has demonstrated that the “Weissert Event” has been recorded in the Prebetic platform, and that the environmental perturbations gave place to the occasional development of anoxia in a context of high organic productivityLa sección estratigráfica del Valanginiense superior de la sierra de la Oliva (Prebético, provincia de Valencia) registra un interesante episodio sedimentario que ha sido denominado “Evento Weissert”. Este evento está caracterizado por una excursión positiva en los valores del δ13C, que se considera ligada a una perturbación global en el ciclo del carbono, cuyas consecuencias ambientales son objeto de discusión, especialmente las condiciones de oxigenación en los fondos marinos. El estudio presentado aquí muestra la evolución sedimentaria del Valanginiense superior en un ámbito de plataforma somera, que comienza con el drowning de la plataforma carbonatada del Valanginiense inferior, y continúa con una sucesión de secuencias de somerización, que en conjunto definen una evolución general de profundización. El perfil de δ13C registra una excursión positiva durante el Valanginiense superior, y el estudio de los biomarcadores ha puesto de manifiesto el desarrollo puntual de anoxia, simultáneo al depósito de facies ricas en materia orgánica, ocurrido en el momento de mayor profundización de la plataforma. Este estudio demuestra que el denominado “EventoWeissert” quedó reflejado en la plataforma Prebética, y que las perturbaciones ambientales locales dieron lugar al desarrollo puntual de anoxia en un contexto de elevada productividad orgánic

Evaluation by re-derivation of a paternal line after 18 generations on seminal traits, proteome and fertility

[EN] Males from a paternal line selected for growth traits were used to produce semen doses at insemination centres and farms in a breeding scheme for rabbit meat production. The aim of this study was to assess whether a program of selection by daily gain in fattening period changed the seminal traits, plasma and sperm proteome and the fertility of semen when used in artificial insemination. Thirty-nine males from a paternal line were obtained by re-derivation from vitrified embryos with a difference of 18 generations (G21V and G39V). Sperm production parameters, morphological traits, sperm motility parameters and viability were evaluated from ejaculates. Seminal plasma and sperm proteome of three pool ejaculates from 10 mature males of each group were analysed and semen doses were used to inseminate 311 females. Only the percentage of abnormal sperm showed significant differences, with G21V presenting fewer abnormal sperm than G39V (10.5 +/- 2.63 vs 23.8 +/- 1.98). The discriminant analysis (DA-PLS) showed a clear effect of the generation for plasma and sperm proteome. In seminal plasma, 643 proteins were reported and 64 proteins were differentially expressed, of which 56 were overexpressed in G39V (87.5%). Sperm proteome reported 1360 proteins with 132 differentially abundant proteins. Of the total, 89 proteins were overexpressed in G39V (67.4%). From the 64 and 132 differentially abundant proteins of plasma and sperm, 19 and 26 had a FC >1.5, 12 and 13 of them belonging to the Oryctolagus cuniculus taxonomy, respectively. Despite observing differences in important proteins related to capacitation, sperm motility or immunoprotection and consequently to the fertilization process (TMPRSS2, Serpin family, Farn71f1, ATPase H+ transporting accessory protein 2, carbonic anhydrase 2, UDP-glucose glycoprotein glucosyltransferase 2), no differences in fertility and prolificacy were detected when commercial seminal doses were used for insemination from both male groups. However, overabundance of KIAA1324 protein can be related to the increase in abnormal sperm after selection by growth rate.This research was supported by AGL2017-85162-C2-1-R research project funded by Ministerio de Economia, Industria y Competitividad (MICINN, Spain). X Garcia-Dominguez was supported by a research grant from MICINN (BES-2015-072429). English text version was revised by N. Macowan English Language Service.Juárez, JD.; Marco-Jiménez, F.; Talaván, AM.; García-Domínguez, X.; Viudes-De-Castro, MP.; Lavara, R.; Vicente Antón, JS. (2020). Evaluation by re-derivation of a paternal line after 18 generations on seminal traits, proteome and fertility. Livestock Science. 232:1-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2019.103894S113232Antalis, T. M., Bugge, T. H., & Wu, Q. (2011). Membrane-Anchored Serine Proteases in Health and Disease. Proteases in Health and Disease, 1-50. doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-385504-6.00001-4Bezerra, M. J. B., Arruda-Alencar, J. M., Martins, J. A. M., Viana, A. G. A., Viana Neto, A. M., Rêgo, J. P. A., … Moura, A. A. (2019). Major seminal plasma proteome of rabbits and associations with sperm quality. Theriogenology, 128, 156-166. doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.01.013Brun, J.-M., Theau-Clément, M., & Bolet, G. (2002). The relationship between rabbit semen characteristics and reproductive performance after artificial insemination. Animal Reproduction Science, 70(1-2), 139-149. doi:10.1016/s0378-4320(01)00197-xBrun, J.-M., Theau-Clément, M., Esparbié, J., Falières, J., Saleil, G., & Larzul, C. (2006). Semen production in two rabbit lines divergently selected for 63-d body weight. Theriogenology, 66(9), 2165-2172. doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2006.07.004Brun, J. M., Sanchez, A., Ailloud, E., Saleil, G., & Theau-Clément, M. (2016). Genetic parameters of rabbit semen traits and male fertilising ability. Animal Reproduction Science, 166, 15-21. doi:10.1016/j.anireprosci.2015.12.008Bünger, L., Lewis, R. M., Rothschild, M. F., Blasco, A., Renne, U., & Simm, G. (2005). Relationships between quantitative and reproductive fitness traits in animals. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 360(1459), 1489-1502. doi:10.1098/rstb.2005.1679Casares-Crespo, L., Fernández-Serrano, P., Vicente, J. S., Marco-Jiménez, F., & Viudes-de-Castro, M. P. (2018). Rabbit seminal plasma proteome: The importance of the genetic origin. Animal Reproduction Science, 189, 30-42. doi:10.1016/j.anireprosci.2017.12.004Casares-Crespo, L., Fernández-Serrano, P., & Viudes-de-Castro, M. P. (2019). Proteomic characterization of rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) sperm from two different genotypes. Theriogenology, 128, 140-148. doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.01.026Castellini, C., Lattaioli, P., Moroni, M., & Minelli, A. (2000). Effect of seminal plasma on the characteristics and fertility of rabbit spermatozoa. Animal Reproduction Science, 63(3-4), 275-282. doi:10.1016/s0378-4320(00)00181-0Castellini, C., Cardinali, R., Dal Bosco, A., Minelli, A., & Camici, O. (2006). Lipid composition of the main fractions of rabbit semen. Theriogenology, 65(4), 703-712. doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2005.05.053Castellini, C., Mourvaki, E., Cardinali, R., Collodel, G., Lasagna, E., Del Vecchio, M. T., & Dal Bosco, A. (2012). Secretion patterns and effect of prostate-derived granules on the sperm acrosome reaction of rabbit buck. Theriogenology, 78(4), 715-723. doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2012.02.012Courtens, J., Bolet, G., & Theau-Clément, M. (1994). Effect of acrosome defects and sperm chromatin decondensation on fertility and litter size in the rabbit. Preliminary electron-microscopic study. Reproduction Nutrition Development, 34(5), 427-437. doi:10.1051/rnd:19940504Choucair, F., 2018. Unraveling the sperm transcriptome by nextgeneration sequencing and the global epigenetic and landscape in infertile men. Molecular Biology.Université Côted’ Azur; Université libanaise, NNT:2018AZUR4058. https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01958881.Davis, B. K., & Davis, N. V. (1983). Binding by glycoproteins of seminal plasma membrane vesicles accelerates decapacitation in rabbit spermatozoa. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Biomembranes, 727(1), 70-76. doi:10.1016/0005-2736(83)90370-xEllerman, D. A., Myles, D. G., & Primakoff, P. (2006). A Role for Sperm Surface Protein Disulfide Isomerase Activity in Gamete Fusion: Evidence for the Participation of ERp57. Developmental Cell, 10(6), 831-837. doi:10.1016/j.devcel.2006.03.011Estany, J., Camacho, J., Baselga, M., & Blasco, A. (1992). Selection response of growth rate in rabbits for meat production. Genetics Selection Evolution, 24(6), 527. doi:10.1186/1297-9686-24-6-527García-Tomás, M., Sánchez, J., Rafel, O., Ramon, J., & Piles, M. (2006). Variability, repeatability and phenotypic relationships of several characteristics of production and semen quality in rabbit. Animal Reproduction Science, 93(1-2), 88-100. doi:10.1016/j.anireprosci.2005.06.011García-Tomás, M., Sánchez, J., Rafel, O., Ramon, J., & Piles, M. (2006). Heterosis, direct and maternal genetic effects on semen quality traits of rabbits. Livestock Science, 100(2-3), 111-120. doi:10.1016/j.livprodsci.2005.08.004Garénaux, E., Kanagawa, M., Tsuchiyama, T., Hori, K., Kanazawa, T., Goshima, A., … Kitajima, K. (2015). Discovery, Primary, and Crystal Structures and Capacitation-related Properties of a Prostate-derived Heparin-binding Protein WGA16 from Boar Sperm. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 290(9), 5484-5501. doi:10.1074/jbc.m114.635268Gerena, R. L., Irikura, D., Urade, Y., Eguchi, N., Chapman, D. A., & Killian, G. J. (1998). Identification of a Fertility-Associated Protein in Bull Seminal Plasma As Lipocalin-Type Prostaglandin D Synthase1. Biology of Reproduction, 58(3), 826-833. doi:10.1095/biolreprod58.3.826Gervasi, M. G., & Visconti, P. E. (2017). Molecular changes and signaling events occurring in spermatozoa during epididymal maturation. Andrology, 5(2), 204-218. doi:10.1111/andr.12320Jeyendran, R. S., Van der Ven, H. H., Perez-Pelaez, M., Crabo, B. G., & Zaneveld, L. J. D. (1984). Development of an assay to assess the functional integrity of the human sperm membrane and its relationship to other semen characteristics. Reproduction, 70(1), 219-228. doi:10.1530/jrf.0.0700219Kim, T. S., Heinlein, C., Hackman, R. C., & Nelson, P. S. (2006). Phenotypic Analysis of Mice Lacking the Tmprss2 -Encoded Protease. Molecular and Cellular Biology, 26(3), 965-975. doi:10.1128/mcb.26.3.965-975.2006Kwon, J. T., Ham, S., Jeon, S., Kim, Y., Oh, S., & Cho, C. (2017). Expression of uncharacterized male germ cell-specific genes and discovery of novel sperm-tail proteins in mice. PLOS ONE, 12(7), e0182038. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0182038Larzul, C., Gondret, F., Combes, S., & de Rochambeau, H. (2005). Divergent selection on 63-day body weight in the rabbit: response on growth, carcass and muscle traits. Genetics Selection Evolution, 37(1), 105. doi:10.1186/1297-9686-37-1-105Lavara, R., Mocé, E., Lavara, F., Viudes de Castro, M. P., & Vicente, J. S. (2005). Do parameters of seminal quality correlate with the results of on-farm inseminations in rabbits? Theriogenology, 64(5), 1130-1141. doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2005.01.009Lavara, R., Vicente, J. S., & Baselga, M. (2010). Genetic parameter estimates for semen production traits and growth rate of a paternal rabbit line. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics, 128(1), 44-51. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0388.2010.00889.xLavara, R., Vicente, J. S., & Baselga, M. (2012). Estimation of genetic parameters for semen quality traits and growth rate in a paternal rabbit line. Theriogenology, 78(3), 567-575. doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2012.03.002Lavara, R., Vicente, J. S., & Baselga, M. (2013). Genetic variation in head morphometry of rabbit sperm. Theriogenology, 80(4), 313-318. doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2013.04.015Law, R. H., Zhang, Q., McGowan, S., Buckle, A. M., Silverman, G. A., Wong, W., … Whisstock, J. C. (2006). Genome Biology, 7(5), 216. doi:10.1186/gb-2006-7-5-216Leone, M. G., Haq, H. A., & Saso, L. (2002). Lipocalin type prostaglandin D-synthase: which role in male fertility? Contraception, 65(4), 293-295. doi:10.1016/s0010-7824(02)00280-9Lestari, S. W., Miati, D. N., Seoharso, P., Sugiyanto, R., & Pujianto, D. A. (2017). Sperm Na+, K+-ATPase α4 and plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase (PMCA) 4 regulation in asthenozoospermia. Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine, 63(5), 294-302. doi:10.1080/19396368.2017.1348565Liao, T.-T., Xiang, Z., Zhu, W.-B., & Fan, L.-Q. (2009). Proteome analysis of round-headed and normal spermatozoa by 2-D fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Asian Journal of Andrology, 11(6), 683-693. doi:10.1038/aja.2009.59Llobat, L., Marco-Jiménez, F., Peñaranda, D., Thieme, R., Navarrete, A., & Vicente, J. (2011). mRNA Expression in Rabbit Blastocyst and Endometrial Tissue of Candidate Gene Involved in Gestational Losses. Reproduction in Domestic Animals, 47(2), 281-287. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0531.2011.01855.xLoveland, K., Major, A., Butler, R., Jans, D., Miyamoto, Y., & Young, J. (2015). Putting things in place for fertilization: discovering roles for importin proteins in cell fate and spermatogenesis. Asian Journal of Andrology, 17(4), 537. doi:10.4103/1008-682x.154310Lukefahr, S. D., Odi, H. B., & Atakora, J. K. (1996). Mass selection for 70-day body weight in rabbits. Journal of Animal Science, 74(7), 1481. doi:10.2527/1996.7471481xMa, Q., Li, Y., Luo, M., Guo, H., Lin, S., Chen, J., … Gui, Y. (2017). The expression characteristics of FAM71D and its association with sperm motility. Human Reproduction, 32(11), 2178-2187. doi:10.1093/humrep/dex290Marai, I. F. ., Habeeb, A. A. ., & Gad, A. . (2002). Rabbits’ productive, reproductive and physiological performance traits as affected by heat stress: a review. Livestock Production Science, 78(2), 71-90. doi:10.1016/s0301-6226(02)00091-xMocé, E., Vicente, J. S., & Lavara, R. (2003). Effect of freezing–thawing protocols on the performance of semen from three rabbit lines after artificial insemination. Theriogenology, 60(1), 115-123. doi:10.1016/s0093-691x(02)01329-8Naturil-Alfonso, C., Lavara, R., Millán, P., Rebollar, P. G., Vicente, J. S., & Marco-Jiménez, F. (2016). Study of failures in a rabbit line selected for growth rate. World Rabbit Science, 24(1), 47. doi:10.4995/wrs.2016.4016Nizza, A., Di Meo, C., & Taranto, S. (2003). Effect of Collection Rhythms and Season on Rabbit Semen Production. Reproduction in Domestic Animals, 38(6), 436-439. doi:10.1046/j.1439-0531.2003.00458.xOsada, T., Watanabe, G., Kondo, S., Toyoda, M., Sakaki, Y., & Takeuchi, T. (2001). Male Reproductive Defects Caused by Puromycin-Sensitive Aminopeptidase Deficiency in Mice. Molecular Endocrinology, 15(6), 960-971. doi:10.1210/mend.15.6.0643Pascual, J. J., García, C., Martínez, E., Mocé, E., & Vicente, J. S. (2004). Rearing management of rabbit males selected by high growth rate: the effect of diet and season on semen characteristics. Reproduction Nutrition Development, 44(1), 49-63. doi:10.1051/rnd:2004016Pascual, J. J., Marco-Jiménez, F., Martínez-Paredes, E., Ródenas, L., Fabre, C., Juvero, M. A., & Cano, J. L. (2016). Feeding programs promoting daily feed intake stability in rabbit males reduce sperm abnormalities and improve fertility. Theriogenology, 86(3), 730-737. doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.02.026Pérez-Patiño, C., Parrilla, I., Li, J., Barranco, I., Martínez, E. A., Rodriguez-Martínez, H., & Roca, J. (2019). The Proteome of Pig Spermatozoa Is Remodeled During Ejaculation. Molecular & Cellular Proteomics, 18(1), 41-50. doi:10.1074/mcp.ra118.000840Peralta-Arias, R. D., Vívenes, C. Y., Camejo, M. I., Piñero, S., Proverbio, T., Martínez, E., … Proverbio, F. (2015). ATPases, ion exchangers and human sperm motility. REPRODUCTION, 149(5), 475-484. doi:10.1530/rep-14-0471Piles, M., & Tusell, L. (2011). Genetic correlation between growth and female and male contributions to fertility in rabbit. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics, 129(4), 298-305. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0388.2011.00975.xPiles, M., Mocé, M. L., Laborda, P., & Santacreu, M. A. (2013). Feasibility of selection for male contribution to embryo survival as a way of improving male reproductive performance and semen quality in rabbits1. Journal of Animal Science, 91(10), 4654-4658. doi:10.2527/jas.2013-6446Rahman, M. S., Kwon, W.-S., & Pang, M.-G. (2017). Prediction of male fertility using capacitation-associated proteins in spermatozoa. Molecular Reproduction and Development, 84(9), 749-759. doi:10.1002/mrd.22810Roca, J., Martínez, S., Orengo, J., Parrilla, I., Vázquez, J. M., & Martínez, E. A. (2005). Influence of constant long days on ejaculate parameters of rabbits reared under natural environment conditions of Mediterranean area. Livestock Production Science, 94(3), 169-177. doi:10.1016/j.livprodsci.2004.10.011De Rochambeau, H., de la Fuente, L., Rouvier, R., & Ouhayoun, J. (1989). Sélection sur la vitesse de croissance post-sevrage chez le lapin. Genetics Selection Evolution, 21(4), 527. doi:10.1186/1297-9686-21-4-527Saeed, A. I., Sharov, V., White, J., Li, J., Liang, W., Bhagabati, N., … Quackenbush, J. (2003). TM4: A Free, Open-Source System for Microarray Data Management and Analysis. BioTechniques, 34(2), 374-378. doi:10.2144/03342mt01Samanta, L., Parida, R., Dias, T. R., & Agarwal, A. (2018). The enigmatic seminal plasma: a proteomics insight from ejaculation to fertilization. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, 16(1). doi:10.1186/s12958-018-0358-6Sabés-Alsina, M., Planell, N., Torres-Mejia, E., Taberner, E., Maya-Soriano, M. J., Tusell, L., … Lopez-Bejar, M. (2015). Daily exposure to summer circadian cycles affects spermatogenesis, but not fertility in an in vivo rabbit model. Theriogenology, 83(2), 246-252. doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2014.09.013Shevchenko, A., Jensen, O. N., Podtelejnikov, A. V., Sagliocco, F., Wilm, M., Vorm, O., … Mann, M. (1996). Linking genome and proteome by mass spectrometry: Large-scale identification of yeast proteins from two dimensional gels. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 93(25), 14440-14445. doi:10.1073/pnas.93.25.14440Shilov, I. V., Seymour, S. L., Patel, A. A., Loboda, A., Tang, W. H., Keating, S. P., … Schaeffer, D. A. (2007). The Paragon Algorithm, a Next Generation Search Engine That Uses Sequence Temperature Values and Feature Probabilities to Identify Peptides from Tandem Mass Spectra. Molecular & Cellular Proteomics, 6(9), 1638-1655. doi:10.1074/mcp.t600050-mcp200Theau-Clément, M., Bolet, G., Sanchez, A., Saleil, G., & Brun, J. M. (2015). Some factors that influence semen characteristics in rabbits. Animal Reproduction Science, 157, 33-38. doi:10.1016/j.anireprosci.2015.03.011Thundathil, J. C., Rajamanickam, G. D., & Kastelic, J. P. (2018). Na/K-ATPase and Regulation of Sperm Function. Animal Reproduction, 15(Suppl. 1), 711-720. doi:10.21451/1984-3143-ar2018-0024Tusell, L., Legarra, A., García-Tomás, M., Rafel, O., Ramon, J., & Piles, M. (2012). Genetic basis of semen traits and their relationship with growth rate in rabbits1. Journal of Animal Science, 90(5), 1385-1397. doi:10.2527/jas.2011-4165Vicente, J. (2004). Study of fertilising capacity of spermatozoa after heterospermic insemination in rabbit using DNA markers. Theriogenology, 61(7-8), 1357-1365. doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2003.08.009Vicente, J. S., Llobat, L., Viudes-de-Castro, M. P., Lavara, R., Baselga, M., & Marco-Jiménez, F. (2012). Gestational losses in a rabbit line selected for growth rate. Theriogenology, 77(1), 81-88. doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2011.07.019Viudes-de-Castro, M. P., & Vicente, J. S. (1997). Effect of sperm count on the fertility and prolificity rates of meat rabbits. Animal Reproduction Science, 46(3-4), 313-319. doi:10.1016/s0378-4320(96)01628-4Viudes-de-Castro, M. P., Mocé, E., Lavara, R., Marco-Jiménez, F., & Vicente, J. S. (2014). Aminopeptidase activity in seminal plasma and effect of dilution rate on rabbit reproductive performance after insemination with an extender supplemented with buserelin acetate. Theriogenology, 81(9), 1223-1228. doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2014.02.003Viudes de Castro, M. P., Casares-Crespo, L., Monserrat-Martínez, A., & Vicente, J. S. (2015). Determination of enzyme activity in rabbit seminal plasma and its relationship with quality semen parameters. World Rabbit Science, 23(4), 247. doi:10.4995/wrs.2015.4064Vizcaíno, J. A., Deutsch, E. W., Wang, R., Csordas, A., Reisinger, F., Ríos, D., … Hermjakob, H. (2014). ProteomeXchange provides globally coordinated proteomics data submission and dissemination. Nature Biotechnology, 32(3), 223-226. doi:10.1038/nbt.2839Wandernoth, P. M., Mannowetz, N., Szczyrba, J., Grannemann, L., Wolf, A., Becker, H. M., … Wennemuth, G. (2015). Normal Fertility Requires the Expression of Carbonic Anhydrases II and IV in Sperm. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 290(49), 29202-29216. doi:10.1074/jbc.m115.698597Weininger, R. B., Fisher, S., Rifkin, J., & Bedford, J. M. (1982). Experimental studies on the passage of specific IgG to the lumen of the rabbit epididymis. Reproduction, 66(1), 251-258. doi:10.1530/jrf.0.0660251Yan, M., Zhang, X., Pu, Q., Huang, T., Xie, Q., Wang, Y., … Gu, J. (2016). Immunoglobulin G Expression in Human Sperm and Possible Functional Significance. Scientific Reports, 6(1). doi:10.1038/srep2016

A single injection of corifollitropin alfa supplemented with human chorionic gonadotropin increases follicular recruitment and transferable embryos in the rabbit

[EN] 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.This research was supported by the Spanish Research project funded by Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (MICINN) AGL2017¿85162¿C2¿1¿R and Generalitat Valenciana research pro¿ gram (Prometeo II 2014/036). X Garcia¿Dominguez was supported by a research grant from MICINN (BES¿2015¿072429).Viudes-De-Castro, MP.; Marco-Jiménez, F.; Más-Pellicer, A.; Garcia-Dominguez, X.; Talaván, AM.; Vicente Antón, JS. (2019). A single injection of corifollitropin alfa supplemented with human chorionic gonadotropin increases follicular recruitment and transferable embryos in the rabbit. Reproduction in Domestic Animals. 54(4):696-701. https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.13411S696701544Acevedo, B., Sanchez, M., Gomez, J. L., Cuadros, J., Ricciarelli, E., & Hernández, E. R. (2004). Luteinizing hormone supplementation increases pregnancy rates in gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist donor cycles. Fertility and Sterility, 82(2), 343-347. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2004.03.020Besenfelder, U., & Brem, G. (1993). Laparoscopic embryo transfer in rabbits. Reproduction, 99(1), 53-56. doi:10.1530/jrf.0.0990053Boostanfar, R., Shapiro, B., Levy, M., Rosenwaks, Z., Witjes, H., Stegmann, B. J., … Yeko, T. (2015). Large, comparative, randomized double-blind trial confirming noninferiority of pregnancy rates for corifollitropin alfa compared with recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone in a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist controlled ovarian stimulation protocol in older patients undergoing in vitro fertilization. Fertility and Sterility, 104(1), 94-103.e1. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.04.018Campbell, R. K. (2005). Molecular Pharmacology of Gonadotropins. Endocrine, 26(3), 291-296. doi:10.1385/endo:26:3:291Carvalho, P. D., Hackbart, K. S., Bender, R. W., Baez, G. M., Dresch, A. R., Guenther, J. N., … Fricke, P. M. (2014). Use of a single injection of long-acting recombinant bovine FSH to superovulate Holstein heifers: A preliminary study. Theriogenology, 82(3), 481-489. doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2014.05.011Chappel, S. C., & Howles, C. (1991). REVIEW. Human Reproduction, 6(9), 1206-1212. doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.humrep.a137513Cole, L. A. (2010). Biological functions of hCG and hCG-related molecules. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, 8(1), 102. doi:10.1186/1477-7827-8-102Devroey, P., Boostanfar, R., Koper, N. P., Mannaerts, B. M. J. L., IJzerman-Boon, P. C., & Fauser, B. C. J. M. (2009). A double-blind, non-inferiority RCT comparing corifollitropin alfa and recombinant FSH during the first seven days of ovarian stimulation using a GnRH antagonist protocol. Human Reproduction, 24(12), 3063-3072. doi:10.1093/humrep/dep291Drakakis, P., Loutradis, D., Beloukas, A., Sypsa, V., Anastasiadou, V., Kalofolias, G., … Antsaklis, A. (2009). Early hCG addition to rFSH for ovarian stimulation in IVF provides better results and the cDNA copies of the hCG receptor may be an indicator of successful stimulation. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, 7(1). doi:10.1186/1477-7827-7-110Durnerin, C. I., Erb, K., Fleming, R., Hillier, H., Hillier, S. G., … Howles, C. M. (2007). Effects of recombinant LH treatment on folliculogenesis and responsiveness to FSH stimulation. Human Reproduction, 23(2), 421-426. doi:10.1093/humrep/dem388Estany, J., Camacho, J., Baselga, M., & Blasco, A. (1992). Selection response of growth rate in rabbits for meat production. Genetics Selection Evolution, 24(6), 527. doi:10.1186/1297-9686-24-6-527Ezcurra, D., & Humaidan, P. (2014). A review of luteinising hormone and human chorionic gonadotropin when used in assisted reproductive technology. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, 12(1), 95. doi:10.1186/1477-7827-12-95Fauser, B. C. J. M., Alper, M. M., Ledger, W., Schoolcraft, W. B., Zandvliet, A., & Mannaerts, B. M. J. L. (2010). Pharmacokinetics and follicular dynamics of corifollitropin alfa versus recombinant FSH during ovarian stimulation for IVF. Reproductive BioMedicine Online, 21(5), 593-601. doi:10.1016/j.rbmo.2010.06.032Franco, J. G., Baruffi, R. L., Oliveira, J. B. A., Mauri, A. L., Petersen, C. G., Contart, P., & Felipe, V. (2009). Effects of recombinant LH supplementation to recombinant FSH during induced ovarian stimulation in the GnRH-agonist protocol: a matched case-control study. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, 7(1). doi:10.1186/1477-7827-7-58HASHIMOTO, S., KURAMOCHI, T., AOYAGI, K., TAKAHASHI, R., UEDA, M., HIRAO, M., … HIRASAWA, K. (2004). Refined Porcine Follicle Stimulating Hormone Promotes the Responsiveness of Rabbits to Multiple-Ovulation Treatment. Experimental Animals, 53(4), 395-397. doi:10.1538/expanim.53.395Le Cotonnec, J.-Y., Porchet, H., Beltrami, V., & Munafo, A. (1998). Clinical pharmacology of recombinant human luteinizing hormone: Part I. Pharmacokinetics after intravenous administration to healthy female volunteers and comparison with urinary human luteinizing hormone. Fertility and Sterility, 69(2), 189-194. doi:10.1016/s0015-0282(97)00501-3Levy, D. P. (2000). The role of LH in ovarian stimulation: Exogenous LH: let’s design the future. Human Reproduction, 15(11), 2258-2265. doi:10.1093/humrep/15.11.2258Mannaerts, B. M., Geurts, T. B., & Odink, J. (1998). A randomized three-way cross-over study in healthy pituitary-suppressed women to compare the bioavailability of human chorionic gonadotrophin (Pregnyl) after intramuscular and subcutaneous administration. Human Reproduction, 13(6), 1461-1464. doi:10.1093/humrep/13.6.1461Rao, C. V. (1979). DIFFERENTIAL PROPERTIES OF HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHIN AND HUMAN LUTEINIZING HORMONE BINDING TO PLASMA MEMBRANES OF BOVINE CORPORA LUTEA. Acta Endocrinologica, 90(4), 696-710. doi:10.1530/acta.0.0900696Ruvolo, G., Bosco, L., Pane, A., Morici, G., Cittadini, E., & Roccheri, M. C. (2007). Lower apoptosis rate in human cumulus cells after administration of recombinant luteinizing hormone to women undergoing ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization procedures. Fertility and Sterility, 87(3), 542-546. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2006.06.059Salvetti, P., Theau-Clément, M., Beckers, J.-F., Hurtaud, J., Guérin, P., Neto, V., … Joly, T. (2007). Effect of the luteinizing hormone on embryo production in superovulated rabbit does. Theriogenology, 67(6), 1185-1193. doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2007.01.013Sen, A. (2013). Oocyte Maturation A story of arrest and release. Frontiers in Bioscience, S5(2), 451-477. doi:10.2741/s383Vicente, J. S., Viudes-de-Castro, M. P., Cedano-Castro, J. I., & Marco-Jiménez, F. (2018). Cryosurvival of rabbit embryos obtained after superovulation with corifollitropin alfa with or without LH. Animal Reproduction Science, 192, 321-327. doi:10.1016/j.anireprosci.2018.03.034Vicente, J.-S., Viudes-de-Castro, M.-P., & García, M.-L. (1999). In vivo survival rate of rabbit morulae after vitrification in a medium without serum protein. Reproduction Nutrition Development, 39(5-6), 657-662. doi:10.1051/rnd:19990511Viudes De Castro, M. P., Cortell, C., Mocé, E., Marco-Jiménez, F., Joly, T., & Vicente, J. S. (2009). Effect of recombinant gonadotropins on embryo quality in superovulated rabbit does and immune response after repeated treatments. Theriogenology, 72(5), 655-662. doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2009.04.022Viudes-de-Castro, M. P., Marco-Jiménez, F., Cedano-Castro, J. I., & Vicente, J. S. (2017). Effect of corifollitropin alfa supplemented with or without LH on ovarian stimulation and embryo viability in rabbit. Theriogenology, 98, 68-74. doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.05.005Viudes-de-Castro, M. P., Pomares, A., Saenz de Juano i Ribes, M. D., Marco-Jiménez, F., & Vicente, J. S. (2015). Effect of luteinizing hormone on rabbit ovarian superstimulation and embryo developmental potential. Theriogenology, 84(3), 446-451. doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.04.001Wallach, E. E., Shoham, Z., Schachter, M., Loumaye, E., Weissman, A., MacNamee, M., & Insler, V. (1995). The luteinizing hormone surge—the final stage in ovulation induction: modern aspects of ovulation triggering. Fertility and Sterility, 64(2), 237-251. doi:10.1016/s0015-0282(16)57717-

Higher incidence of adverse events in isolated patients compared with non-isolated patients: A cohort study

Objective To determine whether isolated patients admitted to hospital have a higher incidence of adverse events (AEs), to identify their nature, impact and preventability. Design Prospective cohort study with isolated and non-isolated patients. Setting One public university hospital in the Valencian Community (southeast Spain). Participants We consecutively collected 400 patients, 200 isolated and 200 non-isolated, age =18 years old, to match according to date of entry, admission department, sex, age (±5 years) and disease severity from April 2017 to October 2018. Exclusion criteria: patients age <18 years old and/or reverse isolation patients. Primary and secondary outcome measures The primary outcome as the AE, defined according to the National Study of Adverse Effects linked to Hospitalisation (Estudio Nacional Sobre los Efectos Adversos) criteria. Cumulative incidence rates and AE incidence density rates were calculated. Results The incidence of isolated patients with AEs 16.5% (95% CI 11.4% to 21.6%) compared with 9.5% (95% CI 5.4% to 13.6%) in non-isolated (p<0.03). The incidence density of patients with AEs among isolated patients was 11.8 per 1000?days/patient (95%?CI 7.8 to 15.9) compared with 4.3 per 1000?days/patient (95%?CI 2.4 to 6.3) among non-isolated patients (p<0.001). The incidence of AEs among isolated patients was 18.5% compared with 11% for non-isolated patients (p<0.09). Among the 37 AEs detected in 33 isolated patients, and the 22 AEs detected in 19 non-isolated patients, most corresponded to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) for both isolated and non-isolated patients (48.6% vs 45.4%). There were significant differences with respect to the preventability of AEs, (67.6% among isolated patients compared with 52.6% among non-isolated patients). Conclusions AEs were significantly higher in isolated patients compared with non-isolated patients, more than half being preventable and with HAIs as the primary cause. It is essential to improve training and the safety culture of healthcare professionals relating to the care provided to this type of patient