Pulse Doppler ultrasound as a tool for the diagnosis of chronic testicular dysfunction in stallions

[EN] Testicular function is particularly susceptible to vascular insult, resulting in a negative impact on sperm production and quality of the ejaculate. A prompt diagnosis of testicular dysfunction enables implementation of appropriate treatment, hence improving fertility forecasts for stallions. The present research aims to: (1) assess if Doppler ultrasonography is a good tool to diagnose stallions with testicular dysfunction; (2) to study the relationship between Doppler parameters of the testicular artery and those of sperm quality assessed by flow cytometry and (3) to establish cut off values to differentiate fertile stallions from those with pathologies causing testicular dysfunction. A total of 10 stallions (n: 7 healthy stallions and n: 3 sub-fertile stallions) were used in this study. Two ejaculates per stallion were collected and preserved at 5ÊC in a commercial extender. The semen was evaluated at T0, T24 and T48h by flow cytometry. Integrity and viability of sperm (YoPro®-1/EthD-1), mitochondrial activity (MitoTracker® Deep Red FM) and the DNA fragmentation index (Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay) were assessed. Doppler parameters were measured at three different locations on the testicular artery (Supratesticular artery (SA); Capsular artery (CA) and Intratesticular artery (IA)). The Doppler parameters calculated were: Resistive Index (RI), Pulsatility Index (PI), Peak Systolic Velocity (PSV), End Diastolic Velocity (EDV), Time Average Maximum Velocity (TAMV), Total Arterial Blood Flow (TABF) and TABF rate. The capsular artery was the most reliable location to carry out spectral Doppler assessment, since blood flow parameters of this artery were most closely correlated with sperm quality parameters. Significant differences in all the Doppler parameters studied were observed between fertile and subfertile stallions (p0.05). The principal components analysis assay determined that fertile stallions are characterized by high EDV, TAMV, TABF and TABF rate values (high vascular perfusion). In contrast, subfertile stallions tend to present high values of PI and RI (high vascular resistance). The ROC curves revealed that the best Doppler parameters to predict sperm quality in stallions were: Doppler velocities (PSV, EDV and TAMV), the diameter of the capsular artery and TABF parameters (tissue perfusion parameters). Cut off values were established using a YoudenÂs Index to identify fertile stallions from stallions with testicular dysfunction. Spectral Doppler ultrasound is a good predictive tool for sperm quality since correlations were determined among Doppler parameters and markers of sperm quality. Doppler ultrasonography could be a valuable diagnostic tool for use by clinical practitioners for the diagnosis of stallions with testicular dysfunction and could be a viable alternative to invasive procedures traditionally used for diagnosis of sub-fertility disorders.SIC.O.F. is supported by a postdoctoral grant from “Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad “. "Juan de la Cierva” IJCI-2014-21671. The authors received financial support from: the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad-FEDER, Madrid, Spain,grant AGL2013-43211-R;Junta de Extremadura-FEDER (GR 10010 and PCE1002). P.M.M. is supported by a predoctoral grant from the Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte, Madrid Spain FPU13/03991

Physician Perception of Blood Pressure Control and Treatment Behavior in High-Risk Hypertensive Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: We examined physician perception of blood pressure control and treatment behavior in patients with previous cardiovascular disease and uncontrolled hypertension as defined by European Guidelines. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in which 321 primary care physicians throughout Spain consecutively studied 1,614 patients aged ≥18 years who had been diagnosed and treated for hypertension (blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg), and had suffered a documented cardiovascular event. The mean value of three blood pressure measurements taken using standardized procedures was used for statistical analysis. Results: Mean blood pressure was 143.4/84.9 mmHg, and only 11.6% of these cardiovascular patients were controlled according to 2007 European Guidelines for Hypertension Management target of <130/80 mmHg. In 702 (49.2%) of the 1426 uncontrolled patients, antihypertensive medication was not changed, and in 480 (68.4%) of these cases this was due to the physicianś judgment that blood pressure was adequately controlled. In 320 (66.7%) of the latter patients, blood pressure was 130-139/80-89 mmHg. Blood pressure level was the main factor associated (inversely) with no change in treatment due to physician perception of adequate control, irrespective of sociodemographic and clinical factors. Conclusions: Physicians do not change antihypertensive treatment in many uncontrolled cardiovascular patients because they considered it unnecessary, especially when the BP values are only slightly above the guideline target. It is possible that the guidelines may be correct, but there is also the possibility that the care by the physicians is appropriate since BP <130/80 mmHg is hard to achieve, and recent reviews suggest there is insufficient evidence to support such a low BP targetFunding for this study was obtained from RECORDATI ESPAÑA, S.L through an unrestricted grant. Krista Lundelin has a ‘‘Rio Hortega’’ research training contract (Expediente CM10/00327) from the Ministry of Science and Innovation (Instituto de Salud Carlos III), Spain Governmen

Suitability Evaluation of Multipoint Simultaneous CO2 Sampling Wireless Sensors for Livestock Buildings

[EN] The environment in livestock buildings must be controlled to ensure the health and welfare of both workers and animals, as well as to restrict the emission of pollutants to the atmosphere. Among the pollutants generated inside these premises, carbon dioxide (CO2) is of great interest in terms of animal welfare and ventilation control. The use of inexpensive sensors means that complete systems can be designed with a number of sensors located around the building. This paper describes a study of the suitability of multipoint simultaneous CO2 sensors operating in a wireless sensor network, which was found to operate satisfactorily under laboratory conditions and was found to be the best alternative for these applications. The sensors showed a highly linear response to CO2 concentrations, ranging from 500 to 5000 ppm. However, individual sensor response was found to differ, which made it necessary to calibrate each one separately. Sensor precision ranged between 80 and 110 ppm CO2, and sensor response to register a 95% change in concentration was estimated at around 5 min. These features mean this type of sensor network can be used to monitor animal welfare and also for environmental control in poorly ventilated livestock premises. According to the tests conducted in this study, a temporal drift may occur and therefore a regular calibration of sensors would be needed.This project was supported by the Vicerrectorado de Investigacion of the UPV (Programa de Apoyo a la Investigacion y Desarrollo, PAID-06-11 Program, Project No. 2843) and the Spanish Government under Projects CTM2011-29691-C02-01 and TIN2011-28435-C03-0. The translation of this paper was funded by the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, Valencia, Spain.Calvet Sanz, S.; Campelo Rivadulla, JC.; Estellés, F.; Perles Ivars, A.; Mercado Romero, R.; Serrano Martín, JJ. (2014). Suitability Evaluation of Multipoint Simultaneous CO2 Sampling Wireless Sensors for Livestock Buildings. Sensors. 14(6):10479-10496. https://doi.org/10.3390/s140610479S1047910496146C. M. Wathes, J. B. Jones, H. H. Kristensen, E. K. M. Jones, & A. J. F. Webster. (2002). AVERSION OF PIGS AND DOMESTIC FOWL TO ATMOSPHERIC AMMONIA. Transactions of the ASAE, 45(5). doi:10.13031/2013.11067Homidan, A. A., Robertson, J. F., & Petchey, A. M. (2003). Review of the effect of ammonia and dust concentrations on broiler performance. World’s Poultry Science Journal, 59(3), 340-349. doi:10.1079/wps20030021Krupa, S. . (2003). Effects of atmospheric ammonia (NH3) on terrestrial vegetation: a review. Environmental Pollution, 124(2), 179-221. doi:10.1016/s0269-7491(02)00434-7Kaye, J., Buchanan, F., Kendrick, A., Johnson, P., Lowry, C., Bailey, J., … Lightman, S. (2004). Acute Carbon Dioxide Exposure in Healthy Adults: Evaluation of a Novel Means of Investigating the Stress Response. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 16(3), 256-264. doi:10.1111/j.0953-8194.2004.01158.xNi, J.-Q., & Heber, A. J. (2008). Sampling and Measurement of Ammonia at Animal Facilities. Advances in Agronomy, 201-269. doi:10.1016/s0065-2113(08)00204-6Ogink, N. W. M., Mosquera, J., Calvet, S., & Zhang, G. (2013). Methods for measuring gas emissions from naturally ventilated livestock buildings: Developments over the last decade and perspectives for improvement. Biosystems Engineering, 116(3), 297-308. doi:10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2012.10.005Calvet, S., Gates, R. S., Zhang, G., Estellés, F., Ogink, N. W. M., Pedersen, S., & Berckmans, D. (2013). Measuring gas emissions from livestock buildings: A review on uncertainty analysis and error sources. Biosystems Engineering, 116(3), 221-231. doi:10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2012.11.004Phillips, V. R., Holden, M. R., Sneath, R. W., Short, J. L., White, R. P., Hartung, J., … Wathes, C. M. (1998). The Development of Robust Methods for Measuring Concentrations and Emission Rates of Gaseous and Particulate Air Pollutants in Livestock Buildings. Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research, 70(1), 11-24. doi:10.1006/jaer.1997.0283Calvet, S., Cambra-López, M., Estellés, F., & Torres, A. G. (2011). Characterization of gas emissions from a Mediterranean broiler farm. Poultry Science, 90(3), 534-542. doi:10.3382/ps.2010-01037Calvet, S., Cambra-López, M., Estellés Barber, F., & Torres, A. G. (2011). Characterization of the indoor environment and gas emissions in rabbit farms. World Rabbit Science, 19(1). doi:10.4995/wrs.2011.802Wathes, C. M., Holden, M. R., Sneath, R. W., White, R. P., & Phillips, V. R. (1997). Concentrations and emission rates of aerial ammonia, nitrous oxide, methane, carbon dioxide, dust and endotoxin in UK broiler and layer houses. British Poultry Science, 38(1), 14-28. doi:10.1080/00071669708417936Pedersen, S., Takai, H., Johnsen, J. O., Metz, J. H. M., Groot Koerkamp, P. W. G., Uenk, G. H., … Wathes, C. M. (1998). A Comparison of Three Balance Methods for Calculating Ventilation Rates in Livestock Buildings. Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research, 70(1), 25-37. doi:10.1006/jaer.1997.0276Yasuda, T., Yonemura, S., & Tani, A. (2012). Comparison of the Characteristics of Small Commercial NDIR CO2 Sensor Models and Development of a Portable CO2 Measurement Device. Sensors, 12(3), 3641-3655. doi:10.3390/s120303641Low-Power SoC (System-on-Chip) with MCU, Memory, Sub-1 GHz RF Transceiver, and USB Controllerwww.ti.com/product/cc1110f32Sensirion. SHT11: Digital Humidity Sensor (RH&T)http://www.sensirion.com/en/products/humidity-temperature/humidity-sensor-sht11/Bjerg, B., Zhang, G., Madsen, J., & Rom, H. B. (2011). Methane emission from naturally ventilated livestock buildings can be determined from gas concentration measurements. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 184(10), 5989-6000. doi:10.1007/s10661-011-2397-8Kaasik, A., & Maasikmets, M. (2013). Concentrations of airborne particulate matter, ammonia and carbon dioxide in large scale uninsulated loose housing cowsheds in Estonia. Biosystems Engineering, 114(3), 223-231. doi:10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2013.01.002Hodgkinson, J., Smith, R., Ho, W. O., Saffell, J. R., & Tatam, R. P. (2013). Non-dispersive infra-red (NDIR) measurement of carbon dioxide at 4.2μm in a compact and optically efficient sensor. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 186, 580-588. doi:10.1016/j.snb.2013.06.006Zosel, J., Oelßner, W., Decker, M., Gerlach, G., & Guth, U. (2011). The measurement of dissolved and gaseous carbon dioxide concentration. Measurement Science and Technology, 22(7), 072001. doi:10.1088/0957-0233/22/7/07200

Identification of a large, fast-expanding HIV-1 subtype B transmission cluster among MSM in Valencia, Spain

We describe and characterize an exceptionally large HIV-1 subtype B transmission cluster occurring in the Comunidad Valenciana (CV, Spain). A total of 1806 HIV-1 protease-reverse transcriptase (PR/RT) sequences from different patients were obtained in the CV between 2004 and 2014. After subtyping and generating a phylogenetic tree with additional HIV-1 subtype B sequences, a very large transmission cluster which included almost exclusively sequences from the CV was detected (n = 143 patients). This cluster was then validated and characterized with further maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analyses and Bayesian coalescent reconstructions. With these analyses, the CV cluster was delimited to 113 patients, predominately men who have sex with men (MSM). Although it was significantly located in the city of Valencia (n = 105), phylogenetic analyses suggested this cluster derives from a larger HIV lineage affecting other Spanish localities (n = 194). Coalescent analyses estimated its expansion in Valencia to have started between 1998 and 2004. From 2004 to 2009, members of this cluster represented only 1.46% of the HIV-1 subtype B samples studied in Valencia (n = 5/143), whereas from 2010 onwards its prevalence raised to 12.64% (n = 100/791). In conclusion, we have detected a very large transmission cluster in the CV where it has experienced a very fast growth in the recent years in the city of Valencia, thus contributing significantly to the HIV epidemic in this locality. Its transmission efficiency evidences shortcomings in HIV control measures in Spain and particularly in Valencia

Sexual uses of alcohol and drugs and the associated health risks: A cross sectional study of young people in nine European cities

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Young people in European countries are experiencing high levels of alcohol and drug use and escalating levels of sexually transmitted infections. Individually these represent major public health priorities. Understanding of the association between sex and substance use, and specifically the strategic roles for which young people utilise substances to facilitate sexual activity, remains limited.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Respondent driven sampling methodology was used in nine European cities to survey 1,341 16–35 year olds representing youth and younger adults who routinely engage in nightlife. Participants self-completed questionnaires, designed to gather demographic, social, and behavioural data on historic and current substance use and sexual behaviour.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Respondents reported strategic use of specific substances for different sexual purposes. Substances differed significantly in the purposes for which each was deployed (e.g. 28.6% of alcohol users use it to facilitate sexual encounters; 26.2% of cocaine users use it to prolong sex) with user demographics also relating to levels of sexual use (e.g. higher levels of: ecstasy use by males to prolong sex; cocaine use by single individuals to enhance sensation and arousal). Associations between substance use and sex started at a young age, with alcohol, cannabis, cocaine or ecstasy use before age 16 all being associated with having had sex before the age of 16 (odds ratios, 3.47, 4.19, 5.73, 9.35 respectively). However, sexes differed and substance use under 16 years was associated with a proportionately greater increase in early sex amongst girls. Respondents' current drug use was associated with having multiple sexual partners. Thus, for instance, regular cocaine users (c.f. never users) were over five times more likely to have had five or more sexual partners in the last 12 months or have paid for sex.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>An epidemic of recreational drug use and binge drinking exposes millions of young Europeans to routine consumption of substances which alter their sexual decisions and increase their chances of unsafe and regretted sex. For many, substance use has become an integral part of their strategic approach to sex, locking them into continued use. Tackling substances with both physiological and psychological links to sex requires approaching substance use and sexual behaviour in the same way that individuals experience them; as part of the same social process.</p

Local hydrological conditions influence tree diversity and composition across the Amazon basin

Tree diversity and composition in Amazonia are known to be strongly determined by the water supplied by precipitation. Nevertheless, within the same climatic regime, water availability is modulated by local topography and soil characteristics (hereafter referred to as local hydrological conditions), varying from saturated and poorly drained to well-drained and potentially dry areas. While these conditions may be expected to influence species distribution, the impacts of local hydrological conditions on tree diversity and composition remain poorly understood at the whole Amazon basin scale. Using a dataset of 443 1-ha non-flooded forest plots distributed across the basin, we investigate how local hydrological conditions influence 1) tree alpha diversity, 2) the community-weighted wood density mean (CWM-wd) – a proxy for hydraulic resistance and 3) tree species composition. We find that the effect of local hydrological conditions on tree diversity depends on climate, being more evident in wetter forests, where diversity increases towards locations with well-drained soils. CWM-wd increased towards better drained soils in Southern and Western Amazonia. Tree species composition changed along local soil hydrological gradients in Central-Eastern, Western and Southern Amazonia, and those changes were correlated with changes in the mean wood density of plots. Our results suggest that local hydrological gradients filter species, influencing the diversity and composition of Amazonian forests. Overall, this study shows that the effect of local hydrological conditions is pervasive, extending over wide Amazonian regions, and reinforces the importance of accounting for local topography and hydrology to better understand the likely response and resilience of forests to increased frequency of extreme climate events and rising temperatures

A survey for variable young stars with small telescopes: II - mapping a protoplanetary disc with stable structures at 0.15 au

The HOYS citizen science project conducts long term, multifilter, high cadence monitoring of large YSO samples with a wide variety of professional and amateur telescopes. We present the analysis of the light curve of V1490 Cyg in the Pelican Nebula. We show that colour terms in the diverse photometric data can be calibrated out to achieve a median photometric accuracy of 0.02 mag in broadband filters, allowing detailed investigations into a variety of variability amplitudes over timescales from hours to several years. Using Gaia DR2 we estimate the distance to the Pelican Nebula to be 870 +70 −55 pc. V1490 Cyg is a quasi-periodic dipper with a period of 31.447 ± 0.011 d. The obscuring dust has homogeneous properties, and grains larger than those typical in the ISM. Larger variability on short timescales is observed in U and Rc−Hα, with U-amplitudes reaching 3 mag on timescales of hours, indicating the source is accreting. The Hα equivalent width and NIR/MIR colours place V1490 Cyg between CTTS/WTTS and transition disk objects. The material responsible for the dipping is located in a warped inner disk, about 0.15 AU from the star. This mass reservoir can be filled and emptied on time scales shorter than the period at a rate of up to 10−10 M�/yr, consistent with low levels of accretion in other T Tauri stars. Most likely the warp at this separation from the star is induced by a protoplanet in the inner accretion disk. However, we cannot fully rule out the possibility of an AA Tau-like warp, or occultations by the Hill sphere around a forming planet

Variation in stem mortality rates determines patterns of above-ground biomass in Amazonian forests: implications for dynamic global vegetation models

Understanding the processes that determine above-ground biomass (AGB) in Amazonian forests is important for predicting the sensitivity of these ecosystems to environmental change and for designing and evaluating dynamic global vegetation models (DGVMs). AGB is determined by inputs from woody productivity [woody net primary productivity (NPP)] and the rate at which carbon is lost through tree mortality. Here, we test whether two direct metrics of tree mortality (the absolute rate of woody biomass loss and the rate of stem mortality) and/or woody NPP, control variation in AGB among 167 plots in intact forest across Amazonia. We then compare these relationships and the observed variation in AGB and woody NPP with the predictions of four DGVMs. The observations show that stem mortality rates, rather than absolute rates of woody biomass loss, are the most important predictor of AGB, which is consistent with the importance of stand size structure for determining spatial variation in AGB. The relationship between stem mortality rates and AGB varies among different regions of Amazonia, indicating that variation in wood density and height/diameter relationships also influences AGB. In contrast to previous findings, we find that woody NPP is not correlated with stem mortality rates and is weakly positively correlated with AGB. Across the four models, basin-wide average AGB is similar to the mean of the observations. However, the models consistently overestimate woody NPP and poorly represent the spatial patterns of both AGB and woody NPP estimated using plot data. In marked contrast to the observations, DGVMs typically show strong positive relationships between woody NPP and AGB. Resolving these differences will require incorporating forest size structure, mechanistic models of stem mortality and variation in functional composition in DGVMs