Analysis of reproductive performances during the formation of a synthetic rabbit strain

[EN] In 1995, a synthetic rabbit strain ('2666') was formed at INRA for commercial meat purposesby crossing the INRA '2066' strain and the 'V' strain from the Polytechnical University of Valencia (Spain).The development of some reproductive traits and body weight at palpation of the '2666' does was studiedfrom the F1 (first generation cross) to the F4 generation in comparison with the 'V' does. This developmentwas quantified in terms of Dickerson's crossbreeding parameters. The base strains did not differ significantlyfor any of the studied traits, either overall or in their direct and maternal genetic value. F1 does exhibitedsignificant individual heterosis for body weight (5.5% of the parental average), pregnancy rate (13.3%),total born (18.3%), born alive (24.4%) and weaned (21.0%) per litter born. Concerning body weight, asignificant crossbred superiority over the 'V' line was retained in the F2 but not thereafter. The rate ofpregnancy showed no crossbred advantage from the F2 on. Concerning litter size traits, the benefit ofcrossbreeding was maintained until the F4, but at a lower magnitude than in the F1. Body weight andpregnancy rate exhibited maternal heterosis, while litter size did not. Direct epistatic losses were significantfor body weight, tended towards significance for pregnancy rate, but did not affect litter size. Overall, thecomparison between the synthetic strain and the founders was favourable to the synthetics.Brun, J.; Baselga, M. (2005). Analysis of reproductive performances during the formation of a synthetic rabbit strain. World Rabbit Science. 13. doi:10.4995/wrs.2005.514SWORD1

Prolonged survival of patients receiving trastuzumab beyond disease progression for HER2 overexpressing metastatic breast cancer (MBC)

Background: The aim of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate the impact of trastuzumab-based regimens on the survival of patients with HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer (MBC). The study specifically focussed on the influence of the continuation of trastuzumab-based treatment despite tumor progression on survival. Patients and Methods: Patients with HER2 overexpressing MBC were included in this retrospective analysis. HER2 overexpression was determined by the immunohistochemical staining score (DAKO Hercep Test (TM)). Trastuzumab was applied at a loading dose of 4 mg/kg and a maintenance dose of 2 mg/kg. Results: Among 136 HER2 overexpressing patients (DAKO score 3+), 66 patients received first-line trastuzumab, 47 patients received trastuzumab as second-line therapy and 23 patients received trastuzumab beyond disease progression. There was no significant difference regarding the duration of trastuzumab-based treatment (first-line: 29.5 weeks vs. second-line: 25 weeks). Moreover, there was no difference in the response rate (first-line: 37.9% vs. second-line: 35.7%) or the median survival (p = 0.47 log rank). Patients who received >= 2 trastuzumab-based regimens for MBC survived significantly longer compared to those who had received only 1 regimen (>= 2 regimens: 62.4 months vs. 1 regimen: 38.5 months; p = 0.01 log rank). Conclusions: Trastuzumab is highly effective in the treatment of HER2 overexpressing MBC. Compared to historical controls, overall survival appears to be markedly prolonged, particularly in patients who received sequential trastuzumab-based treatment beyond disease progression

Some factors affecting production and milk composition characters in a crossbreeding experiment involving Gabali and V- line rabbits in Egypt

[EN] Data from 662 litters and 221 samples (two replicates per each sample) of rabbit milk were collectedfrom three different genetic groups [Gabali (G), V-line (V) and GxV (F1)] to study the effect of line and of somenon-genetic factors affecting production and milk composition traits. The studied traits were: number bornalive (LSBA); litter size at weaning (LSW); litter weight born alive (LWBA); litter weight at weaning (LWW); totalmilk yield (TMY) and protein, fat, total solids (TS), ash, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sodium (Na), calcium(Ca) and magnesium (Mg) milk content. The genetic group effect was significant for LSBA [V (7.3) and F1(7.3)were superior to G (6.6)); LWBA (higher values for V (416 g) and F1 (405 g) than for G (382 g)]; TMY [G (3497g) and F1(3486 g) higher than V (3042 g)]; milk fat [F1 (26%) and G (25%) superior to V (23%)] and milkTS[F1(42%) superior to G (40%) and V (39%)]. The estimates of the heterosis effect ranged between 1.6% and12.8% for production and milk gross chemical traits, being significant only for milk fat content (9.1%). Thepositive values of the heterosis estimates for those traits and the complementarity between the G breed andthe V line, the G superior in milk related traits but the V superior in prolificacy, show the interest of their crossand of the synthetic lines derived from them. The heterosis was non-significant for milk mineral content traits.The parity effects were significant for LSBA, fat, TS, ash and K (the maxima were reached at 6th or 5th parity).The effect of week of lactation was significant for fat, ash and TS, corresponding the maximum values of fatand TS to the 3rd and 4th week. The year-season or the year-month effects were significant for all traitsshowing the importance of including these time-period factors into the statistical models proposed for thetraits.This project was supported by the Spanish Agency of International Cooperation (A.E.C.I.) and the Center of Cooperation for Development of the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Spain. We, also, appreciate the effort of Prof. Dr. Maher Khalil supporting the project.Iraqi, M.; Shenana, M.; Baselga, M. (2007). Some factors affecting production and milk composition characters in a crossbreeding experiment involving Gabali and V- line rabbits in Egypt. World Rabbit Science. 15(3). doi:10.4995/wrs.2007.594SWORD15

Recent Technological Developments on LGAD and iLGAD Detectors for Tracking and Timing Applications

This paper reports the last technological development on the Low Gain Avalanche Detector (LGAD) and introduces a new architecture of these detectors called inverse-LGAD (iLGAD). Both approaches are based on the standard Avalanche Photo Diodes (APD) concept, commonly used in optical and X-ray detection applications, including an internal multiplication of the charge generated by radiation. The multiplication is inherent to the basic n++-p+-p structure, where the doping profile of the p+ layer is optimized to achieve high field and high impact ionization at the junction. The LGAD structures are optimized for applications such as tracking or timing detectors for high energy physics experiments or medical applications where time resolution lower than 30 ps is required. Detailed TCAD device simulations together with the electrical and charge collection measurements are presented through this work.Comment: Keywords: silicon detectors, avalanche multiplication, timing detectors, tracking detectors. 8 pages. 8 Figure

Genetic trend in selection for litter weight in two maternal lines of rabbits in Egypt

[EN] An analysis was carried out to evaluate the results of the selection program of a new synthetic maternal line of Egyptian APRI rabbits and the Spanish V line. The selection criterion was litter weaning weight in both lines based on Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) estimations under a repeatability animal model. The studied traits were: litter birth weight, litter weaning weight (at 28 d) and pre-weaning litter gain. Heritability estimates were generally low (0.09 to 0.11) and comparable in both lines. Low to moderate estimates of repeatability were observed for all studied traits (0.15 to 0.31). Estimates of genetic correlations were high (0.77 to 0.97), while permanent environmental effects correlations were mostly lower than genetic correlations (0.47 to 0.87). The genetic trends were also estimated using mixed model methodology and were significant and comparable (34.2 and 32.5 g) for the selected trait (litter weaning weight) in APRI and V lines, respectively. Furthermore, correlated genetic trends were significant (P<0.05) for other litter weight traits. These results indicate that the current selection program has been effective in achieving genetic improvement in litter weight traits.The authors would like to thank the Spanish Agency of International Cooperation for supporting this work through the project “Sustainable production of rabbit meat: Evaluation and genetic improvement of Spanish-Egyptian rabbit lines”.Abou Khadiga, G.; Youssef, Y.; Saleh, K.; Nofal, R.; Baselga, M. (2010). Genetic trend in selection for litter weight in two maternal lines of rabbits in Egypt. World Rabbit Science. 18(1):27-32. doi:10.4995/wrs.2010.18.04273218

Pooled analysis of cardiac safety in patients with cancer treated with pertuzumab

Background: Pertuzumab, a human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) 2 dimerization inhibitor, has demonstrated promising efficacy in combination with trastuzumab in patients with metastatic breast cancer. As HER signaling pathways are not only involved in oncogenesis, but also in myocardial homeostasis, an analysis of cardiac safety data was undertaken in a large group of patients treated with pertuzumab. Patients and methods: A complete database of patients treated with full-dose pertuzumab was used to describe the incidence of asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) and symptomatic heart failure (HF). Results: Information for 598 unique patients was available for the current analysis. Of the patients treated with pertuzumab alone (n = 331) or pertuzumab in combination with a non-anthracycline-containing cytotoxic (n = 175) or trastuzumab (n = 93), 23 (6.9%), 6 (3.4%), and 6 (6.5%), respectively, developed asymptomatic LVSD and 1 (0.3%), 2 (1.1%), and 1 (1.1%), respectively, displayed symptomatic HF. None of the 15 patients receiving both pertuzumab and erlotinib demonstrated LVSD. Conclusions: Patients treated with pertuzumab experienced relatively low levels of asymptomatic LVSD or symptomatic HF. There was no notable increase in cardiac side-effects when pertuzumab was given in combination with other anticancer agent

Submicronic Filtering Media Based on Electrospun Recycled PET Nanofibers: Development, Characterization, and Method to Manufacture Surgical Masks

The disposal of single-use personal protective equipment has brought a notable environmental impact in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. During these last two years, part of the global research efforts has been focused on preventing contagion using nanotechnology. This work explores the production of filter materials with electrohydrodynamic techniques using recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET). PET was chosen because it is one of the materials most commonly present in everyday waste (such as in food packaging, bags, or bottles), being the most frequently used thermoplastic polymer in the world. The influence of the electrospinning parameters on the filtering capacity of the resulting fabric was analyzed against both aerosolized submicron particles and microparticulated matter. Finally, we present a new scalable and straightforward method for manufacturing surgical masks by electrospinning and we validate their performance by simulating the standard conditions to which they are subjected to during use. The masks were successfully reprocessed to ensure that the proposed method is able to reduce the environmental impact of disposable face masks. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Incidence and time course of everolimus-related adverse events in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive advanced breast cancer: insights from BOLERO-2.

BackgroundIn the BOLERO-2 trial, everolimus (EVE), an inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin, demonstrated significant clinical benefit with an acceptable safety profile when administered with exemestane (EXE) in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive (HR(+)) advanced breast cancer. We report on the incidence, time course, severity, and resolution of treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) as well as incidence of dose modifications during the extended follow-up of this study.Patients and methodsPatients were randomized (2:1) to receive EVE 10 mg/day or placebo (PBO), with open-label EXE 25 mg/day (n = 724). The primary end point was progression-free survival. Secondary end points included overall survival, objective response rate, and safety. Safety evaluations included recording of AEs, laboratory values, dose interruptions/adjustments, and study drug discontinuations.ResultsThe safety population comprised 720 patients (EVE + EXE, 482; PBO + EXE, 238). The median follow-up was 18 months. Class-effect toxicities, including stomatitis, pneumonitis, and hyperglycemia, were generally of mild or moderate severity and occurred relatively early after treatment initiation (except pneumonitis); incidence tapered off thereafter. EVE dose reduction and interruption (360 and 705 events, respectively) required for AE management were independent of patient age. The median duration of dose interruption was 7 days. Discontinuation of both study drugs because of AEs was higher with EVE + EXE (9%) versus PBO + EXE (3%).ConclusionsMost EVE-associated AEs occur soon after initiation of therapy, are typically of mild or moderate severity, and are generally manageable with dose reduction and interruption. Discontinuation due to toxicity was uncommon. Understanding the time course of class-effect AEs will help inform preventive and monitoring strategies as well as patient education.Trial registration numberNCT00863655

Genetic variability of functional longevity in five rabbit lines

The objectives of this study were to analyse the differences in the genetic determination of functional longevity in five Spanish lines of rabbits and to check how different systematic factors might affect this genetic determination. Four of the lines were maternal (lines A, V, H and LP), these lines were established selecting base generation animals according to different criteria, but in the subsequent generations all of them were selected for litter size at weaning. The other is the paternal line R, this line was constituted by selecting animals with an outstanding daily growth rate. The trait analysed, length of productive life, was the time in days between the date of the first positive pregnancy test and the date of culling or death of a doe. Four models extended from the Cox proportional hazard model were used to analyse data of each line separately and jointly. The complete model (Model 1) included the fixed effect of year-season (YS) combination, positive palpation order (OPP), that is, reproductive cycle, physiological status of the doe (PS) at service and number of kits born alive (NBA) in each kindling as time-dependent factors. The inbreeding coefficient was fitted as a continuous covariate and the animal’s additive genetic effect was also fitted to the model (Model 1). The other models were identical to Model 1 but excluding OPP (Model 2) or PS (Model 3) or NBA (Model 4), which were explored to assess the consequence on additive variance estimates of not correcting for these animal-dependent factors. Estimated effective heritabilities of longevity were 0.07 ± 0.03, 0.03 ± 0.02, 0.14 ± 0.09, 0.05 ± 0.04, 0.02 ± 0.01 and 0.04 ± 0.01 for lines A, V, H, LP, R and for the merged data set, respectively. Removing the PS from the model led to an increase in the estimated additive genetic variance in all lines (0.17 ± 0.05, 0.05 ± 0.03, 0.29 ± 0.19, 0.29 ± 0.20, 0.07 ± 0.04 and 0.05 ± 0.02 for lines A, V, H, LP, R and the merged data set, respectively). The highest hazard of death and/or culling was observed during the first two parities and decreased as the order of parity progressed. Does non-pregnant-non-lactating had the highest risk of death or culling. The does that had zero kits born alive incurred the highest risk, and this risk decreased as the NBA increased. In conclusion, the consideration of longevity as selection criterion for the studied rabbit lines is not recommended.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio