Which pre-vitrification parameters are the most predictive of survival and live birth in vitrified–warmed blastocyst transfer cycles?
A retrospective study including 11,936 warmed blastocysts. ...Pre-vitrification morphological parameters analysed for blastocysts included day of vitrification; blastocyst expansion degree; trophoectoderm grade (A, B and C); and inner cell mass grade (A, B and C). Univariate and multivariate generalized estimating equations models were used to analyse survival, clinical pregnancy and live birth rate. A stepwise regression analysis was conducted to select and classify by order which outcomes were the most predictive.
The odds of survival increased almost twice for blastocysts with lower expansion degree (OR 1.92; 95% CI 1.37 to 2.69; P < 0.001) and by about 50% for blastocysts vitrified on day 5 (OR 1.56; 95% CI 1.27 to 1.89; P < 0.001). Multivariate generalized estimating equations model showed that trophectoderm grade followed by the day of vitrification were the most significant predictors of live birth. The odds of live birth increased nearly three times for blastocysts with trophectoderm graded as A compared with those with trophectoderm graded as C (OR 2.85; 95% CI 2.48 to 3.27; P < 0.001), and double for blastocysts vitrified on day 5 compared with those vitrified on day 6 (OR 2.22; 95% CI 1.97 to 2.49; P < 0.001). The odds of live birth also increased in higher expansion degree blastocysts.
Blastocysts vitrified on day 5 and those with higher trophoectoderm grade should be given priority when warming.
The aim of this study was to analyze whether the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccine reduces mortality in patients with moderate or severe COVID‐19 disease requiring oxygen therapy. A ...retrospective cohort study, with data from 148 hospitals in both Spain (111 hospitals) and Argentina (37 hospitals), was conducted. We evaluated hospitalized patients for COVID‐19 older than 18 years with oxygen requirements. Vaccine protection against death was assessed through a multivariable logistic regression and propensity score matching. We also performed a subgroup analysis according to vaccine type. The adjusted model was used to determine the population attributable risk. Between January 2020 and May 2022, we evaluated 21,479 COVID‐19 hospitalized patients with oxygen requirements. Of these, 338 (1.5%) patients received a single dose of the COVID‐19 vaccine and 379 (1.8%) were fully vaccinated. In vaccinated patients, mortality was 20.9% (95% confidence interval CI: 17.9–24), compared to 19.5% (95% CI: 19–20) in unvaccinated patients, resulting in a crude odds ratio (OR) of 1.07 (95% CI: 0.89–1.29; p = 0.41). However, after considering the multiple comorbidities in the vaccinated group, the adjusted OR was 0.73 (95% CI: 0.56–0.95; p = 0.02) with a population attributable risk reduction of 4.3% (95% CI: 1–5). The higher risk reduction for mortality was with messenger RNA (mRNA) BNT162b2 (Pfizer) (OR 0.37; 95% CI: 0.23–0.59; p < 0.01), ChAdOx1 nCoV‐19 (AstraZeneca) (OR 0.42; 95% CI: 0.20–0.86; p = 0.02), and mRNA‐1273 (Moderna) (OR 0.68; 95% CI: 0.41–1.12; p = 0.13), and lower with Gam‐COVID‐Vac (Sputnik) (OR 0.93; 95% CI: 0.6–1.45; p = 0.76). COVID‐19 vaccines significantly reduce the probability of death in patients suffering from a moderate or severe disease (oxygen therapy).
Involvement of primary care teams in the care of patients with OSA is a focus of interest. The study objective was to compare diagnostic and therapeutic agreement between decisions taken by primary ...care professionals and sleep unit specialists.
This was a prospective multicenter study conducted at primary care and specialized care centers in the urban area of Barcelona, Spain. Men and women aged 18-75 years who visited the participating primary care centers for any reason were recruited. Both primary care physicians and sleep specialists made a diagnostic and therapeutic decision with clinical data and results of a home sleep apnea test. All patients were finally assessed with respiratory polygraphy or polysomnography as a gold-standard test.
A total of 229 patients underwent a home sleep apnea test and were evaluated at the primary care centers and the sleep units. Diagnostic agreement using the same tools and excluding indeterminate decisions was 69.8% (Cohen's kappa = 0.64; 95% confidence interval, 0.56-0.72). Agreement for therapeutic decisions (PAP vs conservative treatment) was obtained in 82.5% of patients (Cohen's kappa = 0.62; 95% confidence interval, 0.51-0.73), increasing to 92.5% (Cohen's kappa = 0.49, 95% confidence interval, 0.40-0.58) when indeterminate options were excluded. As compared with the final therapeutic decisions made at the sleep unit with respiratory polygraphy/polysomnography, primary care physicians agreed regarding 83.3% (Cohen's kappa = 0.62; 95% confidence interval, 0.49-0.74) of patients.
Primary care professionals may assume an important role in the management of OSA in coordination with sleep centers, identifying patients who require specific treatment and should be referred to specialized care.
Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; Name: PASHOS Project: Advanced Platform for Sleep Apnea Syndrome Assessment; URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02591979; Identifier: NCT02591979.
Since mid-2003, systematic monthly sightings surveys for cetaceans have been carried out in Galicia (north-west Spain) from observation points around the coastline, with the aim of providing baseline ...data on cetacean distribution and habitat use to underpin future conservation measures. Here we summarize results for September 2003 to October 2007. The most frequently recorded species were the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus, seen during 10.7% of observation periods), common dolphin (Delphinus delphis, 3.7%), harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena, 1.6%), Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus, 0.4%) and short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas, 0.2%). The three most common species showed different distribution patterns along the coast. In terms of habitat preferences, bottlenose dolphins were seen to be associated with more productive areas (areas with higher chlorophyll-a concentrations) where the continental shelf was wider while both common dolphins and harbour porpoises were seen most frequently in less productive areas where the continental shelf is narrowest. Possible reasons for differences in habitat use include differing diets. In Galician waters, all three main cetacean species feed primarily on fish that are common in shelf waters, and in the case of blue whiting (the most important species in the stomach contents of common and bottlenose dolphins) abundant also on the slope. All three cetaceans feed on blue whiting while scad is important in diets of common dolphin and porpoise. It is also possible that porpoises do not use areas frequented by bottlenose dolphins in order to avoid aggressive interactions. Retrospective evaluation of the sampling regime, using data from the 2500 observation periods during 2003–2007 suggests that the overall sightings rates for all species (taking into account observation time and between-site travel time) would be higher if average observation duration was increased to at least 40 minutes. On the other hand, confidence limits on sightings rates stabilized after around 1000 observation periods, suggesting that the number of sites visited or the frequency of visits could be substantially reduced.
Aim : Rotifer research on sessile taxa has received less attention because they are not easy to identify in fixed samples. In the Lake Xochimilco, a Ramsar site in Mexico City, three morphotypes of ...L. ceratophylli and a single morphotype of L. cf. melicerta occur in different densities. The aim of this study was to test if temperature was responsible for the differences in the population densities of these morphotypes. Methodology : The present study was carried out using population growth method consisting of 4 treatments (3 morphotypes of L. ceratophylli and one of L. cf. melicerta) at 20 and 25°C. Experiments were carried out in 50 ml glass jars containing 25 ml synthetic medium with Chlorella vulgaris as food. The population growth rates (r) were derived. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc tests were used to quantify the intra-and interspecific differences in the population growth rates. Results : The temperature levels for optimal population growth rates differed among the morphotypes of same species. At 20°C, the morphotype 1 had the highest r (0.23 d-1) similar to that of L. cf. melicerta, while morphotype 3 had the lowest (0.15 d-1). For L. cf. melicerta, the r was higher at 25°C than at 20°C. Of three morphotypes of L. ceratophylli, morphotype 3 had the highest r at 25°C similar to that of L. cf. melicerta at same temperature. Interpretaion : There were significant differences among growth patterns within the morphotypes of L. ceratophylli, depending on culture temperature. These trends highlight the relative importance of environmental variables in differentiating morphotypes of a sessile species complex which could explain their possible seasonal changes in the natural waterbodies.
Although comprising<0.5% of all the known species of Rotifera, sessile rotifers are an important component in freshwater ecosystems, especially shallow waterbodies. During the last eight decades, ...fewer than 80 publications have dealt specifically with sessile rotifers, while more than 7600 articles have focused on rotifers in general. In this work research on the sessile rotifers with emphasis on the Mexican fauna has been reviewed and some additional information on the new records has been included. Difficulties involved in collection and maintenance of sessile rotifers, as well as problems of identification and quantification have been considered. Published data on the ecology and taxonomy of this group has also been reviewed. There are 35 species of sessile rotifers from three families Atrochidae, Collothecidae, and Flosculariidae, but to that four more species in the planktonic family Conochilidae may be added, as recent molecular research indicates that this family lies within Flosculariidae. The inventory includes new records for Mexico and one poorly described species. The number of sessile rotifer species known from Mexico is still low considering the large number of shallow water bodies present in Mexico. Comments regarding the importance of substratum (macrophyte) type and the significance of physical structure in providing substratum for larval stages of sessile rotifers have been made.
To evaluate the effect of the Otago Exercise Programme on the frailty of non-institutionalized people between 65 and 80 years of age and study factors associated with frailty.
Pre-post test study ...(baseline and after 12 months) without control group in people aged 65–80 years (living in the community and with independent ambulation) after being trained in the Otago Exercise Programme in 5 sessions: weeks 1, 2, 4 and 8, and a reinforcement session at 6 months. Patients were recruited from 3 health areas (n = 200). Frailty was assessed with the FRAIL scale.
There were 198 people who started the study and 161 completed the 12-month follow-up. The average age of the sample was 72.28 years; predominance of female sex 64.65%; low educational level 76.50%; people living alone 24.50%; overweight in 42%, and grade I obesity in 32.32%. Significant differences were observed with a P = .023 in the level of frailty between baseline and 12 months. The exploratory analysis identified significant differences before and after the intervention by sex (being a woman) (P = .018) and condition of living alone (P = .0468).
The Otago Exercise Programme prevents positive results in frailty in people 65 to 80 years of age and can help maintain function and prevent deterioration.
Evaluar el efecto del Programa de Ejercicios de Otago en la fragilidad de personas entre 65 y 80 años no institucionalizadas y estudiar factores asociados a la fragilidad.
Estudio pre-post test (basal y tras 12 meses) sin grupo control en personas de entre 65–80 años (viviendo en la comunidad y con deambulación independiente) tras formarles en el Programa de Ejercicios de Otago en 5 sesiones: semanas 1, 2, 4 y 8, y una sesión de refuerzo a los 6 meses. Los pacientes se reclutaron en 3 áreas de salud (n = 200). La fragilidad se evaluó con la escala FRAIL.
Las personas que comienzan el estudio fueron 198 y terminaron el seguimiento de los 12 meses 161. La edad promedio de la muestra fue de 72,28 años; predominio del sexo femenino 64,65%; nivel de estudio bajo 76,50%; personas viviendo solas 24,50%; sobrepeso en el 42% y obesidad grado I en el 32,32%. Se observan diferencias significativas con p = 0,023 en el nivel de fragilidad entre el momento basal y a los 12 meses. El análisis exploratorio permitió identificar diferencias significativas antes y después de la intervención por sexo (ser mujer) (p = 0,018) y condición de vivir solo (p = 0,0468).
El Programa de Ejercicios de Otago preventa resultados positivos en la fragilidad en personas de 65 a 80 años y puede ayudar a mantener la funcionalidad y evitar su deterioro.
The textile industry’s waste is a primary pollutant in aquatic environments. One of the alternatives for pollutant removal is the adsorption process. Among them, polysaccharides have numerous ...advantages regarding their use: they are non-toxic, abundant in nature, biodegradable, hydrophilic, and have several other properties. The study aimed to investigate new composite materials with morphology based on chitosan and gallium-doped hydroxyapatite (HAp) to remove remazol blue and remazol red dyes in an aqueous solution. In order to have a better understanding of the sorption process, different techniques were used to characterize the composite. Regarding the crystallinity, gallium’s presence did not affect HAp’s crystalline structure. On the other hand, the FT-IR and TG spectra of the composite indicate interactions between the precursor materials in producing the same by shifting the characteristic bands and increasing thermal stability. The morphological analysis by FESEM and Tomography presented essential characteristics for applying the composite in the adsorptive process through the pores formed in the material. Open and interconnected pores were observed with average diameters of 20 μm on the upper and lateral face surface and 95 μm on the inside. A more significant number of pores were observed inside, thus influencing the adsorption. In addition, with the EDS, it was possible to observe the presence of precursor elements for forming the composite. It is concluded that the composite was successful and showed excellent potential for removing Remazol Blue RGB and Remazol Red with adsorption of 341.41 ± 6.82 and 584.89 ± 23.39 mg/g, respectively.
We present a dataset that assembles occurrence records of alien tetrapods (amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals) in the Iberian Peninsula, a coherent biogeographically unit where introductions of ...alien species have occurred for millennia. These data have important potential applications for ecological research and management, including the assessment of invasion risks, formulation of preventive and management plans, and research at the biological community level on alien species. This dataset summarizes inventories and data sources on the taxonomy and distribution of alien tetrapods in the Iberia Peninsula, comprising known locations from published literature, expert knowledge and citizen science platforms. An expert-based assessment process allowed the identification of unreliable records (misclassification or natural dispersion from native range), and the classification of species according to their status of reproduction in the wild. Distributional data was harmonized into a common area unit, the 10 × 10 km Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) system (n = 6,152 cells). The year of observation and/or year of publication were also assigned to the records. In total, we assembled 35,940 unique distribution records (UTM × species × Year) for 253 species (6 amphibians, 16 reptiles, 218 birds and 13 mammals), spanning between 1912 and 2020. The species with highest number of distribution records were the Mediterranean painted frog
Discoglossus pictus
(n = 59 UTM), the pond slider
Trachemys scripta
(n = 471), the common waxbill
Estrilda astrild
(n = 1,275) and the house mouse
Mus musculus
(n = 4,043), for amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, respectively. Most alien species recorded are native to Africa (33%), followed by South America (21%), Asia (19%), North America (12%) and Oceania (10%). Thirty-six species are classified by IUCN as threatened in their native range, namely 2 Critically Endangered (CR), 6 Endangered (EN), 8 Vulnerable (VU), and 20 species Near Threatened (NT). Species maps are provided in DataSet1, as well R code and GIS layers to update them as new records are obtained.
High nut consumption has been previously associated with decreased prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) regardless of race and dietary patterns.
The aim of this study was to assess whether changes ...in nut consumption over a 1-y follow-up are associated with changes in features of MetS in a middle-aged and older Spanish population at high cardiovascular disease risk.
This prospective 1-y follow-up cohort study, conducted in the framework of the PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea (PREDIMED)-Plus randomized trial, included 5800 men and women (55–75 y old) with overweight/obesity BMI (in kg/m2) ≥27 and <40 and MetS. Nut consumption (almonds, pistachios, walnuts, and other nuts) was assessed using data from a validated FFQ. The primary outcome was the change from baseline to 1 y in features of MetS waist circumference (WC), glycemia, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), and systolic and diastolic blood pressure and excess weight (body weight and BMI) according to tertiles of change in nut consumption. Secondary outcomes included changes in dietary and lifestyle characteristics. A generalized linear model was used to compare 1-y changes in features of MetS, weight, dietary intakes, and lifestyle characteristics across tertiles of change in nut consumption.
As nut consumption increased, between each tertile there was a significant decrease in WC, TG, systolic blood pressure, weight, and BMI (P < 0.05), and a significant increase in HDL cholesterol (only in women, P = 0.044). The interaction effect between time and group was significant for total energy intake (P < 0.001), adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) (P < 0.001), and nut consumption (P < 0.001). Across tertiles of increasing nut consumption there was a significant increase in extra virgin olive oil intake and adherence to the MedDiet; change in energy intake, on the other hand, was inversely related to consumption of nuts.
Features of MetS and excess weight were inversely associated with nut consumption after a 1-y follow-up in the PREDIMED-Plus study cohort. This trial was registered at isrctn.com as ISRCTN89898870.
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