Genomic tools are now available for most livestock species and are used routinely for genomic selection (GS) in cattle. One of the most important developments resulting from the introduction of ...genomic testing for dairy cattle is the application of reasonably priced low-density single nucleotide polymorphism technology in the selection of females. In this context, combining genome testing and reproductive biotechnologies in young heifers enables new strategies to generate replacement and elite females in a given period of time. Moreover, multiple markers have been detected in biopsies of preimplantation stage embryos, thus paving the way to develop new strategies based on preimplantation diagnosis and the genetic screening of embryos. Based on recent advances in GS, the present review focuses on new possibilities inherent in reproductive technologies used for commercial purposes and in genetic schemes, possible side effects and beneficial impacts on reproductive efficiency. A particular focus is on the different steps allowing embryo genotyping, including embryo micromanipulation, DNA production and quality assessment.
•Uncertainty analysis was performed on an ultrasonic inspection of an austenitic weld.•6000 Simulations were performed using the finite element code ATHENA2D.•Statistical analyses were carried out ...using the uncertainty management software OpenTURNS.•Output probability distributions were determined as well as 95% confidence intervals.•Interference between the echoes coming from the weld taper and the defect led sometimes to an unexpected bimodal response.
For comprehension purpose, numerical computations are more and more used to simulate the propagation phenomena observed during experimental inspections. However, the good agreement between experimental and simulated data necessitates the use of accurate input data and thus a good characterization of the inspected material. Generally the input data are provided by experimental measurements and are consequently tainted with uncertainties. Thus, it becomes necessary to evaluate the impact of these uncertainties on the outputs of the numerical model. The aim of this study is to perform a probabilistic analysis of an ultrasonic inspection of an austenitic weld containing a manufactured defect based on advanced techniques such as polynomial chaos expansions and computation of sensitivity factors (Sobol, DGSM). The simulation of this configuration with the finite element code ATHENA2D was performed 6000times with variations of the input parameters (the columnar grain orientation and the elastic constants of the material). The 6000 sets of input parameters were obtained from adapted statistical laws. The output parameters (the amplitude and the position of the defect echo) distributions were then analyzed and the 95% confidence intervals were determined.
Dietary supplementation with propylene glycol (PG) increases in vitro production of high-quality embryos in feed-restricted heifers. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of PG in ...feed-restricted heifers on follicular fluid insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) 1 concentrations, expression of IGF system genes in oocytes and cumulus cells and the expression of selected genes in blastocysts. Feed-restricted (R) heifers were drenched with water or PG during induced oestrous cycles (400mL of PG or water/drench, daily drenching at 1600 hours for the first 9 days of the oestrous cycle). Ovum pick-up (OPU) was performed after superovulation to produce in vitro embryos and without superovulation to recover oocytes, cumulus cells and follicular fluid. OPU was also performed in a control group (not feed restricted and no drenching). Follicular fluid IGF1 concentrations were reduced by R, and PG restored IGF1 concentrations to those seen in the control group. In cumulus cells, expression of IGF1, IGF1 receptor (IGF1R) and IGF binding protein 4 (IGFBP4) was decreased in the R group, and fully (IGF1 and IGF1R) or partially (IGFBP4) restored to control levels by PG. Blastocyst perilipin 2 (PLIN2; also known as adipophilin), Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX), SCL2A1 (facilitated glucose/fructose transporter GLUT1), aquaporin 3 (AQP3), DNA (cytosine-5)-methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) and heat shock 70-kDa protein 9 (HSPA9B) expression were decreased in R heifers; PG restored the expression of the last four genes to control levels. In conclusion, these results suggest that, during follicular growth, PG exerts epigenetic regulatory effects on gene expression in blastocyst stage embryos.
Rapid genetic improvement in cattle requires the production of high numbers of embryos of excellent quality. Increasing circulating insulin and/or glucose concentrations improves ovarian follicular ...growth, which may improve the response to superovulation. The measurement of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) can help predict an animal’s response to superovulation treatment. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether increasing circulating insulin concentrations, through propylene glycol (PG) drenches, could improve in vitro embryo production in oestrus-synchronised superovulated heifers with different AMH profiles. Holstein heifers were grouped according to pre-experimental AMH concentrations as low (L) or high (H). The PG drench increased circulating insulin and glucose concentrations and reduced β-hydroxybutyrate and urea concentrations compared with the control group. AMH was a good predictor of follicle and oocyte numbers at ovum pick-up (OPU), and of oocyte and embryo quality (AMH H>AMH L). PG in the AMH H group increased the number of follicles and blastocyst quality above that in the control group, but did not improve these parameters in the AMH L group. These results indicate that short-term oral PG supplementation modifies an animal’s metabolic milieu and is effective in improving in vitro embryo production, after superovulation–OPU, more markedly in heifers with high rather than low AMH concentrations.
This study was designed to determine the effects of dietary propylene glycol (PG; Propypact®, DIFAGRI, France) on blood metabolites, metabolic and reproductive hormones and follicular growth in 10 ...dairy heifers. Treatments consisted of (1) 1.1kg of sugar beet pulp (Control), (2) 150g PG (PG150) and (3) 300g PG (PG300). Each heifer received the three treatments in different randomized orders. A standard hay/concentrate diet, formulated to allow a daily liveweight gain of 900g/day, was given at 8:00 and the dietary treatments were given at 16:00 from Days 1 to 13 of the oestrous cycle following induced oestrus (Day 0). Oestrus induction treatment consisted of a subcutaneous 3mg norgestomet implant inserted for 9 days combined with GnRH treatment (i.m.) at implant insertion. Two days before implant removal, 500µg cloprostenol was administered i.m. Blood samples were collected by jugular venipuncture every 2h for 24h on Days 0 and 13 to measure plasma insulin, glucose, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and urea concentrations. Blood samples were also collected to measure insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), oestradiol, progesterone concentrations on Days 2, 6, 9 and 12 and AMH (Anti-Müllerian hormone) on Days 0, 2, 6, 9 and 12. On Days 2, 6, 9 and 12 ovarian follicular growth was evaluated; the total number of follicles and their diameters were recorded and classed (2–3mm, 4–7mm, and >8mm). Results were analysed by repeated-measures ANOVA. There were no treatment, day and interaction effects on average urea concentrations while there were some differences between Days 0 and 13 for insulin, glucose and BHB. Insulin and glucose concentrations were higher on Day 13 compared to Day 0 and the opposite was observed for BHB. There were treatment, time and interaction effects on glucose and BHB concentrations measured over 24h on Day 13; glucose concentrations were higher (P<0.05) at 4:00, 8:00, 12:00, 16:00 and 20:00h, whereas BHB concentrations were lower (P<0.05) at 20:00 and 22:00h in the PG300 group compared to the control and PG150 groups. There were treatment, day and interaction effects on IGF-1 and progesterone concentrations, and the number of small follicles. PG150 resulted in higher progesterone concentrations on Days 9 and 12, and more small follicles on Day 2 compared to Control. AMH concentrations were unaffected by day of oestrous cycle and dietary treatment. However a negative correlation was observed between pre-PG distribution insulin and AMH (r=−0.47, P<0.05). These results indicate that short-term dietary PG supplementation affects circulating concentrations of metabolites and metabolic hormones, increases progesterone concentrations and the number of small follicles. Propylene glycol supplementation may be effective in improving oocyte production when combined with hormonal treatments to stimulate follicular growth for superovulation or ovum-pick up.
Heterozygous carriers of Robertsonian translocations generally have a normal phenotype but present reproductive failure. In cattle, the t(1;29) Robertsonian translocation is very common and carriers ...show a 3-5% decrease in fertility. Some data suggest that female carriers have a higher decrease than male carriers but no direct studies of the chromosome content of oocytes from a t(1;29) carrier cow have been performed so far. Four heterozygous carrier cows underwent hormonal stimulations and follicles punctions and about 800 oocytes were matured in vitro. Six hundred metaphase II preparations were obtained and analysed by fluorescent in situ hybridization with bovine chromosome 1 and 29 painting probes. Proportions of different kinds of oocytes were assessed: 74.11% (292/394) were normal and balanced, 4.06% (16/394) unbalanced and 21.83% (86/394) diploid. For all cows, the number of normal oocytes was not significantly different from the number of translocated oocytes but the diploidy and unbalanced rate were significantly different between them. As found in bulls, the meiotic segregation pattern in cows has shown a preponderance of alternate products. However, the frequency of unbalanced gametes determined in females (4.06%) was significantly higher than the frequency observed in males (2.76%). The divergence in the rate of diploid gametes (0.04% vs. 21.83%) is mainly explained by the difference between males and females.
Purpose
Strategic management plays a pivotal role in the growth and success of organizations, significantly impacting their business performance and competitive edge. In today’s globalized markets, ...strategic management is gaining prominence as a means to enhance company performance and distinctiveness. Within this landscape, the evaluation of organizational effectiveness takes on heightened significance, complemented by the emergence of strategic management frameworks designed to secure enduring competitive advantages for businesses.
Design/methodology/approach
One of the best known approaches to organizational resource assessment is the value, rarity, inimitability and organizational-oriented (VRIO) framework. However, this tool comes with inherent limitations that have hindered its advancement, primarily related to the need for less subjective means of identifying and assigning weights to resources and capabilities during the evaluation process. This study, therefore, endeavored to refine the VRIO framework, making it more transparent and empirically robust. To achieve this aim, the framework was combined with the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method (i.e. a multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA) method), and a real-life application was conducted.
Findings
The evaluation system created was tested, and the results demonstrate that the dual methodology used can increase the understanding of resource appraisal and lead to more informed and potentially better evaluations of resources and capabilities. The strengths and shortcomings of this new structured evaluation model are also analyzed.
Originality/value
The authors know of no prior work reporting the integrated use of VRIO and DEMATEL in this study context.
Objective. Nerve-sparing dissection of the lateral portion of the cardinal ligament (paracervical lymphadenectomy) has been recently developed with the goal of reducing the late urinary adverse ...effects of radical hysterectomy without impairing the outcome. This work has been carried out in order to investigate the influence of additional paracervical lymph node dissection at the time of laparoscopically assisted modified radical hysterectomy on outcome and urinary sequelae.
Methods. A total of 95 patients underwent a modified radical hysterectomy using a combined laparoscopic and vaginal approach since 1991. In 47 of these patients treated since 1996 an additional laparoscopic paracervical lymphadenectomy was performed. The operative, postoperative, and survival outcomes were assessed. In 60 patients, 32 and 28 in the groups of patients with or without paracervical dissection, respectively, a careful interview on urinary symptoms was conducted by an independent investigator.
Results. Paracervical dissection involves no operative complication and lenghthens the postoperative urinary retention, but has no adverse influence on long-term urinary discomfort. The yield of paracervical dissection is negligible for small tumors: no positive node was found in 38 patients with tumors less than 2 cm in diameter. The outcome of patients after minimal access surgery for tumors less than 2 cm is excellent whether or not a paracervical dissection has been performed.
Conclusion. Paracervical dissection does not worsen the late urinary symptoms after vaginal radical hysterectomy. It has a limited value in the surgical management of small-size (less than 2 cm) cervical cancers, although it may prevent long-term lateropelvic recurrences.
A study of pelvic ligament strength Cosson, Michel; Boukerrou, Malik; Lacaze, Sophie ...
European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology,
07/2003, Letnik:
109, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Objectives: To measure the strength at tearing of pelvic ligaments used in the cure of prolapse and urinary incontinence.
Material and methods: We performed our measurements on pelvis ligaments from ...cadaveric specimens. We dissected 29 human female pelvis cadavers of which storage conditions differed. Ten were frozen, 10 fresh and 9 were stored in formalin. In each cadaver we dissected pre-vertebral ligaments at promontory and right and left symmetrical ligaments. These were the iliopectineal, sacrospinous and arcus tendineus of pelvic fascia. A subjective clinical evaluation of the ligament properties was performed by visual observation as well as finger palpation. Ligaments were classified into three groups. Group A contained high quality ligaments, in terms of thickness and apparent strength following finger palpation. Ligaments of doubtful quality were classified in group B and low apparent quality ligaments in group C. Then the ligaments were stitched by a suture taking the entire ligament and a force was applied on the vagina axis until tearing. The device used for strength measurement during traction was a SAMSON type force gauge, model EASY, serial number SMS-R-ES 300N manufactured by Andilog that was developed for the purpose of our study. Measurements were given in Newton (N).
Results: There was a great variability in the values obtained at tearing with minimal values at around 20
N and maximal values at 200
N. Individually measured, ligament strength varied between individuals, and for the same patient between the type of ligaments and the side. The pre-vertebral ligament was on average the strongest. There was no significant difference according to the storage condition except for the pre-vertebral ligament in formalin cadavers. For bilateral ligaments, there was no difference between the left and right side. The iliopectineal ligament was statistically significantly stronger than the sacrospinous and arcus tendineus of pelvic fascia. There was a correlation between subjective evaluation and objective strength measurements.
Discussion: No papers have been published on the strength of pelvic ligaments at tearing. These are however routinely used in the cure of prolapse and urinary incontinence. Our results show that there is a great variability in strength between individuals, and for a same patient between the types of ligaments and side. These observations could explain some of the surgical intervention failures and demonstrate the importance of per-operative strength evaluation. Per-operative subjective evaluation of strength is related to objective measurements and could be used to determine the type of ligaments to be used for surgical suspension. Freezing does not damage pre-vertebral ligament strength and further studies are required to evaluate elasticity of pelvic ligaments.
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