Host genetic resistance against disease-causing pathogens can be enhanced through family-based selective breeding. At present, there is an incomplete understanding of how artificial selection of fish ...alters host physiology and response following pathogen exposure. We previously reported the generation of selectively-bred rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss lines with either increased resistance (ARS-Fp-R) or susceptibility (ARS-Fp-S) to bacterial cold water disease (BCWD). This study (1) determined baseline reference-range intervals for packed cell volume (PCV) and 18 plasma biochemistry analytes, and (2) examined pathophysiological changes following infection between the genetic lines. PCV and biochemistry reference-range intervals did not significantly differ between genetic lines; thus data were pooled into a single reference-range population (n = 85). ARS-Fp-R and ARS-Fp-S line fish were intraperitoneally challenged with Flavobacterium psychrophilum, and plasma was collected on Days 1, 3, 6, and 9 post-challenge. Splenic bacterial load was measured using an F. psychrophilum-specific qPCR assay. In both genetic lines, changes were observed in mean PCV, total protein, albumin, glucose, cholesterol, chloride, and calcium, falling outside the established reference intervals and significantly differing from phosphate-buffered saline challenged fish, on at least 1d post-challenge. Mean PCV, total protein, and calcium significantly differed between ARS-Fp-R and ARS-Fp-S line fish on Day 9 post-infection, with values in the ARS-Fp-S line deviating most from the reference interval. PCV, total protein, cholesterol, and calcium negatively correlated with bacterial load. These findings identify divergent pathophysiological responses between ARS-Fp-R and ARS-Fp-S line fish following laboratory challenge that are likely associated with differential survival.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was initially used to evaluate the integrity of the corticospinal tract in humans
non-invasively. Since these early studies, the development of paired-pulse ...and repetitive TMS protocols allowed investigators
to explore inhibitory and excitatory interactions of various motor and non-motor cortical regions within and across cerebral
hemispheres. These applications have provided insight into the intracortical physiological processes underlying the functional
role of different brain regions in various cognitive processes, motor control in health and disease and neuroplastic changes
during recovery of function after brain lesions. Used in combination with neuroimaging tools, TMS provides valuable information
on functional connectivity between different brain regions, and on the relationship between physiological processes and the
anatomical configuration of specific brain areas and connected pathways. More recently, there has been increasing interest
in the extent to which these physiological processes are modulated depending on the behavioural setting. The purpose of this
paper is (a) to present an up-to-date review of the available electrophysiological data and the impact on our understanding
of human motor behaviour and (b) to discuss some of the gaps in our present knowledge as well as future directions of research
in a format accessible to new students and/or investigators. Finally, areas of uncertainty and limitations in the interpretation
of TMS studies are discussed in some detail.
The authors briefly remind of the broad outline of their therapeutic approach regarding rheumatoid polyarthritis, specifying their attitude towards the main medications currently available. They ...mainly stress the mistakes too often mad in the long-term treatment of the disease.
STUDY QUESTION
What is the influence of vitamin D deficiency on pregnancy rates among women undergoing IVF/ICSI and Day 5 (blastocyst stage) single embryo transfer (SET)?
SUMMARY ANSWER
Vitamin D ...deficiency results in significantly lower pregnancy rates in women undergoing single blastocyst transfer.
WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
Preliminary experiments have identified the presence of vitamin D receptors in the female reproductive system. However, results regarding the effect of vitamin D deficiency on clinical outcomes are conflicting. None of the previous studies adopted a SET strategy.
STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION
Serum vitamin D concentration was measured retrospectively in patients who underwent SET on Day 5. Overall 368 consecutive infertile women treated within a period of 15 months were included in the study.
PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS
All patients underwent ovarian stimulation for IVF/ICSI and Day 5 SET. Serum samples were obtained 7 days prior to embryo transfer and stored frozen at −20°C. Samples were collectively analyzed for their 25-OH vitamin D content. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as serum 25-OH vitamin D levels <20 ng/ml in accordance with the Institute of Medicine and the Endocrine Society clinical practice guidelines.
MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
Clinical pregnancy rates were significantly lower in women with vitamin D deficiency compared with those with higher vitamin D values (41 versus 54%, P = 0.015).Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify whether vitamin D deficiency is independently associated with clinical pregnancy rates after controlling for 16 potential confounding factors. According to our results vitamin D deficiency was independently associated with lower clinical pregnancy rates, odds ratios ORs (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.61 (0.39–0.95) for vitamin D deficiency (deficient versus non-deficient women), P = 0.030. Finally, even when restricting our analysis to women undergoing elective SET (274 patients), vitamin D deficiency was again independently associated with pregnancy rates OR (95% CI) 0.56 (0.33–0.93), P = 0.024.
LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION
Our results refer only to patients undergoing Day 5 SET. Although vitamin D deficiency appears to compromise pregnancy rates in this population, no guidance can be provided regarding a potential relationship between vitamin D deficiency and ovarian reserve or response to ovarian stimulation.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
Vitamin D deficiency impairs pregnancy rates in women undergoing single blastocyst transfer. Future prospective confirmatory studies are needed to validate our results and examine the exact underlying mechanism by which vitamin D levels may impair pregnancy rates in infertile women undergoing IVF/ICSI.
STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)
None declared.
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