48 research outputs found
Dataset of the sperm proteome of stallions with different motility
No full textThis paper provides a detailed set of data on how the stallion sperm proteome differs among stallions with different sperm motilities, although within normal ranges. Findings distinguish proteins that may help to identify stallions of superior sperm motility. Sperm proteins were analyzed using a UHPLC/MS/MS system comprising of an Agilent 1290 infinity series UHPLC coupled to an Agilent 6550 Q-TOF mass spectrometer (Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, USA). These data can be used to disclose potential targets to identify good sperm samples and to study specific pathways involved in the regulation of sperm motility. This data article is linked to the paper “Proteins involved in mitochondrial metabolic functions and fertilization predominate in stallions with better motility Journal of Proteomics 247:104335 doi: 10.1016/j.jprot.2021.104335”
Proteomics for the identification of biomarkers of seminal quality in horses
No full textTesis por compendio de publicacionesPrograma de Doctorado en Biomarcadores de Salud y Estados PatológicosEl sector equino tiene una gran importancia económica. En los últimos años ha habido avances en el conocimiento del esperma y las biotecnologías reproductivas. A este respecto, los equinos difieren de otras especies de producción, ya que su selección no se ha centrado en la fertilidad. A pesar de los recientes avances en el campo de la reproducción equina existe una falta de comprensión básica sobre las causas de la infertilidad. Hasta la fecha, la conservación del semen en el semental se realiza principalmente a través de la refrigeración y la congelación; ambas estrategias que ralentizan el metabolismo espermático. Esto permite la extensión de la vida útil de los espermatozoides. La estructura del espermatozoide y el hecho de que es una célula traduccional y transcripcionalmente silenciosa la convierten en el sujeto ideal para el estudio mediante proteómica. La proteómica ha proporcionado nueva información para aumentar nuestra comprensión de estas células. Como resultado, es probable que en el futuro cercano se produzcan modificaciones de los protocolos actuales utilizados para la conservación y manipulación de espermatozoides in vitro, asegurando la regulación de la homeostasis espermática y la modulación de la producción excesiva de especies reactivas de oxígeno, mejorando la fertilidad. La proteómica contribuye a la identificación de biomarcadores, que pueden reducir costes y personalizar las formulaciones de medios para la conservación del semen, las temperaturas para el almacenamiento a corto plazo y otros aspectos de los protocolos de tecnología reproductiva.The equine breeding industry is of high economic value and in recent years there have been substantial advances in knowledge of sperm biology and biotechnologies. Equines are somewhat different to other production species as human selection has not focused on fertility, leading to wide variability in fertility of stallions. Despite recent advances in the field of equine reproduction and molecular mechanisms affecting sperm, there is a lack of basic understanding as to the causes of infertility. To date semen conservation in the stallion is principally through refrigeration and freezing; both slowing spermatic metabolism, enabling extension of sperm lifespan in vitro. To fully understand the mechanisms behind individual variability and response to these technologies, a deeper understanding of sperm biology and metabolism is necessary. The structure of the spermatozoa and the fact that it is a translationally and transcriptionally silent cell makes it the ideal subject for study using proteomics. To date proteomics has been responsible for new information to augment understanding of these highly specialised cells. As a result, it is likely that the near future will see modifications of current protocols used for sperm conservation resulting in more successful fertility outcomes. Biomarkers which can be used to predict the behaviour of spermatozoa in the face of certain reproductive technologies have been identified and will lead to a reduction in costs and customisation of extender formulations for semen conservation, temperatures for short-term storage and other aspects of reproductive technology protocols
Final report
No full textThis projects focused on clustering together learning resources on veterinary studies
OVAM: Online Veterinary Anatomy Museum: A summary of the project to date and future models for sustainability and maintenance
No full text[ES] A día de hoy OVAM (www.onlineveterinaryanatomy.net) es el proyecto interfacultativo más grande de anatomía veterinaria. El museo es repositorio online de acceso libre para el uso de materiales de anatomía veterinaria de alta calidad y valor pedagógico de múltiples grupos de trabajo, disponible al publico, estudiantes, investigadores, docentes y profesionales veterinarios.Para asegurar una máxima difusión se están diseñando nuevas formas de desarrollo y su integración en el currículo. Además, recientemente se ha introducido un proceso de evaluación por pares, lo que asegura una mayor calidad del contenido. En este artículo se describen las novedades del proyecto y las estrategias de desarrollo hasta la fecha. Asegurar la financiación es un gran reto, en parte porque los usuarios no esperan tener que pagar por el contenido ya que existen recursos gratis en internet. Posibles fuentes de financiación incluirían acuerdos de subscripción o licencias, asociaciones con grupos relevantes, m[EN] OVAM (www.onlineveterinaryanatomy.net) is the largest collaborative project in the veterinary anatomy field to date. The museum is a freely accessible online repository for high quality and pedagogically reliable veterinary anatomy assets from multiple contributors available to the public, students, researchers, academics and veterinary professionals. Ways of further expanding and developing the museum and its integration into teaching must be sought to ensure maximum benefit from this unique, engaging and dynamic collaborative collection. In addition the collaboration has successfully introduced a peer review process to ensure the relevance and quality of content. This article will describe some of the most recent developments and approaches that have been trialled to date. Securing funding for OVAM is challenging partly because users do not expect to pay for content and there are also alternative free resources available on the web. However, a number of possible sourcGaitskell-Phillips, G.; Short, N.; López-Albors, O.; Latorre, R. (2015). OVAM: Museo de Anatomía Veterinaria Virtual: Resumen de lo hecho hasta ahora y futuros modelos para sostenibilidad y mantenimiento. REDU. Revista de Docencia Universitaria. 13(3):123-130. https://doi.org/10.4995/redu.2015.5471OJS12313013
The Rebirth of the Author: The Use and Abuse of Authorship in Ian McEwan’s Atonement (2001) and Sweet Tooth (2012)
No full textPrograma de Doctorat en Estudis Lingüístics, Literaris i CulturalsThis work explores the use and abuse of authorship in Ian McEwan’s Atonement (2001) and Sweet Tooth (2012). Through an exploration of a variety of different theoretical fields, the study focuses on the ways in which McEwan produces two narratives which contradict the ideas posited by Roland Barthes in the pivotal “The Death of the Author” (1967). Barthes’ text proclaims the death of subjectivity and in the process attempts to erase the concept of authorial intention in literary works of fiction. In turn, Barthes opts for the birth of another, heretofore ignored figure: that of the reader. British Novelist Ian McEwan, notwithstanding, presents two novels in which two fictional authors (Briony Tallis and Tom Haley) produce narratives that not only require the acknowledgement of their existence as authors, but also require the reader’s attention, active participation and collaboration in a joint and collaborative act of creation. In this way, McEwan thus manages to prove that authors and authorial intention cannot be obliterated.
This study implies that the drive behind the fictional authors’ actions is related to the intricate relationship that links traumatic experience and the use of metafiction in a text. For that reason, specific attention is placed on the exploration of authorship, reader-response and the inherent relationship between author and reader. The study also focuses on trauma studies to discern the effects of the traumatic occurrence on the psyche of two characters whose fragmented identities require a literary technique (the metafictional) in order to regain the power lost in the traumatic occurrence and hence impose their authority on their text as all- knowing and God-like author figures. Notwithstanding, it is argued that Ian McEwan vies for exploring new forms of authorship, redefining the theories extrapolated from the 1960s onwards and opting for a reconceptualised, collaborative effort that contemplates the figures of authors and readers as working together towards the creation of meaning. For all such reasons, the main theoretical basis the study draws from is the ideas of postmodernism, albeit these are questioned and repurposed, in an understanding that it is not McEwan’s intention to comply with the limits established either traditionally or by postmodernism, but rather, that it is in his interest to push the boundaries of what is expected from a text (both traditionally and under postmodern terms).
The study draws from studies on authorship, focusing on the works of Roland Barthes, Michel Foucault and more contemporary thinkers such as David Lodge and Wayne C. Booth as well as dealing with studies on reader-response criticism, mainly through the lense of Jane P. Tompkins and Wolfgang Iser, theories later explored in Atonement and Sweet Tooth by exploring the nature of the authorial identities of its protagonists, along with the relationships established between reader and author (especially in Sweet Tooth). Furthermore, the study then turns to trauma studies, drawing from the theories of Sigmund Freud, Dominick LaCapra and Michael S. Roth, in an attempt at understanding the drive behind the inscribed author’s intentions in the writing of their texts. Ultimately, by linking a detailed study of the trauma experienced by both inscribed authors to the need of the use of the metafictional artifice (understood under the lens of scholars Linda Hutcheon and Patricia Waugh, amongst others), the study concludes that the techniques offered by postmodernism prove pivotal (and certainly successful) in dismantling precisely the notions of the “Death of the Author”.Aquest estudi explora l’ús i l’abús de l’autoria, com es pot percebre a Atonement (2001) i Sweet Tooth (2012), del novel·lista britànic Ian McEwan. A partir de l’exploració de diversos camps teòrics, l’estudi es centra en com McEwan produeix dues narratives que contradiuen les idees plantejades per Roland Barthes en el seu reconegut text “The Death of the Author” (1967). En aquest text, Barthes no només proclama la mort de l’autor, sinó que assenyala, també, la mort de la subjectivitat. En aquest procés pretén erradicar el concepte de la intenció d’autoria en els treballs literaris de ficció. De fet, Barthes opta per anunciar el renaixement d’una altra figura que fins al moment havia estat mitjanament ignorada: el lector.
Tanmateix, McEwan presenta dues novel·les en les quals dos autors “inscrits” en el text produeixen narratives que no només requereixen un reconeixement de la seva existència d’autoria sinó que, també, necessiten la presència i l’atenció del lector. Aquest fet converteix la lectura en un exercici de col·laboració activa entre els dos agents literaris en l’acte de crear una narrativa. D’aquesta manera, McEwan aconsegueix demostrar que els autors i la intenció d’autoria s’han de tenir en compte.
L’estudi suggereix que la motivació que mou els autors inscrits està formada per una relació intrínseca entre els actes traumàtics i l’ús de l’aparell metaficcional en el text de ficció. Per aquesta raó, es dona importància a l’exploració de l’autoria, a la resposta del lector i a la relació que s’estableix entre autor i lector. L’estudi també es centra en estudis del trauma per discernir els efectes de l’experiència traumàtica en la psique dels dos personatges-autors, que veuen les seves identitats fragmentades i, per tant, necessiten una tècnica literària específica (la metaficció) que els pugui ajudar a recobrar el poder que han perdut durant l’ocurrència traumàtica.
L’estudi conclou que les tècniques que ofereix el postmodernisme resulten vitals (i certament exitoses) per a desmantellar les nocions de la mort de l’autor i per revalorar Ian McEwan que, amb l’exploració de tots els agents literaris, amb l’ús de la intertextualitat i amb la reavaluació de la metaficció, aconsegueix reobrir el debat sobre la intenció de l’autor. Aquest fet porta a la realització de textos que simultàniament funcionen com a treballs de ficció i com a treballs crítics
Advances in the ultrasound diagnosis in equine reproductive medicine: New approaches
No full textLa tecnología ecográfica ha dado lugar a nuevas líneas de investigación en reproducción equina, y ha contribuido a mejorar en gran medida el diagnóstico clínico y los resultados reproductivos en la práctica equina. Esta revisión tiene como objetivo discutir los usos clínicos potenciales y los nuevos enfoques de la ultrasonografía en la reproducción equina. Las modalidades Doppler se utilizan habitualmente para evaluar la vascularización de los folículos, el cuerpo lúteo (CL) y el útero en la yegua con fines diagnósticos. La inclusión de la ecografía Doppler en los programas de inseminación artificial y transferencia de embriones podría mejorar los resultados reproductivos de estas técnicas. Una mejor selección de las receptoras basada en la funcionalidad del CL, el diagnóstico precoz de la preñez 7-8 días postovulación de la donante antes del lavado o el diagnóstico de yeguas con endometritis con aumentos patológicos del flujo sanguíneo son ejemplos de aplicaciones clínicas en la yegua. En el semental, la ecografía Doppler color ha mejorado el potencial diagnóstico de la ecografía en modo B, mejorando el diagnóstico diferencial de patologías como la torsión testicular (disminución o ausencia de flujo sanguíneo en el cordón) y la orquitis (aumento del flujo sanguíneo en el cordón). La incorporación de la ecografía Doppler pulsada a la evaluación reproductiva del semental ha permitido la identificación precoz de sementales con disfunción testicular, permitiendo así la administración de un tratamiento oportuno y la consiguiente mejora del pronóstico de fertilidad de estos animales. Además, esta técnica se ha utilizado en el seguimiento de pacientes sometidos a tratamientos médicos y quirúrgicos, verificando así su eficacia. Recientemente, el análisis de píxeles análisis de píxeles asistido por ordenador mediante programas informáticos específicos para para evaluar semicuantitativamente evaluar semicuantitativamente la vascularización (Doppler color y de potencia) y ecotextura de diferentes órganos. Estos programas informáticos se están desarrollando clínicos, como es el caso de Ecotext, un programa informático desarrollado para la ecotextura testicular, que proporciona información sobre la funcionalidad testicular.Ultrasound technology has led to new lines of research in equine reproduction, and it has helped to greatly improve clinical diagnosis and reproductive outcomes in equine practice. This review aims to discuss the potential clinical uses and new approaches of ultrasonography in equine reproduction. Doppler modalities are usually used to evaluate the vascularization of the follicles, corpus luteum (CL), and the uterus in the mare for diagnostic purposes. Inclusion of Doppler ultrasound in artificial insemination and embryo transfer programs could improve the reproductive outcome of these techniques. Better selection of recipients based on CL functionality, early pregnancy diagnosis 7–8 days postovulation of the donor before flushing or diagnosis of mares with endometritis with pathological increases of blood flow are examples of clinical applications in the mare. In the stallion, colour Doppler ultrasound has improved the diagnostic potential of B-mode ultrasound, improving the differential diagnosis of pathologies such as testicular torsion (decrease or absence of blood flow in the cord) and orchitis (increased blood flow in the cord). The incorporation of pulsed Doppler ultrasound into the reproductive evaluation of the stallion has enabled early identification of stallions with testicular dysfunction, thus allowing administration of timely treatment and subsequent improvements of the fertility prognosis for these animals. In addition, this technique has been used in the monitoring of patients undergoing medical and surgical treatments, thus verifying their efficacy. Recently, computer-assisted pixel analysis using specific software has been performed in research work in order to semi-quantitatively evaluate the vascularization (colour and power Doppler) and echotexture of different organs. These softwares are now being developed for clinical purposes, as is the case with Ecotext, a computer program developed for the evaluation of testicular echotexture, providing information on testicular functionality.• Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades. Proyecto PID2019-107797RA-100/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 (I+D+i)
• Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades. Beca de doctorado PRE2018-083354, para Gemma Gaitskell Phillips
• Junta de Extremadura y Fondos FEDER. Ayudas IB20163 y IB20008peerReviewe
Evaluation of testicular echotexture with Ecotext as a diagnostic method of testicular dysfunction in stallions
No full textCredit authorship contribution statement
E. Da Silva-Alvarez: performed experiments and, Methodology.
J.M. Ortiz-Rodríguez: performed experiments and, Methodology.
G. Gaitskell-Phillips: English review (native speaker), Writing ereview & editing, Software.
C. Serres: Formal analysis, performed the analysis of data, Validation, and, Writing - review & editing, Writing - original draft.
B. García-Rodríguez: Formal analysis, performed the analysis of data, Validation, and, Writing - review & editing.
L. Gutierrez-Cepeda: performed experiments and English, Writing - review & editing.
F.E. Martín- Cano: Methodology, and, Data curation.
A. Echegaray: Formal analysis, performed the analysis of data with Ecotext, Validation,
N. Escartin-Casas: Formal analysis, performed the analysis of data with Ecotext, Validation, and, Writing - review & editing, Writing e original
draft.
F. Requena: Formal analysis, statisticalstadistical analysis, Data curation.
M.C. Gil: performed experiments and, Methodology.
F.J. Pena: ~ Conceptualization, Validation, and, Writing - review & editing.
C. Ortega-Ferrusola: Conceptualization, conceived the study, Supervision, Formal analysis, and roles, Writing - original draft.This study aimed to assess if Ecotext, a new software for evaluation of testicular echotexture, is a good method for diagnosis of stallions with testicular dysfunction (TD). Relationships between Ecotext parameters and sperm motility and production, testicular volume, and testicular blood flow were also studied. Ecotext provides a total of six echotexture parameters: Ecotext 1 (black pixels), 2 (white pixels) and 3 (grey pixels), and another 3 parameters related to hypoechogenic areas: Ecotext tubular density (ETD), Ecotext tubular diameter (ETd), and Ecotext tubular area (ETA). Stallions (n = 33) were assessed using proven diagnostic techniques (spermiogram, B-mode and Pulse Doppler ultrasound), and subsequent analysis with Ecotext. Animals were classified as “control stallions” (n:21, acceptable semen quality), and “stallions with TD” (n:12, poor semen quality (TM < 60%, PM < 45% and total nº of sperm with PM < 2000 × 106 spz), that were subdivided into “induced TD group” (immunized, anti-GnRH vaccine) and “acquired TD group”. The acquired TD group showed differences in all Ecotext parameters in relation to controls (Ecotext 1:0.11 ± 0.17 vs 2.82 ± 2.52, Ecotext 2:1584.0 ± 575.8 vs 388 ± 368.2, Ecotext 3:134.2 ± 9.26; ETA: 2.14 ± 0.59 vs 5.40 ± 1.90; ETd: 65.66 ± 6.27 vs 86.93 ± 10.65 and ETD: 92.35 ± 11.24 vs 132.10 ± 16.35, p ≤ 0.001). Results suggest acquired TD stallions were suffering testicular degeneration with loss of architecture and function as all Ecotext parameters were altered in relation to controls. Induced TD horses only showed a reduction in ETD (116.2 ± 8.59 vs 132.10 ± 16.35, p ≤ 0.001), despite all sperm parameters being worse. These findings suggested immunized stallions probably only experience an acute loss of testicular functionality and parenchyma architecture is likely not affected since differences in Ecotext parameters with control stallions were not detected. ETD was the best parameter to identify animals with TD (AUC: 0.84, optimal cut-off value of 124.3 seminiferous tubules/cm2). Correlations were found between ETD and Doppler indices (PI: 0.60; RI: 0.47 p ≤ 0.001), total testicular volume (r: 0.48; p ≤ 0.05) and sperm motility (TM:0.51; and PM:0.54; p ≤ 0.001) and production (r:0.51; p ≤ 0.001). In summary, Ecotext could identify changes in testicular echotexture of stallions with TD. Results open the possibility for new research focused on establishing the relationship between Ecotext parameters and histomorphometry features in stallion testes.Ministerio de Ciencias, Innovación y Universidades (España)Junta de ExtremaduraEuropean CommissionDepto. de Medicina y Cirugía AnimalFac. de VeterinariaTRUEpu
Spatially structured genetic variation in a broadcast spawning bivalve: quantitative vs. molecular traits
No full textUnderstanding the origin, maintenance and significance of phenotypic variation is one of the central issues in evolutionary biology. An ongoing discussion focuses on the relative roles of isolation and selection as being at the heart of genetically based spatial variation. We address this issue in a representative of a taxon group in which isolation is unlikely: a marine broadcast spawning invertebrate. During the free-swimming larval phase, dispersal is potentially very large. For such taxa, small-scale population genetic structuring in neutral molecular markers tends to be limited, conform expectations. Small-scale differentiation of selective traits is expected to be hindered by the putatively high gene flow. We determined the geographical distribution of molecular markers and of variation in a shell shape measure, globosity, for the bivalve Macoma balthica (L.) in the western Dutch Wadden Sea and adjacent North Sea in three subsequent years, and found that shells of this clam are more globose in the Wadden Sea. By rearing clams in a common garden in the laboratory starting from the gamete phase, we show that the ecotypes are genetically different; heritability is estimated at 23%. The proportion of total genetic variation that is between sites is much larger for the morphological additive genetic variation (QST = 0.416) than for allozyme (FST = 0.000–0.022) and mitochondrial DNA cytochrome-c-oxidase-1 sequence variation (ΦST = 0.017). Divergent selection must be involved and intraspecific spatial genetic differentiation in marine broadcast spawners is apparently not constrained by low levels of isolation.
PLoS One
No full textTesticular 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 5\ub0C in a commercial extender. The semen was evaluated at T0, T24 and T48h by flow cytometry. Integrity and viability of sperm (YoPro\uae-1/EthD-1), mitochondrial activity (MitoTracker\uae 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 (p 64 0.05). 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 Youden\ub4s 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.2017R49 CE001002/CE/NCIPC CDC HHS/United States28558006PMC54487301023
Clonality and Persistence of Multiresistant Methicillin-Resistant Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci Isolated from the Staff of a University Veterinary Hospital
No full textThe aim of this study was to characterize methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (MRCoNS) isolates from the healthy staff of a university veterinary hospital in order to assess their importance as a reservoir of antimicrobial resistance and to determine their population structure and evolution. The study duration was over two years (2020–2021), 94 individuals were analyzed in duplicate, and 78 strains were obtained. The overall prevalence of methicillin-resistant strains detected throughout the study was 61.7%, with point prevalence values of 53.2% in 2020 and 31.5% in 2021. A total of 19.1% of the individuals analyzed were carriers throughout the study. The most frequently identified MRCoNs were Staphylococcus epidermidis (92.3%) and S. warneri (3.8%). A total of 75.6% of the isolates obtained showed the development of multi-resistance, preferentially against erythromycin, gentamicin, and tetracycline, and to a lesser extent against fusidic acid, norfloxacin, and clindamycin; these antimicrobials are frequently used in the veterinary field. Although most of the S. epidermidis isolates obtained showed wide genetic variability and low dispersion, which are characteristic of community-associated isolates, a small number of strains spread between individuals in close physical proximity and were maintained over time, forming stable clones. These clones generally maintained the same type of staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) and had a similar antimicrobial resistance pattern
