Low birth weight as a potential risk factor for severe COVID-19 in adults.

The identification of factors predisposing to severe COVID-19 in young adults remains partially characterized. Low birth weight (LBW) alters cardiovascular and lung development and predisposes to adult disease. We hypothesized that LBW is a risk factor for severe COVID-19 in non-elderly subjects.

Chaotic wave dynamics in weakly magnetized spherical Couette flows.

Direct numerical simulations of a liquid metal filling the gap between two concentric spheres are presented. The flow is governed by the interplay between the rotation of the inner sphere (measured by the Reynolds number Re) and a weak externally applied axial magnetic field (measured by the Hartmann number Ha). By varying the latter, a rich variety of flow features, both in terms of spatial symmetry and temporal dependence, is obtained.

Continuation and stability of rotating waves in the magnetized spherical Couette system: secondary transitions and multistability.

Rotating waves (RW) bifurcating from the axisymmetric basic magnetized spherical Couette (MSC) flow are computed by means of Newton-Krylov continuation techniques for periodic orbits. In addition, their stability is analysed in the framework of Floquet theory. The inner sphere rotates while the outer is kept at rest and the fluid is subjected to an axial magnetic field.

Experiences and real life management of insulin pump therapy in adults with type 1 diabetes.

Objective: There is scarce information regarding the performance of a specific, structured education program addressed to patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) using continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) including both routine use of the therapy and patient experience evaluation. We aimed to assess the routine use of CSII and patient's experience and satisfaction regarding a specific structured patient self-management education and care program.

Methods: A retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study collecting CSII routine use downloaded data.

[Continuous use of PDE5 inhibitors in the treatment of erectile dysfunction: New insights and opportunities].

At present, there is debate regarding the continuous use of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Cumulative evidence supports the benefit, even at low doses, thatcontinuous treatment has on erectile function -even in difficult-to-treat patients-, and on the spontaneity and naturalness of sexual relationships. Safety and tolerability have also proven to be good.

Telomere homeostasis is compromised in spermatocytes from patients with idiopathic infertility.

Objective: To study whether the telomere structure of germ cells from idiopathic infertile men is altered and if this impairment is influenced by meiotic recombination and telomere length.

Design: We performed a detailed analysis of both telomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA) and telomerase distribution in testis cell spreads by combining immunofluorescence and RNA fluorescent in situ hybridization. In addition we analyzed meiotic recombination between homologous chromosomes by immunofluorescence and telomere length by quantitative fluorescent in situ hybridization.

Antisymmetric polar modes of thermal convection in rotating spherical fluid shells at high taylor numbers.

The onset of thermal convection in a rotating spherical shell of intermediate radius ratio eta=0.4 is studied numerically for Taylor numbers Ta > or = 10(11) and the Prandtl number of the liquid sodium (sigma=0.01).

Synapsis and meiotic recombination analyses: MLH1 focus in the XY pair as an indicator.

Background: Anomalies in meiotic prophase I have been related to partial or total meiotic arrest. These anomalies include an abnormal synaptic process, resulting in disorders in meiotic recombination.

Methods: In the present study, we analyse primary spermatocytes from 12 infertile men (four with non-obstructive azoospermia, six with oligoastenoteratozoospermia, one with astenoteratozoospermia and one normozoospermic) and five control fertile donors using immunocytological techniques for synaptonemal complex, meiotic recombination and centromeric proteins.

Outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection in relation to the meiotic pattern in patients with severe oligoasthenozoospermia.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcome in a selected group of patients with oligoasthenozoospermia in relation to the results obtained from their meiotic analysis.

Design: Retrospective clinical study.

Setting: An assisted reproduction service and a university department.

Spermatogenic patterns and early embryo development after intracytoplasmic sperm injection in severe oligoasthenozoospermia.

Purpose: Evaluate the influence of different baseline spermatogenic patterns [meiotic pattern (normal or abnormal), sperm concentration (> 1 x 10(6)/mL or < or = 1 x 10(6)/mL), and the combined meiosis-sperm concentration pattern] on early embryo development in severe oligoasthenozoospermia.

Methods: Embryo outcomes (fertilization rate, cleavage rate, and 4-cell stage embryo division rate on day 2) after IVF-ICSI in 75 oligoasthenozoospermia and 79 normozoospermic males.

Results: The embryo division rate was significantly lower in oligoasthenozoospermia compared to normozoospermia (50.