Enhancing exercise intervention for patients with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome using mobile health technology: The COVIDReApp randomised controlled trial protocol.

Objectives: To analyse the effectiveness of a physical exercise programme guided by a mobile health technology system (COVIDReApp) for patients with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome. This syndrome is a multisystem disease that occurs in people with a history of COVID-19 between 1 and 3 months after the onset of the disease. This study will assess the impact of the intervention on fatigue, post-exertional dyspnoea, quality of life, pain severity, physical fitness, anxiety, depression and cognitive function.

Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs) in Domestic Mammals.

As guest editors, we are pleased to present this Special Issue entitled "Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs) in Domestic Mammals", comprising 10 articles of relevant interest in the field of animal reproduction [...

Ultrasonography of Pregnancy in Murciano-Granadina Goat Breed: Fetal Growth Indices and Umbilical Artery Doppler Parameters.

The evolution of some fetal growth indices and arterial blood flow parameters in the umbilical cord of the embryos and fetuses of primiparous pregnant goats of Murciano-Granadina breed were analyzed by ultrasonography. Weekly ultrasonographic sessions took place from 18- to 125-days post-breeding. Fetal measures were carried out by ultrasound B-mode.

Post-Thaw Quality of Spermatozoa Frozen with Three Different Extenders in the Murciano Granadina Goat Breed.

Artificial insemination (AI) with frozen semen in goats still presents serious difficulties, especially in certain goat breeds, in spite of technological progress. The aim of this work is the in vitro study of seminal extenders adapted from those used on other species to evaluate the response of goat sperm to several homeostatic conditions in order to achieve optimal post-thaw semen quality. Three different extenders based on different activity principles were used: (1) extender according to the methodology proposed for pigs, (2) skimmed-milk-based extender according to the methodology proposed for goats in France, and (3) a new egg-yolk-based extender replacing membrane-protective surfactants with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and named by our team as extender "IMIDA".

Effect of Superovulation Treatment on Oocyte's DNA Methylation.

Controlled ovarian stimulation is a necessary step in some assisted reproductive procedures allowing a higher collection of female gametes. However, consequences of this stimulation for the gamete or the offspring have been shown in several mammals. Most studies used comparisons between oocytes from different donors, which may contribute to different responses.

Analysis of Uterine Blood Flow in Breeding Sows through the Estrus and Early Diestrus, and after Artificial Insemination.

This study aimed to determine uterine blood flow indices by transabdominal Doppler ultrasound in sows (n = 18) under different conditions: (i) sows after estrus detection (day 0, D0); (ii) sows 2 h after artificial insemination (AI), performed 24 h after detection of estrus (day 1, D1); (iii) sows in early diestrus (day 5, D5). Moreover, three different types of seminal doses were used for AI depending on the ejaculate fraction included (F1: doses containing only the rich fraction of the ejaculate; F2: F1 + the transition fraction between rich and poor fractions; F3: F2 and poor fraction). The statistical analysis revealed significant differences in some indices regarding the period of analysis (D0, D1, and D5).

Clinical characteristics of older patients with COVID-19: a systematic review of case reports.

Unlabelled: In the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic, higher morbidity and mortality have been reported in older adults. This age group presents physiological changes and its own clinical conditions such as frailty, dementia, among others.

Objective: To describe the characteristics of COVID-19 patients, both over and under 80 years old, by conducting a systematic review of the literature describing case reports, and to summarize and critically assess these characteristics.

New Approaches to Assess Fertility in Domestic Animals: Relationship between Arterial Blood Flow to the Testicles and Seminal Quality.

The early identification of infertile males improves reproduction efficiency at a production level and is essential to secure high production rates. Before entering a breeding program, males must pass an initial breeding soundness examination (BSE) which consist of several diagnostic exams whose end point is to estimate their future fertility. There is ongoing research to find new markers that allow better identification of fertile males.

The Nature and Extent of Component Analyses for Improving or Mitigating Behavior: A Systematic Review.

A component analysis is an approach where two or more independent variables are evaluated as a package and independently. The approach is used to assess and identify which component of a treatment package is the most effective. The purpose of this review is to document the application of component analyses to improve or mitigate non-academic behaviors with individuals with disabilities.

Quality of life in patients with hepatitis C. Importance of treatment.

Chronic hepatitis C virus infection is a systemic disease that impairs the quality of life of affected individuals. The impairment is not only due to physiological factors, such as the non-hepatic manifestations of the disease or certain symptoms such as fatigue, weakness and nausea, but is also due to the substantial psychological impact of the infection. Treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAA) has been demonstrated to substantially improve patient's quality of life, starting in the initial phases.

Quantifying Function with the Functional Analysis Celeration Chart.

The present brief practice examined 6 randomly selected studies from the that included functional analysis data replotted on the functional analysis celeration chart (FACC). The FACC showcases the practicality of a standard celeration chart- derived visual display. The research question asked, what level values occurred related to the original authors' determination of function? Results indicated all functions had a ×2 level multiplier or higher when placed on the FACC.

Physiology learning for veterinary students: impact of guided practices on students' opinion and physiological parameters.

Over recent decades, education has increasingly focused on student-centered learning. Guided practices represent a new way of learning for undergraduate students of physiology, whereby the students turn into teacher-students and become more deeply involved in the subject by preparing and teaching a practical (laboratory) class to their peers. The goal was to assess the students' opinions about guided practices and how physiological parameters change during the activity.

Factors affecting porcine sperm mediated gene transfer.

"Sperm mediated gene transfer" (SMGT) is based on the ability of sperm cells to bind exogenous DNA. The main objective of this study was to improve the production of transgenic pigs by SMGT. Taking into account that there is a lack of repeatability in studies of SMGT and that the mechanism of binding and internalization of exogenous DNA is a question that has not been solved, different factors involved in the production of transgenic animals by SMGT method were evaluated.

Production of transgenic piglets using ICSI-sperm-mediated gene transfer in combination with recombinase RecA.

Sperm-mediated gene transfer (SMGT) is a method for the production of transgenic animals based on the intrinsic ability of sperm cells to bind and internalize exogenous DNA molecules and to transfer them into the oocyte at fertilization. Recombinase-A (RecA) protein-coated exogenous DNA has been used previously in pronuclear injection systems increasing integration into goat and pig genomes. However, there are no data regarding transgene expression after ICSI.

Adolescents' influence in family meal decisions.

We analyzed the antecedents of adolescents' influence in family meal decisions, with a focus on fish. The results are based on a representative sample of about 1000 Norwegian schoolchildren between the age of 13 and 18 (adolescents). Fish is a mainstay of Norwegian diets ensuring high familiarity and divergent preferences between persons and among household members.

Analysis of different factors influencing the intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) yield in pigs.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in pigs is a technique with potential application in diverse fields of animal production and biomedicine. Even though there are some cases of live offspring resulting from this technique, its yield is still quite low compared to other species. The aim of this study was to evaluate different factors affecting the ICSI performance.

Birth of piglets after transferring of in vitro-produced embryos pre-matured with R-roscovitine.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate: (1) the nuclear maturation, (2) the intracellular glutathione (GSH) content, (3) the normality of fertilization and (4) full development after transplantation of embryos derived from porcine oocytes pre-cultured with 50 micromol/l roscovitine (an inhibitor of p34cdc2/cyclin B kinase) for 22 h. After treatment with roscovitine, the nuclear configuration of oocytes (Hoechst staining) was comparable with those examined just after collection: the majority of oocytes were arrested at the germinal vesicle (GV) 1 stage (63.2%).

Use of the Leksell gamma knife C with automatic positioning system for the treatment of meningioma and vestibular schwannoma.

Object: The authors report their experience using the Leksell gamma knife C (GK-C) for the treatment of meningioma and vestibular schwannoma (VS).

Methods: In December 1999, the first commercially available clinical GK-C was installed at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (Erasme Hospital, Brussels, Belgium). In January 2000, the system was upgraded and equipped with the automatic positioning system (APS).

Stereotactic noninvasive volume measurement compared with geometric measurement for indications and evaluation of gamma knife treatment.

Object: Volume estimation is one of the most important criteria in the evaluation and follow up of radiosurgical treatments and outcomes; however, several limitations are involved in the calculation estimation of target volumes.

Methods: Retrospective and prospective studies were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a new noninvasive stereotactic method when it is compared with geometric volume calculation of intracranial tumors for planning stereotactic radiosurgery treatment as well as for follow up and outcome evaluation. Two equations were created that permit comparison of the calculated and measured volumes.

Radiosurgery for treatment of brain metastases: estimation of patient eligibility using three stratification systems.

Purpose: To compare three patient stratification systems predicting survival: recursive partitioning analysis (RPA), score index for radiosurgery in brain metastases (SIR), and a proposed basic score for brain metastases (BS-BM).

Methods And Materials: We analyzed the outcome of 110 patients treated with Leksell Gamma Knife radiosurgery between December 1999 and January 2003. The BS-BM was calculated by evaluating three main prognostic factors: Karnofsky performance status, primary tumor control, and presence of extracranial metastases.

Use of stereotactic PET images in dosimetry planning of radiosurgery for brain tumors: clinical experience and proposed classification.

Unlabelled: We developed a technique that allows the routine integration of PET in stereotactic neurosurgery, including radiosurgery. We report our clinical experience with the combined use of metabolic (i.e.

Decrease in glutathione content in boar sperm after cryopreservation. Effect of the addition of reduced glutathione to the freezing and thawing extenders.

Although glutathione content in boar spermatozoa has been previously reported, the effect of reduced glutathione (GSH) on semen parameters and the fertilizing ability of boar spermatozoa after cryopreservation has never been evaluated. In this study, GSH content was determined in ejaculated boar spermatozoa before and after cryopreservation. Semen samples were centrifuged and GSH content in the resulting pellet monitored spectrophotometrically.