Exploiting genomic tools for genetic dissection and improving the resistance to Fusarium stalk rot in tropical maize

KEY MESSAGE

A stable genomic region conferring FSR resistance at ~250 Mb on chromosome 1 was identified by GWAS. Genomic prediction has the potential to improve FSR resistance. Fusarium stalk rot (FSR) is a global destructive disease in maize; the efficiency of phenotypic selection for improving FSR resistance was low. Novel genomic tools of genome-wide association study (GWAS) and genomic prediction (GP) provide an opportunity for genetic dissection and improving FSR resistance. In this study, GWAS and GP analyses were performed on 562 tropical maize inbred lines consisting of two populations. In total, 15 SNPs significantly associated with FSR resistance were identified across two populations and the combinedPOP consisting of all 562 inbred lines, with the P-values ranging from 1.99 × 10-7 to 8.27 × 10-13, and the phenotypic variance explained (PVE) values ranging from 0.94 to 8.30%. The genetic effects of the 15 favorable alleles ranged from -4.29 to -14.21% of the FSR severity. One stable genomic region at ~ 250 Mb on chromosome 1 was detected across all populations, and the PVE values of the SNPs detected in this region ranged from 2.16 to 5.18%. Prediction accuracies of FSR severity estimated with the genome-wide SNPs were moderate and ranged from 0.29 to 0.51. By incorporating genotype-by-environment interaction, prediction accuracies were improved between 0.36 and 0.55 in different breeding scenarios. Considering both the genome coverage and the threshold of the P-value of SNPs to select a subset of molecular markers further improved the prediction accuracies. These findings extend the knowledge of exploiting genomic tools for genetic dissection and improving FSR resistance in tropical maize.

Genetic profile of adaptive immune traits and relationships with parasite resistance and productivity in Scottish Blackface sheep

Gastrointestinal (GI) parasites cause significant production losses in grazing ruminants which can be mitigated by breeding animals resistant to disease. Lymphocyte cytokine production and parasite-specific Immunoglobulin A (IgA) are adaptive immune traits associated with immunity to GI parasites. To explore the utility of these traits for selective breeding purposes, this study estimated the genetic parameters of the immune traits in sheep and assessed their relationship with disease and productivity traits. Whole blood stimulation assays were performed on 1 040 Scottish Blackface lambs at two months of age in 2016-2017. Blood was stimulated with either pokeweed mitogen (PWM), a non-specific activator of lymphocytes, and Teladorsagia circumcincta (T-ci) larval antigen to activate parasite-specific T lymphocytes. The type of adaptive immune response was determined by quantifying production of cytokines interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-10, which relate to T-helper type (Th) 1, Th2 and regulatory T cell responses, respectively. Serum T-ci specific IgA was also quantified. Heritabilities were estimated for each immune trait by univariate analyses. Genetic and phenotypic correlations were estimated between different immune traits, and between immune traits vs. disease and productivity traits that were recorded at three months of age. Disease phenotypes were expressed as faecal egg counts (FEC) of nematode parasites (Strongyles and Nematodirus), faecal oocyst counts (FOC) of coccidian parasites, and faecal soiling score; production was measured as lamb live weight. Significant genetic variation was observed in all immune response traits. Heritabilities of cytokine production varied from low (0.14 ± 0.06) to very high (0.77 ± 0.09) and were always significantly greater than zero (P < 0.05). IgA heritability was found to be moderate (0.41 ± 0.09). Negative associations previously identified between IFN-γ production and FOC, and IL-4 production and strongyle FEC, were not evident in this study, potentially due to the time-lag between immune and parasitology measures. Instead, a positive genetic correlation was found between FOC and PWM-induced IFN-γ production, while a negative genetic correlation was found between FOC and T-ci induced IL-10. Live weight was negatively genetically correlated with IFN-γ responses. Overall, IFN-γ and IL-4 responses were positively correlated, providing little evidence of cross-regulation of Th1 and Th2 immunity within individual sheep. Furthermore, T-ci specific IgA was highly positively correlated with PWM-induced IL-10, indicating a possible role for this cytokine in IgA production. Our results suggest that while genetic selection for adaptive immune response traits is possible and may be beneficial for parasite control, selection of high IFN-γ responsiveness may negatively affect productivity.

Genome-wide association studies of parasite resistance, productivity and immunology traits in Scottish Blackface sheep

Gastrointestinal parasitism represents a global problem for grazing ruminants, which can be addressed sustainably by breeding animals to be more resistant against infection by parasites. The aim of this study was to assess the genetic architecture underlying traits associated with gastrointestinal parasite resistance, immunological profile and production in meat sheep, and identify and characterise candidate genes affecting these traits. Data on gastrointestinal parasite infection (faecal egg counts for Strongyles (FECS) and Nematodirus (FECN) and faecal oocyst counts for Coccidia, along with faecal soiling scores (DAG), characterised by the accumulation of faeces around the perineum) and production (live weight (LWT)) were gathered from a flock Scottish Blackface lambs at three and four months of age. Data on the immune profile were also collected from a subset of these lambs at two and five months of age. Immune traits included the production of Interferon-γ (IFN-γ), Interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10 following stimulation of whole blood with pokeweed mitogen (PWM) or antigen from the gastric parasite Teladorsagia circumcincta (T-ci), and serum levels of T. circumcincta-specific immunoglobulin A (IgA). Animals were genotyped with genome-wide DNA arrays, and a total of 1 766 animals and 45 827 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) were retained following quality control and imputation. Genome-wide association studies were performed for 24 traits. The effects of individual markers with significant effects were estimated, and the genotypic effect solutions were used to estimate additive and dominance effects, and the proportion of additive genetic variance attributed to each SNP locus. A total of 15 SNPs were associated at least at a suggestive level with FECS, FECN, DAG, IgA, PWM-induced IFN-γ and IL-4, and T-ci-induced IL-10. This study uncovered 52 genes closely related to immune function in proximity to these SNPs. A number of genes encoding C-type lectins and killer cell lectin-like family members were close to a SNP associated with FECN, while several genes encoding IL-1 cytokine family members were found to be associated with IgA. Potential candidate genes belonging to or in close proximity with the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) were revealed, including Homeostatic Iron Regulator and butyrophilin coding genes associated with IFN-γ(PWM), and IL-17 coding genes associated with IgA. Due to the importance of the MHC in the control of immune responses, these genes may play an important role in resistance to parasitic infections. Our results reveal a largely complex and polygenic genetic profile of the studied traits in this Scottish Blackface sheep population.

Respiratory disturbance index as a predictor of atrial fibrillation

Background

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a risk factor for development of atrial fibrillation (AF). Recent pacemakers have specific algorithms for detecting of OSA based on impedance measurement.

Purpose

The aim was to determine the burden of AF in patients with high respiratory disturbance index (RDI). It was also intended to determine if the onset of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) reduced the AF burden.

Methods

Retrospective observational study carried out through the analysis of the patient records. It included patients with pacemakers evaluated in an outpatient clinic during the first 8 months of 2018. All had the RDI algorithm. AF burden was assessed according to automatic mode switch (AMS) duration. The percentage of nights with an RDI&gt;20/h was analysed to assess the risk of OSA.

Results

108 patients were included (mean age=70.3±9.0 years; 56.5% men). The most prevalent indication for cardiac pacing was atrioventricular node dysfunction (59.3%). The average percentage of nights with an RDI&gt;20/h was 44.2%. The average follow-up (FU) period was 4.1 years.

Of all cardiovascular risk factors, diabetes mellitus was the only one associated with a higher incidence of AF at FU (p=0.044).

Considering just the patients with an RDI &gt;20/h in more than 20% of nights (RDI20%), male gender was associated with higher rate of major adverse cardiovascular events [(acute myocardial infarction, stroke, acute heart failure and death) (p=0.019)].

Considering patients with AF prior to pacemaker implantation (n=34), 76% of patients had an RDI &gt;20/h in more than 20% of nights (mean of 58.1%). 23 of these patients had long standing persistent AF at the end of FU (vs 17 at the beginnig of FU).

Considering patients who developed AF after pacemaker implantation (n=24), 58% of patients had an RDI&gt;20/h in more than 20% of nights (mean of 45.3%). Most patients had paroxismal AF (83%).

Patients with prior paroxysmal AF or those who developed AF during FU (n=37) had a higher burden of AF at the end of FU when they had RDI &gt;20/h in more than 50% of nights (mean burden of 24.66% vs 14.69%, p=0.005).

There was no statistically significant correlation between the percentage of nights with RDI &gt;20/h and the Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) value. Patients who underwent polysomnography (n=30) had a mean AHI of 16/h (which corresponds to moderately severe OSA). 63% of patients who were referred from the pacemaker consultation to pneumology and performed polysomnography started CPAP.

CPAP use was not associated with a statistically significant reduction in any endpoints or AF burden.

Conclusion

A high RDI was associated with onset of de novo AF and higher AF burden in patients with paroxysmal AF. Thus, there is a rationale for early diagnosis and treatment of OSAS to prevent and reduce AF progression.

In this study, CPAP was not shown to significantly reduce this endpoint, probably due to reduced polysomnography and CPAP treatment.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

P-374 Serum progesterone levels on the of embryo transfer in replacement cycles (HRT-ET): soft capsules vs suppositories may make a difference

Study question

Are there differences in serum progesterone levels when vaginal progesterone is administered in soft capsules vs suppositories in HRT-ET?

Summary answer

Mean serum levels of progesterone in embryo replacement cycles are higher when progesterone suppositories are used instead of soft capsules.

What is known already

Serum levels of progesterone on the day of the embryo transfer has captured recent attention, as it may vary among patients and different vaginal progesterone formulations. Previous studies have suggested that natural micronized vaginal progesterone induces a comparable decidual transformation and clinical pregnancy rates to vaginal progesterone gel. However, no data exists comparing suppositories versus soft capsules.

Study design, size, duration

Prospective, observational, single center study to compare serum progesterone levels on the day of the embryo transfer in women undergoing HRT-ET and being treated with vaginal progesterone in capsules or suppositories. Also, a patient satisfaction questionnaire was given to women participating in the study to investigate patient experience. Sample size calculation estimated 50 patients per group needed for a = 0.05 and power 90%, considering standard deviation of 5.1.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

From April to October 2021, 100 patients undergoing HRT-ET were recruited. Only one type of progesterone was administered. 50 patients received soft capsules (Progeffik©, Utrogestan©) and the other half suppositories (Cyclogest©). After estradiol priming for 10-12 days and once confirmed that endometrial thickness was &gt;7mm, 400 mg vaginal progesterone was started b.i.d. Blood was drawn on the day of embryo transfer by venipuncture and progesterone levels in blood were evaluated.

Main results and the role of chance

Mean serum levels of progesterone were significantly higher when suppositories were compared with soft capsules (16.2 ± 7 vs 12.5 ± 5.2 ng/ml, p = 0.0034). According to our previous studies we considered an adequate cut-off of progesterone of 8.8 ng/ml, and patients with a suboptimal serum level of progesterone were supplemented with subcutaneous progesterone. Of those patients receiving suppositories, only 6 out 50 (12%) required subcutaneous supplementation, whereas it was needed in 12 out of 50 (24%) women receiving soft capsules. No differences were observed in pregnancy rate (70% vs 50%) or ongoing pregnancy rate (48% vs 36%).

Regarding patient satisfaction, no differences were observed in the frequency of itching, burning, leakage of medication or drowsiness between groups.

Limitations, reasons for caution

We should consider the limited sample size and the study design, not randomized, before generalizing the results observed.

Wider implications of the findings

In luteal support of frozen embryo replacement cycles, vaginal progesterone suppositories yields superior progesterone serum levels than soft capsules.

Trial registration number

Not applicable

Rhythm control in patients with atrial fibrillation admitted to outpatient clinic

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice. Patients are often symptomatic leading to a reduction in quality of life. Recent studies suggests that early rhythm control therapy have a clinical benefit in patients with recently diagnosed AF.

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate outpatient with AF referred to an outpatient clinic to electrical Cardioversion. Besides that, the study aims to evaluate if outpatient referred from the emergency room had spontaneously reverted to sinus rhythm.

Material and Methods

Retrospective observational study carried out through the analysis of the clinical process. Clinical data were collected from AF patients evaluated in an outpatient clinic during the year of 2020. Statistical analysis was made using R software and RStudio.

Results

This study included 92 patients evaluated in an outpatient clinic and referred because paroxysmal, persistent and long standing AF to electrical cardioversion. Average age was 67.3 ± 10.1 years. 78 patients had atrial fibrillation and 14 patients had atrial flutter. Hypertension was the most prevalent risk factor (n=83; 79,3%), followed by dislipidemia (n=66; 71.7%), overweight (n=43; 46,7%), diabetes mellitus (n=27; 29.3%) and smoke (n=20; 21.7%). 15 patients had paroxysmal AF, 67 patients had persistent AF and 10 patients had long standing AF. CHA2DS2VASC median were 2,78 ± 1.66 and HASBLED median was 1,14 ± 0.94. The heart rate control were most frequently made with betablocker (n=78; 84.7%). 4 patients (4,3%) were medicated with digoxin and 3 patients with calcium channel blockers. 69 patients were forwarded from external consultant and 23 patients from the emergency room (ER). We verified that 12 patients (52,2%) were in sinus rhythm in admission of outpatient clinic and had spontaneously reversion to sinus rhythm. Mostly patients with paroxysmal AF were from the ER (80% of all patients, p&lt;.001) and mostly patients with persistent and long standing AF were from external consultant (respectively 82% p&lt;0.01 and 85% p&lt;0,01). Symptoms improvement were evaluated by EHRA classification. Mostly patients had clinical improvement after electrical or spontaneously cardioversion (63%, p.0.02). The median EHRA score previous to CVE were "2" and after cardioversion were "1".

Conclusions

Risk factor control is the cornerstone of AF prevention. Control rhythm is important to improve clinical symptons related to AF. However, we can delay cardioversion in a recent acute episode in the emergency room. In our sample, it seems that AF with short natural story presents more in emergency room and the more chronic comes to our consultation.

Measurement of the Radial Nerve Danger Zone in Filipino Adults: A Cadaveric Study

Introduction

The radial nerve danger zone (RNDZ) is an important anatomic consideration to anticipate or prevent injury in trauma assessment or surgical fixation. No published estimate currently exists for Filipinos. In this study, we sought to provide a local estimate and explore potential predictors of this anatomic region in Filipino adult cadavers.

Materials and methods

Posterior dissection to expose and measure the radial nerve, from the lateral epicondyle to the lateral intermuscular septum, was performed in 60 upper limbs from 30 formalin-preserved cadavers in the laboratory of the Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila. Univariate and multivariate linear regression modelling was performed with RNDZ as the dependent variable and age, sex, height and humeral length as potential independent variables individually and in combinations.

Results

The mean radial nerve length from the lateral epicondyle to the lateral intermuscular septum was estimated at 10.6 cm (95% confidence interval: 10.3 cm, 10.9cm). Height and humeral length were statistically significant univariate predictors in female cadavers, while only height was significant in male cadavers. In addition, all multivariate regression models were statistically significant and accounted for more than 57% of the variability in female RNDZ estimates. In comparison, only models that included height and age were statistically significant predictors of RNDZ and accounted for at most 22% of the variability of the estimate in males.

Conclusion

The estimated length of the radial nerve danger zone generated in this study should be strongly considered over other published estimates in surgical fixation procedures performed in adult Filipinos.

Assessing combining abilities, genomic data, and genotype × environment interactions to predict hybrid grain sorghum performance

Genomic selection in maize (Zea mays L.) has been one factor that has increased the rate of genetic gain when compared with other cereals. However, the technological foundations in maize also exist in other cereal crops that would allow prediction of hybrid performance based on general (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining abilities applied through genomic-enabled prediction models. Further, the incorporation of genotype × environment (G × E) interaction effects present an opportunity to deploy hybrids to targeted environments. To test these concepts, a factorial mating design of elite yet divergent grain sorghum lines generated hybrids for evaluation. Inbred parents were genotyped, and markers were used to assess population structure and develop the genomic relationship matrix (GRM). Grain yield, height, and days to anthesis were collected for hybrids in replicated trials, and best linear unbiased estimates were used to train classical GCA-SCA-based and genomic (GB) models under a hierarchical Bayesian framework. To incorporate population structure, GB was fitted using the GRM of both parents and hybrids. For GB models, G × E interaction effects were included by the Hadamard product between GRM and environments. A leave-one-out cross-validation scheme was used to study the prediction capacity of models. Classical and genomic models effectively predicted hybrid performance and prediction accuracy increased by including genomic data. Genomic models effectively partitioned the variation due to GCA, SCA, and their interaction with the environment. A strategy to implement genomic selection for hybrid sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] breeding is presented herein.

Resistant hypertension must be defined by ambulatory blood pressure and pulse pressure is best predictor of new cardiovascular events

Introduction

Resistant Hypertension (RH) defined by Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) isn't so common. Prognostic CV by ABPM of RH is uncertain.

Objective

RH Population defined by ABPM, followed 5.9±5.0 years and prognostic value of ABPM for new CV events (CVe).

Design and method

ABPM-collected 1999–2019. Identified RH patients by ABPM. Obtained anthropometric, clinic, laboratorial data from the patient and clinical records. CVe defined by: stroke (ST) (Ischemic (STisq), haemorrhagic (SThs)), Coronary Event (CD), Other CV events (OCV) (acute heart failure (HF), peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Follow-up finished with event, last evaluation of the patient or death.

Results

258 patients, follow-up – 5.9±5.0 years,158 males, mean age – 60.4±11 years. Diabetes Mellitus (DM) 45.3%, Dyslipidaemia 74.4%, Obesity 45.3%, Chronic Kidney Disease 37.2%, previous CVe (PCVe) 34.5%. Observed 68 CVe: 26 ST (21 STisq, 5 SThs), 21 CD, 21 OCV (15 HF, 6 PAD). 18 death (8 unknown, 1 infection, 2 cancer, 1 sudden death, 2 STisq, 1 CD, 3 HF). When compared those with event vs no-event (fig. 1), in T student to independent samples, those with event had larger left atrium (42.6±5.7 vs 40.2±4.7, p&lt;0.05), lower creatinine clearance (mL/min/1.73m2) (63.6±34 vs 74.5±33). PCVe was significantly more prevalent on those with event (c 9.8, p&lt;0.01). In a multivariate Cox analysis for the risk of CVe (adjusted to age, gender, DM, PCVe, glycemia, creatinine, number of antihypertensive), Day Pulse Pressure with cut-off 60mmHg was statically significant (HR 2.46 (95% CI 1.26–4.83), p&lt;0.01). In Kaplan-Meier survival curve free of events, the best CV predictor obtained was the cut-off 60mmHg of PP (24h, Day, night PP), mostly Day PP-60mmHg (log rank 9.27, p&lt;0.01) (fig. 2A). When analyzed for those who had Stroke, in the multivariate Cox analysis 24h SBP (p&lt;0.05, HR 1.04 (95% CI 1.00–1.07), and night SBP (p&lt;0.05, HR 1.03 (95% CI 1.00–1.06) were statically significant on top of age, gender, DM, PCVe, glycemia, creatinine, number of antihypertensive. In Kaplan-Meier survival curve free of events, the best CV predictor obtained was the cut-off 60mmHg PP, mostly Day PP 60mmHg (log rank 8.5 p&lt;0.01) (fig. 2B). For those who had CD in the multivariate Cox analysis, adjusted for other variables, 24h SBP (p&lt;0.05, HR 1.04 (95% CI 1.00–1.07), and night SBP (p&lt;0.05 HR1.03 (95% CI 1.00–1.06) were statically significant. In Kaplan-Meier survival curve free of events, night PP 60mmHg predicted CD events (log rank 4.42 p&lt;0.05) (fig. 2C). For OCV the multivariate Cox analysis, adjusted for other variables, 24h PP (p&lt;0.05, HR 1.04 (95% CI 1.00–1.07) and night SBP (p&lt;0.05, HR 1.03 (95% CI 1.00–1.06) were statically significant for new OCV. In Kaplan-Meier survival curve free of events, best predictor was mostly night PP 60mmHg (log rank 19, p&lt;0.001) (fig. 2D).

Conclusion

In our sample of RH the definition by ABPM is essential. PP is the key prognosis for future CVe, special if analysed by the cut of PP-60 mmHg.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Kaplan-Meier survival curves

Acute myocardial infarction at an early age – importance of acute chest pain fast track in patient management

Background

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) has a higher incidence in middle-aged and elderly patients but 2% to 6% of ACS cases occur in people younger than 45 years of age (Y). Younger patients have different clinical characteristics when compared to older patients. Acute chest pain fast track led to a reduction in the time required for the diagnosis of acute coronary syndromes, particularly those with ST segment elevation (STEMI).

Aim

This study aims to assess the differences in risk factors and clinical characteristics between young and older ACS patients. Besides that, we try to determine if the benefits of acute chest pain fast track have extended to this younger population.

Material and methods

Retrospective observational study carried out through the analysis of the clinical process. Clinical data were collected from ACS patients under 45Y from 2010 to 2019 and from ACS patients over 45Y from 2010 to 2012. Statistical analysis was made using R software and RStudio.

Results

This study included 93 patients with ACS under 45Y and 172 patients with ACS over 45Y. A total of 265 patients were included. The male gender was predominant in both groups but with a higher prevalence in the younger ones (88% vs 73%, p&lt;0,005). The prevalence of hypertension was higher in older ACS patients but the younger ones had more overweight (39.8% vs 17.4%, p&lt;0,001), smoking history (84.9% vs 38.4%, p&lt;0,001) and family history of sudden death (25.8% vs 5.8%, p&lt;0,01). Diabetes had no statistical difference. Dyslipidemia as previous known risk factor had no statistical difference but LDL was higher in patients with less than 45Y (147.2 vs 120.7 mg/dL, p&lt;0,001). STEMI were tendentially more prevalent in patients under 45Y (55.9% vs 44.8%, p 0.09). The anterior wall was the most frequently involved in both groups (52% vs 63%, p 0.28), followed by the inferior wall (42% vs 36%). Accordantly, anterior descending artery was the artery most frequently involved in both groups (44.1% vs 48.3%), followed by right coronary artery (24.7 vs 26.7%). STEMI patients under 45Y were submitted to an emergent coronary angiography in 89% of cases and STEMI patients over than 45Y were submitted in 70.1% of cases. Particularly for patients under 45Y, all STEMI patients were submitted to an emergent coronary angiography after 2014, which emphasis the importance of acute chest pain fast track in the emergency room. Finally, ACS patients under 45Y were less submitted to percutaneous coronary angiography compared to patients over 45Y (15.1% vs 4.7%, p&lt;0,001).

Conclusions

Cardiovascular risk factors differ accordingly the age of ACS patients. Younger patients had more overweight and smoking history. They probably have alternative pathophysiologic mechanisms that explain differences in percutaneous coronary angiography. Acute chest pain fast track had an important role reducing morbimortality related to ACS by reducing the time until STEMI diagnose.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on ST-elevation myocardial infarction: data from two Portuguese centers

Introduction

Recently during the COVID-19 pandemic there was a general belief in a reduction of hospital admissions due to non-infectious causes, namely cardiovascular diseases.

Objectives

To evaluate the impact of the pandemic in the admissions by ST elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI), during the first pandemic wave.

Methods

Multicentric and retrospective analysis of consecutive patients presenting in two Portuguese hospital centers with STEMI in two sequential periods – P1 (1st March to 30th April) and P2 (1st May to 30th June). A comparison of patient's clinical and hospital outcomes data was performed between the year 2020 and 2017 to 2019 for both periods.

Results

A total of 347 consecutive STEMI patients were included in this study. The patient's baseline characteristics and cardiovascular risk factors were similar across the considered periods. During P1 of 2020, in comparison with previous years, a reduction in the number of STEMI patients was observed (26.0±4.2 vs 16.5±4.9 cases per month; p=0.033), contrary to what was observed during P2 (19.5±0.7 vs 20.5±0.7 cases per month; p=0.500). Percutaneous coronary interventions in the setting of failed thrombolysis were more frequent (1.9% vs 9.1%; p=0.033). A global trend in longer delays in time-key bundles of STEMI care was noted, namely pain to first medical contact, door to needle, door to wire crossing and symptoms to wire crossing times, however without statistical significance. Mortality rate was six-fold higher during P1 comparing to previous years (1.9% vs 12.1%; p=0.005), and also an increase in the number of mechanical complications (0.0% vs 3.0%; p=0.029) was observed.

Conclusions

During the first COVID-19 pandemic wave there were fewer patients presenting with STEMI at catheterization laboratory for coronary angioplasty. These patients presented more mechanical complications and higher mortality rates.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

How did the first pandemic COVID wave affect acute myocardial infarction hospital assistance?

 

There is a general notion that the COVID pandemic has made access to adequate health care difficult. A retrospective study looked at patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) admitted to a hospital, including the time between admission and diagnosis, the time until treatment, and the delay in transferring to a hospital with a catheterization laboratory in the case of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI).The period analysed was March to July 2019 and March to July 2020 (first Covid pandemic wave). 197 patients, 101 in 2019 (SCA19) and 96 in 2020 (SCAcov), 142 males (72%) mean age 67.3±12.6. It was observed in 2019 29 STEMI and 72 acute myocardial infarct without ST elevation (NSTEMI) na 2020 36 STEMI and 60 NSTEMI, this proportions didn't achieve statistical meaning χ2(1)=1.719, p=0.226. When compared SCA19 versus SCAcov there were no differences between groups in relation to demographic data. The clinical presentation (none, hemodynamic instability, refractory pain, arrhythmia, mechanic complication, acute heart failure) not varied between groups χ2(6)=3.42, p=0.755. When analysed, between SCA19 and SCAcov, there were no significant time difference between the admission and the electrocardiogram execution (MSCA19 = 44.78; MSCAcov = 56.84; Tweich (132.66) = −0.73, p=0.476 g Hedge = 0.71, between time of admission and time of diagnosis MSCA19 = 264.84; MSCAcov = 254.2; Tweich (188.81) = −0.34, p=0.731 g Hedge = 0.05, and the duration of hospitalization MSCA19 = 5.90; MSCAcov = 5.78 U=9400, Z=−0.263, p&lt;0.792.

Conclusion

In COVID times even with the all restrictions and contingencies lived in hospitals our results pointed to no significant changes in the variables analysed. Interestingly, in spite of no significant difference, a slightly more delay in ECG execution, higher prevalence of STEMI but a short time of diagnosis were observed.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Early and long term prognostic accuracy of 4 acute pulmonary embolism mortality risk scores

Background

Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a frequent condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Multiple scores have been developed and validated to predict 30-day mortality risk, however accurate prognostic assessment remains a challenge in clinical practice.

Purpose

To compare the performance of PESI, simplified PESI, Hestia and Bova scores in predicting in-hospital, 30-day and 1-year mortality risk for acute PE.

Methods

We retrospectively assessed consecutive patients from a single center registry who were hospitalized with acute PE between January 2017 and October 2020. Discriminative power of each score was assessed by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) was also assessed for comparison.

Results

A total of 131 patients with a mean age of 67.6±15.3 years were included with a mean follow-up of 46.3±17.7 months. Thirty-six patients (27.5%) had a recent hospitalization or major surgery and 26 (19.8%) a medical history of cancer. Besides anticoagulation, 7 patients (5.3%) underwent fibrinolysis. Overall in-hospital mortality was 8.4%, 30-day mortality 12.2% and 1-year mortality 19.8%. All acute PE scores, except Bova score, were significantly higher in those patients who died during hospitalization and on 30-day and 1-year follow-up. CCI was also higher in those patients. Discriminative power for in-hospital mortality was higher for PESI (c-statistic 0.84, 95% CI 0.74–0.93, p=0.002), followed by sPESI (c-statistic 0.77, 95% CI 0.65–0.90, p=0.010) and Hestia (c-statistic 0.77, 95% CI 0.61–0.92, p=0.011). The Bova score showed a poor discriminative power for prediction of in-hospital mortality (c-statistic 0.61, 95% CI 0.43–0.78, p=0.325). For 30-day and 1-year mortality PESI score still maintained the best performance with acceptable discriminative power (c-statistic 0.73, 95% CI 0.61–0.85, p=0.007 for 30-day mortality; c-statistic 0.80, 95% CI 0.71–0.89, p&lt;0.0001 for 1-year mortality). However at longer follow-up CCI had a better performance to predict worse outcomes (c-statistic 0.79, 95% CI 0.65–0.92, p=0.001 for 30-day mortality; c-statistic 0.83, 95% CI 0.74–0.92, p&lt;0.0001 for 1-year mortality).

Conclusions

All scores, except Bova score, showed overall good performance in stratifying mortality for acute PE, however PESI score performed better in this population particularly at shorter follow-up. At longer follow-up, although PESI score maintained an acceptable performance, comorbidities seem to play a bigger role. The different performance of multiple scores highlights the complexity of this condition.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. ROC curves for mortality risk scores

P–080 Higher sperm DNA fragmentation reduces the proportion of good quality embryos at day 5 on IVF and ICSI cycles from unselected males

Study question

Does sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) reduce the ratio of good-quality embryos in day 3 (D3) and day 5 (D5) of embryonic development?

Summary answer

High sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF &gt;15%) is associated with poor embryo quality at blastocyst-stage per cycle in unselected patients undergoing IVF and ICSI.

What is known already

It has been shown that the proportion of spermatozoa with DNA fragmentation is higher in infertile men than in semen from fertile men. However, the controversy regarding the impact that sperm genome damage can have on IVF or ICSI treatments is evident in the published literature. The effects of SDF would become evident after activation of the embryonic genome at 8-cell stage, compromising not only the quality of the embryos obtained, but also the reproductive outcomes, as reduced implantation rates, higher miscarriages rates and thus, a decreased chance of pregnancy.

Study design, size, duration

This multicentric observational retrospective study included 1339 couples who underwent 2759 IVF-ICSI cycles using autologous oocytes from January 2000 to March 2019. All men have an SDF test in their ejaculated spermatozoa by TUNEL assay (Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling). The subjects were divided into two groups according to their sperm DNA integrity: low (≤15%) (n = 2287 cycles) or high (&gt;15%) (n = 472) SDF.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Embryo quality was assessed complying morphological standards at cleavage-stage on D3 and at blastocyst-stage on D5 (inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE) grade (A, B, C or D)) in according to ASEBIR’s embryo selection criteria, being embryos of good quality those categorized as A+B. The outcomes were calculated in relation to the total number of zygotes obtained. The results were compared by Student t test; p value &lt;0.05 was considered significant.

Main results and the role of chance

The SDF average of the low group was 5.8% (95% CI 5.6–5.9) whereas in high group was 23.7% (95% CI 23.0–24.4). The female age was equal, 37.1 years (95%CI 37.0–37.2) and 37.1 years (95% CI 36.8–37.4) respectively. A total of 9796 embryos were evaluated. The optimal cleavage-stage embryo rate per cycle was 25.0% (95% CI 21.7–28.3) (8.0 average cells number, 1.5 embryo fragmentation average, symmetry 1, mononucleated cells) versus 26.7% (95%CI 19.1–34.2) (7.9 average cells number, 1.8 embryo fragmentation average, symmetry 1, mononucleated cells) when comparing between groups (p &lt; 0.001). Blastocyst-stage arrival rate (number of embryos at D5) per cycle was 55.8% (95% CI 54.3–57.2) in ≤ 15% SDF group (embryo quality score was ICM A:12.1%, B:69.5%, C:8.8%, D:4.5%; TE A: 7.5%, B:42.2%, C:42.2%, D:8.1%) and 55.9% (95% CI 52.8–59.1) in the &gt;15% SDF group (ICM A:12.0%, B:68.7%, C:10.6%, D: 5.2%; TE A:9.1%, B:44.8%, C:37.8%, D:8.3%) (p &lt; 0.001). The good quality blastocyst rate per cycle was significantly higher in the group with SDF ≤15%, 27.7% (95%CI 26.5–29.0) versus SDF &gt;15% (27.4% (95%CI 24.6–30.2)). Of the total number of blastocysts, the proportion of A+B blastocyst was 60.5% (95% CI 58.3–62.7) and 64.2% (95% CI 59.2–69.2) (p &lt; 0.001), respectively.

Limitations, reasons for caution

The retrospective and multicenter nature of this study leads to uncontrolled biases derived from the clinical practice. Although the results were not adjusted for female’s age, it was not statistically different between groups. Embryo morphology evaluation was performed by senior embryologists, it still remains a subjective evaluation, though.

Wider implications of the findings: In this study, a higher amount of data was compiled so that a large number of embryos were analyzed. The DNA integrity of the sperm may be an important consideration when poor quality embryos were obtained in the previous cycle when deciding on the next clinical strategy to apply.

Trial registration number

NA

O-079 Could ovarian reserve be affected after SARS-CoV-2 infection?

Study question

Is there a variation in ovarian reserve in women who have passed the disease?

Summary answer

The fact of having passed SARS-CoV-2 does not affect the ovarian reserve status

What is known already

Despite the overwhelming magnitude of this pandemic and its worldwide prevalence, information regarding the effects of the novel coronavirus on human reproduction are currently limited. As the assisted reproductive technology programs resumed operations, it was important to gather information regarding the status of individuals infected with the novel coronavirus, and to assess gametes and reproductive outcomes for those who had SARS-CoV-2 virus. Since it was described the presence of receptors of the virus in the ovary, studies on the reproductive involvement of coronavirus infection are warranted, particularly within recovered patients

Study design, size, duration

During the period May-June 2020, women performing an Assisted Reproductive treatment in any of the 11 clinics belonging to the IVIRMA group in Spain and who had a positive IgG for SARS-CoV-2 were invited to participate in the study; this group of women had a previous AMH determination of no more than 6 months. The study was approved by an Institutional Review Board (2007-MADR-052-AR) and all women provided written informed consent.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

A new AMH determination was made (Elecsys^® AMH, Roche Diagnostics) to detect possible variations in the hormone levels. Women were stratified in two groups, according their previous AMH levels: low responders (AMH < 1 ng/ml) or normo-high responders (AMH ≥ 1 ng/ml) Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences 19.0 (IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA).

Main results and the role of chance

After filtering by the inclusion criteria described above, we included 46 patients in this phase of the study; 16 women were diagnosed as having low ovarian reserve (AMH < 1 ng/ml), with an average age of 38.6 years, whereas 30 were classified as having normal ovarian reserve (AMH ≥ 1 ng/ml), with an average age of 34.7 years. Generally, the data show no variation in AMH levels before and after SARS-CoV-2 infection (1.73 ng/ml vs. 1.61 ng/ml, respectively). However, when we analyzed these differences according to the study groups, we observed that, in women with normal ovarian reserve, average AMH level before infection was 4.6 ng/ml, whereas after infection AMH decreased to 3.1 ng/ml. For women with low ovarian reserve, AMH was 0.8 ng/ml before infection and remained at a similar value after infection (AMH = 0.7 ng/ml).

Limitations, reasons for caution

This is an observational study and thus possible confounders cannot be completely excluded. More data are needed to draw firm conclusions it will be critical to increase the sample size to check if the results observed in this work remains in the general population

Wider implications of the findings

The fact of having passed the disease does not affect the ovarian reserve status but the degree of the variation of AMH levels depending on the patient were low or high responder. Nevertheless, we could assume that the chances of success of the Assisted Reproductive treatment remain intact.

Trial registration number

Not apply

O-210 Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) is not associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes in IVF-ICSI cycles with autologous oocytes

Study question

Does an elevated SDF (&gt;15%) increase the odds of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes in autologous oocyte IVF-ICSI cycles from unselected couples?

Summary answer

No adverse effects of high SDF on obstetric and neonatal outcomes have been found in couples with sperm fragmentation undergoing IVF-ICSI cycles with own eggs.

What is known already

Sperm chromatin integrity assessment has been implemented as an additional tool in the clinical evaluation of sperm quality in infertile patients undergoing an assisted reproduction treatment. All of the published reports to date appraise its effect on clinical outcomes, and how it impacts embryo quality and the pregnancy chances after IVF and ICSI cycles. Sperm DNA integrity has also been hypothesized to affect offspring health but not many studies have reported in humans if an elevated SDF raises the risks of obstetric, delivery and neonatal outcomes.

Study design, size, duration

Multicentric retrospective cohort study of all IVF-ICSI cycles using autologous oocytes between January 2000-March 2019 at Spain IVIRMA clinics of couples with a SDF test on their ejaculated semen. The sperm fragmentation index was measured in all men with TUNEL assay. The database included 228 couples which had a delivery with at least a newborn. Subjects were divided into two study groups according to their level of SDF: ≤15% (low SDF) or &gt; 15% (high SDF).

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Patients with missed information on maternal and neonatal outcomes were not counted for the analysis. The obstetric outcomes were gestational age, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia (hypertension with proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation) and type of delivery. Neonatal outcomes were sex, birth weight, length, head circumference, Apgar score at 1, 5, 10 minutes, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. Student’s t-test and Fisher’s test were used for statistical analysis. A p-value&lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Main results and the role of chance

Maternal age mean was 37.4 years (95%CI 36.9-38.0) in ≤ 15%SDF group and 37.2 years (95%CI 36.1-38.4) in &gt; 15%SDF group (p = 0.8). Similar gestational age was found, 41.8 weeks (95%CI 41.3-42.2) in ≤ 15%SDF and 41.3 weeks (95%CI 40.4-42.3) in &gt; 15%SDF. Gestational diabetes incidence was higher in &gt; 15%SDF compared to ≤ 15%SDF group (3.5% versus 1.7% (OR = 2.0 (95%CI 0.03-39.8), p = 0.5). Equally, the incidence of preeclampsia was 3.6% in patients with high SDF versus 1.7% in couples with low SDF, OR = 2.1 (95%CI 0.03-41.3), p = 0.5. Type of delivery frequency was in the ≤15%SDF group 61.9% vaginal and 38.1% cesarean, while in the &gt;15%SDF group 62.1% vaginal and 37.9% cesarean (OR = 1.0 (95%CI 0.4-2.6), p = 1.0). The overall proportion of singleton pregnancies was 87.2% (95%CI 82.4-91.2) and twins 12.8% (95%CI 8.8-17.6). There were no statistically differences between groups in the rate of delivery of twins and in the sex ratio of the newborns. When comparing the newborns of ≤ 15%SDF with &gt;15%SDF group, the average of weight was 3011.7g (95%CI 2912.2-3111.2) versus 2986.4g (95%CI 2753.1-3219.7), of length was 49.2cm (95%CI 48.3-50.0) versus 49.5cm (95%CI 49.2-49.9), of head circumference was 34.9cm (95%CI 34.6-35.2) versus 34.3cm (95%CI 33.4-35.2). No statistically differences were observed for Apgar punctuation and for NICU admission.

Limitations, reasons for caution

Due to the retrospective nature of the study we have missing data from the lack of follow-up of many patients after the confirmation of the ongoing pregnancy. Although pregnancies of couples with elevated SDF have a higher incidence of gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, the sample size evaluated is a limitation.

Wider implications of the findings

This is one of the first reports to evaluate the relationship between paternal DNA damage and obstetric risks and neonatal health in couples with high SDF who underwent IVF-ICSI in our centers. Despite SDF did not jeopardize the maternal and neonatal outcomes, more studies are needed to confirm this conclusion.

Trial registration number

NA

P–005 Magnetic-activated cell sorting in couples undergoing preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A) using autologous oocytes shows slightly lower aneuploidy rates compared to standard semen processing

Study question

Does the selection of non-apoptotic sperm via magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) reduce the aneuploidy rate of embryos from couples undergoing ICSI cycles with PGT-A using the patients’ own oocytes?

Summary answer

It does. The aneuploidy rate in the MACS group was 4.34% lower than the one obtained using semen samples processed according to standard clinical practice.

What is known already

MACS is a successful tool in eliminating proapoptotic sperm from a semen sample. However, the true effect of this technique on reproductive outcomes and the quality of the resulting embryos are a matter of controversy. Some studies report that its use improves the percentage of good quality blastocysts in women older than 30 years old compared to standard ICSI. Randomized clinical trials that compare MACS to a control sample consider parameters of embryo quality such as morphology at day 3 or day 5, symmetry of the blastomeres, blastocysts’ stage of expansion, but they do not consider embryo ploidy.

Study design, size, duration

Retrospective, multicentre, observational cohort study. 14,145 patients and 18,710 cycles were evaluated in the reference group. In the MACS group, 615 patients and 974 cycles were considered. Data were exported from cycles performed in Spanish IVIRMA clinics between January 2008 and February 2020.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Unselected males in couples undergoing PGT-A cycles, then subdivided into male factor (MF) - total progressive motile sperm count lower than 5 million - and non-male factor (NMF) infertility. Statistical analysis performed using R v.4.0.0. Means were calculated and compared using two-tailed paired t-test, while proportions were compared using Fisher’s exact test and the chi-squared test and the appropriate correction for multiple comparisons. The aneuploidy rates for each group were compared using Fisher’s exact test.

Main results and the role of chance

In the control group 73,228 biopsied embryos, from which 71,439 were informative in the PGT-A. In the MACS group 3,919 biopsied embryos, from which 3,843 were informative. The aneuploidy rate, computed per informative embryo, was 68.87% (68.40%, 69.34%) in the reference group and 64.53% (62.43%, 66.64%) in the MACS group. Both comparisons were statistically significant (p-value ˂0.00001). According to these results, an embryo in the PGT-A programme using non-apoptotic sperm selected through MACS and autologous oocytes had a 5% less chance of being aneuploid than those embryos fertilised with standardly selected sperm (relative risk of 0.95 (0.91–0.98) p = 0.006769). Embryos conceived from NMF patients whose semen had been processed using MACS had a 4.27% lower aneuploidy rate than the reference (65.52% (63.16%, 67.88%) vs 69.79% (69.20%, 70.37%) respectively). This difference was statistically significant. Those embryos conceived using semen from patients with MF using MACS also showed a lower aneuploidy rate than the reference with MF (0.28% (55.48%, 65.08%) vs (64.94% (63.35%, 66.23%) respectively), although this difference was not statistically significant. Thus, the decrease in aneuploidy rate observed when comparing MACS and reference groups undergoing PGT-A cycles using autologous oocytes remained approximately the same in both MF and NMF semen samples.

Limitations, reasons for caution

The retrospective nature of the study subjects the data to biases or inaccuracies in their annotation in the clinics’ informatic platform from which they were exported. However, the statistical analysis aimed at controlling these biases as much as possible.

Wider implications of the findings: The vast amount of data compiled for this study confirms that the selection of non-apoptotic sperm through MACS slightly decreases the aneuploidy rate of embryos compared to semen samples processed according to the clinics’ standards. This would be interesting for patients who are considering undergoing PGT-A cycles in the future.

Trial registration number

Not applicable

Baseline assessment of underwater noise in the Ria Formosa

The Ria Formosa is a sheltered large coastal lagoon located on the Atlantic South Coast of Portugal, that has been classified as a natural park since 1987. The lagoon hosts a diverse and abundant fish community and other species of commercial importance. Several economical activities are supported by shipping, and as such, vessel traffic within the Ria Formosa lagoon is very intense at some locations during particular seasons of the year, creating high levels of underwater noise. Recently, strong efforts are being made to turn the main inlet of the lagoon, the Faro-Olhão Inlet, a testing site for small scale tidal stream turbines, which will bring an additional source of underwater noise. Underwater noise can be one of a number of factors causing habitat degradation, as it can perturb fish behavior and cause physiological damage. Therefore, in order to comply with underwater noise pollution regulations, tidal energy technology developers are very interested in minimising the introduction of acoustic energy in the environment during the operation of their devices. Under the scope of project SCORE, which involved the deployment and operation of a floating tidal energy converter, this paper presents and discusses the first baseline noise monitoring performed at Ria Formosa. The acoustic data were collected in two occasions over several days, one in the winter and the other in the summer, in 2017. The obtained analysis results highlight the potential impact of the intense boat traffic in Ria Formosa, and the wide range of sound levels introduced in that ecosystem, and the high diurnal and seasonal variability.

Algarve Cervical Cancer Screening Programme

Issue

Cervical Cancer (CC) is the 7th most frequent and the 2nd most common in women. The standardized mortality rate, in Portugal is 2.3/100000 inhabitants and Algarve is the region with highest rate, 4.9/100000.

Description

Programme started in 2010. Population-based screening programme can reduce incidence, mortality and morbidity with an early diagnosis, preventing aggressive interventions in precancerous phase, improving survival and life quality. Target population, woman age 25-64.are invited to primary test liquid-based cytology (ThinPrep) every 3 years. Health Centres are responsible for select, invite, collect samples and send to Hospital laboratory. For positives, a cervical pathology consultation is required. National Guidelines now indicates DNA testing for human papillomavirus (HPV) as primary screening test, each 5 years, to woman age 25 to 60 and screening program changes will be implemented in 2019 with improved response time and lower cost.

Results

Since 2010 the target population has increased 12% every 2 years and the adhesion rate increased ≈68% and≈108%. Nevertheless the 3rd cycle has showed 10,8% (17.975) adhesion rate. Most women 16.112 (89.6%) had a negative diagnosis, 503 (2,8%) is ASC-US + (HPV test), and 761(4,2%) had a cervical pathology consultation. From those, 117 (15.4%) had a LSIL, 69 (9,1%) HSIL and 2(0,3%) cancer. Cancer detection rate is 0,1 ‰.

Lessons

The small adhesion rate particularly by aged women, the users unfriendly Information System and direct screening health units management are some of the issues that requires improvement. Also population literacy, self-sampling vaginal fluid and clinical meetings are some of the options to improve screening program.

Key messages

Cervical Cancer early diagnosis prevent aggressive interventions in a precancerous phase, improves survival and life quality. Better access and health communication are major points in screening programs.

Ovarian stimulation does not influence the uterine immune environment in healthy infertile women

RESEARCH QUESTION

There is some controversy regarding the impact of ovarian stimulation on immune cells in women undergoing IVF. The study's aim was to determine whether ovarian stimulation affected immune uterine cells in healthy women undergoing IVF.

DESIGN

This prospective cohort study included 28 patients undergoing IVF and 47 healthy oocyte donors. Endometrial biopsies were taken in a natural cycle and after ovarian stimulation. All participants had a normal karyotype, pelvic ultrasound and cervical cytology results and thyroid-stimulating hormone concentration, as well as normal glucose and insulin concentrations and inherited and acquired thrombophilia test results. Screening tests including human papillomavirus were normal. Immune cells were analysed using three techniques: fluorescence-activated cell sorting, immunohistochemistry and gene expression. A human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-C tetramer was used as an 'artificial embryo'. The expression of genes including those for tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin-10 (IL-10) was analysed.

RESULTS

A comparison was made of the percentage and gene expression of CD56^brightCD16^- uterine natural killer (uNK), CD56^dimCD16⁺ natural killer cells, CD56^-CD16⁺ natural killer cells and TregCD25⁺CD4⁺FoxP3⁺ cells, uNK binding to the HLA-C tetramer, and TNF-α and IL-10 expression. No between- or within-group differences were observed in natural versus ovarian stimulation cycles.

CONCLUSIONS

Ovarian stimulation does not affect the uterine immune cell population or HLA-C binding in healthy women undergoing ovarian stimulation. Further studies are underway to find out if different responses might be seen in women with previous autoimmune disorders.

High sperm DNA fragmentation delays human embryo kinetics when oocytes from young and healthy donors are microinjected

BACKGROUND

Time-lapse monitoring (TLM) technology has been implemented in the clinical setting for the culture and selection of human embryos. Many studies have assessed the association between sperm DNA fragmentation (sDNAf) and clinical outcomes after ART, but little is known about the influence of sDNA on embryo morphokinetics.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this retrospective study, which includes 971 embryos from 135 consecutive ICSI cycles (56 cases with own oocytes, 79 with oocytes from young and healthy donors), was to assess if sDNAf has an impact on embryo morphokinetics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Samples used to perform ICSI were analyzed by the flow cytometry TUNEL assay, and embryo development was assessed through an EmbyoScope^® system. The association between sDNAf and the timings of cell cleavage was analyzed by categorizing the first variable into quartiles: ≤6.50%; 6.51-10.70%; 10.71-20.15%; >20.15%.

RESULTS

In cases where sDNAf was above 20.15% (the upper quartile), embryos derived from donated oocytes (n = 644) showed significantly slower divisions. Such association was not observed in embryos obtained from the patients' own oocytes (n = 327). The embryo cleavage pattern (either normal, direct from 1 to 3 blastomeres, direct from 1 to 4 blastomeres, incomplete, reversed or asynchronous) was independent of the sDNAf level. Blastocyst arrival rate was 63.0% and the rate of good quality embryos (transferred and frozen embryos divided by the number of zygotes) was 45.49%. Neither parameter was related to the levels of sDNAf.

DISCUSSION

According to our results, the association between high sDNAf and donated oocytes led to delayed cell division. To our knowledge, this is the first study suggesting that sDNAf can delay human embryo cleavage timings when oocytes from donors are inseminated.

CONCLUSIONS

This finding may indicate that, in the presence of increased DNA damage, time is needed before the first embryonic cell division for the activation of the optimal DNA repairing machinery in higher quality oocytes.

Repetibilidade e efeito da idade nas características reprodutivas em ovinos Santa Inês

Devido à importância da seleção precoce de carneiros da raça Santa Inês no Brasil, estimamos a repetibilidade e verificados os efeitos da idade sobre as características seminais, perímetro escrotal e peso corporal em 51 carneiros da raça Santa Inês com idades entre 6 a 26 meses de idade, durante um ano. Os animais foram divididos em grupos de idade: grupo 1 (6 a 12 meses) e grupo 2 (12 a 26 meses), mantidos em semi-confinamentos, recebendo feno, concentrado e um suplemento mineral diariamente. O peso corporal, circunferência escrotal e as características seminais foram avaliados uma vez por mês. Os grupos de idade não influenciaram o volume espermático, movimentos de massa, motilidade e vigor espermáticos. Houve diferenças entre os grupos etários para a concentração espermática, peso corporal e circunferência escrotal que foram maiores em ovinos adultos (grupo 2). A média dos defeitos espermáticos maiores também foi diferente entre os grupos, sendo a presença de espermatozoides anormais relacionada inversamente com a idade. Correlações entre movimento de massa, motilidade e vigor foram altas e significativas (P

Estimating surface soil moisture from SMAP observations using a Neural Network technique

A Neural Network (NN) algorithm was developed to estimate global surface soil moisture for April 2015 to March 2017 with a 2-3 day repeat frequency using passive microwave observations from the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite, surface soil temperatures from the NASA Goddard Earth Observing System Model version 5 (GEOS-5) land modeling system, and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer-based vegetation water content. The NN was trained on GEOS-5 soil moisture target data, making the NN estimates consistent with the GEOS-5 climatology, such that they may ultimately be assimilated into this model without further bias correction. Evaluated against in situ soil moisture measurements, the average unbiased root mean square error (ubRMSE), correlation and anomaly correlation of the NN retrievals were 0.037 m³m^-3, 0.70 and 0.66, respectively, against SMAP core validation site measurements and 0.026 m³m^-3, 0.58 and 0.48, respectively, against International Soil Moisture Network (ISMN) measurements. At the core validation sites, the NN retrievals have a significantly higher skill than the GEOS-5 model estimates and a slightly lower correlation skill than the SMAP Level-2 Passive (L2P) product. The feasibility of the NN method was reflected by a lower ubRMSE compared to the L2P retrievals as well as a higher skill when ancillary parameters in physically-based retrievals were uncertain. Against ISMN measurements, the skill of the two retrieval products was more comparable. A triple collocation analysis against Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2) and Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT) soil moisture retrievals showed that the NN and L2P retrieval errors have a similar spatial distribution, but the NN retrieval errors are generally lower in densely vegetated regions and transition zones.

Extracting Information from Interval Data Using Symbolic Principal Component Analysis

We introduce generic definitions of symbolic variance and covariance for random interval-valued variables, that lead to a unified and insightful interpretation of four known symbolic principal component estimation methods: CPCA, VPCA, CIPCA, and SymCovPCA. Moreover, we propose the use of truncated versions of symbolic principal components, that use a strict subset of the original symbolic variables, as a way to improve the interpretation of symbolic principal components. Furthermore, the analysis of a real dataset leads to a meaningful characterization of Internet traffic applications, while highligting similarities between the symbolic principal component estimation methods considered in the paper.

Phenotypic correlations between ovum pick-up in vitro production traits and pregnancy rates in Zebu cows

The growth of the Gyr breed in Brazil in terms of genetic gain for milk, along with conditions for market, has led to the use of ovum pick-up in vitro production (OPU-IVP) as a leader in biotechnology for the multiplication of genetic material. The aim of this study was to investigate phenotypic correlations between OPU-IVP-linked characteristics and pregnancy rates registered in an embryo transfer program using Gyr cows as oocyte donors. Data collected from 211 OPU sessions and 298 embryo transfers during the years 2012 and 2013 were analyzed and statistical analysis was performed. Estimates of simple Pearson correlations were calculated for NVcoc and PVcoc (number and proportion of viable cumulus-oocyte complexes, respectively); NcleavD4 and PcleavD4 (number and proportion of cleaved embryos on day 4 of culture, respectively); NTembD7 and PTembD7 (number and proportion of transferable embryos on day 7 of culture, respectively); NPrD30 and PPrD30 (number and proportion of pregnancies 30 days after transfer, respectively); and NPrD60 and PPrD60 (number and proportion of pregnancies 60 days after transfer, respectively). Moderate to moderately high correlations were found for all numerical characteristics, suggesting these as the most suitable parameters for selection of oocyte donors in Gyr programs. NVcoc is proposed as a selection trait due to positive correlations with percentage traits and pregnancy rates 30 and 60 days after transfer.

202 ASSOCIATION BETWEEN BMP4 GENE POLYMORPHISM AND OVUM PICK-UP IN VITRO PRODUCTION TRAITS IN BRAZILIAN Gyr COWS

In Bos taurus taurus, previous studies have reported an association between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in BMP4 gene and the blastocyst rate in cows evaluated for in vitro embryo production efficacy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of association between a polymorphism in the BMP4 gene and characteristics related to in vitro embryo production as well as pregnancies thereof in Bos taurus indicus cattle (Gyr breed). Data from 212 ovum pick-up in vitro (OPU-IPV) sessions were collected of 50 Gyr cows in the Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. The OPU-IVP procedures were performed and associated with marker SNP. The OPU-IVP traits were number and proportion of viable cumulus-oocyte complexes, number and proportion of cleaved embryos at Day 4 of culture, number and ratio of transferable embryos at Day 7 of culture, number and proportion of pregnancies at Day 30 after transfer, and number and proportion of pregnancies at Day 60 after transfer. DNA was extracted from hair follicles. BMP4 polymorphism, the segment of the BMP4 gene (exon 2, SNP rs109778173) was amplified by PCR with a specific primer. PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was used for genotyping. HinfI restriction enzyme that recognises and cleaves the sequence 5′ G ? ANTC 3′ was used. The samples were submitted to capillary electrophoresis Fragment Analyzer™ (Advanced Analytical Technologies Inc., Ames, IA) for allelic discrimination by size and polymorphism identification. Genotypic frequency, allele frequency, Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium probability, gene homozygosity, gene heterozygosity, effective allele number, and polymorphism information content were statistically analysed in the software PowerMarker v.3.25 (North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA). The association between DNA marker and the OPU-IVP traits and pregnancy rates was make by analysis of variance of repeated data PROC GLIMMIX of SAS 2009 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). The domain of the protein coding of BMP4 gene is located in exon 2. A fragment of the sequence of DNA in exon 2 was amplified, where the mutation SNP rs109778173 was identified (G > T) in Gyr cows using PCR-RFLP and capillary electrophoresis methods. Three genotypes were identified (GG, TT, and GT) with genotypic frequencies of 0.64, 0.32, and 0.04 respectively; allelic frequency and Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. The polymorphism was significantly associated with the number of viable oocyte complexes, ratio of viable oocyte complex, and ratio of pregnancies at 30 days (P > 0.01). The GT genotype affects negatively the number and proportion of viable cumulus-oocyte complexes and the proportion of pregnancies at Day 30 after transfer. This finding is an indication of a genetic effect of these characteristics.

Melhoramento genético visando à resistência a mastite em bovinos leiteiros

A mastite caracteriza-se por uma resposta inflamatória na glândula mamária, causada por alterações metabólicas e fisiológicas, traumas, ou mais frequentemente por microrganismos patogênicos ambientais ou contagiosos, cuja rapidez e eficácia de resposta imune do hospedeiro contra o patógeno constituem um fator crucial para o estabelecimento, a persistência e a gravidade da infecção. Estima-se que as perdas econômicas mundiais causadas pela doença podem alcançar 35 bilhões de dólares por ano. Muitos trabalhos foram realizados para identificar e estudar genes envolvidos na resposta de resistência à mastite. Devido ao grande número de vias metabólicas, moléculas e células envolvidas na manifestação da doença, a mastite é uma característica muito complexa, que depende de componentes genéticos e também de fatores ambientais e fisiológicos. A maior parte dos estudos sobre resistência a mastite focaliza o fenótipo de contagem de células somáticas no leite e mastite clínica para inferir sobre o genótipo de resistência. Várias abordagens moleculares são destinadas a incrementar o melhoramento quando os valores de herdabilidade são baixos e a coleta de dados fenotípicos é difícil, por isso esta abordagem tem sido utilizada para seleção de animais resistentes para posterior emprego em programas de melhoramento genético, possibilitando a redução de aplicações de medicamentos com conseqüente redução de custos, dos níveis de contaminação dos produtos e do meio ambiente. Com essa revisão, objetivou-se traçar a trajetória dos estudos sobre as características físicas, ambientais e genéticas de resistência à mastite e assim contribuir para a construção dessa nova concepção no melhoramento genético animal.

Shared genetic factors influence risk for bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorders

Bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorder (AUD) have a high rate of comorbidity, more than 50% of individuals with bipolar disorder also receive a diagnosis of AUD in their lifetimes. Although both disorders are heritable, it is unclear if the same genetic factors mediate risk for bipolar disorder and AUD. We examined 733 Costa Rican individuals from 61 bipolar pedigrees. Based on a best estimate process, 32% of the sample met criteria for bipolar disorder, 17% had a lifetime AUD diagnosis, 32% met criteria for lifetime nicotine dependence, and 21% had an anxiety disorder. AUD, nicotine dependence and anxiety disorders were relatively more common among individuals with bipolar disorder than in their non-bipolar relatives. All illnesses were shown to be heritable and bipolar disorder was genetically correlated with AUD, nicotine dependence and anxiety disorders. The genetic correlation between bipolar and AUD remained when controlling for anxiety, suggesting that unique genetic factors influence the risk for comorbid bipolar and AUD independent of anxiety. Our findings provide evidence for shared genetic effects on bipolar disorder and AUD risk. Demonstrating that common genetic factors influence these independent diagnostic constructs could help to refine our diagnostic nosology.

Sperm DNA fragmentation index does not correlate with the sperm or embryo aneuploidy rate in recurrent miscarriage or implantation failure patients

BACKGROUND

The aneuploidy rate is higher in poor-quality sperm samples, which also have higher DNA fragmentation index values. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between sperm DNA fragmentation in samples from infertile men belonging to couples with recurrent miscarriage or implantation failure and the aneuploidy rate in spermatozoa as well as in embryos from patients.

METHODS

This prospective study evaluated DNA damage and the aneuploidy rate in fresh and processed (density gradient centrifugation) ejaculated sperm as well as the aneuploidy rate in biopsied embryos from fertility cycles. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was used for the aneuploidy analysis. Results were compared using linear regression and analysis of variance.

RESULTS

A total of 154 embryos were evaluated from 38 patients undergoing PGD cycles; 35.2% of the embryos were chromosomally normal. Analysis of the same sperm samples showed an increased DNA fragmentation after sperm preparation in 76% of the patients. There was no correlation between DNA fragmentation and the aneuploidy rate in embryos or in fresh or processed sperm samples.

CONCLUSIONS

Sperm DNA fragmentation is not related to chromosomal anomalies in embryos from patients with recurrent miscarriage or implantation failure. However, we cannot rule out the possibility that a relationship between DNA fragmentation and aneuploidy exists for other causes of infertility. Furthermore, the different methods used to evaluate DNA fragmentation may produce different results.