scholarly journals Testicular thermography and seminal quality in bucks submitted to intermittent scrotal insulation in a tropical climate

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 721-734
Author(s):  
Maurício Francisco Vieira Neto ◽  
◽  
Bruna Farias Brito ◽  
Marcimar Silva Sousa ◽  
Maria Gorete Flores Salles ◽  
...  

Testicular degeneration is highly prevalent in ruminants reared in a tropical climate in Brazil. It is therefore necessary to assess semen quality periodically in this animals. The objective of this work was to define standards images (thermograms) by using infrared thermography (TIV), associated with computerized seminal evaluation (CASA) to predict testicular alterations in a non-invasive way. For this, 10 goat males were selected, and testis insulated to evaluate the seminal quality and testicular superficial temperature recorded in four different moments: before, during and early and later after insulation. Semen collections and rectal temperatures (TR) and superficial testis (TS) by TIV were assessed for 60 days after insulation. Data were expressed in media and standard errors and analysis of variation (ANOVA) with comparison between the moments using Tukey test at 5% of probability. Changes in seminal quality followed the same standard of changes in TS, with no influence of the latter one on rectal temperature. The mean testicular temperature increased more than 2 degrees above the normal mean testis temperature, with significant increasing (p <0.05) in the moment during in relation to the moments before and post insulation, and concomitantly reduction in seminal parameters and almost normal return to 60 days post insulation. These changes in testis surface temperatures associated with semen analysis allowed to get patterns images of testicular degeneration, permitting to predict by TIV testis alterations for later assess of seminal quality.

1977 ◽  
Vol 233 (1) ◽  
pp. H168-H179
Author(s):  
R. Nakayama ◽  
T. Azuma

A noninvasive method was developed for measuring the digital arterial pressure and the compliance by using a fingertip pneumoplethysmograph and a pneumatic cuff. The compliance (C) of the digital artery was obtained from the peak amplitude of the volume pulse wave (deltaVp-a) under the effect of the cuff pressure (Po-a) by the equation: C = deltavp-a/(Ps - P-o-a) during the dicrotic phase defined in this study. The normal mean value was 11.37 +/- 0.59 X 10(-5) cm3/mmHg. On lowering of the cuff pressure, the moment when the deltaVp value becomes positive is regarded as the systolic pressure (Ps). At the end of the dicrotic phase, the mean amplitude (deltaVss') of the pulse wave during one pulse cycle (SS') and the ratios (deltaVss'/deltaVsd), where deltaVsd is the mean amplitude of the wave during the systolic period (SD), of successive waves after a particular wave fail to increase at the same rate when the cuff pressure decreased below the diastolic pressure. The cuff pressure corresponding to this particular wave is regarded as the diastolic pressure (Pd). The mean value of the mean digital pressure of normotensive subjects was 80.6 +/- 1.2 mmHg.


2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 62-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Hossain ◽  
MM Islam ◽  
F Naznin ◽  
RN Ferdousi ◽  
FY Bari ◽  
...  

Semen was collected from four rams, using artificial vagina and viability%, motility% and plasma membrane integrity% were measured. Fresh ejaculates (n = 32) were separated by modified swim-up separation using modified human tubal fluid medium. Four fractions of supernatant were collected at 15-minute intervals. The mean volume, mass activity, concentration, motility%, viability%, normal morphology and membrane integrity% (HOST +ve) of fresh semen were 1.0 ± 0.14, 4.1 ± 0.1 × 109 spermatozoa/ml, 85.0 ± 1.3, 89.4 ± 1.0, 85.5 ± 0.7, 84.7 ± 0.5 respectively. There was no significant (P>0.05) difference in fresh semen quality parameters between rams. The motility%, viability% and HOST +ve % of first, second, third and fourth fractions were 53.4 ± 0.5, 68.2 ± 0.3, 74.8 ± 0.3 and 65.5 ± 0.4; 55.5 ± 0.4, 66.2 ± 0.4, 74.5 ± 0.3 and 73.6 ± 0.3 and 66.7 ± 0.5, 66.8 ± 0.5, 65.2 ± 0.4 and 74.7 ± 0.5 respectively. The motility%, viability% and membrane integrity% of separated semen samples differed significantly (P<0.05) between four fractions. The mean motility% and viability% were significantly higher (P<0.05) in third fraction (74.8 ± 0.3%), whereas the mean HOST +ve% was significantly higher (P<0.05) in fourth fraction (74.7 ± 0.5). All quality parameters of separated spermatozoa were significantly (P<0.05) lower than that of fresh semen. The pregnancy rates were higher with fresh semen (71%) in comparison to that of separated sample (57%).Bangl. vet. 2016. Vol. 33, No. 2, 62-70


Author(s):  
Patrick Veit-Haibach ◽  
Martin W. Huellner ◽  
Martin Banyai ◽  
Sebastian Mafeld ◽  
Johannes Heverhagen ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was the assessment of volumetric CT perfusion (CTP) of the lower leg musculature in patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease (PAD) before and after interventional revascularisation. Methods Twenty-nine consecutive patients with symptomatic PAD of the lower extremities requiring interventional revascularisation were assessed prospectively. All patients underwent a CTP scan of the lower leg, and hemodynamic and angiographic assessment, before and after intervention. Ankle-brachial pressure index (ABI) was determined. CTP parameters were calculated with a perfusion software, acting on a no outflow assumption. A sequential two-compartment model was used. Differences in CTP parameters were assessed with non-parametric tests. Results The cohort consisted of 24 subjects with an occlusion, and five with a high-grade stenosis. The mean blood flow before/after (BFpre and BFpost, respectively) was 7.42 ± 2.66 and 10.95 ± 6.64 ml/100 ml*min−1. The mean blood volume before/after (BVpre and BVpost, respectively) was 0.71 ± 0.35 and 1.25 ± 1.07 ml/100 ml. BFpost and BVpost were significantly higher than BFpre and BVpre in the treated limb (p = 0.003 and 0.02, respectively), but not in the untreated limb (p = 0.641 and 0.719, respectively). Conclusions CTP seems feasible for assessing hemodynamic differences in calf muscles before and after revascularisation in patients with symptomatic PAD. We could show that CTP parameters BF and BV are significantly increased after revascularisation of the symptomatic limb. In the future, this quantitative method might serve as a non-invasive method for surveillance and therapy control of patients with peripheral arterial disease. Key Points • CTP imaging of the lower limb in patients with symptomatic PAD seems feasible for assessing hemodynamic differences before and after revascularisation in PAD patients. • This quantitative method might serve as a non-invasive method, for surveillance and therapy control of patients with PAD.


Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 243
Author(s):  
Julieta Rousseau ◽  
Mónia Nakamura ◽  
Helena Rio-Maior ◽  
Francisco Álvares ◽  
Rémi Choquet ◽  
...  

Sarcoptic mange is globally enzootic, and non-invasive methods with high diagnostic specificity for its surveillance in wildlife are lacking. We describe the molecular detection of Sarcoptes scabiei in non-invasively collected faecal samples, targeting the 16S rDNA gene. We applied this method to 843 Iberian wolf Canis lupus signatus faecal samples collected in north-western Portugal (2006–2018). We further integrated this with serological data (61 samples from wolf and 20 from red fox Vulpes vulpes, 1997–2019) in multi-event capture–recapture models. The mean predicted prevalence by the molecular analysis of wolf faecal samples from 2006–2018 was 7.2% (CI95 5.0–9.4%; range: 2.6–11.7%), highest in 2009. The mean predicted seroprevalence in wolves was 24.5% (CI95 18.5–30.6%; range: 13.0–55.0%), peaking in 2006–2009. Multi-event capture–recapture models estimated 100% diagnostic specificity and moderate diagnostic sensitivity (30.0%, CI95 14.0–53.0%) for the molecular method. Mange-infected individually identified wolves showed a tendency for higher mortality versus uninfected wolves (ΔMortality 0.150, CI95 −0.165–0.458). Long-term serology data highlights the endemicity of sarcoptic mange in wild canids but uncovers multi-year epidemics. This study developed and evaluated a novel method for surveying sarcoptic mange in wildlife populations by the molecular detection of S. scabiei in faecal samples, which stands out for its high specificity and non-invasive character.


Author(s):  
Gomathi Ramaswamy ◽  
Kashish Vohra ◽  
Kapil Yadav ◽  
Ravneet Kaur ◽  
Tripti Rai ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Globally around 47.4% of children and in India, 58% of children aged 6–59 months are anemic. Diagnosis of anemia in children using accurate technologies and providing adequate treatment is essential to reduce the burden of anemia. Point-of-care testing (POCT) devices is a potential option for estimation of hemoglobin in peripheral and field settings were the hematology analyzer and laboratory services are not available. Objectives To access the validity of the POCTs (invasive and non-invasive devices) for estimation of hemoglobin among children aged 6–59 months compared with hematology analyzer. Methods The study participants were enrolled from the pediatric outpatient department in Haryana, India, from November 2019 to January 2020. Hemoglobin levels of the study participants were estimated in Sahli’s hemoglobinometer and invasive digital hemoglobinometers (DHs) using capillary blood samples. Hemoglobin levels in non-invasive DH were assessed from the finger/toe of the children. Hemoglobin levels measured in POCTs were compared against the venous blood hemoglobin estimated in the hematology analyzer. Results A total of 120 children were enrolled. The mean (SD) of hemoglobin (g/dl) estimated in auto-analyzer was 9.4 (1.8), Sahli’s hemoglobinometer was 9.2 (1.9), invasive DH was 9.7 (1.9), and non-invasive DH was 11.9 (1.5). Sahli’s hemoglobinometer (95.5%) and invasive DH (92.2%) had high sensitivity for the diagnosis of anemia compared with non-invasive DH (24.4%). In contrast, non-invasive DH had higher specificity (96.7%) compared with invasive DH (83.3%) and Sahli’s hemoglobinometer (70%). Invasive DH took the least time (2–3 min) for estimation of hemoglobin per participant, followed by Sahli’s (4–5 min) and non-invasive DH (5–7 min). Conclusion All three POCT devices used in this study are reasonable and feasible for estimating hemoglobin in under-5 children. Invasive DHs are potential POCT devices for diagnosis of anemia among under-5 children, while Sahli’s can be considered as a possible option, where trained and skilled technicians are available. Further research and development are required in non-invasive DH to improve accuracy. Lay summary In India, anemia is a serious public health problem, where 58% of the children aged 6–59 months are anemic. Point-of-care testing (POCT) using digital hemoglobinometers (DHs) has been recommended as one of the key interventions by the Anemia Mukt Bharat program since 2018 in India. These POCT devices are easy to use, less invasive, can be carried to field, require minimal training and results are available immediately. Therefore this study assessed the validity of POCT devices—invasive DH, non-invasive DH and Sahli’s hemoglobinometer among 6–59 months children in facility setting compared with the gold standard hematology analyzer. A total of 120 children under 6–59 months of age were enrolled from the pediatric outpatient department in Haryana, India, from November 2019 to January 2020. The (mean hemoglobin in g/dl) invasive (9.7) and non-invasive DH (11.9) overestimated hemoglobin value, while Sahli’s (9.2) underestimated hemoglobin compared with hematology analyzer (9.4). Invasive DH (92.2%) and Sahli’s hemoglobinometer (95.5%) reported high ability to correctly identify those with anemia compared with non-invasive DH (24.4%). In contrast, non-invasive DH (96.73%) had higher ability to correctly identify those without the anemia compared with invasive DH (83.3%) and Sahli’s (70%).


Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 1867
Author(s):  
Tasbiraha Athaya ◽  
Sunwoong Choi

Blood pressure (BP) monitoring has significant importance in the treatment of hypertension and different cardiovascular health diseases. As photoplethysmogram (PPG) signals can be recorded non-invasively, research has been highly conducted to measure BP using PPG recently. In this paper, we propose a U-net deep learning architecture that uses fingertip PPG signal as input to estimate arterial BP (ABP) waveform non-invasively. From this waveform, we have also measured systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP). The proposed method was evaluated on a subset of 100 subjects from two publicly available databases: MIMIC and MIMIC-III. The predicted ABP waveforms correlated highly with the reference waveforms and we have obtained an average Pearson’s correlation coefficient of 0.993. The mean absolute error is 3.68 ± 4.42 mmHg for SBP, 1.97 ± 2.92 mmHg for DBP, and 2.17 ± 3.06 mmHg for MAP which satisfy the requirements of the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) standard and obtain grade A according to the British Hypertension Society (BHS) standard. The results show that the proposed method is an efficient process to estimate ABP waveform directly using fingertip PPG.


1998 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 565-565
Author(s):  
G. Cayrel de Strobel ◽  
R. Cayrel ◽  
Y. Lebreton

After having studied in great detail the observational HR diagram (log Teff, Mbol) composed by 40 main sequence stars of the Hyades (Perryman et al.,1997, A&A., in press), we have tried to apply the same method to the observational main sequences of the three next nearest open clusters: Coma Berenices, the Pleiades, and Praesepe. This method consists in comparing the observational main sequence of the clusters with a grid of theoretical ZAMSs. The stars composing the observational main sequences had to have reliable absolute bolometric magnitudes, coming all from individual Hipparcos parallaxes, precise bolometric corrections, effective temperatures and metal abundances from high resolution detailed spectroscopic analyses. If we assume, following the work by Fernandez et al. (1996, A&A,311,127), that the mixing-lenth parameter is solar, the position of a theoretical ZAMS, in the (log Teff, Mbol) plane, computed with given input physics, only depends on two free parameters: the He content Y by mass, and the metallicity Z by mass. If effective temperature and metallicity of the constituting stars of the 4 clusters are previously known by means of detailed analyses, one can deduce their helium abundances by means of an appropriate grid of theoretical ZAMS’s. The comparison between the empirical (log Teff, Mbol) main sequence of the Hyades and the computed ZAMS corresponding to the observed metallicity Z of the Hyades (Z= 0.0240 ± 0.0085) gives a He abundance for the Hyades, Y= 0.26 ± 0.02. Our interpretation, concerning the observational position of the main sequence of the three nearest clusters after the Hyades, is still under way and appears to be greatly more difficult than for the Hyades. For the moment we can say that: ‒ The 15 dwarfs analysed in detailed in Coma have a solar metallicity: [Fe/H] = -0.05 ± 0.06. However, their observational main sequence fit better with the Hyades ZAMS. ‒ The mean metallicity of 13 Pleiades dwarfs analysed in detail is solar. A metal deficient and He normal ZAMS would fit better. But, a warning for absorption in the Pleiades has to be recalled. ‒ The upper main sequence of Praesepe, (the more distant cluster: 180 pc) composed by 11 stars, analysed in detail, is the one which has the best fit with the Hyades ZAMS. The deduced ‘turnoff age’ of the cluster is slightly higher than that of the Hyades: 0.8 Gyr instead of 0.63 Gyr.


2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaohong Chen ◽  
David T. Jacho-Chávez ◽  
Oliver Linton

We establish the consistency and asymptotic normality for a class of estimators that are linear combinations of a set of$\sqrt n$-consistent nonlinear estimators whose cardinality increases with sample size. The method can be compared with the usual approaches of combining the moment conditions (GMM) and combining the instruments (IV), and achieves similar objectives of aggregating the available information. One advantage of aggregating the estimators rather than the moment conditions is that it yields robustness to certain types of parameter heterogeneity in the sense that it delivers consistent estimates of the mean effect in that case. We discuss the question of optimal weighting of the estimators.


2000 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valter C. Lima ◽  
Evan Zahn ◽  
Christine Houde ◽  
Jeffrey Smallhorn ◽  
Robert M. Freedom ◽  
...  

AbstractDoppler derived systolic pressure gradients have become widely applied as noninvasively obtained estimates of the severity of aortic valvar stenosis. There is little correlation, however, between the Doppler derived peak instantaneous gradient and the peak-to-peak gradient obtained at catheterisation, the latter being the most applied variable to determine severity in children. The purpose of this study was to validate a mathematical model based on data from catheterisation which estimates the peak-to-peak gradient from variables which can be obtained by noninvasive means (Doppler derived mean gradient and pulse pressure), according to the formula: peak-to-peak systolic gradient=6.02+1.49*(mean gradient)−0.44*(pulse pressure). Simultaneous cardiac catheterization and Doppler studies were performed on 10 patients with congenital aortic valvar stenosis. Correlations between the gradients measured at catheter measured, and those derived by Doppler, were performed using linear regression analysis. The mean gradients correlated well (y=0.67 × + 11.11, r=0.87, SEE=6 mm Hg, p=0.001). The gradients predicted by the formula also correlated well with the peak-to-peak gradients measured at catheter (y=0.66 × + 14.44, r=0.84, SEE=9 mm Hg, p=O.002). The data support the application of the model, allowing noninvasive prediction of the peak-to-peak gradient across the aortic valvar stenosis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Cai ◽  
K.K Yeo ◽  
P Wong ◽  
C.K Ching

Abstract Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia with significant morbidity due to an increased risk of ischemic stroke. Outpatient electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring is an integral part of the diagnosis of AF. Conventional 24 hour Holter monitoring can be cumbersome and often fails to diagnose patients with paroxysmal AF. Spyder ECG is a non-invasive ECG monitoring device that allows wireless transmission of ECG information for analysis. It is small and comfortable, allowing for easy application for the screening and detection of AF over a mid-term duration. Purpose This study aims to evaluate the incidence of AF in patients with no prior AF and CHADsVASC score of at least 1 with the use of the Spyder ECG mid-term ECG monitoring device. Methods Patients aged 21 to 85 years old with no prior history of AF and CHADsVASC score of at least 1 were recruited from outpatient clinics of 3 large tertiary hospitals in Singapore from December 2016 to April 2019. Patients wore the Spyder ECG device for up to 2 weeks, during which continuous ECG information was uploaded onto a central cloud database and analysed. Results There were 363 patients recruited. The mean age was 61±10.0 years and 65.1% were male. There were 80.3% Chinese, 11.6% Malay, 7.5% Indian and 20.6% of other races. 68.3% of the patients were non-smokers and 74.0% of them were non-alcohol drinkers. The mean BMI of 25.5±4.7 kg/m2. The patient population had significant co-morbidities. 76.3% of the patients had hypertension, 69.4% of them had hyperlipidemia and 40.5% of them had diabetes mellitus. 10.0% of them had congestive cardiac failure and 56.7% had ischaemic heart disease. 11.3% of patients had a previous stroke and 20.4% had a prior myocardial infarction. 7.8% of the patients had asthma, 5.8% of them had thyroid disease and 9.9% of them had chronic kidney disease. They were monitored for a mean of 5.4±2.9 days each. There were 15 (4.1%) patients in whom AF was detected. The patients with AF wore the device for a mean of 5.7±2.0 SD days. The mean burden of AF was 9.0% of monitored time. 46.7% of the patients with AF had detection of AF on the first day, 26.7% on the second day, 13.3% on the third day and 13.3% on the seventh day. The mean duration of the first episode of AF was 251±325 minutes. 7 out of 15 (46.7%) of patients had first episodes of AF lasting less than 10 minutes. Conclusion Continuous mid-term ECG monitoring was able to detect AF in 15 (4.1%) of a population of 363 patients with no prior AF and CHADsVASC score of at least one, monitored for a mean of 5.4 days. Most episodes (53.3%) of AF were detected after the first day of ECG monitoring. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Duke-NUS Medical School Singapore


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