Search

Partial DNA sequences of two mitochondrial genes [cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and 16S rRNA] from 59 specimens of Iberus were used to test the validity of the described morphospecies of this genus, and examine genetic divergences within and between main phylogenetic groups. Both gene fragments showed phylogenetic concordance. The COI gene was found to be faster evolving than the 16S gene and was fully protein-coding with no insertions or deletions. 16S rRNA was more informative than COI for resolving basal nodes. Both individual and combined analyses of the two gene fragments revealed five main phylogroups. These five groups are genetically unique lineages that are allopatrically distributed and considered to have full species status. Further subdivisions were also considered. Shell morphology was suitable for delimiting species boundaries, but several incongruences between morphology and mtDNA phylogeny were observed. These incongruences were considered consequence of hybridization between Iberus cobosi and Iberus marmoratus, and the result of shell shape polymorphism in Iberus rositai. According to spatial patterns of sequence divergence, life habits and shell morphology may be concluded that the keeled-flat shelled snails independently originated several times within Iberus and they could represent cases of similar shell adaptation to a karstic arid environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is controversy about the phylogenetic relationships between Iberus gualtieranus and I. alonensis. Some authors consider them as valid species or subspecies while others believe that the flattened shell of I. gualtieranus is an ecotypic adaptation to dry karstic environments. Two fragments of the mitochondrial DNA (partial COI and 16S rRNA) were sequenced and used in maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and neighbour-joining analyses. Iberus alonensis show two distinct lineages, one from Almería and the other one from Granada and Jaén-Córdoba regions. Iberus gualtieranus populations are recovered as a terminal node within the I. alonensis group from Almería. The I. gualtieranus clade shows a polytomy and there are no differences between the populations of the three isolated localities where I. gualtieranus is currently distributed. This indicates that the geographical isolation of these populations has not resulted in genetic diversification. The results indicate that the population of I. gualtieranus from Sierra de Gádor in Almería is the only autochthonous one, while the other two populations originated by historical introductions. On the basis of the differences in shell morphology, together with the presence of a hybrid zone connecting both taxa in nature, and the possibility of obtaining fertile hybrids under laboratory conditions, we conclude that these two taxa represent two subspecies: Iberus gualtieranus gualtieranus and I. gualtieranus alonensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Women undergoing IVF who have had a previous c-section (CS) have a lower live birth rate than those with a previous vaginal delivery. However, the precise underlying mechanisms need clarification. Does a previous CS affect the pattern of uterine contractility?., Methods: Prospective evaluation in patients undergoing frozen blastocyst embryo transfer in medicated endometrial preparation cycles. Twenty patients were included in groups: A/nulliparous. B/previous vaginal delivery. C/ previous CS without a niche, whereas fifteen patients were recruited in group D (CS and a niche). Patients employed estradiol compounds and 800 mg vaginal progesterone. A 3D-scan was performed the transfer-day where uterine contractility/minute was recorded., Results: Baseline characteristics (age, BMI, smoking, endometrial thickness) were similar. Mean frequency of uterine contractions/minute was similar between groups (1.15, 1.01, 0.92, and 1.21 for groups A, B, C, and D, respectively). There was a slight increase in the number of contractions in patients with a sonographic niche versus controls, not reaching statistical significance (p=0.48). No differences were observed when comparing patients with a previous C-section (regardless of the presence of a niche) to those without a C-section, either nulliparous (p=0.78) or with a previous vaginal delivery (p=0.80). The frequency of uterine contractions was similar between patients who achieved a clinical pregnancy and those who did not (1.19 vs. 1.02 UC/min, p=0.219, respectively)., Conclusions: Our study found no significant difference in the frequency of uterine contractility between patients with or without a previous C-section or sonographic diagnosed niche. Further investigation is necessary to understand the physiological mechanisms affecting implantation in patients with isthmocele.

Objective: Severe brain injuries can result in disorders of consciousness, such as the Minimally Conscious State (MCS), where individuals display intermittent yet discernible signs of conscious awareness. The varied levels of responsiveness and awareness observed in this state have spurred the progressive delineation of two subgroups within MCS, termed "plus" (MCS+) and "minus" (MCS-). However, the clinical validity of these classifications remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate and compare the likelihood of emergence from MCS, as well as the functional independence after emergence, in individuals categorized as in MCS+ and MCS-., Methods: Demographic and behavioral data of 80 participants, admitted as either in MCS+ (n = 30) or MCS- (n = 50) to a long-term neurorehabilitation unit, were retrospectively analyzed. The neurobehavioral condition of each participant was evaluated weekly until discharge, demise, or emergence from MCS. The functional independence of those participants who emerged from MCS was assessed 6 months after emergence., Results: While only about half of the individuals classified as in MCS- (n = 24) emerged from the MCS, all those admitted as in MCS+ did, and in a shorter postinjury period. Despite these differences, all individuals who emerged from the MCS demonstrated similar high disability and low functional independence 6 months after emergence, regardless of their state at admission., Interpretation: Individuals classified as MCS+ exhibited a higher likelihood of emergence and a shorter time to emergence compared to those in MCS-. However, the level of functional independence 6 months after emergence was found to be unrelated to the initial state at admission., (© 2024 The Authors. Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Neurological Association.)

Background: The Functional Independence Measure + Functional Assessment Measure (FIM+FAM) Scale is one of the most widely used instruments to measure functional independence post-stroke, and features many cultural adaptations to various languages., Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the psychometric properties of a Spanish cross-cultural adaptation of the FIM+FAM for use in the stroke population., Design: Observational study., Setting: Outpatient long-term service of a neurorehabilitation unit., Population: One hundred and twenty-two individuals with stroke., Methods: The functional independence of the participants was assessed with the adapted version of the FIM+FAM. Additionally, the functional, motor and cognitive condition of the participants was assessed with a battery of standardized clinical instruments. Finally, a group of 31 participants out of the total were evaluated a second time with the FIM+FAM by a different evaluator than the one who performed the first evaluation. Internal consistency, inter-rater reliability and convergent validity with other clinical instruments of the adapted version of the FIM+FAM were determined., Results: The internal consistency of the adapted version of the FIM+FAM was excellent, as evidenced by Cronbach's α values that exceeded 0.973. The inter-rater reliability was likewise excellent, with correlations above 0.990 in all domains and subscales. Additionally, the convergent validity of the scale adaptation with clinical instruments was variable, with values ranging from 0.264 to 0.983, but consistent with the construct assessed in the different instruments examined., Conclusions: The internal consistency, inter-rater reliability and convergent validity of the Spanish-adapted version of the FIM+FAM Scale showed excellent reliability and validity of the adaptation, which supports its use to assess functional independence after stroke., Clinical Rehabilitation Impact: Availability of a valid adaptation for the evaluation of functional independence after stroke in Spanish population.

Objective: To compare the oocyte yield between follicular-phase stimulation (FPS) and luteal-phase stimulation (LPS) in suboptimal responders., Design: Prospective, randomized, crossover clinical trial., Patients: Forty-one patients with infertility according to the POSEIDON (Patient-Oriented Strategies Encompassing IndividualizeD Oocyte Number) criteria (1b/2b)., Interventions: Crossover study on 2 assigned ovarian stimulations that started randomly in the follicular or luteal phase. The in vitro fertilization cycles were not consecutive but separated in time (45 days to 6 months). The random crossover design ensured that all subjects received the first treatment by chance., Main Outcome Measures: The primary objective was the number of cumulus-oocyte complexes retrieved in each cycle. Secondary objectives were number of metaphase II and fertilized oocytes, additional doses of recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone, and the duration of ovarian stimulation (days)., Results: The mean number of cumulus-oocyte complexes retrieved was similar between the FPS and LPS groups (7.5 ± 4.6 vs. 7.0 ± 4.1; 95% confidence interval [CI] for the mean, 5.8-8.7 vs. 5.6-8.3, respectively; the difference between means, -0.5; 95% CI, -1.8 to +1.5). Similarly, the mean number of metaphase II oocytes retrieved was not different between the FPS and LPS groups (5.4 ± 3.6 vs. 5.2 ± 2.8; 95% CI for the mean, 4.2-6.5 vs. 4.3-6.1, respectively; the difference between means, -0.2; 95% CI, -1.2 to +1.1). Moreover, the secondary objectives were similar between FPS and LPS groups., Conclusions: In this study, the oocyte yield in LPS did not increase in suboptimal responders compared with that in FPS when the onset of LPS was separated in time from FPS., Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT039393990 https://beta.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03939390., Competing Interests: J.S. has nothing to disclose. J.C.C. has nothing to disclose. J.A.O. has nothing to disclose. J.T. has nothing to disclose. A.F. has nothing to disclose. B.M. has nothing to disclose. M.M. has nothing to disclose. J.L. has nothing to disclose. J.G. has nothing to disclose. A.P. has nothing to disclose. A.B. has nothing to disclose. R.B. has nothing to disclose., (© 2023 The Authors.)