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A Climent

Publications and source records attributed to A Climent.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

One step processing of aminofunctionalized gate oxides.

A plasma discharge process has been developed that allows the growth of biosensor gate oxides with adapted surface properties for the direct application of biomolecular immobilization cascades. The process involves an accurate selection of processing conditions, mainly, low temperature evaporation of (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTS) and dynamic power and flow conditions. Room temperature evaporation of APTS was achieved by designing a vessel with an internal capillary network. The initial high power (100 W) plasma conditions were replaced by milder molecular fragmentation (50 W, 25 W) in a pure Ar discharge. Under these conditions the thin SiO(2) layers presented graded properties with a denser layer at the Si (100) interface and a hybrid organic-inorganic structure at the surface. The chemistry of the films was analysed by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy combined with elastic recoil detection analysis (RBS, ERDA), which confirmed the presence of the SiO(2) and organic phases. Contact angle measurements indicate the higher contribution of the basic polar component to the surface free energy. Furthermore, the higher affinity of the surface towards biomolecular immobilization was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy. Finally, penetration of nitrobenzaldehyde was obtained by application of a molecular permeation method evaluated by UV-vis spectroscopy onto fused silica substrates.

Biosensing Techniques↗
PubMed2005

Divergent selection for uterine capacity in rabbits. I. Genetic parameters and response to selection.

A 10-generation divergent selection experiment for uterine capacity (UC) measured as litter size in unilaterally ovariectomized females was carried out in rabbits. A total of 2,996 observations on uterine capacity of does (up to four parities) was recorded. Laparoscopy was performed at d 12 of their second gestation, and ovulation rate (OR) and number of implanted embryos (IE) were recorded in 735 does. Prenatal survival (PS) was assessed as UC/OR, embryo survival (ES) as IE/OR, and fetal survival (FS) as UC/IE. Genetic parameters and genetic trends were inferred using Bayesian methods. Marginal posterior distributions of all unknowns were estimated by Gibbs sampling. Heritabilities of UC, OR, IE, ES, FS, and PS were 0.11, 0.32, 0.22, 0.04, 0.14, and 0.09, respectively. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between FS and ES were low, suggesting different biological mechanisms for the two periods of survival. After 10 generations of selection, the divergence was approximately 1.5 rabbits, or approximately 1% per generation. Approximately one-half of this response was obtained in the first two generations of selection, which may suggest the presence of a major gene segregating in the base population.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Divergent selection for uterine capacity in rabbits. II. Correlated response in litter size and its components estimated with a cryopreserved control population.

Our objective was to evaluate the correlated responses to selection for litter size and its components after 10 generations of divergent selection for uterine capacity (UC). A total of 294 intact females from the 11th and 12th generations of divergent selection for high and low UC and from a cryopreserved control population was used (139, 112, and 43 females, respectively). Uterine capacity was assessed as litter size in unilaterally ovariectomized females. Traits recorded on females for up to five parities were litter size (LS) and number born alive (NBA). Laparoscopy was performed in all females at d 12 of their second parity, and the ovulation rate (OR) and number of implanted embryos (IE) were recorded in these females. Embryo survival (ES = IE/OR), fetal survival (FS = LS/IE), and prenatal survival (PS = LS/OR) were computed. Correlated responses in LS and in its components were inferred using Bayesian methods. Correlated responses in LS were asymmetric. The divergence between high and low lines was 2.35 kits, mainly because of a higher correlated response in the low line (1.88 kits). The lower LS in the low line was associated with a lower PS (control - low = 0.14), because of decreases in ES and FS.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Divergent selection for uterine capacity in rabbits. III. Responses in uterine capacity and its components estimated with a cryopreserved control population.

This work evaluated the response to 10 generations of divergent selection for uterine capacity (UC) in rabbits to determine whether this response was symmetric by contrasting both lines against a cryopreserved control population. Animals came from the 13th generation of an experiment of divergent selection for UC and from a cryopreserved control population. The two UC lines were divergently selected for 10 generations, and selection was relaxed from the 11th generation until the 13th generation. Uterine capacity was estimated as litter size (LS) in unilaterally ovariectomized (ULO) does. To create the control population, embryos from the base generation were vitrified and stored in liquid N2 for 10 generations. Data from 461 pregnancies produced by 134 ULO does were used: 62 does from the high UC line, 55 females from the low UC line, and 17 females from the control line. The following traits were analyzed: ovulation rate (OR); number of implanted embryos (IE); (UC), estimated as total number of rabbits born; number born alive (NBA); prenatal survival (PS), estimated as UC/OR; embryo survival (ES), estimated as IE/OR; and fetal survival (FS), estimated as UC/IE. Ovulation rate, IE, PS, ES, and FS were measured by laparoscopy only in the second parity. Uterine capacity and NBA were measured over four parities. Responses in UC and its components were estimated as differences between the selected lines and the control line using a Bayesian approach. Selection for UC led to differences of 1.01 kits between the high and low lines, but this response was asymmetric. No differences were found between the high and control lines (high - control = -0.08), whereas the low and control lines differed by 1.08 kits, with a probability of the difference being greater than zero of 0.98. Difference between the high and low lines and between the control and low lines was one-half of the difference reported for correlated response in LS in previous studies. No differences in OR were detected among lines. The control and low lines differed by 1.06 IE, with a probability of the difference being higher than zero of 0.84. Prenatal survival for the low line was less than that of the control line. In summary, selection for UC was asymmetric, which was mainly due to a correlated response in PS. Response in UC was one-half of the difference reported for correlated response in LS in previous studies.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

The effect of divergent selection for uterine capacity on prenatal survival in rabbits: maternal and embryonic genetic effects.

The aim of this work was to determine whether prenatal survival depends on the genotype of the mother or of the embryo and to identify the critical periods for prenatal mortality in two lines of rabbits divergently selected by high (H) and low (L) uterine capacity. Does from H (n = 124) and L (n = 115) lines were slaughtered at 72 h of gestation. Embryos recovered at 72 h of gestation were transferred to the oviducts of recipient does from the H (n = 23) and L (n = 19) lines. Each recipient does received eight embryos from the H line into one oviduct and eight embryos from the L line into the other. Recipient does were slaughtered on d 28 of gestation. No differences were found between lines in the embryo recovery either in ovulation rate (OR) or in fertilization rate of ova recovered. Recovery rate was higher for the H line (0.80 vs. 0.72, P < 0.01). The number of embryos recovered, fitting ovulation rate as a covariate, was also higher for the H line (9.74 vs. 8.78, P < 0.05). The H line showed a more advanced embryonic stage of development, having a higher percentage of blastocysts (PB) and a lower percentage of compact morulae (PCM) (38% vs. 20%, P < 0.001 for PB, and 51% vs. 64%, P < 0.01 for PCM). The percentage of early morulae was low and similar in both lines. Neither donor nor recipient lines affected embryonic survival from 72 h to 7 d of gestation. Fetal survival was affected by the recipient line (P < 0.05). An interaction between donor and recipient was found. Embryos from the H donor line had a better fetal survival rate than embryos from the L donor line (P < 0.05) in H recipient females. Within L recipient females, embryos from H and L donor lines showed similar fetal survival. Fetal survival was divided into early (from d 7 to 17 of gestation) and late (from d 17 to 28 of gestation). The high recipient line showed a higher early fetal survival than the L recipient line (P < 0.05). The same effect was observed for late fetal survival, but the difference between H and L recipient lines was lower (P < 0.10). Thus, fetal survival depends mainly on the maternal genotype, and the embryo genotype only affects fetal survival when embryo transfer is performed to a favorable maternal environment. Selection for uterine capacity in rabbits leads to modification of early embryonic survival and of early and late fetal survival, but differences are higher for early than for late fetal survival.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

The effect of divergent selection for uterine capacity on fetal and placental development at term in rabbits: maternal and embryonic genetic effects.

The aim of this work was to study the effects of the genotype of the dam, the embryo, or their interactions on prenatal growth by performing double-reciprocal embryo transfers between two lines of rabbits divergently selected for uterine capacity. Females from high (n = 53) and low (n = 48) lines were slaughtered at 72 h of gestation, and recovered embryos were transferred to the oviducts of recipient does from the high (n = 23) and low (n = 19) lines. Each recipient doe received eight embryos from the high line into one oviduct and eight embryos from the low line into the other. Recipient does were slaughtered on d 28 of gestation. The percentages of live fetuses at 28 d of gestation were 89.2 and 74% for high and low recipient lines, respectively. Length and weight of the empty uterine horn and weight of the full uterine horn were not affected by either the recipient or by donor line. Fetal weight was affected by the recipient line but not by the donor line. Fetuses gestated in high recipient does were 7% heavier (P < 0.10) than those in the low recipient does. There was a donor and a donor x recipient interaction effect on fetal placental weight. Fetal placental weight was heavier (7%, P < 0.01) for embryos from the low line. Embryos from the high line gestated in low-line uteri showed a lower fetal placenta weight than did low-line embryos gestated in high-line uteri and low-line uteri (P < 0.05). Linear regression coefficients of fetal weight at term on fetal placental weights differed (P < 0.05) for the high and low donors (4.33 +/- 0.28 and 3.41 +/- 0.29 respectively). A significant effect of the donor genotype on individual placental length was observed (P < 0.05), which might have resulted from a smaller individual placental length of low-line embryos gestated high-line uteri (P < 0.10). Neither donor nor recipient lines affected maternal placental weight or available space for fetuses. Fetuses and their fetal placentae were heavier when receiving more than four blood vessels than when receiving less than three blood vessels (13 and 17% respectively, P < 0.05). Neither recipient nor donor genotype affected the number of blood vessels arriving at each live fetus. Thus, fetal weight depends on the maternal genotype, whereas fetal placental weight depends on the embryo genotype in these two lines of rabbits divergently selected for uterine capacity.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Relationships between uterine and fetal traits in rabbits selected on uterine capacity.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether uterine capacity (UC) in rabbits was related to uterine horn length and weight and whether these uterine traits and vascular supply were related to fetal development and survival. Data from 48 unilaterally ovariectomized (ULO) does of the High and 52 ULO does of the Low UC lines of a divergent selection experiment on UC were used. Does were slaughtered on d 25 of fifth gestation. The High line showed higher ovarian weight (0.08 g, P < 0.05) linked to a higher ovulation rate (1 ovum, P < 0.05) and greater length of the empty uterine horn. There were no differences between lines in the remaining doe traits. The number of implanted embryos and live fetuses, fetal survival, and uterine weight and length were positively associated and explained most of the observed variation. Average weights of the live fetuses and their fetal and maternal placentae were not related to uterine weight and length. The linear regression coefficient of full uterine horn length on the number of live fetuses was 2.43 +/- 0.21. The weight of the full uterine horn showed a small quadratic relationship (P < 0.05) with the number of live fetuses. Full uterine horn length, after adjusting for the number of embryos, was negatively associated (P < 0.001) with the number of dead fetuses. The linear regression coefficient of average fetal placental weight of the live fetuses on number of implanted embryos was higher (P < 0.10) in the Low line (-0.23 +/- 0.04 vs. -0.12 +/- 0.04). The linear regression coefficient of average weight of the live fetuses on the average weight of their fetal placentae was higher (P < 0.10) in the High line (2.56 +/- 0.47 vs. 1.27 +/- 0.57). The High line was more efficient, most likely because an increase in intrauterine crowding has a lesser effect on the development of fetal placentae and fetuses. The fetal position within the uterus did not affect the proportion of dead embryos. Fetuses with placentae receiving a single blood vessel had a higher probability of death (P < 0.001) and the lowest weight. There was no difference between lines for individual weight of the live fetuses, but the High line showed higher individual weights of fetal (P < 0.01) and maternal placentae (P < 0.10). Live fetuses in the midportion of the uterus were lighter in weight (P < 0.05) than in the oviductal and cervical regions (20.3 vs. 21.6 and 21.7g). Increasing uterine capacity increases uterine length and decreases weights of fetus and fetal placenta in rabbits.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Delayed examination of synovial fluid by ordinary and polarised light microscopy to detect and identify crystals.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the reliability of a delay in the microscopic examination of synovial fluid (SF) to detect and identify crystals. METHODS: Ninety one SF samples were examined, 31 with monosodium urate (MSU) crystals, 30 with crystals of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD), and 30 containing no crystals. The specimens were stored with EDTA, sodium heparin, and without anticoagulant at 4 degrees C before examination at 24 and 72 hours with ordinary and polarised light microscopy. Another aliquot of the same samples was stored in a plastic container without anticoagulant at -80 degrees C and examined after two months. RESULTS: When the samples stored at 4 degrees C were re-examined after 24 hours, intracellular crystals of MSU were seen in 90/93 (97%) cases where they had been identified previously and 89/93 (96%) cases after 72 hours. Similarly, CPPD crystals were identified in 90/90 (100%) and 87/90 (97%) cases after 24 and 72 hours. Examination of the samples stored at -80 degrees C showed intracellular MSU crystals in 25/31 (81%) of cases and CPPD crystals in 25/30 (83%). No crystals were seen in any sample which had previously been diagnosed as crystal-free. CONCLUSIONS: Deferred microscopic examination of refrigerated or deep frozen SF provides a strong probability of detecting MSU or CPPD crystals if these are present initially.

Calcium Pyrophosphate↗
PubMed2001

In vitro activity of four fluoroquinolones against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

The in vitro activity of ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, levofloxacin and moxifloxacin against strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was studied. Moxifloxacin and levofloxacin showed the greatest activity having an MIC(90) of 1 mg/l. The MIC(90) for ofloxacin was 2 mg/l and for ciprofloxacin 4 mg/l. Further studies should be made to determine the role played by these compounds in the treatment of tuberculosis.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMed1997

Divergent selection for uterine capacity in rabbits.

To examine the genetic and phenotypic parameters of uterine capacity and its components in rabbits, we performed a divergent selection experiment for uterine capacity. Rabbit does were unilaterally ovariectomized, and a laparoscopy was performed at midgestation to count the number of corpora lutea and implanted embryos. Selection was performed on litter size in all parities. Genetic parameters were estimated by residual maximum likelihood. For most traits, phenotypic and genetic correlations were in the same range. In unilaterally ovariectomized rabbit does, litter size had a low genetic (.34) and phenotypic (-.08) correlation with ovulation rate, a high genetic (.71) and phenotypic (.60) correlation with the number of implanted embryos, and a high genetic correlation (.89) and moderate phenotypic correlation (.51) with fetal survival. Embryonal survival had a low phenotypic (-.26) or genetic (.12) correlation with fetal survival. A component of uterine capacity, fetal survival in one overcrowded uterine horn, had a low heritability (.05), and consequently limited possibilities for improvement by selection. Uterine capacity, estimated as litter size in one overcrowded uterine horn, had a moderately low heritability (.16). Divergent selection on uterine capacity was effective and a correlated response was found in implanted embryos. No correlated response was found in fetal survival and number of dead fetuses between implantation and birth.

Animals↗