Models of bee responses to land use and land cover changes in agricultural landscapes - a review and research agenda.

Predictive modelling tools can be used to support the design of agricultural landscapes to promote pollinator biodiversity and pollination services. Despite the proliferation of such modelling tools in recent decades, there remains a gap in synthesising their main characteristics and representation capacities. Here, we reviewed 42 studies that developed non-correlative models to explore the impact of land use and land cover changes on bee populations, and synthesised information about the modelled systems, modelling approaches, and key model characteristics like spatiotemporal extent and resolution. Various modelling approaches are employed to predict the biodiversity of bees and the pollination services they provide, with a prevalence of models focusing on wild populations compared to managed ones. Of these models, landscape indicators and distance decay models are relatively simple, with few parameters. They allow mapping bee visitation probabilities using basic land cover data and considering bee foraging ranges. Conversely, mechanistic or agent-based models delineate, with varying degrees of complexity, a multitude of processes that characterise, among others, the foraging behaviour and population dynamics of bees. The reviewed models collectively encompass 38 ecological, agronomic, and economic processes, producing various outputs including bee abundance, habitat visitation rate, and crop yield. To advance the development of predictive modelling tools aimed at fostering pollinator biodiversity and pollination services in agricultural landscapes, we highlight future avenues for increasing biophysical realism in models predicting the impact of land use and land cover changes on bees. Additionally, we address the challenges associated with balancing model complexity and practical usability.

Impact of antibiotic treatment for chronic endometritis on unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss.

INTRODUCTION: Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL) affects about 1% of all couples and is likely to cause therapeutic vagrancy and psychological distress. Multiple origins can explain RPL, and recent studies suggest the influence of chronic endometritis. The aim of our study is to evaluate the impact of antibiotic treatment on obstetrical prognosis among patients consulting for RPL with isolated chronic endometritis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a monocentric retrospective comparative study. Patients consulting for RPL, with normal etiologic examinations (except for chronic endometritis), were included. In the case of chronic endometritis, patients could receive antibiotic treatment (14 days of doxycycline and metronidazole). Pregnancy outcomes, collected one year after inclusion, were compared between 3 groups: patients without chronic endometritis, patients with treated chronic endometritis, patients with untreated chronic endometritis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: 42 patients were included. 22 patients had chronic endometritis. Groups were comparable in terms of age, BMI, the number of miscarriages, tobacco consumption, AMH, and FSH levels on day 2. In multivariate analysis, a significant improvement of live birth rate was observed among patients treated for chronic endometritis, compared to the no endometritis group (OR 21.4 [1.93-236.70] p = 0.013) and the untreated endometritis group (OR 24.90 [1.64-376.93] p = 0.020). CONCLUSION: In our patients examined for RPL, the live birth rate was improved after treatment of chronic endometritis with 14-day antibiotic treatment in comparison to patients with untreated chronic endometritis.

Impact of salpingectomy for ectopic pregnancy on the ovarian response during IVF stimulation.

INTRODUCTION: Ovarian reserve is a major prognosic factor for Medical Assisted Procreation. Tubal surgery, realised close to mesosalpinx and ovarian vascularization, could impare ovarian function. However, salpingectomy is currently used to treat ectopic pregnancies or hydrosalpinx before IVF attempt. Disponible studies on this subject are unclear. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of salpingectomy for ectopic pregnancy on the ovarian response during IVF attempt. MATERIAL AND METHODS: It was a single center comparative study. Included patients were the one receiving oocyte puncture for IVF attempt, with a history of unilateral tubal surgery: salpingectomy for ectopic pregnancy. We conducted a case-control study, comparing the sonographic parameters of the surgery ovary (case) to those of the safe ovary (control) during the first IVF attempt after salpingectomy. The ovarian sonographic response was evaluated according to the follicular antral count on day 3 and the sonographic follicular count on trigger day. RESULTS: 55 patients were included. There was no significant difference in the number of recruited follicles on the operated side versus control side (p = 0.85 for >14 mm follicles, p = 0,46 for 10 to 14 mm, p = 0,52 for total amount of recruited follicles). There was no significant difference for the follicular antral count neither (p = 0.79). DISCUSSION: In our population, there was no significant difference in the sonographic ovarian response to IVF stimulation between the ovary on the operated side and the control ovary among patients treated by unilateral salpingectomy for ectopic pregnancy.

Evaluation of "Energy Resonance by Cutaneous Stimulation" Among Women Treated by In Vitro Fertilization.

OBJECTIVES: Pregnancy rate in in vitro fertilization (IVF) depends on many factors, such as the characteristics of the couple and the clinicobiological parameters. Interest in alternative and complementary medicine (ACM) for IVF is discussed because of the lack of scientific evidence. Energy resonance by cutaneous stimulation (ERCS), an acupuncture-like technique, consists of skin stimulation to transmit vibratory messages. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ERCS on live birth rates (LBRs) in IVF. DESIGN: A prospective observation study was performed in the Unit of Assisted Reproductive Technologies of a University Teaching Hospital. Every woman who agreed to participate in this study and received a fresh embryo transfer (ET) after IVF or Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) was included. Patients randomly underwent an ERCS session on the day of ET according to the schedule of the midwife performing this technique. The control group consisted of women undergoing ET under usual conditions. The main outcome measure was the LBR per transfer. RESULTS: Three-hundred-eighteen women were included, 120 in the ERCS + ET group and 198 in the ET without ERCS group. None of the women dropped out. The clinical characteristics in both groups were comparable. There was a significant difference in the clinical pregnancy rates, 31.7% in the ERCS group versus 21.7% in the No ERCS group (p = 0.037). The LBR in the ERCS group was nearly significantly higher, 29.2% versus 20.7% in the No ERCS group (p = 0,059). CONCLUSIONS: Women undergoing ERCS on the day of ET had a significantly higher IVF pregnancy rate. However, this methodology made not possible to draw conclusions about the mechanisms that induced the increase of IVF LBRs: placebo effect, "cocooning," or ERCS self-effect? Further well-conducted studies are strongly needed to assess ERCS efficacy.