Papers by Alejandro Rodriguez
Wind power plants represent a risk of bird mortality, but the effects are still poorly quantified... more Wind power plants represent a risk of bird mortality, but the effects are still poorly quantified. We measured bird mortality, analysed the factors that led birds to fly close to turbines, and proposed mitigation measures at two wind farms installed in the Straits of Gibraltar, one of the most important migration bottlenecks between Europe and Africa. 2. Bird corpses were surveyed along turbine lines and an associated power line to estimate mortality rates. The behaviour of birds observed within 250 m of turbines was also recorded as a putative indicator of risk. The effects of location, weather and flight behaviour on risk situations (passes within 5 m of turbines) were analysed using generalized linear modelling (GLM). 3. Mortality caused by turbines was higher than that caused by the power line. Losses involved mainly resident species, mostly griffon vultures Gyps fulvus (0·15 individuals turbine − 1 year − 1 ) and common kestrels Falco tinnunculus (0·19 individuals turbine − 1 year − 1 ). Mortalities were not associated with either structural attributes of wind farms or visibility. 4. Vulture collisions occurred in autumn-winter and were aggregated at two turbine lines where risks of collisions were greatest. The absence of thermals in winter forced vultures to use slopes for lift, the most likely mechanism influencing both their exposure to turbines and mortality. 5. Kestrel deaths occurred during the annual peak of abundance in summer. Carcasses were concentrated in the open habitats around a single wind farm and risk may have resulted from hunting habitat preferences. 6. Synthesis and applications . We conclude that bird vulnerability and mortality at wind power facilities reflect a combination of site-specific (wind-relief interaction), speciesspecific and seasonal factors. Despite the large number of migrating birds in the study area, most follow routes that are displaced from the facilities. Consequently, only a small fraction of birds on migratory flights was actually exposed to turbines. New wind installations must be preceded by detailed behavioural observation of soaring birds as well as careful mapping of migration routes.
Journal of Applied Ecology, 2004
1Wind power plants represent a risk of bird mortality, but the effects are still poorly quantifie... more 1Wind power plants represent a risk of bird mortality, but the effects are still poorly quantified. We measured bird mortality, analysed the factors that led birds to fly close to turbines, and proposed mitigation measures at two wind farms installed in the Straits of Gibraltar, one of the most important migration bottlenecks between Europe and Africa.2Bird corpses were surveyed along turbine lines and an associated power line to estimate mortality rates. The behaviour of birds observed within 250 m of turbines was also recorded as a putative indicator of risk. The effects of location, weather and flight behaviour on risk situations (passes within 5 m of turbines) were analysed using generalized linear modelling (GLM).3Mortality caused by turbines was higher than that caused by the power line. Losses involved mainly resident species, mostly griffon vultures Gyps fulvus (0·15 individuals turbine−1 year−1) and common kestrels Falco tinnunculus (0·19 individuals turbine−1 year−1). Mortalities were not associated with either structural attributes of wind farms or visibility.4Vulture collisions occurred in autumn–winter and were aggregated at two turbine lines where risks of collisions were greatest. The absence of thermals in winter forced vultures to use slopes for lift, the most likely mechanism influencing both their exposure to turbines and mortality.5Kestrel deaths occurred during the annual peak of abundance in summer. Carcasses were concentrated in the open habitats around a single wind farm and risk may have resulted from hunting habitat preferences.6Synthesis and applications. We conclude that bird vulnerability and mortality at wind power facilities reflect a combination of site-specific (wind–relief interaction), species-specific and seasonal factors. Despite the large number of migrating birds in the study area, most follow routes that are displaced from the facilities. Consequently, only a small fraction of birds on migratory flights was actually exposed to turbines. New wind installations must be preceded by detailed behavioural observation of soaring birds as well as careful mapping of migration routes.Wind power plants represent a risk of bird mortality, but the effects are still poorly quantified. We measured bird mortality, analysed the factors that led birds to fly close to turbines, and proposed mitigation measures at two wind farms installed in the Straits of Gibraltar, one of the most important migration bottlenecks between Europe and Africa.Bird corpses were surveyed along turbine lines and an associated power line to estimate mortality rates. The behaviour of birds observed within 250 m of turbines was also recorded as a putative indicator of risk. The effects of location, weather and flight behaviour on risk situations (passes within 5 m of turbines) were analysed using generalized linear modelling (GLM).Mortality caused by turbines was higher than that caused by the power line. Losses involved mainly resident species, mostly griffon vultures Gyps fulvus (0·15 individuals turbine−1 year−1) and common kestrels Falco tinnunculus (0·19 individuals turbine−1 year−1). Mortalities were not associated with either structural attributes of wind farms or visibility.Vulture collisions occurred in autumn–winter and were aggregated at two turbine lines where risks of collisions were greatest. The absence of thermals in winter forced vultures to use slopes for lift, the most likely mechanism influencing both their exposure to turbines and mortality.Kestrel deaths occurred during the annual peak of abundance in summer. Carcasses were concentrated in the open habitats around a single wind farm and risk may have resulted from hunting habitat preferences.Synthesis and applications. We conclude that bird vulnerability and mortality at wind power facilities reflect a combination of site-specific (wind–relief interaction), species-specific and seasonal factors. Despite the large number of migrating birds in the study area, most follow routes that are displaced from the facilities. Consequently, only a small fraction of birds on migratory flights was actually exposed to turbines. New wind installations must be preceded by detailed behavioural observation of soaring birds as well as careful mapping of migration routes.
Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 2009
Background. Previous studies have reported an 11% to 75% incidence of postoperative cognitive dec... more Background. Previous studies have reported an 11% to 75% incidence of postoperative cognitive decline among cardiac surgery patients. The INVOS Cerebral Oximeter (Somanetics Corp, Troy, MI) is a Food and Drug Administration approved device that measures regional cerebral oxygen (rSO 2 ) saturation. The purpose of this study is to examine whether decreased rSO 2 predicts cognitive decline and prolonged hospital stay after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
Ophthalmologica, 1999
The records of 100 patients (161 eyes) with uveitis were reviewed retrospectively to determine th... more The records of 100 patients (161 eyes) with uveitis were reviewed retrospectively to determine the prevalence of increased intraocular pressure, the forms of uveitis most
Ocular Immunology and Inflammation, 1994
Atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC) is a potentially blinding disease characterized by a bilateral ... more Atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC) is a potentially blinding disease characterized by a bilateral chronic keratoconjunctivitis associated with atopic dermatitis. The disease usually manifests as severe itching and burning, excessive tearing, foreign body sensation, and mucoid discharge. The clinical characteristics of AKC show a broad spectrum including lid dermatitis, chronic blepharitis, cicatrizing conjunctivitis with fornix foreshortening and symblepharon formation, punctate epithelial keratitis, persistent epithelial defects, corneal scarring and neovascularization, lipid keratopathy, conjunctivalization of peripheral cornea, and peripheral ulcerative keratitis. The underlying pathophysiologic mechanism in AKC involves a combination of type-I IgE-mediated, and type-IV delayed hypersensitivity reactions. The immunoregulatory defect responsible for the overproduction of allergen-specific IgE antibody, the key component responsible for antigen binding, and subsequent mast cell degranulation, is probably multifactorial. The histopathologic characteristics of the conjunctiva in AKC include a mast cell and eosinophil invasion of the epithelium, epithelial pseudotubule formation, and prominent mast cell and mononuclear cell infiltration of the substantia propria. A number of ocular conditions have been reported to be associated with AKC, including keratoconus, herpes simplex keratitis, and cataracts. Successful long-term control of this potentially blinding disease requires a multidisciplinary approach involving systemic and environmental aspects. Scrupulous long-term environmental control of allergens is the single most important aspect in the management of patients with AKC. Systemic anti-histamine therapy, and long-term topical mast cell stabilizing therapy are also mandatory. Topical steroids should be reserved for exacerbations of the disease.
Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences, 1994
Cicatricial pemphigoid (CP) is a chronic autoimmune blistering disease affecting multiple mucous ... more Cicatricial pemphigoid (CP) is a chronic autoimmune blistering disease affecting multiple mucous membranes derived from stratified squamous epithelium and occasionally the skin. CP has a wide spectrum of disease manifestations. Patients with oral pemphigoid (OP) have a benign self-limited disease in which pathological changes are restricted to the oral mucosa. On the other hand, patients with ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP), a chronic condition marked with relapses and remissions, have ocular involvement and also perhaps involvement of other mucous membranes. All clinical subsets are characterized by the presence of a similar anti-basement zone autoantibody. The factors that determine the development of one form of CP or the other are not known. In a previous study, we described the association between OCP and the DQB1*0301 allele (P = 0.006). In this study, we have analyzed 22 Caucasian patients with OP and their family members for major histocompatibility complex DRB generic, DQA1, and DQB1 allele associations by PCR-sequence-specific oligonucleotide probe hybridization. The results were compared to those obtained from 17 Caucasian patients with OCP and to control Caucasian alleles and haplotypes. The DQB1*0301 allele frequency was 38.6% in OP, 52.9% in OCP, and 17.8% in controls. Statistically significant associations were detected between the DQB1*0301 allele and both OP (P = 0.0047) and OCP (P < 0.0001). In addition, DRB1*04 showed a statistically significant association (P = 0.005) with OCP when compared to controls. Analysis of major histocompatibility complex class II haplotypes showed significant statistical associations between both OCP and OP and the HLA-DRB1*04, DRB4*0101, DQA1*03, DQB1*0301 haplotype (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0012, respectively). Our results indicate that DQB1*0301 is a marker of both oral and ocular forms of CP. The analysis of the amino acid sequence of the DQB1 alleles present in both OP and OCP suggested that amino acid residues at position 57 and positions 71-77 may also be markers of CP.
To analyze the referral patterns and diagnosis of uveitis during the past decade in a large terti... more To analyze the referral patterns and diagnosis of uveitis during the past decade in a large tertiary eye center. The records of 1237 patients with uveitis referred to the Immunology Service of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary from 1982 to 1992 were classified and analyzed. Data regarding sex, race, nationality, referral site, ages at presentation and onset of uveitis, ocular involvement, clinical characteristics, ocular condition, and systemic disease associations were obtained. The mean age at onset of uveitis was 37.2 years; the male-to-female ratio was 1:1.4. Most patients were white (85.8%), born in the United States (83.1%), and referred from within New England (84.7%). Anterior uveitis was most common (51.6%), followed by posterior uveitis (19.4%), panuveitis (16.0%), and intermediate uveitis (13.0%). Chronic (58.3%), nongranulomatous (77.7%), and noninfectious (83.1%) were the most frequent types of uveitis. The most common entities included idiopathic (34.9%), seronegative spondyloarthropathies (10.4%), sarcoidosis (9.6%), juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (5.6%), systemic lupus erythematosus (4.8%), Behçet's disease (2.5%), and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (2.4%). The appearance of new uveitic entities, such as the acute retinal necrosis syndrome, multifocal choroiditis and panuveitis, birdshot retinochoroidopathy, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related uveitis, and the reemergence of the classic infectious causes of uveitis, tuberculosis and syphilis, have changed the way we approach the diagnosis and management of posterior and panuveitis at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.
European Urology Supplements, 2002
lnctdental discovery of renal tumours is increasing in the last years. This permits us to diagnos... more lnctdental discovery of renal tumours is increasing in the last years. This permits us to diagnose smaller renal tumours with better prognosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the mode of detection of 400 renal turnours as a prognostic factor and compare it with usual clinical and pathological prognostic variable\.
European Urology, 2002
Objective: To study the clinical and pathological factors that affect recurrence, progression and... more Objective: To study the clinical and pathological factors that affect recurrence, progression and survival in pT1G3 bladder tumours treated conservatively. Material and Methods: From January 1979 to December 1996, 80 patients were conservatively treated for pT1G3 bladder tumours. All patients were studied for potential prognostic factors such as: age, sex, previous tumour recurrence, tumour size, multiple tumours, carcinoma in situ, and intravesical instillations. A longitudinal, retrospective, observational and analytical study was conducted to evaluate four different types of events: recurrence, progression, overall survival, and disease-speci®c survival. The w 2 (Fischer exact test) and student t tests were used to assess the prognostic value of the qualitative and quantitative variables. Estimations of the survival distributions were calculated according to the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the Log rank test. Multivariate analysis of the data was performed with Cox proportional hazard models. Results: Among the 80 patients, 67 (84%) were men and 13 (16%) were women, with median age of 65.5 years. The median tumour size was 20 mm, most had single tumour (58.8%) and carcinoma in situ was found in six patients (7.5%). Thirty patients were treated with transurethral resection (TUR) of the bladder tumour and 50 patients were treated with TUR followed by BCG. The two groups of patients were comparable and followed up during a median time of 61 and 65 months, respectively ( p 0:454). Kaplan-Meier estimators and Log rank tests demonstrated that patients with TUR alone recurred ( p < 0:0001), progressed ( p < 0:040) and died (overall survival: p < 0:009; disease-speci®c p < 0:040) earlier than patients who received intravesical instillations of BCG. The results were con®rmed with Cox models and odds-ratios are presented. Conclusion: In this study, BCG adjuvant immunotherapy was the only factor affecting recurrence, progression and survival. Conservative treatment using TUR followed by BCG may improve disease-speci®c survival. #
European Urology, 2004
Objectives: To study the evolution of renal tumours treated in a single institution over a 2-deca... more Objectives: To study the evolution of renal tumours treated in a single institution over a 2-decade period. Material and Methods: 729 patients surgically treated due to a renal tumour were included in this study. Age at diagnosis, gender, tumour size, TNM stage, percentage (%) of benign tumours, type of treatment, histologic subtype and mode of presentation were compared over 3 periods (Results: During the period of the study, the median tumour size decreased from 7.5 to 6 cm while the rate of nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) increased from 1.6 to 19.6% and from 3.1 to 46.9% in all tumours and in tumours measuring less than 4 cm respectively. In this former group, the percentage of benign tumours increased from 6.3 to 15.2% while the percentage of radical nephrectomies decreased from 100% to 54.2%. Conclusion: We are treating today a great amount of small good prognosis renal tumors as well as an increasing percentage of benign tumours. In both cases, expanding the role of NSS will significantly reduce the rate of useless radical nephrectomies. #
Journal of Urology, 2004
Purpose: We validate the prognostic value of a symptom based classification (S classification) in... more Purpose: We validate the prognostic value of a symptom based classification (S classification) in a multi-institutional study.
European Urology, 2003
Objectives: To compare renal tumors with respect to initial clinical presentation and assess the ... more Objectives: To compare renal tumors with respect to initial clinical presentation and assess the prognostic value of a symptom based classification. Material and Methods: Based on symptoms at diagnosis, 388 renal tumors were stratified into three groups:
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Papers by Alejandro Rodriguez