AN UPDATE IN SPERM CRYOPRESERVATION: DETERMINATION OF MELATONIN CONCENTRATION USED AS ANTIOXIDANT AGENT IN PRE-FREEZING SAMPLES

In our study, rats were subjected to Oxymetazoline hydrochloride treatment and Rhinitis medicamentosa (RM) was formed and then autophagy gene expression levels were determined after the application of an antioxidant agent erdosteine (ED). The rats were divided into three groups; Group 1 was the control group. Group 2 (RM) and group 3 (RM+ED) rats received two spray puffs of 0.05% oxymetazoline into the nasal cavities three times daily for eight weeks. After determination of RM in the rats, the RM group were killed. The ED+RM group received 10 mg/kg of an ED suspension. At the end of seven days, these rats were also killed. All groups? hippocampus tissues were obtained for the measurement of autophagy gene expressions. In rhinitis medicamentosa group Atg5, Atg7 and Atg10 gene expressions in the left hippocampus were reduced as compared to control group (p=0.01, p>0.05, p=0.01, respectively). Also, erdosteine treatments were restored mRNA expression of autophagy genes. In right hippocampus of rhinitis medicamentosa group, Atg5 and Atg10 gene expressions was found to be down-regulated as compared to control group (p>0.05, p<0.05, respectively). Both BECN1 and ULK genes expression were found to be reduced in left hippocampus of rhinitis medicamentosa group. Erdosteine applications was restored the expression of these genes (p=0.03, p=0.03, respectively). Additionally, in right hippocampus, Erdosteine application was restored the expression of ULK gene (p=0.01). This is the first report that evaluated the expression autophagy genes in RM rat models and the changes observed after erdosteine applications.

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Superior Antioxidant Capacity of Berberis iliensis—HPLC-Q-TOF-MS Based Phytochemical Studies and Spectrophotometric Determinations

Antioxidants ◽

10.3390/antiox9060504 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 504 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Saniia Abdykerimova ◽

Zuriyadda Sakipova ◽

Sylwia Nakonieczna ◽

Wojciech Koch ◽

Anna Biernasiuk ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Phenolic Acids ◽

High Performance ◽

Glucaric Acid ◽

Gram Positive Bacteria ◽

Antioxidant Agent ◽

Ethanol Ethanol ◽

Phytochemical Studies ◽

Acid Esters ◽

Tof Ms

The aim of the present study was to determine the composition, antiradical and antimicrobial activity of fruits, leaves and roots of an underestimated species of barberry—Berberis iliensis—growing in Kazakhstan. Particular attention was paid to the determination of the composition of its extracts by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS) analysis. As a result of the chromatographic and spectrometric study 33 secondary metabolites from the groups of phenolic acids and their esters, flavonoids, alkaloids and organic acids were identified and 15 of them—quantified. The isomers of caffeoyl-glucaric acid, caffeic acid derivatives, isoquercetin, berberine and jatrorrhizine were the most abundant components of the tested extracts. The antiradical activity tests were performed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and Folin-Ciocalteu assays on four types of extracts (water, ethanol, ethanol-water 7:3 v/v, ethanol-water 1:1 v/v) from the three organs of the plant. The highest antiradical potential (IC50 = 80 ± 6.36 µg/mL) and phenolic content (440 ± 17.1 mg gallic acid equivalents/L) was calculated for ethanol- water (1:1 v/v) extracts from the leaves and could be influenced by the abundant presence of simple phenolic acids, flavonoids and glucaric acid esters. Among reference microorganisms, M. luteus, S. epidermidis, some S. aureus and B. cereus belonging to Gram-positive bacteria and yeasts from Candida species were the most sensitive to roots extract that was found the most active among the studied samples. The results of the study classify Berberis iliensis as a strong antioxidant agent and as a plant with an antimicrobial potential.

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Sperm DNA fragmentation in cryopreserved samples from subjects with different cancers

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rd15190 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

pp. 637 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Lara Tamburrino ◽

Marta Cambi ◽

Sara Marchiani ◽

Ilaria Manigrasso ◽

Selene Degl'Innocenti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Flow Cytometry ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Dna Fragmentation ◽

Cell Populations ◽

Sperm Dna Fragmentation ◽

Ivf Outcome ◽

Sperm Cryopreservation ◽

Reproductive Process ◽

Sperm Dna

Sperm cryopreservation is widely used by cancer patients undergoing chemo- or radiotherapy. Evidence suggests that IVF outcome with cryopreserved spermatozoa from cancer patients is less successful. To determine whether sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) is involved in the lower fertilising ability of cryopreserved spermatozoa of cancer patients, SDF was evaluated in thawed spermatozoa from 78 men affected by different cancers and 53 men with non-cancer pathologies. SDF was assessed by the terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP–digoxigenin nick end-labelling (TUNEL), propidium iodide (PI), flow cytometry procedure, which allows determination of two different cell populations (PIbrighter and PIdimmer) and thus to determine the percentage of DNA fragmented sperm in both. PIdimmer spermatozoa are totally unviable, whereas PIbrighter spermatozoa with SDF may be motile and morphologically normal, having higher biological relevance in the reproductive process. We found that the proportion of DNA fragmented PIbrighter cells was significantly higher in thawed spermatozoa from cancer than non-cancer patients. Moreover, a positive correlation was found between the degree of DNA fragmentation and sperm motility in the PIbrighter population of spermatozoa from cancer patients that wasn’t seen in non-cancer patients. The results of the present study suggest that higher SDF levels may contribute to the lower IVF success of cryopreserved spermatozoa from cancer patients and that evaluation of SDF could complement genetic counselling as part of the routine management of cancer patients who seek fertility preservation.

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Evaluation of two commercially available ELISA kits for the determination of melatonin concentrations in amniotic fluid throughout pregnancy

Annals of Clinical Biochemistry International Journal of Laboratory Medicine ◽

10.1177/0004563216645123 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 54 (1) ◽

pp. 107-112 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Soyhan Bagci ◽

Özlem Altuntas ◽

David Katzer ◽

Christoph Berg ◽

Arne Willruth ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Amniotic Fluid ◽

Early Pregnancy ◽

Subgroup Analysis ◽

Late Pregnancy ◽

Late Gestation ◽

Melatonin Concentration ◽

Extraction Step ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean

Background The aim of the present study is to evaluate the utility of extraction versus non-extraction-based commercial melatonin ELISA kits for determining the melatonin concentration in amniotic fluid obtained in early and late pregnancy. Methods Pregnancy duration less than 28 weeks was defined as early and from 28 weeks until delivery as late gestation. Nine samples were obtained in early and 18 in late pregnancy. Two commercially available melatonin ELISA kits (melatonin ELISA RE54021, including methanol-based extraction and direct saliva melatonin ELISA RE 54041, not including an extraction step, both from IBL-International, Germany) were used to determine melatonin concentrations in amniotic fluid. Results The mean melatonin concentration in ELISAs assayed by the non-extraction was significantly lower than those assayed after extraction. Subgroup analysis showed that there was no significant difference between melatonin concentration measured by non-extraction versus extraction ELISA in early pregnancy (11.2 ± 7.4 vs. 12.2 ± 7.7, respectively, P = 0.463) but that the mean melatonin concentration in late pregnancy was significantly lower when assayed by non-extraction ELISA than when assayed by extraction ELISA (14.8 ± 9.3 vs. 145.1 ± 179.3, respectively; P < 0.001). Agreement between both measurements in late pregnancy was rather poor (r2 = 0.271, P = 0.022), as opposed to the good correlation found in early pregnancy (r2 = 0.929, P < 0.001). Conclusions The present study revealed that a melatonin assay without an extraction step, such as direct saliva ELISA, does not seem to be a valid method to determine the melatonin concentration of amniotic fluid, especially in late gestation.

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The large variability in melatonin blood levels in ewes is under strong genetic influence

AJP Endocrinology and Metabolism ◽

10.1152/ajpendo.1998.274.4.e607 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 274 (4) ◽

pp. E607-E610 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Luis A. Zarazaga ◽

Benoît Malpaux ◽

Loys Bodin ◽

Philippe Chemineau

Keyword(s):

Plasma Concentration ◽

Blood Levels ◽

Plasma Samples ◽

Repeatability Coefficient ◽

Genetic Determination ◽

Large Variability ◽

Melatonin Concentration ◽

Plasma Melatonin ◽

The Mean

The present study was conducted to assess the degree of genetic determination of the variability in the mean nocturnal plasma concentration of melatonin in sheep. Three hundred twelve ewes born from 18 males and with known genealogy were sampled at the summer and the winter solstices. The nocturnal plasma melatonin concentration was defined as the mean of four plasma samples taken at hourly intervals in the middle of the night (2200–0200). Identity of the father ( P < 0.001) and the solstice ( P < 0.05) were significant. Melatonin concentrations varied considerably among individuals [338.4 ± 197.5 (SD) pg/ml; range 26.6–981.3 pg/ml] and between rams regarding the melatonin concentrations of their daughters (range from 202.9 to 456.3 pg/ml). Inheritance was analyzed by a statistical model that allows discrimination of genetic effects from nongenetic effects and that estimates repeatability and heritability coefficients. Both the repeatability coefficient between solstices (0.60) and heritability coefficient [0.45 ± 0.07 (SE)] were high. These results demonstrate that the variability in plasma melatonin concentration in ewes is under strong genetic control.

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AKTIVITAS ANTIBAKTERI DAN ANTIOKSIDAN EKSTRAK IXORA CUMINGIANA

BERITA BIOLOGI ◽

10.14203/beritabiologi.v19i1.3777 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 37-45

Author(s):

Kartika Dyah Palupi ◽

Praptiwi Praptiwi ◽

Dewi Wulansari ◽

Andria Agusta

Keyword(s):

Antioxidant Activity ◽

Activity Index ◽

Radical Scavenging ◽

Total Phenolic ◽

Antitumor Activities ◽

Antioxidant Agent ◽

Activity Screening ◽

Layer Chromatography ◽

Antibacterial And Antioxidant Activity

Plants from Ixora genus exhibit a variety of pharmacological activities including antioxidant, antibacterial, and antitumor activities. This plants may contain many interesting bioactive compounds, especially phenolics and terpenoids groups. Ixora cumingiana is one of the Ixora species whose pharmacological effect has not been explored comprehensively. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial and antioxidant activity of eight extracts from bark and leaf of I. cumingiana. The plant samples were successively extracted using n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol. The antibacterial evaluation was carried out against Staphylococcus aureus and the antioxidant activity was evaluated using a radical scavenging assay against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Initial activity screening was performed using thin layer chromatography-bioautography followed by the determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the determination of antioxidant activity index (AAI) using microdilution technique. The dichloromethane extract of the bark as well as the n-hexane and dichloromethane extract of the leaf of I. cumingiana exhibited moderate antibacterial effect with MIC value of 128, 128, and 256 µg/ml, respectively. The methanol extract from the bark displayed a strong antioxidant activity (AAI = 1.5±0.13) and possessed the highest total phenolic content (43±0.91 mg AGE/ g extract). These experimental results showed that I. cumingiana is potential to be developed as an antioxidant agent rather than as an antibacterial agent.

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Galactic orbits of stars

Symposium - International Astronomical Union ◽

10.1017/s0074180900105340 ◽

1966 ◽

Vol 25 ◽

pp. 93-97

Author(s):

Richard Woolley

Keyword(s):

Globular Cluster ◽

Potential Field ◽

High Velocity ◽

Velocity Vector ◽

Variable Stars ◽

The Sun ◽

Proper Motions ◽

Rr Lyrae ◽

The Galaxy

It is now possible to determine proper motions of high-velocity objects in such a way as to obtain with some accuracy the velocity vector relevant to the Sun. If a potential field of the Galaxy is assumed, one can compute an actual orbit. A determination of the velocity of the globular clusterωCentauri has recently been completed at Greenwich, and it is found that the orbit is strongly retrograde in the Galaxy. Similar calculations may be made, though with less certainty, in the case of RR Lyrae variable stars.

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Distance to SN 1987A and the LMC

Symposium - International Astronomical Union ◽

10.1017/s0074180900118959 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 190 ◽

pp. 549-554

Author(s):

Nino Panagia

Keyword(s):

Angular Size ◽

Large Magellanic Cloud ◽

Magellanic Cloud ◽

Light Curves ◽

Distance Modulus ◽

Absolute Size ◽

Sn 1987A

Using the new reductions of the IUE light curves by Sonneborn et al. (1997) and an extensive set of HST images of SN 1987A we have repeated and improved Panagia et al. (1991) analysis to obtain a better determination of the distance to the supernova. In this way we have derived an absolute size of the ringRabs= (6.23 ± 0.08) x 1017cm and an angular sizeR″ = 808 ± 17 mas, which give a distance to the supernovad(SN1987A) = 51.4 ± 1.2 kpc and a distance modulusm–M(SN1987A) = 18.55 ± 0.05. Allowing for a displacement of SN 1987A position relative to the LMC center, the distance to the barycenter of the Large Magellanic Cloud is also estimated to bed(LMC) = 52.0±1.3 kpc, which corresponds to a distance modulus ofm–M(LMC) = 18.58±0.05.

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International determination of the total motion of the pole

Symposium - International Astronomical Union ◽

10.1017/s0074180900177824 ◽

1961 ◽

Vol 13 ◽

pp. 29-41

Author(s):

Wm. Markowitz

Keyword(s):

Secular Motion ◽

The Future

A symposium on the future of the International Latitude Service (I. L. S.) is to be held in Helsinki in July 1960. My report for the symposium consists of two parts. Part I, denoded (Mk I) was published [1] earlier in 1960 under the title “Latitude and Longitude, and the Secular Motion of the Pole”. Part II is the present paper, denoded (Mk II).

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