scholarly journals Evaluate the activity of cryopreserved boar ejaculated spermatozoa under different thawing protocols

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 287-292
Author(s):  
O. V. Shcherbak ◽  
S. I. Kovtun ◽  
O. I. Metlitska ◽  
P. A. Trotskyi ◽  
I. M. Lyuta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Semen Quality ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
In Vitro Cultivation ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Cryopreserved Sperm ◽  
Boar Semen ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Breeding And Genetics

Aim. To evaluate the activity of cryopreserved boar ejaculated spermatozoa under different thawing protocols to optimize biotechnological approaches in pig reproduction based on the genetic material of the Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics nd. a. M.V. Zubets of National Academy of Agrarian Science of Ukraine. Methods. Cryopreserved ejaculated boars' sperm was thawed in three different ways. Biotechnological, cryobiological and morphological methods were used to assess the viability of the sperm. Results. We noted the individual feature of semen quality of the studied boars, which affects its suitability for cryopreservation and quality indicators after thawing. It was found that in liquefied boar sperm (sperm activity on average is 86.7%) after its centrifugation and three-hour equilibration at + 4 °C sperm activity decreased by an average of 25.0%. In order to improve the quality of cryopreserved sperm, it was thawed under different conditions. The highest activity of spermatozoa in thawed sperm of boar No. 225 of Myrhorod pig was at the level of 25.0% at the thawing temperature + 70 °C, and the thermal resistance and heat resistance were 70.0% and 60.0%, respectively. Conclusions. During this study was noted that there are peculiarities of boar semen at breed and individual level, which influence its ability to tolerate cryopreservation. Keywords: sperm, in vitro cultivation, cryobank, cryopreservation, boars.

scholarly journals System models for resilience in gerontology: application to the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Klasa ◽  
Stephanie Galaitsi ◽  
Andrew Wister ◽  
Igor Linkov
Keyword(s):  
The Elderly ◽  
System Level ◽  
Improve Quality ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Chronic Stressors ◽  
The World ◽  
Aging Adults ◽  
The Individual

AbstractThe care needs for aging adults are increasing burdens on health systems around the world. Efforts minimizing risk to improve quality of life and aging have proven moderately successful, but acute shocks and chronic stressors to an individual’s systemic physical and cognitive functions may accelerate their inevitable degradations. A framework for resilience to the challenges associated with aging is required to complement on-going risk reduction policies, programs and interventions. Studies measuring resilience among the elderly at the individual level have not produced a standard methodology. Moreover, resilience measurements need to incorporate external structural and system-level factors that determine the resources that adults can access while recovering from aging-related adversities. We use the National Academies of Science conceptualization of resilience for natural disasters to frame resilience for aging adults. This enables development of a generalized theory of resilience for different individual and structural contexts and populations, including a specific application to the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals The Effects of the Working Environment of Firefighters on the Quality of Life

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 72-77
Author(s):  
Hee-Chul Choi
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Significant Influence ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Fire Fighting ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Monetary Rewards ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
The Individual

This study aimed to contribute to the preparation of an action plan for the improvement of the quality of life of firefighters at the individual level by examining how the working environment as perceived by firefighters affects their quality of life. To this end, this study conducted a survey that used purposive sampling targeting 201 fire-fighting officers in Incheon. The survey results showed that of the sub-variables of the working environment of firefighters, monetary rewards, challenges, and promotion had a significant influence on the quality of life. Based on the results, this study suggested various action plans that can support the working environment and improve the quality of life of firefighters.

scholarly journals Binding of boar spermatozoa to oviductal epithelium in vitro in relation to sperm morphology and storage time

Reproduction ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 131 (2) ◽  
pp. 311-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Waberski ◽  
F Magnus ◽  
F Ardón ◽  
A M Petrunkina ◽  
K F Weitze ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Semen Quality ◽  
Binding Capacity ◽  
Storage Period ◽  
Sperm Function ◽  
Sperm Binding ◽  
Oviductal Epithelium ◽  
Semen Storage ◽  
Boar Semen ◽  
Boar Spermatozoa

In vitro short-term storage of boar semen for up to 72 h before insemination negatively affects fertility, but this often remains undetected during semen quality assessment. One important sperm function is the ability to form the functional sperm reservoir in the oviduct. In the present study, we used the modified oviductal explant assay to study sperm binding to oviductal epithelium in vitro in diluted boar semen stored for 24 or 72 h. First, we determined the kinetics of in vitro sperm binding to oviductal epithelium in relation to co-incubation time of sperm and oviductal tissue pieces. Then, we studied how the binding of sperm to oviductal epithelium was affected by in vitro semen storage and by differences among individual boars. Sperm binding after different incubation times was significantly higher when semen was stored 24 h than after 72-h storage (P < 0.05), and peaked at 30–90 min of incubation. Sperm binding differed between boars (n = 44), and was negatively correlated to the percentage of sperm with cytoplasmic droplets (R = −0.51, P < 0.001). There were no significant changes in motility, acrosome integrity and propidium iodide stainability during the 72-h storage period. However, sperm-binding indices were significantly lower after 72 h in vitro storage than after 24-h storage in sperm from boars with normal semen quality (P < 0.05); in contrast, the binding capacity of sperm from boars with higher percentages of morphologically altered sperm remained at a low level. The sperm-binding capacity of sperm from four of the five boars with known subfertility was lower than the mean binding index minus one standard deviation of the boar population studied here. It is concluded that changes in the plasma membrane associated with in vitro ageing reduce the ability of stored boar sperm to bind to the oviductal epithelium. This study shows the potential of sperm–oviduct binding as a tool to assess both male fertility and changes in sperm function associated with in vitro ageing.

New Technology Communication in American State Governments

2012 ◽  
pp. 1806-1823
Author(s):  
Hyun Jung Yun ◽  
Cynthia Opheim
Keyword(s):  
Political Participation ◽  
New Technology ◽  
State Level ◽  
Electronic Systems ◽  
State Governments ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Political Exclusion ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Combined Data

This study examines the effects of states’ e-government efforts, more specifically the progress of e-service and e-democracy, on citizens’ general political engagement and electoral participation. Utilizing the combined data with the state level of West’s e-Government measures (2008) and the individual level of the 2008 American Election Study, this study finds a strong link between state sponsored efforts at e-Government and traditional forms of the public’s political participation. State sponsored digital services and outreach increase general political participation more than campaign activities, and the implementation of e-democracy has a greater effect on mobilization than e-service. The results imply that e-government has potential to ameliorate political exclusion by letting the politically disadvantaged access a higher quality of information with an equalized accessibility through state governments’ electronic systems.

New Technology Communication in American State Governments

2012 ◽  
pp. 573-590
Author(s):  
Hyun Jung Yun ◽  
Cynthia Opheim
Keyword(s):  
Political Participation ◽  
New Technology ◽  
State Level ◽  
Electronic Systems ◽  
State Governments ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Political Exclusion ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Combined Data

This study examines the effects of states’ e-government efforts, more specifically the progress of e-service and e-democracy, on citizens’ general political engagement and electoral participation. Utilizing the combined data with the state level of West’s e-Government measures (2008) and the individual level of the 2008 American Election Study, this study finds a strong link between state sponsored efforts at e-Government and traditional forms of the public’s political participation. State sponsored digital services and outreach increase general political participation more than campaign activities, and the implementation of e-democracy has a greater effect on mobilization than e-service. The results imply that e-government has potential to ameliorate political exclusion by letting the politically disadvantaged access a higher quality of information with an equalized accessibility through state governments’ electronic systems.

scholarly journals 284 Gene polymorphism of 5, 10-methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase is related to boar semen quality

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 117-117
Author(s):  
wen lai ◽  
chao Wang ◽  
Jian Peng
Keyword(s):  
Semen Quality ◽  
Mthfr Gene ◽  
Missense Mutations ◽  
Double Mutation ◽  
Polymorphic Loci ◽  
Synonymous Mutations ◽  
Methylene Tetrahydrofolate Reductase ◽  
Boar Semen ◽  
Methylene Tetrahydrofolate

Abstract 5, 10-methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is an important enzyme in folate and homocysteine metabolism, and plays an important role in regulating folate levels, DNA synthesis and methylation in cells. Defects in the MTHFR gene can lead to spermatogenesis disorders and male sterility. Polymorphic loci of MTHFR gene and semen quality of 1,490 boars were examined to explore their relationship. Results showed there were 13 polymorphic loci on MTHFR gene exon in boars with different semen quality, among which loci 1 and 2 were missense mutations. For Duroc boars, although there were synonymous mutations at loci 3–5 and 11, the mutation had no effect on semen quality (P &gt; 0.05). In addition to loci 13, loci 1–12 of the MTHFR gene had mutations, but it had no effect on semen quality in Yorkshire boars (P &gt; 0.05). Interestingly, for Landrace boars, double mutation of MTHFR gene at 1–2, 6–10, and 12 loci (CC → TT) led to decreased sperm motility and increased abnormal sperm rate (P &lt; 0.05). Further analysis showed seminal plasma MDA and hydrogen peroxide levels were increased in Landrace boars with the mutation of MTHFR gene at loci 1–2, 6–10 and 12 (P &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, double mutation of MTHFR gene at 1–2, 6–10, and 12 loci decreased semen quality and increased oxidative stress in sperm, and these mutant loci may be potential biomarkers for predicting the semen quality of Landrace boars.

Children’s Height and Parental Unemployment: A Large-Scale Anthropometric Study on Eastern Germany, 1994–2006

2010 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jörg Baten ◽  
Andreas Böhm
Keyword(s):  
Employment Status ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Psychological Effects ◽  
Average Height ◽  
Panel Analysis ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Parental Unemployment ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Anthropometric Study

Abstract The average height of children is an indicator of the quality of nutrition and healthcare. In this study, we assess the effect of unemployment and other factors on this variable. In the Eastern German Land of Brandenburg, a dataset of 253,050 preschool height measurements was compiled and complemented with information on parents’ schooling and employment status. Unemployment might have negative psychological effects, with an impact on parental care. Both a panel analysis of districts and an assessment at the individual level yield the result that increasing unemployment, net out-migration and fertility were in fact reducing height.

Value of semen parameters, with special reference to TNF-α, in predicting the quality of boar semen after short-term storage

2013 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janko Mrkun ◽  
Marjan Kosec ◽  
Petra Zrimšek
Keyword(s):  
Semen Quality ◽  
Semen Parameters ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Progressive Motility ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Semen Storage ◽  
Boar Semen ◽  
Α Level ◽  
Term Storage

The aim of this study was to address the question whether changes in boar semen quality after short-term storage could be predicted on the basis of standard semen parameters and TNF-α level determined on the day of semen collection under commercial conditions. Progressive motility showed the highest positive correlation with morphology on day 0 of collection, and progressive motility on day 3 (P < 0.05) showed a negative correlation with acrosome abnormalities (P < 0.05). According to the area under receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves (AUCs), progressive motility could also be used in predicting semen quality after 3 days of storage (AUC > 0.5; P < 0.05). TNF-α in seminal plasma is the only parameter measured on day 0 to show a significant correlation with the percentage of viable spermatozoa after 3 days of semen storage (r = 0.495, P < 0.05). ROC analysis shows that TNF-α level is helpful in discriminating viability outcome after semen storage (AUC = 0.94, P < 0.001). We can predict with 92.35% certainty that fresh semen samples with more than 150 pg/ml of TNF-α in the seminal plasma will retain more than 85% of viable spermatozoa after 3 days of storage. Thus, TNF-α can contribute to predicting the quality of short-term stored semen.

scholarly journals Oviductal Extracellular Vesicles Improve Post-Thaw Sperm Function in Red Wolves and Cheetahs

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 3733 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcia de Almeida Monteiro Melo Ferraz ◽  
Jennifer Beth Nagashima ◽  
Michael James Noonan ◽  
Adrienne E. Crosier ◽  
Nucharin Songsasen
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Sperm Motility ◽  
Wildlife Conservation ◽  
Species Conservation ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Sperm Function ◽  
Red Wolf ◽  
Cryopreserved Sperm

Artificial insemination (AI) is a valuable tool for ex situ wildlife conservation, allowing the re-infusion and dissemination of genetic material, even after death of the donor. However, the application of AI to species conservation is still limited, due mainly to the poor survival of cryopreserved sperm. Recent work demonstrated that oviductal extracellular vesicles (oEVs) improved cat sperm motility and reduced premature acrosomal exocytosis. Here, we build on these findings by describing the protein content of dog and cat oEVs and investigating whether the incubation of cryopreserved red wolf and cheetah sperm with oEVs during thawing improves sperm function. Both red wolf and cheetah sperm thawed with dog and cat oEVs, respectively, had more intact acrosomes than the non-EV controls. Moreover, red wolf sperm thawed in the presence of dog oEVs better maintained sperm motility over time (>15%) though such an improvement was not observed in cheetah sperm. Our work demonstrates that dog and cat oEVs carry proteins important for sperm function and improve post-thaw motility and/or acrosome integrity of red wolf and cheetah sperm in vitro. The findings show how oEVs can be a valuable tool for improving the success of AI with cryopreserved sperm in threatened species.

Health literacy and its effects on well-being: how vulnerable healthcare service users integrate online resources

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 697-715
Author(s):  
Justine Virlée ◽  
Allard C.R. van Riel ◽  
Wafa Hammedi
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Healthcare Service ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
The Individual

Purpose This study aims to develop a better understanding of how online health community (OHC) members with different health literacy (HL) levels benefit from their participation, through the analysis and comparison of their resource integration (RI) processes. It investigates through a RI lens how the vulnerability of community members – captured as their level of HL – affects the benefits they derive from participation. Design/methodology/approach Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to investigate the effects of healthcare service users’ vulnerability. Data were collected about their profiles and levels of HL. Furthermore, 15 in-depth interviews were conducted. Findings The study demonstrates how low levels of HL act as a barrier to the integration of available online health resources. Participation in OHCs appears less beneficial for vulnerable users. Three types of benefits were identified at the individual level, namely, psychological quality-of-life, physical quality-of-life and learning. Benefits identified at the community level were: content generation and participation in the development of the community. Originality/value This study has implications for the understanding of how service users’ activities affect their own outcomes and how the vulnerability of users could be anticipated and considered in the design of the community.

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