Polymorphism of the testis-specific serine/threonine kinase 2 gene and risk of asthenozoospermia in Côte d'Ivoire

Background: The testis-specific serine/threonine protein kinase (TSSK2) is an indispensable protein responsible for the mobility of spermatozoa expressed specifically in the germ cells during spermatogenesis and present in the mature spermatozoa. Its gene mutation could constitute a risk of infertility. The aim of this study is to investigate the polymorphism of this TSSK2 gene in men with asthenozoospermia.Methods: The ejaculates were obtained from patients attending the reproductive biology unit of Institut Pasteur of Côte d’Ivoire for their spermiological evaluations. The semen analyses are performed with the automatic sperm analyzer SQA-Vision. 30 sperms, including 20 asthenozoosperms and 10 normosperms, were selected from their spermiological results and the spermatozoa DNA was extracted by the phenol/chloroform method. Direct Sequencing of the spermatozoa DNA fragments was done using the Sanger method. The frequencies of mutation were analysis with the Fisher and Mann-Whitney tests.   Results: It was revealed 17 mutations in 22 ejaculates. The frequent mutations are c.839C>T (T280M), c.816G>C (L372L), c.1026G>A (R342R), c.785A>C (H262P) and c.80A>G (K27R) with respectively frequencies of 50.0%, 26.67%, 16.67%, 13.33% and 10.0%. The analysis of these mutations indicated a significant difference in the frequency of occurrence of mutations between normosperms and asthenozoosperms (p-value = 0.01).Conclusions: This study shows that mutations in the TSSK2 gene are more common in asthenozoosperm ejaculates than normosperm ejaculates. This fact suggests the probable association of mutations in the TSSK2 gene with asthenozoospermia

Assisted Self-Assembly to Target Heterometallic Mn-Nd and Mn-Sm SMMs: Synthesis and Magnetic Characterisation of [Mn7_{7}Ln3_{3}(O)4_{4}(OH)4_{4}(mdea)3_{3}(piv)9_{9}(NO3_{3})3_{3}] (Ln=Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd)**

Assisted self-assembly by using a preformed [Mn$_{6}$O$_{2}$(piv)$_{10}$(4-Me-py)$_{2}$(pivH)$_{2}$] (1) (pivH=pivalic acid) cluster leads to 3 different outcomes of the reaction with Ln(NO$_{3}$)$_{3}$ ⋅ xH$_{2}$O (Ln=Pr−Ho and Y): Mn$_{7}$Ln$_{3}$ and in some cases the inverse butterfly Mn$_{2}$Ln$_{2}$ for Ln=Pr−Eu, Mn$_{5}$Ln$_{4}$ for Ln=Tb-Ho and in the special case of Gd all three possibilities can form. Whilst the magnetic properties for the Mn$_{5}$Ln$_{4}$ systems show the expected known SMM properties, for Mn$_{7}$Ln$_{3}$ two new examples of Nd- and Sm-containing SMMs have been discovered. in an assisted self-assembly approach starting from the [Mn$_{6}$O$_{2}$(piv)$_{10}$(4-Me-py)$_{2}$(pivH)$_{2}$] cluster a family of Mn−Ln compounds (Ln=Pr−Yb) was synthesised. The reaction of [Mn$_{6}$O$_{2}$(piv)$_{10}$(4-Me-py)$_{2}$(pivH)$_{2}$] (1) with N-methyldiethanolamine (mdeaH$_{2}$) and Ln(NO$_{3}$)$_{3}$ ⋅ 6H$_{2}$O in MeCN generally yields two main structure types: for Ln=Tb−Yb a previously reported Mn$_{5}$Ln$_{4}$ motif is obtained, whereas for Ln=Pr−Eu a series of Mn$_{7}$Ln$_{3}$ clusters is obtained. Within this series the Gd$^{III}$ analogue represents a special case because it shows both structural types as well as a third Mn$_{2}$Ln$_{2}$ inverse butterfly motif. Variation in reaction conditions allows access to different structure types across the whole series. This prompts further studies into the reaction mechanism of this cluster assisted self-assembly approach. For the Mn$_{7}$Ln$_{3}$ analogues reported here variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements suggest that antiferromagnetic interactions between the spin carriers are dominant. Compounds incorporating Ln=Nd$^{III}$(2), Sm$^{III}$(3) and Gd$^{III}$ (5) display SMM behaviour. The slow relaxation of the magnetisation for these compounds was confirmed by ac measurements above 1.8 K

Germination and Early Growth of Brachychiton populneus (Schott & Endl.) in Response to Different Shade Percentages and Sowing Depths.

A tree's ability to develop and its full potential depends on the environment in which it grows, especially during its early growth and germination stage. Due to the importance of planting depth and shadowing % as two important parameters for seed germination and early seedling growth under nursery conditions, this experiment was conducted to generate Brachychiton populneus seedlings at the optimal depth. In this study, three levels of shade conditions were tested with depths of 0, 1, 2, and 3 cm, respectively (0 percent shade, 50 percent shade, and 75 percent shade, respectively). The experimental design was factorial complete randomized design (CRD) with four replications for each treatment. At the end of the trial final germination percentages and vegetative growth parameters were measured. The results indicated that the different sowing depths and shade percentage treatments had a great significant influence on germination percentage, stem length, basal stem diameter, leaf number, and root length either in separately or in combination between both. Mean of germination percentage under zero shade percentage (full sunlight) significantly better than those under 50 and 75 shade percentage. Furthermore, the highest germination percentage was 80 % when the seeds were sown under full sunlight (zero shade percentage) and in 1 cm deep or under 50% shade percentage and 2 cm deep. Our results will help forest nurseries to produce healthy and a high quality of B. populneus seedlings for better chance of plantation programs

Classical Analysis of Phenomenological Potentials for Metallic Clusters

The classical trajectories of single particle motion in a Wodds-Saxon and a modified Nilsson potential are studied for axial quadrupole deformation. Both cases give rise to chaotic behaviour when the deformation in the Woods-Saxon and the l**2 term in the modified Nilsson potential are turned on. Important similarities, in particular with regard to the shortest periodic orbits, have been found.Comment: 9 pages LaTex + 4 figures available via e-mail requests from the authors, to appear in Phys.Rev.Let

Ultrafast Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Iron Quantification in Thalassemia Participants in the Developing World The TIC-TOC Study (Thailand and UK International Collaboration in Thalassaemia Optimising Ultrafast CMR)

Thalassemia is the most common monogenetic disorder worldwide, with 60 000 infants with thalassemia major born annually.1 Survival often depends on regular blood transfusions to correct anemia and to reduce ineffective erythropoiesis, but these transfusions can result in iron overload and organ failure unless chelation therapy is undertaken. Serum ferritin levels continue to be used as a guide to chelation but are unreliable, and the availability of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) T2* imaging has transformed patient management by allowing organ-specific quantification of iron content. Countries with a high prevalence of thalassemia major have CMR, but magnet time is expensive and analytic expertise lacking. The aim of TIC-TOC (Thailand and UK International Collaboration in Thalassaemia Optimising Ultrafast CMR) was to investigate whether ultrafast CMR mapping could provide reliable immediate diagnoses of heart and liver iron content, eliminating the need for complex analysis, thus reducing costs to a level within local resources. The research received approval by the Institutional Review Board of the Faculty of Medicine at Chulalongkorn University. All participants provided written informed consent.</p

Decompressive hemicraniectomy followed by endovascular thrombosuction in a patient with cerebral venous thrombosis

Scientific Assessment and Innovation in Neurosurgical Treatment Strategie

On the possibility of magneto-structural correlations: detailed studies of di-nickel carboxylate complexes

A series of water-bridged dinickel complexes of the general formula [Ni&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;(μ&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;-OH&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;)(μ2- O&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;C&lt;sup&gt;t&lt;/sup&gt;Bu)&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;(O&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;C&lt;sup&gt;t&lt;/sup&gt;Bu)2(L)(L0)] (L = HO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;C&lt;sup&gt;t&lt;/sup&gt;Bu, L0 = HO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;C&lt;sup&gt;t&lt;/sup&gt;Bu (1), pyridine (2), 3-methylpyridine (4); L = L0 = pyridine (3), 3-methylpyridine (5)) has been synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. The magnetic properties have been probed by magnetometry and EPR spectroscopy, and detailed measurements show that the axial zero-field splitting, D, of the nickel(ii) ions is on the same order as the isotropic exchange interaction, J, between the nickel sites. The isotropic exchange interaction can be related to the angle between the nickel centers and the bridging water molecule, while the magnitude of D can be related to the coordination sphere at the nickel sites

Influence of Exposure to Imidacloprid on Survivorship, Reproduction and Vitellin Content of the Carmine Spider Mite, Tetranychus cinnabarinus

Occasional reports linking neonicotinoid insecticide applications to field population outbreaks of the spider mite have been a topic of concern for integrated pest management programs. To elucidate the impacts of a neonicotinoid insecticide on the carmine spider mite, Tetranychus cinnabarinus Boisduval (Acari: Tetranychidae), the survivorship, reproduction, and vitellin contents of the mite were investigated after exposure to various concentrations of imidacloprid on the V. unguiculata leaf discs at 25°C, 80% RH and a photoperiod of 14:10 (L:D) in the laboratory. The results showed that the field-relevant dose of imidacloprid did not significantly affect the hatch rate of eggs or pre-imaginal survivorship of the mite, while sublethal doses of imidacloprid, previously determined for Myzus persicae, led to a significant increase in the hatch rate of eggs and pre-imaginal survivorship of the mite compared to the untreated control. Adult longevity and fecundity of T. cinnabarinus for imidacloprid-treated populations were slightly prolonged and increased, respectively, but the difference from the untreated control was not significant. The vitellin content in eggs increased significantly after exposure to imidacloprid. Imidacloprid may be one of the major reasons for the outbreak of T. cinnabarinus in the field

Ultrahigh-Q Resonance in Bound States in the Continuum–Enabled Plasmonic Terahertz Metasurface

The study of optical resonators is of significant importance in terms of their ability to confine light in optical devices. A major drawback of optical resonators is the phenomenon of light emission due to their limited capacity for light confinement. Bound states in the continuum are gaining significant attention in the realization of optical devices due to their unique ability for reducing light scattering via interference mechanisms. This process can potentially suppress scattering, leading to improved optical performance. Using this concept, a metasurface having two elliptical silicon (Si) resonators nonidentically angled to create an outof-plane asymmetry is studied. Various parameters are optimized by employing a genetic algorithm (GA) to subsequently achieve a high-Q factor at terahertz frequencies. Herein, the device is fabricated using a novel method, and a thick high-index resonator is achieved. Terahertz measurements are carried out to validate the results. It is indicated in the experimental results that plasmons appear at the top surface of the metasurface and create strong sharp resonances that are sensitive to the external environment. Owing to strong field confinement ability, and high-Q factor, the metasurface is sensitive to its surrounding environment and can be essentially employed in terahertz sensing applications.Md Saiful Islam, Aditi Upadhyay, Rajour Tanyi Ako, Nicholas P. Lawrence, Jakeya Sultana, Abhishek Ranjan, Brian Wai-Him Ng, Nelson Tansu, Madhu Bhaskaran, Sharath Sriram, and Derek Abbot