Deciphering sperm chromatin properties to predict stallion sperm fertility

Although previous studies have examined the relationship between the sperm DNA fragmentation index and fertility in stallions, other aspects of chromatin structure or packaging and fertility have not been explored. In the present study, relationships between fertility and DNA fragmentation index, protamine deficiency, total thiols, free thiols and disulfide bonds in stallion spermatozoa were investigated. Ejaculates (n = 36) were collected from 12 stallions and extended to prepare semen doses for insemination. One dose from each ejaculate was sent to the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. Aliquots of semen were stained for flow cytometry with acridine orange for the Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (DNA fragmentation Index, %DFI), with chromomycin A3 (CMA) for protamine deficiency, and with monobromobimane (mBBr) for detection of total and free thiols and disulfide bonds. Per season pregnancy rates after insemination were obtained. Mixed linear models were used to analyze data. Negative correlations were found between pregnancy rate and %DFI (r = -0.35, P < 0.03) and pregnancy rate and free thiols (r = -0.60, P < 0.0001). Furthermore, there were positive correlations between total thiols and disulfide bonds (r = 0.95, P < 0.0001), and protamine and disulfide bonds (r = 0.4100, P < 0.01986). Since chromatin integrity, protamine deficiency and packaging were all associated with fertility, a combination of these factors could be used as a biomarker of fertility when assessing ejaculates

Variation among stallions in sperm quality after single layer centrifugation

Although single layer centrifugation (SLC) selects robust spermatozoa from stallion semen, the effect of individual variation has not been studied in detail. The objective of this study was to determine the variation among stallions in the effects of SLC on sperm quality during cooled storage for up to 48 hr. Semen samples from seven stallions (18 ejaculates) were split, with one portion being used for SLC and the other serving as a control (CON). Sperm quality (kinematics, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, membrane integrity (MI) and chromatin integrity) were analysed at 0, 24 and 48 hr using computer-assisted sperm analysis and flow cytometry. Sperm quality was better in SLC than in CON at all timepoints, especially chromatin integrity and MI (p < .0001 for both), and some categories of ROS production (e.g. proportion of live hydrogen peroxide negative spermatozoa, p < .0001), but the degree of improvement varied among stallions and type of ROS (p p < .0001). Total and progressive motility were also better in SLC samples than in CON at 24 and 48 hr (p < .0001), although the effect on sperm kinematics varied. The interaction of treatment, time and stallion was not significant. In conclusion, sperm quality was better in SLC samples than in CON, although there was considerable individual variation among stallions. The improvement in sperm quality, particularly in chromatin integrity, was clearly beneficial, and therefore the use of this technique would be warranted for all stallion semen samples

Misoprostol treatment of dystocia due to incomplete dilatation of the cervix in a cow: a case report

No abstract

Impact of Nuts Consumption On Antioxidant Status and Pro-Oxidant Parameters in Healthy Human Volunteers

The aim of the current research was to study the effect of consumption of a mixture of almond and pistachio on antioxidants and pro-oxidants levels in healthy human volunteers.  This dietary intervention study was carried out during the period from February to March, 2013 on a total of 48 apparently healthy males students from Military Academy / Zakho, Kurdistan Region- Iraq. Blood samples were withdrawn from all volunteer who were living in a controlled environment and analyzed for the determination of serum antioxidants, pro-oxidants. Parameters were obtained at baseline, 3 and 6 weeks after daily consumption of 50 gm. of a mixture of almond and pistachio. The results of the current study demonstrated that daily consumption of 50 g of   almond and pistachio mixture for 3-6 weeks, significantly increased (P<0.05-0.005) the levels of total antioxidant, Ceruloplasmin, Superoxide dismutase and Glutathione reductase. On the other hand, the levels of the pro-oxidants Malonaldehyde and Peroxy- nitrite were significantly decreased (P<0.005) after 6 weeks of nuts consumption compared to the control. From this dietary intervention trial, it can be concluded that almonds and pistachio mixture improved anti-oxidants and pro-oxidants status compared with those of the healthy volunteers

Impact of Nuts Consumption on Blood Pressure, Glycemic Status, Lipid Profile and Total Protein in Healthy Human Volunteers

To investigate the advantage of consumption of a mixture of almond and pistachio on blood pressure, lipid profile, sugar and protein levels in healthy volunteers. Subjects and Methods:This dietary intervention study was carried out during the period from February to March 2013. A total of 48 apparently healthy males students from Military Academy / Zakho, Kurdistan Region of Iraq participated in this study. All the students were living in a controlled environment. Blood samples were taken and analyzed for the determination of serum glucose, lipid profile, total protein, albumin and globulin. Parameters were obtained at baseline, 3 and 6 weeks after daily consumption of 50gm of almond and pistachio mixture. Results: The results of the current study demonstrated that daily consumption of 50 gs of almond and pistachio mixture for 3-6 weeks significantly ( P<0.05 – 0.001) decreased the diastolic blood pressure and the level of blood glucose , whereas body mass index (BMI) was not influenced at all. Serum total protein, albumin and globulin levels were significantly increased (P<0.05-0.005). Finally, Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-ch), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol ( VLDL-ch), TC/HDL and LDL/HDL were significantly decreased (P<0.05-0.005) after 6 weeks of nuts consumption, where as high density lipoprotein- cholesterol, was significantly increased (P<0.01). Conclusion: This dietary intervention trial, demonstrated that almonds and pistachio mixture improved blood glucose , total protein, and lipid profile to much better levels than that obtained previously using each one separately in healthy volunteers

Enhancing the discovery of rare disease variants through hierarchical modeling

Advances in next-generation sequencing technology are enabling researchers to capture a comprehensive picture of genomic variation across large numbers of individuals with unprecedented levels of efficiency. The main analytic challenge in disease mapping is how to mine the data for rare causal variants among a sea of neutral variation. To achieve this goal, investigators have proposed a number of methods that exploit biological knowledge. In this paper, I propose applying a Bayesian stochastic search variable selection algorithm in this context. My multivariate method is inspired by the combined multivariate and collapsing method. In this proposed method, however, I allow an arbitrary number of different sources of biological knowledge to inform the model as prior distributions in a two-level hierarchical model. This allows rare variants with similar prior distributions to share evidence of association. Using the 1000 Genomes Project single-nucleotide polymorphism data provided by Genetic Analysis Workshop 17, I show that through biologically informative prior distributions, some power can be gained over noninformative prior distributions

Urinary ATP as an indicator of infection and inflammation of the urinary tract in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms

BACKGROUND: Adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) is a neurotransmitter and inflammatory cytokine implicated in the pathophysiology of lower urinary tract disease. ATP additionally reflects microbial biomass thus has potential as a surrogate marker of urinary tract infection (UTI). The optimum clinical sampling method for ATP urinalysis has not been established. We tested the potential of urinary ATP in the assessment of lower urinary tract symptoms, infection and inflammation, and validated sampling methods for clinical practice. METHODS: A prospective, blinded, cross-sectional observational study of adult patients presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and asymptomatic controls, was conducted between October 2009 and October 2012. Urinary ATP was assayed by a luciferin-luciferase method, pyuria counted by microscopy of fresh unspun urine and symptoms assessed using validated questionnaires. The sample collection, storage and processing methods were also validated. RESULTS: 75 controls and 340 patients with LUTS were grouped as without pyuria (n = 100), pyuria 1-9 wbc ?l(-1) (n = 120) and pyuria ?10 wbc ?l(-1) (n = 120). Urinary ATP was higher in association with female gender, voiding symptoms, pyuria greater than 10 wbc ?l(-1) and negative MSU culture. ROC curve analysis showed no evidence of diagnostic test potential. The urinary ATP signal decayed with storage at 23°C but was prevented by immediate freezing at ??-20°C, without boric acid preservative and without the need to centrifuge urine prior to freezing. CONCLUSIONS: Urinary ATP may have a role as a research tool but is unconvincing as a surrogate, clinical diagnostic marker