Seminal characteristics, sperm fatty acids, and blood biochemical attributes in breeder roosters orally administered with sage (Salvia officinalis) extract

peer reviewedSeminal characteristics and blood biochemical attributes were studied in breeder roosters orally administered with sage extract (SG), an herbal extract well known to have potent antioxidant activities. Sixty roosters (34 weeks old) were randomly allotted to five treatment groups to receive no SG, or orally administered with 110, 210, 320, or 420 mg SG/kg liveweight for 8 weeks. Semen samples were evaluated weekly. Blood samples were taken fortnightly and a total of 21 biochemical indices were measured to unmask the effects of SG (especially the adverse ones) on the clinical profile. Excluding the sperm concentration and seminal content of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (sperm membrane lipid peroxidation index), other seminal traits exhibited one of the linear, quadratic, or cubic responses to the various levels of SG. The most improvements in total live sperm number and sperm membrane integrity (as determined by the hypoosmotic swelling test) were observed in birds receiving 210 and 320 mg SG/kg liveweight, respectively. Serum testosterone level was generally higher (cubically, P ≤ 0.015), but serum copper was lower (linearly, P ≤ 0.014) in SG-administered birds. Birds receiving 320 and 420 mg SG showed a decreased content of C18:2(n-6) in sperm plasma membrane. Other biochemical attributes or sperm fatty acids were not affected. It seems that most improvement in the seminal characteristics could be achieved 5-6 weeks following the administration of 210 and 320 mg SG/kg liveweight without any apparent adverse effect on the blood biochemical indices. The improvements, however, could not be attributed to the antioxidative effect of SG. Although it is hypothesised that an increased serum testosterone might have been involved, the underlying mechanism(s) remain(s) to be clarified. © CSIRO 2013

CRYSTAL ORIENTATION EFFECTS DURING FABRICATION OF SINGLE OR MULTI-CRYSTAL NB SRF CAVITIES*

Abstract Single and large-grain Nb SRF cavities are of interest due to possible reduction of cost and problems associated with inconsistent texture and surface finish among batches of rolled polycrystalline Nb sheet. The effect of crystal orientation on dislocation density, surface quality, and recrystallization after plastic deformation and e-beam welding was investigated, as understanding of their interrelations is needed. These were evaluated for three samples of different orientations at steps similar to those in typical cavity forming, with deformation modeled using a crystal plasticity approach. Initial dislocation density was higher than expected, increased with deformation, after welding was reduced in recovered areas, and was similar to initial density in recrystallized grains; there was also evidence that Nb has a higher tolerance for dislocations than other metals. Surface quality depends on a complex relation of crystal orientation, slip system activity, and prior surface treatment. Recrystallization nucleated outside the melt pool, and the new orientations grew both epitaxially into the weld as it solidified, and away until heat and time were insufficient to continue growth

Clinical study protocol for a low-interventional study in intermediate age-related macular degeneration developing novel clinical endpoints for interventional clinical trials with a regulatory and patient access intention-MACUSTAR.

BACKGROUND: There is an unmet need for treatment options in intermediate age-related macular degeneration (iAMD). However, for any new interventions to be tested in clinical trials, novel currently unavailable clinical endpoints need to be developed. Thus, the MACUSTAR study aims to develop and evaluate functional, structural, and patient-reported candidate endpoints for use in future iAMD trials. METHODS: The protocol describes a low-interventional clinical multicenter study employing a novel two-part design. The cross-sectional part (total duration, 1 month) and the longitudinal part (total duration, 36 months) include participants with iAMD and control groups with early/late/no AMD. The cross-sectional part's primary objective is a technical evaluation of functional, structural, and patient-reported candidate outcomes. The longitudinal part's primary objective is to assess the prognostic power of changes in functional, structural, and patient-reported outcomes for progression from iAMD to late AMD. All data will be used to support a biomarker qualification procedure by regulatory authorities. DISCUSSION: The MACUSTAR study characterizes and evaluates much needed novel functional, structural, and patient-reported endpoints for future clinical trials in iAMD and will improve our understanding of the natural history and prognostic markers of this condition. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03349801 . Registered on 22 November 2017

Bio-nanotechnology application in wastewater treatment

The nanoparticles have received high interest in the field of medicine and water purification, however, the nanomaterials produced by chemical and physical methods are considered hazardous, expensive, and leave behind harmful substances to the environment. This chapter aimed to focus on green-synthesized nanoparticles and their medical applications. Moreover, the chapter highlighted the applicability of the metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) in the inactivation of microbial cells due to their high surface and small particle size. Modifying nanomaterials produced by green-methods is safe, inexpensive, and easy. Therefore, the control and modification of nanoparticles and their properties were also discussed

Development and validation of novel clinical endpoints in intermediate age-related macular degeneration in MACUSTAR

Background Currently, no validated clinical endpoints for treatment studies exist for intermediate age-related macular degeneration (iAMD). Objective The European MACUSTAR study aims to develop and clinically validate adequate clinical endpoints for future treatment studies in iAMD and to identify early determinants of disease progression to late stage AMD. Material and methods The MACUSTAR study protocol was developed by an international consortium of researchers from academia, the pharmaceutical industry and medical device companies. The MACUSTAR project is funded by the Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 (IMI2) of the European Union. Results The MACUSTAR study consists of a cross-sectional and a longitudinal investigation. A total of 750 subjects with early, intermediate and late AMD as well as control subjects with no signs of AMD will be included with a follow-up period of 3 years. Overall, 20 European study centers are involved. Conclusion The MACUSTAR project will generate large high-quality datasets, which will allow clinical validation of novel endpoints for future interventional trials in iAMD. The aim is that these endpoints will be accepted as suitable for medication approval studies by the regulatory authorities and that understanding of the disease process will be improved