Ascorbic acid effects on in vitro maturation of mouse oocyte with or without cumulus cell

Ascorbic acid has long been associated with fertility. This study was designed to determine the effects of ascorbic acid on in vitro maturation of mouse oocyte with or without cumulus cells. In this study, 508denuded oocytes (DOs) and 527 cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) from mice stimulated with pregnant mare’s serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) were incubated for 24 h in medium containing 0, 80, 250 and 750 &#956 M/ml of ascorbic acid prior to in vitro maturation. Maturation rate was compared. A significant decrease in the maturation rate was observed only when the DOs and COCs were exposed to 750 &#956 M/ml of ascorbic acid (P < 0.05). The maturation rate in COCs was significantly higher than DOs in all groups (P < 0.05). These results indicate that exposure ascorbic acid promotes the development of mouse DOs and COCs from germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) to metaphase II (MII) and prevents cumulus celldegeneration at certain levels, especially 250 &#956 M/ml of ascorbic acid (P < 0.05). However, further studies on the potential effects of different concentrations of ascorbic acid on oocyte maturation are needed

BASE DEFICIT IN IMMEDIATE POSTOPERATIVE PERIOD OF OPEN HEART SURGERY AND OUTCOME OF PATIENTS

Abstract- Base deficit is a non-respiratory indicator of acid base status. Aim of this study is to assess relationship between the base deficit value in immediate post operative period of CABG and valvular heart disease with cardiopulmonary and in hospital outcome of patient. A total of 136 consecutive with CABG and valvular heart disease scheduled in study. 20 variables were determined during the pre-intraand postoperative period. Statistical univariate analysis was performed differentiating patients whose initial base deficit after weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass was -8 meq and these whose base deficit was equal or more than -8 meq. Secondly a logistic regression model was performed on the variables shown to have a statistically significant difference in univariate analysis with determination of the odd ratio. 3 variables had a statistically significant difference in univariate analysis and 2 of them high lighted by the linear logistic model. The value of base deficit measured during the immediate postoperative open-heart surgery is correlated with volume of fresh frozen plasma and blood transfusion after open heart surgery and using of intra aortic balloon pump after surgery

Evaluation of individual and environmental sound pressure level and drawing noise-isosonic maps using Surfer V.14 and Noise at Work V.5.0

Noise pollution is one of the common physical harmful factors in many work environments. The current study aimed to assess personal and environmental sound pressure level and project the sound-Isosonic map in one of the Razavi Khorasan Paste manufacture using Surfer V.14 and Noise at work V.5.0. This cross-sectional, descriptive study is analytical that was conducted in 2018 in the Paste factory that contains Canister, production and Brewing unit. Following ISO 9612:2009, Casella Cel-320 was used to measure personal sound pressure level, while CEL-450 sound level meter (manufactured by Casella-Cel, the UK) was employed to assess environmental sound pressure level. Statistical analyzes was done using SPSS V.18 and Linear Regression test. The sound-isosonic maps were projected using Surfer V. 14 and Noise at work V.5.0. The results of assessing personal sound pressure level indicated that the highest received dose (172.21%) and personal equivalent sound level (87.36 dBA) were recorded for workers in the Canister unit. According to results of measuring of the environmental sound pressure level, out of 16 measurement stations in this unit, overall 87.5% were regarded as danger and caution areas. The lowest and highest sound pressure levels in this units were 61 dBA and 92 dBA that belong to Brewing and Canister units respectively. Results indicate Over 75% of the Canister and production units had a sound pressure level greater than 85 dBA and these two units were regarded as the most dangerous area in terms of noise pollution. It is therefore necessary to implement noise control measures, apply hearing protection program and auditory tests among workers in these units

Noise levels of a Massey Fergusson 285 tractor during movement on dirt and paved roads

This study aimed to determine the noise levels of a Massey Fergusson 285 tractor during movement on dirt and paved roads. The Massey Fergusson 285, 75 hp tractor accompanied by a trailer with one-ton load travelled on dirt and paved roads. The test field had 20 m length and 3 m width as defined according to international standards. The sound levels were measured with different gears and for engine speeds of 1000 and 2000 rpm at bystander position and right ear of operator. The difference between A-weighted sound levels for bystanders and right ear of operator, in engine speed of 1000 for dirt and paved roads, was 13.7–15.9 and 10.9–14.7 dB and, in engine speed of 2000, was 12.7–16.1 and 9.8–13.8 dB, respectively. In the bystander position, the sound levels for both engine speeds were lower on the dirt road compared to the paved road. The sound level at the right ear of the operator at engine speed of 1000 rpm was lower than ACGIH standards (85 dB whereas it was higher in engine speed of 2000 rpm for both roads, except in first low and first high gears on the dirt road. Based on similar distance for measurement points on both roads, the lower acoustic impedance of dirt compared with pavement surface provides less noise reflection which leads to lower noise levels in bystander position. The farmers who work near dirt roads are exposed to lower sound levels than those working near paved roads. © 2016 Institute of Noise Control Engineering

Cell Therapy of Congenital Corneal Diseases with Umbilical Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Lumican Null Mice

BACKGROUND: Keratoplasty is the most effective treatment for corneal blindness, but suboptimal medical conditions and lack of qualified medical personnel and donated cornea often prevent the performance of corneal transplantation in developing countries. Our study aims to develop alternative treatment regimens for congenital corneal diseases of genetic mutation. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Human mesenchymal stem cells isolated from neonatal umbilical cords were transplanted to treat thin and cloudy corneas of lumican null mice. Transplantation of umbilical mesenchymal stem cells significantly improved corneal transparency and increased stromal thickness of lumican null mice, but human umbilical hematopoietic stem cells failed to do the same. Further studies revealed that collagen lamellae were re-organized in corneal stroma of lumican null mice after mesenchymal stem cell transplantation. Transplanted umbilical mesenchymal stem cells survived in the mouse corneal stroma for more than 3 months with little or no graft rejection. In addition, these cells assumed a keratocyte phenotype, e.g., dendritic morphology, quiescence, expression of keratocyte unique keratan sulfated keratocan and lumican, and CD34. Moreover, umbilical mesenchymal stem cell transplantation improved host keratocyte functions, which was verified by enhanced expression of keratocan and aldehyde dehydrogenase class 3A1 in lumican null mice. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Umbilical mesenchymal stem cell transplantation is a promising treatment for congenital corneal diseases involving keratocyte dysfunction. Unlike donated corneas, umbilical mesenchymal stem cells are easily isolated, expanded, stored, and can be quickly recovered from liquid nitrogen when a patient is in urgent need

Isolation and Characterization of Novel Murine Epiphysis Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

BACKGROUND: While bone marrow (BM) is a rich source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), previous studies have shown that MSCs derived from mouse BM (BMMSCs) were difficult to manipulate as compared to MSCs derived from other species. The objective of this study was to find an alternative murine MSCs source that could provide sufficient MSCs. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In this study, we described a novel type of MSCs that migrates directly from the mouse epiphysis in culture. Epiphysis-derived MSCs (EMSCs) could be extensively expanded in plastic adherent culture, and they had a greater ability for clonogenic formation and cell proliferation than BMMSCs. Under specific induction conditions, EMSCs demonstrated multipotency through their ability to differentiate into adipocytes, osteocytes and chondrocytes. Immunophenotypic analysis demonstrated that EMSCs were positive for CD29, CD44, CD73, CD105, CD166, Sca-1 and SSEA-4, while negative for CD11b, CD31, CD34 and CD45. Notably, EMSCs did not express major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I) or MHC II under our culture system. EMSCs also successfully suppressed the proliferation of splenocytes triggered by concanavalin A (Con A) or allogeneic splenocytes, and decreased the expression of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α in Con A-stimulated splenocytes suggesting their anti-inflammatory properties. Moreover, EMSCs enhanced fracture repair, ameliorated necrosis in ischemic skin flap, and improved blood perfusion in hindlimb ischemia in the in vivo experiments. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCES: These results indicate that EMSCs, a new type of MSCs established by our simple isolation method, are a preferable alternative for mice MSCs due to their better growth and differentiation potentialities

Calcium Dependent CAMTA1 in Adult Stem Cell Commitment to a Myocardial Lineage

The phenotype of somatic cells has recently been found to be reversible. Direct reprogramming of one cell type into another has been achieved with transduction and over expression of exogenous defined transcription factors emphasizing their role in specifying cell fate. To discover early and novel endogenous transcription factors that may have a role in adult-derived stem cell acquisition of a cardiomyocyte phenotype, mesenchymal stem cells from human and mouse bone marrow and rat liver were co-cultured with neonatal cardiomyocytes as an in vitro cardiogenic microenvironment. Cell-cell communications develop between the two cell types as early as 24 hrs in co-culture and are required for elaboration of a myocardial phenotype in the stem cells 8-16 days later. These intercellular communications are associated with novel Ca(2+) oscillations in the stem cells that are synchronous with the Ca(2+) transients in adjacent cardiomyocytes and are detected in the stem cells as early as 24-48 hrs in co-culture. Early and significant up-regulation of Ca(2+)-dependent effectors, CAMTA1 and RCAN1 ensues before a myocardial program is activated. CAMTA1 loss-of-function minimizes the activation of the cardiac gene program in the stem cells. While the expression of RCAN1 suggests involvement of the well-characterized calcineurin-NFAT pathway as a response to a Ca(2+) signal, the CAMTA1 up-regulated expression as a response to such a signal in the stem cells was unknown. Cell-cell communications between the stem cells and adjacent cardiomyocytes induce Ca(2+) signals that activate a myocardial gene program in the stem cells via a novel and early Ca(2+)-dependent intermediate, up-regulation of CAMTA1