A hollow rectangular plasmonic absorber for nano biosensing applications

© 2018 Elsevier GmbH In this paper, we have introduced a hollow rectangular plasmonic absorber for Terahertz region. The result of our study shows that the nanoparticle absorber delivers a high absorbance of 90%, and enhances the electric field drastically as six times, which makes it an ideal choice for biosensing applications. The effect of the particle size and surface topology is investigated to maximize the absorbance of the structure and can be noticed for frequency tuning. In addition, for biosensing applications, the shift in the resonance frequency and the Figure of Merit (FOM) was studied by exposing the nanoparticles with different biomaterials. The results revealed that by concentrating the energy, we will be able to distinguish different materials with a very high accuracy. As a matter of fact, the parametric studies indicate that the suggested structure has outstanding resonance frequency stability. Therefore, the predictable fabrication distortion has less effect on frequency shift and absorbance and consequently, this particle is advantageous for commercial optical applications such as the solar cell

Vitamins C, E and lipid peroxidation levels in sperm and seminal plasma of asthenoteratozoospermic and normozoospermic men

Background: It has been shown that reactive oxygen species (ROS) can lead to deleterious effects on a range of sperm parameters. Vitamins E and C are capable of reducing ROS levels and lipid peroxidation. Objective: The aim of study was to determine the level of lipid peroxidation as indicated by Malondialdehyde (MDA) and vitamins E and C in sperm and seminal plasma of asthenoteratozoospermic and normozoospermic men and their relationships with semen parameters. Materials and Methods: Forty men with normozoospermic and 60 infertile men with asthenoteratozoospermic semen profiles were randomly selected. Semen analysis was done according to the WHO standard. Sex hormonal profiles were measured by ELISA methods. The level of vitamins (C and E) and MDA were measured by HPLC and tiobarbiotic acid, respectively. Results: MDA concentration in the spermatozoa (0.1±0.06 nmol/ml) and seminal plasma (1.9±0.35 nmol/ml) of asthenoteratozoospermic were significantly higher than in normozoospermic males (p<0.001).The level of vitamins E and C in seminal plasma of normozoospermic were significantly higher than in asthenoteratozoospermic males (p<0.01). However, the amount of vitamin C in the spermatozoa of normozoospermic was significantly less than in asthenoteratozoospermic males (p<0.01). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative prognostic value of MDA of seminal plasma and spermatozoa were more than vitamins C and E. The level of vitamin C of spermatozoa had more diagnostic value when compare to vitamins C and E in seminal plasma. Conclusion: The level of MDA in seminal plasma and spermatozoa and vitamin C in spermatozoa may be a diagnostic tool for etiology of infertility in the asthenoteratozoospermic patients

The effects of Ginger on spermatogenesis and sperm parameters of rat

Background: Ginger rhizome (Zingiber officinale R., family: Zingiberaceae) is used medicinally and as a culinary spice. Objective: Medicinal use of ginger dates back to ancient China and India. Ginger and its constituents are stated to have antiemetic, antithrombotic, antihepatotoxic, anti-inflammatory, stimulant, cholagogue and antioxidant. It has been used since ancient time as medicinal and food origins it contain antioxidative and androgenic activities and have well effect in diseases treatment in more countries world-wide. As an antioxidant’s ginger has a useful effect on spermatogenesis and sperm parameters. Materials and Methods: Wistar male rat (n=30) were allocated into three groups, control (n=10) and test groups (n=20), that subdivided into groups of 2 that received ginger rhizome powder (50 and 100mg/kg/day) for 20 consequence day. Animals were kept in standard conditions. In twentieth day the testes tissue of Rats in whole groups were removed and sperm was collected from epididymis and prepared for analysis. Results: Serum total testosterones significantly increased in experimental group that has received 100 mg/kg/day Ginger (p<0.05) in comparison to control group. Besides, the percentage of sperm viability and motility in both test groups significantly increased (p<0.05) in comparison to control group, Whereas, LH, FSH hormones, sperm concentration, morphology and testes weights in both experimental and control group were similar. Conclusion: Results revealed that administration of 100 mg/kg/day of ginger significantly increased sperm percentage, viability, motility and serum total testosterones. This suggested that ginger may be promising in enhancing sperm healthy parameters

N1-Methylnicotinamide : Is It Time to Consider as a Dietary Supplement for Athletes?

Exercise is considered to be a "medicine" due to its modulatory roles in metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity. The intensity and duration of exercise determine the mechanism of energy production by various tissues of the body, especially by muscles, in which the requirement for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) increases by as much as 100-fold. Naturally, athletes try to improve their exercise performance by dietary supplementation with, e.g., vitamins, metabolites, and amino acids. MNAM, as a vitamin B3 metabolite, reduces serum levels and liver contents of triglycerides, and cholesterol and induces lipolysis. It stimulates gluconeogenesis and prohibits liver cholesterol and fatty acid synthesis through the expression of sirtuin1 (SIRT1). It seems that MNAM is not responsible for the actions of NNMT in the adipose tissues as MNAM inhibits the activity of NNMT in the adipose tissue and acts like inhibitors of its activity. NNMT-MNAM axis is more activated in the muscles of participants who were undergoing the high-volume-low-intensity exercise and caloric restriction. Therefore, MNAM could be an important myokine during exercise and fasting where it provides the required energy for muscles through the induction of lipolysis and gluconeogenesis in the liver and adipose tissues, respectively. Increased levels of MNAM in exercise and fasting led us to propose that the consumption of MNAM during training especially endurance training could boost exercise capacity and improves performance. Therefore, in this review, we shed light on the potential of MNAM as a dietary supplement in sports medicine

Supplemental Material, RSCI-16-618_Supplementary_revised-Fayezi_et_al._RS - Primary Culture of Human Cumulus Cells Requires Stearoyl-Coenzyme A Desaturase 1 Activity for Steroidogenesis and Enhancing Oocyte In Vitro Maturation

<p> Supplemental Material, RSCI-16-618_Supplementary_revised-Fayezi_et_al._RS for Primary Culture of Human Cumulus Cells Requires Stearoyl-Coenzyme A Desaturase 1 Activity for Steroidogenesis and Enhancing Oocyte In Vitro Maturation by Shabnam Fayezi, Marefat Ghaffari Novin, Masoud Darabi, Mohsen Norouzian, Mohammad Nouri, Laya Farzadi, and Maryam Darabi in Reproductive Sciences </p