Berberine reinforces Sertoli cells niche and accelerates spermatogonial stem cells renewal in experimentally-induced varicocele condition in rats

Abstract Background Varicocele is present in 10–20% of the male infertile population. Purpose: Present study was done to demonstrate the reinforcing effect of berberine (BBR), as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, on Sertoli cells-related niche and spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) self-renewal in experimentally-induced VCL condition. Study design 50 mature male Wistar rats were divided into control, control-sham, non-treated VCL-induced, 50 mg kg−1 and 100 mg kg−1 BBR-treated VCL-induced groups. Methods The Leydig and Sertoli cells distribution and Leydig cells steroidogenic activity, expression of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), proto-oncogene Rearranged during Transfection (c-RET) receptor, Ets variant gene 5 (Etv5) and B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/lymphoma 6, member B (Bcl-6b) at mRNA and protein levels were analyzed. The mRNA integrity and DNA fragmentation were assessed. Finally, the serum levels of testosterone, inhibin B and testicular total antioxidant capacity, total thiol molecules, catalase, and malondialdehyde were evaluated. Results Observations revealed that, the BBR significantly enhanced VCL-reduced Leydig and Sertoli cells population, maintained Leydig–Sertoli cells network, enhanced GDNF, c-RET Etv5 and Bcl6b expression, up-regulated testicular antioxidant and endocrine status. Conclusion The BBR by boosting Leydig–Sertoli cells network up-regulates the GDNF, Etv5 and Bcl-6b expression/synthesis in SSCs, which in turn improves SSCs self-renewal activities. Thus, the BBR could be considered as an appropriate agent for antioxidant therapy of VCLs. However, more studies with bigger sample number and focus on BBR-induced effects on other genes involving in the self-renewal process are needed to have more deterministic results. Keywords Varicocele Berberine Spermatogonial stem cells Self-renewa

Experimental Test, Model Validation, and Viability Assessment of a Wave-Rotor Constant-Volume Combustor

Design and testing of a wave-rotor constant-volume combustor achieved stable combustion at near-atmospheric inlet conditions and demonstrated the potential of pressure-gain combustion using a wave rotor. An experiment rig with a motor-driven, room-temperature rotor with large thermal mass operated for short durations within heating limits of extensive in-passage rotating instrumentation. Over 30 successful tests were completed, including a 3 s run amounting to about 2000 individual firing events. Fast deflagrative combustion was observed with varied ethylene fuel distribution in the passages, showing good combustor operability, insensitive to leakage. Remarkably high flame speeds and a net pressure gain were indirectly indicated from measurements. A time-marching, spatially one-dimensional numerical model of gas dynamics and combustion was used for aerothermodynamic design, applying loss models previously calibrated with pressure-exchange nonreacting wave-rotor experiments. Major features and trends of the measured gas dynamic and combustion processes showed good agreement with predictions and validated current design methods. Different fuel distributions were tested to better calibrate ignition and combustion submodels. Simulations illustrate the likely explanations for cases with and without observed ignition, spillage during the filling process, and mixture requirements for consistent torch ignition. The viability of wave rotors for realizing a pressure-gain combustor is discussed

Changing trends of types of skin cancer in Iran

Background: Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide. It has an increasing trend. This study investigated the epidemiological trend and morphological changes in skin cancer in Iran. Materials and Methods: This study was done using existing data, extracted from the National Cancer Registry System and the Disease Management Center of Iranian Ministry of Health between 2003 and 2008. Data on epidemiologic trend was analyzed using Joinpoint software package. Results: The incidence of skin cancer is increasing in Iran, and more in men than women. There was a declining trend for basal cell carcinoma. Basal squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma had an increasing trend. The increase of skin cancer was related to squamous cell carcinoma. Conclusions: Our findings indicated that the increase of skin cancer was attributed to squamous cell carcinoma. It is necessary to be planning for the control and prevention of this disease as a priority for health policy makers

A Highly Antibacterial Achievement of Hollow Fiber Polyethersulfone (PES) Membrane Loaded with Silver Nanoparticles

A highly antibacterial of hollow fiber polyethersulfone (PES) membrane was prepared by loading silver nanoparticles within the PES graft acrylamide (AAm)-membrane. The grafted layers of AAm were provided the matrix for silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) entrapment. The characterization of the prepared hollowfiber (HF) PES membrane loaded with silver nanoparticles were examined by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). To examine the antibacterial property of the prepared AgNPs-AAm-PES membrane, the halo zone and the shaking flask test were carried out. In these tests, both of unmodified PES membrane and AgNPs-AAm-PES membrane were exposed to pure culture suspension of Escherichia coli (E. Coli) bacteria with the concentration of 107 CFU/ml. The viable bacteria formed within the membrane surfaces and themembrane circumferences were observed by the halo zone formation, while the percentage of bacteria killing ratio was determined by shaking flask test method. The TEM results showed that the silver nanoparticles were formed within grafted layers of AAm-PES membrane and the size of silver nanoparticleswere about 10 nm. The AgNPs-AAm-PES membrane were highly effective to prevent the membrane biofouling as shown by the clearly halo zone formation compared with the unmodified PES membrane. The shake flask test were also revealed that almost 99.9 percent of the E. coli bacteria were killed when theyhaving exposed to the AgNPs-AAm-PES membrane. This was due to the silver ions are allowed to release from its membrane surfac

Karakterisasi Adsorben dari Kulit Manggis dan Kinerjanya pada Adsorpsi Logam Pb(II) dan Cr(VI) - (Adsorbent Characterization From Mangosteen Peel And Its Adsorption Performance On Pb(II) And Cr(VI))

The USAge of biomass waste-based adsorbent for the adsorption of hazardous metal in wastewater is not only reducing waste but also lowering adsorbent price. This research aims to study the characteristics of adsorbent from mangosteen peel (Garcinia Mangostana L.) and activated charcoal from mangosteen peel, also to compare the adsorption performance on metal ion Pb(II) and Cr(VI). Synthetic wastewater used from a solution of Pb(NO3)2 and K2Cr2O7 with variations in initial concentration of 20, 40, 80, 100 and 200 mg/L. Adsorption performed at pH 5, ratio of adsorbent and waste solution 1/200 (w/v), 60 rpm, 0.5 gs nano-sized adsorbent. Characterization using SEM, FTIR and SEM-EDS showed that both adsorbents characteristics met the requirements of SNI 06-3730-1995. The highest adsorption capacity of activated carbon to adsorb Pb(II) and Cr(VI) were 38.543 mg/g and 36.838 mg/g while biosorbent adsorb Pb(II) and Cr(VI) respectively 3.98 mg/g and 36.12 mg/g

Enhancement of flexibility in multi-energy microgrids considering voltage and congestion improvement: Robust thermal comfort against reserve calls

In recent years, multi-energy microgrid (MEM) has gained increasing interest, which could use clean and efficient electro-thermal resources, multi-energy storages (MESs) and demand response potential to improve the flexibility of MEM. However, maximizing the flexibility potential of MEM and alongside managing the electrical parameters (EPs) is a challenging modeling problem. In this paper, a probabilistic nonlinear model is presented to maximize the flexibility with all the power grid constraints taking into account EPs constraints using power flow. To this end, voltage profile and congestion improvement, robust thermal comfort provision during reserve call and MESs utilization are the key properties of the proposed model. The outcome of suggested model ensures sustainability in the MEM performance, which is an essential feature in modern smart cities. The presented model is applied to a distribution network in the UK and results illustrate how equipment scheduling and demand response leads to observe the EPs limitation and maximizes MEM flexibility. The achieved results show a decrease in MEM revenue (decrease of 34% and 24% without and with reserve commitment, respectively) and in contrast, a significant increase in flexibility compared to non-compliance with EPs constraints

Regional diversity in the murine cortical vascular network is revealed by synchrotron X-ray tomography and is amplified with age

Cortical bone is permeated by a system of pores, occupied by the blood supply and osteocytes. With ageing, bone mass reduction and disruption of the microstructure are associated with reduced vascular supply. Insight into the regulation of the blood supply to the bone could enhance the understanding of bone strength determinants and fracture healing. Using synchrotron radiation-based computed tomography, the distribution of vascular canals and osteocyte lacunae was assessed in murine cortical bone and the influence of age on these parameters was investigated. The tibiofibular junction from 15-week- and 10-month-old female C57BL/6J mice were imaged post-mortem. Vascular canals and three-dimensional spatial relationships between osteocyte lacunae and bone surfaces were computed for both age groups. At 15 weeks, the posterior region of the tibiofibular junction had a higher vascular canal volume density than the anterior, lateral and medial regions. Intracortical vascular networks in anterior and posterior regions were also different, with connectedness in the posterior higher than the anterior at 15 weeks. By 10 months, cortices were thinner, with cortical area fraction and vascular density reduced, but only in the posterior cortex. This provided the first evidence of age-related effects on murine bone porosity due to the location of the intracortical vasculature. Targeting the vasculature to modulate bone porosity could provide an effective way to treat degenerative bone diseases, such as osteoporosis

Development of compatible lignocellulolytic fungal consortium for rapid composting of rice straw

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the potential of lignocellulolytic fungi for rapid composting of rice straw. Forty-nine isolates of fungi were isolated from several natural and induced rice straw composting sources. Ten isolates were tested for their potential to decompose lignocellulosic rice straw by assessing their growth rate and biomass production, as well as their ability to decompose lignin and cellulose on rice-straw-powder-amended media. Four isolates (F26, F28, F29, and F44) were selected as potential lignocellulolytic agents for in-vitro compatibility study based on their optimum growth rate, biomass production, and lignocellulolytic activities. Six different interactions were found among four interacting isolates in the form of mutual intermingling, partial mutual intermingling, and inhibition at the contact point. Finally, a consortium of Aspergillus niger (F44) and Trichoderma viride (F26) was tested for in-vitro biodegradation of rice straw. The fungal consortium was able to decompose cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin, and total carbon significantly (p � 0.05) over the control. The C/N ratio was reduced to 19.5 from an initial value of 29.3 in three weeks of the biodegradation process, thus showing the potential of this method for use in large-scale composting of rice straw

A suggested prototype for assessing bone health

Background- Osteoporosis is becoming a health concern worldwide. Considering the fact that prevention plays an important role in reducing the burden of this silent disease and in view of the limited resources available, many countries have adopted certain programs to fight osteoporosis through shifting their attention towards at-risk individuals. The Iranian Multicenter Osteoporosis Study (IMOS) is one of these programs. The program aims to assess bone health and the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in different parts of Iran with various altitudes, latitudes and lifestyle habits in a way that the results could be generalized to the country. Method- The present article presents the protocol used in the third phase of the study. It was designed based on the experiences gathered in the previous phases to overcome the shortcomings particularly subject loss. The questionnaire applied in this study was developed based on a thorough literature review of the risk factors and secondary causes of osteoporosis and was approved by an expert panel. It should be added that while the majority of the existing studies aim to study a certain aspect of osteoporosis, the present protocol provides the information needed for policy makers and researchers to study different osteoporosis-related issues. Conclusion- The authors believe the protocol, to be implemented with small modifications, can help policymakers in different parts of the world, particularly developing countries, gather accurate information on different aspects of bone health at the national level. © 2015, Academy of Medical Sciences of I.R. Iran. All rights reserved