Utilization of a Fertile Chip in Cases of Male Infertility

Infertility is a significant reproductive health issue affecting 10–15% of couples of reproductive age worldwide. The male component adds 30–50% to IVF failure. In the examination of male infertility, sperm count, morphology, motility, and genomic integrity of sperm are crucial factors. Several strategies for generating morphologically and genetically superior sperms for use in IUI and IVF procedures or experimental research have been developed. Density gradient and swim-up approaches are two of the most commonly used applications. As this procedure needs centrifugation, it has been observed that it may have a negative impact on sperm viability, increase oxygen radicals, and result in sperm DNA fragmentation. Inadequacies in sperm extraction procedures may have unfavorable long-term consequences in terms of fertilization success, continuation of pregnancy, and embryo health. Microfluidic sperm preparation is an alternate method for decreasing DNA fragmentation at this stage, despite the fact that it has only been established recently. However, these innovative techniques have little clinical trials. According to studies, sperm sorting chips are user-friendly, inexpensive, and do not require many manual stages

The effects of supplemental melatonin administration on the healing of bone defects in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Diabetes mellitus (DM) causes an increased production of free radicals that can impair bone healing. Melatonin is a hormone secreted mainly by the pineal gland, which participates in the neutralization process of free radicals. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate histologic and biochemical effects of supplemental melatonin administration on bone healing and antioxidant defense mechanism in diabetic rats. Material and Methods Eighty-six Sprague-Dawley male rats were used in this study. Diabetes mellitus was induced by intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of 65 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ). Surgical bone defects were prepared in the tibia of each animal. Diabetic animals and those in control groups were treated either with daily melatonin (250 μg/animal/day/i.p.) diluted in ethanol, only ethanol, or sterile saline solution. Rats were humanely killed at the 10th and 30th postoperative days. Plasma levels of Advanced Oxidation Protein Products (AOPP), Malondialdehyde (MDA), and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) were measured. The number of osteoblasts, blood vessels and the area of new mineralized tissue formation were calculated in histologic sections. Results At the 10th day, DM+MEL (rats receiving both STZ and melatonin) group had significantly higher number of osteoblasts and blood vessels as well as larger new mineralized tissue surfaces (

Post COVID-19 irritable bowel syndrome

Objectives: The long-term consequences of COVID-19 infection on the gastrointestinal tract remain unclear. Here, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms and post-COVID-19 disorders of gut-brain interaction after hospitalisation for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Design: GI-COVID-19 is a prospective, multicentre, controlled study. Patients with and without COVID-19 diagnosis were evaluated on hospital admission and after 1, 6 and 12 months post hospitalisation. Gastrointestinal symptoms, anxiety and depression were assessed using validated questionnaires. Results: The study included 2183 hospitalised patients. The primary analysis included a total of 883 patients (614 patients with COVID-19 and 269 controls) due to the exclusion of patients with pre-existing gastrointestinal symptoms and/or surgery. At enrolment, gastrointestinal symptoms were more frequent among patients with COVID-19 than in the control group (59.3% vs 39.7%, p<0.001). At the 12-month follow-up, constipation and hard stools were significantly more prevalent in controls than in patients with COVID-19 (16% vs 9.6%, p=0.019 and 17.7% vs 10.9%, p=0.011, respectively). Compared with controls, patients with COVID-19 reported higher rates of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) according to Rome IV criteria: 0.5% versus 3.2%, p=0.045. Factors significantly associated with IBS diagnosis included history of allergies, chronic intake of proton pump inhibitors and presence of dyspnoea. At the 6-month follow-up, the rate of patients with COVID-19 fulfilling the criteria for depression was higher than among controls. Conclusion: Compared with controls, hospitalised patients with COVID-19 had fewer problems of constipation and hard stools at 12 months after acute infection. Patients with COVID-19 had significantly higher rates of IBS than controls. Trial registration number: NCT04691895

Myrmeleotettix

Key to species of <i>Myrmeleotettix</i> <p>1a Tegmina and hind wings well developed and extending beyond the middle of hind femora in both sexes................. 2</p> <p> 1b Tegmina and hind wing strongly reduced and reaching not above the middle of hind femora................ <i>brachypterus</i></p> <p>2a Subcostal and radial veins of hind wing not thickened distinctly on the apical part; ratio of maximal width of median to cubital field of tegmen much less than 5.5........................................................................ 3</p> <p> 2b Subcostal and radial veins of hind wing thickened distinctly on the apical part; ratio of maximal width of median to cubital fields of tegmen ≥ 5.5.......................................................................... <i>pluridentis</i></p> <p>3a Ratio of maximal width of median/cubital field of tegmen is ≤ 2.0............................................... 4</p> <p>3b Ratio of maximal width of median/cubital field of tegmen is> 2.0............................................... 6</p> <p>4a Tegmina extending beyond end of hind femora in both sexes; length/width of the longest middle antennal segment is about 2.5</p> <p> 4b Tegmina not reaching to the end of the hind femora in female and hardy reaching it in the male; length of the longest middle antennal segment is about 1.5...................................................................... <i>palpalis</i></p> <p> 5a Antennae with a distinct apical club; maximum/minimum distances between lateral carinae 1.7–1.9; body length/tegmina length 1.11–1.29 in both sexes; tegmina length/pronotum length 4.0– 4.1 in male and 4.1–4.2 in female......... <i>antennatus</i></p> <p> 5b Antennae club gradually widened toward the apex; ratio of maximum to minimum distances between lateral carinae 2.1–2.2; body length/tegmina length 1.35–1.50 in both sexes; tegmina length/pronotum length 3.7–3.8 in male and 3.3–4.0 in female............................................................................................. <i>longipennis</i></p> <p> 6a Ratio of the minimum width/medial length of mesosternal interspace 1.0–1.2............................ <i>angustiseptus</i></p> <p>6b The minimum width/medial length of mesosternal interspace 1.75–2.0........................................... 7</p> <p> 7a Hind margin of tenth tergum weakly widened laterally; maximal length/widest of foveolae 1.5 in male and 2.0 or less in female.............................................................................................. <i>pallidus</i></p> <p>7b Hind margin of tenth tergum with tooth-like process laterally of the middle; maximal length/width of foveolae is more than>2.0 in both sexes..................................................................................... 8</p> <p> 8a Maximal width of median/cubital field 3.0–4.0; length of antenna 6.6 –7.2 mm in the male and 5.0– 5.8 mm in the female; costal vein of tegmina reach to frontal margin nearly at 2/3 of tegmen and stigma located in apical 3/10–4/10 both in male and female; maximal length/width of tympanum 4.4–5.0 in male, 3.2–3.8 in female............................. <i>maculatus</i></p> <p> 8b Maximal width of median/cubital field 2.4–2.5; length of antenna 5.6–6.2 mm in the male and 4.5–4.8 mm in the female; the costal vein of tegmina reach frontal margin near the apex and the stigma located in 2/10 of tegmen both in male and female; maximum length/width of tympanum 3.0– 3.2 in male, 5.0– 5.8 in female............................... <i>ethicus</i> <b>sp. n.</b></p>Published as part of <i>Sirin, Deniz, Mol, Abbas & Ciplak, Battal, 2011, Myrmeleotettix Bolivar (Orthoptera, Gomphocerinae) in Anatolia on the basis of morphological and behavioural characters: data suggest a new species from southern end of the Anatolian refugium, pp. 29-47 in Zootaxa 2917</i> on pages 43-44, DOI: <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/207270">10.5281/zenodo.207270</a&gt

Myrmeleotettix ethicus Sirin & Ciplak, sp. n.

<i>Myrmeleotettix ethicus</i> Sirin & Ciplak sp. n. <p> <b>Holotype</b> (male): Turkey, Antalya, Gombe, Akdag Mt., around Ikizgol, N 36°44.449, E 029°35.414, 2570 m., 28.7.2006 (D. Sirin & O. Eren).</p> <p> <b>Other material studied.</b> Paratypes 10 males, 7 females, same data as holotype; paratypes 11 males and 8 females, same locality as holotype, 7.8.2007 (D. Şirin & Ö. Eren) (Holotype and paratypes in Akdeniz University, Zoology Museum—AUZM; Collection of B. Ciplak).</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis.</b> <i>Myrmeleotettix ethicus</i> <b>sp. n.</b> is a member of the genus <i>Myrmeleotettix</i> characterized by the complex courtship song (Fig. 9 D–E) and by the morphological character combination defining the genus (Figs 3–6). It is similar to <i>M. maculatus</i> in the calling and courtship song including different phases with different syllable pattern. In addition to the characters given in the key to species below, these two species differ in several other characters (see <i>Morphology</i> and <i>Stridulation</i> sections in the <b>Results</b> part). A key to all species of the genus is given below with the aim of diagnosis of the new species according to all members of the genus (based mainly on the data by Bei-Bienko & Mistshenko 1951; Xiang-chu & Kai-ling 2003). Since the description by Mistshenko (1968) for <i>M. zaitzevi</i> do not allow to determine the sates for all the characters below this species has not been given in the key to species. However, the new species <i>M. ethicus</i> well differs from <i>M. zaitzevi</i> by the angulated lateral keels (very weakly curved in the second).</p> <p> <b>Description. Head</b> moderately projecting forward and lateralward; vertical diameter of eye/maximum length of foveolae 3.8–4.2 in male, 2.9–3.2 in female; interocular distance (minimum)/length of sub ocular groove 0.7–0.8 in both genders; length/width of the widest segment of antennae 2.5–3.0 in male, 3.8–4.2 in female; length of subocular groove/vertical diameter of eye 0.6 in male, 0.8 in female; maximum length of foveolae/maximum width of foveolae, 2.0– 2.4 in male, 2.0– 2.2 in female; the antenna with distinct apical club and its length 5.6–6.2 mm in male and 4.5–4.8 mm in female.</p> <p> <b>Pronotum.</b> lateral carinae distinct and posterior margin projecting; more thicker in the beginning of metazona in both genders and curved almost in the middle half of prozona; the maximum/minimum distances between lateral carinae 2.2–2.5 in male and 2.2–2.6 in female; first and second lateral sulcus reach close to lateral carinae or sometimes pass them, typical transversal sulcus (third sulcus) straight or indistinctly curved, located just before middle or exactly on middle; length of pronotum before /after typical sulcus 0.8–1.0 in male, 0.8–0.9 in female. Mesosternal interspace 1.75–2.0 times wider than long; margins of mesosternal lobes slightly divergent backward.</p> <p> <b>Tegmen.</b> 3.6–4.1 times as long as its maximal width in male, 3.9–4.4 times in female; maximum width of precostal area/maximum width of costal area 0.5–0.7 in male, 0.6–0.8 in female; medial area extend far beyond the middle of the tegmen in both genders; precostal vein fuse with costal vein around 2/3 part of tegmina from base in male, 3/4 part of tegmina from base in female; maximum widths of costal/subcostal areas 1.3–1.7 in male, 1.1–1.5 in female; maximum widths of medial/precostal areas 2.5–3.2 in male. 2.4–3.0 in female: maximum width of medial/cubital areas 2.4–2.6 in male, 2.2–2.5 in female; stigma located in 2/10 of the tegmen in male and 2/10–3/ 10 in female.</p> <p> <b>Femur.</b> Length/maximum width of hind femur 3.5–4.0 in male, 3.7–3.9 in female; number of stridulatory pegs 132–164 in male, 133–174 in female.</p> <p> <b>Abdomen.</b> Abdominal segments with long and dense setae especially ventrally; subgenital plate in male and ovipositor valves in female densely setose. Tympanal opening slit-shaped, maximum length/width of tympanum 3.0– 3.2 in male and 5.0– 5.8 in female. Cerci 1.6–1.8 times as long as wide in male and 2.0–2.3 times in female, cerci extending beyond middle of epiproct in male and shorter in female. Ventral valves of the ovipositor narrowing near apex.</p> <p> <b>Coloration.</b> Mostly yellowish rarely reddish brown dorsally and ventrally in general appearance; there are dark patterns on head posterior of the compound eyes. pronotum light yellow or brownish around two sides of median carina, black or blackish along lateral carinae, pronotum totally brown including lateral carinae in some specimens; tegmina mostly brownish, there are 3–5 dark spots along medial field and 2–3 in radial field; costal field totally light in. Hind femur in body colour, with an vertical blackish line internally near the base and irregular dark patterns externally, brown or brownish yellow ventrally; hind knee dark brown; hind tibiae yellow or yellowish-brown; there are ring-like dark lines on the two ends of tibia.</p> <p> <b>Calling song.</b> The calling song of a male is a typical phrase (Fig. 8 D) consisting of 25–60 syllables (40.4 ± 12.7) (see Table 6 for details). Phrase duration varies from 12.2 to 39.8 (23.3 ± 10.3 s). The phrase begins quietly, intensity of syllables gradually increases and reaches to maximum around 4/5 of the phrase, in some of the songs there is a more rapid crescendo roughly up to half of the phrase. The syllable period lasts about 420.7–640.1ms (500.3 ± 40) (Fig. 8 D). There is a sharpen and loud pulse in the beginnings of each syllable periods (Fig. 8 D).</p> <p> <b>Courtship song.</b> The courtship song of Antalya population was recorded from six different males. During recording the male was put in a cage together with a female. One of the males produced a song different than that of the other five. Pattern of the song produced by this single male is similar to that of <i>M. maculatus</i> while that of other five is specific to this population (Fig. 9 D–E, Table 6). Each of five males successfully mated with the female put together. Three different records with three different females were made from the single male producing <i>M. maculatus</i> type courtship song (Fig. 9 E, Table 6). Females did not accept this male and moved away during or after the courtship, and the male was unsuccessful in mating. So, the courtship song type produced by five males was accepted typical for the new species. The question that “how could such a pattern survive” offers good hypotheses to be tested.</p> <p> The typical courtship song consists of three phases. <i>Phase I</i> is similar to <i>Phase Ib</i> in <i>M. maculatus</i> (Fig. 9 D). This phase lasts 7.4– 10.3 s (8.9 ± 0.8) and involves 11–15 (13 ± 1.1) syllables that are very similar to those of calling song in structure. Syllable periods of <i>Phase I</i> ranges between 613–830 ms (681 ± 50). The <i>Phase I</i> is followed by <i>Phase II</i> which begins with relatively loud sound produced by the sudden jerked downstroke of the hind legs. Male wave the antennae occurs synchronously with this second phase. Duration of <i>Phase II</i> ranges between 9.3– 13.9 s (11.3 ± 1.3) and composed of 11–16 (13.3 ± 1.5) syllables each of which lasts 784–960 ms (852 ± 30). The last phase contains non-regular mixed louder and slower syllables and is similar to <i>Phase IV</i> in <i>M. maculatus.</i></p> <p> <b>Distribution.</b> This species is presently known only from its type locality. The data suggest that it is restricted to the South Western Anatolian Taurus (Fig. 1).</p> <p> <b>Etymology.</b> The new species named as <i>" ethicus "</i> to highlight this importance of ethic in all scientific activities.</p>Published as part of <i>Sirin, Deniz, Mol, Abbas & Ciplak, Battal, 2011, Myrmeleotettix Bolivar (Orthoptera, Gomphocerinae) in Anatolia on the basis of morphological and behavioural characters: data suggest a new species from southern end of the Anatolian refugium, pp. 29-47 in Zootaxa 2917</i> on pages 39-43, DOI: <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/207270">10.5281/zenodo.207270</a&gt

METU Turkish Discourse Bank Browser

In this paper, the METU Turkish Discourse Bank Browser, a tool developed for browsing the annotated annotated discourse relations in Middle East Technical University (METU) Turkish Discourse Bank (TDB) project is presented. The tool provides both a clear interface for browsing the annotated corpus and a wide range of search options to analyze the annotations

Description of a New Species of the Genus Troglophilus Krauss, 1879 (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae) from Northern Anatolia, Turkey

WOS: 000360182700005In this paper a new species of cave crickets Troglophilus (Orthoptera, Rhaphidophoridae) from northern Anatolia is described as Troglophilus aspegi Taylan and Sirin sp. nov.. Considering the other already recognised nine species in Anatolia, there are now total 10 species of Troglophilus that currently inhabit the caves and epigean habitats of Turkey. The new species is restricted to National Park of Kure Daglari in Bartin province and known only in one locality (Sipahiler cave). Troglophilus aspegi is morphologically distinguishable from the other nine Troglophilus species present in Turkey due to their small size, male tenth tergite, ovipositor shape, reddish-light brown body color. New species differs from the morphologically closest T tatyanae for body color, tenth tergite and epiphallus shape in male, subgenital plate shape in both sexes, length of the appendages and spinulation of the legs. On the other hand, these new data show that geographical distribution of Troglophilus is not only restricted with north eastern Anatolia but also in caves from north western section of Blacksea Region of Turkey.Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) [2218]We thank Dr. Mauro Rampini and Dr. Claudio Di Russo (La Sapienza University, Rome) for giving us the opportunity to examine Troglophilus tatyanae type samples in 2010 and Dr. Nadim Yilmazer and Dr. Petru Golban (Tekirdag Namik Kemal University, Turkey) for their valuable comments and improving the English of the manuscript. We also thank two anonymous reviewers for their constructive critiques. The study was partly supported logistically by The Society of Anatolian Speleology Group (Istanbul, Turkey), Ministry of the Forestry and Water Affairs, General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks and Namik Kemal University (Tekirdag, Turkey). This study was supported by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) with 2218-National Postdoctoral Research Scholarship Programme (between 2011-2013 in Tekirdag Namik Kemal University, Tekirdag,Turkey)

Chorthippus antecessor Sirin & Ciplak, sp. n.

Chorthippus antecessor Sirin & Ciplak sp. n. Holotype male, Turkey, Adana, road from Develi to Doġanbeyli, around Hanyeri, 38 12.126 N, 36 0 3.472 E, 1616 m, 21.07. 2004, (D. Sirin, D. Berger & M.S. Taylan); Other material studied: Paratypes 10 males, 9 females, same data as holotype; paratypes 3 males and 5 females, same data as holotype, 19.07. 2005, (B. Ciplak, D. Sirin, M.S. Taylan & S. Kaya) (Holotype and paratypes in Akdeniz University, Zoology Museum – AUZM; Collection B. Ciplak). Diagnosis. Chorthippus antecessor sp. n. is a member of the C. biguttulus group by the character combination defined to characterize the group (Figs 3, 5, 8,). It is belonging to C. brunneus subgroup by the typical leg movement pattern performed during stridulation: both hind legs perform the same movement pattern and produce typical syllables of the single type throughout the phrase (Fig. 16). It is similar to C. bornhalmi and C. miramae in that the song of single long phrases which consists of long syllables. This species differs prominently from these two species, as well as from other members of C. brunneus subgroup, by its distinctive morphology. The diagnostic characters defining this new species (both in male and female) are; the tegmina that hardly reaching to the end of the abdomen (others exhibit tegmina extending far beyond the end of the abdomen and reaching to 2 / 5 of the hind tibiae), the stigma located near the apex of the tegmina (see metric data of LTMSA in Appendix 1, 2), the presence of a false vein in costal field of tegmina and the vertical foveolae length measuring twice its width (this ratio is 2.5–3 in others). Song. The calling song of a male is a typical phrase (Fig. 16) consisting of 11–82 syllables (41.4 ± 17.5). Phrase duration varies from 1.4 to 10.4 (6.2 ± 2.6 s). The phrase begins quietly and maximum intensity is usually reached between 1 / 4 – 1 / 3 of the phrase, however, in some of the songs there is often a more gradual crescendo roughly up to half of the phrase. The syllable period lasts about 103.6–135.5 ms (113.1 ± 9.1) (Fig. 16 B). The opening hemisyllable is generally longer than the closing hemisyllable roughly during the first half of phrase and almost equal during the latter half (Fig. 16 B). There are 3–4 steps during opening hemisyllable but there are no tick pulses consistent with these steps. Characteristic tick pulses of closing hemisyllables created by the downward steps of the hind femur produce 3 pulses in the early part of the phrase and 4 in the later part. Consistent with the location of these tick pulses, closing hemisyllables include 2 gaps in syllables during the first 3 rd, and 3 in that of the rest of the phrase. Head. Slightly wider than pronotum; vertical diameter of eye/maximum length of faveolae 3.9–4.2 in male, 2.7 –3.0 in female; interocular distance (minimum)/length of subocular groove 0.6–0.7 in both genders; length of the medial antennal segment/maximum width of the medial antennal segment 2.2–2.7 in male, 2.3– 2.8 in female; length of subocular groove/vertical diameter of eye 0.6–0.7 in male, 0.8 in female; maximum length of foveolae/maximum width of foveolae, 2.5–3.1 in male, 2.4–2.7 in female; antenna filiform, 1.5 – 1.6 times longer than head+pronotum in male, 1.2–1.3 times longer in female. Pronotum. Frontal margin weakly convex and hind margin angular or obtuse angular; median carinae distinct and entire; first lateral sulci extend near to median carinae passing lateral carinae, second lateral sulcus reach close to lateral carinae or sometimes pass them only, typical transversal sulcus (third sulcus) straight or indistinctly curved, located just before middle or exactly on middle and length of pronotum before typical sulcus / length of pronotum after typical sulcus 0.9 –1.0 in male, 0.8–0.9; lateral carinae distinct and entire, more thicker in the beginning of metazona in both genders and slightly curved in the middle half of prozona; maximum distance between lateral carinae / minimum distance between lateral carinae 2.0– 2.4 in male and 2.3–2.6 in female. Tegmen. 4.5–4.7 times as long as maximum width in male, 4.6–5.5 times in female; maximum width of precostal area/maximum width of costal area 0.6–0.7 in male, 1.1–1.2 in female; medial area far beyond the medial of the tegmen in both genders; precostal vein fuse with costal vein around 1 / 3 part of tegmina from base in male, 2 / 3 part of tegmina from base in female; maximum width of costal area/maximum width of subcostal area 1.4–1.9 in male, 1.3–1.6 in female; maximum width of medial area/maximum width of precostal area 1.1–1.3 in male, 1.0– 1.2 in female; stigma located 7 / 10 in part of the tegmina from the base in both gender. Femur. Length of hind femur/maximum width of hind femur 3.9–4.1 in male, 4.1–4.5 in female; peg number of stridulatory file 100–136 in male, 113–126 in female. Coloration. Dirty or redish brown dorsally and yellowish ventrally in general appearance; each part of pronotum light brown around median carina, black or blackish along light lateral carinae, pronotum totally dark brown including lateral carinae in some specimens; there are dark patterns on head and paranota. Tegmina mostly brownish, costal field totally light in some males; there are dark spots along medial field or sometimes also along costal field. Hind femur in body colour, with an oblique blackish band internally near the base and dark patterns externally, yellow or brownish yellow ventrally; hind knee dark brown; hind tibiae yellow or yellowish-brown being slightly darker ventrally. Distribution. This species is presently known only from its type locality. The present data suggest that it is restricted to the Southern Anatolian Taurus (Fig. 1). Discussion. See the ‘Taxonomy’ subheading of the Discussion. Etymology. Since data from our study suggest it to be a remnant of the ancestral stock of the whole subgroup it is named to express this inference.Published as part of Sirin, Deniz, Helversen, Otto Von & Ciplak, Battal, 2010, Chorthippus brunneus subgroup (Orthoptera, Gomphocerinae) in Anatolia with description of two new species: data suggest an Anatolian origin for the lineage, pp. 1-28 in Zootaxa 2410 on pages 13-17, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.19428

METU Turkish Discourse Bank Browser

In this paper, the METU Turkish Discourse Bank Browser, a tool developed for browsing the annotated annotated discourse relations in Middle East Technical University (METU) Turkish Discourse Bank (TDB) project is presented. The tool provides both a clear interface for browsing the annotated corpus and a wide range of search options to analyze the annotations

FIGURES 3 – 4. M in Myrmeleotettix Bolivar (Orthoptera, Gomphocerinae) in Anatolia on the basis of morphological and behavioural characters: data suggest a new species from southern end of the Anatolian refugium

FIGURES 3 – 4. M. ethicus sp. n. habitus (A), tympanum (B) and antennae (C). 3 — Male and 4 — Female