Binder of SPerm protein interference in sperm-egg interaction

Les protéines de la famille Binder of SPerm (BSP) ont été initialement caractérisées dans le laboratoire du Dr. P. Manjunath, où la biochimie des protéines du plasma séminal et leurs interactions avec les spermatozoïdes sont à l’étude. Il a été démontré que ces protéines lient les phospholipides portant un groupement choline de la membrane des spermatozoïdes éjaculés. Chez la souris et l’humain, la protéine « Binder of SPerm homolog 1 » (BSPH1) est exprimée exclusivement dans l’épididyme. Il a été démontré que les protéines BSPH1 sont impliquées dans les modifications membranaires qui sous-tendent la capacitation chez les spermatozoïdes. Les résultats d’expériences avec la protéine recombinante de l’homologue murin des BSP (rec-BSPH1) suggèrent que la protéine est initialement localisée sur toute la surface du spermatozoïde, pour ensuite se relocaliser sur la tête et sur la partie intermédiaire de la cellule pendant la capacitation et l’interaction entre le spermatozoïde et l’ovocyte, suggérant un rôle potentiel dans cette interaction. Dans cette étude, nous avons examiné le rôle de la protéine recombinante murine « Binder of SPerm homolog 1» (rec-BSPH1) dans l’interaction spermatozoïde-ovocyte par le biais d’un essai de fécondation in vitro (FIV). Des ovocytes ont été pré-incubés avec soit des protéines rec-BSPH1, soit des protéines contrôles ou avec le milieu de culture cellulaire seul, et ensuite inséminés par des spermatozoïdes capacités. Outre les essais FIV, la liaison potentielle de rec-BSPH1 sur la surface de l’ovocyte a été investiguée par le biais d’expériences d’immunofluorescence. Enfin, la protéine BSPH1 native, liée au spermatozoïde, a été immuno-neutralisée à l’aide d’anticorps dirigés contre la protéine rec-BSPH1 (anticorps anti-rec-BSPH1) afin de démontrer indirectement l’importance de BSPH1 dans l’interaction spermatozoïde-ovocyte et la fécondation. Nos résultats montrent que les ovocytes pré-incubés avec la protéine rec-BSPH1 ont connu une diminution dose-dépendante du taux de fécondation lorsque comparés à des ovocytes pré-exposés à des protéines contrôles ou au milieu de culture cellulaire seul. Puisque des sites de liaison à la protéine BSPH1 n’ont pas été identifiés sur la surface de l’ovocyte, la diminution observée dans le taux de fécondation lorsque les ovocytes étaient pré-incubés avec la protéine rec-BSPH1 suggère qu’un mécanisme alternatif était en jeu. Nous émettons l’hypothèse que l’albumine de sérum bovin contenue dans le milieu de culture cellulaire agit en synergie avec rec-BSPH1 afin de provoquer la désorganisation des radeaux lipidiques de la membrane des ovocytes, ce qui interfère avec la fécondation. De plus, les anticorps anti-rec-BSPH1 ont efficacement immuno-neutralisé la protéine native sur la surface des spermatozoïdes, ce qui a mené à une suppression dramatique de la motilité et un échec de l’hyperactivation, accompagné d’une diminution du taux de fécondation. Combinés aux résultats de recherche publiés précédemment, les résultats de cette étude suggèrent que la protéine BSPH1 serait principalement impliquée dans les évènements tardifs de la capacitation des spermatozoïdes.Binder of SPerm (BSP) proteins were first characterized in the laboratory of Dr. P. Manjunath, where the biochemistry of seminal plasma proteins and their interactions with sperm are being studied. These proteins were shown to bind to choline phospholipids on the ejaculated sperm membrane. In mice and humans, the Binder of SPerm homolog 1 (BSPH1) protein is exclusively expressed in the epididymis. BSPH1 proteins have been shown to be involved in the sperm membrane changes underlying capacitation. Findings from experiments with the recombinant mouse BSP homolog (rec-BSPH1) suggest that the protein initially resides on the surface of the sperm and then relocalizes over the head and mid-piece during capacitation and sperm-egg interaction, suggesting a potential role for BSPH1 in sperm-egg interaction. In the current study, we examined the role of the mouse recombinant BSP homolog 1 (rec-BSPH1) in sperm-egg interaction using an in vitro fertilization (IVF) assay. Oocytes were pre-treated with rec-BSPH1, control proteins or media alone, and inseminated with capacitated sperm. In addition to IVF assays, the potential binding of rec-BSPH1 to the oocyte surface was investigated using immunofluorescence. Finally, sperm-bound native BSPH1 was immuno-neutralized by anti-rec-BSPH1 antibodies in order to indirectly demonstrate the importance of BSPH1 in sperm-egg interaction and fertilization. Our results showed that eggs pre-incubated with rec-BSPH1 protein exhibited a dose-dependent decrease in fertilization rate compared to those exposed to control proteins or media alone. Since BSPH1 binding sites were not identified on the egg, the observed inhibition in fertilization rate when eggs were pre-incubated with rec-BSPH1 suggested that an alternate mechanism was at play. We hypothesize that bovine serum albumin contained in the media synergizes with rec-BSPH1 to provoke oocyte membrane lipid raft disorganization, which interferes with fertilization. In addition, anti-rec-BSPH1 antibodies could effectively immuno-neutralize native protein on sperm, which led to dramatic motility suppression and failed hyperactivation, followed by compromised fertilization. Taken together with previously published research, our findings suggest that BSPH1 would mostly be involved in the late events of sperm capacitation

Evaluation of related factors to repeated radiographs in radiology centers of Hamadan‍‍‍‍ hospitals

Repeating X-ray radiographs, as a common problem in radiology units, represent additional, non-billable costs due to increased film, chemistry, and equipment use as well as increased personnel time. Furthermore, patients receive additional radiation exposure from repetitions and must remain on the premises until the second exam is completed. Compounding the overt negative financial impact on the department is an increased burden on the waiting room and support staff, and a decrease in service quality. This study was designed to measure the radiograph repeat rate for Beesat and Farshchian hospitals in Hamadan, Iran. In this cross-sectional study the repeat rate was documented over the course of  3 months in Beesat and Farshchian hospitals. Regarding to personnel code, repeat rate were measured weekly for each staff and a questionnaires including sex, age, work experience, education level as well as shift numbers during 3 months were completed for each one. Collected data was analyzed by SPSS#20 using Chi-Squar and two sample T-test. Based on our results. The x-ray repeat rate was 3.8% for both studied hospitals. Repeat rate was also calculated for each hospital which showed 3.6% for Beesat and  5.4% for Farshchian. The highest repeat rate was documented for students and male personnel. The repeat rate for Beesat and Farshchian hospitals were acceptable according to published ones. The highest repeat rate in students and the negative relationship between work experience and the repeat rate suggests the need for close monitoring and more training for new staff especially students

How the body shape changes by the habitat hydrological factors in freshwater benthic fishes; case study on the genera Cobitis (Cobitidae) and Ponticola (Gobiidae)

Benthic fish groups with low mobility are often restricted to a narrow range of a stream course, and their morphological characters tend to be affected substantially by the environmental conditions in their habitat. Due to morphological affectability of fishes by many factors in lotic ecosystems, a landmark-based hypothesis was used to investigate the effects of habitat hydrological conditions on morphological characteristics in freshwater benthic fishes; a case study on the genera Ponticola and Cobitis. A total of 216 gobies and 128 spined loaches specimens were caught from six rivers with different hydrological conditions, along the southern Caspian Sea basin. In discriminant function analysis (DFA), the overall assignment of gobies and loaches into their original groups were 95.7% and 80.5%, respectively. Discriminant analysis for pairwise groups shows a longer snout, shallow body/head, and elongated body for populations living in the large slope channel with faster water velocity versus relatively short snout and deep body/head for those living in small slope channel with slower water velocity. The results confirm the possibility of changes in the morphological characters of the benthic gobies and loaches, which should be considered in taxonomical and biological studies

How the selective breeding in aquaculture programs can change the body shape of cyprinids; a case study on the native Cyprinus carpio and a cultured stock

Decades since restocking program of the vulnerable native Cyprinus carpio in the southern Caspian Sea, the cultured stocks in hatcheries have created new challenge to protect the native population. Releasing the cultured common carp in natural water-bodies caused an uncertainty about originality of the carp broodstocks within the restocking program. To clarify that how the selective breeding with aquaculture purpose could change the body shape with aiming to prepare an identification key for the indigenous and cultured stocks, a landmark based morphological characteristics of these stocks from the Anzali Wetland and a hatchery were analyzed. Univariate analysis of variance of 100 adult specimens collected during the non-reproductive season were observed in 62 morphometric characters out of 78 (P<0.05). Principle component analyze (PCA) of morphometric characteristic showed a high differentiation between these stocks. In morphometric traits, linear discriminate function analysis (DFA), the overall assignments of individuals into their original groups between stocks were 100%. The PCA and DFA showed a morphological segregation of the studied stocks based on the characters head shape, pre-dorsal, pre-pelvic and pre-anal distances, caudal peduncle depth, dorsal fin and ventral fin origins, body depth and caudal fin origin. The results showed stocks represent two distinct morphological forms of C. carpio that had high morphometric differentiation. The results can be useful as baseline information on the native stock for conservational policy. To protect the vulnerable population, using wild native broodstocks in the restocking program is strongly recommended

Morphological variation of shad fish Alosa brashnicowi (Teleostei, Clupeidae) populations along the southern Caspian Sea coasts, using a truss system

A 15-landmark morphometric truss network system was used to investigate the hypothesis of population fragmentation of Shad fish Alosa braschnicowi Borodin, 1904 along the southern Caspian Sea. A total of 181 A. braschnicowi specimens were caught from six localities, respectively from the west to the east including; Astara, Rezvanshahr, Anzali, Tonekabon, Sari and Miankale. Principal component analysis, canonical variates analysis and clustering analysis were used to examine morphological differences. Univariate analysis of variance showed significant differences between the means of the six groups for 72 standardized morphometric measurements out of 105 characters studied. In canonical variates analysis, the overall assignment of individuals into their original groups was 71.46% and scatter plot of individual component scores between CV1 and CV2 showed fish specimens grouped into six areas. Clustering analysis based on Euclidean square distances among groups of centroids using UPGMA resulted into six main clusters indicating morphologically distinction populations of A. braschnicowi in the region. These populations of A. braschnicowi are distinguished especially by head shape, eye diameter, and pre-dorsal, pre-pelvic and pre-anal distances. Therefore, it is suggested considering these morphologically different populations as distinct stock in the southern Caspian Sea coasts

How did dams affect length-weight and length-length relationships of Capoeta razii (Cyprinidae) in Sefid River, the southern Caspian Sea basin?

Fish populations are affected by dams in terms of morphology, reproduction, migration, growth rate and etc. To examine the hypothesis; how dams can affect the length-weight and length-length relationships in cyprinids, four Capoeta razii segregated populations (by dams) were studied. The length-weight (LWR) and length-length (LLRs) relationships were calculated for three populations from upstream, dam lakes and downstream of Manjil and Tarik dams in Sefid River, in the southern Caspian Sea basin. Also, one independent population from the damming impacts was considered as the control, to examine other possible annual effects on LWR. The b values in the LWR ranged from 2.893 to 3.586 in downstream and dam lakes populations, respectively. The r2 value ranged from 0.966 to 0.988. The averages of recorded length and weight in dam lake population were up to two and six times (respectively) more than the ranges in up and downstream populations. Monthly LWR is presented for the control population. The sex and maturity were found as effective factors on LWR in the control population. No significant differences were observed in LWR by seasons. All LLRs were highly significant (r2> 0.95). This study presents that the dams and the sex and maturity can be considered as effective non-biological and biological factors (respectively) affecting growth patterns as expressed by length and weight relationships in cyprinid (C. razii) populations. The results may be helpful in future fisheries studies and conservation programs

The Role of Urban Sustainable Development and Urban Sustainable Management in Architecture

Today, the process of urban development concerns the planners and urban designers. Urban development plan without considering the issue of sustainability is almost disappeared. In this article, the researcher has tried to review the importance of sustainability and provide the concept of sustainability, development and theoretical perspectives of the development as well as providing the necessity of urban management cooperation in the success of development plans, particularly urban sustainable development. The study has also tried to focus on the effectiveness of urban sustainable development aspects through investigating the key factors for sustainable development. The study has also wanted to show that the sustainable development is not just limited to environmental issues but political, economic, social and cultural aspects are also important. "Social justice" as a fundamental pillar of sustainable development plays a key role in fair distribution of wealth and income among individuals. The essence of urban management is the responsibility to respond to present and future needs of the society and the accomplishment of the intended goals which can only be accomplished through balance and coordination in community’s structural changes. It is also worth mentioning that improving the quality of sustainable life is the main sustainable approach of the urban development

Isolated Oculomotor Nerve Palsy Following Minor Head Trauma; a Case Report

Isolated third nerve palsy develops in numerous intracranial pathologies such as closed head trauma, tumor, and aneurysm. This report describes a 61 years old female with an abrasion on the left forehead and ptosis of the left eye. Initial computed tomography did not reveal any causative cerebral and vascular lesions or orbital and cranial fractures. High-resolution and multi-axial enhanced Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be helpful in diagnosis and monitoring of patients with this rare phenomenon