The influence of cysteine and taurine on microscopic-oxidative stress parameters and fertilizing ability of bull semen following cryopreservation

Oxidative stress significantly damages sperm functions such as motility, functional integrity, endogenous antioxidant enzyme activities and fertility due to lipid peroxidation induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS). The aim of this study was to determine the effects of antioxidants such as taurine and cysteine in Bioxcell^® extender on standard semen parameters, fertilizing ability, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and antioxidant activities comprising reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) after the cryopreservation/thawing of bull semen. Nine ejaculates for each bull were included in the study. Three groups, namely taurine (2 mM), cysteine (2 mM), and control, were designed to analyze the antioxidants in Bioxcell^®. Insemination doses were processed so that each 0.25-ml straw contained 15 × 10⁶ sperm.The addition of cysteine led to higher motility, compared to the other groups (P < 0.001). Cysteine showed a greater protective effect on the percentages of acrosome damage and total abnormalities in comparison to the other groups (P < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST), following supplementation with antioxidants during the freeze-thawing process. No significant difference was observed in non-return rates among groups. In biochemical assays, the additives did not show effectiveness on the elimination of malondialdehyde (MDA) formation and maintenance of GSH and GSH-Px activities, when compared to controls. CAT activity (35.1 ± 8.1 kU/g) was demonstrated to be significantly higher upon the addition of 2 mM taurine (P < 0.001), while the level of MDA increased, indicating oxidative stress in this group. SOD activity (21.4 ± 2.9 U/g protein) was significantly elevated in the group with cysteine, compared to the other groups (P < 0.001).     

Tick survey and detection of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in tick species from a non-endemic area, South Marmara region, Turkey

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an increasing health concern in Turkey since 2002. There were also some recent human cases from the South Marmara region of Turkey; thus, a tick survey was performed, and possible vector tick species for the CCHF virus were determined in the region. A total of 740 adult ticks were collected from infested livestock from five locations: Çanakkale-Biga, Bursa-Orhaneli, Bursa-Keles, Bal?kesir and Bilecik. Total of 11 tick species from the genera Hyalomma, Rhipicephalus, Dermacentor, Ixodes and Haemaphysalis were identified. Rhipicephalus ticks were dominant in the region; the most frequently observed tick species was R. turanicus, (53.1 %), and only 15.4 % of the identified ticks were H. marginatum. The occurrence of H. rufipes infestation in the region fort he first time. A total of 73 pools of adult ticks were tested with both an antigen-detecting ELISA and RT real-time PCR (RT rt PCR). The presence of the CCHF virus was demonstrated in 9 (12.3 %) of the tested tick pools. Although seven of the tick pools were positive for the CCHF virus with both of the methods, one pool was positive only with RT rt PCR and the other pool was only positive with the ELISA. Positive results were obtained from ticks collected from cattle, sheep and goats from two locations, Bursa-Orhaneli and Bilecik. The CCHF virus was detected in R. turanicus (n = 3), R. bursa (n = 2), H. marginatum (n = 2) and D. marginatus (n = 2) ticks. The results of this study confirm the presence of the CCHF virus and present preliminary data on the vector tick species in the southern Marmara region of Turkey.     

In Vitro Regeneration of Achillea millefolium L from Shoot-tips and Root Segments of Seedlings

This report describes, for the first time, an efficient plant regeneration system for Achillea millefolium L (yarrow), a medicinal plant, via shoot multiplication from shoot-tips and adventitious shoot regeneration from root segments. Higher numbers of shoots were obtained when shoot-tips were cultured on MSMO medium supplemented with 3.0 mg l^?1 BA and 0.5 mg l^?1 IAA, or 5.0 mg l^?1 KIN and 1.0 mg l^?1 IBA, producing 17.3 and 17.0 shoots per explant at 100% frequency, respectively. For adventitous shoot regeneration, only root segments developed shoots when cultured on medium containing a combination of 1 mg l^?1 TDZ, 0.5 mg l^?1 IAA and 0.5 mg l^?1 GA3 (18.9 shoots per explant at 100% frequency), while other types of explants (i.e., cotyledons, leaf lamina and petiole segments) or hormonal combinations tested were found ineffective. Regenerated shoots rooted readily on MSMO medium containing different concentrations of IAA, IBA, NAA or 2,4-D, however, NAA at 0.5 mg l^?1, or IBA at 0.5 or 1.0 mg l^?1 were found to be the most productive. Nearly all of the regenerated plants (98%) survived through the hardening process when the rooted plantlets were kept at 55–65% relative humidity for 2 weeks, which were then planted in pots containing potting soil and kept at 25–35% humidity.     

Structural and Practical Identifiability Analysis of Zika Epidemiological Models

The Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic has caused an ongoing threat to global health security and spurred new investigations of the virus. Use of epidemiological models for arbovirus diseases can be a powerful tool to assist in prevention and control of the emerging disease. In this article, we introduce six models of ZIKV, beginning with a general vector-borne model and gradually including different transmission routes of ZIKV. These epidemiological models use various combinations of disease transmission (vector and direct) and infectious classes (asymptomatic and pregnant), with addition to loss of immunity being included. The disease-induced death rate is omitted from the models. We test the structural and practical identifiability of the models to find whether unknown model parameters can uniquely be determined. The models were fit to obtain time-series data of cumulative incidences and pregnant infections from the Florida Department of Health Daily Zika Update Reports. The average relative estimation errors (AREs) were computed from the Monte Carlo simulations to further analyze the identifiability of the models. We show that direct transmission rates are not practically identifiable; however, fixed recovery rates improve identifiability overall. We found ARE is low for each model (only slightly higher for those that account for a pregnant class) and help to confirm a reproduction number greater than one at the start of the Florida epidemic. Basic reproduction number, \(\mathcal {R}_0\), is an epidemiologically important threshold value which gives the number of secondary cases generated by one infected individual in a totally susceptible population in duration of infectiousness. Elasticity of the reproduction numbers suggests that the mosquito-to-human ratio, mosquito life span and biting rate have the greatest potential for reducing the reproduction number of Zika, and therefore, corresponding control measures need to be focused on.     

A mouse kidney cell line with a G:C --> C:G transversion mutator phenotype

We report the identification of a mouse kidney epithelial cell line (K435) in which G:C-->C:G transversion mutations occur at an elevated rate and are the predominant spontaneous events observed at the selectable Aprt locus. Of three genotoxins tested, ultraviolet radiation (UV), ionizing radiation, and hydrogen peroxide, only UV exposure was able to alter the spectrum of small mutational events. To determine if the G:C-->C:G mutator phenotype was due to a deficiency in the mismatch repair pathway, the K435 cells were tested for resistance to 6-thioguanine, cisplatin, and MNNG. Although the K435 cells were as resistant to 6-thioguanine and cisplatin as Pms2 and Mlh1 null kidney cells, they were hypersensitive to MNNG. Moreover, the K435 cells do not exhibit microsatellite instability, a hallmark of mismatch repair deficiency. These results suggest that a novel mechanism, which does not include a classical deficiency in mismatch repair, accounts for the G:C-->C:G mutator phenotype.     

A case of Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome associated with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome (MRS) is characterized by the triad of recurrent facial palsy, lingua plicata, and facial edema. Herein, we report a case of MRS associated with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome due to rare presentation. To the best of our knowledge only one case of MRS associated with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome has been reported in the literature until now.     

Development of Interleukin-2 Loaded Chitosan-Based Nanogels Using Artificial Neural Networks and Investigating the Effects on Wound Healing in Rats

The aim of this study was to develop and characterize rh- IL-2 loaded chitosan-based nanogels for the healing of wound incision in rats. Nanogels were prepared using chitosan and bovine serum albumin (BSA) by ionic gelation method and high temperature application, respectively. Particle size, zeta potential, and polydispersity index were measured for characterization of nanogels. The morphology of nanogels was examined by using SEM and AFM. The IL-2 loading capacity of nanogels was determined using ELISA method. In vitro release of IL-2 from nanogels was performed using Franz diffusion cells. Artificial neural network (ANN) models were developed using selected input parameters (stirring rate, chitosan%, BSA%, TPP%) where particle size was an output parameter for IL-2 free nanogels. Wound healing effect of IL-2 loaded chitosan-TPP nanogel was evaluated by determining the malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels of wound tissues in rats. The particle size of IL-2 loaded chitosan-TPP nanogels was found to be larger than that of IL-2 loaded BSA-based chitosan nanogels. Drug loading capacity of nanogels was found 100%?±?0.010 for both nanogels. IL-2 was released slowly after the initial burst effect. According to SEM and AFM imaging, BSA-chitosan nanogel particles were of nanometer size and presented a swelling tendency, and chitosan-TPP nanogel particles were found to be spherical and homogenously dispersed. IL-2 loaded chitosan-TPP nanogel was found suitable for improving wound healing because it decreased the MDA levels and increased the GSH levels wound tissues comparing to control group.     

Insertion/Deletion Polymorphism and Serum Activity of the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme in Turkish Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

This study determined the allelic frequency and genotypic distribution of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) polymorphism and serum ACE activity in Turkish patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). A colorimetric assay measured serum ACE activity in 73 of 97 subjects. Frequencies for II, ID, and DD genotypes were 19.6, 53.6, and 26.8% in the OSAS group and 15, 38, and 47% in the control group, respectively (P = 0.02). The I allele frequency was higher in the OSAS group than in the healthy control group (P = 0.02). Carrying the I allele (II or ID genotypes) increased OSAS risk 2.41 times in the Turkish population. Mean ACE activity was significantly lower in patients with the II genotype than in the DD genotype (P = 0.011), and ACE activity was significantly lower in patients with severe OSAS than in those with mild OSAS (P = 0.006). Our results suggest that II and ID genotypes of the ACE gene increase the risk of developing OSAS in the Turkish population.     

Thermally stimulated luminescence glow curve structure of β‐irradiated CaB4O7:Dy

Thermally stimulated luminescence glow curves of CaB₄O₇:Dy samples after β‐irradiation showed glow peaks at ~335, 530 and 675 K, with a heating rate of 2 K/s. The main peak at 530 K was analyzed using the T_max–T_stop method and was found to be composed of at least five overlapping glow peaks. A curve‐fitting program was used to perform computerized glow curve deconvolution (CGCD) analysis of the complex peak of the dosimetric material of interest. The kinetic parameters, namely activation energy (E) and frequency factor (s), associated with the main glow peak of CaB₄O₇:Dy at 520 K were evaluated using peak shape (PS) and isothermal luminescence decay (ILD) methods. In addition, the kinetics was determined to be first order (b =1) by applying the additive dose method. The activation energies and frequency factors obtained using PS and ILD methods are calculated to be 0.72 and 0.72 eV and 8.76 × 10⁵ and 1.44 × 10⁶/s, respectively. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.