Investigation of subfertility in the female Nsmf knockout mouse

OBJECTIVE

To study if a pituitary or ovarian defect contributes to subfertility of the female Nsmf knockout (KO) mouse, an animal model of the hypogonadotropic hypogonadism gene NSMF.

DESIGN

Analysis of hypothalamic, pituitary and ovarian gene expression at baseline, serum gonadotropin levels before and after gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation, ovarian response and implantation after superovulation, gonadotropin effects after ovariectomy, and ovarian NSMF protein expression.

SETTING

University research laboratory.

PATIENTS

None; mice were used.

INTERVENTIONS

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulation, superovulation, and ovariectomy in separate experiments.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Gene expression in the hypothalamus, pituitary, and ovary; ovarian response and implantation after superovulation; serum gonadotropins after GnRH stimulation and ovariectomy; Western blot to measure ovarian NSMF expression.

RESULTS

We found increased hypothalamic Kiss1, Gnrh1, and Jak2 mRNA expression in female Nsmf KO vs. wild type (WT) mice. However, pituitary gonadotropin, and GnRH receptor gene expression was not affected, and serum gonadotropin levels were normal. Gonadotropins increased after ovariectomy for both groups. Baseline Kiss1, Fshr, Prkaca, Prkar1a, and Gdf9 ovarian mRNA expression was increased and Cyp19a1 expression was decreased in Nsmf KO mice, while superovulated Nsmf KO mice had reduced ovarian Kiss1r, Prkar1a, and Fshr mRNA expression, 50% less oocytes, and normal implantation. Western blot demonstrated NSMF protein expression in the ovary of WT mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Altered hypothalamic and ovarian gene expression was demonstrated in female Nsmf KO mice. It is possible that increased hypothalamic Gnrh1 and Kiss1 mRNA expression could compensate for reduced NSMF enabling a normal pituitary gonadotropin response. Impaired superovulation response, altered ovarian gene expression, and decreased number of oocytes indicate ovarian dysfunction, but a uterine factor cannot be excluded. These findings provide an anatomic basis for future mechanistic studies of subfertility in female Nsmf KO mice.

The predictive value, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of PET CT in the evaluation of axillary metastases in breast cancer

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of preoperative 18F-FDG PET CT in detecting axillary lymph node (ALN) metastases in patients with breast cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed on the medical records of 114 patients who underwent PET CT for breast cancer between January 2017 and January 2020. Clinicopathological features and the relationship between lymph node metastasis were evaluated. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were calculated based on the PET CT findings compared to histopathological results.

RESULTS

Among the 67 patients included in this study, 29 were identified as having no axillary involvement, while 38 showed axillary involvement according to preoperative PET CT. Of the 34 patients with histopathologically confirmed metastatic lymph nodes, 28 had PET CT-detected axillary involvement, while 6 did not. Similarly, among the 33 patients without histopathological evidence of lymph node metastasis, 23 had no axillary involvement according to PET CT, while 10 showed axillary involvement. The calculated values were as follows: sensitivity = 82.4% (67-92%), specificity = 69.7% (53-83%), positive predictive value = 73.7% (62-83%), negative predictive value = 79.3% (64%-89%), and accuracy = 76.1% (64-86%).

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that preoperative 18F-FDG PET CT, particularly p SUVmax, can serve as an independent prognostic factor for ALN metastasis in breast cancer patients. Therefore, it may be beneficial for preoperative risk stratification and personalized treatment planning.

Permeation of individual cryoprotectants and their different combinations into mouse liver tissue

Development of successful tissue cryopreservation methods requires specific knowledge regarding tissue permeation of individual cryoprotective agents (CPAs) and their combinations. The present study assessed the permeation of dimethyl sulfoxide, ethylene glycol, and propylene glycol into liver tissue, and addressed whether the diffusion coefficient of individual CPAs changes when combining CPAs. To do this, mouse liver slices were exposed at room temperature to 3.5 mol/L concentrations of CPAs individually or in combination for 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes. Subsequently, tissue CPA concentrations were determined using a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method. Our results show that (1) the GC/MS method allows measurement of multiple CPA concentrations in a single small tissue sample, (2) dimethyl sulfoxide has a higher diffusion coefficient than ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, and (3) the CPA diffusivity appears to decrease in mixtures with multiple CPAs. These findings may help the development of effective tissue cryopreservation methods.

Comparison of dilute and nondilute osmotic equilibrium models for erythrocytes

Successful cryopreservation requires the addition of cryoprotective agents (CPAs). The addition of permeating CPAs, such as glycerol, is associated with some risk to the cells and tissues. These risks are both related to the CPA themselves (CPA toxicity) and to the volume response of the cell (osmotic damage). To minimize the potential for damage during cryopreservation, mathematical models are often employed to understand the interactions between protocols and cell volume responses. In the literature, this volume response is usually captured using ideal and dilute approximations of chemical potential and osmolality, an approach that has been called into question for cells in high concentrations of CPAs. To address this, the relevance of non-ideal and non-dilute models has been explored in a number of cell types in the presence of permeating CPAs. However, it has not been explored in erythrocytes, which have a cytosolic hemoglobin content of more than 20% by volume and are cryopreserved in 40% glycerol. Because hemoglobin has been suggested to be a highly non-ideal solute, if the non-ideal and non-dilute transport model is relevant to any cells, it should be relevant to erythrocytes. Here we investigate the use, and accuracy, of both the dilute and non-dilute models in predicting cell volume changes during CPA equilibration in erythrocytes, and demonstrate that using published values for the non-ideal and non-dilute model, applied to erythrocytes, leads to model predictions inconsistent with experimental data, whereas dilute approximations align well with experimental data.

Multiple cryoprotectant toxicity model for vitrification solution optimization

Vitrification is a promising cryopreservation technique for complex specimens such as tissues and organs. However, it is challenging to identify mixtures of cryoprotectants (CPAs) that prevent ice formation without exerting excessive toxicity. In this work, we developed a multi-CPA toxicity model that predicts the toxicity kinetics of mixtures containing five of the most common CPAs used in the field (glycerol, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, and formamide). The model accounts for specific toxicity, non-specific toxicity, and interactions between CPAs. The proposed model shows reasonable agreement with training data for single and binary CPA solutions, as well as ternary CPA solution validation data. Sloppy model analysis was used to examine the model parameters that were most important for predictions, providing clues about mechanisms of toxicity. This analysis revealed that the model terms for non-specific toxicity were particularly important, especially the non-specific toxicity of propylene glycol, as well as model terms for specific toxicity of formamide and interactions between formamide and glycerol. To demonstrate the potential for model-based design of vitrification methods, we paired the multi-CPA toxicity model with a published vitrification/devitrification model to identify vitrifiable CPA mixtures that are predicted to have minimal toxicity. The resulting optimized vitrification solution composition was a mixture of 7.4 molal glycerol, 1.4 molal DMSO, and 2.4 molal formamide. This demonstrates the potential for mathematical optimization of vitrification solution composition and sets the stage for future studies to optimize the complete vitrification process, including CPA mixture composition and CPA addition and removal methods.

Evaluation the association of facet tropism in multi-sports athletes with cervical disc hernia

Background

Facet tropism (FT) can be defined as the angular difference between the orientation of the right and left facet joints in axial or sagittal planes. Most studies discuss about the relationship with lumbar disc hernia and facet joint angle. However, little is known about the association of facet tropism with disc herniation in the cervical spine in multisports athletes. In this study, We aimed to investigate the relationship between cervical facet tropism and disc hernia in athletes of different branches between the ages of 20–40 from the cervical MR images of the cases.

Methods

This is a retrospective study performed on athletes who applied our hospital between January 2014–2019 with neck pain and have MR imaging of the cervical spine. Cervical MR images of the patients were evaluated by an experienced radiologist from the hospital system database and archives. 79 cases (52 men and 27 women) were included in the study.

Results

No statistically significant difference was found between the facet joint angles of both groups at all levels (p˃0.05). Only left C6-7 disc angles of CDH group were measured as 92.99° ± 10.77⁰ (62⁰–113⁰) and 88.58° ± 7.65° (67°-110°) for the normal group and this difference was found statistically significant (p = 0.007).

Conclusion

In this study, we did not predict that cervical facet tropism may be a factor associated with cervical disc hernia in young athletes with CDH.

General tissue mass transfer model for cryopreservation applications

Successful cryopreservation of complex specimens, such as tissues and organs, would greatly benefit both the medical and scientific research fields. Vitrification is one of the most promising techniques for complex specimen cryopreservation, but toxicity remains a major challenge because of the high concentration of cryoprotectants (CPAs) needed to vitrify. Our group has approached this problem using mathematical optimization to design less toxic CPA equilibration methods for cells. To extend this approach to tissues, an appropriate mass transfer model is required. Fick's law is commonly used, but this simple modeling framework does not account for the complexity of mass transfer in tissues, such as the effects of fixed charges, tissue size changes, and the interplay between cell membrane transport and transport through the extracellular fluid. Here, we propose a general model for mass transfer in tissues that accounts for all of these phenomena. To create this model, we augmented a previously published acellular model of mass transfer in articular cartilage to account for the effects of cells. We show that the model can accurately predict changes in CPA concentration and tissue size for both articular cartilage and pancreatic islets, tissue types with vastly different properties.

Photobiomodulation has rejuvenating effects on aged bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

The plasticity and proliferative capacity of stem cells decrease with aging, compromising their tissue regenerative potential and therapeutic applications. This decline is directly linked to mitochondrial dysfunction. Here, we present an effective strategy to reverse aging of mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) by restoring their mitochondrial functionality using photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy. Following the characterization of young and aged MSCs, our results show that a near-infrared PBM treatment delivering 3 J/cm2 is the most effective modality for improving mitochondrial functionality and aging markers. Furthermore, our results unveil that young and aged MSCs respond differently to the same modality of PBM: whereas the beneficial effect of a single PBM treatment dissipates within 7 h in aged stem cells, it is lasting in young ones. Nevertheless, by applying three consecutive treatments at 24-h intervals, we were able to obtain a lasting rejuvenating effect on aged MSCs. Our findings are of particular significance for improving autologous stem cell transplantation in older individuals who need such therapies most.

Rapid quantification of multi-cryoprotectant toxicity using an automated liquid handling method

Cryopreservation in a vitrified state has vast potential for long-term storage of tissues and organs that may be damaged by ice formation. However, the toxicity imparted by the high concentration of cryoprotectants (CPAs) required to vitrify these specimens remains a hurdle. To address this challenge, we previously developed a mathematical approach to design less toxic CPA equilibration methods based on the minimization of a toxicity cost function. This approach was used to design improved methods for equilibration of bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAEC) with glycerol. To fully capitalize on the toxicity cost function approach, it is critical to describe the toxicity kinetics of additional CPAs, including multi-CPA mixtures that are commonly used for vitrification. In this work, we used automated liquid handling to characterize the toxicity kinetics of five of the most common CPAs (glycerol, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, and formamide), along with their binary and ternary mixtures for BPAEC. In doing so, we developed experimental methods that can be used to determine toxicity kinetics more quickly and accurately. Our results highlight some common CPA toxicity trends, including the relatively low toxicity of ethylene glycol and a general increase in toxicity as the CPA concentration increases. Our results also suggest potential new approaches to reduce toxicity, including a surprising toxicity neutralization effect of glycerol on formamide. In the future, this dataset will serve as the basis to expand our CPA toxicity model, enabling application of the toxicity cost function approach to vitrification solutions containing multiple CPAs.

Comparison of ultrasound-guided platelet-rich plasma, prolotherapy, and corticosteroid injections in rotator cuff lesions

BACKGROUND

Injections are a good alternative to conventional treatment-resistant cases with rotator cuff (RC) lesions before operation. Currently, different injection methods are used in RC lesions.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of different injection methods (platelet-rich plasma [PRP], corticosteroid [COR] and prolotherapy [PRO]) in RC tendon lesions.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty-nine patients were divided into 4 groups as PRP, COR, PRO and the lidocaine group. Subacromial injection was applied to all groups. They were evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form (ASES), and Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC) at 3, 12 and 24 weeks post-injection.

RESULTS

In the COR group in the 3rd week, VAS and WORC scores were significantly lower than the other groups (p< 0.01 and p< 0.05 respectively). In the PRP group in the 24th week, VAS and WORC scores were found to be significantly lower than the COR group (p< 0.01 and p< 0.05 respectively). In the COR group in the 3rd week the ASES score was found to be significantly higher than the PRP and PRO group (p< 0.01).

CONCLUSION

In patients with RC lesions, corticosteroid injection provides short-term relief for pain, function, and quality of life, while PRP injection works for long-term wellbeing. For all types of applied injections, improvement in pain, function and quality of life were observed.

The effect of plasma melatonin levels in the treatment of lifelong premature ejaculation with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

The aim of our study was to compare melatonin levels of patients with lifelong premature ejaculation (LPE) (n:60) with healthy controls (n:30) and to investigate the changes of melatonin levels in the treatment with dapoxetine and sertraline. Age, body mass index, duration of marriage, weekly intercourse number, International Index of Erectile Function scores, Intravaginal Ejaculation Latency Time (IELT) and melatonin levels were recorded. LPE patients were divided into two treatment groups. The first group was included 30 patients, who received 60 mg dapoxetine for six weeks, twice a week, an hour before intercourse. The second group received 50 mg of sertraline daily, for six weeks. IELT and melatonin measures were repeated after the treatment. IELT (dapoxetine group: 41.22 ± 21.3 s, sertraline group: 48 ± 23.11 s, control group: 195.54 ± 84.14 s; p < .001) and melatonin levels (dapoxetine group: 5.75 ± 2.04 pg/mL, sertraline group: 5.49 ± 2.88 pg/mL, control group: 13.4 ± 12.09 pg/mL; p < .001) of both LPE groups were significantly lower than control group. Following the six-week sertraline (before: 48 ± 23.11 s, after: 101.01 ± 59.55 s; p < .001) and dapoxetine (before: 41.22 ± 21.3 s, after: 97.39 ± 44.1 s; p < .001) treatments, IELT increased. The melatonin levels increased in the sertraline group (before: 5.49 ± 2.88 pg/mL, after: 10.6 ± 7.37 pg/mL; p < .001). Our results indicate that melatonin levels of LPE patients are lower than levels of healthy volunteers. Furthermore, we found a significant increase in melatonin levels following sertraline treatment.

Can serum procalcitonin levels be useful in predicting spontaneous ureteral stone passage?

Background

Medical expulsive therapy (MET) is recommended for ureteral stones when there is no indication for interventional treatment. Spontaneous passage (SP) may not always be perceived in patients undergoing MET. We aimed to demonstrate the effects of inflammatory factors on spontaneous ureteral stone passage in patients undergoing MET.

Methods

Our study was conducted between August and November, 2016, in healthy volunteers and patients with a single distal ureteral stone between 5 and 10 mm in diameter and no indications for interventional therapy. Blood and urine samples from all patients and healthy volunteers were tested. The patients were followed up every 2 weeks for 1 month unless emergency situations appeared. Patients with stone-free status at follow-up were concluded to have achieved complete stone passage [SP(+)], and failure [SP(−)] was concluded if the patient had not passed the stone by the end of the study. Blood samples of the patients and the control group were analyzed, recording WBC (white blood cell), CRP (c-reactive protein), SED (sedimentation), MPV (mean platelet volume), NLR (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio), and serum procalcitonin levels. Abnormalities in urine samples were recorded. All patients received diclofenac sodium 75 mg/day, tamsulosin 0.4 mg/day, and at least 3 l/day fluid intake. Patients were followed for a month with kidney, ureter, bladder (KUB) plain films, ultrasonography (USG), and unenhanced abdominal CT scans while undergoing MET. Comparative statistical analyses were performed between the SP(+) and SP(−) groups.

Results

The procalcitonin levels of the SP(−) group were significantly higher (207 ± 145.1 pg/ml) than in the SP(+) group (132.7 ± 28.1 pg/ml) (p = 0.000). The leucocyturia rate of the SP(−) group was significantly higher than in the SP(+) group (p = 0.004). Based on the ROC curve analysis, 160 pg/ml (86.7% sensitivity, 70.8% specificity, p < 0.001; AUC: 0.788 95% CI (0.658–0.917) was identified as the optimal cut-off value for procalcitonin. In logistic regression analysis, a significant efficacy of procalcitonin and leucocyturia was observed in the univariate analysis on spontaneous passage. In the multivariate analysis, significant independent activity was observed with procalcitonin. (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that high procalcitonin levels and the presence of leucocyturia have a strong negative effect on SP of ureteral stones between 5 and 10 mm in diameter. This relationship can be explained by stone impaction, possibly caused by increased mucosal inflammation.

Probing lasting cryoinjuries to oocyte-embryo transcriptome

Clinical applications of oocytes cryopreservation include preservation of future fertility of young cancer patients, substitution of embryo freezing to avoid associated legal and ethical issues, and delaying childbearing years. While the outcome of oocyte cryopreservation has recently been improved, currently used vitrification method still suffer from increased biosafety risk and handling issues while slow freezing techniques yield overall low success. Understanding better the mechanism of cryopreservation-induced injuries may lead to development of more reliable and safe methods for oocyte cryopreservation. Using the mouse model, a microarray study was conducted on oocyte cryopreservation to identify cryoinjuries to transcriptionally active genome. To this end, metaphase II (MII) oocytes were subjected to standard slow freezing, and then analyzed at the four-cell stage after embryonic genome activation. Non-frozen four-cell embryos served as controls. Differentially expressed genes were identified and validated using RT-PCR. Embryos produced from the cryopreserved oocytes displayed 200 upregulated and 105 downregulated genes, associated with the regulation of mitochondrial function, protein ubiquitination and maintenance, cellular response to stress and oxidative states, fatty acid and lipid regulation/metabolism, and cell cycle maintenance. These findings reveal previously unrecognized effects of standard slow oocyte freezing on embryonic gene expression, which can be used to guide improvement of oocyte cryopreservation methods.

Freeze-Dried Extracellular Vesicles From Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Prevent Hypoxia-Induced Muscle Cell Injury

Cellular therapies have tremendous potential for the successful treatment of major extremity wounds in the combat setting, however, the challenges associated with transplanting stem cells in the prolonged field care (PFC) environment are a critical barrier to progress in treating such injuries. These challenges include not only production and storage but also transport and handling issues. Our goal is to develop a new strategy utilizing extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by stem cells that can resolve many of these issues and prevent ischemic tissue injury. While EVs can be preserved by freezing or lyophilization, both processes result in decrease in their bioactivity. Here, we describe optimized procedures for EVs production, isolation, and lyophilization from primary human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs). We compared two isolation approaches that were ultrafiltration (UF) using a tangential fluid filtration (TFF) system and differential ultracentrifugation (UC). We also optimized EVs lyophilization in conjunction with trehalose and polyvinylpyrrolidone 40 (PVP40) as lyoprotectants. Bioactivity of EVs was assessed based on reversal of hypoxia-induced muscle cell injury. To this end, primary human myoblasts were subjected to hypoxic conditions for 6 h, and then treated with hADSC-derived EVs at a concentration of 50 μg/mL. Subsequently, muscle cell viability and toxicity were evaluated using MTS and LDH assays, respectively. Overall, nanoparticle tracking data indicated that UF/TFF yields threefold more particles than UC. Lyophilization of EVs resulted in a significantly reduced number of particles, which could be attenuated by adding lyoprotections to the freeze-drying solution. Furthermore, EVs isolated by UF/TFF and freeze-dried in the presence of trehalose significantly increased viability (P < 0.0193). Taken together, our findings suggest that the isolation and preservation methods presented in this study may enhance therapeutic applications of EVs.

Retroperitoneal Soft Tissue Sarcoma: Effect of Hyperthermic Total Abdominal Perfusion

Aims and Background

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) of the retroperitoneum are rare tumors. Surgery remains the principal modality of therapy in the management of primary and recurrent retroperitoneal STS. However, little is known about the effect of regional chemotherapy using hyperthermic total abdominal perfusion (HTAP). We analyzed independent prognostic variables in 33 patients with STS in the retroperitoneum admitted from November 1990 through December 1996.

Methods and Study Design

Data regarding patients’ age, gender, tumor size, histological tumor type, tumor location, type of operation (primary or secondary surgery), extent of surgical management (marginal or extended), use of HTAP, tumor grade, and tumor stage according to the TNM classification were examined by univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

All 33 patients underwent complete resections (marginal or extended). Eleven of them received locoregional chemotherapy by HTAP. The overall cumulative 5-year survival rates in patients with stage IIA and advanced disease were 82% and 22%, respectively (log-rank test, P <0.01). Using Cox's proportional hazard model, tumor stage, use of HTAP and type of operation were found to have significant influence on overall survival (P <0.05).

Conclusions

Our results showed that complete resection along with HTAP chemotherapy may improve survival in patients with retroperitoneal STS. These phase II data could be used to support the initiation of a phase III trial to test HTAP in patients submitted to complete resection of retroperitoneal STS.

A toxicity cost function approach to optimal CPA equilibration in tissues

There is growing need for cryopreserved tissue samples that can be used in transplantation and regenerative medicine. While a number of specific tissue types have been successfully cryopreserved, this success is not general, and there is not a uniform approach to cryopreservation of arbitrary tissues. Additionally, while there are a number of long-established approaches towards optimizing cryoprotocols in single cell suspensions, and even plated cell monolayers, computational approaches in tissue cryopreservation have classically been limited to explanatory models. Here we develop a numerical approach to adapt cell-based CPA equilibration damage models for use in a classical tissue mass transport model. To implement this with real-world parameters, we measured CPA diffusivity in three human-sourced tissue types, skin, fibroid and myometrium, yielding propylene glycol diffusivities of 0.6 × 10-6 cm2/s, 1.2 × 10-6 cm2/s and 1.3 × 10-6 cm2/s, respectively. Based on these results, we numerically predict and compare optimal multistep equilibration protocols that minimize the cell-based cumulative toxicity cost function and the damage due to excessive osmotic gradients at the tissue boundary. Our numerical results show that there are fundamental differences between protocols designed to minimize total CPA exposure time in tissues and protocols designed to minimize accumulated CPA toxicity, and that "one size fits all" stepwise approaches are predicted to be more toxic and take considerably longer than needed.

Female sexual function following a novel transobturator sling procedure without paraurethral dissection (modified-TOT)

PURPOSE

To determine whether there is a difference in sexual function after modified and classical TOT procedures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Of the 80 sexually active women with SUI, 36 underwent na original outside-in TOT as described by Delorme, and 44 underwent modified TOT procedure, between 2011 and 2015. The severity of incontinence and sexual function were evaluated using International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF) and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaires preoperatively and 3 months after surgery.

RESULTS

The postoperative ICIQ-SF score was significantly lower than the preoperative ICIQ-SF score in both groups (p=0.004 for modified TOT and p=0.002 for classical TOT). There was no significant difference in the ICIQ-SF score reduction between the two groups (14.1±2.1 vs. 14.4±1.9; p=0.892). Complication rates according to the Clavien-Dindo classification were also similar in both groups. In both groups, difference between preoperative and postoperative FSFI scores revealed a statistically significant improvement in all domains. Comparison of postoperative 3-month FSFI scores of modified and classical TOT groups showed statistically significant differences in arousal, lubrication and orgasm domains. Desire, satisfaction, pain and total FSFI scores did not differ significantly between two groups.

CONCLUSION

The modified TOT technique is a simple, reliable and minimal invasive procedure. The cure rate of incontinence and complication rates are the same as those of the classical TOT technique. However, due to the positive effects of minimal tissue damage on sexual arousal and orgasmic function, modified TOT has an advantage over the classical TOT.

Characterization of antioxidant system parameters in four freshwater fish species

The potential use of antioxidant system parameters has gained considerable interest due to their pivotal role of detoxification mechanisms in environmental studies and culture fish point of view. Fish with different ecological needs may have different antioxidant capacity and response to environmental contaminants. Thus, the optimal working conditions and specific enzyme activities (Vmax and Km) of antioxidant system parameters (Superoxide dismutase, SOD; Catalase, CAT; Glutathione peroxidase, GPX; Glutathione reductase, GR and Glutathione S-transferase, GST) and glutathione (GSH) were determined in four commonly cultured freshwater fish species (tilapia; Oreochromis niloticus, carp; Cyprinus carpio, trout; Onchorhynchus mykiss and catfish; Clarias garipienus). Data showed that optimal concentrations of different buffers, pH and specific chemicals for each enzyme and GSH were similar in most cases for all fish species, except a few differences. The highest Vmax and Km values were found in carp for GPX and GST, though these values were the highest in tilapia, catfish and trout for CAT, SOD and GR, respectively. As a conclusion, optimization assays of these parameters in different bioindicator organisms based on their physiological and ecological differences may be useful for the aquatic ecosystem biomonitoring studies and also present fundamental data for utilization in aquaculture.

Chemically Defined and Xeno-Free Cryopreservation of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

The stromal compartment of adipose tissue harbors multipotent cells known as adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs). These cells can differentiate into various lineages including osteogenic, chrondrogenic, adipogenic, and neurogenic; this cellular fraction may be easily obtained in large quantities through a clinically safe liposuction procedure. Therefore, ASCs offer exceptional opportunities for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. However, current practices involving ASCs typically use fetal bovine serum (FBS)-based cryopreservation solutions that are associated with risks of immunological reactions and of transmitting infectious diseases and prions. To realize clinical applications of ASCs, serum- and xeno-free defined cryopreservation methods are needed. To this end, an animal product-free chemically defined cryopreservation medium was formulated by adding two antioxidants (reduced glutathione and ascorbic acid 2-phosphate), two polymers (PVA and ficoll), two permeating cryoprotectants (ethylene glycol and dimethylsulfoxide), a disaccharide (trehalose), and a calcium chelator (EGTA) to HEPES-buffered DMEM/F12. To limit the number of experimental groups, the concentration of trehalose, both polymers, and EGTA was fixed while the presence of the permeating CPAs and antioxidants was varied. ASCs suspended either in different versions of the defined medium or in the conventional undefined cryopreservation medium (10% dimethylsulfoxide+10% DMEM/F12+80% serum) were cooled to -70°C at 1°C/min before being plunged into liquid nitrogen. Samples were thawed either in air or in a water bath at 37°C. The presence of antioxidants along with 3.5% concentration of each penetrating cryoprotectant improved the freezing outcome to the level of the undefined cryopreservation medium, but the plating efficiency was still lower than that of unfrozen controls. Subsequently, increasing the concentration of both permeating cryoprotectants to 5% further improved the plating efficiency to the level of unfrozen controls. Moreover, ASCs cryopreserved in this defined medium retained their multipotency and chromosomal normality. These results are of significance for tissue engineering and clinical applications of stem cells.

Do Atmospheric Changes and the Synodic Lunar Cycle Affect the Development of Spontaneous Pneumothorax?

BACKGROUND

Pneumothorax is defined as air in pleural space. The etiology of spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) is still under investigation and, despite many studies, remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the lunar cycle and daily weather changes on SP development.

METHODS

The data of patients admitted to our clinic with SP were analysed retrospectively. The daily atmospheric pressure, relative ratio of humidity and temperature in degrees Celsius of each day were obtained. The mean values for each day, from the first to the 29th day, of the synodic lunar cycle (SLC) were calculated for the five-year study period. The attacks were allocated to the appropriate day of an ideal 29-day SLC, irrespective of the calendar date.

RESULTS

A total of 131 patients who were admitted to our hospital with SP (130 males and 1 female with an average age of 32.4±12.2) were included in this study. The number of patients with SP showed a statistically significant correlation with mean atmospheric pressure (p=0.005), relative humidity (p=0.007) and outdoor temperature (p=0.02) but not with the SLC.

CONCLUSIONS

SP is significantly influenced by weather-related factors. Changes in atmospheric pressure, humidity and outdoor temperature had obvious effects on the development of SP. However, the SLC had no effect on SP.

Effects of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb, Zn) on fish glutathione metabolism

The glutathione metabolism contains crucial antioxidant molecules to defend the organisms against oxidants. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the response of the glutathione metabolism in the liver of freshwater fish Oreochromis niloticus exposed to metals (Cu, Cd, Cr, Pb, Zn) in different periods. Fish were exposed to metals (as 1 μg/mL) individually for 1, 7, and 14 days and subsequently antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, GPX; glutathione reductase, GR and glutathione S-transferase, GST) and glutathione levels (total glutathione, tGSH; reduced glutathione, rGSH; oxidized glutathione, GSSG and GSH/GSSG ratios) in the liver were measured. There was no fish mortality during the experiments, except Cu exposure. The antioxidant enzymes responded differently to metal exposures depending on metal types and exposure durations. GPX activity increased only after Cd exposure, while GST activity increased following 7 days of all metal exposures. However, GR activity did not alter in most cases. Total GSH and GSH/GSSG levels generally decreased, especially after 7 days. Data showed that metal exposures significantly altered the response of antioxidant system parameters, particularly at day 7 and some recovery occurred after 14 days. This study suggests that the response of antioxidant system could help to predict metal toxicity in the aquatic environments and be useful as an "early warning tool" in natural monitoring studies.

Steady, dynamic, creep/recovery, and textural properties of yoghurt/molasses blends: Temperature sweep tests and applicability of Cox–Merz rule

In this study, physicochemical, rheological (steady, dynamic, and creep/recovery), and textural properties of yoghurt/molasses blends (0, 5, 10, and 15% molasses) were investigated. The blends showed shear thinning behavior, as described by Ostwald de Waele model ( R2 ≥ 0.955). Consistency coefficient value ( K) of the blends decreased with increasing molasses concentration in the sample. Storage modulus ( G′) of blends was higher than loss modulus ( G″), exhibiting weak gel-like behavior. Molasses addition decreased G′ and G″ values. Temperature sweep tests indicated that blends followed Arrhenius relationship. A modified Cox–Merz rule was applicable using shift factors. Compliance values ( J(t)) increased as molasses concentration increased, revealing that deformation stability and internal viscosity ( η1) decreased with concentration. Creep behavior was characterized using Burger model. Obtained J data as a function of time could be satisfactorily fitted to Burger model ( R2 ≥ 0.994). The final percentage recovery of blends remarkably decreased with the increase of molasses concentration. Firmness, consistency, cohesiveness, and viscosity index values decreased with molasses addition. According to the results of the current study, molasses amount to be added to the yoghurt should be determined regarding rheological properties since resistance of the sample to deformation decreased with increase in molasses concentration.

Freeze-drying of mammalian sperm

Long-term preservation of mammalian sperm at suprazero temperatures is desired to save storage and space costs as well as to facilitate transport of preserved samples. This can be accomplished by the freeze-drying of sperm samples. Although freeze-drying results in immotile and membrane-compromised sperm, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) can be used to introduce such an immotile sperm into an oocyte and thus start the fertilization process. So far, it has been shown that improved freeze-drying protocols preserve chromosomal integrity and oocyte-activating factor(s) at 4 °C for several years and at ambient temperature for approximately 1 month, which permits shipping freeze-dried samples at ambient temperature. This chapter concisely reviews freeze-drying of mammalian sperm first and then presents a simple freeze-drying protocol.

Effects of fish size on the response of antioxidant systems of Oreochromis niloticus following metal exposures

The size of a fish is an important factor in its physiology, and metal uptake is affected by animal physiology. In this study, small and large tilapias (Oreochromis niloticus) differing approximately twofold in length and fivefold in weight were compared for their antioxidant response. Both groups were exposed to Cu or Cr (1.0 μg/mL) in a freshwater (-80 mg CaCO3/L, conductivity 1.77 mS/cm) using 2 exposure protocols (20 μM for 48 h and 10 μM for 6 days). Following the exposures, the antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT; glutathione peroxidase, GPX; glutathione reductase, GR and glutathione S-transferase, GST) and glutathione (GSH) levels were measured in the liver of fish. Results showed that small fish was affected from exposure conditions much more than large ones as their antioxidant parameters significantly decreased even in controls. Metal exposures of small fish caused significant increases in SOD and CAT activity in acute Cu or Cr exposures. Subchronic Cr exposure of small fish also caused significant increases in CAT, GPx and GST activities, while there was no significant change in Cu-exposed ones. Large fish, however, showed different antioxidant responses as their levels mostly decreased. This study demonstrated that the response of antioxidant system in the liver of tilapia varied in relation to fish sizes and emphasized using different size groups in environmental monitoring and also in evaluation of fish biomarkers.

Response of antioxidant system of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) following exposure to chromium and copper in differing hardness

Tilapias (Oreochromis niloticus) were exposed to copper or chromium in soft water (SW) (~80 mg CaCO3/L, conductivity 1.77 mS/cm) or hard water (HW) (~320 mg CaCO3/L, conductivity 5.80 mS/cm) using 2 exposure protocols (20 μM for 48 h and 10 μM for 144 h). Following the exposures, antioxidant enzyme activities [superoxide dismutase (SOD); catalase (CAT); glutathione peroxidase; glutathione reductase; and glutathione S-transferase (GST)] and glutathione (GSH) levels were measured in the liver of fish. SOD and CAT activities of control fish kept in SW were significantly lower than control fish kept in HW. However, the other antioxidant indices (glutathione metabolism) of both control fish were unaffected from water hardness. Acute metal exposures did not alter the glutathione metabolism, whereas SOD activity in SW and CAT activity in both waters changed significantly. In subchronic duration, Cu exposure caused significant decreases in measured parameters, except for GST activity and GSH level. Similarly, GST activity and GSH level were unaffected from Cr exposure. This study showed that SOD and CAT were the most sensitive antioxidant indices, and that glutathione metabolism, in general, was not altered following metal exposures in different waters.