Dispersion Test Research Articles

Preparation, Purification, and Hydrophilization of Magnetic-Carbon Nanofibers

This study aims to synthesize, purify, and modify magnetic carbon nanofibers (Mag-CNF) into hydrophilic carbon material. The synthesis method was carried out by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using the catalyst from Incolloy at 800°C with argon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and acetylene gases. The purification of Mag-CNF was then conducted by dissolving Mag-CNF with toluene and ethanol, followed by vacuum annealing. The hydrophilization of Mag-CNF was further performed by adding amine groups via reacting Mag-CNF with ethylene diamine, NaNO2, and H2SO4. The successfully prepared Mag-CNF has characteristics of tubular tube bundles consisting of carbon nanofibers with an average diameter of 100-120 nm. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) profile shows the characteristics of carbon, iron, iron oxide, and iron carbide. The Raman spectra show the existence of D, G, and G' bands corresponding to the characteristics of carbon nanomaterials. The magnetic property characterization using a vibration sample magnetometer (VSM) shows the synthesized product as ferrimagnetic materials. The modification results show the addition of hydrophilic groups to Mag-CNF, such as O–H and N–H groups, as analyzed in Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra. The successful hydrophilization was also visually confirmed using a dispersion test in water, showing that Mag-CNF has better dispersion after surface modification.

Studying the Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity of Lipsticks Made with Phycoerythrin Under the Influence of Different Magnetic Fields

Background: Several studies have shown the benefits of magnetic treatment on the productivity of secondary metabolites, growth, and the state of microalgae cultures Objective: This study examined the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of lipsticks made with phycoerythrin (PE) extracted from the cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. under the influence of different magnetic fields (30 mT and 60 mT). Material and Methods: After cyanobacterial culture under magnetic fields of 30 mT and 60 mT, the PE was extracted and lipsticks were formulated. The primary evaluation methods used in this study are melting point, breaking point, linoleic acid peroxidation assay, force of application, stability, surface abnormalities, skin irritation, thixotropy character, dispersibility test, perfume stability, colorimetric assay, antioxidant, and microbial analysis Results: The 30 mT treatment showed the highest concentration, purity, dry weight, antioxidant activity, and percentage of PE extraction compared to control cultures. No significant differences were found in the melting point, stability, thixotropy character, dispersibility, or perfume stability tests. The breaking point and force of application decreased significantly during 30 days. Peroxidation assay tests revealed lipstick increased oxidation and antioxidant activity after 30 days of 30 and 60 mT treatments compared to non-PE cultures. The study found that the amount of ΔE increased significantly in cultures without PE over time, while this increase was lower in magnetic field-treated cultures. However, no signs of crystal formation, surface wrinkles, liquid secretion, itching, or skin irritation were observed in 30 days of 30 and 60 mT magnetic treatments compared to control cultures with PE. Microbial analyzes over 30 days showed a significantly lower number of bacteria under magnetic fields than control cultures. In addition, the results of counting Escherichia coli and coliform bacteria were negative for thirty days. The antioxidant activity of PE was significantly higher in magnetic field-treated cultures. The number of Staphylococcus aureus decreased significantly in all cultures under magnetic field influence. Conclusions: The overall results of this study showed that magnetic fields had a significant effect in many evaluation tests on the culture of cyanobacteria Nostoc sp. As a result, lipsticks made with extracted PE have more antioxidant and antimicrobial activity

Application of Autologous Platelet-rich Plasma Exerts Cryoprotective Effects on Biological Characteristics of Human Oligoasthenoteratospermia Samples after Freezing and Thawing Procedures.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is enriched with active biological components which showed proliferative and cytoprotective properties in healing different injuries in medicinal fields. This study was designed to assess the cryoprotective effects of autologous PRP on the quality of oligoasthenoteratospermia (OAT) samples during freezing and thawing procedure. The present study is an experimental research. Twenty OAT semen samples were obtained from individuals and prepared by discontinuous density - gradients technique DGC). The control group is sperm samples after DGC. After the procedure, the specimen was divided into four groups. The Freeze group which has no additive and the other three groups were cryopreserved with different concentrations of PRP (1×105/ μL, 0.5×105/μL and 0.25×105/μL). Autologous PRP was provided by each participant. After thawing, sperm parameters, DNA fragmentation by sperm chromatin dispersion test (SCD), protamine deficiency by (Chromomycin A3) CMA3 staining, acrosome integrity and malondialdehyde (MDA) level were evaluated. Cryopreservation resulted in a significant decrease in all factors compared to the control group. There were no significant changes in sperm count, morphology, non-progressive motility and acrosome reaction by adding PRP as a cryoprotectant in comparison with the freeze group. PRP at all three concentrations showed a significant increase in progressive motility (3.05 ± 2.01 vs. 14.05 ± 4.13, 12.35 ± 4.90 and 12.15 ± 9.65, P < 0.001) and viability (36.85 ± 10.25 vs. 47.85 ± 5.86, 51.30 ± 5.54 and 50.05 ± 5.67, P < 0.001) compared to the sperm samples without PRP. The percentage of immotile sperms decreased at all PRP concentrations compared to the freeze group. Moreover, PRP at 1×105/μL concentration showed cryoprotective effects on DNA fragmentation, protamine deficiency and MDA level compared to the other three concentrations. Cryopreservation and thawing procedures may exert adverse effects on biological factors of sperm samples. Therefore, adding PRP as cryoprotectant at all three concentrations especially 1×105/μL can be promising strategy to reduce adverse effects of cryopreservation on OAT samples.

Application of MgO based‐nanofluid for controlling the growth of asphaltene flocs under static and micromodel dynamic conditions

AbstractIn this study, the impact of magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles on the control of asphaltene aggregates growth was examined. The investigation began with static testing, followed by dynamic testing, where nanofluid was injected into a constructed glass micromodel simulating a porous medium. The results obtained from light microscopy and asphaltene dispersant tests demonstrated that the MgO nanoparticles with an average diameter of 50 nm postpone the asphaltene onset point (AOP) and delay the growth of asphaltene aggregates in crude oil. Also, the results obtained from these experiments illustrated the performance of synthesized nanoparticles in various concentrations on inhibition of asphaltene deposit in the crude oil medium, in the order of 750 &gt; 1500 &gt; 100 &gt; 1000 &gt; 500 ppm. The results from both microscopy and ADT experiments strongly validate the effectiveness of MgO nanoparticles across varying concentrations, highlighting the optimal dosage of 750 ppm. Images of nanofluid flooding at the optimal concentration in the glass micromodel demonstrate effective nanoparticle inhibition and enhanced oil recovery from the porous medium. These findings corroborate the results obtained from ADT and microscopy tests. The results of FT‐IR analysis show the adsorption of asphaltene particles on the surfaces of MgO nanoparticles in wavelengths of 2900–3000 cm−1. Moreover, dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis results indicated that the average diameter of suspended particles was 3580 nm before adsorption and 6230 nm after adsorption, indicating the controlled adsorption of asphaltene onto the surface of MgO nanoparticles. The findings from this study can be applied to manage asphaltene formation across all stages of oil processing and production.

Comparison of chemical, biological, physical and electrical properties between commercial ultrasound gel and Aloe vera gel

Ultrasound is an imaging diagnostic method that uses mechanical waves and requires acoustic coupling gel for the efficient transmission of ultrasonic waves. This study investigated Aloe vera gel as an alternative to the commercial gel used in ultrasound exams. The chemical, biological, electrical, and physical aspects of both gels were analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), cytotoxicity assays, and conductivity tests. The Aloe vera gel contained carbon, oxygen, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus, while the commercial gel contained only carbon and oxygen. Aloe vera was found to be safe for biological tissues, with performance equivalent to or superior to the commercial gel in ultrasound exams. This can be attributed to its lower electrical resistance and higher quantity of free ions, which reduced impedance between the transducer and the skin, facilitating the propagation of ultrasonic waves. Thus, Aloe vera gel emerges as a promising and viable alternative for ultrasound, offering biocompatibility, technical performance, and safety.

Failure of a tantalum lined tee induced by hydrogen embrittlement

A lined tee leaked a high temperature mixture of HCI gas and steam from the inner tantalum liner into the external carbon pipe. The main causes of failure have been proposed based on several analysis methods, including macroscopic examination, metallographic inspections, chemical composition analysis, hardness test, scanning electron microscopy analysis and energy dispersive spectrometry test. On the basis of experimental analyses, computational fluid dynamics simulations were employed to explore the flow fields of HCI gas and steam in pipelines. It was found that the failure region of the tantalum liner was coincidence with the mixture zone of two media. The root cause of failure was the formation of liquid hydrochloric acid during the start-up of equipment, causing that hydrogen ions in liquid hydrochloric acid penetrated into tantalum, resulting in hydrogen embrittlement cracks. Meanwhile, pitting corrosion was caused in mixing areas. Adjusting the structure of tee pipe from T-type to Y-type was put forward to prevent equipment failure.

Effect of Zn amount on AlZn-based composite material produced by high speed mechanical alloying method

Purpose The purpose of this study is AlZn-based produced by high speed mechanical alloying method to investigate the effect of Zn amount on the composite material, Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-SiC composite material billets are obtained by sintering. Design/methodology/approach Mechanical alloying, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) graphics, sintering, polishing, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analyzer (EDX) images and micro hardness tests were applied, respectively. Findings In the XRD analysis results, it was observed that the Al peak height decreased as the alloying time increased. When the samples sintered for 90 min are examined, it can be clearly seen that the hardness increases as the Zn ratio increases. EDX analysis results also support XRD results. Originality/value Increase in strength will require the use of thinner sheet metal and smaller rivets to achieve the same strength. This will reduce the weight of the aircraft. Weight reduction also means less fuel consumption and more economical flight. This increase in strength is a very important scientific achievement.

Promising antibiofilm formation: Liquid phase pulsed laser ablation synthesis of Graphene Oxide@Platinum core-shell nanoparticles.

The increasing prevalence of multi-drug resistance in pathogenic bacteria has rendered antibiotics ineffective, necessitating the exploration of alternative antibacterial approaches. Consequently, research efforts have shifted towards developing new antibiotics and improving the efficacy of existing ones. In the present study, novel core shell graphene oxide@platinum nanoparticles (GRO@Pt-NPs) and their unchanging form have been synthesized using the two-step pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) technique. The first step involved using the graphene target to create graphene nanoparticles (GRO-NPs), followed by the ablation of GRO-NPs inside platinum nanoparticles (Pt-NPs). To characterize the nanoparticles, various methods were employed, including UV-VIS, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), mapping tests, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The anti-bacterial and anti-biofilm properties of the nanoparticles were investigated. TEM data confirm the creation of GRO@Pt-NPs. The average particle size was 11 nm for GRO-NPs, 14 nm for Pt-NPs, and 26 nm for GRO@Pt-NPs. The results demonstrate that the created GRO@Pt-NPs have strong antibacterial properties. This pattern is mostly produced through the accumulation of GRO@Pt-NPs on the bacterial surface of Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) and Enterococcus faecium (E. faecium). The inhibition zones against K. pneumoniae and E. faecium when GRO-NPs were used alone were found to be 11.80 mm and 11.50 mm, respectively. For Pt-NPs, the inhibition zones of E. faecium and K. pneumoniae were 20.50 mm and 16.50 mm, respectively. The utilization of GRO@Pt-NPs resulted in a significant increase in these values, with inhibitory rates of 25.50 mm for E. faecium and 20.45 mm for K. pneumoniae. The antibacterial results were more potent in the core-shell structure than the GRO-NPs alone or Pt-NPs alone. The current work uses, for the first time, a fast and effective technique to synthesize the GRO@Pt-NPs by PLAL method, and the preparation has high clinical potential for prospective use as an antibacterial agent.

Improving shale hydration inhibition with hydrophobically modified graphene oxide in water-based drilling fluids

Frequent wellbore instability issues caused by shale hydration and dispersion are encountered in water-based drilling fluids. In order to mitigate shale hydration, a hydrophobic graphene oxide (HGO) was prepared as a new shale inhibitor and characterized. The effectiveness of HGO in inhibiting shale hydration was evaluated through hydration expansion, hydration dispersion, and bentonite sheets immersion tests. The expansion height of bentonite in HGO (3.87 mm) was lower than that of commercial shale inhibitors potassium chloride (KCl, 4.64 mm) and polyether amine (PA, 4.33 mm). The shale recovery rate in HGO at 80 °C was 86.25 %, which was superior to KCl (46.60 %) and PA (78.25 %). Furthermore, the morphology of bentonite sheet remained more intact after immersion in HGO. Additionally, the inhibitory mechanism of HGO was studied in-depth, employing zeta potential, particle size, surface tension, wettability, capillary rise height, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests. By virtue of electrostatic attraction, HGO could tightly adsorb to the shale surface, resulting in a hydrophobic blocking membrane, thereby greatly reducing water infiltration. Following interaction with shale at a concentration as low as 0.5 %, the water contact angle exhibited a notable enhancement, rising from 22.49° to 86.69°. And it could also decrease the capillary self-suction capacity of shale, further reducing water adsorption. Consequently, HGO exhibited significant potential for inhibiting hydration in shale drilling.

Sperm chromatin dispersion assay reliability and assisted reproductive technology outcomes: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Elevated sperm DNA fragmentation has potential implications for semen quality and fertility. The commonly used sperm chromatin dispersion test offers an indirect estimation but has limitations in terms of bias and variability. This study aimed to assess the reliability of the sperm chromatin dispersion assay for predicting assisted reproductive technology outcomes. This systematic review included studies published until December 2023 that adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases were searched. Various assisted reproductive technology outcomes in patients with high (≥30%) versus low (<30%) sperm DNA fragmentation were compared using a sperm chromatin dispersion assay and including a sub-analysis of intracytoplasmic sperm injection versus in vitro fertilization. A comprehensive meta-analysis software facilitated quantitative analysis with statistical comparisons between cases and controls. Interstudy heterogeneity was assessed, and sensitivity and publication bias tests were performed. Of the 199 abstracts assessed, 64 full-text articles were screened, and 44 articles were qualitatively synthesized. Fourteen articles representing 5346 participants were quantitatively analyzed. Using the sperm chromatin dispersion assay, elevated sperm DNA fragmentation was associated with lower fertilization and embryo cleavage rates. Notably, high sperm DNA fragmentation levels did not affect the clinical pregnancy, implantation, miscarriage, or live birth outcomes. Sub-analysis revealed lower fertilization, embryo cleavage, clinical pregnancy, live birth rates, and higher miscarriage rates in the intracytoplasmic sperm injection subgroup only. The sperm chromatin dispersion assay did not show significant differences in pregnancy or live birth rates between the high- and low-sperm DNA fragmentation groups. Noteworthy, high sperm DNA fragmentation was associated with worse assisted reproductive technology outcomes in the intracytoplasmic sperm injection group. Given the current quality of the evidence, affected by the experimental design and the absence of correction for female factors of infertility, clinicians should be wary of the assay's limited predictive power for pregnancy and live birth outcomes.

Supersonic coaxial aerodynamic atomization dust removal technology

The high concentration of respirable dust pollution created during coal mining has long been known to be harmful to employee health. A water absorbing atomization device has certain advantages when spray trapping particle sizes of PM2.5–10. To further improve the PM0–2.5 trapping efficiency, supersonic coaxial pneumatic atomization dust removal technology has been developed. The effects of fog droplet characteristics on the instantaneous diffusion of dust were studied by numerical simulation and macro- and microexperiments for the first time, and the coupling characteristics of fog droplets and dust fields were obtained. The results show that with increasing aerodynamic pressure, the supersonic range extends along the axis toward the nozzle outlet, and the average velocity in the tube increases. Under different pressures, the droplet particle size in the supersonic coaxial atomizing nozzle is <6 μm and decreases with increasing aerodynamic pressure. When a droplet effuses from the nozzle, the transonic distribution of the flow field causes the droplet velocity to increase first and then decrease under the drag force. The droplet field characteristic distribution of supersonic coaxial atomization is determined by droplet evaporation, condensation, and migration. Under the same pressure, with increasing spray distance, the distribution of the droplet particle size increases in a stepwise manner, and the droplet velocity decreases according to an exponential function so that the droplet field produces a high-speed fine fog area. The range of droplets with higher velocities and smaller particle sizes is mainly influenced by migration and increases with increasing pressure. The coupling effect droplet field and dust field can be characterized by the instantaneous dispersion of dust and are determined by the distribution characteristics of the fog droplet field. The large range of high-speed fine fog produced by supersonic coaxial atomization technology easily traps respirable dust, and the classification efficiency of PM0–2.5 reaches 90%. In this study, a new dynamic microfog dust trapping technique was proposed, and a new method of instantaneous sampling combined with a microscopic dispersion test was adopted to characterize the temporal and spatial distributions of dust fields affected by fog droplet fields, reveal the generation of dynamic microfog and the mechanism of dust trapping, enrich the theory of fine dust trapping, and provide technical support for the safe production and utilization of coal.

P-271 Deep sequencing of spermatozoal accessible chromatin reveals complex arrangements underlying spermatozoal chromatin packaging and fertilization

Abstract Study question Could structural aspects of sperm DNA packaging contribute to fertilization and early embryo development? Summary answer Structural aspects of sperm DNA include complex patterns of repetitive-DNA and developmental gene packaging that could delineate a paternal impact on fertilization and early development. What is known already Genetics, epigenetics and transcriptomics of ejaculate human spermatozoa could have important effects on the establishment of embryonic chromatin architecture that may impact early fetal development. Spermatozoa are transcriptionally silent; however, a small fraction (∼5%-15%) of their chromatin escapes repackaging by protamines and remains in a more open nucleosomal conformation that may be poised for transcription. The sensitivity of this fraction to progressive salt/detergent disruption is likely assayed in sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) or halo tests that are commonly used in assessments of sperm DNA fragmentation. Study design, size, duration Eleven healthy male donors and 9 women undergoing IVF treatment agreed to participate in this study. Eleven normozoospermic semen samples were donated by male donors, aged 25-39 years, who abstained from sexual activity for 3 days. Seven MII oocytes and 5 pronuclear zygotes were donated from 5 and 4 women, respectively, undergoing IVF treatment. The samples were collected within a time frame of 6 months. Female donors provided either MII oocytes or pronuclear zygotes. Participants/materials, setting, methods Sperm chromatin was processed by differential salt extraction tailored with endonuclease or micrococcal nuclease treatment and RNA isolated using established protocols. Oocytes and pronuclear zygotes were analyzed at the single cell level. DNA library construction employed the NEBNext Ultra approach (NEB) and RNA libraries the Ovation Single Cell (NuGEN) for Illumina. Bioinformatics analysis included FastQC, HISAT2, StringTie, GREAT, edgeR and other source-software. Public datasets were employed to further increase the statistical power. Main results and the role of chance The aim of our approach was to dissect the accessible sperm chromatin fraction, identifying regions of great importance that could contribute towards the formation of the zygote and/or early embryonic development. Differing extraction methods revealed complementary accessible and resistant fractions in sperm, with accessible regions being significantly enriched for chromatin important in very early embryonic development. These chromatin fractions contained various genomic features including promoter sequences, CpG-islands and CTCF-binding sites that could attract transcription binding factors in the paternally-derived chromatin. Accessible sperm chromatin also contains high levels of specific DNA repeat classes of retroviral origin, known to impact early gene expression and gene expression programs. Accessible sperm chromatin was strongly associated with developmental and regulatory signatures with Bonferroni P values ranging between 2.07x10-4 and 1.03x10-20, potentially revealing a role for paternal chromatin in the initial start-up of early zygotic development. We further investigated paternally- and maternally- derived transcripts and identified mono-allelically transcribed genes present in the zygotes, that were entirely absent from all seven oocyte transcriptomes, suggesting a paternal origin, and potentially important roles following oocyte fertilization. Limitations, reasons for caution Due to the restraints of obtaining human material, the study relied on a relatively small sample size. However, sequencing results showed quite homogeneous clustering in both DNA/RNA samples, with at least 5 biological replicates from at least 4 donors per group, potentially reducing the impact of low sample size. Wider implications of the findings A better understanding of differentially accessible sperm chromatin and residual RNA, could help support the discovery of biomarkers that can be used to select more competent spermatozoa for IVF cycles, resulting in higher success rates in couples undergoing ART. Trial registration number not applicable

P-089 Sperm motility and sperm DNA fragmentation evaluation after irradiation with a 633nm He-Ne laser in donor samples. An in vitro pilot study

Abstract Study question Does a 633nm laser irradiation on sperm samples improve sperm motility safely? Summary answer 633 nm wavelength He-Ne laser irradiation for 5 and 10 minutes increases slow progressive and non-progressive sperm motility without modification of the DNA fragmentation. What is known already Sperm motility has been hypothesized to increase after light radiation excitation of cytochrome c- oxidase, which boost adenosin triphosphate (ATP) synthesis, in a range of wavelength between 600-1000 nm. One of the main problems of this stimulation is the generation of Reactive Oxigen Species (ROS) that may affect sperm DNA integrity. Previous studies have approached to this field showing different results. Study design, size, duration In vitro pilot study of 15 sperm samples donated for research between June 2022 and October 2023 which were irradiated with a 633nm wavelength He-Ne laser. Each sample was split in 4 aliquots of 10 microliters. To study sperm motility analysis, two videos of each were recorded, before and after irradiation, anonymized and evaluated later by a single embryologist. Sperm motility was annotated according to WHO 2021 criteria. Participants/materials, setting, methods After laser calibration and alignment, sperm samples were irradiated at 37 ºC in a Makler chamber with a continuous emission laser with a gaussian-like beam thirty cm. away for 5,10,15 and 20 minutes. Two videos were obtained for each aliquot, before and after irradiation. Radiant exposure was calculated using the equation y = 1030 x-1,626. Sperm Chromatine Dispersion (SCD) test was employed in 50 µl aliquots to study DNA fragmentation. Shapiro-Wilk and paired t-student tests were employed. Main results and the role of chance We observed a significant increase in slowly progressive motility; -0.075 [-0.12 – 0.024] (p = 0.007); and non-progressive motility; -0.023 [-0.041 – -0.006] (p = 0.011); after irradiating samples between 5 and 10 minutes with a total radiant exposure, 0.4830 and 0.9661 (mW/mm2 * min). Also, for total progressive motility; -0.075 [-0.13 – -0.01] (p = 0.024), and total motility; -0.069 [-0.126 – -0.012) (p = 0.021). No differences were found in sperm DNA fragmentation index after irradiating for 10 minutes; -1.347 [-4.073 - 1.380] (p = 0.32) nor for 20 minutes of irradiation -1.587 [-4.400 - 1.227] (p = 0.25). According to our results, irradiation of sperm samples between 5 and 10 minutes with a 633nm wavelength laser, increases type b and type c motility spermatozoa without affecting sperm DNA fragmentation. Longer irradiations, 15 and 20 minutes, do not show an improvement in sperm motility, neither in sperm DNA fragmentation in our set of data. Limitations, reasons for caution This in vitro pilot study has not been proved in samples to clinical use and our findings need a confirmation with clinical samples in animals to ensure the safety in the conceptions and offspring. We included samples with normal sperm values. Results should be confirmed in samples with motility defects. Wider implications of the findings Our findings are the first step in a new way to modify the sperm motility in vitro throughout laser exposition, which may benefit patients with severe asthenozoospermia without the use of chemical motility inductors. We hope to confirm the safe clinical use in animals before translation to humans. Trial registration number 1909-VGO-082-JA

P-012 Euploid and good-quality blastocysts using testicular sperm from men with high sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF), oligozoospermia, and previous failed ICSI with ejaculated sperm

Abstract Study question Are euploid rate and blastocyst quality improved when testicular sperm is used in patients with elevated SDF and poor semen parameters or/and previous ICSI failure? Summary answer The use of testicular spermatozoa in non-azoospermic males does preserve blastocyst ploidy while favoring the proportion of good-quality embryos available for the couple. What is known already Sperm extracted from the testicle has been proposed as a strategy to improve reproductive outcomes in couples with elevated DNA fragmentation in the ejaculate and with severe male infertility or previous ICSI failure. Different studies and meta-analyses show to increase pregnancy and live birth rates, and one of the reasons could be the lower genetic damage of spermatozoa retrieved from the testicle. However, there is little information on the effect on the quality of the embryos generated and their ploidy since the use of testicular sperm tends to have a higher rate of aneuploidy. Study design, size, duration This is a prospective, blinded, randomized, and controlled trial conducted in a private university-affiliated IVF center between October 2020 and June 2023. In each patient (n = 6), oocytes were randomly microinjected by sperm from the testis (T-ICSI) or ejaculate (E-ICSI) assigned in a 1:1 ratio. All males had an SDF&amp;gt;30% (measured by Sperm Chromatin dispersion (SCD) test), severe oligozoospermia, and/or a previous ICSI failure. Participants/materials, setting, methods Males underwent testicular sperm extraction (TESE) to obtain spermatozoa, which were frozen along with an ejaculated semen sample obtained previously on the same day. Women were &amp;lt;38 years old with good ovarian reserve (antral follicle count&amp;gt;10). SDF level was compared between both sources. The primary outcome was the euploid rate (among a total number of biopsied embryos). Secondary outcomes were fertilization rate, blastocyst rate, good-quality blastocyst rate, and ongoing pregnancy rate per embryo transfer (ET). Main results and the role of chance Mean ejaculated SDF was 44.83±16.6 (IC95% 27.5 -62.2), while mean women age was 31.8±2.9 (28.76-34.9). An average of 14.5±5.8 metaphase II oocytes were microinjected per patient. A total of 87 oocytes were randomized to the T-ICSI group (n = 45) or E-ICSI group (n = 42). There was a 14% difference between the SDF of testicular (44.7% (31.3-58.0) and ejaculated sperm (58.5% (37.6-79.4) (p = 0.2). The fertilization rate was slightly lower in the T-ICSI group (53.3% (38.1-68.1) compared to the E-ICSI group (61.9 (61.8-76.0) (p = 0.6). A total of 21 embryos reached the blastocyst stage, being the blastocyst arrival rate per correctly fertilized oocyte 41.7% (10/24) (22.8-63.1) for T-ICSI and 42.3% (11/26) (24.0-62.8) for E-ICSI (p = 1.0). Of them, a higher proportion of good-quality blastocysts was found in the T-ICSI (29.2% (13.4-51.6)) group than in the E-ICSI (19.2% (7.3-40.0)) group, although the difference was not statistically significant. In addition, the euploidy rate was comparable between the T-ICSI (60% (27.4-86.3)) and E-ICSI (63.6% (31.6-87.6)) groups (p = 1.0). Seven embryos were transferred in 6 ET, three in each study group. Only one of the ET in the E-ICSI group resulted in pregnancy (33.3% (1.8-87.5), while the three transfers in the T-ICSI group resulted in an ongoing pregnancy (100% (31.0-100)) (p = 1.0). Limitations, reasons for caution Despite being a randomized controlled trial, the number of subjects recruited is small; it is necessary to increase the number of cases to obtain results with greater statistical power. TESE is a technique that is not risk-free, so its performance should be evaluated in terms of its cost-benefit for patients. Wider implications of the findings The use of less genome-damaged testicular spermatozoa in non-azoospermic males seems to be a reliable strategy for couples with high ejaculated SDF and severe oligospermia and/or previous ICSI failures. However, although we have found an improvement, remains to be statistically confirmed with more cases. Trial registration number NCT04795440

Unveiling the Preparation and Characterization of Lercanidipine Hydrochloride in an Oral Solid Self-Nanoemulsion for Enhancing Oral Delivery.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide, particularly among the elderly, along with an increase in the incidence of hypertension and cardiovascular disorders. Developing lipid-based oral dosage forms with a higher expected bioavailability of antihypertensive drugs with nephroprotective effects poses a challenge. Lercanidipine hydrochloride (LRCH) is a newer type of third-generation dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker that functions as an antihypertensive and has significant nephroprotective effects. Due to its extensive first-pass metabolism, its bioavailability is about 10% and increases to 3-4 times when taken with a high-fat meal. Targeting this drug to the lymphatic system using the solid self-nano-emulsifying drug delivery system (SSNEDDS) is a promising approach for improving LRCH's bioavailability and dispersion rate. SSNEDDS combines the benefits of both liquid self-emulsifying and solid dosage forms, improving drug stability and extending storage time. In this study, liquid SNEDDS composed of 10% peppermint oil, 67% Tween 20, and 22.5% propylene glycolwas solidified using two adsorbent agent mixtures (SSNEDDS1: Avicel PH 101 and Aerosil 200) and (SSNEDDS2: Avicel PH 102 and Aerosil 200) separately. The prepared formulations were evaluated for powder flow, drug content, and an in-vitro dispersion test in comparison to the brand-marketed tablet as a standard or pure drug. DSC and X-ray diffraction analysis were also used. The SSNEDDS2 shows excellent flowability, a higher drug content (99.761%), and a significantly higher and faster dispersion rate of 100% within 10 minutes compared to 92% of the marketed LRCH tablet and 18.1% of the pure drug for 60 minutes. The solid-state characterization of the formulation composed of SSNEDDS2 confirmed that the LRCH was in an amorphous form inside the solidified nano system without interacting with the excipient. This study successfully prepared LRCH using the promising strategy of SSNEDDS as a hard gelatin capsule with a higher dispersion rate. It improved its stability and expected bioavailability compared to the brand-marketed tablet as the standard.

Revalidation of DNA Fragmentation Analyses for Human Sperm-Measurement Principles, Comparative Standards, Calibration Curve, Required Sensitivity, and Eligibility Criteria for Test Sperm.

(1) Background: Double-strand breaks (DSBs) in a single nucleus are usually measured using the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA), sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test, and comet assay (CA). Mono-dimensional single-cell pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (1D-SCPFGE) and angle-modulated two- dimensional single-cell pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (2D-SCPFGE) were developed to observe DNA fragmentation in separated motile sperm. (2) Methods: Comparative standards, calibration curves, required sensitivity levels, and eligibility criteria for test sperm were set up to validate the measurement principles of these tests. (3) Results: The conventional methods overlooked the interference of nucleoproteins in their measurements. In-gel proteolysis improves the measurement accuracies of 1D- and 2D-SCPFGE. Naked DNA is suitable for comparative standards and test specimens. Moreover, several dysfunctions that might induce DNA damage are observed in the separated motile sperm. Overall, the discussion highlights the need to revisit the conventional univariable analyses based on the SCSA, SCD test, and CA. (4) Conclusions: Human infertility is a complex syndrome, and the aim of quality control in intracytoplasmic sperm injection is to identify the underlying dysfunctions remaining in the separated motile sperm that render them ineligible for injection. Multivariable analyses with special consideration to confounding factors are necessary in future cohort studies.

Pentoxifylline treatment as a safe method for selecting viable testicular spermatozoa before cryopreservation of a small numbers of spermatozoa in azoospermia individuals.

Single sperm cryopreservation (SSC) is a specific technique especially used in individuals with small numbers of sperm who suffered from non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Testicular specimens possess poor motility and low population of viable spermatozoa. Therefore, sperm selection methods such as applying pentoxifylline (PTX) may improve motility in these cases. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of PTX on testicular spermatozoa before and after performing SSC. Thirty testicular samples were obtained from men with azoospermia. This study was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 evaluated the effect of PTX for sperm selection before SSC. Twenty testicular samples were divided to two experimental groups: SSC without (I) and with PTX treatment (II). For PTX treatment spermatozoa were incubated with PTX at 37°C for 30 min and only motile spermatozoa were selected for SSC. In phase 2, ten testicular samples were cryopreserved with SSC and warming procedure was carried out in droplet with and without PTX. Motility and viability rates, morphology by motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME), DNA fragmentation by sperm chromatin dispersion test (SCD) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were evaluated. In phase 1, post warm motility rate was higher in PTX exposed group compared to the unexposed group (25.6 ± 8.13 vs. 0.85 ± 2.1) (p > 0.00). Recovery rate, viability and morphology were not significantly different between groups. DNA integrity and MMP were also similar between both groups. In phase 2 although motility increased in PTX group compared to without PTX group (29.30 ± 12.73 vs. 1.90 ± 2.64) (p > 0.00), the viability rate was not different (70.40 ± 12.12 vs. 65.30 ± 11.87). All above mentioned parameters were similar between the two SSC groups. Supplementation of testicular spermatozoa with PTX before cryopreservation increases motility and did not have adverse effects on viability, morphology, DNA integrity and MMP. PTX could be used as sperm selection method before single sperm cryopreservation, but PTX could not maintain motile the most of viable testicular sperms.

Антиоксидантная терапия в коррекции ДНК-фрагментации сперматозоидов.

Introduction. The progressive deterioration of reproductive function, observed throughout the world in recent decades, is an extremely alarming trend, while the incidence of male infertility is increasing. The universal pathogenetic mechanism of spermatogenesis disorders, which underlies almost all forms of male infertility, is oxidative stress of sperm. It has various manifestations, the essence of which, as a rule, boils down to the formation of mitochondrial dysfunction and fragmentation of sperm DNA. It has been found that consuming antioxidants and microelements helps increase the chances of conception for subfertile couples, and also reduces the risk of reproductive losses. Of greatest and justifiable interest are medicinal complexes designed to reduce the level of oxidative stress and sperm DNA fragmentation. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of antioxidant therapy on the degree of sperm DNA fragmentation in men suffering from infertility. Materials and methods. The study involved 42 men aged 25 to 37 years with an established diagnosis of male infertility who were treated at the Center for Family Health and Reproduction. The patients were divided into 2 groups, comparable according to the main criteria assessed. Patients in the control group (12 people, 29%) received standard antioxidant therapy. Patients of the main group (30 people, 71%) received the BESTFertil-DHA® complex. The course of treatment for patients in both groups was 3 months. Control examinations were carried out at 1.5 and 3 months from the start of therapy. Spermogram data and assessment of the degree of DNA fragmentation in sperm using the SCD (Sperm chromatin dispersion test) method were used as the main criterion for assessing the effectiveness of therapy. Results. After three months of taking BESTFertil-DHA®, in 16 patients (53%), the degree of sperm DNA fragmentation decreased to less than 15%. Against this background, 5 couples became pregnant naturally, and 4 couples became pregnant as a result of the in vitro fertilization procedure. The average level of sperm DNA fragmentation was less than 13% (p &lt; 0.05). A decrease in the level of DNA fragmentation was noted in 53% of patients after 1.5 months of taking BESTFertil-DHA®, which is especially important when preparing patients for assisted reproductive technology programs. In patients taking BESTFertil-DHA®, the total progressive motility of spermatozoa «A+B» increased by 28%, and the concentration of spermatozoa in 1 ml of ejaculate – by 61%. In the control group, the degree of sperm DNA fragmentation did not undergo statistically significant changes during treatment. Conclusion. BESTFertil-DHA® statistically significantly helps to reduce the degree of DNA fragmentation in sperm, increase the number of actively motile forms of sperm and reduce the degree of teratozoospermia.

Evaluation of a novel paraffin wax microemulsion for improving wellbore stability in shale formations

High-performance shale stabilizers are urgently required to address the concerns of wellbore instability when drilling troublesome shale wells. Herein, a novel paraffin wax microemulsion (PM) containing cationic surfactant was prepared and evaluated for shale formations. The shale stability performance of PM was studied using shale pressure penetration test, shale swelling and dispersion test. The shale stabilization mechanism of PM was investigated by surface tension, contact angle, surface free energy, capillary tube rise and SEM tests. The experimental findings showed that the pressure penetration time in shale after treatment with PM was extended from 13 to 107 min. And PM could decrease the shale swelling rate by 41.5%, and increase the recovery rate to 89.4%. PM exhibited better sealing and inhibition properties than that of commonly used shale stabilizers. The mechanism research revealed that the nano-droplets in PM could freely penetrate into shale pores and cracks of different sizes to form an effective sealing membrane. The water contact angle reached 91.4° after treatment with PM and the surface energy was significantly reduced, effectively inhibiting surface hydration. Through decreasing the surface tension and changing the wettability, the capillary force experienced a noticeable decrease with further enhanced inhibition of shale hydration. Therefore, the application of PM for shale stabilization exhibited promising potential, suggesting its possible effective utilization in shale drilling.

Modified space suspension bentonite-based powder for suppression dust explosion in moist conditions: Experimental testing and validations

Bentonite, a non-metallic mineral mainly composed of montmorillonite, has been found to be effective in preventing explosion propagations. However, it is prone to absorbing water, leading to the issue of solidifying into lumps (caking problems) and reducing its ability to entrain in the pressure front of an explosion for stopping propagation. In this paper, three different dispersion modification technologies for bentonite are proposed. The corresponding modified bentonite samples are prepared and treated in various moist environments to assess their moisture absorption properties. Subsequently, space suspension testing is performed using a designed dispersion test device. Additionally, pipeline explosion suppression tests are conducted for different samples. The flame length, flame development time and flame peak velocity of various modified bentonite-based powders are measured. Through comparisons, the optimal modified explosion suppression bentonite used in mines is selected. It is determined that the use of calcium-based bentonite with a cation exchange capacity 0.75 times modified by bisdodecyldimethylammonium chloride for insertion exhibits better dispersion effects. Such modified bentonite-based powder can also demonstrate effective explosion suppressions and holds potential for widespread application in practices of explosion controls in the future.