Percentage Of Fragments Research Articles

Diversity of Ants Inhabiting a Mosaic of Environmental Conditions in a Semi-Desert of Central Mexico

Biotic and abiotic factors affect the species richness and abundance of ants inhabiting arid and semiarid zones. We evaluated how soil surface temperature, texture, percentage of surface coarse fragments, and vegetation affected the composition, diversity, and distribution of ants inhabiting a mosaic of environmental conditions in a semiarid zone in central Mexico. We captured 22 ant species at five sites studied, with the top of Cutac hill (1,750 m altitude) and Terrace 2 (1,376 m altitude) the richest sites with 10 species each. Based on redundancy analyses, the percentage of clay followed by the percentage of coarse fragments at the surface of the soil were the variables most related to the composition of ants in these communities. Percentage of clay ranged from 16 to 26 and was positively related to abundance of Pheidole sp. 1 and negatively related to abundance of Dorymyrmex bureni Trager (R2 = 0.76, P = 0.04; R2 = 0.86, P = 0.02, respectively), whereas percentage of soil surface coarse fragments ranged from 0.8 to 59 and were negatively correlated to Pheidole sp. 1 (R2 = 0.76, P = 0.05), but positively correlated to abundance of Brachymyrmex sp. (R2 = 0.86, P = 0.06). When ants were analyzed by functional group, vegetative structure (ranging from 109 to 246 hits with vegetation) and percentage of coarse fragments in the soil were most correlated with their distribution. Although results of the redundancy analyses were not statistically significant, preliminary analysis of variables might explain the composition and distribution of an ant community. We suggested that soil characteristics might be important for explaining ant distribution and community composition.

Presence of bile acids in human follicular fluid and their relation with embryo development in modified natural cycle IVF.

Are bile acids (BA) and their respective subspecies present in human follicular fluid (FF) and do they relate to embryo quality in modified natural cycle IVF (MNC-IVF)? BA concentrations are 2-fold higher in follicular fluid than in serum and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) derivatives were associated with development of top quality embryos on Day 3 after fertilization. Granulosa cells are capable of synthesizing BA, but a potential correlation with oocyte and embryo quality as well as information on the presence and role of BA subspecies in follicular fluid have yet to be investigated. Between January 2001 and June 2004, follicular fluid and serum samples were collected from 303 patients treated in a single academic centre that was involved in a multicentre cohort study on the effectiveness of MNC-IVF. Material from patients who underwent a first cycle of MNC-IVF was used. Serum was not stored from all patients, and the available material comprised 156 follicular fluid and 116 matching serum samples. Total BA and BA subspecies were measured in follicular fluid and in matching serum by enzymatic fluorimetric assay and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, respectively. The association of BA in follicular fluid with oocyte and embryo quality parameters, such as fertilization rate and cell number, presence of multinucleated blastomeres and percentage of fragmentation on Day 3, was analysed. Embryos with eight cells on Day 3 after oocyte retrieval were more likely to originate from follicles with a higher level of UDCA derivatives than those with fewer than eight cells (P < 0.05). Furthermore, follicular fluid levels of chenodeoxycholic derivatives were higher and deoxycholic derivatives were lower in the group of embryos with fragmentation compared with those without (each P < 0.05). Levels of total BA were 2-fold higher in follicular fluid compared with serum (P < 0.001), but had no predictive value for oocyte and embryo quality. Only samples originating from first cycle MNC-IVF were used, which resulted in 14 samples only from women with an ongoing pregnancy, therefore further prospective studies are required to confirm the association of UDCA with IVF pregnancy outcomes. The inter-cycle variability of BA levels in follicular fluid within individuals has yet to be investigated. We checked for macroscopic signs of contamination of follicular fluid by blood but the possibility that small traces of blood were present within the follicular fluid remains. Finally, although BA are considered stable when stored at -20°C, there was a time lag of 10 years between the collection and analysis of follicular fluid and serum samples. The favourable relation between UDCA derivatives in follicular fluid and good embryo development and quality deserves further prospective research, with live birth rates as the end-point. This work was supported by a grant from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (VIDI Grant 917-56-358 to U.J.F.T.). No competing interests are reported.

Urinary DNA lesions as a biomarker for assessing male reproductive health

The study aimed to examine whether urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) could serve as a biomarker for assessing sperm DNA integrity. Urine and semen samples were collected from 124 coke-oven workers, who had chronically been exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), from a steel plant in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The coke-oven workers were divided into two subgroups: topside-oven workers and side-oven workers. Sperm DNA integrity was assessed in terms of DNA fragmentation and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodGuo). Urine samples were used to detect 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) and urinary 8-OHdG, which served to assess exposure to PAHs and the whole body oxidative stress, respectively. Urinary 1-OHP concentrations were significantly higher in the topside-oven workers than the side-oven workers ( p = 0.02). Sperm 8-oxodGuo concentrations were correlated with percentages of sperm fragmentation ( p = 0.044), but urinary 8-OHdG levels failed to correlate with sperm 8-oxodGuo levels and with percentages of fragmentation. In conclusion, exposure to PAHs was linked to increased oxidative stress on sperm. However, urinary 8-OHdG may not be a suitable biomarker for examining sperm DNA damage associated with oxidative stress.

Probability of extraprostatic disease according to the percentage of positive biopsy cores in clinically localized prostate cancer.

ABSTRACTObjectivePrediction of extraprostatic disease in clinically localized prostate cancer is relevant for treatment planning of the disease. The purpose of this study was to explore the usefulness of the percentage of positive biopsy cores to predict the chance of extraprostatic cancer.Materials and MethodsWe evaluated 1787 patients with localized prostate cancer submitted to radical prostatectomy. The percentage of positive cores in prostate biopsy was correlated with the pathologic outcome of the surgical specimen. In the final analysis, a correlation was made between categorical ranges of positive cores (10% intervals) and the risk of extraprostatic extension and/or bladder neck invasion, seminal vesicles involvement or metastasis to iliac lymph nodes. Student's t test was used for statistical analysis.ResultsFor each 10% of positive cores we observed a progressive higher prevalence of extraprostatic disease. The risk of cancer beyond the prostate capsule for <10% positive biopsy cores was 7.4% and it increased to 76.2% at the category 90-100% positive cores. In patients with Gleason grade 4 or 5, the risk of extraprostatic cancer prostate was higher than in those without any component 4 or 5.ConclusionThe percentage of positive cores in prostate biopsy can predict the risk of cancer outside the prostate. Our study shows that the percentage of positive prostate biopsy fragments helps predict the chance of extraprostatic cancer and may have a relevant role in the patient's management.

Vitamin E attenuates neurotoxicity induced by deltamethrin in rats.

BackgroundThe safety of Deltamethrin (DM) has been raised as a point of concern. The current investigation was envisaged to explore the responsiveness of oxidative stress parameters, DNA fragmentation and expression levels of TP53, cycloxygenase 2 (COX2) and cytochrome p4502E1 (CYP2E1) as toxicological endpoint in rats treated with DM. as well as attention was provided to the neuroprotective effect of vitamin E (VE).MethodsFour different groups of rats were used in this study, group I served as control, group II received DM (0.6 mg/kg BW), group III received both DM plus VE and finally group IV received VE only (200 mg/kg BW). The treatment regimen was extending for one month for all groups and the brain tissues were collected for further analysis.ResultsThe obtained results showed a highly statistically significant increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO) content, nitric oxide concentration, and DNA fragmentation percentage and expression level of CYP2E1, TP53 and COX2 genes, in addition statistical significant reduction in total antioxidant capacity in DM treated group as compared to control were detected. Oral administration of VE attenuated the neurotoxic effects of DM through improvement of oxidative status, DNA fragmentation percentage and suppressing the expression level of CYP2E1, TP53 and COX2 genes.ConclusionFrom this study we concluded that VE supplementation has beneficial impacts on DM neurotoxicity in rats through its antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties.

Fragmentation of human cleavage-stage embryos is related to the progression through meiotic and mitotic cell cycles

To study whether fragmentation of human embryos is related to the progression through meiotic and mitotic cell cycles. This report consists of two observational studies. Not applicable. A total of 1,943 oocytes from 297 patients and 372 embryos from 100 patients were imaged in the Polscope instrument and monitored in the Embryoscope, respectively. Completion of the first meiotic division was determined by visualization of the meiotic metaphase II spindle in human oocytes, and the duration of the first three mitotic cell cycles was determined with time-lapse microscopy. The percentage of embryo fragmentation was recorded 42-45 hours after insemination. Appearance of the meiotic spindle; durations of the first, second, and third mitoses. Human embryos with a low degree of fragmentation (<10%) at 42-45 hours after insemination originated from oocytes with an early appearance of the meiotic spindle (mean 35.5 hours after hCG injection), early first mitosis (28.2 hours after insemination), late start of the second mitosis (38.0 hours after insemination), and a shorter duration of the third mitosis (1.1 hours). Highly fragmented embryos (>50% fragmentation) originated from oocytes with a late-appearing meiotic spindle (36.5 hours after hCG injection), delayed initiation of the first mitosis (29.8 hours after insemination), early start of the second mitosis (36.4 hours after insemination), and a longer duration of the third mitotic cell cycle (4.1 hours). The observed associations suggest that the process of fragmentation of in vitro-derived embryos was related to the progress of the meiotic and the mitotic cell cycles.

Phenolic extract of Parkia biglobosa fruit pulp stalls aflatoxin B1 – mediated oxidative rout in the liver of male rats

The effect of phenolic extract of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) R. Br. ex G. Don, Fabaceae, pulp on aflatoxin B1 induced oxidative imbalance in rat liver was evaluated. Thirty-five male rats were randomized into seven groups of five animals each. Rats in group A served as control and received vehicle for drug administration (0.5% DMSO) once daily at 24h intervals for six weeks. Rats in groups B, D, E, F and G, received aflatoxin B1 (167μg/kg body weight) in 0.5% DMSO for three weeks, starting from the third week of the experimental period. Rats in Group C received 400mg/kg bodyweight of the extract for six weeks, while groups D, E and F rats were treated with 100, 200 and 400mg/kg bodyweight of the extract for six weeks respectively. Group G rats received 100mg/kg body weight of vitamin C. Aflatoxin B1-mediated decrease in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were significantly attenuated. Aflatoxin B1 mediated the elevation in malondialdehyde, conjugated dienes, lipid hydroperoxides, protein carbonyl, and significantly lowered DNA fragmentation percentage. Overall, the phenolic extract of P. biglobosa pulp stalls aflatoxin B1-mediated oxidative rout by enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities leading to decreased lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and DNA fragmentation.

Soot nanostructure evolution in premixed flames by High Resolution Electron Transmission Microscopy (HRTEM)

HRTEM fringe analysis by means of our “Analyse Plan” (AP) tool and a new HRTEM image analysis procedure, based on mathematical morphological analysis (MA), was applied to soot sampled along the axis of sooting premixed benzene and ethylene flames. The layer length obtained by means of MA approach was found to be higher in respect to the layer length derived from AP method, as it better accounts for their local curvature and distortion. The mean layer length obtained by the MA method was then proved to agree well with the data evaluated by Raman spectroscopy. Moreover, the MA method was useful for extracting other soot nanostructural parameters related to the geometry of individual fringes as layer length, tortuosity, and local curvature radii, in turn correlated with the defective nature of soot structure.Some parameters provided by the MA method appeared to be more sensitive and informative about structural changes occurring as soot is formed. In particular, the percentage of fringes with high tortuosity and the percentage of nearly-straight fragments were found to decrease and increase, respectively, throughout the soot formation region. These trends suggested a better stacking of longer and more planar layers testifying the structural order improvement with soot aging. It was also observed that the soot nanostructural ordering occurred faster for benzene with respect to ethylene soot in agreement with H/C and absorption coefficients trends.The distributions of carbon in differently-sized aromatic structures were evaluated on the basis of the fringe length distribution to follow the aromatic growth. The method assigned aromatic sizes to the extracted HRTEM fringes, assuming that the fringes are in the shape of parallelograms. The distributions were found to evolve toward larger size aromatic systems demonstrating the occurrence of aromatic growth during soot formation.

Modelo predictivo de fragmentación de ADN espermático usando parámetros evaluados en un espermatograma

Introducción: El análisis de espermatograma es utilizado como una prueba diagnóstica de la calidad seminal. Recientemente, el análisis de fragmentación espermática ha tomado importancia dado los diversos estudios que han demostrado que la integridad del ADN en el espermatozoide afectaría los resultados clínicos en los tratamientos de reproducción asistida. Objetivos: Identificar las variables analizadas en un espermatograma que predecirían independientemente el índice de fragmentación de ADN espermático (IFE). Diseño: Estudio retrospectivo, comparativo. Instituciones: Grupo PRANOR, Reprogenetics Latinoamerica, Clínica Concebir, Lima, Perú. Material biológico: Espermatozoides. Métodos: Se comparó variables individuales y dos modelos: el primero consideró el porcentaje de vialidad espermática y la edad del paciente; el segundo modelo incluyó el porcentaje de espermatozoides motiles y la edad. Se hizo análisis de regresión logística. Principales medidas de resultados: Viabilidad espermática, edad. Resultados: El análisis multivariado demostró que los dos modelos fueron significantemente superiores a las variables individuales (p&lt;0,01). El primer modelo tuvo valores de coeficiente no estandarizados (IC95%) de 0,200 (0,082 a 0,318) y -0,146 (-0,206 a -0,086), respectivamente. El segundo modelo tuvo valores de coeficiente no estandarizados (IC95%) de -0,099 (-0,157 a -0,042) y 0,219 (0,99 a 0,339), respectivamente. El análisis de regresión logística demostró que el porcentaje de viabilidad espermática y la edad del paciente predijeron la probabilidad de tener un IFE superior al 30% con valores de coeficiente no estandarizados de edad de IC95% 0,034 (0,015 a 0,053) y porcentaje de viabilidad de -0,043 (0,034 a 0,052). Adicionalmente, el segundo modelo tuvo IC95% de -0,04 (-0,031 a -0,049) y 0,035 (0,017 a 0,053), respectivamente. Finalmente, una curva ROC construida para determinar la superioridad de algún modelo sobre las variables individuales demostró que las áreas bajo la curva (ABC) del modelo 1 (edad y viabilidad espermática) fue 0,727 (IC95% = 0,665 a 0,790) y el modelo 2 (edad y motilidad total de espermatozoides) 0,675 (IC95% = 0,606 a 0,744), comparadas con las ABC del porcentaje de viabilidad espermática = 0,295 (IC95% = 0,229 a 0,362), motilidad total de espermatozoides ABC = 0,333 (IC95% = 0,264 a 0,403) y edad de paciente con ABC 0,584 (IC95% = 0,510 a 0,658). Conclusiones: La edad, motilidad y viabilidad espermática correlacionaron de manera independiente con el IFE y, por tanto, estas variables podrían ser usadas como predictores del porcentaje de fragmentación de ADN.

Sublethal toxicity of carbofuran on the African catfish Clarias gariepinus: Hormonal, enzymatic and antioxidant responses

The present study examined the impacts of carbofuran on endocrinology of the catfish, Clarias gariepinus, for the first time and evaluated cortisol (CRT), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxin (T4), 17β-estradiol (E2) and testosterone (TST) and the oxidative stress markers including SOD, CAT, GSTs, GSH.The toxic effects on the metabolic enzymes, G6PDH and LDH, in addition to lipid peroxidation (LPO) and DNA damage as biomarkers in Nile catfish, to sublethal exposures of carbofuran (0.16 and 0.49mg/L, for 35 days) were studied.Statistically significant differences between selected parameters between control and carbofuran-treated fish were recorded. Carbofuran caused a significant (p<0.05) increase in CRT and T3 levels; the mean levels of T4, TST, E2 exhibited significant decreases (p<0.05) in carbofuran-treated fish. Toxicity of carbofuran on liver, kidney, gills, gonads and muscles after 35 days of exposure was found. Glycogen levels showed a highly significant decrease in liver and gills (p< 0.001), a significant decrease (p< 0.05) in kidney and muscles, and insignificant changes (p>0.05) in gonads of treated fish. The two metabolic enzymes G6PDH and LDH in all tissues exhibited significant decreases (p<0.05) in treated fish. SOD, CAT, GSH and GST levels showed significant decreases (p<0.05) in all tissues of fish after exposure to carbofuran. LPO levels increased significantly (p<0.05) in all tissues except gonads after 5 weeks of exposure to carbofuran. There was a significant (p<0.05) increase in DNA fragmentation percentage in treated fish. Our results provide a clear evidence on the response of C. gariepinus to sublethal doses of carbofuran and allow us to consider catfish as a good bioindicator to reflect the endocrine disrupting impacts of carbofuran, and reflect the potential of this pesticide to cause disturbance in antioxidant defense system as well as metabolism and induction of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and DNA damage in contaminated ecosystems.

Genetic diversity of Vicia faba L. based on random amplified polymorphic DNA and simple sequence repeat markers

The genetic diversity of 13 Tunisian faba bean (Vicia faba L.) accessions, and the commercial variety “Aguadulce”, were studied using simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. In comparison to RAPD markers, SSRs showed a higher level of polymorphism and greater information content, as assessed by the expected heterozygosity. One hundred and fourteen bands were amplified using six SSR primer combinations and 376 bands were observed using four RAPD primers. The percentages of polymorphic fragments were 100% and 60.63% for SSR and RAPD markers, respectively. The polymorphism information content, gene diversity and population differentiation test were 0.370, 0.490 and 0.746, respectively, for SSR markers and 0.319, 0.406 and 0.775 for RAPD markers. The correlation coefficients of similarity based on the Mantel test were statistically significant for the both marker systems used, but were higher for SSR data than for RAPD. Dendrogram topologies, conducted separately on polymorphic RAPD and SSR markers, showed minor differences in the grouping of accessions. The dendrogram based on combined RAPD and SSR data sets identified clustering of accessions according to their geographic diffusion. Collectively, these results will aid Tunisian faba bean germplasm management, conservation and breeding.

Comparison of the Effect of Sertraline With Behavioral Therapy on Semen Parameters in Men With Primary Premature Ejaculation

To investigate the effects of sertraline on semen parameters and comparison of its effect with behavioral therapy (BT) in men with primary premature ejaculation. In this single-blinded clinical trial, a total of 60 married men with primary premature ejaculation were randomly divided into 2 groups: the sertraline group (n = 30, sertraline 25 mg/day for 1 week followed by 50 mg/day for 3 months) and the BT group (n = 30, using BT technique for 3 months). Semen analysis was applied, and the results were compared between groups before and 3 months after intervention. The significant reduction in sperm concentration (10(5)/mL) and percentage of normal morphology was reported in sertraline group (P <.05). The percentage of sperm deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation after intervention in sertraline group was significantly higher than BT group (P = .004). There was no significant change in semen parameters in patients treated using BT. Our study revealed detrimental effects of sertraline on some semen parameters. It should particularly be considered in patients who are trying to conceive. It seems BT is a safe method without any side effect on semen analysis parameters.

Perceptual priming and reading speed among fourth grade children.

This study evaluated the perceptual priming in fourth grade primary school children using a word-fragment completion task. The children were classified into two categories according to their reading speed: high and low. Using several sub-scales of the WISC-IV, their working memory was measured, and their total IQ was estimated, in order to control for their effects on priming. The statistical analyses showed that children with high reading speed were significantly better at word-fragment completion and showed greater priming (p < .01); in other words, the prior processing of the words from which the fragments came produced a greater benefit in the performance of the word-fragment completion task. A regression model was developed to explain reading speed based on the following variables: perceptual priming, working memory and percentage of completed fragments belonging to words not previously processed (adjusted R 2 = 0.64).

Sperm selected by both birefringence and motile sperm organelle morphology examination have reduced deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation

To evaluate DNA fragmentation in single sperm selected by both birefringence and motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME) with a single instrument. Prospective study. University setting. Semen samples from 33 normozoospermic subjects. Birefringence and MSOME to distinguish different categories of sperm: nonbirefringent (category A), birefringent (category B), birefringent with nuclear vacuoles (category C), and birefringent with no nuclear vacuoles (category D). From each semen sample, sperm of any category were selected and further analyzed by TUNEL test. A total of 660 well-characterized sperm were evaluated for DNA fragmentation. Category A showed a low percentage of sperm with normal MSOME results (19.4%) and high prevalence of DNA fragmentation (70.3%). Category B had 81.8% normal MSOME results, and in this group 31.8% had fragmentated DNA. Category C showed 31.8% and 92.6% DNA fragmentation in sperm with small and large nuclear vacuoles, respectively. Birefringent sperm with normal MSOME results and no vacuoles showed the lowest percentage of fragmented DNA (2.8%). Sperm selection by birefringence or MSOME alone had one-third probability to select sperm with fragmented DNA. The lowest percentage of DNA fragmentation was found in birefringent sperm with no nuclear vacuoles and normal MSOME results. We suggest combining both methods using a single microscope and selecting sperm without nuclear vacuoles to get sperm with a higher chance of having intact DNA.

The effect of selenium on induced ischemia/reperfusion injury in ovaries of female albino rat

Introduction Ovarian torsion is a serious cause of gynecological surgical emergency. Recently, a conservative approach including detorsion and releasing the pedicle to preserve fertility was advocated. However, detorsion worsens the tissue injury leading to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) and production of reactive oxygen species. Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element and a component of the antioxidant enzymes that protect the cells against the effects of free radicals. Aim This study was designed to investigate the possible protective effect of Se on I/R-induced injury of ovary in a rat model (using histological and biochemical studies). Materials and methods Twenty-six adult female albino rats were divided into three groups: group I (control), group II (the I/R group) including rats exposed to right ovarian ischemia for 3 h and then reperfused for 12 h, and group III (the Se-treated group) including rats exposed to I/R as group II, in addition to 0.2 mg/kg Se injected intraperitoneally 30 min before reperfusion. Ovarian tissues were excised for histological, immunohistochemical, morphometric, and biochemical studies. Statistical analysis was performed. Results In the I/R group, the right ovary showed secondary follicles with desquamated cells into the antral cavity, congested vessels, multiple distorted follicles, massive extravasated red blood cells (RBCs), multiple dark nuclei, and vacuolations in the corpora lutea. The left ovary recruited congested vessels and extravasated RBCs in the corpora lutea. In the Se-treated group, the right ovary revealed some dark nuclei and vacuolations in some atretic follicles besides few extravasated RBCs. A significant increase in the mean area% of caspase-3 immunoreactivity was found in the right ovary in the I/R group compared with the other groups. A significant increase in DNA fragmentation percentage, a significant decrease in reduced glutathione concentration, a significant decrease in catalase activity, and a significant increase in malondialdehyde concentration were found in the I/R group compared with the other groups. Furthermore, administration of Se restored these values to normal levels. Conclusion Se proved to be effective in preventing tissue damage induced by I/R in rat ovaries.

The percentage of affected fragments in needle biopsy in the assessment of pathological staging of prostate cancer

INTRODUCTION: Prostate cancer has high prevalence and mortality among men. Some of the findings on prostate biopsy may be related to the prognosis of the disease. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between the percentage of fragments affected by cancer in the prostate biopsy and the pathological staging in the surgical specimen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Selected 159 patients underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) between 2003 and 2009. Data was collected on age, digital rectal exam, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), Gleason score, number of biopsy fragments, number of fragments affected by tumor, and tumor extension in the surgical specimen. Statistical analysis with Student's t-test, chi-squared test, and multiple logistic regression evaluated the association of percentage of affected fragments (PAF) with tumor extension and its predictive value. RESULTS: The patients mean age and PSA were respectively 64 years and 8.5 ng/ml. Histopathologic evaluation of surgical specimens revealed 20.8% of patients with extraprostatic disease, 8.2% with seminal vesicle invasion and 35.8% with positive margins. We found that patients with extraprostatic disease, positive surgical margins, and seminal vesicle invasion had a higher mean PAF. PAF was divided into three groups: less than 34%, 34% to 50%, and greater than 50%, and the higher the PFA, the larger the increase in pathological changes. CONCLUSION: PAF in biopsy is a simple and practical parameter, which should be used as a predictor of pathological stage in RP specimen.

DNA fragmentation of human sperm can be detected by ligation-mediated real-time polymerase chain reaction

To determine whether ligation-mediated real-time polymerase chain reaction (LM-RT-PCR), which combines LM-PCR, and RT-PCR, can detect sperm DNA fragmentation (DF) in human semen samples. Three-way comparison of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD), and LM-RT-PCR for detecting sperm DNA fragmentation. University hospital-based research laboratory. Twenty-five men presenting at an infertility clinic. Basic analysis of sperm concentration, motility, vitality, and morphology, with each semen sample equally divided into three aliquots that were evaluated for fragmentation using TUNEL, SCD, and LM-RT-PCR assays. In TUNEL and SCD assays, counts of the number of sperm with tetramethylrhodamine (TMR) red signals or no halo; in LM-RT-PCR results, evaluation of the threshold cycles (Ct) and relative fluorescence unit (RFU) values. The median percentage of sperm with positive results for fragmentation in the TUNEL and SCD assays were 20.5% and 20.7%, respectively. To compare the accuracy of the TUNEL, SCD, and LM-RT-PCR assays, we divided the semen samples into two groups according to the TUNEL results: low and high percentage of sperm fragmentation. In the LM-RT-PCR results, the values of the cycles of threshold (Ct) and relative fluorescence unit (RFU) statistically significantly differed between the low and high percentage of sperm fragmentation groups. Comparisons among the TUNEL, SCD, and LM-RT-PCR assays revealed that the correlation patterns according to DNA fragmentation were similar in both the groups with high and low percentage of DNA fragmentation. Our morphologic analysis indicated that the fragmentation of sperm DNA did not appear to influence sperm morphology. These results indicate that the LM-RT-PCR technique is another useful tool for detecting DNA fragmentation, a parameter of sperm quality in human semen alone or combined with TUNEL or SCD assays.

The semen quality of the mobile phone users.

The increased use of mobile phones, the media's attention for general health, and the increase of idiopathic male infertility suggest to investigate the possible consequences of an excessive use of mobile phones on semen quality. To evaluate the conventional and some of the main biofunctional sperm parameters in healthy men according to the different use of the mobile phone. All the enrolled subjects in this study were divided into four groups according to their active cell phone use: group A= no use (no.=10 subjects); group B= <2 h/day (no.=16); group C= 2-4 h/day (no.=17); and group D= >4 h/day (no.=20). Among the subjects of the group D (>4 h/day), a further evaluation was made between the "trousers users"(no.=12) and "shirt users"(no.=8), and they underwent semen collection to evaluate conventional and biofunctional sperm parameters (density, total count, morphology, progressive motility, apoptosis, mithocondrial membrane potential, chromatin compaction, DNA fragmentation). None of the conventional sperm parameters examined were significantly altered. However, the group D and the trousers users showed a higher percentage of sperm DNA fragmentation compared to other groups. These results suggest that the sperm DNA fragmentation could represent the only parameter significantly altered in the subjects who use the mobile phone for more than 4 h/day and in particular for those who use the device in the pocket of the trousers.

Genetic monitoring by rapd markers for repopulation programs of Salminus brasiliensis (Pisces, Characiformes)

The preservation of the genetic variability of hatchery stocks used to supplement natural populations is a priority. Current study employed RAPD markers to examine the genetic diversity of dourado samples from the middle Paranapanema river and from the broodstock used in the stock enhancement program of the Aquaculture and Hydrobiology Station at the Salto Grande Hydroelectric Power Plant. Nineteen RAPD primers were analyzed, which generated 299 bands and the latter were used for genetic analysis. The percentage of polymorphic fragments was higher in stock captured in the Paranapanema river than from fry stocks. The genetic diversity was lower in the broodstock than in natural population. Amova results showed that most inter-population genetic variation lay within stocks (83.9%) and not between them (16.1%). Moderate genetic differentiation (FST = 0.16) was reported. Nevertheless, differentiation decreased when the four fry stocks were mixed and analyzed as a single population (FST = 0.07). Instead of releasing each lot separately into the water, mixing specimens produced in the various fry stocks before releasing them in the river would be more feasible. The restocked population will have a genetic structure closer to natural populations.

Protective Impact Of Ginkgo Biloba Extract Against Thioacetamide Induced Hepatotoxicity In Albino Rats

The purpose of this study to investigate the protective and therapeutic effect of Ginkgo biloba leaves extract (GbE) against hepatotoxicity induced by thioacetamide (TAA) in male albino rats. Rats were injected intraperitonially by TAA in a dose of 200 mg/kg b.wt. twice every week for 28 days (TAA treated group). GbEwas orally administered in a dose 100mg/kg b.wt. for 7 days before the first dose of TAA treatment and during exposure period (Gb protected group) and also after the last dose of TAA treatment for 28 days (Gb treated group). The gained results revealed a significant increases in MDA and NO concentrations in blood and liver of TAA group with concomitant decrease in GSH, GSH-px, SOD and CAT activities. DNA fragmentation percentage, TNF-α concentration, hydroxyproline content and tissue transglutaminase activity were also increased. Serum transaminases, ALP and GGT activates as well as bilirubin content were increased. This study showed that Ginkgo biloba extract has a potential activity against thioacetamide. Induced hepatotoxicity and suggested that the chemical constituents of Ginkgo biloba are effective in modulation of oxidative stress induced by thioacetamide.