The Optical Signatures of Stochastic Processes in Many-Body Exciton Scattering.

We review our recent quantum stochastic model for spectroscopic lineshapes in the presence of a coevolving and nonstationary background population of excitations. Starting from a field theory description for interacting bosonic excitons, we derive a reduced model whereby optical excitons are coupled to an incoherent background via scattering as mediated by their screened Coulomb coupling. The Heisenberg equations of motion for the optical excitons are then driven by an auxiliary stochastic population variable, which we take to be the solution of an Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process. Here, we present an overview of the theoretical techniques we have developed as applied to predicting coherent nonlinear spectroscopic signals. We show how direct (Coulomb) and exchange coupling to the bath give rise to distinct spectral signatures and discuss mathematical limits on inverting spectral signatures to extract the background density of states.

Effect of various antioxidants on ovarian tissue vitrification success in sheep.

BACKGROUND: Vitrification is a technique of cryopreservation that has been proposed as a promising alternative method for the preservation of oocytes, embryos and gonadal tissue. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of different antioxidants on post-thaw viability, morphology of retrieved oocytes and histology of vitrified ovarian tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four different antioxidants [i.e., resveratrol (20 uM), ZnSO4 (500 uM), curcumin (25 uM) and quercetin (1 uM)] were evaluated after their addition to the vitrification and warming media for their effects on the viability and morphology of retrieved oocytes and the histology of vitrified ovarian tissue. RESULTS: The number of oocytes retrieved from ovarian tissue from the above mentioned antioxidants and vitrified control were 34, 41, 26, 31 and 46 respectively. Among these the number of viable oocytes were found to be 24 (70.6%), 30 (73.1 %), 20 (76.9%), 26 (83.9%) and 33 (71.7%) and the number of oocytes found morphologically normal were 24 (70.6%), 26 (63.4%), 18 (69.2%), 21 (67.7%) and 34 (73.9%) for the above mentioned different antioxidants and vitrified control, respectively. Non-significant (P. > 0.05) differences were found between different treatment groups. Histomorphological evaluation of the ovarian cortical tissue showed that the percentage of intact follicles was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the fresh control (84.19±3.9) than in other groups. Non-significant differences were found between resveratrol (50.2±5.5), curcumin (48.7±5.7), quercetin (51.6±4.8) and the vitrified control (42.7±6.1) groups; however, the ZnSO4 supplemented group (23.1±8.54) differed significantly (P < 0.05) from other antioxidant groups but was non-significant (P > 0.05) with the vitrified control group (42.7±6.1). CONCLUSION: The addition of antioxidants resveratrol, curcumin and quercetin at these concentrations tended to non-significantly improve the follicular integrity after vitrification. Doi.org/10.54680/fr24410110212.

Stochastic exciton-scattering theory of optical line shapes: Renormalized many-body contributions.

Spectral line shapes provide a window into the local environment coupled to a quantum transition in the condensed phase. In this paper, we build upon a stochastic model to account for non-stationary background processes produced by broad-band pulsed laser stimulation, as distinguished from those for stationary phonon bath. In particular, we consider the contribution of pair-fluctuations arising from the full bosonic many-body Hamiltonian within a mean-field approximation, treating the coupling to the system as a stochastic noise term. Using the Itô transformation, we consider two limiting cases for our model, which lead to a connection between the observed spectral fluctuations and the spectral density of the environment. In the first case, we consider a Brownian environment and show that this produces spectral dynamics that relax to form dressed excitonic states and recover an Anderson-Kubo-like form for the spectral correlations. In the second case, we assume that the spectrum is Anderson-Kubo like and invert to determine the corresponding background. Using the Jensen inequality, we obtain an upper limit for the spectral density for the background. The results presented here provide the technical tools for applying the stochastic model to a broad range of problems.

Endoscopic findings among geriatric patients with anaemia and chronic kidney disease at a tertiary teaching hospital in Malaysia.

BACKGROUND: Older people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) may be anaemic due to various reasons, and they are vulnerable to various consequences. One of the most important causes of anaemia to be recognised in this population is gastrointestinal loss. The outcome can be improved by early detection, careful investigation, and suitable therapies. There is currently no standardised grading scale or reliable indicators to assist clinicians on handling gastrointestinal workup in elderly CKD patients who are anaemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 171 people aged 60 and over who had CKD (stages 3-5), including those on Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT) and anaemia. Using oesophagogastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy, and double balloon endoscopy, we analysed the endoscopic findings and calculated the prevalence of anaemia secondary to gastrointestinal disease. Haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH), iron panels, and immuno-faecal occult blood test (iFOBT) were evaluated to predict the diagnostic utility of each parameter in relation to gastrointestinal disorder in the elderly CKD population. RESULTS: Abnormal endoscopic findings were obtained by upper and lower endoscopy in 98 individuals (57.3%). Upper endoscopy revealed the most prevalent lesions to be gastritis, gastric ulcer, and duodenal ulcer. The upper and lower endoscopies revealed a total of 14.0% malignant and pre-malignant lesions. T-test and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve were performed on all haematological parameters and iron panels. Low ferritin level (less than 100 ng/mL) and combination with low transferrin saturation (less than 20%) have a significant p value less than 0.05. None of these variables had a significant area under the curve (AUC) of more than 0.75. CONCLUSION: Positive endoscopic findings of anaemia are common in the older population at various stages of CKD, regardless of age, gender, or race. Malignant and premalignant lesions are not uncommon in older CKD patients. In the older CKD population, GI inflammation and ulceration are common lesions. Serum ferritin and TSAT levels are useful indicators of GI disorder in this population. Endoscopic evaluation as part of anaemia workup in the older people with CKD should not be ruled out.

Gene-environment interaction in chronic kidney disease among people with type 2 diabetes from The Malaysian Cohort project: a case-control study.

AIM: To examine the possible gene-environment interactions between 32 single nucleotide polymorphisms and environmental factors that could modify the probability of chronic kidney disease. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted involving 600 people with type 2 diabetes (300 chronic kidney disease cases, 300 controls) who participated in The Malaysian Cohort project. Retrospective subanalysis was performed on the chronic kidney disease cases to assess chronic kidney disease progression from the recruitment phase. We genotyped 32 single nucleotide polymorphisms using mass spectrometry. The probability of chronic kidney disease and predicted rate of newly detected chronic kidney disease progression were estimated from the significant gene-environment interaction analyses. RESULTS: Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (eNOS rs2070744, PPARGC1A rs8192678, KCNQ1 rs2237895 and KCNQ1 rs2283228) and five environmental factors (age, sex, smoking, waist circumference and HDL) were significantly associated with chronic kidney disease. Gene-environment interaction analyses revealed significant probabilities of chronic kidney disease for sex (PPARGC1A rs8192678), smoking (eNOS rs2070744, PPARGC1A rs8192678 and KCNQ1 rs2237895), waist circumference (eNOS rs2070744, PPARGC1A rs8192678, KCNQ1 rs2237895 and KCNQ1 rs2283228) and HDL (eNOS rs2070744 and PPARGC1A rs8192678). Subanalysis indicated that the rate of newly detected chronic kidney disease progression was 133 cases per 1000 person-years (95% CI: 115, 153), with a mean follow-up period of 4.78 (SD 0.73) years. There was a significant predicted rate of newly detected chronic kidney disease progression in gene-environment interactions between KCNQ1 rs2283228 and two environmental factors (sex and BMI). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the gene-environment interactions of eNOS rs2070744, PPARGC1A rs8192678, KCNQ1 rs2237895 and KCNQ1 rs2283228 with specific environmental factors could modify the probability for chronic kidney disease.

Alpha-tocopheryl Succinate in Extender Improves the Post Thaw Quality of Water Buffalo Spermatozoa.

BACKGROUND: Alpha-tocopheryl succinate, a major chain-splitting antioxidant, is the most effective form of vitamin E and may be used in the semen extender for cryopreservation of buffalo spermatozoa. OBJECTIVE: To use different concentrations of alpha-tocopheryl succinate (T1, 0.3 mM, T2, 0.6 mM, and T3, 0.9 mM) and control (0.0 mM) in extender for dose optimization and hence improve the frozen-thawed quality of water buffalo spermatozoa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Semen samples were collected from three mature buffalo bulls with artificial vagina (42°C) and this study was replicated for five times. Semen was cryopreserved by conventional method which included filling of semen per experimental treatment into 0.5 mL French straws, sealing with polyvinyl alcohol powder and keeping them 5 cm above the liquid nitrogen vapors for 12 min and storing in liquid nitrogen tank. Frozen-thawed semen was also processed for total antioxidant capacity content (TAC) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) level by thiobarbituric acid (TBA). Computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) and other assays were also performed. RESULTS: TAC levels were higher (P<0.05) with T2 and T3 as compared to T1 and control. LPO levels were lower (P<0.05) with T2 and T3 as compared to T1 and control. Sperm progressive motility (%) and rapid velocity (%) were higher (P<0.05) with T2 and T3 as compared to control. The extender containing T3 had higher (P<0.05) sperm average path velocity (µm/s) and straight line velocity (µm/s) as compared to control. At 1 and 2 h incubation period (37 °C) T2 and T3 in extenders had higher (P<0.05) progressive motility and rapid velocity compared to control. Sperm supra vital plasma membrane integrity (%), mitochondrial transmembrane potential (%), viable and intact acrosome (%) and DNA integrity (%) were higher (P<0.05) with T2 and T3 as compared to T1 and control, respectively. CONCLUSION: The supplementation of alpha-tocopheryl succinate in extender, either at 0.6 (T2) or 0.9 (T3) mM concentrations improves the post thaw quality of water buffalo spermatozoa by sustaining the TAC levels and keeping the LPO levels lower as compared to the control. It is suggested that future study should be aimed to explore the influence of these optimal concentrations of alpha-tocopheryl succinate on in vivo fertility of buffalo bull spermatozoa.

Expression of oestrogen-α receptor in papillary thyroid carcinoma and its association with metastasis.

INTRODUCTION: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the ninth most common malignancy among women. Although the disease prognosis is good, less favourable outcomes are predicted in those with higher disease stages and nodal metastasis. Oestrogen- α (ER-α) expression has been associated with aggressive presentation and greater disease progression and has been proposed as a predictor for lymph node metastases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between ER expression and clinicopathological features i.e. lymph node metastasis, tumour size, extrathyroidal extension, histological variants of PTC , age groups , ethnic and gender. METHODS: We studied ER-α expression in 84 cases of PTC obtained within an eight-year period (2011-2018) by immunohistochemical technique (IHC). Associations between ER-α expression and clinicopathological features were evaluated using Fisher's exact test. The statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: ER-α was expressed in 13.1% of all the PTC cases examined (n=11/84). There were no associations observed between ER-α expression and lymph node metastasis (p=1.000), tumour size (p=0.970), extrathyroidal extension (p=0.677), variants of PTC (p=1.000), age groups (p=0.188), gender (p=0.725) or race (p=0.920). CONCLUSION: There was no evidence in this study to support the application of ER-α as prediction marker for lymph node metastasis or disease aggressiveness in PTC. Given that the scope of this study was limited to the protein expression of ER- α, we also propose the inclusion of molecular analysis of ESR1 gene expression, as well as inclusion of detailed clinical and radiological findings in future research investigating the role of ER-α in prognostication of PTC.

Enterotoxin gene profile and molecular epidemiology of Aeromonas species from fish and diverse water sources.

AIMS: This investigation was undertaken to study the prevalence, enterotoxin gene profile and molecular epidemiology of Aeromonads from various sources of water (182) and fish (173). METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 116 Aeromonas sp. were isolated, of which 48 (26·37%) were from water and 68 (34·62%) were from fish samples collected from retail markets and fish farms. The Aeromonads were recovered from all types of water sources viz. drinking water (13%), surface waters (26%) and fish ponds (69%). The most prevalent species recovered from drinking water was A. hydrophila, from fish ponds it was A. caviae, from surface water sources A. hydrophila and A. caviae were recovered more frequently, and A. hydrophila and A. veronii bv. sobria were isolated predominantly from gills of fish samples. On multiplex PCR analysis for the detection of enterotoxin genes (act, alt, ast), the above mentioned Aeromonas species frequently contained enterotoxin genes, irrespective of their sources. From isolates across all the sources, act (63%) and alt (57%) genes were encountered more frequently than ast (6%). The enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus sequences polymerase chain reaction was used for typing of isolates and most of the isolates from water and fish were related, owing to similar ecosystem. CONCLUSION: A wide distribution of enterotoxin genes in Aeromonads from water and fish is a potential public health threat and molecular genotyping can be helpful to study epidemiology of the pathogen. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: A high proportion of isolates recovered from diverse water sources, particularly potable drinking water and fish samples carried one or more enterotoxin genes thereby indicating a potential pathogenic nature of isolates from these sources. The genetic relatedness was detected amongst many isolates recovered from water sources and fish samples indicating circulation of familiar virulent clones in the aquatic environments.

Effect of Cryopreservation on Casa Characteristics, Mitochondrial Transmembrane Potential, Plasma and Acrosome Integrities, Morphology and in vivo Fertility of Buffalo Bull Spermatozoa.

BACKGROUND: Application of frozen-thawed semen is an important tool for improving the vivo fertility, but the process of freezing and thawing causes significant damage to spermatozoa. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cryopreservation on CASA characteristics, mitochondrial transmembrane potential, plasma, and acrosome integrities, morphology and in vivo fertility of buffalo bull spermatozoa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Semen was collected from four mature buffalo bulls with artificial vagina at 42 °C. Ejaculates having > 1 mL volume, > 60 % sperm visual motility and > 0.5 x 109 sperm/mL concentration from each bull were diluted in Tris-citric acid egg yolk glycerol extender (TCA) making two aliquots per bull for analysis at post dilution and cryopreserved respectively. RESULTS: Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that the process of freezing and thawing significantly reduced (P < 0.05) CASA characteristics including total motility (TM, %), progressive motility (PM, %), rapid velocity (RV, %), average path velocity (VAP, µm/sec), straight line velocity (VSL, µm/sec), curvilinear velocity (VCL, µm/sec), beat cross frequency (BCF, Hz), straightness (STR, %) and linearity (LIN, %). Furthermore, the process of freezing and thawing significantly reduced (P < 0.05) subjective motility (SM, %), Supra-vital plasma membrane integrity (SVPMI, %), high mitochondrial membrane potential (HMMP, %), viable spermatozoa with intact acrosome (V/IACR, %). Moreover, it was observed that the freezing thawing process significantly decreased the in vivo fertility (%, 50.35 % vs. 61.39 %; P < 0.05) as compared to post diluted semen. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the process of freezing and thawing significantly reduced semen quality and in vivo fertility of buffalo bull in terms of various functional parameters.

The diagnostic utility of cytokeratin 19 in differentiating malignant from benign thyroid lesions.

INTRODUCTION: Thyroid carcinoma is classically diagnosed based on certain histological criteria. In some cases, definitive diagnoses may be challenging when morphological features are equivocal. This study evaluated the usefulness of Cytokeratin 19 (CK 19) as an immunohistochemical marker to differentiate the different histological types of malignant thyroid neoplasms, particularly papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) from benign thyroid lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collected 54 malignant and 65 benign thyroid lesions diagnosed by histology in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre between January 2010 and December 2015. All cases were immunohistochemically stained with CK 19 and evaluated by 3 independent observers. The immunostaining patterns were scored based on the intensity and proportion of staining and finally graded as negative, weak positive, moderate positive or strong positive. In addition, the immunostaining scores of the malignant cases were correlated with their TNM pathological tumour stages. RESULTS: Cytokeratin 19 staining expression was higher in malignant than benign thyroid lesions (p < 0.001) which was most prominent among classical PTC. The four PTC cases that showed negative or weak staining were all follicular variant of PTC. Benign conditions were mostly negative or showed weak positivity. There was no correlation between CK 19 expression and TNM primary tumour stage (pT). CONCLUSION: Cytokeratin 19 is a useful marker in differentiating malignant from benign thyroid conditions particularly the classical PTC, provided its interpretation is by correlation with morphology and takes into consideration the intensity and proportion of positive staining.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy improves renal transplant candidacy and posttransplant outcomes in morbidly obese patients.

Morbid obesity is a barrier to kidney transplantation due to inferior outcomes, including higher rates of new-onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT), delayed graft function (DGF), and graft failure. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) increases transplant eligibility by reducing BMI in kidney transplant candidates, but the effect of surgical weight loss on posttransplantation outcomes is unknown. Reviewing single-center medical records, we identified all patients who underwent LSG before kidney transplantation from 2011-2016 (n = 20). Post-LSG kidney recipients were compared with similar-BMI recipients who did not undergo LSG, using 2:1 direct matching for patient factors. McNemar's test and signed-rank test were used to compare groups. Among post-LSG patients, mean BMI ± standard deviation (SD) was 41.5 ± 4.4 kg/m2 at initial encounter, which decreased to 32.3 ± 2.9 kg/m2 prior to transplantation (P < .01). No complications, readmissions, or mortality occurred following LSG. After transplantation, one patient (5%) experienced DGF, and no patients experienced NODAT. Allograft and patient survival at 1-year posttransplantation was 100%. Compared with non-LSG patients, post-LSG recipients had lower rates of DGF (5% vs 20%) and renal dysfunction-related readmissions (10% vs 27.5%) (P < .05 each). Perioperative complications, allograft survival, and patient survival were similar between groups. These data suggest that morbidly obese patients with end-stage renal disease who undergo LSG to improve transplant candidacy, achieve excellent posttransplantation outcomes.

Opportunistic screening for bone disease using abdominal CT scans obtained for other reasons in newly diagnosed IBD patients.

Bone disease is prevalent among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), though bone density screening remains underutilized. We used CT scans performed for other indications in IBD patients to identify and monitor osteopenia using CT attenuation values at the lumbar spine. Significant rates of bone disease were detected which would have otherwise gone undiagnosed. INTRODUCTION: Osteoporosis affects about 14-42% of patients with IBD. Though screening is recommended in IBD patients with risk factors, it remains underutilized. In patients with newly diagnosed IBD, we used CT scans performed for other indications to identify and monitor progression of osteopenia. METHODS: Using the Ocean State Crohn's and Colitis Area Registry, we identified adult patients with one or more abdominal CT scans. Each patient had two age- and gender-matched controls. Radiologists measured attenuation through trabecular bone in the L1 vertebral body recorded in Hounsfield units (HU). Generalized estimating equations were used to measure how HU varied as a function of gender, type of IBD, and age. RESULTS: One hundred five IBD patients were included, and 72.4% were classified as "normal" bone mineral density (BMD) and 27.6% as potentially osteopenic: 8.6% with ulcerative colitis and 19.0% with Crohn's disease. We found a decrease in bone density over time (p < 0.001) and that BMD decreases more in Crohn's disease than in ulcerative colitis (p < 0.004). Sixty patients had two CT scans, and mean loss of 9.3 HU was noted. There was a non-significant decrease in BMD over time in patients exposed to > 31 days of steroids and BMD was stable with < 30 days of steroid exposure (p < 0.09). CONCLUSION: Using CT scans obtained for other indications, we found low rates of osteopenia and osteoporosis that may otherwise have gone undiagnosed. Refinement of opportunistic screening may have advantages in terms of cost-savings and earlier detection of bone loss.

Novel osmotin inhibits SREBP2 via the AdipoR1/AMPK/SIRT1 pathway to improve Alzheimer's disease neuropathological deficits.

Extensive evidence has indicated that a high rate of cholesterol biogenesis and abnormal neuronal energy metabolism play key roles in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. Here, for we believe the first time, we used osmotin, a plant protein homolog of mammalian adiponectin, to determine its therapeutic efficacy in different AD models. Our results reveal that osmotin treatment modulated adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1), significantly induced AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) activation and reduced SREBP2 (sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2) expression in both in vitro and in vivo AD models and in Adipo-/- mice. Via the AdipoR1/AMPK/SIRT1/SREBP2 signaling pathway, osmotin significantly diminished amyloidogenic Aß production, abundance and aggregation, accompanied by improved pre- and post-synaptic dysfunction, cognitive impairment, memory deficits and, most importantly, reversed the suppression of long-term potentiation in AD mice. Interestingly, AdipoR1, AMPK and SIRT1 silencing not only abolished osmotin capability but also further enhanced AD pathology by increasing SREBP2, amyloid precursor protein (APP) and ß-secretase (BACE1) expression and the levels of toxic Aß production. However, the opposite was true for SREBP2 when silenced using small interfering RNA in APPswe/ind-transfected SH-SY5Y cells. Similarly, osmotin treatment also enhanced the non-amyloidogenic pathway by activating the α-secretase gene that is, ADAM10, in an AMPK/SIRT1-dependent manner. These results suggest that osmotin or osmotin-based therapeutic agents might be potential candidates for AD treatment.

Freezability of water buffalo bull (Bubalus bubalis) spermatozoa is improved with the addition of curcumin (diferuoyl methane) in semen extender.

Effects of curcumin as antioxidant in extender were evaluated on freezability of buffalo spermatozoa. Semen from each of the five bulls (n = 3 replicates, six ejaculates/bull, a total of 30 ejaculates) was diluted in Tris-citric acid extender containing curcumin (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 or 2.0 mM) or control. At pre-freezing and post-thawing, total antioxidant contents (µM/L) and lipid peroxidation levels (µM/ml) were higher (p < .05) and lower (p < .05) respectively, with 1.5 and 2.0 mM compared to 0.5 and 1.0 mM curcumin and control. At post-thawing, progressive motility (PM, %) and rapid velocity (RV, %) were higher (p < .05) with 1.5 mM compared to other doses of curcumin and control (except in case of RV, 1.5 was similar with 1.0 mM). Kinematics (average path velocity, µm/s; straight-line velocity, µm/s; curved-line velocity, µm/s; straightness, %; linearity, %), in vitro longevity (%, PM and RV) and DNA integrity (%) at post-thawing were higher (p < .05) with 1.5 mM compared to control. At post-thawing, supravital plasma membrane integrity (%) and viable spermatozoa with intact acrosome (%) were higher with 1.5 compared to 2.0 mM curcumin and control. We concluded that freezability of water buffalo spermatozoa is improved with the addition of 1.5 mM curcumin in extender.

Programmable fast-freezing method improves the post-thaw motion dynamics, integrities of plasmalemma, mitochondrial transmembrane, DNA and, acrosome, and in vivo fertility of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) spermatozoa.

The effects of freezing methods (FR1, nonprogrammable/static, 5 cm above liquid nitrogen [LN2 ] for 10 min, plunging in LN2 ; FR2, programmable medium, +4°C to -15°C at 3°C min-1 , from -15 to -80°C at 10°C min-1 and final holding for 1 min at -80°C, plunging in LN2 ; FR3, programmable fast, from initial holding at +4°C for 2 min, from +4°C to -20°C at 10°C min-1 , from -20°C to -100°C at 30°C min-1 , final holding for 1 min at -100°C and plunging in LN2 ) were assessed on post-thaw in vitro quality and in vivo fertility of water buffalo spermatozoa. Mean sperm progressive motility (%), rapid velocity (%), average path velocity (µm s-1 ), straight line velocity (µm s-1 ), curved line velocity (µm s-1 ), integrities (%) of plasmalemma, mitochondrial transmembrane, DNA and acrosome were higher (p < .05) in samples cryopreserved with FR3 compared to FR1 and FR2. Similarly, in vivo fertility (%) of buffalo spermatozoa was higher (p < .05) with FR3 than FR1 (%; 68.0 versus 50.0). We concluded that programmable fast-freezing method (FR3) improves the post-thaw in vitro quality and in vivo fertility of water buffalo spermatozoa.

Determination of an Optimal Membrane-permeable Cryoprotectant Addition and Dilution Protocol for Water Buffalo Spermatozoa.

BACKGROUND: There is a possibility to reduce the toxicity of glycerol and osmotic stress of DMSO by lowering their concentrations in freezing extenders. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of glycerol and DMSO in tris-citric acid based extender on post- thaw quality of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bull spermatozoa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Semen was collected from five adult buffalo bulls with artificial vagina. Five aliquots of semen per bull were separated for dilution with the treatment extenders. The first aliquot was diluted at 37C with 6 percent glycerol (T1). The second aliquot was diluted at 37C with extenders containing 4.5 percent glycerol and 1.5 percent DMSO (T2). The third aliquot was diluted with extenders containing 4.5 percent glycerol at 37C and 1.5 percent DMSO at 4С (T3). The fourth aliquot was diluted with extenders containing 1.5 percent DMSO at 37C and 4.5 percent glycerol at 4С (T4). The fifth aliquot was diluted with extender containing 2.5percent DMSO at 37 as well as at 4C (T5). The final concentration of spermatozoa was 50×106/ml in all the treatment groups. Semen was cooled from 37 to 4C in 2 h and equilibration was done at 4 C for 4 h. Later on, packing of cooled semen was undertaken in 0.54 ml French straws and frozen in a programmable cell freezer. RESULTS: At post thawing, treatment groups T1 and T2 yielded significant (P < 0.05) outcome for CASA parameters, longevity, acrosomal integrity, plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial transmembrane potential and DNA integrity. CONCLUSION: We concluded that by decreasing glycerol concentration (4.5 percent) and combining it with DMSO (1.5 percent) at 37C (T2) in tris-citric acid based extender provided similar results to those observed when glycerol (6 percent) alone is used at 37C (T1) for improving the post-thaw quality of buffalo bull spermatozoa.

Tobacco chewing and risk of gastric cancer: a case-control study in Yemen.

This study aimed to assess the risk factors for gastric cancer in Yemen. A hospital-based case-control study of 70 cases and 140 controls was carried out in Sana'a city between May and October 2014. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information through direct interview. Living in rural areas, tobacco chewing and drinking untreated water were significant risk factors for gastric cancer. Frequent consumption of chicken, cheese, milk, starchy vegetables, cucumber, carrots, leeks, sweet pepper, fruit drinks, legumes and olive oil were associated significantly with decreased risk of gastric cancer. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that chewing tobacco and frequent consumption of white bread were associated with increased risk of gastric cancer, whereas frequent consumption of chicken, cooked potatoes and fruit drinks had an inverse association. Risk of gastric cancer can be prevented by health education and increasing community awareness.

Addressing morbid obesity as a barrier to renal transplantation with laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

Morbid obesity is a barrier to renal transplantation and is inadequately addressed by medical therapy. We present results of a prospective evaluation of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) for patients failing to achieve significant weight loss with medical therapy. Over a 25-month period, 52 obese renal transplant candidates meeting NIH guidelines for metabolic surgery underwent LSG. Mean age was 50.0 ± 10.0 years with an average preoperative BMI of 43.0 ± 5.4 kg/m(2) (range 35.8-67.7 kg/m(2)). Follow-up after LSG was 220 ± 152 days (range 26-733 days) with last BMI of 36.3 ± 5.3 kg/m(2) (range 29.2-49.8 kg/m(2)) with 29 (55.8%) patients achieving goal BMI of <35 kg/m(2) at 92 ± 92 days (range 13-420 days). The mean percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) was 32.1 ± 17.6% (range 6.7-93.8%). A segmented regression model was used to compare medical therapy versus LSG. This revealed a statistically significant increase in the BMI reduction rate (0.3 kg/m(2)/month versus 1.1 kg/m(2)/month, p < 0.0001). Patients also experienced a 40.9% decrease in anti-hypertensive medications (p < 0.001) and a 49.7% decrease in total daily insulin dose (p < 0.001). LSG is a safe and effective means for addressing obesity in kidney transplant candidates in the context of a multidisciplinary approach.

Mutational spectrum of the TYR and SLC45A2 genes in Pakistani families with oculocutaneous albinism, and potential founder effect of missense substitution (p.Arg77Gln) of tyrosinase.

BACKGROUND: Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is an autosomal recessive disorder of abnormal melanin formation, which results in hypopigmentation of skin, hair and eyes. OCA is classified into four types based on clinical and genetic findings. OCA1 is the most severe form of albinism, and is caused by mutations in the tyrosinase (TYR) gene, while OCA4 is caused due to mutations in SLC45A2. METHODS: In total, 13 families with ≥ 3 members with OCA were enrolled. Family history was ascertained and pedigrees were drawn up. Blood samples were collected and processed for DNA extraction. Linkage analysis was performed by typing three short tandem repeat markers in candidate regions of TYR and SLC45A2. Sequence analysis was performed of all the coding exons and adjacent intronic sequences of both genes. RESULTS: Eight families showed linkage to OCA1 and one family showed linkage to OCA4. Four missense substitutions (p.Arg239Trp, p.Ser192Tyr, p.Ser44Arg and p.Arg77Gln) were identified in TYR in the families with OCA1 linkage, and another missense substitution (p.Gln272Lys) was identified in the family with OCA4 linkage. One of the identified missense substitution (p.Arg77Gln) in TYR was found in five different families, which had a common haplotype. CONCLUSIONS: We identified four missense substitutions in TYR and a single missense substitution in SLC45A2. One missense substitution (p.Arg77Gln) in TYR was found in five different families that originated from the same geographical area and displayed a common haplotype, suggesting a single origin that then spread to different geographical areas of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.