Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor Cytokine Addition After the Freeze-Thawing Process Improves Human Sperm Motility and Vitality in Asthenoteratozoospermia Patients.

The cryopreservation-thawing process of spermatozoa cells has negative impacts on their structure, function, and fertility parameters, which are known as cryoinjury. Asthenozoospermia patients are more susceptible to cryoinjury. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) increases sperm glucose uptake via the induction of glucose transporters, resulting in increased sperm motility. This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of GM-CSF supplementation of the cryopreservation media for semen samples of asthenoteratozoospermia patients. The study was carried out on 20 semen samples from infertile men referred to diagnosing semen analysis. To avoid subjective bias, two main sperm motility parameters, including velocity along the curvilinear path and velocity along the straight-line path were considered by the computer-assisted sperm analysis system. Afterward, each semen sample was divided into three equal aliquots and randomly assigned to one of the following groups: group I (control, freezing media only), group II (+GM-CSF, freezing medium supplemented with 2 µL/mL GM-CSF), or group III (GM-CSF added after thawing and washing). Following semen thawing, standard parameters, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and the DNA Fragmentation Index were analyzed. Total sperm motility (progressive and non-progressive) improved significantly in group III samples after a 30-minute incubation with GM-CSF compared with the control group (26.5% ± 3.1% vs. 17.51% ± 2.59%). However, no differences in progressive motility or sperm morphology were found among the three thawed samples. The percentage of vitality was significantly higher in group III compared with the other two groups (28.38% ± 3.4% vs. 22.4% ± 3.08% and 22.14% ± 2.77%, respectively) (p < 0.05). JC-1 levels (a marker of MMP) were not significantly different between the examined groups (44.95% ± 8.26% vs. 36.61% ± 6.95% vs. 46.67% ± 7.7%, for control, group II, and group III, respectively) (p > 0.05). GM-CSF may be advantageous as an additive after freezing, improving total motility and viability after 30 minutes of post-thaw incubation; however, when supplied to the freezing media before cryopreservation, it is unable to protect against cryoinjury.

The determinants of smart government systems adoption by public sector organizations in Saudi Arabia.

This study investigates the determinants of smart government systems that are used in public service organizations in Saudi Arabia. The world's developed nations have conducted studies on smart government systems, but little research has been done on the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia. This study fills the lacuna in the literature. Based on a number of theories including the Technology, Organization, and Environment framework (TOE), Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), and Technology Acceptance Models (TAM), the study established an integrated conceptual research model. Online survey questionnaires were sent to 2060 employees in four ministries and after the second reminder a total of 427 completed answers were received, of which 419 (22% response rate) were deemed useable for the analysis. Multivariate statistical analysis was used to analyze the data and results indicated that 51% of the variance (R2 = 0.51) of employees' perceptions of smart government systems is explained by independent determinants. Findings show that security concerns (t (419) = 2.051, p < 0.041), ICT strategy (t (419) = 4.215, p < 0.000), managerial support (t (419) = 5.027, p < 0.000), incentives (t (419) = 5.263, p < 0.000), and trust (t (419) = -1.957, p < 0.050) are significant predictors of smart government systems acceptance. Meanwhile cultural values (t (419) = 0.669, p < 0.504) and religious values (t (419) = 1.082, p < 0.280) have no significant effect on the attitude to smart system adoption. Perception was found to have a strong significant effect on adoption of smart government systems (t (419) = 8.411, p < 0.000). These results have significant implications for the Saudi government's drive to implement smart government systems in all its agencies.

GM-CSF (granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor) treatment improves sperm parameters in men with oligoasthenoteratospermia via PI3K/AKT pathway.

Poor sperm quality in oligoasthenoteratospermia patients negatively affects assisted reproductive technology outcomes. Therefore, the development of sperm media is necessary to improve sperm parameters. This study investigated the effect of GM-CSF via PI3K/AKT pathway on sperm quality in OAT patients. Semen samples were collected from 20 OAT patients, and each sample was divided into two groups: Experiment and Control. In the experimental group, the samples were incubated with medium containing GM-CSF, and control samples were incubated without GM-CSF. Sperm parameters, mitochondrial membrane potential, acrosome reaction and DFI were studied; in addition, gene expression of PI3KR1, PI3KCA, GLUT1, GLUT3 and AKT1 was analysed, evaluation of PAKT/TAKT, and expression of GLUT 1, 3 was examined; subsequent fertilization rate and embryo quality were assessed. Our data showed that GM-CSF supplementation could significantly increase motility, mitochondrial activity, gene expression of PI3KCA, AKT1, the protein level of PAKT/TAKT and expression of GLUT 1, 3 while it decreases DNA fragmentation. The fertilization rate and embryo quality significantly improved in the treatment group. LY294002 had adverse effects on sperm motility and the PAKT/TAKT ratio. GM-CSF can improve in vitro sperm quality and could be a suitable supplement to sperm media for OAT patients.

Exoskeleton robots for lower limb assistance: A review of materials, actuation, and manufacturing methods.

The field of robot-assisted physical rehabilitation and robotics technology for providing support to the elderly population is rapidly evolving. Lower limb robot aided rehabilitation and assistive technology have been a focus for the engineering community during the last three decades as several robotic lower limb exoskeletons have been proposed in the literature as well as some being commercially available. Numerous manufacturing techniques and materials have been developed for lower limb exoskeletons during the last two decades, resulting in the design of a variety of robot exoskeletons for gait assistance for elderly and disabled people. One of the most important aspects of developing exoskeletons is the selection of the most appropriate proper material. The material selection strongly influences the overall weight and performance of the exoskeleton robot. The most suitable fabrication method for material is also an important parameter for the development of lower limb robot exoskeletons. In addition to the materials and manufacturing methods, the actuation method plays a vital role in the development of these robot exoskeletons. Even though various materials, manufacturing methods and actuators are reported in the literature for these lower limb robot exoskeletons, there are still avenues of improvement in these three domains. In this review, we have examined various lower limb robotic exoskeletons, concentrating on the three main aspects of material, manufacturing, and actuation. We have focused on the advantages and drawbacks of various materials and manufacturing practices as well as actuation methods. A discussion on future directions of research is provided for the engineering community covering the material, manufacturing and actuation methods.