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We report results from the first search for ν_{µ}âν_{e} transitions by the NOvA experiment. In an exposure equivalent to 2.74×10^{20} protons on target in the upgraded NuMI beam at Fermilab, we observe 6 events in the Far Detector, compared to a background expectation of 0.99±0.11(syst) events based on the Near Detector measurement. A secondary analysis observes 11 events with a background of 1.07±0.14(syst). The 3.3σ excess of events observed in the primary analysis disfavors 0.1π<δ_{CP}<0.5π in the inverted mass hierarchy at the 90% C.L.
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AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the role of seminal Malondialdehyde Acid (MDA) in the diagnosis of male infertility. BACKGROUND: Both male and female infertility is increasing all over the world. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of seminal MDA levels on various semen parameters of healthy fertile men and men with infertility, and to know the efficacy of seminal MDA in the diagnosis of male infertility. METHODS: This case-control study was carried out at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of a tertiary care center in rural Southern India over a period of two years. The study included 90 infertile men (≥21-50 years) having some pathology in semen reports as cases and 90 fertile men (having biological children) with normal semen reports as controls. Biochemical tests for MDA were performed using Human MDA Assay kits on 180 cryopreserved semen samples following the standard protocol. Results of seminal MDA levels were assessed among cases and controls and correlated with different semen parameters. RESULTS: The mean±SD age for cases was 30.10 ± 4.75 years, and for controls, it was 29.79 ± 5.08 years. Of all the cases, 44 (48.9%) had asthenozoospermia, 22 (24.4%) had oligoasthenozoospermia, 14(15.6%) had oligozoospermia, and 10 (11.1%) had azoospermia. A statistically substantial variance was observed in mean values of MDA (1.03 ± 0.31 mmol/mL vs. 0.60 ± 0.14 mmol/mL; p =0.001) between fertile men and men with abnormal semen reports. A negative association was observed between semen MDA levels with sperm motility, concentration, and normal morphology in 180 participants. The sensitivity of MDA for male infertility prediction was 86.67% at 76.67% specificity, 78.79% positive predictive value, and 78.79% negative predictive value. CONCLUSION: MDA has been found to be a promising biomarker for predicting male infertility. However, large sample sizes and prospective cohort studies are required to further confirm its predictive accuracy across various populations.
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OBJECTIVE: The study was conducted to assess the role of seminal plasma Testis Expressed Sequence (TEX)-101 as a biomarker of male infertility. STUDY DESIGN: The study was conducted on 180 men (20-50 years) with 90 having abnormal semen reports as cases and 90 with normal reports as controls in a rural tertiary care center in Southern India over two years. After the enrolment of cases and control, semen samples were cryopreserved till the desired sample size was achieved and a biochemical test for TEX-101 was run using Human Testis-expressed Protein 101 ELISA Kit. The results of TEX-101 were compared between cases and controls and correlated with various semen parameters. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software version 22.0, a p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Mean ± SD age of all participants was 29.94 ± 4.91 years. Of 90 cases, 48.9% had asthenospermia, 24.4% oligoasthenospermia, 15.6% oligospermia, 11.1% azoospermia. A statistically significant difference was observed in mean values of seminal plasma TEX-101 between cases (1.45 ± 0.08 ng/mL) and controls (2.26 ± 0.18 ng/mL), p = 0.001. A significant correlation (p = 0.001) was found between seminal TEX-101, semen volume, sperm concentration, progressive motility, and morphology. The area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve of TEX-101 between cases and controls was 1.00 (p = 0.001), indicating TEX-101 as a potential biomarker for distinguishing men with abnormal semen parameters from those with normal semen parameters. At a cut-off value of 1.84 ng/mL, seminal plasma TEX-101 had a sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive values of 100% for male infertility prediction. CONCLUSION: Seminal TEX-101 is a potential seminal biomarker and can be used in the qualitative assessment of male factor infertility.