Hasil untuk "Reproduction"

Yinghong Cui, Jiakun Deng, Yueling Zhang et al.

Abstract As key factors of cellular development, epigenetic regulation can accurately control gene expression through multiple manners, e.g., DNA methylation, histone modification, and chromatin remodeling complexes (CRCs). Epigenetic factors play pivotal roles in various kinds of cell processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, and diseases may be resulted from their dysfunction. Spermatogenesis refers to the complex process by which spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) self-renew and differentiate into the differentiating spermatogonia that further develop to spermatocytes and mature spermatids. Significantly, epigenetic regulation has recently been shown to mediate fate determinations of SSCs to ensure normal spermatogenesis. Interestingly, much progress has recently been made in epigenetic regulation and their dysfunction in controlling spermatogenesis and male infertility, respectively. In this review, we address the dynamic expression patterns, functions and mechanisms of DNA methylation, histone modification, and CRCs in mediating the development of SSCs and spermatogenesis, and we also discuss the association between epigenetic dysfunction and male infertility. We further point out the perspectives in epigenetic regulation on human spermatogenesis. Our review on the in-depth analysis of epigenetic regulatory mechanisms in normal and abnormal spermatogenesis not only helps us better understand the etiology of male infertility but also provides novel targets for treating this disease.

Neam M Khazaal, Hasan F Alghetaa, Mohammed Baqur S Al-Shuhaib

Physiological status and litter size can indeed have a significant impact on ewes' ‎hematological parameters, which are essential indicators of their health. Therefore, this study ‎examined the hematological profiles of ewes during pregnancy with single and twins in the ‎Awassi ewes. The present study involved 232 ewes in good health and at sexual maturity. ‎Among them, 123 ewes had single pregnancies, while 109 ewes had twin pregnancies. The age ‎range of the ewes included in the study was between 3.5 and 4.5 years. Hematological tests ‎were conducted on the sheep's blood samples promptly following collection. The findings ‎demonstrated variations in hematological parameters among pregnant ewes, with differences ‎based on litter size. Ewes carrying twin pregnancies exhibited significantly higher levels of ‎red blood corpuscular, hemoglobin, packed cell volume, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin ‎concentration during pregnancy. In comparison to single-pregnant ewes, Awassi ewes with ‎twin pregnancies displayed elevated counts of white blood cells, lymphocytes, granulocytes, ‎and granulocyte percentage compared to ewes with single pregnancies. Awassi ewes with twin ‎pregnancies also exhibited a strong positive correlation with the leukocytes and erythrocytes ‎constituents. In conclusion, these findings indicate that litter size significantly influences ‎hematological parameters, highlighting the importance of considering the physiological status ‎and litter size as indicators of ewes' health. The findings have practical implications in sheep ‎breeding and reproduction, as they can be utilized to enhance the diagnosis, prognosis, and ‎treatment of related conditions‎.

Nur Saidatuzzahroh

Background and Aims: Blastocyst morphology has been clinically assessed during the selection of blastocyst for transfer and cryopreservation, and the morphological grading scheme has gained wide acceptance. Blastocyst grading according to Gardner et al. (20) early blastocyst, blastocoel less than half of the blastocyst (1AA), blastocyst with blastocoel more than half of the blastocyst (2AA), blastocyst with blastocoel fill the blastocyst (3AA), and Expanded Blastocyst (4AA/4BB/4CC). Morphology blastocyst with good quality determining the success of PGD. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) are routine procedures performed in many in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics. In patients with genetic or chromosomal abnormalities, PGD is an integral part of the IVF program. This study aims to determine whether embryos with normal blastocyst morphology have euploidy result on the PGD test. Method: Observational research study. Results: Dari 22 embryo blastocyst yang di PGD, 59% embryo euploidy 4AA/4BB, 22,7% embryo low level mosaicism 4AA/4BB, 13% embryo aneuploidy 2AA/3AA and 4,5% embryo multiple aneuploidy 3AA. The result suggested that the euploidy rate of blastocyst grade 4AA was the highest. Conclusion: Based on data, embryo morphology with quality 4AA/4BB show PGD result Euploidy was the highest. Euploidy of embryo is one of the important factors affecting embryo implantation and development. Euploidy of blastocyst during PGD treatment was found to be correlated with morphological assessment (Gardner grade)

Johnny Awwad, Johnny Awwad, Juan Garcia-Velasco et al.

Jonathan Gonçalves-Oliveira, Ricardo Gutierrez, Cory Lee Schlesener et al.

Rodents and bats are the most diverse mammal group that host <i>Bartonella</i> species. In the Americas, they were described as harboring <i>Bartonella</i> species; however, they were mostly characterized to the genotypic level. We describe here <i>Bartonella</i> isolates obtained from blood samples of one rodent (<i>Peromyscus yucatanicus</i> from San José Pibtuch, Yucatan) and two bat species (<i>Desmodus rotundus</i> from Progreso, and <i>Pteronotus parnellii</i> from Chamela-Cuitzmala) from Mexico. We sequenced and described the genomic features of three <i>Bartonella</i> strains and performed phylogenomic and pangenome analyses to decipher their phylogenetic relationships. The mouse-associated genome was closely related to <i>Bartonella vinsonii</i>. The two bat-associated genomes clustered into a single distinct clade in between lineages 3 and 4, suggesting to be an ancestor of the rodent-associated <i>Bartonella</i> clade (lineage 4). These three genomes showed <95% OrthoANI values compared to any other <i>Bartonella</i> genome, and therefore should be considered as novel species. In addition, our analyses suggest that the <i>B. vinsonii</i> complex should be revised, and all <i>B. vinsonii</i> subspecies need to be renamed and considered as full species. The phylogenomic clustering of the bat-associated <i>Bartonella</i> strains and their virulence factor profile (lack of the Vbh/TraG conjugation system remains of the T4SS) suggest that it should be considered as a new lineage clade (L5) within the <i>Bartonella</i> genus.

Eri FURUKAWA, Yojiro YANAGAWA, Akira MATSUZAKI et al.

The present study investigated the applicability of a calving prediction model based on supervised machine learning of ruminal temperature (RT) data in dairy cows. The existence of cow subgroups for prepartum RT changes was also examined, and the predictive performance of the model was compared among these subgroups. RT data were collected from 24 Holstein cows at 10 min intervals using an RT sensor system. The average hourly RT was calculated and data were expressed as residual RTs (rRT = actual RT − mean RT for the same time on the previous three days). The mean rRT decreased beginning at approximately 48 h before calving to a low of −0.5°C at 5 h before calving. However, two cow subgroups were identified: cows with a late and small rRT decrease (Cluster 1, n = 9) and those with an early and large rRT decrease (Cluster 2, n = 15). A calving prediction model was developed using five features extracted from the sensor data (indicative of prepartum rRT changes) through a support vector machine. Cross-validation showed that calving within 24 h was predicted with a sensitivity of 87.5% (21/24) and precision of 77.8% (21/27). A significant difference in sensitivity was observed between Clusters 1 and 2 (66.7 vs. 100%, respectively), while none was observed for precision. Therefore, the model based on RT data with supervised machine learning has the potential to efficiently predict calving, although improvements for specific cow subgroups are required.

V. I. Sharin

The research is aimed at studying the opinion of university students on corruption in higher education. Researchers give ambiguous assessments of the nature of corruption in higher education, therefore, the purpose of the work is to determine the nature of corruption, the causes of its reproduction, as well as factors that, according to students, can reduce its level based on the study of students’ opinions on corruption in higher education. The methodological basis of the research was the works of leading foreign and Russian scientists. The study was conducted using general scientific methods, such as system analysis, questionnaires, generalization and systematization, and comparisons. The results of student survey (N=400) and 12 individual semi-structured interviews of students of the Ural State University of Economics and St. Petersburg State University collected in 2021 constitute an empirical base. It was found that the majority of university students have a superficial understanding of the essence of corruption and tend to tolerate it. The majority of students did not participate in corruption relations, but a third of respondents consider it as a means suitable for solving private problems. According to the students, the factors that have the greatest impact on the reproduction of corruption relations at university are the low level of remuneration of teachers, the low moral level of teachers and staff, as well as the lack of proper administrative control. The greatest impact on reducing corruption in higher education, in the opinion of the students, are the factors of increasing responsibility for corruption offenses, raising teachers’ salaries and strengthening administrative control at the university.

Cristina Taliento, Noemi Salmeri, Pantaleo Greco et al.

Soft markers are sonographic structural, nonspecific signs with little pathological significance, often transient, usually considered as normal variants. However, they may also be associated with chromosomal abnormalities. The most widely examined soft markers include absent or hypoplastic nasal bone (NB), intracardiac echogenic focus (IEF), ventriculomegaly (VM), thickened nuchal fold (NF), choroid plexus cyst (CPC), echogenic bowel, short long bones, and urinary tract dilation (UTD). Although the use of noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) has been spreading quickly in maternal–fetal medicine, it is not a diagnostic test and it still remains unavailable or cost-prohibitive for most of the population in many countries. After normal screening test results in the first trimester, there is no uniform consensus regarding the clinical significance of isolated soft markers for aneuploidy. Nowadays, the search for soft markers in an ultrasound is still part of clinical evaluation, and the interpretation of these findings is often a matter of debate. In the present review, we summarize the recent literature about the role of soft markers in the era of NIPT and propose an overview of the different clinical guidelines.

Zavialova Liudmyla V., Protopopova Vira V., Kucher Oksana O. et al.

We present a comprehensive review of the plant invasions of 42 alien species and their impact on vegetation cover in Ukraine. Among these species, those currently posing the greatest threat to the environment have been identified. The structural features of this group were analyzed. In the life form spectrum the phanerophytes and therophytes are dominant, in the ecological spectrum the mesophytes are dominant, and kenophytes predominate at the time of immigration. Among the examined species, plants of North American origin predominate, agriophytes prevail by their degree of naturalization, and ergasiophytes are predominant by their way of entry. The participation of invasive species in natural and anthropogenic plant communities and biotopes was analyzed. These species are a stable component of grasses, scrub and forest habitats. Most of these invasive plants (33 species) are observed in anthropogenic habitats (I). Slightly fewer species of the studied group prefer habitat types E (25), F and G (22 each), although the largest invasions are observed exactly in these biotopes. Invasive species are characterized by eurytopicity. Four species have the greatest ecological plasticity, each of these is found in six types of habitats: Ailanthus altissima (B, F, G, I, J, H), Amaranthus retroflexus (C, E, F, G, I, J), Opuntia humifusa (B, E, F, G, H, I) and Xanthium albinum (B, C, E, F, G, I). Erigeron canadensis is found in five habitat types (C, E, F, G, I). The studied group is characterized by an insignificant regional specificity of the species composition, high invasive potential and stability of population reproduction.

Ronald C W Ma, Noel Y H Ng, Lai Ping Cheung

Ronald Ma and co-authors discuss Emma Norrman and colleagues' accompanying research study on the health of children born with assisted reproductive technology.

Jing-Yan Song, Jing-Yan Song, Dan-Dan Gao et al.

ObjectiveThe primary objective of the study was to assess traditional Chinese formula DKP supplementation in terms of efficacy and safety on reproductive outcomes of expected poor ovarian responder (POR, POSEIDON Group 4) undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET).Design, Setting, and ParticipantsWomen eligible for IVF-ET were invited to participate in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, superiority trial at academic fertility centers of ten public hospitals in Chinese Mainland. A total of 462 patients (35–44 years) equally divided between DKP and placebo groups with antral follicle count (AFC) &lt;5 or anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) &lt;1.2 ng/ml were randomized.InterventionsAll participants were given DKP or 7 g placebo twice daily on the previous menstrual cycle day 5 until oocyte retrieval, which took approximately 5 to 6 weeks.Main Outcome MeasureThe primary outcome was the ongoing pregnancy defined as more than 20 gestational weeks of an intrauterine living fetus confirmed by pelvic ultrasonography.ResultsDemographic characteristics were equally distributed between the study populations. Intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis revealed that ongoing pregnancy rate (OPR) was not significantly different between DKP and placebo groups [26.4% (61/231) versus 24.2% (56/231); relative risk (RR) 1.09, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.80 to 1.49, P = 0.593]. No significant differences between groups were observed for the secondary outcomes. The additional per protocol (PP) analysis was in line with ITT results: OPR in DKP group was 27.2% (61/224) versus 24.1% (55/228) in placebo group [RR 1.13, 95%CI (0.82 to 1.55), P = 0.449]. After subgroup analysis the findings concluded that POR population of 35–37 years had a significantly higher OPR after 5–6 weeks of oral DKP (41.8%, 33/79) versus placebo (25.4%, 18/71) [RR 1.65, 95% CI (1.02 to 2.65), P = 0.034, P for interaction = 0.028].ConclusionThis well-designed randomized controlled trial (RCT) offers new high-quality evidence to supplement existing retrospective literature concerning DKP performance in expected PORs. DKP could be recommended as a safe and natural remedy for expected PORs (aged 35–37 years) who fulfill the POSEIDON group 4 criteria. However, additional interventional clinical studies are undoubtedly required to be conducted in the future to validate this hypothesis.Clinical Trial Registrationwww.chictr.org.cn, identifier ChiCTR1900026614.

Fani Konstantinidou, Liborio Stuppia, Valentina Gatta

The detrimental implications of tobacco smoke on systemic health have been widely established during the past few decades. Nonetheless, increasing evidence has begun to shed more light on the serious impact that smoke exposure could also have on mammal reproductive health in terms of overall ovarian dysfunction and gestation. A variety of these complications seem to be causally related to specific chemical substances contained in cigarette smoke and their possible effects on ovarian tissues and cells, such as granulosa cells. Granulosa cells represent the functional unit of the ovary and are able to establish a bidirectional cross-talk relationship with the oocyte during folliculogenesis, which makes them vital for its correct growth and development. Based on these premises, the current review focuses on the presence of related smoke-induced damages in granulosa cells. Data have been grouped according to the studied tobacco constituents and the molecular pathways involved, in order to synthesize their impact on granulosa cells and fertility. Attention is further brought to the correlation between electronic cigarettes and female reproduction, although there have been no investigations so far regarding e-cigarette-related granulosa cell exposure. We summarize how tobacco constituents are able to cause alterations in the “life” of granulosa cells, ranging from luteal steroidogenesis and follicular loss to granulosa cell apoptosis and activation of the autophagic machinery. Further studies have been conducted to elucidate the relationship between lifestyle and fertility as to reduce the morbidity connected with infertility.

Danuta Ulicka

Ulicka tackles three related issues: the apparently peripheral status of Polish literary theory, its absence from the global canon, and the mechanisms behind this state of affairs. The first issue is addressed in terms of the (re)transfer of concepts in literary scholarship, the second in terms of knowledge reproduction, while the third issue is discussed with reference to the processes of canon formation and of achieving success and authority in academia – processes described by scholars of agnotology. To provide an example Ulicka discusses documents from the archive of literary scholar Manfred Kridel. She presents an optimistic view of building an alternative and supplementary canon in which “Polish theory” would find its rightful place.

Genta Toya, Takashi Hashimoto

It has been suggested that hierarchically structured symbols, a remarkable feature of human language, are produced via the operation of recursive combination. Recursive combination is frequently observed in human behavior, not only in language but also in action sequences, mind-reading, technology, etc. in contrast, it is rarely observed in animals. Why is it that only humans use this operation? What is the adaptability of recursive combination? We aim (1) to identify the environmental feature(s) in which recursive combination is effective for survival and reproduction, and that has facilitated the evolution of this ability, and (2) to demonstrate the possible evolutionary processes of recursive combination. To achieve this, we constructed an evolutionary simulation of agents that generated products using recursive combination and used the results to explore the types of fitness functions (that reflect the kinds of adaptive environments) that give rise to this ability. We identified two types of adaptability of the recursive combination: (1) diversifiability of production and (2) diversifiability of products. Through the former, recursive combination promotes robustness against failure of production caused by inaccurate manipulations or irreversible changes. In an environment in which diversified products are preferable, sharing a portion of the production process for these products entails producing multiple products in which recursive combination plays a key role. We suppose that recursive combination works as a driving force of material culture. Finally, we discuss the possible evolutionary scenarios of recursive combination that is later generalized to encompass many aspects of human cognition, including human language.

S. Asdell

J. Thompson, J. Howell, G. Pitt

Larisa Kupriianova

Kupriianova Larisa. Immuno-histochemical features of the structure of foetuses' ovarian from the mothers with pregnancy complications. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2016;6(11):749-759. eISSN 2391-8306. DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.275714 http://ojs.ukw.edu.pl/index.php/johs/article/view/4244         The journal has had 7 points in Ministry of Science and Higher Education parametric evaluation. Part B item 755 (23.12.2015). 755 Journal of Education, Health and Sport eISSN 2391-8306 7 © The Author (s) 2016; This article is published with open access at Licensee Open Journal Systems of Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz, Poland Open Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial License which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and source are credited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper. Received: 02.11.2016. Revised 22.11.2016. Accepted: 30.11.2016.   UDK: 618.11-053.18-091.8:618.3-06   Immuno-histochemical features of the structure of foetuses' ovarian from the mothers with pregnancy complications   Larisa Kupriianova   Kharkiv National Medical University, Kharkov, Ukraine   Abstract As a material of our research, we took into account foetuses' ovarian at the gestation term from 21 to 42 weeks; and, as a result, all types of material we divided into few groups: foetuses from healthy mothers; foetuses from mothers with pre-eclampsia complications of pregnancy of different stages; foetuses from mothers with pregnancy's complications as a chronical infection. Research methods: organomethrical, histochemical, immuno-histochemical, statistical. As a result of the complex research, in foetuses' ovarian from mothers with pregnancy complications of different types, we can see reducing of indicators of structural and functional activity of organs, increasing of apoptotic index; increasing of endothelin-1 production; decreasing of hormones production. Key words: fetus, pregnancy, pre-eclampsia; infection, ovary.

Mikołajczyk-Bator Katarzyna, Czapski Janusz

Red beets and their products are mainly consumed after processing. In this study, the effect of pH on changes in antioxidant capacity (AC) and the content of betalain pigments were analysed during the heating of a betalain preparation solution. With pH ranging from 4 to 9 during the heat-treatment, the content of red pigments decreased depending on the pH level of the sample. The losses of red pigments in the investigated betalain preparation solution increased along with rising pH levels of the heated solution. The greatest losses were recorded at pH of 9.0. An opposite correlation was observed for yellow pigments. The content of yellow pigments in the heated betalain preparation solution was increasing along with increasing pH. The most pronounced increase in the content of yellow pigments was found at pH of 6.5 and 7.0. At the same time, the heated betalain preparation solution was shown to exhibit a higher antioxidant capacity at pH of 6.0 (14.9 μmol Trolox/mL) than at pH of 4.0 (12.6 μmol Trolox/mL). It was observed that the increase in the antioxidant capacity in heated betalain preparation solutions with pH in the 6.0–6.5 range occurred as a result of increased concentrations of neobetanin, assessed by HPLC, within the pH range from 5.0 to 6.5.

K. Kock, A. Kellermann

P. Racey