Male infertility is defined as an inability to impregnate a fertile female; it is a widespread problem which is usually caused by some male factors such as low quantity and quality of sperm, ...specifically oligospermia and azoospermia.
This study aimed to evaluate the bio-positive effects of low power density Wi-Fi radiation on the reproductive system of infertile and healthy mice.
In this experimental study, thirty adult male Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 5 groups. Groups oligospermic-sham (OS), oligospermic-exposure 1 (OE1) and oligospermic-exposure 2 (OE2) received Busulfan, 10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, but the control-sham (CS) and control-exposure (CE) groups left without Busulfan therapy. Groups CE, OE1 and OE2 were exposed to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi radiation while, the CS and OS were sham exposed to Wi-Fi radiation without energizing the Wi-Fi router. The right and left testes and right epididymis were dissected out and histopathological, histomorphologic changes and the quality of the sperms were analyzed.
Low power density Wi-Fi radiation significantly increased sperm concentration in the CE group compared to that in CS, while enhancement of spermatid cells was not significant. Sperm concentration in OE2 was more than that in OE1 as the spermatid cells enhanced.
Findings revealed that radiation hormesis induced by low power density Wi-Fi radiation have biological beneficial effects on mouse sperm concentration and sperm histomorphometric parameters.
Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) was used to determine microstructural evolution in AA6082-T6 welds processed by the Bobbin Friction Stir Welding (BFSW). This revealed details of ...grain-boundaries in different regions of the weld microstructure. Different polycrystalline transformations were observed through the weld texture. The Stirring Zone (SZ) underwent severe grain fragmentation and a uniform Dynamic Recrystallisation (DRX). The transition region experienced stored strain which changed the grain size and morphology via sub-grain-boundary transformations. Other observations were of micro-cracks, the presence of oxidization, and the presence of strain hardening associated with precipitates. Flow-arms in welds are caused by DRX processes including shear, and low and high angle grain boundaries. Welding variables affect internal flow which affects microstructural integrity. The shear deformation induced by the pin causes a non-uniform thermal and strain gradient across the weld region, leading to formation of mixed state transformation of grain morphologies through the polycrystalline structure. The grain boundary mapping represents the differences in DRX mechanism I different regions of the weld, elucidates by the consequences of the thermomechanical nature of the weld. The EBSD micrographs indicated that the localised stored strain at the boundary regions of the weld (e.g. flow-arms) has a more distinct effect in emergence of thermomechanical nonuniformities within the DRX microstructure.
The flow-inducing effect of the bobbin-tool features (tri-flat pin and scrolled shoulder) were replicated by a simple analogue model for aluminium welds by layered plasticine samples. Flow patterns ...of the weld zone were clarified by a typical stereomicroscopy instrument assisted by dark-field/bright-field illumination. The effects of the pin features, specifically threads and flats in centre of bond zone and scrolled shoulder in sides of stirred zone, were identified. This study shows that internal flow features for BFSW welds is transferable from the friction stir welding process to the functional metal forming processes such where the shearing can extensively affect the microstructure. The similarity between the flow pattern of the provided aluminium samples and the plasticine analogue can validate the accuracy of the flow model presented in this work.
The present study determined the regenerative effect of bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs) on thioacetamide (TA)-induced liver fibrosis in rats. A total of 30 male Wistar rats were randomly ...divided into sham control and treatment groups. The rats of the sham control group were subdivided into three groups and sampled on the 14th, 18th, and 20th weeks after fibrosis induction. The rats of the treatment group were subdivided into two groups and sampled on the 4th and 6th weeks after BMSCs treatment. Fibrosis was induced by the intraperitoneal administration of 200 mg/kg of TA twice a week for a period of 14 weeks. All the animals underwent liver function tests and histopathologic evaluation 4 and 6 weeks after BMSCs transplantation. The BMSCs were characterized using osteogenic induction and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The BMSCs were plastic adherent, spindle-shaped, and positive for osteogenic differentiation. They expressed CD73 and were negative for CD45. The infiltration of inflammatory cells and deposition of collagen fibers were noticed after TA administration. A significant decline in inflammatory cells and a healing process were detected 4 weeks after cell transplantation. The amelioration in hepatic tissue was significant 6 weeks after cell therapy. Following the injection of BMSCs, a nonsignificant decrease was visible in aspartate transaminase level; however, this decline was significant for alanine aminotransferase level. The alkaline phosphatase and albumin levels showed an increasing trend after cell administration. The transplantation of BMSCs resulted in a significant regenerative effect after hepatic injuries. Therefore, it was shown that BMSCs transplantation can open a new window and be a therapy of choice in the amelioration of liver fibrosis.
Gonadotrophin‐inhibitory hormone (GnIH) is a novel hypothalamic neuropeptide that was discovered in birds as an inhibitory factor for gonadotrophin release. RFamide‐related peptide (RFRP) is a ...mammalian GnIH orthologue that inhibits gonadotrophin synthesis and release in mammals through actions on gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) neurones and gonadotrophs, mediated via the GnIH receptor (GnIH‐R), GPR147. On the other hand, hypothalamic kisspeptin provokes the release of GnRH from the hypothalamus. The present study aimed to compare the expression of RFRP in the dorsomedial hypothalamus and paraventricular nucleus (DMH/PVN) and that of kisspeptin in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the female goat hypothalamus during anoestrous and breeding seasons. Mature female Abadeh does were used during anoestrus, as well as the follicular and luteal phases of the cycle. The number of RFRP‐immunoreactive (‐IR) neurones in the follicular phase was lower than in the luteal and anoestrous stages. Irrespective of the ovarian stage, the number of RFRP‐IR neurones in the rostral and middle regions of the DMH/PVN was higher than in the caudal region. By contrast, the number of kisspeptin‐IR neurones in the follicular stage was greater than in the luteal stage and during the anoestrous stage. Irrespective of the stage of the ovarian cycle, the number of kisspeptin‐IR neurones in the caudal region of the ARC was greater than in the middle and rostral regions. In conclusion, RFRP‐IR cells were more abundant in the rostral region of the DMH/PVN nuclei of the hypothalamus, with a greater number being found during the luteal and anoestrous stages compared to the follicular stage. On the other hand, kisspeptin‐IR neurones were more abundant in the caudal part of the ARC, with a greater number recorded in the follicular stage compared to the luteal and anoestrous stages.
The purpose of this study is to elucidate the flow features of the dissimilar Al-Cu welded plates. The welding method used is Bobbin Friction Stir Welding (BFSW), and the joint is between two ...dissimilar materials, aluminium alloy (AA6082-T6) and pure copper. Weld samples were cut from along the weld line, and the cross-sections were polished and observed under an optical microscope (OM). Particular regions of interest were examined under a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and analysed with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) using the AZtec software from Oxford Instruments. The results and images attained were compared to other similar studies. The reason for fracture was mainly attributed to the welding parameters used; a higher rotational speed may be required to achieve a successful BFSW between these two materials. The impact of welding parameters on the Al-Cu flow bonding and evolution of the intermetallic compounds were identified by studying the interfacial microstructure at the location of the tool action. The work makes an original contribution to identifying the solid-phase hybrid bonding in Al-Cu joints to improve the understanding of the flow behaviours during the BFSW welding process. The microstructural evolution of the dissimilar weld has made it possible to develop a physical model proposed for the flow failure mechanism.
A variety of tool shoulder designs comprising three families i.e. blade, spiral and circular shaped scrolls, were produced to improve the material flow and restrictions to avoid the tunnel void. The ...bobbin tools were manufactured by 3D printing additive manufacturing technology using solid filament. The butt weld joint was produced by each tool using plasticine as the workpiece material. The apparent surface features and bi-colour cross-sections provided a physical flow comparison among the shoulder designs. For the bobbin friction stir welding (BFSW), the tool shoulder with a three-spiral design produced the most stability with the best combination of the flow patterns on surface and cross-sections. The circular family tools showed a suitable intermixing on the surface pattern, while the blade scrolls showed better flow features within the cross-sections. The flow-driven effect of the shoulder features of the bobbin-tool design (inscribed grooves) was replicated by the 3D-printed tools and the analogue modelling of the weld samples. Similar flow patterns were achieved by dissimilar aluminium-copper weld, validating the accuracy of the analogue plasticine for the flow visualization of the bobbin friction stir welding.
Studies have begun to show that muscles and bones play a role in the regulation of biological functions through a combination of biomechanical and biochemical signals. In vivo and ex vivo imaging ...techniques are crucial in the understanding of the morphology and architecture of muscle and bone for further understanding of musculoskeletal physiology and pathophysiology. This systematic review of the literature summarizes current knowledge and outlines new insights into the functions of muscle and bone elucidated by imaging techniques, with a focus on the recent advances in the musculoskeletal system enabled by novel technologies, such as CLARITY, Fast Free-of-Acrylamide Clearing Tissue (FACT), computed tomography (CT), and positron emission tomography (PET). This may serve as guidance for the development of new strategies to prevent and diagnose motor or metabolism disorders related to the malfunction of muscle and bone.
In-utero xenotransplantation of stem cells in abnormal fetuses effectively treats several genetic illnesses.
The current research aimed to evaluate structural and morphological alterations in the ...liver of rabbit fetuses following xenotransplantation of human Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hWJ-MSCs), using a stereological technique.
All hWJ-MSCs were isolated from the human umbilical cord, and their authenticity was established by flowcytometry and differentiation. At gestational day 14, the rabbits were anesthetized, and hWJ-MSCs were injected into the uteri of 24 fetuses. Twenty-two fetuses were born successfully. Ten rabbit liver specimens were prepared from injected fetuses including; eight rabbits on day three following birth and two rabbits on the 21st post-natal day. The non-injected fetuses were considered positive controls. The livers of the control and hWJ-MSCs-treated rabbits were fixed, processed, stained, and examined through stereological approaches.
In the hWJ-MSCs-treated group, the mean liver weight and volume increased by 42% and 78% compared to the control group. The total volume of the hepatocytes increased by 63%, and that of sinusoids by three folds in the treated rabbits. The total volume of the central veins increased by 70%. The total number corresponding to hepatocytes in the experimental group increased by 112% compared to the rabbits in the control. The total volume of the hepatocyte nuclei in the experimental group increased by 117% compared to the rabbits in the control.
After xenotransplantation of human MSCs, host tissue microenvironments (here, the rabbit liver) were altered and these included quantitative factors corresponding to the liver tissue and hepatocyte morphometric indices.
This study investigated the relationships of thyroid hormones, serum energy metabolites, reproductive parameters, milk yield and body condition score with the different patterns of postpartum luteal ...activity in the postpartum period. A total of 75 multiparous healthy (free of detectable reproductive disorders) Holstein dairy cows (mean peak milk yield = 56.5 ± 7.0 kg/day) were used in this study. Transrectal ultrasound scanning and blood sample collection were performed twice weekly. Serum concentrations of progesterone (P₄) were measured twice weekly and beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), non-esterified fatty acids, thyroxine (T₄), 3,30,5-tri-iodothyronine (T₃), free thyroxine (fT₄) and free 3,30,5-tri-iodothyronine (fT₃) were measured every 2 weeks from the 1st to the 8th week postpartum. On the basis of the serum P₄ profile of the cows, 25 (33.4%) had normal luteal activity (NLA), whereas 30 (40%), 10 (13.3%), 6 (8%) and 4 (5.3%) had prolonged luteal phase (PLP), delayed first ovulation (DOV), anovulation (AOV) and short luteal phase, respectively. Serum T₄ concentrations in PLP cows were higher than that in NLA cows at the 3rd week postpartum and did not change during the period of study, whereas in the NLA cows the concentrations increased (P < 0.05). Further, the least square (LS) mean of serum fT₄ concentrations in the DOV and AOV cows were significantly lower than in the NLA cows during the study period (P < 0.05). In addition, the AOV cows had higher LS mean serum BHBA and T₄ concentrations than the NLA cows in early weeks postpartum (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the serum thyroid hormones’ profile differs in high-producing dairy cows showing PLP, AOV and DOV in comparison with the postpartum NLA cows.
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