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Apilarnil is a bee product obtained after the collection of drone larvae aged 3-7 days. It contains water, proteins, carbohydrates, fatty acids, minerals, and is rich in essential amino acids, antioxidants, as well as reproductive hormones. It contributes to the maintenance of normal metabolism due to its amino acids, vitamins, minerals, glycerophosphate calcium and folic acid contents. This study was designed to investigate the effects of different levels of apilarnil supplementation to tris-egg yolk glycerol extender on post-thaw semen quality in 6 Akkaraman rams aged around 2 years. Semen was collected by artificial vagina and diluted at 37°C using five semen diluents with or without Apilarnil including 0% (Control), 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0% apilarnil. Diluted semen was cooled to 5°C; after glycerolisation and equilibration, it was frozen in liquid nitrogen, stored at -196oC and evaluated for post-thaw sperm quality. According to our results, total sperm motility, progressive sperm motility and curvi-linear velocity (VCL) values were higher in 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% apilarnil supplemented groups compared to the control group (P<0.05). Values for sperm acrosomal damage were decreased in all apilarnil-containing groups than in the control group (P<0.05). Plasma membrane integrity was higher in the 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% apilarnil-containing groups than in the control group (P<0.05). Malondialdehyde levels were lower in all apilarnil-treated groups compared to the control group (P<0.05). In conclusion, supplementation of apilarnil at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% to tris-egg yolk glycerol diluent increased sperm motility and protected plasma membrane integrity and acrosomal membrane integrity of postthaw ram spermatozoa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Context: Successful freezing of ram semen has not yet reached the desired levels. The main reason for this situation could be due to the fact that the spermatozoa of this species have a lipid composition different from that of other species. Aims: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of L-carnosine added to the extender on ram semen after being frozen and thawed. Methods: Semen was collected from six Akkaraman rams twice a week for a period of 3 weeks. Pooling was performed at each time. The semen were reconstituted with a pre-prepared tris + egg yolk solution and different amounts of L-carnosine to form experimental groups (Group 1: 1 mM, Group 2: 5 mM, Group 3: 10 mM, Group 4: 20 mM, Group 5: control) and were drawn into 0.25 mL mini straws. Subsequently, the samples were subjected to freezing by using an automated freezing device. Following the freezing process, the straws were placed in containers containing liquid nitrogen and thawed after 24 h. Key results: After thawing, it was found that the samples containing 5 mM L-carnosine had superior results in all analyses. This concentration exhibited significantly higher percentages of progressive, total, and rapid sperm motility, live spermatozoa, high mitochondrial membrane potential rate, and higher GSH-Px concentrations. In addition, it was determined that 5 mM L-carnosine group protected the membrane integrity and significantly decreased the rate of abnormal spermatozoa, acrosomal damage rate, low mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptotic cell rate. Conclusions: As a result, It was determined that adding 5 mM of L-carnosine to the semen extender during the freezing of ram samples would be beneficial for successful freezing. Implications: The addition of 5 mM L-carnosine to ram-semen extenders ensures the freezability of the semen of this species; thus, this protocol could be used to perform artificial insemination with frozen ram semen. In this study, L-carnosine was added to semen diluents so as to overcome the problems encountered during the freezing of ram semen. The cell membrane protecting and diluent pH buffering properties of L-carnosine came to the fore. The freezing quality of semen was found to be enhanced when 5 mM of L-carnosine was added. This result was demonstrated by basic analyses (computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) and flow-cytometry) of ram semen after freezing and thawing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the morphological, functional and molecular changes in frozen–thawed ram sperm using an extender containing different concentrations of hydrated carbon 60 fullerene (C60HyFn), a nanotechnological product. Semen taken from each of the seven Akkaraman rams were pooled. Semen collection was done twice a week and it continued for 3 weeks. Each pooled semen sample was divided into six equal groups and diluted with tris + egg yolk extender including 0 (control), 200, 400, 800 nM, 1 and 5 μM concentrations of C60HyFn at 37°C. They were then frozen in liquid nitrogen vapour at −140°C, stored in liquid nitrogen container (−196°C) and thawed at 37°C for 25 s before analysis. In comparison with control, C60HyFn addition prior to freezing procedure provided significant increases in total and progressive motility rates, glutathione peroxidase, catalase activities and percentage of highly active mitochondria, and significant decreases in dead and abnormal sperm rates, lipid peroxidation, caspase‐3 and DNA fragmentation levels in frozen–thawed ram semen. When compared to control, C60HyFn supplementation significantly down‐regulated the expression levels of miR‐200a and KCNJ11, and significantly up‐regulated the expression levels of miR‐3958‐3p (at the concentrations of 200, 400, 800 nM and 1 μM), CatSper1 (at the concentrations of 200, 400 nM and 5 μM), CatSper2 (at the concentrations of 1 and 5 μM), CatSper3 (at the concentrations of 200, 400 nM, 1 and 5 μM), CatSper4 (at all concentrations), ANO1 (at the concentrations of 800 nM, 1 and 5 μM) and TRPV5 (at the concentrations of 200, 400 and 800 nM). The addition of C60HyFn had no effect on global DNA methylation rates. As a result, C60HyFn supplementation to ram semen extenders may be beneficial in reducing some of the functional, structural and molecular damages in sperm induced by the freeze–thawing procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of the semen freeze-thawing process on the functionality and molecular structure of ram spermatozoa. The temperature of pooled and diluted semen at 38°C (group 1, control) was lowered to 5°C (group 2), and it was subjected to glycerolisation-equilibration (group 3), frozen and thawed (group 4). Compared to the control, deterioration in spermatological parameters and significant increases in lipid peroxidation and global DNA methylation levels were observed in groups 3 and 4. When compared with the control, significant downregulation in the levels of miR-485 of group 2, miR-29a of group 3 and let-7a, miR-485 and miR-29a of group 4, and significant upregulation in the levels of miR-107 of group 3 and miR-127 of groups 3 and 4 were detected. In comparison to the control, significant upregulation in the levels of CatSper1, CatSper2, CatSper3, CatSper4, ANO1 and TRPM3 of group 2, CatSper4, ANO1 and TRPM3 of group 3 and KCNJ11 of group 4, and significant downregulation in the CatSper 3 level of group 4 were determined. As a result, the semen freeze-thawing process causes motility and morphological disorders in rams. This may be due to molecular changes associated with lipid peroxidation in spermatozoa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different doses of hydrated C60 fullerene (C60HyFn) nanoparticles on ram semen during cool storage at 5 °C. Semen samples were collected from 7 healthy Akkaraman rams by artificial vagina during nonbreeding season (April) 3 times for two weeks (3 replications), and samples having good initial sperm motility (> 70 %) and count (> 2 billion / mL) were pooled and diluted with tris-egg yolk based extender at 37 °C. Then, the diluted semen samples were divided into 15 aliquots control and 14 different C60HyFn groups (25 nM, 50 nM, 100 nM, 200 nM, 400 nM, 800 nM, 1 µM, 5 µM, 10 µM, 20 µM, 40 µM, 60 µM, 80 µM, and 100 µM), and stored at 5 °C up to 144th h. The motility (total, progressive, rapid, medium, slow, and static), kinematic (VCL, VSL, VAP, LIN, STR, WOB, ALH, and BCF), and some other spermatological parameters (dead, abnormal, damaged acrosome, and membrane intactness) were examined at 0, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, and 144th h. All C60HyFn doses except 25 nM, 50 nM, 60 µM, 80 µM, and 100 µM had numerically higher total and progressive motility, membrane intactness and numerically lower static, dead and total abnormal spermatozoon ratios at the end of 144th h than control. The differences between 400 nM dose and control in membrane intactness, and also between 400, 800 nM doses and control in dead spermatozoon ratio were statistically significant (P < 0.0125). In conclusion, it is suggested that supplementation of any doses of C60HyFn between 100 nM and 40 µM may be beneficial to keep some spermatological parameters at high level during the short-term storage of ram semen at 5 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, on male fertility in terms of ion channel and miRNA gene expressions in testis/spermatozoa was evaluated in this study. Rats were divided into sham and verapamil groups (n = 15). Verapamil was performed orally for 60 days. Sperm parameters and levels of serum follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH) and testosterone (T) hormones were analysed. Alterations of microRNA (miRNA) and ion channel gene expressions in spermatozoa/testis were detected by using qPCR. Verapamil treatment reduced sperm concentration. Increased serum FSH, LH and T hormone levels were detected. Upregulated transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 5 (TRPV5) and potassium voltage‐gated channel subfamily J member 11 (KCNJ11) gene expressions and downregulated miR‐let‐7b, miR‐10a, miR‐320 and miR‐760 expressions were found in testis of verapamil group. However, upregulated anoctamin 1 (ANO1), ATP‐binding cassette subfamily C member 9 (ABCC9), miR‐27a and miR‐130a expressions and downregulated miR‐20a, miR‐92a, miR‐132, miR‐320 and miR‐760 expressions were detected in spermatozoa. In addition, these altered gene expressions were found to be associated with decreased sperm concentration. The results indicate that the changes in testicular and/or spermatozoal ion channels and miRNA expressions due to verapamil treatment may affect male fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effect of zingerone, which is present in ginger and display an antioxidant capacity, on the oxidative stress, spermatological parameters, and expression levels of oxidative stress-related protein in the reproductive system of the diabetic male rats. In the study, a total of 75 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 6 groups as follows; control, zingerone 50 mg/kg (Zin50), zingerone 100 mg/kg (Zin100), diabetic (DM), diabetic+zingerone 50 mg/kg (DM+Zin50), and diabetic+zingerone 100 mg/kg (DM+Zin100). Zingerone was administered by gavage for 8 weeks. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneally administering a single dose of 55 mg/kg streptozotocin. At the end of the animal experiment, rats were decapitated and testicular tissues were collected. In the testicular tissues; malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels, catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) enzyme activity were evaluated. Also, expression levels of sirtuin 1 (Sirt1), nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which are oxidative stress-related proteins, and the spermatological parameters were evaluated. The result of this study showed that GSH level, GSHPx and CAT enzyme activity, and Sirt1, Nrf2, and HO-1 protein expression levels were significantly decreased in the diabetic rats compared to control groups (P<0.001). Furthermore, spermatozoon motility and density decreased significantly, and the abnormal spermazotoon rate increased significantly in the diabetic rats compared to the control group (P<0.001). It was determined that GSH level, GSHPx and CAT enzyme activity, and Sirt1, Nrf2, HO-1 protein expression levels, and spermatozoon motility significantly increased, lipid peroxidation and abnormal sperm rate significantly decreased in the zingerone-treated rats compared to diabetic rats (P<0.001). There was no significant increase in spermatozoon density in the zingerone-treated rats compared to diabetic rats(P>0.05). In conclusion, zingerone supplementation displayed a positive effect on the reproductive system by reducing oxidative stress and increasing the expression levels of Sirt1, Nrf2 and HO-1 protein in diabetic rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIM: Asprosin, a fasting-related glucogenic hormone, is synthesized and secreted by white adipose tissue. It is known that asprosin can improve olfactory performance in rodents via OLFR-734. Moreover, odours play a vital role in sperm chemotaxis. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of the asprosin hormone on male rat sperm. METHODS: 21 days old, 24 Sprague-Dawley male rats (35g ± 2g) were randomly divided into two groups, control and asprosin (n=12). For ten weeks, the animals in the control group were given % 0,9 NaCl solution (1 ml/kg). The animals in the asprosin group were given asprosin (500 ng/kg) every day intraperitoneally. The right cauda epididymis of each animal was thoroughly dissected with the help of a scalpel in 1 ml of Tris buffer solution at 38°C, thus allowing the sperm to pass into this solution. Sperm motility, sperm concentration and proportions of morphologically abnormal sperm were determined from the obtained Tris buffer-sperm mixture. Testicular tissues fixed in Bouin's solution were washed with ethanol and then embedded in paraffin blocks. Sections of 5 μm thickness were taken from the paraffin blocks. Hematoxylin-Eosin and Masson's trichrome staining were applied to the preparations. Student t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Chronic asprosin administration increased spermatozoon density (p<0.001). Asprosin did not affect the number of sperm tail anomalies and sperm motility. However, it decreased the number of sperm head anomalies (p<0.01). In the asprosin group, separations in the basement membranes of the seminiferous tubules were detected (p<0.05). Also, there was a decrease in seminiferous tubule diameters, and oedema (in the interstitial area) was detected (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Asprosin may affect sperm concentration directly and decrease head anomalies. As a result, asprosin may become a new treatment for oligozoospermia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. The cardinal manifestation of AD is progressive loss of memory. However, there are some nonamnestic presentations of AD, also called atypical AD. Symptoms of AD can sometimes start suddenly. In the presence of atypical symptoms or sudden onset, it may be difficult to distinguish AD from other dementias. We would like to discuss the confusing features of atypical AD that mimic other dementias. In this review, the literature associated with confusing features of AD, suggesting other dementia syndromes, is reviewed. In addition, a case of semantic dementia (SD) with the complaint of forgetfulness previously diagnosed as AD is presented together with clinical and radiological clues of the differential diagnosis of dementia syndromes. As in our representative SD case, a careful clinical history, a detailed mental evaluation, and neuroimaging will overcome this difficulty in diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed at showing how the value preferences of young adults could predict the narcissistic characteristics of young adults according to structural equation modeling. 133 female (59.6%) and 90 male (40.4%), total 223 young adults participated the study (average age: 25.66, ranging from 20 to 38). Ratio group sampling method was used while choosing the participants. In order to collect data "Narcissistic Personality Inventory" and "Schwartz's Value Scale" were used. The theoretical model was tested in terms of structural equation modeling by using AMOS 16 program. The study revealed that power, success, hedonism, excitation, self-control and universality have positive effects on narcissism, while benevolence, safety have a negative effect on narcissism. Although being quite weak and powerless, narcissistic personalities are always in need of power towards outer world. This enforces them to exist despite "the other". On the other hand the need of benevolence and safety enforce people to take notice of others and exist together with the other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Job evaluation's main aim is to establish a fair wage structure. Its main principle is 'equal pay for equal work'. 'Metal Industry Job Grouping System' (MIDS) has been in the metal industry in Turkey for more than 20 years. The results of the practice of the system were measured by the Gini coefficient. By the findings, the average wages of the job groups are different enough from each other by their job groups in the way the wage of the bigger number job group is higher than the smaller except the job group two in the industry. However, the wages are far from the principle 'equal wage for equal job' within the same job itself. In addition, the workers make use of bonuses and social benefits. The effect of social benefits of them on the wage structure is positive within the same job group and negative between different job groups within the same company. Nevertheless, the effect of both bonuses and social benefits on the wage structure is negative between the companies because, between them they are different from each other. Job group and seniority affect the wage structure. Seniority has a socio-psychological self-producing dynamic. The distribution of seniorities within the same job group has negative effects on the wage structure. However, this fact for each worker disappears for the long term since the worker of today who has short-term seniority will be the one of tomorrow who has long-term seniority. Therefore, for each worker, the wage structure gets closer to the principle 'equal wage for equal job' within the same job group itself over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of different doses of hydrated C 60 fullerene (C 60 HyFn) on freeze-thawing process-induced changes in lipid, vitamin and amino acid composition and also in motility, kinematic, sperm quality and oxidative stress parameters in ram semen. Semen was collected from seven rams twice a week for 3 weeks, so six repetitions were performed. The semen collected in each repetition was pooled. Each pooled sample was diluted with tris + egg yolk extender with (200 nM, 400 nM, 800 nM, 1 µM and 5 µM) and without (control) C 60 HyFn and they were frozen in mini straws. The doses of 800 nM, 1 µM and 5 µM had higher total, progressive motility, sperm membrane functionality rates, glutathione-peroxidase and catalase activities. All doses of C 60 HyFn significantly reduced dead and total abnormal sperm rates and malondialdehyde levels. Significant increases in vitamin A (400 and 800 nM doses), vitamin K 1 (400 nM, 800 nM and 1 µM doses), total amino acid (all doses) levels, but significant decreases in vitamin D 2 (800 nM, 1 and 5 µM doses), vitamin D 3 (1 and 5 µM doses) and vitamin E (200 nM, 1 and 5 µM) levels were observed compared to control. In conclusion, the addition of C 60 HyFn to ram semen at 200 nM - 5 µM range, especially at a dose of 800 nM, provides a positive contribution to the protection of motility, vitamins A, K and total amino acid levels, and oxidant/antioxidant balance after freeze-thawing. • C 60 HyFn increased total and progressive motility in post-thaw ram semen. • C 60 HyFn increased HOS and antioxidant activities in post-thaw ram semen. • C 60 HyFn decreased abnormal and dead spermatozoon rates in post-thaw ram semen. • C 60 HyFn decreased MDA levels in post-thaw ram semen. • C 60 HyFn increased vitamins A, K and amino acid levels in post-thaw ram semen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, it was aimed to determine the effect of sulforaphane (SFN) on rabbit semen cryopreservation. Semen collected from animals was divided into 5 equal volumes as Control, SFN 5 µM, SFN 10 µM, SFN 25 µM and SFN 50 µM groups. Afterwards, semen analyzes were performed. According to our results, there was no statistical difference between the groups at 4°C. However after freezing thawing, the highest total motility, progressive motility and rapid spermatozoa rate was seen in the 10 µM SFN group, while the lowest was observed in the 50 µM SFN group (P<0.05). Static sperm ratio was highest in the 50 µM group, while the lowest was observed in the 10 µM SFN group. When flow cytometry results examined the rate of acrosomal damaged and dead sperm was the lowest in the 10 µM SFN group, a statistical difference was observed between the control group (P<0.05). The highest rate of sperm with high mitochondrial membrane potential was seen in the 5 µM SFN and 10 µM SFN groups. Apoptosis and ROS rates were found to be lower in the experimental groups compared to the control groups (P<0.05). As a result, SFN supplementation at a dose of 10 µM increased the quality of sperm in the freezing and thawing processes of rabbit semen. In conclusion, 10 µM SFN improved the quality of cryopreservation of rabbit semen., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest: The authors declare no competing interests.

Mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy is an autosomal recessive multisystem disorder characterized clinically by severe gastrointestinal dysmotility; cachexia; ptosis, opthalmoparesis or both; peripheral neuropathy; leukoencephalopathy and mitochondrial abnormalities in muscle. Gastrointestinal dysmotility causes intestinal pseudo-obstruction and small intestinal diverticula. In this case report, we present a previously diagnosed 32-year-old female mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy syndrome patient who was hospitalized and operated due to ileal diverticulitis perforation and died due to postoperative respiratory complications, and we discuss the characteristic manifestations of the disease.