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Background: The lack of germ cells in the seminiferous tubules is a hallmark of Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCOS), a leading cause of male infertility. Recently, stem cell therapy has gained attention as a possible method for treating this illness. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine if stem cell treatment is effective for SCOS patients. Subjects and Methods: From 2020 to 2022, 87 males had been diagnosed with primary infertility owing to SCOS. The patients were evaluated in a thorough clinical manner, which included testing of their genes, hormone profiles, and testicular biopsies, among other things. The testes were injected with pure stem cells that had been taken from bone marrow. Semen analysis, hormone levels, and testicular volume were periodically evaluated over the 12-month follow-up period. Results: Following treatment, 69 patients (79.3% of the total) did not have sperm in their semen, whereas 18 patients (20.7% of the total) did. When compared to non-responders, respondents showed a statistically significant drop in FSH and LH levels and a rise in testosterone levels (P < 0.001). Hormonal changes were significantly different in the groups who responded and those that did not, and all responders had normal karyotyping and no AZF microdeletions. Conclusion: Hormonal improvements were seen in responding individuals, suggesting that stem cell therapy may be a viable option for treating SCOS. Nevertheless, a significant number of patients chose not to participate, underscoring the need for more studies to improve patient selection and treatment procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) represents an infertility problem that is usually difficult to treat. Such patients usually have testicular biopsy of germ cell aplasia or spermatogenic arrest. In recent decades, Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) had been studied thoroughly and proved safe and effective regarding their capability for trans-differentiation into different cell types. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of MSCs local intratesticular injection in induction of spermatogenesis. Patients and method: The current study included 87 infertile non-obstructive azoospermic patients. Clinical assessment and repeated semen analysis with centrifugation were done to confirm azoospermia. Karyotyping and AZF study were done. Some of the patients had previous testicular biopsy proving a lack of sperm in the testes. Single intratesticular injection of purified MSCs suspension was done. Results: 20.7% of patients showed sperm in their semen after variable period of time. Hormonal profile among treated patients showed significant improvement regardless success of treatment. Also most of the treated patients appreciated the improvement of their sexual function and libido. Conclusions: Bone marrow derived MSCs could be a new hope and therapeutic modality for treatment of refractory cases of NOA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper covers the characterization of the acoustic noise and the unsteady flow field of a high speed centrifugal compressor NASA CC3. In order to accurately predict the noise, all analyses are carried out through the use of Large Eddy Simulation and Ffowcs Williams–Hawkings model for noise prediction. The relative effect of hub cavity on flow characteristics and sound levels is investigated, for a compressor stage with a total pressure ratio equal to 4, working from surge to near choke condition. In comparison with the experimental results from literature, the predicted compressor performance and flow field are predicted well. The hub cavity flow effect on the compressor aeroacoustic generated noise is shown in the paper. The unsteady static pressure and sound pressure levels are compared not only at different location but also for design and off design operating points. The internal flow results inside the hub cavity are presented at surge, design and near choke points. The conclusion is that the cavity effect of the centrifugal compressor cannot be ignored in the numerical prediction of aerodynamic generated noise. The impeller back plate of the rotor experiences a strong pressure fluctuation, which is maxima at the impeller outer radius for all operating point, but higher pressure values at the surge point.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the condition in which hepatic fat accumulation is present after exclusion of all other causes of hepatic steatosis such as liver disease caused by other factors, excessive alcohol consumption, and other conditions that may lead to hepatic steatosis. Structural and functional alterations in mitochondria contribute to the pathogenesis of NAFLD. In this study, we investigated the impact of high fat diet on gene expression of SIRT1 and PGC-1α in experimental non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The results showed upregulation of both PGC-1α and SIRT1 gene expression in fatty liver group in comparison to control group. This finding is explained as an adaptive response elicited by the hepatocytes against the high fat diet induced-steatosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the potential anticancer properties of a methanol extract of Rheum palmatum roots against diethylnitrosamine (DENA)‐induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in rats and to characterize its phytoconstituents. Methods: HPLC‐PDA‐MS/MS was used to profile the secondary metabolites in R. palmatum root extract. HCC was induced using diethylnitrosamine (DENA). The activity of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma‐glutamyl transferase (GGT), alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP), total proteins, serum albumin and serum globulin was determined. DNA fragmentation and histopathological examination and GST‐P immunostaining were also studied. Key findings: LC‐MS/MS analysis identified 16 compounds belonging to anthraquinones, flavonoids and tannins. The root extract significantly reduced the elevated liver enzymes ALT and AST and increased total proteins, albumin and globulin in HCC‐rats. Also, the tumour markers AFP and GGT levels were significantly reduced in HCC‐rats treated with the extract. In addition, the extract significantly reduced elevated DNA fragmentation and decreased the numbers and areas of GST‐P positive putative foci in HCC‐rats. Conclusions: Rheum palmatum is a potential candidate to be explored for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]