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Background and Aim: Sperm maturation occurs in the epididymis through interactions with existing molecules inside the lumen. However, the mechanism of epididymis molecular transfer is currently unclear. This study was aimed to determine the necessity of the epididymal epithelial cells (EECs) in the process of sperm maturation in terms of sperm kinetics and tyrosine phosphorylation. Materials and Methods: A true experimental research design was used in this study. The medium tested was a primary culture of mice caput epididymal cells (cells and culture medium), conditioned medium (CM) (supernatant of EECs), and secretome (CM filtered at 0.22 µm). Sperm was cocultured in EEC culture, CM, and secretome for 1, 2, 3, or 4 h. The original culture medium was used as the control. Sperm kinetic analysis was performed after the indicated times using computer-assisted sperm analysis, and tyrosine phosphorylation was detected using the Western blot technique. Results: A primary culture of caput EECs was successfully generated. The results showed increased sperm motility and progressive movement after 3 h of incubation (p < 0.05). There was a significant decrease in the average path velocity (VAP) values after 4 h of incubation (p < 0.05), but there was no significant change in the 1, 2, and 3 h incubation groups. The EEC culture-CM and secretome groups showed a significant increased progressivity and VAP percentage values compared with the control medium (p < 0.05). In terms of percentage motility, the culture and CM groups were significantly different from the control medium, but the secretome group was not. Conclusion: The sperm kinetics of sperm cultured in CM, secretome, and EEC were significantly increased after 3 h of incubation, suggesting that CM and secretome can be used to replace EECs, especially when analyzing molecules secreted by the epididymal epithelium during sperm maturation. The results of this study highlight the potential of CM and secretome as therapy mediums for sperm kinetic abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The identification and characterization of relevant targets are necessary for developing nonhormonal male contraceptives. The molecules must demonstrate that they are necessary for reproduction. As a result, a sophisticated technique is required to identify the molecular targets for nonhormonal male contraceptives. Genetic modification (GM) techniques are one method that can be applied. This technique has been widely used to study gene function that effected male fertility and has resulted in the discovery of numerous nonhormonal male contraceptive target molecules. We examined GM techniques and approaches used to investigate genes involved in male fertility as potential targets for nonhormonal contraceptives. The discovery of nonhormonal contraceptive candidate molecules was increased by using GM techniques, especially the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/Cas9 method. The discovery of candidate nonhormonal contraceptive molecules can be a wide-open research for the development of nonhormonal male contraceptives. Therefore, we are believing that one day nonhormonal male contraceptives will be released. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to provide an overview of the factors supporting the Independent Learning Campus (MBKM) policy at Pelita Harapan University (UPH) from the point of view of the top-level management of higher education institutions. The research method was carried out qualitatively through observation and interviews in order to gain an understanding of an integrative perspective. Triangulation is carried out as an enforcement of validity and reliability. As a triangulation of informant sources, two categories are distinguished, namely the first category is the UPH Chancellor as a university leader and the second category is the administrative leaders supporting the MBKM program, namely the Vice Chancellor for innovation, the Head of LPPM; Director of Teaching and Learning Center; Audit Manager, SPMI, Accreditation support and MBKM PIC at UPH. The results of the interviews are shown in a table, starting from the interview transcripts which were reduced according to the research objectives to obtain categories, patterns and variables supporting the sustainability of the MBKM program at UPH including internal socialization, implementation challenges, innovative learning processes, curriculum adjustments, technology support, learning through Industrial World Business Practices (DUDI), graduate competence, institutional support, collaboration challenges, communication with program related parties, creativity in implementing policies, stable government policies, sustainability of the MBKM program. Then from the latent variables that are formed, they are formulated in propositions to produce a model that leads to an integrative understanding of the factors supporting the sustainability of the MBKM program at UPH. The contribution of this research can provide input for MBKM managers at UPH and other private universities in the application of a better MBKM program that is in line with the university's vision and supports the learning process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sperm maturation takes place through contact between sperm and proteins produced in the epididymal lumen. CD52 had been characterised in the sperm; however, the expression and its regulation in the epididymis are mostly unknown. Aim: This study aimed to analyse the expression and regulation of CD52 in the mouse epididymis. Setting and Design: Experimental design was used in this study. Materials and Methods: Epididymis tissues from mice strain Deutch Democratic Yokohama were used as sources of total RNA. Bioinformatic tool was used to predict signal peptides. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction was used to analyse tissue distribution, androgen, testicular factors dependency and postnatal development. Statistical Analysis: One-way analysis of variance was used to analyse differences between treatment and control untreated group. P < 0.05 was determined as a significant difference. Results: CD52 amino acid sequence contains a signal peptide, indicating it is a secretory protein. CD52 exhibited region-specific expression in the epididymis, with the highest level being in the cauda. CD52 expression was regulated by androgen indicated by a significant downregulation at day 1 and day 3 following a castration (P < 0.05). Dependency on androgen was confirmed by injection of exogenous testosterone which prevented downregulation by 50%. Moreover, lumicrine factors also influenced CD52 expression indicated by ligation of efferent duct which also reduced expression at day 1 to day 5 following the ligation (P < 0.05). CD52 expression was developmentally regulated. This was shown by increase in the level of expression starting at day 15 postnatally. Conclusion: CD52 shows characteristics of genes involved in sperm maturation in the epididymis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internet of things (IoT) architecture needs to adapt autonomously to the environment and operational to maintain their supreme services. One common problem in the IoT architecture is to manage the reliability of data services, such as sensors' data, that only sending data to the collector via gateway. If there is a disruption of services, then it is not easy to manage the system reliability. To this, an adaptive environment which is based on software reconfiguration creates a great challenge to provide better services. In this work, the software product line engineering (SPLE) reconfigures the edge devices via rules and software architecture. To identify disruption of data services which can be detected based on anomaly and truncated data. Our work makes use of concept drift to provide a recommendation to the system manager. This is important to avoid misconfiguration in the system We demonstrate our method using an open-source internet of things portal system that integrated to a cluster of sensors which is attached to specific gateway before the data are collected into a cloud storage for further processes. In identifying drifting data, the adaptive sliding window (ADWIN) method outperforms the Page-Hinkley (PH) with more selective identification and sensitive reading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One of the causes of male fertility disorders is the exposure of oxidative stress on the human sperm. Understanding the mechanism of disturbance is important to develop a better treatment for infertile or subfertile patients. Aims: The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on human sperm quality parameters and cell survival. Settings and Design: This study used an experimental design. Materials and Methods: Sperm cells from 15 donors were washed in a Percoll gradient and dissolved in Biggers, Whitter, and Whittingham medium. Cells were incubated with H2O2 at various concentrations from 0 to 250 μM for 2 h. Sperm viability was examined by eosin assay, sperm kinetic by computer‑assisted sperm analyzer, sperm penetration by cervical mucus penetration assay, and membrane integrity by hypo‑osmotic swelling test. Sperm capacitation, apoptosis, and cell survival were analyzed using western immunoblotting. Statistical Analysis Used: One‑way ANOVA on SPSS 21 combined with post hoc LSD test was used to analyze differences among the groups. A P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Sperm viability and kinetic were significantly reduced at H2O2 concentrations of 200 and 250 μM. H2O2 reduced sperm capability to penetrate cervical mucus and also damage cell membrane integrity at all concentrations used. H2O2 significantly inhibited sperm capacitation, indicated by reduced total tyrosine phosphorylation. H2O2 exposure stimulated activation of caspase 3 and significantly reduced phosphorylated AKT at all concentrations used. Conclusions: H2O2 comprehensively inhibits sperm qualities related to the capacity to fertilize oocyte, stimulates caspase activity, and inhibits cell survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indonesia resides on most earthquake region with more than 100 active volcanoes, and high number of seismic activities per year. In order to reduce the casualty, some method to predict earthquake have been developed to estimate the seismic movement. However, most prediction use only short term of historical data to predict the incoming earthquake, which has limitation on model performance. This work uses medium to long term earthquake historical data that were collected from 2 local government bodies and 8 legitimate international sources. We make an estimation of a mediumto- long term prediction via machine learning algorithms, which are multinomial logistic regression, support vector machine and Na¨ıve Bayes, and compares their performance. This work shows that the support vector machine outperforms other method. We compare the root mean square error computation results that lead us into how concentrated data is around the line of best fit, where the multinomial logistic regression is 0.777, Na¨ıve Bayes is 0.922 and support vector machine is 0.751. In predicting future earthquake, support vector machine outperforms other two methods that produce significant distance and magnitude to current earthquake report. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Progesterone receptor is present in human sperm. Here, we determined if progesterone (P4) improves capacitation and stimulates sperm survival by suppressing apoptosis to evaluate its relevance to be used as a preservation agent to increase and prolong sperm viability and motility. Materials and Methods: Semen samples were obtained from healthy human donors. The sample was washed by Percoll gradient centrifugation and was divided into five groups of 500 µL, each containing approximately 10 million sperm cells. P4 was added to each group at the final concentrations of 0 (control), 250, 500, 750, and 1000 ng/mL, respectively, and was incubated at 37°C for 2 h. Sperm motility was assessed using a computer-assisted sperm analyzer. Tyrosine phosphorylation, Akt phosphorylation, and caspase-3 activation in sperm were analyzed by western immunoblotting. Results: P4 did not increase the sperm motility. Western blot analysis revealed that P4 at the concentration of 500 ng/mL increased tyrosine phosphorylation, indicating increased sperm capacitation. P4 at 750 mg/ml also increased Akt phosphorylation. Interestingly, the activation of Akt was associated with a decrease in caspase-3 activity, indicating the prosurvival effect of P4. Conclusion: This study results suggest that P4 does not influence sperm motility; however, it increases sperm tyrosine phosphorylation (at a specific concentration of 500 ng/ul), activates AKT (Protein kinase B), and suppresses caspase-3 (at a specific concentration of 750 ng/ul). The biochemical effects of P4 on sperm may warrant its use as a preservation agent to increase sperm viability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Data suggest that genetic factors are associated with BMI. The fat mass and obesity- associated (FTO) gene modulates adipogenesis through alternative splicing and m6A demethylation. Individuals with FTO rs9939609 gene polymorphism have a preference for energy-dense foods. This study investigates the relationship between FTO rs9939609 and obesity and preference for dietary fat intake among selected Indonesian adults.Methods and Study Design: A total of 40 non-obese and 40 obese participants aged 19-59 living in Jakarta were recruited. Body composition measurements included body weight, height, BMI, waist circumference, and body fat mass. Dietary intake was assessed using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire and food recall over 2 × 24-h periods. Genetic variation was determined using amplification-refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction.Results: The genotype distribution of the FTO gene (rs9939609) was at Hardy- Weinberg equilibrium (p=1) with minor allele frequency=0.19. Individuals with AT/AA genotypes had 3.72 times higher risk of obesity (p=0.009) and 5.98 times higher dietary fat intake (p=0.02) than those with TT genotype. Obese participants with the AT/AA genotypes had 1.40 times higher dietary fat intake than those with the TT genotype (p=0.016).Conclusions: These findings suggest that Indonesian adults with AT/AA genotypes of the FTO rs9939609 have higher obesity risks and preferences for high dietary fat intake than those with TT genotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glycodelin A (GdA) has been postulated as a marker of endometrial receptivity. However, its expression pattern following ovarian stimulation is conflicting, and its link with implantation and pregnancy is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH) on glycodelin expression levels in the endometrium during the secretory phase and how it interacts with live birth. In the amount of 27 female Wistar rats with regular estrus cycles were separated into normal cycle and two stimulated cycle groups of SC1 & SC2 by injecting rFSH doses of 12 IU and 25 IU, respectively, using intraperitoneally (ip) followed by human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injection with a dose of 10 IU 48 h later. First, second, and third days after hCG injection, blood and uterine were obtained. GdA expression was examined by immunohistochemistry, while ELISA measured estrogen and progesterone levels. Male rats were mated with female rats from both groups of normal cycle and stimulated cycle. GdA expression in the glandular epithelium significantly decreased (p < 0.05) between control and dose 2, and between doses 1 and 2. Estrogen and progesterone levels did not differ between normal and stimulated cycles (p > 0.05). Furthermore, there was a significant relationship (p < 0.05) between decreased GdA expression in the glands of the SC1 and SC2 groups and the number of live births (r = 0.68). In conclusion, a significant decrease in GdA expression of 25 IU rFSH group reduced live births from 10 to 4 individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The etiology of unexplained infertility has not been fully understood. This study aimed to determine the effect of antisperm antibody (ASA) from infertile women on viability, motility, plasma membrane integrity, and status of tyrosine phosphorylation in the human spermatozoa. Methods: An experimental in vitro study was conducted at the Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia from February to November 2014. Spermatozoa from normal fertile donors was incubated with serum containing ASA from infertile women at several dilutions (1/1000, 1/100, 1/10, and without dilution) for 1 and 2 hours. The plasma membrane integrity was assessed with hypoosmotic swelling (HOS) test, whereas the status of tyrosine phosphorylation was analyzed using Western immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry. Results: After 1 hour incubation time, ASA caused a decrease in sperm viability, motility, plasma membrane integrity, and inhibit sperm tyrosine phosphorylation. ASA caused a decrease in viability, motility, sperm plasma membrane integrity, and tyrosine phosphorylation of sperm after 1 hour incubation time. Conclusion: ASA from infertile women reduced the sperm viability, motility, plasma membrane integrity, and capacitation in dose and time dependent manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Epididymal sperm maturation occurs via interactions between sperm and proteins secreted by the epididymal epithelium. Although this is an important process, the genes that encode the involved proteins remain largely uncharacterized. Previous studies have demonstrated that the genes involved in sperm maturation are regulated by androgen. Spag11a is an epididymal gene that is influenced by androgen. However, little is known about the putative role of this gene in the sperm maturation process. The objective of this study was to characterize Spag11a in the mouse epididymis. Methods: In silico analyses were performed to predict signal peptides and functional domains. Spag11a expression was measured by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Western blots and immunocytochemistry were performed to determine protein expression. Results: SPAG11A is a member of the beta defensin protein family and constitutes a secretory protein. Spag11a was expressed exclusively in the epididymis. Moreover, it exhibited region-specific expression in the caput, which is typical for genes that are involved in creating a suitable microenvironment for sperm maturation. Mouse Spag11a was regulated by androgen. A significant decrease of Spag11a expression was observed at third day following a gonadectomy (P < 0.001). Interestingly, testosterone replacement therapy was able to maintain the expression almost at the normal level, indicating a dependency on androgen. Besides androgen, testicular factors influenced Spag11a expression in a different way. This was revealed by efferent duct ligation in which Spag11a was transiently up-regulated at the third day following the ligation before returning to the normal level at day 5. Spag11a regional expression was also observed at protein level detected by western immunoblotting which revealed a clear band in the caput but not in other regions. The prediction that SPAG11A is a secretory protein was confirmed by immunocytochemical analyses indicating cell-specific expression mainly in the caput principal cells and detection of the protein in epididymal luminal fluid and spermatozoa. Conclusions: Based on the characteristics of Spag11a, it is likely that this gene has a specific role in epididymal sperm maturation. Further studies using functional assays are necessary to confirm this finding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electricity is an indispensable requirement for modern society, and with the advancement of technology, the adoption of renewable energy sources, such as Solar Power Plants (PLTS), has been on the rise. PLTS harness the virtually limitless and abundant power of solar energy. The successful construction and operation of a Solar Power Plant necessitates meticulous planning to ensure optimal functionality. In our research aimed at PLTS development, we have chosen an on-grid operating system for installation on the roof of SDN 023905 Binjai. This decision aligns with our goal to reduce the reliance on conventional electrical sources at SDN 023905 Binjai, which currently receives its entire electrical supply from PLN. The proposed PLTS will boast a capacity of 1.2kWp, comprising four 300Wp solar panels connected in series, alongside a 1.2 kW to 3 kW inverter. Our comprehensive analysis validates the feasibility of this plan, as it yields a Performance Ratio (PR) of 84%, surpassing the minimum PR benchmark of 70%. From a financial perspective, the project entails an initial investment cost of IDR 31,555,222, with a remarkably swift payback period occurring within the first year and month of the PLTS's 20-year operational lifespan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emerge of the Internet of Things (IoT) data as a commodity to optimize public services such as Fishing Locator has made sensor-cloud an important object. When sensors that are members of multiple IoT gateways can inter-operate at the same time for more than one application, it will reduce cost to deploy IoT infrastructure. However, reliability has also developed as the most important aspect for real-time data collection that should be streamed constantly. Due to uncertainty factors sensors failure is potentially occurred, then an adaptive approach should be addressed into this as to guarantee the flow of streaming data. This paper proposed an adaptive sensor-cloud mechanism to manage the reliability by using a runtime model approach where a transition model and dynamic software product line engineering will take place to weaving the system. Our technique is comparable to other approaches and can be implemented in many types of Cloud-based services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global market's sustainability demand for coffee as a result of environmental concerns has influenced coffee producers to practice green coffee production. The efforts to improve the environmental performance of coffee production should also consider the other sustainability aspects: energy and economics. Using a green fertilizer from agricultural biomass can lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions since the cultivation process, which is directly impacted by fertilizer use, has been identified as an environmental damage hotspot for coffee production. This study aims to determine the impact of coffee pulp biomass utilization on coffee production in terms of energy savings, CO2 emission reduction, and economic value added. The methodologies used were environmental Life Cycle Assessment, energy requirement analysis, life cycle costing, and eco-efficiency analysis. The study findings showed that using coffee pulp biomass in coffee cultivation impacted the energy savings, environmental damage reduction, and increased economic value added. Applying coffee pulp biomass can potentially reduce 39–87% of cumulative energy demand, 49.69–72% of CO2 emissions, and 6–26% of the economic value-added increase. Moreover, coffee pulp utilization as a fertilizer is recommended to be applied broadly to promote sustainable coffee production according to its beneficial impact. This study provided that scientific information farmers need to apply green fertilizers in coffee production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hyperprolactin is one of the endocrine disorders that causes male infertility (11%). The mechanism is not widely known; it is thought to occur through disruption of LH receptor activity on germ cells. Objective: The aim of study to compare the level of prolactin secretion with receptor expression in non-azoospermic infertile men (NOA). Methods: During the period from July 2019 to July 2021, 40 samples of testicular tissue and serum were obtained from infertile NOA men, aged 25-50 years who were recruited from Ciptomangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) Jakarta, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia and Bunda Hospital Jakarta. Subjects were divided into 4 groups based on prolactin levels (20 ng/ml, 20-50 ng/ml, 50-100 ng/ml and 100ng/ml). This group was tested for significance between groups and continued with a correlation test with the level of LH receptor expression. Results: ANOVA test showed a significant decrease in LH receptor expression between prolactin levels < 20 ng/mL with levels of 50-100 ng/ml and prolactin levels > 100 ng/ml (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the results of the correlation test showed a significant decrease between prolactin levels and LH receptor expression (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The higher the level of prolactin secretion in this sample, there is a decrease in LH receptor expression, so that testosterone production decreases and the spermatogenesis process will be disrupted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We have used both the UniGene RIKEN epididymal EST library and the Affymetrix microarray profiling for identifying novel epididymal genes in mouse. The use of ESTs is a complementary approach to Affymetrix arrays for identifying novel epididymal genes, while only 32% and 28% of ESTs of unknown genes were present in the U74v.2Set and MG 430 2.0 version Affymetrix arrays, respectively. As expected, the probe set for a notably larger proportion of known genes was present in the Affymetrix arrays, and the coverage was greatly improved by the newer array version. Furthermore, many genes with more than five ESTs in the UniGene library showed variable levels of expression in both versions of the Affymetrix arrays. However, both the Affymetrix and EST data correlated well with that obtained by quantitative RT-PCR, and thus, we conclude that the findings of high EST number but only limited expression in the arrays could be considered as false negatives in the Affymetrix arrays. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: Endometriosis is a common gynecological disorder, characterized by the presence of endometrial-like tissue in the extrauterine location. The increasing estradiol concentration can influence endometriosis risk and estrogen receptor (ER) activity. Polymorphism in ER causes gene expression alteration and influences hormone-receptor interaction. This research aims to determine ER genetic polymorphisms in endometriosis pathogenesis. Materials and Methods: This study was performed on case-control polymorphisms, which compared 83 women with endometriosis and 76 women without endometriosis. However, the samples used for ER gene expression analysis and estrogen level measurement were obtained from 18 women with endometriosis and 18 women without endometriosis. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to determine ER genetic polymorphisms. Chi-square, Mann-Whitney test, Spearman's correlation (p), t-independent, and two-tailed tests were used to analyze the data. Results: Association between the allele ERα rs9340799 A/G and endometriosis was significantly different (p=0.012), whereas rs2234693 T/C polymorphism showed no association with endometriosis. The correlation between the genotype frequencies of allele ERβ rs4986938 G/A and endometriosis was found significantly different (p=0.015; p=0.034). Conclusion: Estradiol level and ERβ expression increases, polymorphism genotypes and alleles of ERβ rs4986938 G/A gene and allele frequency of ERα rs9340799 A/G gene have roles in endometriosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine system disorder among the women of reproductive age, yet the etiology of PCOS remains unclear. Infertility in females with PCOS can be caused by anovulation, high luteinizing hormone levels, and hyperandrogenism. Aims: This research analyzed the role of the aromatase gene (CYP19A1) in PCOS pathogenesis. Settings and Design: This study used an observational, cross-sectional design. Subjects and Methods: A total of 110 research participants (55 PCOS patients and 55 non-PCOS patients) were included in the study. Statistical Analysis Used: A real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze the mRNA expression for aromatase in granulosa cells. Results: The relative expression of aromatase mRNA is lower in women with PCOS compared to those without PCOS (P < 0.05). Relative expression of CYP19A1 (aromatase) mRNA in PCOS group was 0.38 ± 0.25, whereas in non-PCOS group was 1.00 ± 0.00. The decline in aromatase activity contributes to an increase in testosterone level. This condition has a role in hyperandrogenism which is a typical characteristic of PCOS women. Granulosa cells in polycystic ovary undergo disturbance in the development and cannot respond to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulation. Lack of stimulation of FSH causes induction inadequacy to aromatase enzyme activity in the aromatization process. The decline in FSH activity is caused by various factors that are associated with typical characteristics of PCOS. Conclusions: There is a decrease in the relative expression rate of granulosa cells' aromatase mRNA in women with PCOS compared to the non-PCOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND A number of studies on the benefits of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr) in the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) have already been conducted; however, the effects of soybean extracts on telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) expression in improving telomerase activity in pancreatic cells is currently unknown. This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of soybean extracts on TERT protein expression in the pancreatic β-cells of rats with DM. METHODS Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups: (1) negative control (N); (2) DM rats induced by alloxan (DMA); (3) DM rats with glibenclamide (DMG; positive control); (4) DM rats with 1 mg/kgBW/day soybean extract (DM1E); (5) DM rats with 5 mg/kgBW/day soybean extract (DM5E); (6) DM rats with 25 mg/kgBW/day soybean extract (DM25E). The treatments were carried out over 28 days. The measured variables included fasting blood glucose (FBG) level, TERT protein expression, and the number of pancreatic β-cells. RESULTS All parameters were measured against the diabetes control group. The FBG levels in rats DM1E, DM5E, and DM25E were significantly reduced on the 28th day (p < 0.05). TERT protein expression and the number of pancreatic β-cells (DM25E) also showed significant improvements compared to DM rats (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Soybean extracts can increase TERT protein expression in pancreatic β-cells in diabetes-induced rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endometriosis is a multifactorial disease in which genetic and environmental factors interact causing its pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression pattern of estrogen receptor α (ERα) and β (ERβ) in endometriosis patients compared to normal endometrioum (n=18) as a control by using Quantitative Real Time PCR method. Moreover, we also measured serum estradiol levels of endometriosis patients in the proliferation phase of the menstrual cycle using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. The mRNA expression of ERβ was significantly higher in the endometriosis group compared to control, and the result of t-test showed that were significantly different (P<0.05). Overexpression of ERβ in endometriosis was likely to have other significant important impacts in the pathology of endometriosis that allowed ERβ to stimulate prostaglandin production in endometriosis tissue and cells. Estradiol content did not correlate with the ERα expression, and it is weakly correlated with ERβ mRNA expression. Molecular docking analysis showed that ERα and ERβ have different binding interactions with synthetic antiestrogens, whereas the best inhibitor was Ral2 to ERα and Aco1 to ERβ. Thus, both inhibitors could be used as leads in further investigation of ERα, ERβ inhibitory activities in vitro and in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asthenozoospermia, which is characterized by reduced motility, is one of the etiologies of male infertility. Its biochemical and functional consequences include altered ATPase activity. This study investigated the activities of Na+, K+-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase and the expression of Na+, K+-ATPase α4 and PMCA4 isoforms in human sperm of asthenozoospermic infertile men. Nineteen samples from asthenozoospermic infertile couples were examined in this study. Computerized-assisted semen analysis (CASA) was performed, and the enzyme activity was measured based on the ability of ATPase to release organic phosphate from ATP as a substrate. The Na+, K+-ATPase α4 and PMCA4 isoform expression levels were measured by western immunoblotting, whereas the protein distribution was examined by immunocytochemistry. This showed that the Na+, K+-ATPase activity and the Na+, K+-ATPase α4 isoform expression were lower in the asthenozoospermia group than in the normozoospermia group (8.688±1.161 versus 13.851±1.884 µmol Pi/mg protein/h, respectively;p>0.05). In contrast, the Ca2+-ATPase activity was significantly higher in the asthenozoospermia group than in the normozoospermia group (11.154±1.186 versus 2.725±0.545 µmol Pi/mg protein/h, respectively;p<0.05). In comparison, PMCA4 expression in the asthenozoospermia group was lower than in the normozoospermia group (p>0.05). The altered ATPase activity and isoform expression in asthenozoospermia may impair sperm structure and function. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Extensive oil palm plantations have often resulted in the decrease of soil organic carbon (SOC). Several options exist to counter this, such as recycling empty fruit bunches (EFB) as a soil amendment. However, the extent to which EFB increase SOC has been disputed. Since EFB could also be used as a climate change mitigation tool, it is necessary to truly understand their impact on SOC. The investigation of the impact of nine EFB treatments (differing in frequency and application rates) on a 27-year-old large-scale experiment (Lampung, Sumatra, Indonesia) revealed that, while EFB impacts are heterogeneous throughout the plantation, they can positively affect total SOC and permanganate oxidisable carbon (POX-C) both at shallow and deep depths (measured up to 100 cm). POX-C was closely correlated to SOC, but showed significant increases compared to the untreated control in all treatments, while total SOC was only increased in a few treatments with small and frequent rates of EFB application. Overall, between 12 (±16) and 56 (±12) t ha−1 of carbon were sequestered under the harvesting path after 21 years. Focussing on the mineral nutrition value of the EFB, oil palm companies apply a rate of 60 t of EFB every second year for their commercial production, and the analysis of three commercial plots showed that the commercial rate only increased POX-C while it had no effect on the total SOC and SOC stocks. It seems obvious that a change of paradigm is necessary to consider EFB recycling as a new management perspective, where the potential for carbon sequestration becomes an important variable for climate change mitigation besides the initial objective of integrating EFB application into the fertiliser management plan of a plantation. • The frequent application of small rates of EFB increased soil carbon stocks. • High application rates did not lead to the highest amount of carbon sequestered. • Management of EFB recycling should be reconsidered in a climate mitigation perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence is presented for expression of the insulin receptor on the surface of mammalian spermatozoa as well as transcripts for the receptor substrate adaptor proteins (IRS1-4) needed to mediate insulin action. Exposure to this hormone resulted in insulin receptor phosphorylation (pTyr972), activation of AKT (pSer473) and the stimulation of sperm motility. Intriguingly, the male germ line is also shown to be capable of generating insulin, possessing the relevant mRNA transcript and expressing strong immunocytochemical signals for both insulin and C-peptide. Insulin could be released from the spermatozoa by sonication in a concentration-dependent manner but was not secreted in response to glucose, fructose or stimulation with progesterone. However, insulin release could be induced by factors present in human uterine lavages. Furthermore, the endometrium was also shown to possess the machinery for insulin production and action (mRNA, insulin, C-peptide, proprotein convertase and insulin receptor), releasing insulin into the uterine lumen prior to ovulation. These studies emphasize the fundamental importance of extra-pancreatic insulin in regulating the reproductive process, particularly in the support of spermatozoa on their perilous voyage to the site of fertilization. [Display omitted] • Exposure of mammalian spermatozoa to insulin prolongs their survival in vitro. • The male germ line actively generates insulin and C-peptide. • Insulin is released from spermatozoa by factors present in uterine fluids. • The endometrium is also capable of manufacturing and secreting insulin. • Extrapancreatic insulin may play an important role in reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]