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This article presents the refractive index (RI) sensitivity study of cladding reduced uniform long-period fiber grating. The displacement of resonant wavelength with the change in ambient RI is observed to inspect the sensitivity. Here, the grating period is fixed at a value (550 μm) to analyze RI sensitivity of cladding modes (HE13-HE14). However, it varies in earlier mathematical studies to adjust the resonant wavelength of all modes at a specific wavelength. The three-layer fiber geometry-based mathematical approach is employed to estimate the core and cladding modes. The obtained results support decline in quantity of cladding modes sustained by a single-mode fiber. The decrease in cladding radius has shown enhancement in RI sensitivity. For a reduction of 22 μm in cladding radius, the highest ordered HE14 cladding mode has shown 5.8 times improvement in its sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Though a certain level of free radicals is required for the proper maturation of a sperm, excessive level of free radicals is believed to be a major factor contributing to male infertility. Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to identify the level of oxidative stress (OS) among infertile males. Materials and Methods: In the present study, semen Malondialdehyde (MDA) level, as an OS marker was studied in 96 normozoospermics who were taken as controls, and the values were compared separately to semen MDA levels of 75 oligozoospermics, 36 azoospermics and 19 necrozoospermics using unpaired t-test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The study showed significantly higher semen MDA levels in oligozoospermics and necrozoospermics compared to normozoospermics, but azoospermics did not show a statistically significant difference. Conclusion: We concluded that excessive OS can be one of the major contributing factors for male infertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 was first isolated in late 2019; it has spread to all continents, infected over 700 million people, and caused over 7 million deaths worldwide to date. The high transmissibility of the virus and the emergence of novel strains with altered pathogenicity and potential resistance to therapeutics and vaccines are major challenges in the study and treatment of the virus. Ongoing screening efforts aim to identify new cases to monitor the spread of the virus and help determine the danger connected to the emergence of new variants. Given its sensitivity and specificity, nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) such as RT-qPCR are the gold standard for SARS-CoV-2 detection. However, due to high costs, complexity, and unavailability in low-resource and point-of-care (POC) settings, the available RT-qPCR assays cannot match global testing demands. An alternative NAAT, RT-LAMP-based SARS-CoV-2 detection offers scalable, low-cost, and rapid testing capabilities. We have developed an automated RT-LAMP-based microfluidic chip that combines the RNA isolation, purification, and amplification steps on the same device and enables the visual detection of SARS-CoV-2 within 40 min from saliva and nasopharyngeal samples. The entire assay is executed inside a uniquely designed, inexpensive disposable microfluidic chip, where assay components and reagents have been optimized to provide precise and qualitative results and can be effectively deployed in POC settings. Furthermore, this technology could be easily adapted for other novel emerging viruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Advancing age is believed to be an important factor that affects various microscopic sperm parameters. Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to find the impact of advancing age on sperm motility, concentration, and vitality. Materials and method: The total collected 190 samples of normozoospermic, oligozoospermic, and necrozoospermic were divided into two categories which are less than 35 and more than 35 years of age. Data of sperm motility, concentration, and vitality were collected in all groups and then compared statistically using an unpaired t-test, and a P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The study showed a significant decrease in sperm motility and vitality with advancing age but sperm concentration was not significantly affected. Conclusion: We concluded that advancing age can be a considerable factor that can affect the microscopic sperm parameters and can be a major cause of male infertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]