bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MERCHANDISING PRACTICES AMONG ENTREPRENEURS OF BEADED ARTICLES AS A STRATEGY FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA.
Authors: EKUMANKAMA Onu
Published: November 2023

This study investigated the merchandising practices of entrepreneurs of beaded articles in Aba North LocalGovernment Area of Abia State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study determined the merchandising procedures,quantity and frequency of sales of beaded articles as well as the constraints encountered by entrepreneurs in themerchandising of beaded articles. It was a survey research. Population for the study consisted of 185entrepreneurs of beaded articles in Aba North Local government, Abia State. Purposive sampling technique wasused to select 127 entrepreneurs involved in merchandising of beaded articles. Cronbach Alpha was used todetermine the reliability of the questionnaire items. A coefficient of 0.92 was obtained indicating high reliabilityof the instrument. The data were analyzed with frequency, mean and percentages. Findings revealed thatmajority of entrepreneurs of beaded articles were females whose ages ranged between 29 and 32 years. Majority(85%) of the respondents made whole sales (85%) of beaded articles and employed daily sales forecastingalways (68.5%) as merchandising strategies. Inadequate finance, inadequate equipment, low demand, lack ofskills and expertise and fashion in vogue were identified among others as problems encountered byentrepreneurs of beaded articles in the study area. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended thatworkshop on merchandising of goods should be organized for entrepreneurs of beaded articles in Abia State as ameasure for achieving economic development in the country.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND SENSORY EVALUATION OF COOKIES PRODUCED FROM RED VARIETY OF SORGHUM, GROUNDNUT AND SOYBEAN FLOURS
Authors: ASOMUGHA
Published: November 2023

Cookies are flat dry sweet biscuits eaten on a large scale across all age categories in both low and high income nationswhere non-communicable diseases are on the increase. The experimental study was carried out to evaluate the sensoryproperties, chemical composition (proximate), minerals (Ca, Mg, P and Zn), vitamins (pro-vitamin A,BI, B2 and E), antinutrients(tannin, phytate, saponin) of four formulated composite flour cookies. They were produced from sorghum flour(SF), groundnut flour (GF), soybean flour (SOF) and wheat flour (WF) and determined using standard procedures.Three ofthe formulated composite flour cookies contained no wheat flour and were blended using the following ratio:(A=70%SF:20%SOF:10%GF, B=60%SF:20%SOF:20%GF and C=50%SF:30%SOF:20%GF), respectively. The fourthsample (control) had 100% wheat flour and 15 panelists evaluated the organoleptic properties of the cookies. The proximatecomposition showed that the dry matter of the cookies ranged from 94.74% (D)-96.58% (A), moisture content ranged from3.42% (A)-5.26% (D), ash content ranged from 2.27% (D)-3.73% (C), crude fiber ranged from 2.55% (D)-4.0% (C), crudeprotein ranged from 10.87% (D)-26.92% (B), fat content ranged from 12.25% (D)-40.43% (B), carbohydrate contentsranged from 20.98% (B)-66.80% (D) and the energy values ranged from 1759.49kjoules (D)-2321.87kjoules (B). Mineralcompositions are as follows: calcium=10.40mg/100g (C)-15.20mg/100g (A), magnesium=5.30mg/100g (A,C)-7.20MG/100G (B), phosphorus=31.00mg/100g (D)-40.0mg/100g (C) and zinc=2.00mg/100g (A)-5.15MG/100G (D). Thecookies had significant amounts of pro-vitamin A (5.56ug/100g (D)-8.21ug/100g (B), vitamin E (2.43mg/100g (D)-4.76mg/100g (B), low vitamin BI and B2 (0.21mg/100g (A)-0.44mg/100g (B) and 0.14mg/100g (D)-0.38mg/100g (B),respectively. Organoleptically, all the experimental samples were similarly accepted with the control, although sample Bwas more acceptable.The study showed that enriching sorghum flour with soybean and groundnut flours in cookiesproduction improved their nutritional value and could be used to reduce the dependency on wheat flour.
A SURVEY ON VOCATIONAL ENTREPRENUER SKILLS SUBJECT GRADUATES ATTAINMENT OF NERDC (2009) GOAL: PANACEA TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT VISION 2030, DELTA STATE
Authors: Okafor Patience , OKONKWO G. A
Published: November 2023

The study aimed at establishing if Home Economics Trade – Subject teachers in Delta North Senatorial Zone can identify business enterprises established by their graduates in the society, students' common areas of interest and constraints militating against students' effective acquisition of knowledge, skills and attitudes needed for successful entrance to the world of work upon graduation three research questions guided study , a survey research design was employed, a purposive sampling technique was used to select seventy eight (78) Home Economics trade subjects teachers in all public secondary schools, a questionnaire consisting of thirty (30) closed – end items were used to collect data; data collected was analyzed using mean ( )Result revealed that graduates has entrepreneurial business ventures in Garment making (tailoring and clothing constructions) ( = 2.5); Cosmetology (Hair dressing saloon, pedicure and manicure) ( =2.7); Common area of interest is catering craft practices and constrains includes, inadequate learning materials, teachers inefficiency in manipulative skills and limited lesson periods among others. Based on these findings, it was recommended that Federal Ministry of Education should organize in-service training for trade subjects' teachers, as well as provide adequate learning material for effective learning
HOME ECONOMICS AND THE ACTUALIZATION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS VISION 2030
Authors: ARUBAYI Diana
Published: November 2023

The historical misconception of Home Economics as a female-gender dominated field of academic inquiry is changing. A paradigm shift since the proclamation by International Federation for Home Economics (IFHE) on the 21st of March 1982 in declaring a World Home Economics Day (WHED) allowed Home Economics to be positioned since the 2000's as a strategic academic and professional practical tool to help address issues in family, nations and society at large. This paper begins by understanding the concept of sustainable development by mapping out the global policy focus on international development in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) era (2000-2015) and in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) era (2015-2030). By doing so, this paper thematically groups the SDGs under four (4) themes (empowerment, health and wellbeing, sustainable environment and partnerships for development) by anchoring these 4 themes on education and 3 philosophical pillars of Home Economics which include (Food and Nutrition, Clothing and Textiles and, Home Management). This paper therefore conceptualizes Home Economics as: Empowerment through Education; Health and Wellbeing through Nutrition Education; Environmental Sustainability through Clothing and Textiles and; Partnerships for Development through Home Management.
UTILIZING SKILLACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT FOR ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS IN NIGERIA
Authors: MOHAMMED MOHAMMED, A. Z , ABUBAKAR ABUBAKAR, M. A
Published: November 2023

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 targets were announced by the United Nations (UN) in 2015. The Goals and targets were set to stimulate action over the next fifteen years in areas of critical importance for humanity and the planet. But five years after the declaration of SDGs by the UN, Nigerians are yet to see the roadmap for its achievement. This paper thus investigated how skill acquisition and development can be utilized to achieving Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria. Two research objectives and two research questions guided the study. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The population consisted of 120 training instructors operating skill acquisition training centres in Central Business District of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. All the population constituted the sample for the study, using census sampling technique. Ten items structured questionnaire titled “Utilization of Skill Acquisition and Development in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals Questionnaire”was used as instrument for data collection. Content validity was used. Apilot study was conducted at Bwari Area Council. A total of 10 copies of the questionnaire were administered to selected training instructors operating skill acquisition training centres within the community. Test-retest method of reliability was used to obtain the internal consistency. The reliability index was obtained through Cornbrash's alpha (0.89). Out of the 120 questionnaires administered, 109 were returned valid, representing 90% success rate. Data analyses were carried out based on the specific objectives and research questions of the study. Data collected was imputed into the SPSS (25) software package where descriptive statistics, in the form of tables were generated. The study discovered among other that many youth prefer to work in government establishments than acquiring skills of craftsmanship for self-employment, skill acquisition and development for selfemployment can ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Recommendations were made among which include that government at all levels should establish vocational skill acquisition and development centres in all the geo-political wards in the country, parents should encourage their children to enroll in informal apprenticeship training programme for skill acquisition and the National Orientation Agency should roll out programmes that would encourage the youth to patronize skill acquisition centres.
HOME ECONOMICS EDUCATION FOR DEVELOPMENT OF STRONG FAMILIES AND SUSTAINABLE NATIONAL STABILITY
Authors: UKO-AVIOMOH Ekemini
Published: November 2023

A Nation is a stable community of people formed on the basis of a common language, territory, history ethnicity or psychological makeup manifested in a common culture.Members of a Nation are expected to have particular interest, autonomy and unit. Nations are believed to be formed through the fusion of a group of people through unifying historical events, memories of endeavors, sacrifice and devotion which results in unity and stability (Smith, 1991).If a community is formed and it does not survive as a unit over time, it can never become nation. Stability is a major indicator of the survival of a nation.When something is stable, it means it is fixed, steady, strong, unchangeable and not likely to be shaken or d e s t a b i l i z e d A k w a r a , A k w a r a ,Oumawu&Abutu(2013). Stability means ability to remain unchanged over time under stated conditions.Strong Nations are stable nations, and they provide national stability to the citizenry
Front Crawl and Backstroke Sprint Swimming have Distinct Differences along with Similar Patterns Regarding Trunk Rotations
Authors: Nikodelis Thomas , Gourgoulis Vassilios , Lola Afroditi , Ntampakis Ioannis , Kollias Iraklis
Published: November 2023

Background: Front crawl and backstroke share similar trunk rotating characteristics and tempt coaches to transfer teaching parts from one stroke to the other intuitively. However, the degree of similarity has yet to be determined. The coordination of the pelvis and the 7th cervical vertebrae (C7), during yaw and roll rotation, when sprint swimming front crawl, and backstroke was studied. Methods: Thirty-four swimmers were assessed on their performance in25m-sprint of each stroke. Using inertial sensors, each segment’s time series of angular displacement was calculated. Their amplitudes, mean autocorrelation values, max cross-correlation coefficient, phase lag, and relative power at the main frequency were analyzed. For all comparisons, the p-value was set to 0.05. Results: Pelvis yaw and roll and C7 roll amplitudes were greater at backstroke, C7 yaw was greater at front crawl. Autocorrelations ranged from 0.79 to 0.82 except for the pelvis at front crawl in yaw which was 0.72±0.16. Relative power at the main frequency ranged from 47% to 52% except for the yaw pelvis’ at the front crawl which was lower (32.81±14.09%). Backstroke had larger mean values in all cases and roll had larger mean values than yaw. Cross-correlation between the two segments yielded higher values at roll. At roll direction, the leading segment in the front crawl was the pelvis while in backstroke, it was the C7 which was true in all cases. In all cases, the coupling was slightly deviating from in-phase mode except from backstroke yaw which yield phase lag values of -13.35±1.14% of stroke cycle time. Conclusions: Although both strokes share similar characteristics their intersegmental coupling differs. The findings of the study imply that proper focus should be given to enhance only a positive transfer of learning between the two strokes.
Home-Based Pilates Exercise Regimen Can Alter the Balance and Trunk Mobility of Non-Exercising Middle-Aged Women: A Pilot Study
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Nita , Das Tuhin
Published: November 2023

Background: Technological inventions are promoting a sedentary lifestyle. With aging limited physical activities result in postural instability, falls, and mobility reduction, for which the two physical fitness components - balance and flexibility play indispensable roles. Among many exercise protocols, Pilates is one of the most beneficial regimens for developing core muscle strength, balance, flexibility, and aerobic capacity in middle-aged women. Purpose: The purpose of the current pilot study was to examine the influence of a nine-week home-based Pilates exercise (HBPE) program on the balance and trunk mobility of middle-aged women. Methodology: This pilot study adopted a quasi-experimental design with 40 non-exercising middle-aged women (age 40–60 years) who were purposively enrolled in a Pilates exercise group (PEG, n=20; mean age= 52.05±5.93 years) and a Control group (CNG, n= 20; mean age= 51.90±5.88 years). The PEG was exposed to three weekly sessions of 50–60 minutes for nine weeks of Pilates exercises, while the CNG used to perform only their daily usual activities. One-leg stand test, Timed up and go test, and Sit-and-reach test had been administered twice before and after the intervention of the HBPE program to evaluate their static balance, dynamic balance, and trunk flexibility respectively. Result: Nine weeks of the HBPE program significantly influenced the static balance (t= -4.901, p=0.001, Δ% = 9.82), dynamic balance (t= 2.582, p=0.018, Δ% = -1.02), and trunk flexibility (t= -8.000, p=0.001, Δ% = 2.51) among the participants of PEG, while CNG showed no significant changes in those dependent variables. Conclusion: The current pilot study concludes that nine weeks of the HBPE program can significantly improve the balance and trunk flexibility of non-exercising middle-aged women and thereby can increase postural stability and trunk mobility.
KASTAMONU SANCAĞI’NDAN MEDİNE-İ MÜNEVVERE’YE TAHSİS EDİLEN VAKIFLAR (XV-XVI. YÜZYILLAR)
Authors: Dağsever Veli İlker
Published: November 2023

Selçukluların Anadolu’yu fethi ile birlikte Kastamonu ve çevresine hızlı bir Türkmen göçü gerçekleşmiştir. Bu süreçte Çobanoğulları (Selçuklu) ve Candaroğulları Kastamonu’ya hâkim olduktan sonra farklı alanlara hizmet eden birçok vakıf eseri tesis etmişler ve bunları zengin kaynaklarla desteklemişlerdir. XV. yüzyılın ikinci yarısına gelindiğinde Osmanlı idaresine geçen bölgede, hem beyliklerden devreden vakıf eserler korunmuş hem de çok sayıda yeni vakıf kurulmuştur. Bunlar arasında Hz. Peygamber’in kabri ile onun ruhuna Kurʻân okunması için kurulan Hatim-Cüz vakıfları hiç şüphesiz önemli bir yer tutmaktadır. Çalışmada, XV-XVI. yüzyılllara ait Kastamonu tahrir defterlerine göre Kastamonu Sancağı’ndaki Medine-i Münevvere vakıfları ele alınacaktır. Çalışmanın amacı, şimdiye kadar yeterince ele alınmayan bu tür vakıfların mekânları, varsa kurucuları ile görevlileri, gelir kaynakları ve gelir miktarları hakkında daha somut bilgi sahibi olmaktır.
A distributed access control method for wireless LANs in shadowing environments
Authors: Saito Tadao , Aida Hitoshi , Aoki Terumasa , Hidaka Soichiro , Toranawigtrai Tredej , Hashimoto Akinori
Published: November 2023

In recent years, the trend to use wireless LANs to realize mobile or ad hoc network is expanding. Previous proposals for access control methods for wireless LANs included such methods as Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA) and polling. However, both methods have problems of transfer efficiency and delay time. Research and development on new access control methods is required to implement high‐performance wireless LANs. In this paper, we examine the development of a wireless version of the wired token passing LAN access control method as a new wireless LAN access control method and propose Dynamic Token Passing (DTP) as a wireless token passing LAN access control method that incorporates a token circulation method and a data relay scheme based on a reserved logical ring. The results show that compared to existing methods, such as the IEEE 802.11 protocol, the proposed method exhibits better performance in an environment suffering from transmission path failures caused by blocking objects. A discussion of the optimum configuration for the reserved logical rings shows that ifAreserved logical rings are prepared and the optimum reserved logical ring is selected, then a network can continue operation under the condition ofA‐1 failures. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 84(9): 16–26, 2001
Batcher Banyan network with cell copy preparation stages for multicast switching
Authors: Takagi Shin'ichi , Tanaka Yoshiaki , Tominaga Hideyoshi
Published: November 2023

This paper considers an ATM switching network in a self‐routing system for line switching, and proposes a Batcher Banyan network with a cell copy preparation network. The idea of this switching network is to consider the upper layer line in a communication network with a hierarchical structure, and to note that the traffic of a multicast connection is much smaller than the traffic of a one‐to‐one connection. The hardware scale is greatly reduced by allowing a small amount of blocking. More precisely, the Batcher Banyan network is used as the basic structure, and a cell copy preparation network with a small amount of hardware and a simple cell transfer algorithm is connected before the Batcher Banyan network. The cells are copied in the cell copy preparation network and the Batcher network. Routing is executed in the Batcher network and the Banyan network. The amount of hardware is greatly reduced compared to the conventional configuration in which the structure is divided into the copying network and the routing network. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 84(9): 54–63, 2001
Performance evaluation of radio transmission in multipath propagation environments using characteristic function method
Authors: Takahashi Satoshi
Published: November 2023

A method for evaluating digital radio transmission performance in multipath propagation is proposed, and two typical environments are evaluated. The multipath environments examined have radio waves with both longer and shorter arrival‐delay differentials than the symbol duration. The effects of radio waves on symbol detection are expressed by an amplitude distribution which is efficiently obtained using a characteristic function method. Results show that degradation was the source of the intersymbol interference in closed‐space environments, and an increase in the symbol rate degrades transmission performance. By comparison in open‐space line‐of‐site urban environments, site‐specific multipath interference decreases the symbol detection margin, and a sharp degradation in transmission performance occurs. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 84(9): 64–73, 2001
RAKE received characteristics considering antenna diversity and path diversity for wideband DS‐CDMA system
Authors: Fujii Teruya , Suzuki Takayuki
Published: November 2023

Wideband DS‐CDMA must have path diversity reception (RAKE reception) because the received waves are separated into multiple paths as the spread bandwidth widens. Analysis of the reception characteristics which takes into account the actual path characteristics is essential to produce an optimal design for RAKE reception. In this paper, we illustrate the received level characteristics when the number of correlators is limited and the received levels are combined by a RAKE receiver based on a specific path selection scheme in a practical antenna diversity reception model having received level correlation between the antennas and different antenna gains. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 84(10): 36–54, 2001
Pattern‐discrimination method for error correction of 16/17 MTR code on a high‐density magnetic recording channel
Authors: Nishiya Takushi , Mita Seiichi , Nara Takashi
Published: November 2023

A pattern discrimination method for error correction of 16/17 MTR code is described for a high‐density magnetic recording channel. It is based on the characteristics of bit‐error patterns of the 16/17 MTR code, where frequent bit errors are restricted to several patterns. The difference between a playback signal and an estimated signal is compared to the waveform patterns caused by the frequent error events. When the difference in the patterns is close to the error waveform, a corresponding decoding error is thought to have occurred and this error is corrected. Simulation results showed that the use of this method improves performance by about 1.2 dB at a user recording density (iDU) of 3. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 84(6): 60–68, 2001
Posttraining interventions to enhance transfer: The moderating effects of work environments
Authors: Richman‐Hirsch Wendy L.
Published: November 2023

The study reported on in this article examined the effectiveness of two posttraining interventions—goal‐setting and self‐management training—and moderating effects of the work environment on improving training transfer. The findings indicate that training in goal‐setting was effective in improving the extent to which trainees applied their skills to the job. Further, both interventions were found to be more effective in supportive work environments. Implications for training research and human resource practices are discussed.
Partial Characterization of an Intra‐Acrosomal Protein, Human Acrin1 (MN7)
Authors: OH‐OKA TADASUKE , TANII ICHIRO , WAKAYAMA TOMOHIKO , YOSHINAGA KAZUYA , WATANABE KISHICHIRO , TOSHIMORI KIYOTAKA
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT: Acrin1 (MN7), a 90‐kd glycoprotein, is localized in the sperm acrosome of several rodents. The purpose of this study was to determine the molecular size and subcellular localization of acrin1 (MN7) in human sperm, and its organization in spermatids during spermiogenesis. Immunocytochemical and biochemical analyses revealed that acrin1 (MN7) is localized in the anterior acrosome and its molecular size is 90 kd, the same as in rodents. Based on molecular size, acrin1 (MN7) is likely to be a novel human acrosomal protein. During spermiogenesis, acrin1 (MN7) is initially localized in the head‐cap portion of spermatids from the cap phase to the end of the acrosomal phase, and then relocates from the posterior to the anterior region of the acrosome in the maturation phase in spermatids. Such a morphological organization mechanism is also basically the same as that in rodents. Thus, acrin1 (MN7) is a common acrosomal protein of 90 kd in rodents and humans.
Comparative Study of Cytochemical Tests for Sperm Chromatin Integrity
Authors: ERENPREISS JURIS , BARS JANIS , LIPATNIKOVA VIKA , ERENPREISA JEKATERINA , ZALKALNS§ JANIS
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT: Tests were carried out on sperm from 40 fertile and infertile men to evaluate 2 DNA in situ denaturation methods using acridine orange (AO; the modified Rigler‐Roschlau method and the Tejada method), alongside routine aniline blue (AB) and toluidine blue (TB) tests in our modification, and in order to estimate and compare the practical value of different in situ cytochemical tests for sperm chromatin structure. In addition, the methods were applied to rat and boar spermiogenesis models. The sperm heads with abnormal versus normal chromatin structure were specified as orange‐red versus green by the AO method, blue versus uncolored by the AB method, and purple‐violet versus light blue by the TB method. A good correlation for the proportion of sperm heads with abnormal chromatin structure was found among all the methods (r = .63‐.70; P < .01), which characterized all 4 techniques as sensitive enough to estimate in situ sperm DNA integrity. In our study, the average value of abnormal cells was 17% ± 3.8% and 30.2% ± 6.8% for the fertile and infertile groups of men, respectively, setting a threshold of 95% probability at 23% as judged by the Rigler‐Roschlau method. This compared with 23.9% ± 7.5% and 52.1% ± 20.8% (P ≤ .05) for the fertile and infertile groups, respectively, setting a threshold at 31%, as judged by the Tejada method. The technical advantages and disadvantages of each method are briefly reported.
Protein and Gene Expression of Nitric Oxide Synthase Isoforms I and III in the Rat Penile Shaft
Authors: GONZALEZ CHRIS M. , BRANNIGAN ROBERT E. , BERVIG TROY , ZELNER DAVID , PODLASEK CAROL A. , MCKENNA KEVIN E. , MCVARY KEVIN T.
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT: Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) plays a key role in penile smooth muscle relaxation through the regulation of nitric oxide (NO). NO is a major neurotransmitter in the autonomic nervous system, and alteration of its activity has been implicated in erectile dysfunction. The objectives of this study were twofold: 1) to demonstrate and localize the NOS protein isoforms I and III in the normal rat penis, and 2) to identify and quantitate NOS I and III gene expression in the normal rat penis. The gene and protein product of NOS isoforms I and III are expressed in rat penile tissue. Protein expression of NOS I was confined primarily to neuronal tissue, while NOS III protein expression was identified primarily in both cavernosal smooth muscle and endothelium. The presence of both NOS I and III was confirmed in the penile shaft by Western blot. Quantitation of NOS I and III gene expression by reverse transcription—polymerase chain reaction revealed NOS III to be more highly expressed than that of NOS I in the rat penile shaft. NOS I and III protein and gene products are both expressed in normal rat penile tissue. Protein expression is localized primarily to neuronal tissue for NOS I, whereas NOS III is localized primarily to cavernosal smooth muscle and endothelium. NOS III gene expression is greater than that of NOS I in the normal rat penile shaft. These findings support the possibility that penile erection is regulated by different NOS isoforms released from neural, endothelial, and smooth muscle sources.
Actin and Actin‐Binding Proteins in Bovine Spermatozoa: Potential Role in Membrane Remodeling and Intracellular Signaling During Epididymal Maturation and the Acrosome Reaction
Authors: HOWES E. A. , HURST S. M. , JONES R.
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT: The actin cytoskeleton influences a wide range of functions in nonmuscle somatic cells, including shape, movement, and interactions with extracellular matrices. The role of actin in mammalian male germ cells, however, particularly during post‐testicular development, is not well understood. In this paper, we examine 1) the distribution of 3 actin‐regulatory proteins (thymosin β10, destrin, and a testis‐specific actin capping protein) involved in controlling the balance between actin monomers (G‐actin) and actin filaments (F‐actin), and 2) the distribution and polymerization status of actin in bull spermatozoa during epididymal maturation and following acrosomal exocytosis. Results show that in fixed, permeabilized testicular spermatozoa all 3 regulatory proteins (as determined by binding of specific antibodies) are localized primarily to the acrosomal domain but during epididymal maturation they become confined to the equatorial segment. Following ejaculation, however, they extend back into the acrosomal region. In spermatozoa induced to undergo an acrosome reaction with the calcium ionophore, A23187, further rearrangement occurs with destrin, thymosin β10, and TS‐ACP appearing in the postacrosomal domain. Actin is also found over the acrosome of testicular spermatozoa with both G‐ and F‐actin present, although the 2 forms show slightly different patterns of distribution. Subsequently, actin in the sperm head is largely confined to the equatorial segment until F‐actin appears in the postacrosomal domain of acrosome‐reacted spermatozoa. This redistribution of actin and actin‐regulatory proteins, coupled with changing levels of actin polymerization, suggest a continuing role for actin in both post‐testicular sperm maturation and acrosomal exocytosis.
A Study on Occupational Exposure to Petrochemicals and Smoking on Seminal Quality
Authors: WANG SHOU‐LIN , WANG XIN‐RU , CHIA SIN‐ENG , SHEN HAN‐MING , SONG LING , XING HOU‐XUN , CHEN HAI‐YAN , ONG CHOON‐NAM
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT: A cross‐sectional study of 68 petrochemical workers (23 had never smoked [E/NS], 45 were current smokers [E/S]) and 130 subjects with no known history of exposure to petrochemicals (49 had never smoked [NE/NS], 81 were current smokers [NE/S]) was conducted to assess the effect of occupational exposure to petrochemicals and smoking on semen quality. In‐person interviews revealed occupational history, smoking habit, and lifestyle. Semen parameters such as volume, viability, sperm forward progression rate, sperm density, and total sperm count were determined for all subjects. The results show that the E/NS workers had a lower sperm forward progression rate (P < .05) compared with controls (NE/NS). Individuals in the NE/S group showed a significant inverse relationship between years smoked and sperm density (r = ‐.24, P < .05). The data also revealed that cigarette smokers who had worked in a petrochemical plant had significantly poorer quality semen, including sperm density, total sperm count, and forward progression rate, compared with the control (NE/NS) group (P < .01). Furthermore, there was a significant inverse correlation between combined exposure and smoking years, and sperm density (r = ‐.28, P < .05). These findings suggest that occupational exposure to petrochemical compounds may aggravate the adverse effect that smoking has on semen quality.
Expression and Regulation of Metallothioneins in the Rat Epididymis
Authors: CYR DANIEL G. , DUFRESNE JULIE , PILLET STÉPHANE , ALFIERI JOANNE , HERMO LOUIS
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT: Metallothioneins (MTs) are cytosolic proteins involved in cellular stress responses. The objectives of this study were to determine which epididymal cells express MTs, how they are regulated, and whether mRNA levels for 3 MT isoforms (MT I, MT II, and MT III) are modulated by heavy metals. MT expression was noted mainly in basal cells of all epididymal regions but not in all basal cells of any given region. MT I mRNA levels were highest in the testis, followed by levels in the corpus, cauda epididymidis, liver (positive control), caput epididymidis, initial segment, seminal vesicles, and ventral prostate. MT II mRNA levels were also highest in testis, followed by levels in the cauda, corpus, liver, caput, and initial segment, but they were undetectable in the seminal vesicles and ventral prostate. MT III mRNA levels were highest in the caput followed by testis and initial segment. Orchidectomy and orchidectomy with testosterone replacement experiments showed that immunoreactive MT in all epididymal segments was androgen dependent. Epididymal MT I mRNA levels were dependent on androgens in all segments except the corpus. MT II mRNA levels were androgen dependent only in the initial segment and corpus. MT III mRNA levels in the initial segment were not altered by orchidectomy but increased significantly in testosterone‐treated rats. In the caput, MT III mRNA levels decreased following orchidectomy, but control levels were maintained by testosterone. In cadmium‐injected rats, MT I mRNA levels were significantly increased in the testis and initial segment, but there were no effects in the liver and other epididymal regions. MT II mRNA levels were increased by more than eightfold in the liver and by three‐ to fourfold in the initial segment and caput. In the corpus, MT II mRNA levels were decreased by cadmium treatment. MT III mRNA levels were unaltered by cadmium treatment. In conclusion, all 3 MT transcripts are present in high abundance in the epididymis. Furthermore, MT is expressed mainly in basal cells with regulation by testosterone. Heavy metal induction appears to affect the proximal regions of the epididymis.
Atrazine Effects on Testosterone Levels and Androgen‐Dependent Reproductive Organs in Peripubertal Male Rats
Authors: TRENTACOSTE STEPHANIE V. , FRIEDMANN ANDREW S. , YOUKER ROBERT T. , BRECKENRIDGE CHARLES B. , ZIRKIN BARRY R.
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT: Previous studies have reported that atrazine, a widely used herbicide that selectively inhibits photosynthesis in broadleaf and grassy weeds, has adverse effects on reproductive function in the male, suggesting a direct effect of atrazine on the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐testicular axis. As yet, however, no studies have critically examined the doses of atrazine that elicit such effects, and few have focused on the mechanism by which atrazine acts. Herein we report a dose‐response study of the effects of atrazine ingestion on reproductive function in male Sprague‐Dawley rats during a critical developmental period, the peripubertal period. Atrazine was administered by gavage to rats from day 22 to day 47 of age, at doses of 1–200 mg/kg body weight per day. Atrazine administration of up to 50 mg/kg per day had no effect on any of the measured variables. Serum testosterone concentration was reduced by atrazine at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg per day, as were seminal vesicle and ventral prostate weights. Intratesticular testosterone concentration was reduced in parallel with serum testosterone, suggesting that the reductions in serum testosterone resulted from reduced testosterone production by Leydig cells or from changes in testosterone metabolism within the testis, or both. Serum luteinizing hormone (LH) concentration was reduced despite the reduced serum testosterone, suggesting an effect on the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, or both. At the termination of the study, the average body weight of rats receiving atrazine at 100 mg/kg per day was found to be reduced by approximately 9%. This suggested the possibility that the effects of atrazine on the reproductive tract may not be direct, but rather, the noted deficits of the male reproductive tract resulted from reduced food intake by the treated rats. We tested this by feeding control (vehicle‐gavaged) rats amounts of food equivalent to that consumed by the atrazine‐fed rats, and then assessing reproductive tract endpoints. Even mild food restriction resulted in reductions in serum testosterone concentration, in the weights of androgen‐dependent organs, and in serum LH concentration; the same deficits that were seen in atrazine‐gavaged rats. Indeed, the effects of atrazine on the male reproductive tract seen in rats receiving atrazine at greater than 50 mg/kg per day could not be distinguished from the effects of reduced food consumption. These results suggest that caution must be exercised before concluding that atrazine (or any potentially toxic chemical) has direct, detrimental effects.
Testicular Secretion of Inhibin in the Male Golden Hamster: (Mesocricetus auratus)
Authors: JIN WANZHU , WADA SACHIKO , ARAI KOJI Y. , KISHI HISASHI , HERATH CHANDANA B. , WATANABE GEN , SUZUKI AKIRA K. , GROOME NIGEL P. , TAYA KAZUYOSHI
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT: To identify the cellular source of inhibin in the male golden hamster, we have used complementary approaches, immunohistochemistry and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Strong positive staining of the inhibin α subunit was observed in both the Sertoli and Leydig cells of the testes. No specific staining was observed for the inhibin βA subunit, whereas specific staining for the inhibin βB subunit was strongly positive in the Leydig cells. Inhibin pro‐αC and inhibin B were detected in peripheral plasma, and testicular homogenate also contained large amounts of inhibin pro‐αC and inhibin B. However, inhibin A was not detected either in peripheral plasma or in testicular homogenate. Plasma concentrations of inhibin pro‐αC and inhibin B were significantly (P< .001) decreased 24 hours after orchidectomy. These results strongly suggest that the Leydig cells are the main source of dimeric inhibin B in the male golden hamster.
Sperm Structural and Motility Changes During Aging in the Brown Norway Rat
Authors: SYNTIN PATRICK , ROBAIRE BERNARD
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT: The Brown Norway rat provides a useful model to study aging of the male reproductive tract because of the selective age‐dependent pathological changes that are found in the testis, epididymis, and prostate. In the testis, there is a clear age‐dependent decrease in both steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis. In the epididymis, some striking segment‐specific changes occur at the histological and biochemical levels prior to the major loss of spermato‐genesis. We hypothesized that formation of spermatozoa in the testis and maturation of spermatozoa in the epididymis (ie, acquisition of motility and loss of the cytoplasmic droplet) may be altered during aging. Changes in the morphology of spermatozoa were assessed by light and electron microscopy. Using computer‐assisted sperm analysis, the motility parameters of spermatozoa obtained from the caput and cauda epididymidis of young and old Brown Norway rats were compared. In old animals, we also compared the motility of spermatozoa from epididymides adjacent to regressed testes with those from epididymides adjacent to nonregressed testes. There was a marked increase with age in the number of spermatozoa with abnormal flagellar midpieces; the nature of these defects did not change with age. In caput epididymidis, the percentage of motile sperm was similar in young and old rats. In contrast, the percentage of motile spermatozoa was significantly decreased in cauda epididymidis of old rats; spermatozoa from the regressed testis side had altered motility characteristics. Furthermore, in the cauda epididymidis on the regressed testis side of aged Brown Norway rats, the proportion of spermatozoa that retained their cytoplasmic droplet was markedly elevated. Some of these effects are likely due to changes taking place in spermatozoa during the process of spermatogenesis in the testis (eg, formation of the flagellum), whereas others could occur during sperm maturation in the epididymis (eg, acquisition of motility). The multiple effects of aging on sperm morphology, the acquisition of motility, and the shedding of the cytoplasmic droplet clearly indicate that the quality of spermatozoa is affected by aging.
In Vitro Fertilization With Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Is an Effective Therapy for Male Factor Infertility Related to Subnormal Hypo‐Osmotic Swelling Test Scores
Authors: CHECK JEROME H. , KATSOFF DIANE , CHECK MATTHEW L. , CHOE JUNG K. , SWENSON KIMBERLY
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT: The aim of the study was to determine if intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) would be an effective therapy for males with subnormal hypo‐osmotic swelling test (HOST) scores, a condition known to prevent implantation of embryos despite allowing normal fertilization and embryo formation. Couples in whom the male partner had a HOST score of <50% and failed to achieve a pregnancy despite at least 3 cycles of intrauterine insemination with chymotrypsin‐galactose‐treated sperm were treated with in vitro fertilization (IVF) with ICSI. The clinical and viable pregnancy rates were 49.0% and 45.3% (n = 53). The implantation rate was 27.1%. These data thus demonstrate that ICSI is an effective therapy for infertile couples in whom the male partner has a subnormal hypo‐osmotic swelling (HOS) score. Previous studies using conventional IVF without ICSI when HOS was subnormal found normal fertilization rates but a marked reduction in pregnancy and implantation rates. The very acceptable pregnancy and implantation rates demonstrated in this study with ICSI is consistent with the hypothesis that the defect associated with sperm that have subnormal HOST scores is not related to the single spermatozoon that is responsible for fertilizing the oocyte but may be related to a toxic factor associated with the supernumerary sperm attached to the zona pellucida.
Changes in Motion Characteristics, Plasma Membrane Integrity, and Acrosome Morphology During Cryopreservation of Buffalo Spermatozoa
Authors: RASUL ZAHID , AHMAD NASIM , ANZAR MUHAMMAD
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT: Motion characteristics, plasma membrane integrity, and acrosome morphology of buffalo spermatozoa after different stages of cryopreservation (ie, dilution, cooling to 4°C, equilibration at 4°C, and freezing and thawing) were examined. Semen ejaculates from 4 buffalo bulls were pooled (n = 5), diluted in triscitric acid extender, cooled to 4°C over 2 hours, equilibrated at 4°C for 4 hours, dispensed into 0.5‐mL straws, and frozen in a programmable cell freezer before plunging into liquid nitrogen. Frozen semen was thawed at 37°C for 15 seconds. After completion of each stage, sperm motion characteristics, plasma membrane integrity, and acrosomal morphology were determined using computer‐assisted semen analysis, hypo‐osmotic swelling assay, and phase‐contrast microscopy, respectively. Data were presented as mean ± standard error of the mean. Visual and computerized motility did not differdue to dilution, cooling, or equilibration (77.3% ± 2.3% and 90.5% ± 1.2%, respectively), but was reduced (P < .05) after freezing and thawing (53.0% ± 4.6% and 48.6% ± 6.5%, respectively). Linear motility of spermatozoa was lower (P < .05) after dilution or equilibration (56.2% ± 2.4%) than after cooling or freezing and thawing (79.6% ± 1.4%). Sperm curvilinear velocity was reduced (P < .05) from 112.4 ± 5.3 μm/sec after dilution to 96.0 ± 5.8 μm/s after cooling, and from 87.6 ± 4.1 μm/s after equilibration to 69.4 ± 2.0 μm/s after freezing and thawing. Sperm lateral head displacement differed (P < .05) after each stage (ie, dilution, 3.9 ± 0.2 μm; cooling, 2.3 ± 0.2 μm; equilibration, 3.1 ± 0.3 μm; and freezing and thawing, 1.7 ± 0.2 μm). Spermatozoa with intact plasma membranes were 80.2% ± 3.9% after dilution, reduced (P < .05) to 60.4% ± 5.6% after equilibration, and then to 32.6% ± 3.8% after freezing and thawing. The percentage of spermatozoa with normal acrosomes remained higher after dilution, cooling, or equilibration (73.2% ± 2.4%) than after freezing and thawing (61.8% ± 2.4%; P < .05). In conclusion, the maximal damage to the motility apparatus, plasma membrane, and acrosomal cap of buffalo spermatozoa occurs during freezing and thawing followed by equilibration.
Molecular Genetic Analysis of Two Human Sperm Fibrous Sheath Proteins, AKAP4 and AKAP3, in Men With Dysplasia of the Fibrous Sheath
Authors: TURNER REGINA M. O. , MUSSE MARIANA P. , MANDAL ARABINDA , KLOTZ KEN , JAYES FRIEDERIKE C. L. , HERR JOHN C. , GERTON GEORGE L. , MOSS STUART B. , CHEMES HECTOR E.
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT: Dysplasia of the fibrous sheath (DFS) is characterized by male infertility, asthenozoospermia, and morphologically abnormal flagella that possess a severely malformed fibrous sheath. In many cases, DFS is familial, suggesting a genetic component. Human AKAP4 and AKAP3 are structural proteins of the fibrous sheath that also function to anchor protein kinase A to this structure via the regulatory subunit of the kinase. We hypothesized that defects in either AKAP4 or AKAP3 might cause DFS. No quantitative or qualitative differences between patients with DFS and normal controls were detected when sperm proteins were analyzed by either silver staining or immunoblot analysis using antibodies raised against AKAP4 and AKAP3. Additionally, AKAP4 and AKAP3 from DFS sperm retained the ability to bind the regulatory subunit of protein kinase A. Localization at the light and electron microscopic levels showed that AKAP3 and AKAP4 localized correctly to the FS of the amorphous flagellum in DFS sperm. Partial sequence analysis of the AKAP4 and AKAP3 genes in patients with DFS did not identify any significant alterations in potential AKAP4/AKAP3 binding regions, suggesting that the two proteins interact normally in DFS sperm. Our results did not find evidence to support the hypothesis that mutations in either gene are responsible for DFS in humans.
Inside Out/Outside In: Exploring American Literature
Authors: Vandrick Stephanie
Published: November 2023

Victoria Holder, Dorothy Lindsay, Lyn Motai, Deborah vanDommelen, Karen Wiederholt (Eds.)
Biomineralized fluorocanasite‐reinforced biocomposite scaffolds demonstrate expedited osteointegration of critical‐sized bone defects
Authors: Vyas Abhijit , Mondal Samiran , Kumawat Vijay Shankar , Ghosh Subrata Bandhu , Mishra Dhaneshwar , Sen Jayant , Khare Deepak , Dubey Ashutosh Kumar , Nandi Samit Kumar , Bandyopadhyay‐Ghosh Sanchita
Published: November 2023

The development of patient‐specific bone scaffolds that can expedite bone regeneration has been gaining increased attention, especially for critical‐sized bone defects or fractures. Precise adaptation of the scaffold to the region of implantation and reduced surgery times are also crucial at clinical scales. To this end, bioactive fluorcanasite glass‐ceramic microparticulates were incorporated within a biocompatible photocurable resin matrix following which the biocomposite resin precursor was 3D‐printed with digital light processing method to develop the bone scaffold. The printing parameters were optimized based on spot curing investigation, particle size data, and UV–visible spectrophotometry. In vitro cell culture with MG‐63 osteosarcoma cell lines and pH study within simulated body fluid demonstrated a noncytotoxic response of the scaffold samples. Further, the in vivo bone regeneration ability of the 3D‐printed biocomposite bone scaffolds was investigated by implantation of the scaffold samples in the rabbit femur bone defect model. Enhanced angiogenesis, osteoblastic, and osteoclastic activities were observed at the bone‐scaffold interface, while examining through fluorochrome labelling, histology, radiography, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and x‐ray microcomputed tomography. Overall, the results demonstrated that the 3D‐printed biocomposite bone scaffolds have promising potential for bone loss rehabilitation.