The Association of HLA-G Gene Polymorphism and Its Soluble Form With Male Infertility

Successful reproduction depends on many factors. Male factors contribute to infertility in approximately 50% of couples who fail to conceive. Seminal plasma consists of secretions from different accessory glands containing a mixture of various cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors, which together can induce a local immune response that might impact on a male’s as well as a female’s fertility. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G expression has been suggested as an immunomodulatory molecule that influences pregnancy outcome. The HLA-G gene encodes either membrane-bound or/and soluble proteins. The aim of this study was the evaluation of HLA-G polymorphisms and their impact on soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) production. We tested the HLA-G polymorphism in three positions: rs1632947: c.-964G>A; rs1233334: c.-725G>C/T in the promoter region; rs371194629: c.∗65_∗66insATTTGTTCATGCCT in the 3′ untranslated region. We tested two cohorts of men: 663 who participated in in vitro fertilization (test material was blood or sperm), and 320 fertile controls who possessed children born after natural conception (test material was blood). Since 50% of men visiting assisted reproductive clinics have abnormal semen parameters, we wondered if men with normal sperm parameters differ from those with abnormal parameters in terms of HLA-G polymorphism and secretion of sHLA-G into semen. We found that certain rs1632947-rs1233334-rs371194629 HLA-G haplotypes and diplotypes were associated with male infertility, while others were protective. Normozoospermic men with the A-C-del haplotype and A-C-del/A-C-del diplotype secreted the most sHLA-G into semen (574.1 IU/mL and 1047.0 IU/mL, respectively), while those with the G-C-ins haplotype and G-C-ins/G-C-ins diplotype – the least (80.8 IU/mL and 75.7 IU/mL, respectively). Men with the remaining haplotypes/diplotypes secreted sHLA-G at an intermediate level. However, only in one haplotype, namely G-C-ins, did we observe strong significant differences in the concentration of sHLA-G in the semen of men with teratozoospermia compared to men with normal sperm parameters (p = 0.009). In conclusion, fertile men differ in the profile of HLA-G polymorphism from men participating in IVF. Among all HLA-G haplotypes, the most unfavorable for male fertility is the G-C-ins haplotype, which determines the secretion of the lowest concentration of the soluble HLA-G molecule. This haplotype may reduce sperm parameters.

Ellipsometry of thin films of biological objects under conditions of total internal reflection

An analysis of the ellipsometric parameters of the reflected light from the prism test material air system is carried out when circularly polarized light is incident on it under the conditions of the onset of the phenomenon of total internal reflection. At the onset of total internal reflection, the ellipsometry parameter shows high variability with the angle of incidence, in contrast to the parameter r0. It is shown that TIR occurs when the angle of incidence is not equal to the critical angle of the adjacent media for two different materials, these angles differ from each other. In the case of a film, the TIR phenomenon occurs at an angle equal to the critical angle at the prism-air interface and does not depend on the film material. The results obtained show the high efficiency of using the ellipsometric method together with circularly polarized incident radiation for diagnostics of thin films made of biological material.

Peningkatan Pengetahuan Guru MTS Al Washliyah 19 Percut Mengenai Pemenuhan Kebutuhan Gizi Berbasis Pangan Lokal

ABSTRAKPemenuhan kebutuhan gizi berbasis pangan lokal merupakan implementasi dari panduan Pedoman Gizi Seimbang (PGS). Pemberian pengetahuan berkaitan dengan pemenuhan kebutuhan gizi pada guru dapat memberikan manfaat bagi lingkungan sekitar, terutama pada siswa di Sekolah. Tujuan kegiatan pengabdian kepada masyarakat ini adalah untuk meningkatkan pengetahuan guru tentang pemenuhan kebutuhan gizi berbasis pangan lokal. Kegiatan pengabdian berupa pendidikan gizi dengan metode ceramah dan diskusi kepada 15 orang guru MTs Al Washliyah 19 Percut. Adapun rincian kegiatannya adalah pembukaan, pre-test, penyampaian materi dan tanya jawab, post-test serta penutupan. Data pre-posttest dianalisis secara deskriptif dan uji beda paired t-test. Hasil analisis menunjukkan bahwa pengetahuan guru terkait pemenuhan kebutuhan gizi berbasis pangan lokal meningkat signifikan (p<0,05). Berdasarkan hasil tersebut dapat disimpulkan bahwa pendidikan gizi efektif meningkatkan pengetahuan gizi guru MTs Al Washliyah 19 mengenai pemenuhan kebutuhan gizi berbasis pangan lokal. Kata Kunci: Gizi seimbang, pangan lokal, pendidikan gizi ABSTRACTFulfillment of local food-based nutritional requirements is the implementation of the Guidelines for Balanced Nutrition (PGS). Efforts to increase teachers' knowledge about it can benefit their environment, especially for students. This community service activity aimed to increase MTs Al Washliyah 19 Percut teachers' knowledge about fulfilling local food-based nutritional requirements. The nutrition education for 15 teachers used the discussion method. The activities consist of opening, pre-test, material presentation and discussion, post-test, and closing session. The pre-posttest data were analyzed using the descriptive method and paired sample t-test. The results showed that teachers' knowledge regarding the fulfillment of local food-based nutritional requirements increased significantly (p<0.05). Nutrition education effectively increases the knowledge of MTs Al Washliyah 19 teachers regarding the fulfillment of local food-based nutritional requirements. Keywords: Balanced nutrition, local food, nutrition education

Fatty Acid Profile, Conjugated Linoleic Acid Content, and Lipid Quality Indices in Selected Yogurts Available on the Polish Market

The aim of the present study was to determine the fatty acid composition, the content of cis9trans11 C18:2 acid (CLA), and lipid quality indices in yogurts made of cow’s milk, available on the Polish market. The test material consisted of: natural yogurts, natural yogurts with additives (muesli, cereal grains), bio yogurts, bio yogurts with additives (millet groats, quinoa, chestnuts), probiotic yogurts, and eco yogurts. All the products were bought in the period from May to June 2021. The conducted research showed that the analyzed yoghurts were characterized by a varying content of fatty acid groups, different values of the calculated lipid quality indices, as well as a different content of conjugated linoleic acid cis9trans11 C18: 2 (CLA). Natural yogurts with additives had the highest content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and n-3 PUFAs. Natural and bio yogurts with additives had a higher content of n-6 PUF than the other analyzed yogurts. The n-6/n-3 ratio was lower in bio yogurts and eco yogurts. Natural yogurts with additives featured the lowest index of atherogenicity (AI) and index of thrombogenicity (TI) and the highest hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic ratio (H/H). The fat extracted from the bio yogurts had the highest (0.90% of total fatty acids) mean content of cis9trans11 C18:2 (CLA). In fat of the other analyzed yogurts, mean CLA content in total content of fatty acids varied from 0.48% in natural yogurts with additives to 0.81% in bio yogurts with additives.

Productivity of heterotic of sugar corn hybrids with FAO 280–290 of Right-Bank Forest-Steppe

Change in climatic conditions are is reality the reality of our days. She is accompanied by an increase in air temperature and changes in precipitation. However, in such conditions it is necessary to have sweet corn hybrids that will provide high yields. The spread of sweet corn hybrids is due to the use of its freshly cooked products in the summer. However, the demand for products is constantly increasing for both frozen and canned corn. Therefore, the main guarantee of obtaining a future harvest is the correct choice of a hybrid for cultivation, taking into account soil and сlimatiс conditions. The tests were conducted in the experimental field of Uman NUH in the conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe in 2021. New maize hybrids (obtained from maternal lines with different mutant genes) were used as test material. Number of studied hybrids – 4. Hybrid Spokusa was used as a standard. During the entire growing season, they were examined for the duration of the growing season and a number of morphological characteristics such as plant height and attachment height of the productive ear. The above listed signs are precisely the genetic feature of the hybrids and their response to changes in air temperature and precipitation. Our research made it possible to isolate a hybrid of corn 1290 (subject to the presence of su1se1 genes in the hybrid genotype), which is attributed to the middle-early ripeness group, and is also characterized by an average plant height of 220 cm and an average ear attachment height permissible for mechanized harvesting – 60 cm. seed productivity at the level of 4.9 t/ha and is characterized by high resistance to damage by corn motile.

Differences in Effectiveness of Antibacterial Power Between Cocoa Peel Extract (Theobroma cocoa L.) and Benzalkonium Chloride 0.1% Against Staphylococcus aureus (In Vitro)

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a gram-positive bacteria play a role in the formation of dental biofilm which iscausing dental caries. During tooth preparation, to stop the growth of bacteria, a cavity cleaning agent is given using achemical, namely Benzalkonium Chloride (BAC) 0.1%, but BAC has disadvantages including allergic reactions, tolerantmicrobes, and resistance. Therefore, it is hoped that there will be herbal ingredients that can be used as an alternative.Cocoa peel extract has active compounds of tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and saponins which haveantibacterial concentration 6% according to safe concentrations. Purpose: To explain the difference in the effectivenessof the antibacterial power of 6% cocoa peel extract and 0.1% BAC against Staphylococcus aureus (in vitro). Methods:This study was a laboratory experimental in vitro with the posttest only control group design. Using the diffusion methodfor Staphylococcus aureus that divided into two parts, 6% cocoa peel extract and 0.1% BAC. Each petri dish was givendisc paper dripped with 0.01 ml of each test material, then incubated for two days and observed the diameter of theinhibition zone. Results: The average diameter of the inhibition zone formed in the 6% cacao peel extract was 11.5288mm and BAC 0.1% was 18.2925 mm against Staphylococcus aureus. Conclusion: There was a significant difference inthe effectiveness of antibacterial power (p <0.05) between 6% cacao peel extract (Theobroma cacao L.) and 0.1% BACagainst Staphylococcus aureus (In Vitro).

Prototyp eines Bildschirmfarbtests

Purpose. The purpose of this study is to develop a new digital colour vision test. Material and Methods. Based on the principle of metamerism, a digital testing strategy was developed for efficient measurement of colour vision. Twentyfive subjects participated in the study, 21 of whom had normal colour vision and four of whom had a congenital colour vision disorder. Differences in colour vision were examined by monocular presentation of halfquadrants of different hues and degrees of saturation, and the algorithm calculated the colour vision defects that occurred based on the subjects’ responses. The following colour vision values were assigned from the data: a colour scale range of 2.76 – 7.18 for normal colour vision and greater than 7.18 for colour sense disorders. A second new colour scale assessed the type of colour vision disturbance: in the range of 0 – 0.3 were values for a deuteranomaly, in the range of 0.6 – 1.0 were values for a protanomaly, and a value of 1.0 corresponded to a tritanomaly. Results. The difference in colour vision between subjects with normal colour vision and those with a colour vision defect was confirmed (p < 0.001) by measuring the type and the extent of the colour vision disorder was determined. In the group of subjects with normal colour perception, a mean colour scale value of 3.41 ± 0.52 was determined. The extent of colour sense disturbance for the subjects with colour vision impairment was values of 7.18 – 14.33 according to the colour scale, indicating greater variability. Conclusion. The developed algorithm provided meaningful results regarding the colour perception of the test persons. It was possible to differentiate between normal colour vision and colour vision disorder could be shown. Furthermore, the variation between subjects with normal colour vision could be evaluated. Keywords. Colors, colour vision, colour sense disorders, colour test, software algorithm

Assessment of professional Argentine football players using the UNCa test

Objective: To evaluate the maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) and the Maximum Aerobic Speed (MAS) with direct and portable measurement in field, in professional soccer players using the UNCa test. Material and method: 9 professional soccer players (age: 26.8±5.12 years, mass: 78.7±5.8 kg, height: 177.3±5.8 cm), belonging to the first and promotion categories of AFA soccer league, were measured in the field with the UNCa test using direct gas measurement. A subsample of 3 players was also measured on treadmill. On treadmill and in the field, the same Medgraphics® VO2000 gas analyzer was used. Results: In the field, a VO2max of 52.18±5.86 ml/kg/min, and a MAS of 14.8±1.3 km/h were found. Also, a correlation between VO2max and MAS of r = 0.75, and between MAS and the final speed reached (FSR) r=0.91. In the subsample, no differences were found between treadmill and field in VO2max; 46.6±1.4 ml/kg/min and 48.1±2.2 ml/kg/min (p <0.001) respectively. Differences between MAS are shown; 17.0±0.0 km/h for the treadmill and 13.7±1.5 km/h for the field (p <0.001) replicating the protocol. Conclusion: If professional players of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) were measured directly and in the field, applying the UNCa test for the first time. The VO2max and MAS values were slightly lower than those published in the bibliography

Effect of Sandblasting on Static and Fatigue Strength of Flash Butt Welded 75Cr4 Bandsaw Blades

The aim of the research presented in this article is analysis of the effect of the surface treatment method on the static and fatigue strength of flash butt welded bandsaw blades. A 1-mm-thick 75Cr1 cold-work tool steel sheet used for bandsaw blades was used as the test material. Fractographic studies of the fatigue fractures and fractures formed in static tests were also carried out. The static strength tests showed sandblasting the weld surface had no significant effect on the load capacity of the joint. However, the sandblasted specimens showed a higher repeatability of the load capacity (lower standard deviation). In the case of both analyzed sample variants of specimens, sandblasted and non-sandblasted, the number of cycles at which the sample was damaged decreases with the percentage increase of the stress amplitude. When loading the samples with a stress amplitude value in the range between 400 and 690 MPa, sandblasting of the weld surface increased the average value of destructive cycles by about 10–86% (depending on the stress amplitude) compared to non-sandblasted joints. The sandblasting process introduces compressive stresses in the surface layer of the welds, therefore the variable tensile load acting on the sample requires a greater number of cycles before the fatigue cracks initiate and propagate. In the case of all specimens, a ductile fracture was observed. It was also found that, regardless of the variable stress amplitude, sandblasting has a positive effect on reducing the standard deviation of fatigue test results.

EDUCATION ON THE MANAGEMENT OF HEALTH PROTOCOLS TO AVOID THE TRANSMISSION OF COVID-19

Introduction: Since the COVID-19 pandemic that occurred in Indonesia and face-to-face learning in schools has been replaced by online methods, this does not mean that school students can be free from the transmission of the COVID-19 virus. There are still no banners, and educational activities on the prevention of the COVID-19 virus for residents of the MAN City School Palangka Raya. The purpose of this community service activity is to increase knowledge and awareness for students in carrying out health protocols, one of which is also to prepare for face-to-face learning.Methods: Online Implementation of activities for 50 students of MAN City School Palangka Raya, the activity began by taking care of the administration of permits to schools, followed by the implementation of a series of activities in the form of education about COVID-19 and how to implement health protocols in the school environment following the guidelines of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia. The method of activity is done by teaching and Q&A. Before giving pre-test material and afterward post-test.Results: After being given education, the post-test score of knowledge about COVID-19 showed an increase in the average score of 13%. Participants seemed enthusiastic at the discussion session, indicated by the number of questions from participants. Conclusion: Health protocol management education can increase participants' knowledge.