Cereblon regulates NK cell cytotoxicity and migration via Rac1 activation.

Rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton is critical for cytotoxic and immunoregulatory functions as well as migration of natural killer (NK) cells. However, dynamic reorganization of actin is a complex process, which remains largely unknown. Here, we investigated the role of the protein Cereblon (CRBN), an E3 ubiquitin ligase complex co-receptor and the primary target of the immunomodulatory drugs, in NK cells.

Artificial intelligence predicts delirium following cardiac surgery: A case study.

Delirium is a highly relevant complication of surgical interventions. Current research indicates that despite increased awareness for delirium, it is often overlooked. We implemented an AI-based tool to monitor delirium in cardiac surgery patients in our specialist clinic.

Long-term effects of silver nanoparticles on reproductive activity of rabbit buck.

Using the rabbit as an animal model, this study evaluated the long-term effect of silver nanoparticles (NPs) administered intravenously (0.6 mg/kg bw) on reproductive activity and sperm quality. Semen analysis was performed by optical microscopy and sperm motility evaluation by computer assisted sperm analyzer (CASA).

The effects of husbandry system on the grass intake and egg nutritive characteristics of laying hens.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of husbandry system and season on the grass intake and egg quality in laying hens considering that characteristics of organic eggs obtained in a system with no grass in the external area are similar conventional ones.

Results: Three hundred and sixty Ancona hens were randomly assigned to three groups: a control group (C), with the hens kept in cages under standard housing conditions; the organic group (O), with the hens kept under an organic production system (4 m² per hen) and the organic-plus group (OP), with the hens maintained under organic conditions but with a larger grass paddock availability (10 m² per hen). The estimated intake of forage, carotenoids and flavonoids of the OP hens was very high as the amounts deposited in eggs, mainly in the spring season.

The time-dependent effects of prostate granules and seminal plasma on the capacitation, acrosome reaction, and motility of rabbit sperm.

The present study investigated the role of rabbit seminal plasma and prostate granules on capacitation, the acrosomal reaction (AR), and sperm motility. Semen ejaculates obtained from five mature New Zealand White rabbit bucks in three collection series were used in the study. Raw semen, Percoll-selected sperm alone and in presence of either seminal plasma or prostate granules were incubated for 120min in capacitation medium.

Role of rabbit prostate granules on sperm viability and acrosome reaction evaluated with different methods.

In the present study, the role of rabbit seminal granules was observed. Their influence on motility, capacitation and acrosome reaction, as well as the presence of apoptosis and the morphology of rabbit sperm, were compared in different conditions. Ejaculated sperm from five mature New Zealand White rabbit bucks during three series of collections were studied, comparing raw semen, Percoll-selected sperm and Percoll-selected sperm plus prostate granules.

What is the best frame rate for evaluation of sperm motility in different species by computer-assisted sperm analysis?

Objective: To evaluate the effect of acquisition rate in the computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) of sperm motility with different kinetic characteristics (linearity and track speed) belonging to different species.

Design: Prospective research study.

Setting: Andrology laboratory of department of applied biology.

Effects of sports training in adolescence on growth, puberty and bone health.

Athletic training in adolescent females is important for their well-being; indeed, it may have both positive and negative effects on some physiological processes, as growth, reproductive axis and bone health. Adequate physical activity likely exerts neither a positive nor a negative effect on growth. By contrast, intensive training and insufficient diet may have a negative influence on growth, probably due to energy deficiency and impairment of the growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor-I axis; net long term-effects of such alterations remain to be established.