The Combined Effect of Melatonin Implant and Removal of Buck Seminal Plasma on Cryopreservation During the Nonbreeding Season.

This study aimed to determine how melatonin (MT) and seminal plasma affected the freezability of buck sperm during the nonbreeding season. Semen was collected from eight bucks before (pre-MT) and after (post-MT) MT application in the nonbreeding season. Individual ejaculates were collected from the bucks, split into two equal groups according to the removal of seminal plasma (SP) (-) or nonremoval of SP (+). For washing, the groups of ejaculates were centrifuged, and the supernatant was separated, SP (-) and SP (+) ejaculates were diluted, then frozen. Semen samples were examined for sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, defective acrosomes, DNA fragmentation, and mitochondrial membrane function at the native and post-thaw stages. When the general average post-thaw motility (p < 0.01), plasma membrane (p < 0.05), acrosome (p < 0.05), and DNA integrity rates (p < 0.05) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) (p < 0.01) were evaluated, it was seen that MT administration caused a statistically significant improvement. The dramatic effect of nonremoval of seminal plasma on motility and plasma membrane integrity is more clearly observed in individual semen samples frozen in the pre-MT group (p < 0.05). Also, it was observed that removing seminal plasma in the post-MT group caused even milder post-thaw acrosome damage compared with the SP (+) group (p < 0.05). The effect of removing seminal plasma was not observed in terms of DNA integrity and MMP rates in pre- and post-MT groups. As a result, it was concluded that MT application and removal of seminal plasma in the nonbreeding season result in improvement in the freezability of buck semen.

Effects of triton X-100 pretreatment of lyophilized and frozen-thawed ram sperm on preimplantation embryo developmental competence.

In this study, it was aimed to determine the effect of destruction of lyophilized and frozen-thawed ram sperm plasma and acrosomal membrane on development of embryos produced by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Semen samples were divided into two groups for lyophilization (L) and freezing (F). For the removal of the plasma membrane, L and F groups were incubated with Triton X-100 (LTX-100 and FTX-100, respectively). Integrities of the plasma membrane, acrosome and chromatin structure were evaluated. Oocytes were injected with these sperm groups. Although no plasma membrane and acrosome integrities of the L (0.0%) group were detected, the plasma membrane integrity of the F group (69.4%) was significantly higher than the FTX-100 group (23.6%) (p < 0.05). The acrosome integrity of the FTX-100 group (3.80%) was significantly lower than the F group (55.6%) (p < 0.05). The chromatin integrities of L and F groups were higher than the Triton X-100 treated groups (p < 0.05). ICSIs with L, LTX-100, F and FTX-100 sperm were produced similar cleavage and blastocyst rates. In conclusion, data presented here confirm that ram spermatozoa can effectively be lyophilized and injected into oocytes for initiation of embryonic development and Triton X-100 pretreatment is not necessary while using lyophilized and frozen semen.

Does Rainbow Trout Seminal Plasma-Cysteine Combination Affect the Cryo-Survivability and Post-Thaw Incubation Resilience of Ram Semen?

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of both pure rainbow trout seminal plasma (RTSP) supplementation and RTSP-cysteine combination on cryopreservation success and post-thaw incubation resilience of ram semen in the nonbreeding season. For this purpose, different doses of RTSP (0%, 1%, 10%, and 15%) with or without cysteine supplementation were used for experiments. Ejaculates chosen for experiments were pooled and then divided into eight equal volumes for grouping (Control-ControlC, RTSP1-RTSP1C, RTSP10-RTSP10C, and RTSP15-RTSP15C). After cryopreservation, frozen-thawed semen samples were incubated for 5 hours at 37°C for determination of post-thaw incubation resistance. Motility, HOST, TUNEL, Rh123-PI, and CTC tests were performed at 0 hour and 3rd and 5th hours of post-thaw incubation to evaluate the efficacy of all experimental groups. The RTSP10 and RTSP10C groups were noted to provide the best protection on motility, plasma membrane integrity, DNA integrity, and mitochondrial function of cryopreserved ram semen. On the other hand, the best protection against cryo-capacitation was observed in RTSP15 and RTSP15C groups. The addition of cysteine was found to be effective when the higher (15%) or lower (1%) doses of RTSP were used, as well as for no use of RTSP.

Rates and correlates of post-traumatic stress disorder and symptoms during the immediate onset of COVID-19 pandemic in a sample of patients from an outpatient psychiatric clinic in Turkiye.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the traumatic stress levels, participants demonstrating higher than post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) cutoff, thus PTSD possibility, levels, and related factors of patients who felt the need to apply to the outpatient clinic for the 1st time during the first period of the outbreak of the pandemic as a traumatic event, when many psychiatry outpatient clinics were mostly closed to face-to-face admissions. In our research, we targeted three objectives. First, we evaluated PTSD as indicated with measure cutoff points and post-traumatic stress symptom (PTSS) rates among the individuals who were admitted to an outpatient psychiatric clinic for the 1st time, 3 months after the first COVID-19 case was reported in Turkiye. Second, we investigated the relationship between PTSS and PTSD cutoff with anxiety, stress, depression, hopelessness, fear of COVID-19, and disability levels. Third, we aimed to explore the sociodemographic data and risk factors related to PTSD cutoff and PTSS controlling levels of disability, hopelessness, fear of COVID-19, anxiety, depression, and stress. METHODS: For our study, a total number of 85 cases were recruited. Post-traumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale (PDS), Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), and Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCS) were administered to each patient. RESULTS: The rates of possible PTSD and PTSSs were found to be 25.9% and 88.2%. The majority of participants were women (65.9%) who have been presenting complaints with anxiety symptoms (60.1%) and social media users (74.1%). The mean DASS-21 all subscales (anxiety, depression, and stress) (p<0.01), BHS (p<0.01), FCS (p=0.03), and SDS family life/home responsibilities subscale (p<0.01) scores of PTSD cutoff subgroup (n=22) were higher than non-PTSD group (n=63). We observed significant positive correlations between the FCS scores and DASS-21 anxiety subscale (p<0.01), SDS family life/home responsibilities and social life/leisure activities subscales (p<0.05), and PDS symptom severity subscale (p<0.01) scores. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that a COVID-19 pandemic is a traumatic life event that causes high rates of possible PTSD, PTSS, anxiety, depression, hopelessness, and disability and leads to admissions to psychiatric outpatient clinics.

The effects of catechol-O-methyltransferase single nucleotide polymorphisms on positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene is thought to have an important role in the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia, but there are conflicting results regarding its role in clinical presentation. We aimed to elucidate the relationship between the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the COMT gene and the severity of positive and negative symptoms. In order to investigate the relationship, the PubMed, PubMed Central, Scopus, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases were screened for eligible articles. Thirty-eight studies, including 4443 adult patients with schizophrenia, were included in the quantitative analyses, and four studies were qualitatively assessed. Quantitative analyses were performed for acutely ill and clinically stable patient subgroups regarding the different genotypes of rs4680 SNP. Our results showed that the severity of negative symptoms was higher in patients who were rs4680 Met homozygous compared to Val/Met heterozygotes only in acutely ill samples. There was no other significant difference between genotypes. Meta-regression did not reveal any significant moderator effect on the difference in negative symptoms. General psychopathology, positive, negative, and total psychotic symptom levels also were similar between Val homozygotes and Met carriers. Nonetheless, there are some limitations in the study. First, SNPs except for rs4680 were under-researched because of the limited number of studies. Second, high heterogeneity across studies was the main concern. Our results suggested that the COMT rs4680 Met allele was associated with higher levels of negative symptoms within acutely ill patients. Future studies should focus on specific patient subgroups to reveal the moderating effects of SNPs.

Sexual Adverse Effects and Erectile Dysfunction During Buprenorphine/Naloxone Combination Treatment for Opioid Use Disorders.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Compliance and maintenance of abstinence is a major issue in substance use disorders. Adverse effects of opioid maintenance treatments (OMT) include sexual dysfunctions. There is a vast amount of studies regarding sexual adverse effects of conventional OMTs; however, information regarding buprenorphine/naloxone (Bup/Nal) combination is limited, mostly evaluated in western populations and controversial. In this study, we aimed to assess the sexual adversities of Bup/Nal treatment in a Turkish alcohol and substance use disorder treatment center sample. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We recruited 100 subjects continuing sublingual Bup/Nal combination and 35 control subjects. Subjects were evaluated via the the Golombok-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) for sexual dysfunction and for erectile dysfunction (ED) with the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) as a comparison. RESULTS: The mean dose of our treatment was 9.05. Overall sexual dysfunction scores were not significantly different in between groups with GRISS. ED and noncommunication scores were significantly higher in the Bup/Nal treatment group than the control group (p = 0.002, p = 0.02, respectively). Along with the increased ED scores in GRISS, IIEF-5 total scores also revealed more significant severity of the ED in the Bup/Nal group (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Buprenorphine/naloxone combination lead to a higher degree of ED severity than the non-treatment controls. Noncommunication seems to play a role as a risk factor for ED in patients with opioid use disorder. Thus, effective communication can be a key factor for sexual assertivity and disclosing the sexual adverse effects to the clinicians as well as staying in the treatment.

Psychiatric comorbidity and temperament-character traits of the patients with lichen simplex chronicus: The relation with the symptom severity of the disease.

The aim of this study is to evaluate psychiatric comorbidity, temperament and character traits, depression and anxiety levels, and their relation with symptom severity in patients with lichen simplex chronicus (LSC). About 50 patients with LSC were enrolled in the study along with 49 controls. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5), Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were administered to all subjects for psychiatric assessment. Skindex-16 symptom scale was performed for assessing the symptom severity of LSC. LSC group were showing an incidence of 62% in terms of psychiatric comorbidity and 14% of them had two psychiatric diagnoses. The most common psychiatric disorders were major depressive disorder (32%), dysthymia (18%), and generalized anxiety disorder (12%). LSC group had significantly higher mean BDI (18.60 ± 11.77 vs 7.40 ± 4.90) and BAI scores (18.56 ± 13.75 vs 5.18 ± 5.34) than the control group. Patients with LSC displayed higher scores in Harm Avoidance Dimension (19.74 ± 5.18 vs 15.00 ± 5.13) of temperament and regarding character dimensions, they had lower scores in self-directedness (25.52 ± 6.69 vs 29.51 ± 5.54). When analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed while BDI and BAI scores were taken as covariates cooperativeness became significantly higher in the LSC group. Patients with LSC had a high incidence of psychiatric comorbidity, significantly higher depression and anxiety levels, and differed from control group in terms of TCI profile and these conditions were related to symptom severity of the LSC. Comorbid psychiatric conditions and personality traits should be considered as crucial factors for the effective treatment of LSC.

The Neurochemical Effects of Prazosin Treatment on Fear Circuitry in a Rat Traumatic Stress Model.

OBJECTIVE: The timing of administration of pharmacologic agents is crucial in traumatic stress since they can either potentiate the original fear memory or may cause fear extinction depending on the phase of fear conditioning. Brain noradrenergic system has a role in fear conditioning. Data regarding the role of prazosin in traumatic stress are controversial. METHODS: In this study, we examined the effects of prazosin and the noradrenergic system in fear conditioning in a predator stress rat model. We evaluated the direct or indirect effects of stress and prazosin on noradrenaline (NA), gamma-aminobuytyric acid (GABA), glutamate, glycine levels and choline esterase activity in the amygdaloid complex, the dorsal hippocampus, the prefrontal cortex and the rostral pons. RESULTS: Our results demonstrated that prazosin might alleviate defensive behaviors and traumatic stress symptoms when given during the traumatic cue presentation in the stressed rats. However prazosin administration resulted in higher anxiety levels in non stressed rats when the neutral cue was presented. CONCLUSION: Prazosin should be used in PTSD with caution because prazosin might exacerbate anxiety in non-traumatized subjects. However prazosin might as well alleviate stress responses very effectively. Stress induced changes included increased NA and GABA levels in the amygdaloid complex in our study, attributing noradrenaline a possible inhibitory role on fear acquisition. Acetylcholine also has a role in memory modulation in the brain. We also demonstrated increased choline esterase acitivity. Cholinergic modulation might be another target for indirect prazosin action which needs to be further studied.

The Neurochemical Effects of Prazosin Treatment on Fear Circuitry in a Rat Traumatic Stress Model

Objective@#The timing of administration of pharmacologic agents is crucial in traumatic stress since they can either potentiate the original fear memory or may cause fear extinction depending on the phase of fear conditioning. Brain noradrenergic system has a role in fear conditioning. Data regarding the role of prazosin in traumatic stress are controversial. @*Methods@#In this study, we examined the effects of prazosin and the noradrenergic system in fear conditioning in a predator stress rat model. We evaluated the direct or indirect effects of stress and prazosin on noradrenaline (NA), gamma-aminobuytyric acid (GABA), glutamate, glycine levels and choline esterase activity in the amygdaloid complex, the dorsal hippocampus, the prefrontal cortex and the rostral pons. @*Results@#Our results demonstrated that prazosin might alleviate defensive behaviors and traumatic stress symptoms when given during the traumatic cue presentation in the stressed rats. However prazosin administration resulted in higher anxiety levels in non stressed rats when the neutral cue was presented. @*Conclusion@#Prazosin should be used in PTSD with caution because prazosin might exacerbate anxiety in non-traumatized subjects. However prazosin might as well alleviate stress responses very effectively. Stress induced changes included increased NA and GABA levels in the amygdaloid complex in our study, attributing noradrenaline a possible inhibitory role on fear acquisition. Acetylcholine also has a role in memory modulation in the brain. We also demonstrated increased choline esterase acitivity. Cholinergic modulation might be another target for indirect prazosin action which needs to be further studied.

Successful cryopreservation of honey bee drone spermatozoa with royal jelly supplemented extenders.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate different concentrations of royal jelly (RJ) supplemented extenders for post-thawing quality of drone sperm. Semen samples were collected from sexually mature drones. Pooled semen was diluted with extender without RJ (control) or supplemented with different concentrations of RJ (1, 2, 4 or 8%). Sperm motility, plasma membrane functional integrity, and acrosomal integrity were evaluated. At post thaw, the highest sperm motility and acrosomal integrity rates were obtained in the RJ1 group. Functional integrity of sperm membrane was better preserved in the RJ1 and RJ2 groups compare to the other groups. The study shows that RJ supplemented extenders have beneficial effects on drone semen parameters. The results of the present study demonstrated advantage of using 1% RJ supplemented extender.

Intracerebroventricular injection of histamine induces the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activation in male rats.

Brain histamine holds a key position in the regulation of behavioral states, biological rhythms, body weight, energy metabolism, thermoregulation, fluid balance, stress and reproduction in female animals. However, it is not clear whether central histamine exerts any effect on hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular in male rats and if so, the involvement of type of central histamine receptors. The current study was designed to determine the effect of centrally administrated histamine on plasma gonadotropin hormone-releasing hormone (GnRH), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone level, and sperm parameters, and to show the mediation of the central histaminergic H1, H2 and H3/H4 receptors on histamine-evoked hormonal and sperm parameters' effects. Studies were performed in male Sprague-Dawley rats. A total of 50 or 100 nmol doses of histamine were injected intracerebroventricularly (icv). 100 nmol dose of histamine significantly caused increases in plasma GnRH, LH, FSH and testosterone levels of animals, but not 50 nmol dose of histamine. Moreover, central pretreatment with chlorpheniramine, histaminergic H1 receptor antagonist (100 nmol), ranitidine and histaminergic H2 receptor antagonist (100 nmol) completely prevented histamine evoked increase in plasma GnRH, LH, FSH and testosterone levels, while thioperamide, histaminergic H3/H4 receptor antagonist (100 nmol) pretreatment failed to reverse sex hormones responses to histamine. Both central histamine treatment alone and central histamine treatment after central histaminergic receptors antagonists' pretreatments did not alter any sperm parameters in rats. In conclusion, our findings show that centrally administered histamine increases plasma GnRH, LH, FSH and testosterone levels of conscious male rats without change any sperm parameters. Moreover, according to our findings, central histaminergic H1, and H2 receptors mediate these histamine-induced effects.

Association Between Age of Beginning Primary School and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

OBJECTIVE: In April 2012, the Turkish national education system was modified, and the compulsory school age of entry (first grade) was redefined as a minimum of 60 months and a maximum of 66 months (replacing the former minimum criterion of 72 months). In this study, we hypothesized that students starting school before 72 months (the previous age standard for the first grade) may experience (1) a greater number of symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and (2) lower functioning in social, behavioral, and academic domains. METHOD: We performed a cross-sectional community-based study in the first and second grades of all primary schools (4356 students) located in the Kadiköy county of Istanbul, Turkey. Teachers completed Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham version IV and Conners' Teacher's report forms for symptoms of ADHD, the Perceived Competence Scale for functioning, and a sociodemographic questionnaire. RESULTS: Among first graders, the group that began primary school before the age of 72 months had a higher ADHD prevalence than both of the groups that began primary school between the ages of 72 to 77 months and 78 to 83 months (p < .001 for both groups). ADHD symptoms diminished and academic, social, and behavioral functioning improved with age for the first and second grade students. CONCLUSION: The probability of displaying ADHD symptoms (and caseness) is greater among the "earlier" beginners, whereas the "conventional" classmates exhibited better academic, social, and behavioral functioning.

Royal jelly supplemented soybean lecithin-based extenders improve post-thaw quality and incubation resilience of goat spermatozoa.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate different concentrations of royal jelly (RJ) supplemented extenders for post-thaw quality and incubation resilience of goat spermatozoa. Semen samples were collected from five goats. Pooled semen were diluted with soybean lecithin-based extender without RJ (control) or supplemented with different concentrations (0.25, 0.5 and 0.75%) of RJ (RJ0.25, RJ0.5, RJ0.75 respectively), at a final concentration of 150 × 106 spermatozoon/mL. Semen samples were assessed for sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity using hypoosmotic swelling test (HOST) damaged acrosome using FITC-Pisum sativum agglutinin (PSA-FITC) and DNA integrity using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL). The addition of RJ (0.5%, 0.75%) led to higher percentages of subjective motilities (55.33 ± 2.29%, 57.67 ± 2.58%) compared to control and RJ0.25 groups (49.00 ± 2,80%, 51.67 ± 3.09%) (P < 0.05) following the freeze-thawing process. RJ0.5 and RJ0.75 groups had higher plasma membrane functional integrities (66.40 ± 1.34%, 68.20 ± 2.05%) and lower defected acrosome rates (24.60 ± 3.36%, 23.80 ± 2.27%) compared to the other groups (P < 0.05). DNA damaged spermatozoa in all groups were not significant (P > 0.05). In the end of incubation, motility and HOST rates of RJ0.5 (14.00 ± 3.87%, 31.20 ± 3.70%) and RJ0.75 (15.00 ± 3.27%, 29.20 ± 2.59%) groups were higher than control (8.00 ± 2.54%, 18.20 ± 3.11%) and RJ0.25 (9.00 ± 2.07%, 20.60 ± 2.88%) groups (P < 0.05). Also defected acrosome and DNA fragmation rates of RJ0.5 (32.20 ± 1.30%, 5.4 ± 0.55%) and RJ0.75 (29.20 ± 1.30%, 5.80 ± 0.45%) groups were significantly lower than control (38.80 ± 0.84%, 7.40 ± 1.34%) and RJ0.25 (39.80 ± 2.05%, 7.00 ± 1.58) groups. This study shows that RJ supplemented extenders have beneficial effect on goat sperm parameters at 0 h and 6 h of incubation.

Cryopreservation of ram semen with antioxidant supplemented soybean lecithin-based extenders and impacts on incubation resilience.

The scope of this study was investigation the affects of various antioxidants on 1% soybean lecithin-based semen extenders for ram semen cryopreservation. Ejaculates, collected via electrically stimulated ejaculation, that have a thick consistency, rapid wave motion (3-5 on a 0-5 scale) and >75% initial motility were pooled. The pooled samples were split into four equal aliquots as 5 mM Methionine, 5 mM Cysteamine, 1 mM Cysteine and a sample of antioxidant-free control group. Each sample group was diluted to a ratio of 1/5 (semen/extender, v/v) as final concentration and two step dilution method was used for cryopreservation. Extender groups were assessed for sperm motility, plasma membrane functional integrity using hypoosmotic swelling test (HOST), damaged acrosome using FITC-Pisum sativum agglutinin (PSA-FITC) and DNA integrity using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL). Semen samples also incubated for 6 h in humidified air with 5% CO2 at 39 °C to evaluate post-thaw incubation resilience of semen characteristics. The results showed that freezing and thawing procedures had negative effects on motility (P < 0.05), plasma membrane integrity (P < 0.05) and acrosomal integrity (P < 0.05). After 6 h of incubation time, the Cysteine supplemented extender group yielded significantly higher results than other extender groups in terms of spermatological parameters. Furthermore MDA levels in the antioxidant groups were lower than control group (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, there were no significant differences among antioxidant groups.

Freeze-dried egg yolk based extenders containing various antioxidants improve post-thawing quality and incubation resilience of goat spermatozoa.

The aim of this study was to evaluate different antioxidants-supplemented freeze-dried egg yolk based extenders for the post-thawing quality and incubation resilience of goat spermatozoa. Pooled semen were diluted in a two-step dilution method to a final concentration of 1/5 (semen/extender) in control and antoxidant supplemented freeze-dried extenders (methionine, cysteamine and butylated hydroxytoluene). Semen samples were assessed for sperm motility, plasma membrane functional integrity using hypoosmotic swelling test (HOST), damaged acrosome using FITC-Pisum sativum agglutinin (PSA-FITC) and DNA integrity using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL). Membrane lipid peroxidation status was also analyzed using the malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration. In the study, antioxidant supplemented freeze-dried egg yolk based extenders have beneficial effect on goat sperm parameters. In addition, we achieved a higher quality in post thawed goat semen even after 6 h incubation when the extender was supplemented by 5 mM BHT or cysteamine.

Effect of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) seminal plasma on the post-thaw quality of ram semen cryopreserved in a soybean lecithin-based or egg yolk-based extender.

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of rainbow trout seminal plasma (RTSP) (0.1%, 1% and 10%) in extenders containing either egg yolk or lecithin for use in Awassi ram semen cryopreservation. Pooled sperm were diluted in a two-step dilution method to a final concentration of 1/5 (semen/extender) in egg yolk or lecithin extender containing no RTSP, 0.1%, 1% or 10% RTSP (v/v). Semen samples were assessed for sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity [hypoosmotic swelling test (HOST) and Hoechst 33258] and defective acrosomes [FITC-conjugated Pisum sativum agglutinin (PSA-FITC)] at the following five time points: after dilution with extender A; after equilibration; and post-thaw at 0h, 3h and 5h. Malondialdehyde (MDA) was examined only after thawing. Freezing and thawing procedures (dilution, equilibration and post-thaw incubation at 0h, 3h and 5h) negatively affected the motility (P<0.001) and acrosome integrity (P<0.001). Additionally, freezing and thawing negatively affected the plasma membrane integrity, as determined by the HOST and Hoechst 33258 (P<0.001). The extender group affected the motility (P<0.001) and the HOST results (P<0.001). Levels of MDA in the egg yolk extender with 1% RTSP group were significantly lower than in the lecithin control group (P<0.05). In conclusion, the egg yolk extender groups that were supplemented with 10% and 1% RTSP provided greater cryoprotective effects for semen survivability during 5h incubation than the other extender groups.

Successful ram semen cryopreservation with lyophilized egg yolk-based extender.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of lyophilized egg yolk extender on ram semen cryopreservation. Ejaculates with a thick consistency, rapid wave motion (3-5 on a 0-5 scale) and >75% initial motility were pooled. Sperm were diluted to final concentration of 1/5 (semen/extender) in lyophilized egg yolk or fresh egg yolk extenders using two-step dilution method. The equilibrated semen was frozen in 0.25 mL straws. Semen samples were assessed for sperm motility, plasma membrane functional integrity using hypoosmotic swelling test (HOST), damaged acrosome using FITC-Pisum sativum agglutinin (PSA-FITC) and DNA integrity using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) at three time points: after dilution with extender A, equilibration and post-thaw. The results showed that freezing and thawing procedures (dilution, equilibration and thawing) had negative effects on motility (P<0.001), plasma membrane integrity (P<0.001), acrosome integrity (P<0.001) and DNA integrity (P<0.001). In the study, there were no significant differences between lyophilized and fresh egg yolk extenders when comparing motility, plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity and DNA integrity between groups. In conclusion, lyophilized egg yolk extender provided similar cryoprotective effects with fresh egg yolk extender to cryopreserve ram semen.

D-Cycloserine acts via increasing the GluN1 protein expressions in the frontal cortex and decreases the avoidance and risk assessment behaviors in a rat traumatic stress model.

D-cycloserine (DCS), an FDA approved anti-tuberculosis drug has extensively been studied for its cognitive enhancer effects in psychiatric disorders. DCS may enhance the effects of fear extinction trainings in animals during exposure therapy and hence we investigated the effects of DCS on distinct behavioral parameters in a predator odor stress model and tested the optimal duration for repeated daily administrations of the agent. Cat fur odor blocks were used to produce stress and avoidance and risk assessment behavioral parameters were used where DCS or saline were used as treatments in adjunct to extinction trainings. We observed that DCS facilitated extinction training by providing further extinction of avoidance responses, risk assessment behaviors and increased the contact with the cue in a setting where DCS was administered before extinction trainings for 3 days without producing a significant tolerance. In amygdala and hippocampus, GluN1 protein expressions decreased 72h after the fear conditioning in the traumatic stress group suggesting a possible down-regulation of NMDARs. We observed that extinction learning increased GluN1 proteins both in the amygdaloid complex and the dorsal hippocampus of the rats receiving extinction training or extinction training with DCS. Our findings also indicate that DCS with extinction training increased GluN1 protein levels in the frontal cortex. We may suggest that action of DCS relies on enhancement of the consolidation of fear extinction in the frontal cortex.

Psychiatric comorbidities and alexithymia in patients with seborrheic dermatitis: a questionnaire study in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the levels of anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms in patients with seborrheic dermatitis (SD) compared with healthy subjects. Additionally, we aimed to investigate the presence of alexithymia among patients and its association with these psychiatric comorbidities. METHODS: A total of 117 consecutive adult patients (66 male, 51 female) with SD and 95 age- and gender-matched healthy controls selected from the community (46 male, 49 female) were enrolled in the study. The demographic characteristics of the patients were recorded. The clinical severity of the disease was assessed according to the Seborrheic Dermatitis Area and Severity Index (SDASI) scoring system. Both patients and controls were evaluated by the validated Turkish versions of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Maudsley Obsessive Compulsive Inventory (MOCI), and Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-26). RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the patient and control groups regarding the mean scores of depressive or obsessive-compulsive symptoms or alexithymia (all p > 0.05). However, anxiety scores in patients with SD were higher than in controls (p = 0.001). No significant relationship was present between anxiety and disease severity nor disease duration (p > 0.05). Thirty-eight patients with high anxiety scores were found to be more alexithymic (p = 0.000). CONCLUSION: SD is one of the inflammatory skin disorders that is known to be triggered or aggravated by stress. However, little scientific evidence exists to confirm this view. In addition, very limited data are available about the presence of the personality profiles leading to emotional dysregulation such as alexithymia and concurrent psychiatric disorders in patients with SD. Our study showed that anxiety levels were significantly higher in patients with SD compared with healthy controls but there was no significant association with alexithymia, depression, or obsessive-compulsive symptom levels. Dermatologists should be particularly vigilant to the possibility of concurrent psychiatric morbidity in patients with SD in order to improve patients' well-being.