Esteve Química (Spain)

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) rely on the functional integrity of spermatozoa, which can be affected by in vitro handling and preparation procedures. HyperSperm is a novel sperm treatment medium developed to enhance sperm function and improve clinical outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of HyperSperm in human semen samples from patients undergoing fertility treatment. A paired analysis was performed on 135 clinical semen samples, each divided into two equal fractions processed using either standard conditions or the HyperSperm protocol. Sperm motility and kinematic parameters were measured with computer-assisted analysis. Safety assessments included sperm viability at baseline and after 24 hours, DNA fragmentation using a fluorescence-based assay, and acrosomal integrity under spontaneous and progesterone-stimulated conditions. Comparisons between paired samples were analyzed using the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test. HyperSperm significantly enhanced sperm kinematic parameters, including curvilinear velocity and amplitude of lateral head displacement, resulting in higher levels of hyperactivated motility. Stratification by semen quality demonstrated that samples with reduced motility showed the greatest functional improvement. HyperSperm did not affect sperm viability or DNA integrity, even after 24 hours of incubation, and preserved acrosomal structure and responsiveness to progesterone. The clinical trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06742437, December 12th 2024). HyperSperm improves critical sperm functional parameters without compromising cellular viability, DNA stability, or acrosomal integrity. These findings support the safe and effective use of HyperSperm to optimize sperm performance and potentially improve outcomes in assisted reproduction.

Abstract This study quantifies the relationship between acoustic emission (AE) and stiffness loss in the fused-filament microstructure of additively manufactured objects, considering the effect of tensile force direction as strain increases. We correlate the continuous decrease in tangent Young’s modulus with the rate of detected AE signals using uniaxial tensile tests. The results reveal a highly significant correlation between the number of detected acoustic emission signals and the decrease in tangent Young’s modulus, demonstrating that the detected acoustic emission events can be employed to numerically predict the reduction in stiffness with increasing strain.

Kabupaten Kubu Raya menjadi muara dari Sungai Kapuas sekaligus langsung berhadapan dengan Laut Natuna. Morfologi tersebut membentuk variabilitas bentangalam yang kompleks sekaligus menimbulkan kerentanan bagi ekosistem setempat. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengidentifikasi dan menganalisis kerentanan dari dinamika tersebut. Sumber data primer bersumber dari survei Ground Control Point (GCP) tutupan lahan pesisir dan pencitraan menggunakan wahana drone, sedangkan sumber data sekunder diperoleh melalui ekstraksi citra satelit Sentinel 2A menggunakan metode Tasseled Cap kemudian dianalisis menggunakan metode Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) untuk menganalisis variabilitas garis pantai. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan campuran (mixed method) berdasarkan analisis spasial. Analisis data terdiri dari analisis spasial garis pantai dan kerentanan pesisir. Perubahan garis pantai dipengaruhi oleh posisi terhadap arah arus laut, tutupan vegetasi sepanjang garis pantai dan muara sungai. Garis pantai yang ditutupi vegetasi seperti mangrove memiliki kerentanan yang rendah terhadap abrasi, selama periode pengukuran tidak terdapat abrasi, terlebih muka pantai yang tidak berhadapan tegak lurus dengan laut lepas. Pantai yang terbuka atau tertutup vegetasi perdu dan langsung berhadapan dengan laut lepas sangat rentan dengan abrasi, meskipun masih terbantu dengan sedimentasi dari sungai. Laju abrasi terpanjang mencapai 31,10 meter per tahun. Laju akresi terpanjang mencapai 43,64 meter per tahun. Vegetasi alami bakau jenis Api-api Putih (Avicennia alba) mampu tumbuh dengan rata-rata ketinggian 4,71 meter, menjadikannya sebagai jenis mangrove sejati yang paling dominan. Sementara itu, vegetasi nipah (Nypa fruticans) menutupi sekitar 9.643,9 hektar (92,48%) lahan mangrove dengan kerapatan tanaman mencapai 87,58% menjadi jenis mangrove pendamping yang mendominasi sebagian besar kawasan mangrove di Kabupaten Kubu Raya.

Over the last decade, 3D-printed porous calcium phosphates have emerged in the market for customized bone reconstruction. However, despite their excellent biological properties, the inherent brittleness is an obstacle that limits their clinical applications, as the scaffolds must withstand the surgical procedures and the mechanical stresses once implanted. Low-temperature self-hardening calcium phosphate inks offer unique possibilities to be reinforced with polymers, as they do not require high-temperature treatments. This study compares two routes for incorporating poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) into 3D-printed calcium phosphate scaffolds: i) the use of a PLGA solution as a binder in an alpha-tricalcium phosphate self-hardening ink; ii) the infiltration of a PLGA solution into previously hardened 3D-printed calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite scaffolds. The influence of the added PLGA on the physical-chemical properties, mechanical performance and in vitro biological properties is assessed using a commercially available biomimetic calcium phosphate scaffold as a control. The addition of PLGA increases the plastic deformation capacity and the strength, both in compression and bending, and significantly improves the work of fracture of the scaffolds, up to an 8-fold in compression when PLGA is incorporated as a binder in the ink. Moreover, screwability tests demonstrate the enhanced fixability of the composite scaffolds in a knife-edge ridge indication with challenging fixation in the jaw. Importantly, the improvement of the mechanical properties by the addition of PLGA does not impair the good cytocompatibility of the material. Regarding the two routes studied, the PLGA incorporation in the ink is the best option in terms of overall improvement of the mechanical performance and osteogenic cell response.

This project originated more than 15 years ago with the intent to produce a glossary of drug metabolism terms having definitions especially applicable for use by practicing medicinal chemists. A first-draft version underwent extensive beta-testing that, fortuitously, engaged international audiences in a wide range of disciplines involved in drug discovery and development. It became clear that the inclusion of information to enhance discussions among this mix of participants would be even more valuable. The present version retains a chemical structure theme while expanding tutorial comments that aim to bridge the various perspectives that may arise during interdisciplinary communications about a given term. This glossary is intended to be educational for early stage researchers, as well as useful for investigators at various levels who participate on today’s highly multidisciplinary, collaborative small molecule drug discovery teams.

This project originated more than 15 years ago with the intent to produce a glossary of drug metabolism terms having definitions especially applicable for use by practicing medicinal chemists. A first-draft version underwent extensive beta-testing that, fortuitously, engaged international audiences in a wide range of disciplines involved in drug discovery and development. It became clear that the inclusion of information to enhance discussions among this mix of participants would be even more valuable. The present version retains a chemical structure theme while expanding tutorial comments that aim to bridge the various perspectives that may arise during interdisciplinary communications about a given term. This glossary is intended to be educational for early stage researchers, as well as useful for investigators at various levels who participate on today’s highly multidisciplinary, collaborative small molecule drug discovery teams.

This project originated more than 15 years ago with the intent to produce a glossary of drug metabolism terms having definitions especially applicable for use by practicing medicinal chemists. A first-draft version underwent extensive beta-testing that, fortuitously, engaged international audiences in a wide range of disciplines involved in drug discovery and development. It became clear that the inclusion of information to enhance discussions among this mix of participants would be even more valuable. The present version retains a chemical structure theme while expanding tutorial comments that aim to bridge the various perspectives that may arise during interdisciplinary communications about a given term. This glossary is intended to be educational for early stage researchers, as well as useful for investigators at various levels who participate on today’s highly multidisciplinary, collaborative small molecule drug discovery teams.

This project originated more than 15 years ago with the intent to produce a glossary of drug metabolism terms having definitions especially applicable for use by practicing medicinal chemists. A first-draft version underwent extensive beta-testing that, fortuitously, engaged international audiences in a wide range of disciplines involved in drug discovery and development. It became clear that the inclusion of information to enhance discussions among this mix of participants would be even more valuable. The present version retains a chemical structure theme while expanding tutorial comments that aim to bridge the various perspectives that may arise during interdisciplinary communications about a given term. This glossary is intended to be educational for early stage researchers, as well as useful for investigators at various levels who participate on today’s highly multidisciplinary, collaborative small molecule drug discovery teams.

This project originated more than 15 years ago with the intent to produce a glossary of drug metabolism terms having definitions especially applicable for use by practicing medicinal chemists. A first-draft version underwent extensive beta-testing that, fortuitously, engaged international audiences in a wide range of disciplines involved in drug discovery and development. It became clear that the inclusion of information to enhance discussions among this mix of participants would be even more valuable. The present version retains a chemical structure theme while expanding tutorial comments that aim to bridge the various perspectives that may arise during interdisciplinary communications about a given term. This glossary is intended to be educational for early stage researchers, as well as useful for investigators at various levels who participate on today’s highly multidisciplinary, collaborative small molecule drug discovery teams.