Effects of Magnetic Field on the Quality of Chicken Semen Stored at Low Temperature

[ Objective] The study aimed to explore the effects of magnetic treatment on the quality of chicken semen stored at low temperature. [ Method] 5 ml fresh chicken semen was divided into five groups equally, each of which was diluted at the volume ratio 1：4. With the group without magnetic treatment as the control, the other four groups were magnetized for 6, 12, 24 and 48 min in the self-made magnetizer, respectively. Subsequently, all the five groups were stored at 2 -4 ℃, and the sperm motility, survival time, survival index and deformity rate were observed regularly. [ Result] Comparing with the control group, the magnetic groups showed higher sperm motilities and effective survival indices as well as lower deformity rates. The effective survival index of the group magnetized for 24 min was the highest and increased by 7.75% in con- trast to the control. [ Conclusion] Magnetic treatment can effectively enhance the quality of chicken semen stored at low temperature.

Effects of Three Different Diluents on Quality of Boar Semen Stored at 17℃

To investigate the effects of different diluents on the quality of the boar semen stored at 17℃, and assess the relationship between sperm motility and the relative levels of enzymes, three commercial diluents （Diluent I, Diluent II and Diluent III） and three boar breed semens （Yorkshire, Landrace and Duroc） were utilized. The sperm motility, effective survival time, survival index, catalase （CAT）, the total anti-oxidative capacity （T-AOC） and malondialdehyde （MDA） levels were evaluated. The results showed that there were significant interaction effects between diluents and breeds on the boar sperm motility （P〈0.001）, survival time （P〈0.001）, CAT levels （P〈0.001） and T-AOC levels （P〈0.001）, but neither effects nor interaction effects between diluents and breeds on survival index （P〉0.05）. All of the parameters varied significantly with the increase of the storage time （P〈0.001）. The survival time increased 12.9% in Yorkshire boar semen diluted with Diluent III than with Diluent II, while the survival time increased 6.6% in Landrace boar semen diluted with Diluent II than with Diluent III. Both CAT and T-AOC levels were significantly positive correlated with sperm motility in all the three boar breeds （P〈0.001）, while MDA levels were significantly negative correlated with sperm motility （P〈0.001）. These results indicated that Diluent III and Diluent II were the optimal commercial diluents for Yorkshire and Landrace boar semen stored at 17 ℃, respectively.

A comprehensive review of prognostic scoring systems to predict survival after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt placement

Patient prognosis after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)placement is relatively poor and highly heterogeneous;therefore,a prognostic scoring system is essential for survival prediction and risk stratification.Conventional scores include the Child–Turcotte–Pugh(CTP)and model for end‐stage liver disease(MELD)scores.The CTP score was created empirically and displayed a high correlation with post‐TIPS survival.However,the inclusion of subjective parameters and the use of discrete cut‐offs limit its utility.The advantages of the MELD score include its statistical validation and objective and readily available predictors that contribute to its broad application in clinical practice to predict post‐TIPS outcomes.In addition,multiple modifications of the MELD score,by incorporating additional predictors(e.g.,MELD‐Sodium and MELD‐Sarcopenia scores),adjusting coefficients(recalibrated MELD score),or combined(MELD 3.0),have been proposed to improve the prognostic ability of the standard MELD score.Despite several updates to conventional scores,a prognostic score has been proposed(based on contemporary data)specifically for outcome prediction after TIPS placement.However,this novel score(the Freiburg index of post‐TIPS survival,FIPS)exhibited inconsistent discrimination in external validation studies,and its superiority over conventional scores remains undetermined.Additionally,several tools display potential for application in specific TIPS indications(e.g.,bilirubin‐platelet grade for refractory ascites),and biomarkers of systemic inflammation,nutritional status,liver disease progression,and cardiac decompensation may provide additional value,but require further validation.Future studies should consider the effect of TIPS placement when exploring predictors,as TIPS is a pathophysiological approach that substantially alters systemic hemodynamics and ameliorates bacterial translocation and malnutrition.