Biopreservation and Biobanking最新文献

Introduction: Biobanks of specimens of human origin have accumulated millions of specimens. Their storage is costly, while many of them may not be useful and should be culled. Objectives: Our objective was to develop, pilot test, and evaluate a quantitative culling tool. Methods: We developed a culling tool based on a series of parameters with a quantitative score attributed to each. The parameters of the culling tool correspond to different aspects of the value of collections, such as the richness of the associated data, the types of samples, their conservation mode, and regulatory constraints. Results: The culling tool was adapted and independently applied by the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics and the Biological Resource Center of Institut Pasteur biobanks. The cumulative final score supported evidence-based and standardized decision-making. A "diagnostic" threshold could be established for the "diagnosis" of collections of low value. Conclusion: The culling tool is an algorithm developed to assess the value of legacy collections of biological resources of human origin and help establish culling plans. Biobanks can use this culling tool when they periodically assess the value of stored collections and need to decide or advise to cull them, and also when deciding whether to accept requests to host new collections previously stored elsewhere.

Sperm cryopreservation (SC) is an acceptable laboratory procedure for long-term storage of sperm. However, this procedure causes sperm damage. This review aimed to systematically investigate the effects of herbal-based antioxidants (HBAs) application on sperm parameters during SC. Following determination of the main keywords and searching strategy, various databases were searched systematically. Primary and secondary screenings were applied based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. Finally, 27 randomized controlled trial studies using 15 different HBAs and involving 557 normal and 130 abnormal semen samples were included for the meta-analysis. HBAs administration before or during the SC process improved total motility (mean difference [MD]: -6.31 [95% confidence interval [CI]: -10.27, -2.34], p < 0.05), viability (MD: -1.21 [95% CI: -1.52, -0.89], p < 0.001), morphology (MD: -1.72 [95% CI: -2.89, -0.54], p < 0.05), reactive oxygen species (H₂O₂) (MD: 7.58 [95% CI: 3.90, 11.26], p < 0.001), DNA integrity (MD: -13.21 [95% CI: -19.94, -6.49], p < 0.001), and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) (MD: 3.76 [95% CI: 2.38, 5.14], p < 0.001) after thawing in normal specimens. In abnormal semen samples, the HBAs improved viability (MD: -8.54 [95% CI: -11.18, -5.19], p < 0.001), progressive motility (MD: -4.55 [95% CI: -7.37, -1.73], p < 0.05) and ameliorated SDF (MD: 3.76 [95% CI: 1.74, 5.79], p < 0.001). Also, HBAs had no effects on total motility (MD: -0.08 [95% CI: -3.29, 3.14], p > 0.05), and morphology (MD: -0.31 [95% CI: -0.71, 0.09], p > 0.05). Application of HBAs in cryomedia before and during SC can improve sperm parameters (including viability, motility, and morphology), decrease oxidative stress and SDF levels.

Biorepositories in African populations are an important tool to ensure inclusive research to benefit African populations and the African diaspora. The establishment of biorepositories in Africa may, however, be impeded if culturally sensitive practices are not followed with respect to community engagement and informed consent. Communitarianism is a philosophical model which can be applied to African ethical processes. This model considers the individual within the broader context of the community and is compatible with cultural and religious practices in diverse African countries. This review considers the application of communitarianism to ethical and socially acceptable biorepository best practice on the African continent.

Objective: Ethical research recruitment relies on effective informed consent. We sought feedback and acceptance from users regarding an interactive, multimedia, electronic consent (e-consent) platform for recruitment of research participants to the BC Children's Hospital BioBank (BCCHB). We aimed to enhance user experience when considering research participation and documenting consent decisions through the modality of an e-consent. Study Design: A prototype e-consent was developed and end-user opinions regarding content, visuals, user satisfaction, and electronic consent/assent practices were obtained from children, teens, and adults via an online survey and focus groups. A finalized e-consent was submitted for research ethics board (REB) approval. Results: All age groups rated the description of information, images, and formatting in the e-consent as highly favorable. Teens and adults preferred online (38% and 42%) rather than paper-based (17% and 16%) consent, while children expressed no preference. Majority of children (100%), teens (92%), and adults (98%) agreed or strongly agreed that they understood all the information given during the online consent process. No significant differences were found in survey responses between age groups. Adult and teen focus groups suggested improvements in formatting and addition of features to further clarify terms like "ongoing donation" and "privacy measures." All ages preferred the ability to complete the e-consent independently, with optional assistance from research staff. The e-consent received REB approval and was implemented for BCCHB recruitment. Conclusion: An e-consent was developed and its modality was successfully accepted by end-users from several age groups, including children and teens, for use in pediatric biobanking. This method may potentially improve the process of completing research consent, particularly with adolescents.

Equipment monitoring (e.g., freezers, incubators) plays a vital role in specimen storage infrastructure. Monitoring solutions are often associated with a significant initial expense and short-term operational lifespan due to expensive contracts or suppliers going out of business. Numerous incidents of "monitored" lab equipment failing without notice have been reported. This has led to the loss of irreplaceable research material and severely impacted careers. In pursuit of a universally accessible solution, we deployed and now have over 15 years of continuous experience using residential alarm systems for laboratory monitoring. In this communication, it is presented how home alarm systems, designed for robust, fail-safe monitoring, can be used to augment commercially available solutions. Provided are high-level descriptions of how to deploy these solutions for equipment monitoring and how to expand their use into other monitoring tasks.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) during cryopreservation causes mechanical, biochemical, and structural damage to the sperm, which leads to reduced sperm motility and fertility. N-acetyl cysteine is a cysteine-derived amino acid antioxidant that functions as a scavenger of ROS and regulates mitochondrial activity. Mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) plays a leading role in this process and is one of the major regulators of human spermatozoa motility and metabolism. The purpose of the study was to examine the changes in UCP2 in frozen-thawed human sperm when exposed to N-acetyl cysteine, an effective antioxidant commonly used in human semen freezing. Semen samples were collected from 20 normozoospermia men and were divided into four experimental groups: fresh, frozen control, frozen N-Acetylcysteine (NAC, 100 μM), and frozen negative control with Genipin (25 μM). Subsequently, post-thaw sperm quality parameters, as well as UCP2 relative quantity, ROS, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and malondialdehyde, were assessed. Semen treated with NAC exhibited significantly higher total and progressive motility, as well as viability, when compared to the control and genipin groups (p < 0.05). Moreover, UCP2 relative quantity was significantly lower in all frozen groups compared to the fresh group (p < 0.0001). The UCP2 relative quantity was not significantly different between NAC and control groups (p ≥ 0.05). Also, there were no significant differences in MMP, ROS, and malondialdehyde levels among the frozen groups (p ≥ 0.05). It can be concluded that UCP2 undergoes a modification during cryopreservation, and it could be an explanation of the reduction in post-thaw motility of sperm. Additionally, NAC supplementation in freezing media enhances post-thaw sperm motility and viability.

Introduction: Even with the significant advancements in sperm cryopreservation, the addition of intracellular or extracellular antioxidants in preparation and freezing media remains an understudied topic. Objective: We examined the effects of hypotaurine and melatonin on the routine and functional tests of sperm and the expression of HspA2 and Caspase9 during the human sperm rapid freezing process. Methods: Following the collection of 34 normospermia semen samples, each sample was split into four experimental groups: fresh (F), freezing control (C) (human tubal fluid medium and 0.5M sucrose), and two freezing groups with the inclusion of 2 mM melatonin (MEL) and 50 mM hypotaurine (HYP). A straw held 100 μL of the sample, which was then cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen to accomplish rapid freezing. Before and after rapid freezing-thawing, the sperm classical parameters and the expression levels of HspA2 and Caspase9 were assessed. Results: The HYP group exhibited higher normal morphology (p < 0.001), viability (p < 0.001), and higher acrosome integrity (p < 0.001) and lower DNA fragmentation index (DFI) (p < 0.001) than the C and MEL groups. No significant difference was observed in the total and progressive motility percentage among the antioxidant and frozen control groups. The MEL group had a significantly higher level of HspA2 mRNA compared with F and C groups (p < 0.05). The expression of Caspase9 was unaffected by including MEL and HYP in all experimental groups. Conclusion: Hypotaurine, as an extracellular antioxidant, is more effective than melatonin as an intracellular antioxidant in reducing deleterious cryoinjuries on morphology, viability, acrosome reaction, and DFI.