No abstract

ABSTRACT:The human follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) receptor (FSHR) gene possesses single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in exon 10, which influence serum FSH levels in women, but not in men. In the present study we extend our previous investigation and for the first time analyze a novel, common SNP at position Ϫ29 of the FSHR core promoter in men. The SNP in codon 680 was analyzed in 438 men with nonobstructive azoospermia and in 304 controls. The SNP in codon 307 and at position Ϫ29 was analyzed in 345 men with nonobstructive azoospermia and 186 controls. SNPs were determined by allelic discrimination. No significant difference in the frequency of the polymorphism at position 680 and serum FSH levels was found. At position Ϫ29 (A/G) the A Ϫ29 allele was less frequent than the G Ϫ29 allele both in controls (25% vs 75%) and in patients (30% vs 70%) (P not signficant). Together the three SNPs form four discrete haplotypes (A-Thr-Asn, G-Thr-Asn, A-Ala-Ser, and G-Ala-Ser) occurring in 10 combinations. A statistically significant difference in the allelic distribution between controls and azoospermic men was found (P Ͻ .05 by 2 test). The A-Ala-Ser allele was more frequent in patients (9.1%) than in controls (5.4%), whereas the G-Thr-Asn allele was less frequent in patients (33.1%) than in controls (40.6%) (P Ͻ .01 by Fisher's exact test). No significant correlation between serum FSH levels and FSHR allele was found. We conclude that the FSHR haplotype does not associate with different serum FSH levels but it is differently distributed in normal and azoospermic men. The A-Ala-Ser and the G-Thr-Asn allele might represent genetic factors contributing to phenotypic expression of severe spermatogenetic impairment.

<p class="0abstract">Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) is an interdisciplinary approach where academic concept coupled with a lesson or problems that exist in the real world so that students can apply science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in a context that makes the relationship between the school, community, work, and global companies that will emerge the ability to compete in the 21st-century integration of STEM in the classroom Form comprise of three, including integrated content, supporting an integrated content, or integrated context, STEM in its application aims to develop thinking, reasoning, teamwork, investigation, and 21st-century skills that can be used by students in all areas in their life, 21st-century skills to learn and innovate include critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration known as the "Four Cs". This paper provides a comprehensive review of STEM as a learning approach to improve their skills, especially the skills of the 21st century "Four Cs" of the students. Skills "Four Cs" becomes one key to success is to be competitive in entering the era of information and knowledge.</p>

Inulin degrading bacteria is a potential source of inulin degrading enzymes, an enzyme which convert inulin into fructose and fructooligo-saccharides (FOS) prebiotic. The purpose of the study was to find inulin degrading bacteria. The methods that used to find inulin degrading bacteria were indirect and direct isolation method using inulin as the sole carbon source. Bacteria was characterized colony morphology. Inulin degrading bacteria were screened from two rizosphere dahlia tuber in West Sumatera (Solok and Padang Panjang). In the research has been found five inulin degrading bacteria isolates. Isolate bacteria RZ-01, RZ-02 from rizosphere dahlia tuber in Padang Panjang, isolate bacteria A1-KG, A2-KG and UKG from rizosphere dahlia tuber in Solok. All isolates grow at room temperature and 40ºC. All isolates were classified as mesophilic bacteria. Shape and colour of RZ-01, A2-KG and UKG colonies were circular and white respectively. RZ-02, A1-KG colonies were circular and yellowish.