Male genital damage in COVID-19 patients:Are available data relevant?

Over the past few weeks,we have observed increasing concern about the possible impact of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2 virus)on male fertility.Precise mechanisms of male reproductive damages are still unclear,but it seems that high temperature resulting from persistent fever and triggering a secondary autoimmune response leading to an autoimmune orchitis are the most likely involved mechanisms.Also,angiotensin conversion enzyme 2(ACE2)plays a highly important role in cellular entry for SARS-CoV-2 and male genital system presents high ACE2 expression.All these preliminary findings suggest that COVID-19 could impact men's reproductive health.Thus,we examined available data including published and unpublished articles to assess the potential risk of COVID-19 in particular on the male reproductive system.

Human Herpes Virus Type 2 ( HSV2 ), Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in the Male Genital Tract and Fertilization

The possibility of infection of the human male genital tract by human herpes virus type 2 (HSV2) or human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is well established and their sexual transmission has been the object of many studies. Moreover, medically assisted procreation, which helps in numerous fertility problems, raises the question of new viral risks linked to the application of these new technologies. In this review, we shall consider current knowledge in terms of the presence of HSV 2 and HCMV in the different parts of the genital tract of immunocompetent or immunodepressed men. We shall also consider the possibility of viral transmission by the sexual act or by the various techniques used in medically assisted procreation. We shall describe studies in human beings and in animals.

Early infant male circumcision:Systematic review,risk-benefit analysis,and progress in policy

AIM To determine whether recent evidence-based United States polices on male circumcision(MC) apply to comparable Anglophone countries,Australia and New Zealand.METHODS Articles in 2005 through 2015 were retrieved from PubM ed using the keyword "circumcision" together with 36 relevant subtopics.A further PubM ed search was performed for articles published in 2016.Searches of the EMBASE and Cochrane databases did not yield additional citable articles.Articles were assessed for quality and those rated 2+ and above according to the Scottish Intercollegiate Grading System were studied further.The most relevant andrepresentative of the topic were included.Bibliographies were examined to retrieve further key references.Randomized controlled trials,recent high quality systematic reviews or meta-analyses(level 1++ or 1+ evidence) were prioritized for inclusion.A risk-benefit analysis of articles rated for quality was performed.For efficiency and reliability,recent randomized controlled trials,metaanalyses,high quality systematic reviews and large welldesigned studies were used if available.Internet searches were conducted for other relevant information,including policies and Australian data on claims under Medicare for MC.RESULTS Evidence-based policy statements by the American Academy of Pediatrics(AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) support infant and later age male circumcision(MC) as a desirable public health measure.Our systematic review of relevant literature over the past decade yielded 140 journal articles that met our inclusion criteria.Together,these showed that early infant MC confers immediate and lifelong benefits by protecting against urinary tract infections having potential adverse long-term renal effects,phimosis that causes difficult and painful erections and "ballooning" during urination,inflammatory skin conditions,inferior penile hygiene,candidiasis,various sexually transmissible infections in both sexes,genital ulcers,and penile,prostate and cervical cancer.Our risk-benefit analysis showed that benefits exceeded procedural risks,which are predominantly minor,by up to 200 to 1.We estimated that more than 1 in 2 uncircumcised males will experience an adverse foreskin-related medical condition over their lifetime.Wide-ranging evidence from surveys,physiological measurements,and the anatomical location of penile sensory receptors responsible for sexual sensation strongly and consistently suggested that MC has no detrimental effect on sexual function,sensitivity or pleasure.United States studies showed that early infant MC is cost saving.The evidence supporting early infant MC has further strengthened since the positive AAP and CDC reviews.CONCLUSION Affirmative MC policies are needed in Australia and New Zealand.Routine provision of accurate,unbiased education,and access in public hospitals,will maximize health and financial benefits.

Case of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome in male without presentation of sexually transmitted disease

Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome is a type of perihepatitis that causes liver capsular infection without infecting the hepatic parenchyma or pelvis. Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome is known to occur commonly in women of childbearing age who do not use oral contraceptives and have sexual partners older than 25 years of age. However, the syndrome has been reported to occur rarely in males. The clinical symptoms are right upper quadrant pain and tenderness, and pleuritic right sided chest pain. The clinical presentation is similar in male and female. We experienced a case of Fitz-HughCurtis syndrome in a 60-year-old man with the chief complaint of right upper quadrant abdominal pain. Despite a previous history of gonorrhea, we have also described our experiences of improved symptoms and recovery with allopathic medicines and have thereby reported the present case with a literature review.

Marker-Assisted Breeding of Thermo-Sensitive Genic Male Sterile Line 1892S for Disease Resistance and Submergence Tolerance

Rice line 1892S is an elite thermo-sensitive genic male sterile(TGMS)line for two-line hybrid rice production.However,1892S is susceptible to rice blast,bacterial blight and submergence.Here we reported the introduction of blast resistance(R)gene Pi9,bacterial blight R gene Xa21 and submergence tolerance gene Sub1A into 1892S genetic background through backcrossing and marker-assisted selection.The improved TGMS line 31892S and its hybrids conferred disease resistance to rice blast and bacterial blight,and showed submergence tolerance for over 14 d without significant loss of viability.The sterility-fertility conversion of 31892S was similar to that of 1892S.31892S and its derived hybrid rice had similar agronomic traits and grain quality with 1892S and the control hybrid rice,respectively.The newly developed 31892S provided an improved TGMS line for two-line hybrid rice production with disease resistance to rice blast and bacterial blight,and submergence tolerance with no yield penalty or change in grain quality.

A case-control study of risk factors for male infertility in Nigeria

Aim： To evaluate the association between selected potential socio-demographic and behavioral risk factors and infertility in Nigerian men. Methods： There were two groups in this study. One group consisted of 150 men with proven male infertility, and the other consisted of 150 fertile men with normal semen parameters. Both were matched for age, place of residence and key socio-demographic variables. They were compared for sexual history, past medical and surgical history, past exposures to sexually transmitted infections and treatment, past and current use of drugs as well as smoking and alcohol intake history. Results： Infertile men were significantly more likely than fertile men to report having experienced penile discharge, painful micturition and genital ulcers, less likely to seek treatment for these symptoms and more likely to seek treatment with informal sector providers. Multivariate analysis showed that male infertility was significantly associated with bacteria in semen cultures, self-reporting of previous use of traditional medications and moderate to heavy alcohol intake, but not with smoking and occupational types. Conclusion： Infertility is associated with various proxies of sexually transmitted infections （STIs） and poor healthcare-seeking behavior for STIs in Nigerian men.

A scoping review of SARS-CoV-2 and male infertility: Concerns and future prospects

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)has been detected in the blood,urine,facial/anal swabs,semen,and vaginal discharge;all have been shown to contain SARSCoV-2 RNA.Recent findings have highlighted the prospect of SARS-CoV-2 invading the genital system in addition to other tissues,which might give rise to reproductive concerns.This investigation sheds light on male reproductive tract vulnerability to invasion by SARS-CoV-2 and provides a foundation for further researches into male fertility.Males are infected with COVID-19 at a higher rate than females.As a result,some data suggest that this viral infection might affect the male reproductive system.The probable causes for male genital tract abnormalities in COVID19 are:(1)high expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in the testes;(2)SARS-CoV-2 infection indirectly induces immune response in the testes;(3)SARS-CoV-2 directly damages male genital cells by virus-receptor binding activity;(4)fever in SARSCoV-2 infected males may cause damages to testicular cells;(5)testosterone level decreased in SAR-CoV-2 infected males;(6)males are more susceptible to COVID-19 than females,which may be due to differences in the physiology of the genital tract.This review seeks to offer some insights into the potential causes of COVID-19 that affect the male reproductive system,as well as future prospect on this issue.

Male Sexual Pain Disorders： New Approach

There are several kinds of male genital pain which can cause mental suffering. Usually, they emerge during ordinary urological or andrological examinations. These distresses, sine materia, can be divided into different types. The first type, that is the most frequent one, mainly affects the testicles; usually, this kind of distress lasts a lifetime and it is often associated with surgery and/or frequent examinations to the genitals during childhood. The second type encompasses cases of real penodynia： the patients express their discomfort especially uncovering the glans and, for this reason, this action is never done. This distress is not always referred to as pain, but more often as ＂bothersome＂. Sexual intercourses are permitted. Often the patients undergo a circumcision that usually has a complicated postoperative course. The males of the third type correspond to the women suffering from ＂vaginismus＂. The patients do not even tolerate the approach of the hand to the penis and they make the same actions and the same movements as the vaginismic women. The patients are unable to have sex. This phenomenon is rare. The fourth type is numerous and may be defined as a real male Dyspareunia. The patients complain pain during sexual intercourse and, above all, during ejaculation. The symptom is felt in pelvic-perineum area and it is often diagnosed asprostatitis, but in reality no organic therapy is effective at all. Some clinical cases will be presented and discussed.

Detection and Identification of Gonococci Resistance to Cephalosporin and Determination the Most Effective Empirical Treatment for Gonococcal Urethritis in Male Human in Egypt

Introduction: Gonorrhoeae and antimicrobial resistance AMR of gonococci is a major health problem today, because emerged resistance to last line empirical treatment for gonorrhoeae cephalosporins in many countries is predictable to be untreatable disease in near future. WHO GASP, WHO GLASS and WHO’s global action plan on AMR recommends to expand nationally and internationally to collect data to monitor AMR of gonococci for public health policies. Objective: Our aim is to detect resistance of gonococci to Cepha- losporins and determine the most effective empirical treatment for un-com- plicated gonococcal urethritis in males in Egypt. Methods: We depended in our methodology on selected gonococci from male urethral discharge specimens on Thyer Martien medium;collected 33 isolates during three years from 2017 to 2020;used antibiotics with MIC according to international standards and measuring IZD according to antimicrobial susceptibility testing reference ranges in international standards. Results: By statistical studies, resistance to cephalosporins was as follows: Cephradine 97%, Cefaclor 87.9%, Cefoxitin 97%, Ceftriaxone 90.9% and 42.4% to Cefepime, that shows hetero-genecity in resistance inside cephalosporin group;while resistance to Macrolides group represented by Azithromycin and Tetracyclins group represented by Doxycycline was as follows: Azithromycin 39.4%, Doxycycilne 27.3%;finally fluoroquinolones, the most effective group, resistance, was as: Levofloxacin 15.2%, Ciprofloxacin 15.2% and Ofloxacin 24.2%. Conclusion: The most effective empirical treatment for uncomplicated gonococcal urethritis in males in EGYPT is Fluoroquinolone;especially Levofloxacin ranks first susceptibility as 78.8% and 15.2% resistance followed by Ciprofloxacin susceptibility as 69.7% and 15.2% resistance, finally Ofloxacin susceptibility as 66.7% and 24.2% resistance;for Ceftriaxone not more recommended in EGYPT as empirical treatment for uncomplicated gonococcal urethritis, it is susceptibility as 6.1% and 90.9% resistance;in addition, we can use combination therapy of Fluoroquinolones with Azithromycin or Doxycycline, whose susceptibility is 30.3% for Azithromycin and 42.4% for Doxycycycline, while resistance is 39.4% for Azithromycin and 27.3% for Doxycycline. It is worth noting that only Cefepime in Cephalosporins group represents 42.4% susceptibility and 42.4% resistance;in addition to the Carbapenems group, it represents as 42.4% susceptibility for Imipenem and 45.5% resistance, then 42.2% susceptibility for Meropenem and 48.5% resistance, which can play role in combination therapy.

Chlamydia trachomatis infection in the genital tractis associated with inflammation and hypospermia inthe infertile male of China

Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection is the most prevalent sexually transmitted bacterial disease worldwide. However, unlikethat in female infertility, the role of CT infection in male infertility remains controversial. The objective of this retrospective studywas to explore the impacts of CT infection in the genital tract on sperm quality, sperm acrosin activity, antisperm antibody levels,and inflammation in a large cohort of infertile males in China. A total of 7154 semen samples were collected from infertile malesubjects, 416 of whom were CT positive (CT+ group) and 6738 of whom were CT negative (CT− group), in our hospital betweenJanuary 2016 and December 2018. Routine semen parameters (semen volume, pH, sperm concentration, viability, motility,morphology, etc.), granulocyte elastase levels, antisperm antibody levels, and sperm acrosin activity were compared between theCT+ and CT− groups. Our results showed that CT infection was significantly correlated with an abnormally low semen volume, aswell as an increased white blood cell count and granulocyte elastase level (all P < 0.05) in the semen of infertile males;otherroutine semen parameters were not negatively impacted. The antisperm antibody level and sperm acrosin activity were not affectedby CT infection. These findings suggested that CT infection might contribute to inflammation and hypospermia but does not impairsperm viability, motility morphology, and acrosin activity or generate antisperm antibodies in the infertile males of China.

HIV Compartmentalization in Male Genital Tract:Relevance for Viral Eradication

Human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)has been shown to evolve independently in different anatomical compartments.Characterizing HIV genetic evolution in different tissues and cells provides insights into the mechanisms that maintain the viral reservoir.HIV compartmentalization has been well documented in the semen but rarely in male genital tract(MGT)organs.The precise mechanisms that result in the development of HIV compartmentalization in multiple genitourinary sites have been poorly explored due to the difficulty in accessing these tissues.Based on evidence from lymph nodes and gut tissues,mechanisms that may influence compartmentalization include immune pressures,local concentrations of antiviral drugs,clonal expansion of different cell types and inflammation that alters the cellular microenvironment.We reviewed phylogenetic evidences supporting viral compartmentalization between the blood and multiple genitourinary sites in HIV-infected people.Characterizing distinct viral subpopulations enhances our overall understanding of the HIV reservoir inMGTand could ultimately lead to the development of novel therapies to eradicate the virus in tissues.

Reconstruction of the male external genitalia in diverse disease processes:Our reconstructive algorithm,techniques,and experience

Background:Male genital form and function may be rendered abnormal by a number of disease processes,with profound associated psychological and functional consequences.The aim of the study is to review our reconstructive experience with cases of genital loss or distortion due to nonmalignant diseases processes and atypical neoplasia.Materials and methods:A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database was performed to identify reconstructive cases performed from 2018 to 2020 under the care of a single surgeon.Male patients 18 years or older with a disease diagnosis other than squamous cell carcinoma affecting genital form were included.Disease processes,patient factors,surgical techniques,and both functional and cosmetic outcomes were reviewed.Results:Fourteen cases were identified.The patients had a mean age of 52.2 years(range,21-72 years).Acquired buried penis was present in 8 patients.Etiology of genital abnormality included balanitis xerotica obliterans(n=6),excess skin loss at circumcision(n=2),self-injection of petroleum jelly to penile shaft(n=1),Fournier gangrene(n=1),hidradenitis suppurativa(n=1),extramammary Paget disease(n=1),idiopathic lymphoedema(n=1),and penoscrotal webbing(n=1).Reconstructive techniques performed included penile debridement/shaft skin release,scrotectomy,suprapubic apronectomy,and division of penoscrotal webbing,in combination with split-thickness skin grafting where required.A penile implant was inserted in one patient.Reconstructive planning,techniques,and outcomes are described.Conclusions:A variety of reconstructive techniques in andrology can be used to improve the aesthetic and functional outcomes of multiple disease processes affecting the male external genitalia.

Male genitourinary schistosomiasis-related symptoms among long-term Western African migrants in Spain:a prospective population-based screening study

Background Schistosomiasis is highly endemic in sub-Saharan Africa and frequently imported to Europe.Male urogenital manifestations are often neglected.We aimed to ascertain the prevalence of genitourinary clinical signs and symptoms among long-term African migrants in a non-endemic European country using a serology test.Methods We carried out a prospective,community-based cross-sectional study of adult male migrants from sub-Saharan Africa living in Spain.Schistosoma serology tests and microscopic urine examinations were carried out,and clinical data were obtained from an electronic medical record search and a structured questionnaire.Results We included 388 adult males,mean age 43.5 years[Standard Deviation(SD)=12.0,range:18-76].The median time since migration to the European Union was 17[Interquartile range(IQR):11-21]years.The most frequent country of origin was Senegal(N=179,46.1%).Of the 338,147(37.6%)tested positive for Schistosoma.Parasite eggs were present in the urine of only 1.3%.Nine genitourinary clinical items were significantly associated with positive Schistosoma serology results:pelvic pain(45.2%;OR=1.57,95%CI:1.0-2.4),pain on ejaculation(14.5%;OR=1.85,95%CI:1.0-3.5),dyspareunia(12.4%;OR=2.45,95%CI:1.2-5.2),erectile dysfunction(9.5%;OR=3.10,95%CI:1.3-7.6),self-reported episodes of infertility(32.1%;OR=1.69,95%CI:1.0-2.8),haematuria(55.2%;OR=2.37,95%CI:1.5-3.6),dysuria(52.1%;OR=2.01,95%CI:1.3-3.1),undiagnosed syndromic STIs(5.4%),and orchitis(20.7%;OR=1.81,95%CI:1.0-3.1).Clinical signs tended to cluster.Conclusions Urogenital clinical signs and symptoms are prevalent among male African long-term migrants with a positive Schistosoma serology results.Genital involvement can be frequent even among those with long periods of non-residence in their sub-Saharan African countries of origin.Further research is needed to develop diagnostic tools and validate therapeutic approaches to chronic schistosomiasis.

Innate and adaptive immune responses in male and female reproductive tracts in homeostasis and following HIV infection

The male and female reproductive tracts are complex microenvironments that have diverse functional demands. The immune system in the reproductive tract has the demanding task of providing a protective environment for a fetal allograft while simultaneously conferring protection against potential pathogens. As such, it has evolved a unique set of adaptations, primarily under the influence of sex hormones, which make it distinct from other mucosal sites. Here, we discuss the various components of the immune system that are present in both the male and female reproductive tracts, including innate soluble factors and cells and humoral and cell-mediated adaptive immunity under homeostatic conditions. We review the evidence showing unique phenotypic and functional characteristics of immune cells and responses in the male and female reproductive tracts that exhibit compartmentalization from systemic immunity and discuss how these features are influenced by sex hormones. We also examine the interactions among the reproductive tract, sex hormones and immune responses following HIV-1 infection. An improved understanding of the unique characteristics of the male and female reproductive tracts will provide insights into improving clinical treatments of the immunological causes of infertility and the design of prophylactic interventions for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections.

Peripheral blood lymphocytes DNA in patients with chronic liver diseases

BACKGROUND: Viral replication in blood cells with nucleases may lead to the damage of lymphocytes genetic apparatus and the beginning of immunopathological reactions. AIM: Of this investigation is to reveal the damage to peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) DNA in the patients with chronic liver diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen-nine patients with chronic liver diseases (37 patients with chronic viral hepatitis, 2 patients with liver cirrhosis of mixed etiology (alcohol+virus G), 30 women with primary biliary cirrhosis-PBC) were examined. The condition of DNA structure of PBL was measured by the fluorescence analysis of DNA unwinding (FADU) technique with modification. Changes of fluorescence (in %) reflected the DNA distractions degree (the presence of DNA single-stranded breaks and alkalinelabile sights). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The quantity of DNA single-stranded breaks and alkalinelabile sights in DNA in all patients with chronic viral hepatitis didn't differ from the control group, excluding the patients with chronic hepatitis (CH) C+G. Patients with HGV and TTV monoinfection had demonstrated the increase of the DNA single-stranded breaks PBL quantity. This fact may be connected with hypothesis about the viruses replication in white blood cells discussed in the literature. Tendency to increase quantity of DNA PBL damages in the patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) accordingly to the alkaline phosphatase activity increase was revealed. Significant decrease of the DNA single-stranded breaks and alkalinelabile sights in the PBC patients that were treated with prednisone was demonstrated. Probably, the tendency to increase the quantity of DNA single stranded breaks and alkalinelabile sights in lymphocytes of the PBC patients was depended on the surplus of the blood bile acid content.

Epidemiological and histopathological study of relevance of Guizhou Maotai liquor and liver diseases

AIM: To explore the relevance of Maotai liquor and liver diseases. METHODS: Epidemiological study was conducted on groups of subjects, each consisting of 3 subjects from the Maotai liquor group consisting of 99 individuals and one from the non-alcoholic control group consisting of 33 individuals. Liver biopsy was performed on 23 volunteers from Guizhou Maotai Distillery who had a constant and long history of drinking Maotai liquor. Experimental histopathological study was conducted as follows: sixty male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups randomly and fed with Maotai liquor, ordinary white wine, and physiological saline respectively for a period of 8 and 12 weeks. The rats were sacrificed in batches, then serum ALT, AST, TBil, and AKP were measured. Rat livers were harvested to measure the liver indexes, GSH, and MDA. Histopathological examinations were also performed. Another eighty mice were randomly divided into 4 groups and fed with Maotai (at different dosages of 10 ml.kg(-1) and 20 ml.kg(-1)), ethanol, and physiological saline. The animals were sacrificed after 4 weeks and serum ALT was determined. Then the livers were harvested and liver indexes and MDA were measured. RESULTS: The incidence rate of hepatic symptoms, splenomegaly, liver function impairment, reversal of Albumin/Globulin and increased diameter of portal veins in the Maotai liquor group were 1.0% 1/99 , 1.0% 1/99 , 1.0% 1/99 , 1.0% 1/99 , 0 0/99 and 0 0/99 , 0 0/99 ,0 0/99 , 0 0/99 , 0 0/99 , respectively. There was no significant difference between the Maotai group and the non-alcoholic control group P】0.05 . Various degree of fatty infiltration of hepatocytes was found in the 23 volunteers receiving liver biopsy, but there was no obvious hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis. A comparison was made between the Maotai liquor group and the ordinary white wine group. It was found that hepatic MDA in rats and mice were 0.33+/-0.10 and 0.49+/-0.23 respectively in Maotai group and 0.61+/-0.22 and 0.66+/-0.32 in the ordinary white wine group; MDA had an obvious decrease in the Maotai liquor group (P【0.05); hepatic GSH were 0.12 mg.g(-1)+/-0.06 mg.g(-1) in rats of the Maotai liquor group and (0.08+/-0.02)mg.g(-1) in white wine group, it was obviously increased in the Maotai liquor group (P【0.05). After the 20 rats had been fed with ordinary white wine for 8 weeks consecutively, disarranged hepatocyte cords, fatty infiltration of hepatocytes, and fibrous septa of varying widths due to hepatic connective tissues proliferation were observed; after 12 weeks, the fibrous tissue proliferation continued and early cirrhosis appeared. Compared with the ordinary white wine group, fatty infiltration was observed in the 8-week and 12-week groups, but no necrosis or fibrosis or cirrhosis was found in the Maotai liquor group (P【0.05). CONCLUSION: Maotai liquor may cause fatty liver but not hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis, and it can strengthen lipid peroxidation in the liver.

Treating Principles and Methods of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treatment of Peripheral Vascular Diseases

Peripheral vascular disease embraces a variety of conditions such as thromboangiitis obliterans, Raynaud's disease, thrombophlebitis, aorto-arteritis, obliterate atherosclerosis, varix or phlebothrombosis of the lower limb. Although the affected blood vessel may be arterial or venous one and caused either by inflammation or degenerate changes, they share common symptoms and signs, such as blood stasis, ischemia, thrombosis, ecchymosis, swelling, constriction or obliteration of blood vessels due to circulatory impairment. Since they share common characteristics, the treating principles and methods will be discussed as follows.

Age-related changes in seminal polymorphonuclear elastase in men with asymptomatic inflammation of the genital tract

Aim： To investigate age-related inflammatory events in the male genital tract. Methods： In a total of 4 265 randomly collected patients attending the andrological outpatient clinic of the Center for Dermatology and Andrology, University of Giessen, Germany, ejaculate volume, pH-value, sperm concentration, total and progressive sperm motility, concentration of polymorphonuclear （PMN） elastase, number of peroxidase-positive cells and fructose were measured and correlated with patient＇s age. Results： While ejaculate volume, motility and fructose all correlated negatively with age, sperm concentration, PMN elastase and the pH-value showed a positive correlation. The prevalence of male genital tract inflammation （as defined by PMN elastase 〉 250 ng/mL） and its severity increased significantly. PMN elastase did not correlate with sperm motility. Fructose as a marker of seminal vesicle function showed a significant negative relationship with the PMN elastase levels, the number of peroxidase-positive cells and sperm motility. Conclusion： The significant increases of PMN elastase levels as marker of male genital tract inflammation in older men appear to be indicative of age-related changes in local immunoregulatory mechanisms. Because there is no association of PMN elastase with sperm motility, a direct inhibitory effect of this enzyme can be excluded.

Mitochondrial haplogroups associated with Japanese centenarians, Alzheimer's patients, Parkinson's patients, type 2 diabetic patients and healthy non-obese young males

The relationships between five classes of Japanese people （i.e., 96 centenarians, 96 Alzheimer＇s disease （AD） patients, 96 Parkinson＇s disease （PD） patients, 96 type 2 diabetic （T2D） patients, and 96 healthy non-obese young males） and their mitochondrial single nucleotide polymorphism （mtSNP） frequencies at individual mtDNA positions of the entire mitochondrial genome were examined using the radial basis function （RBF） network and the modified method. New findings of mitochondrial haplogroups were obtained for individual classes. The five classes of people were associated with the following haplogroups： Japanese centenarians-M7b2, D4b2a, and B5b; Japanese AD patients-G2a, B4cl, and N9b1; Japanese PD patients-M7b2, B4e, and B5b; Japanese T2D patients-B5b, M8al, G, D4, and F1; and Japanese healthy non-obese young males-D4g and D4b1b. From the points of common haplogroups among the five classes, the cente- narians have the common haplogroups M7b2 and B5b with the PD patients and common haplogroup B5b with the T2D patients. In addition, the 112 Japanese semi-supercentenarians （over 105 years old） recently reported were also examined by the method proposed. The results obtained were the haplogroups D4a, B4c1a, M7b2, F1, M1, and B5b. These results are different from the previously reported haplogroup classifications. As the proposed analysis method can predict a person＇s mtSNP constitution and the probabilities of becoming a centenarian, AD patient, PD patient, or T2D patient, it may be useful in initial diagnosis of various diseases.

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on semen quality in male partners of infertile couples: a hospitalbased observational study

The effects of the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic on male fertility have received considerable attention because human testes contain high levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 receptors,through which severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)can enter.Early studies showed decreases in semen quality during and after recovery from COVID-19.However,no semen quality studies have examined the effects of widespread subclinical and mild disease,as well as changes in lifestyle,psychosocial behavior,intake of dietary supplements,and stress.This cross-sectional study compared semen quality parameters in male partners of infertile couples between men who underwent semen analysis before the COVID-19 pandemic(prepandemic group)and men who underwent semen analysis during the pandemic period(pandemic group);the analysis sought to clarify the overall effects of the pandemic.No participants in the pandemic group had experienced clinically overt disease.Among the 239 participants,mean body weight(P=0.001),mean body mass index(P<0.001),median sperm concentration(P=0.014),total sperm count(P=0.006),and total percentages of motile(P=0.013)and abnormal cells(P<0.001)were significantly greater in the pandemic group(n=137)than those in the prepandemic group(n=102).Among abnormal cells,the percentages of cells with excess residual cytoplasm(P<0.001),head defects(P<0.001),and tail defects(P=0.015)were significantly greater in the pandemic group than those in the prepandemic group.With the exception of morphology,the overall semenogram results were better in the pandemic group than those in the prepandemic group.