Relationship between Semenogelins bound to human sperm and other semen parameters and pregnancy outcomes

BackgroundSemenogelins (SEMGs) are major components of human seminal vesicle secretions. Due to SEMG’s sperm-motility inhibitor, a significant negative correlation between sperm motility and the proportion of SEMG-bound spermatozoa (SEMG+) was found in asthenozoospermic patients. SEMGs also show intrinsic inhibitory capability for sperm capacitation; however, studies on actual clinical specimens have not been conducted.MethodsTo reveal the relationship between SEMGs and the fertilizing capacity of sperm from male infertile patients who are not restricted to asthenozoospermia, we measured the proportion of SEMG+ in the spermatozoa of 142 male infertile patients. The pregnancy outcomes in partners of these patients were retrospectively analyzed using questionnaires.ResultsAmong examined semen parameters, only the total SEMG-unbound sperm count showed a tendency to be different between the spontaneous pregnancy or intra-uterine-insemination-pregnancy groups and in-vitro-fertilization- or intracytoplasmic-sperm-injection-pregnancy groups. It was elevated in the former group, which includes patients who used in vivo fertilization.ConclusionsThe total SEMG-unbound sperm count would be a relevant parameter for in vivo fertilization. This result suggests that SEMGs inhibit ectopic capacitation before sperm reach the fertilization site and that the number of total SEMG-unbound sperm is a parameter directly linked to the possibility of in vivo fertilization

Z′Z' bosons in supersymmetric E6E_6 models confront electroweak data

We study constraints on additional $Z'$ bosons predicted in the supersymmetric (SUSY) $E_6$ models by using the updated results of electroweak experiments -- $Z$-pole experiments, $m_W$ measurements and low-energy neutral current (LENC) experiments. We find that the effects of $Z$-$Z'$ mixing are parametrized by (i) a tree-level contribution to the $T$-parameter, (ii) the effective $Z$-$Z'$ mass mixing angle \xibar. In addition, the effect of the direct exchange of the heavier mass eigenstate $Z_2$ in the LENC processes is parametrized by (iii) a contact term \contact. We give the theoretical predictions for the observables in the electroweak experiments together with the standard model radiative corrections. Constraints on $T_{\rm new}$ and \xibar from the $Z$-pole and $m_W$ experiments and those on \contact from the LENC experiments are separately shown. Impacts of the kinetic mixing between the ${\rm U(1)}_Y$ and ${\rm U(1)'}$ gauge bosons on the $\chi^2$-analysis are studied. We show the 95% CL lower mass limit of $Z_2$ as a function of the effective $Z$-$Z'$ mixing parameter $\zeta$, a combination of the mass and kinetic mixings. Theoretical prediction on $\zeta$ and $g_E$ is found for the $\chi, \psi, \eta$ and $\nu$ models by assuming the minimal particle content of the SUSY $E_6$ models. In a certain region of the parameter space, the $Z_2$ boson mass in the detectable range of LHC is still allowed.Comment: LaTeX, 36pages, 4 figures. One referece added. Final version to appear in Nucl. Phys.

Efficacy and safety of an Aron Alpha method in managing giant ovarian tumors

Background: Giant malignant tumors have an increased risk of intraoperative rupture, which might lead to a worse disease condition and tumor recurrence. We performed a clinical study on patients with a giant ovarian mass who underwent laparoscopy combined with an Aron Alpha method. Methods: This retrospective clinical study spanned from January 2016 to September 2022 and included 23 patients with giant ovarian tumors treated with an Aron Alpha method. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 47.6 ± 17.8 years, mean tumor diameter 20.4 ± 5.8 cm, mean surgical duration 87.2 ± 33.1  min, and mean hemorrhage volume 94.1 ± 92.2 mL. No patient experienced intraoperative tumor rupture or surgery-related symptoms. Histopathology of excised samples revealed serous cyst adenoma and mucinous cystadenoma, mucinous cystadenoma of borderline malignancy and mature cystic teratoma, and endometriotic cyst adenoma in 6, 4, and 3 patients, respectively. The mean hospitalization period was 6.0 ± 1.2 days, and the hospitalization period was not extended in any subject. Conclusion: The Aron Alpha method allows tumor resection without capsular rupture and is a useful, minimally invasive surgical method for resecting giant ovarian tumors in which malignancy cannot be ruled out

Myoma with Hypermenorrhea Treated with Ultrasound-Guided Microwave Ablation of the Inflowing Blood Vessels to the Uterine Myoma: A Case

Microwave endometrial ablation (MEA) is a minimally invasive treatment for uterine myoma with hypermenorrhea, which can replace conventional hysterectomy. However, cases requiring additional treatment because of postoperative recurrence are often encountered. MEA cauterizes the endometrium and is not recommended for patients who wish to preserve fertility. We present the cases of a patient with myoma-related hypermenorrhea who underwent microwave ablation of the inflowing blood vessels to the uterine myoma under transvaginal ultrasound guidance. A 43-year-old woman was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia and treated with dasatinib 2 years ago. Worsening hypermenorrhea was observed after treatment initiation. Ultrasound and pelvic magnetic resonance imaging revealed a uterine myoma. Therefore, she underwent MEA under transvaginal ultrasound guidance. Visual analog scale evaluation demonstrated considerable improvement in hypermenorrhea and dysmenorrhea; the myoma size showed reduction. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the day after surgery. No postoperative complications were observed. This patient is currently undergoing infertility treatment. The microwave ablation of myoma under transvaginal ultrasound guidance can effectively and safely reduce the myoma size. These findings suggest that this method is a novel treatment option for patients with myoma-related hypermenorrhea who wish to preserve their fertility and have children