BackgroundNitric oxide (NO) has been shown to be important in sperm function, and the concentration of NO appears to determine these effects. Studies have demonstrated both positive and negative effects of NO on sperm function, but have not been able to provide a clear link between NO concentration and the extent of exposure to NO. To study the relationship between nitric oxide and sperm capacitation in vitro, and to provide a theoretical basis for the use of NO-related preparations in improving sperm motility for in vitro fertilization, we investigated the effects of NO concentration and time duration at these concentrations on in vitro sperm capacitation in both normal and abnormal sperm groups. We manipulated NO concentrations and the time duration of these concentrations using sodium nitroprusside (an NO donor) and NG-monomethyl-L-argenine (an NO synthase inhibitor).ResultsCompared to the normal sperm group, the abnormal sperm group had a longer basal time to reach the appropriate concentration of NO (p < 0.001), and the duration of time at this concentration was longer for the abnormal sperm group (p < 0.001). Both the basal time and the duration of time were significantly correlated with sperm viability and percentage of progressive sperm (p < 0.001). The experimental group had a significantly higher percentage of progressive sperm than the control group (p < 0.001).ConclusionsWe hypothesize that there is a certain regularity to both NO concentration and its duration of time in regards to sperm capacitation, and that an adequate duration of time at the appropriate NO concentration is beneficial to sperm motility.

Objective: To explore the survival value of cytoreductive partial nephrectomy (cPN) in elderly with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (EmRCC) and evaluate the characteristics of patients who benefit from cPN. Materials and Methods: This was a study including 6105 patients aged ≥65 years with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) queried from Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database between 2010 and 2015, among which 1264 patients underwent cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN), 78 patients underwent cPN and 1186 patients underwent cytoreductive radical nephrectomy (cRN). Kaplan-Meier (K-M) method and Cox proportional-hazards model (COX) were used to evaluate the survival prognosis. Overall survival (OS) was compared between groups using propensity score matching (PSM) to balance the effects of confounding factors such as general features and pathological features. At last, we constructed a nomogram visualization modelled by R language to predict survival. Results: For patients with EmRCC, especially for male patients with tumors size ≤7 cm, N0 stage, or isolated metastases, cPN brought a better survival than cRN. Tumor size and N stage were independent risk factors affecting the survival of cPN patients. cPN for patients with tumor size >7 cm or N1 stage may present a higher risk of death. Conclusion:The implementation of cPN for patients with EmRCC who meet specific clinical characteristics such as tumors size ≤7 cm, N0 stage, or isolated metastases seems to help improve the survival prognosis.

BackgroundA series of novel inflammation-related indexes has been confirmed to be efficient indicators of human immune and inflammatory status, with great potential as predictors for a variety of diseases. However, the association between inflammation-related indexes and sex hormones in the general population remained uncertain.MethodsWe incorporated data from the NHANES 2013-2016 survey of American adults. On the basis of distribution and comparison analysis, we chose to undertake separate analyses of men and women (including premenopausal and postmenopausal groups). Multivariable weighted linear regression models, eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) models, generalized linear analysis, stratified models, logistic regression models and sensitivity analysis were utilized to assess the relationships between inflammation-related indexes and sex hormones.ResultsTotal 9372 participants out of 20146 were fitted into our research. We conducted separate gender analysis due to different distribution. Multivariable weighted linear regression indicated every component of the inflammation-related index was negatively correlated with at least one component of the male hormone indexes. However, SII, NLR, PPN, and NC were associated positively with female estradiol. XGBoost identify SII, PLR and NLR were the critical indexes on sex hormones. Inflammation-related indexes was associated with Testosterone deficiency in male and postmenstrual group and associated with Excessive Estradiol in premenstrual group. Finally, the subgroup analysis revealed that the association between sex hormones and inflammatory indicators was prominent in American adults over the age of 60 or those with BMI (&gt;28 kg/m2).ConclusionIn all, inflammation-related indexes act as independent risks associated with sex hormone alterations and metabolic disorder in both genders. Using multiple models, we revealed the relative importance of inflammation-related indexes. Subgroup analysis also identified the high-risk population. More prospective and experimental research should be conducted to validate the results.