The relationship between hyperuricemia (HUA) and erectile dysfunction (ED) remains inadequately understood. Given that HUA is often associated with various metabolic disorders, this study aims to explore the multivariate linear impacts of metabolic parameters on erectile function in ED patients with HUA. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted involving 514 ED patients with HUA in the Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine (Nanjing, China), aged 18 to 60 years. General demographic information, medical history, and laboratory results were collected to assess metabolic disturbances. Sexual function was evaluated using the 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire. Based on univariate analysis, variables associated with IIEF-5 scores were identified, and the correlations between them were evaluated. The effects of these variables on IIEF-5 scores were further explored by multiple linear regression models. Fasting plasma glucose ( β = -0.628, P < 0.001), uric acid ( β = -0.552, P < 0.001), triglycerides ( β = -0.088, P = 0.047), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( β = -0.164, P = 0.027), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c; β = -0.562, P = 0.012), and smoking history ( β = -0.074, P = 0.037) exhibited significant negative impacts on erectile function. The coefficient of determination ( R ²) for the model was 0.239, and the adjusted R ² was 0.230, indicating overall statistical significance ( F -statistic = 26.52, P < 0.001). Metabolic parameters play a crucial role in the development of ED. Maintaining normal metabolic indices may aid in the prevention and improvement of erectile function in ED patients with HUA.
Humans ; Male ; Erectile Dysfunction/metabolism* ; Hyperuricemia/metabolism* ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Glycated Hemoglobin/metabolism* ; Blood Glucose/metabolism* ; Uric Acid/blood* ; Young Adult ; Triglycerides/blood* ; Adolescent ; Cholesterol, LDL/blood* ; Penile Erection/physiology* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Glutamine provides carbon and nitrogen to support the proliferation of cancer cells. However, the precise reason why cancer cells are particularly dependent on glutamine remains unclear. In this study, we report that glutamine modulates the tumor suppressor F-box and WD repeat domain-containing 7 (FBW7) to promote cancer cell proliferation and survival. Specifically, lysine 604 (K604) in the sixth of the 7 substrate-recruiting WD repeats of FBW7 undergoes glutaminylation (Gln-K604) by glutaminyl tRNA synthetase. Gln-K604 inhibits SCFFBW7-mediated degradation of c-Myc and Mcl-1, enhances glutamine utilization, and stimulates nucleotide and DNA biosynthesis through the activation of c-Myc. Additionally, Gln-K604 promotes resistance to apoptosis by activating Mcl-1. In contrast, SIRT1 deglutaminylates Gln-K604, thereby reversing its effects. Cancer cells lacking Gln-K604 exhibit overexpression of c-Myc and Mcl-1 and display resistance to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. Silencing both c-MYC and MCL-1 in these cells sensitizes them to chemotherapy. These findings indicate that the glutamine-mediated signal via Gln-K604 is a key driver of cancer progression and suggest potential strategies for targeted cancer therapies based on varying Gln-K604 status.
Glutamine/metabolism* ; Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein/genetics* ; Humans ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc/genetics* ; Cell Proliferation ; Signal Transduction ; Neoplasms/pathology* ; F-Box-WD Repeat-Containing Protein 7/genetics* ; Cell Survival ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Apoptosis

Objective:To describe the epidemiological characteristics of intakes of different types of preserved vegetables in participants from the China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB).Methods:The CKB project conducted baseline survey, the first resurvey, and the second resurvey during 2004-2008, 2008, and 2013-2014, respectively. According to the average intake levels of salted and sour pickled vegetables in the second resurvey, the 10 survey areas were classified as the area where people mainly consumed salted vegetables, the area where people mainly consumed sour pickled vegetables, and the area where people rarely consumed preserved vegetables. For the first two areas, logistic regression model was used to describe the temporal trends and population distribution of preserved vegetable intake and analyze the distribution of other dietary factors.Results:The area where people mainly consumed salted vegetables included Qingdao, Harbin, Suzhou, and Zhejiang (baseline participant number: 204 036), while the area where people mainly consumed sour pickled vegetables included Gansu and Sichuan (baseline participant number: 105 573). In the area where people mainly consumed salted vegetables, the average intake frequencies of preserved vegetables was 3.1, 3.3, and 1.8 days/week in the baseline survey, the first resurvey, and the second resurvey, respectively, showing a declining trend ( P<0.001). Similarly, the average intake frequencies of preserved vegetables were 2.8, 2.7, and 1.6 days/week in the baseline survey, the first resurvey and the second resurvey in the area where people mainly consumed sour pickled vegetables ( P<0.001). At baseline survey, the married and those had lower education level tended to have more preserved vegetable intakes in both areas ( P<0.001). In the area where people mainly consumed salted vegetables, the elderly had higher frequency of preserved vegetable intake ( P<0.001), which was converse in the area where people mainly consumed sour pickled vegetables. In the participants with higher frequency of preserved vegetable intake, more people consumed spicy food daily and preferred salty food ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The area and population specific differences in the type and frequency of preserved vegetable intake were observed in adults in the CKB project in China. Besides, the average level of preserved vegetable intake showed a declining trend. Preserved vegetable intake might be associated with other dietary habits.

Objective: By identifying different metabolites in the serum and clarifying the potential metabolic disorder pathways in metabolic syndrome (MS) and stable coronary artery disease patients, to evaluate the predictive value of specific metabolites based on serum metabolomics for the occurrence of MS and coronary heart disease in overweight or obese populations. Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study. Patients with Metabolic Syndrome (MS group), patients with stable coronary heart disease (coronary heart disease group), and overweight or obese individuals (control group) recruited from the Central District of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from 2017 to 2019 were assigned to the training set, meanwhile, the corresponding three groups of people recruited from the East District of the hospital during the same period were assigned to the validation test. The serum metabolomics profiles were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS). Clinical characteristics (age, gender, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), creatinine (CR)) were also collected. Based on the orthogonal partial least-squares discrimination analysis (OPLS-DA) model, the significantly changed metabolites for MS and coronary artery disease patients were screened according to variable important in projection (VIP), and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was evaluated for the risk prediction values of changed metabolites. Results: A total of 488 subjects were recruited in this study, the training set included 40 MS, 249 coronary artery disease patients and 148 controls, the validation set included 16 MS, 18 coronary artery disease patients and 17 controls. We made comparisons of the serum metabolites of coronary artery disease vs. controls, MS vs. controls, and coronary artery disease vs. MS, and a total of 22 different metabolites were identified. The disturbed metabolic pathways involved were phospholipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, purine metabolism and other pathways. Through cross-comparisons, we identified 2 specific metabolites for MS (phosphatidylcholine (18∶1(9Z)e/20) and pipecolic acid), 4 specific metabolites for coronary artery disease (lysophosphatidylcholine (17∶0), PC(16∶0/16∶0), hypoxanthine and histidine), and 4 common metabolites both for MS and coronary artery disease (isoleucine, phenylalanine, glutathione and LysoPC(14∶0)). Based on the cut-off values from ROC curve, the predictive value of the above metabolites for the occurrence of MS in overweight or obese populations is 100%, the predictive value for the occurrence of coronary heart disease is 87.5%, and the risk predictive value for coronary heart disease in MS patients is 82.1%. Conclusions: The altered serum metabolites suggest that MS and coronary heart disease may involve multiple metabolic pathway disorders. Specific metabolites based on serum metabolomics have good predictive value for the occurrence of MS and coronary heart disease in overweight or obese populations.
Humans ; Metabolic Syndrome ; Overweight ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Retrospective Studies ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Obesity ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Biomarkers

Objective: By identifying different metabolites in the serum and clarifying the potential metabolic disorder pathways in metabolic syndrome (MS) and stable coronary artery disease patients, to evaluate the predictive value of specific metabolites based on serum metabolomics for the occurrence of MS and coronary heart disease in overweight or obese populations. Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study. Patients with Metabolic Syndrome (MS group), patients with stable coronary heart disease (coronary heart disease group), and overweight or obese individuals (control group) recruited from the Central District of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from 2017 to 2019 were assigned to the training set, meanwhile, the corresponding three groups of people recruited from the East District of the hospital during the same period were assigned to the validation test. The serum metabolomics profiles were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS). Clinical characteristics (age, gender, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), creatinine (CR)) were also collected. Based on the orthogonal partial least-squares discrimination analysis (OPLS-DA) model, the significantly changed metabolites for MS and coronary artery disease patients were screened according to variable important in projection (VIP), and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was evaluated for the risk prediction values of changed metabolites. Results: A total of 488 subjects were recruited in this study, the training set included 40 MS, 249 coronary artery disease patients and 148 controls, the validation set included 16 MS, 18 coronary artery disease patients and 17 controls. We made comparisons of the serum metabolites of coronary artery disease vs. controls, MS vs. controls, and coronary artery disease vs. MS, and a total of 22 different metabolites were identified. The disturbed metabolic pathways involved were phospholipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, purine metabolism and other pathways. Through cross-comparisons, we identified 2 specific metabolites for MS (phosphatidylcholine (18∶1(9Z)e/20) and pipecolic acid), 4 specific metabolites for coronary artery disease (lysophosphatidylcholine (17∶0), PC(16∶0/16∶0), hypoxanthine and histidine), and 4 common metabolites both for MS and coronary artery disease (isoleucine, phenylalanine, glutathione and LysoPC(14∶0)). Based on the cut-off values from ROC curve, the predictive value of the above metabolites for the occurrence of MS in overweight or obese populations is 100%, the predictive value for the occurrence of coronary heart disease is 87.5%, and the risk predictive value for coronary heart disease in MS patients is 82.1%. Conclusions: The altered serum metabolites suggest that MS and coronary heart disease may involve multiple metabolic pathway disorders. Specific metabolites based on serum metabolomics have good predictive value for the occurrence of MS and coronary heart disease in overweight or obese populations.
Humans ; Metabolic Syndrome ; Overweight ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Retrospective Studies ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Obesity ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Biomarkers

Humans ; Multiple Myeloma/drug therapy* ; Thalidomide/therapeutic use* ; Dexamethasone/therapeutic use* ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/drug therapy*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the difference in the therapeutic effect of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or cyclophosphamide (CTX) in children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis (HSPN) of different age groups. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 135 children with HSPN who were treated with MMF or CTX in the Department of Nephrology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Capital Institute of Pediatrics, from October 2018 to October 2020. According to the immunosuppressant used, they were divided into two groups: MMF group and CTX group, and according to the age, each group was further divided into two subgroups: ≤12 years and >12 years, producing four groups, i.e, the ≤12 years MMF subgroup (n=30), the >12 years MMF subgroup (n=15), the ≤12 years CTX subgroup (n=71), and the >12 years CTX subgroup (n=19). All children were followed up for at least 12 months, and the above groups were compared in terms of clinical outcomes and the incidence rate of adverse reactions. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the complete response rate between the MMF group and the CTX group after 3, 6, and 12 months of treatment (P>0.05). There were no significant difference in the complete response rate and the incidence rate of adverse reactions between the >12 years MMF subgroup and the ≤12 years MMF subgroup at 3, 6, and 12 months of treatment (P>0.05). The >12 years CTX subgroup had a significantly lower complete response rate than the ≤12 years CTX subgroup at 6 and 12 months of treatment (P<0.05). The >12 years CTX subgroup had a significantly higher incidence rate of adverse reactions than the >12 years MMF subgroup (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The efficacy and adverse reactions of MMF are not associated with age, but the efficacy of CTX is affected by age, with a higher incidence rate of adverse reactions. CTX should be selected with caution for children with HSPN aged >12 years.
Child ; Humans ; Mycophenolic Acid/adverse effects* ; IgA Vasculitis/drug therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Cyclophosphamide/adverse effects* ; Immunosuppressive Agents/adverse effects* ; Vasculitis/drug therapy* ; Nephritis/complications*

OBJECTIVES: To study the clinical effect of full-dose prednisone for 4 or 6 weeks in the treatment of children with primary nephrotic syndrome and its effect on recurrence. METHODS: A prospective non-randomized controlled clinical trial was performed on 89 children who were hospitalized and diagnosed with incipient primary nephrotic syndrome from December 2017 to May 2019. The children were given prednisone of 2 mg/(kg·day) (maximum 60 mg) for 4 weeks (4-week group) or 6 weeks (6-week group), followed by 2 mg/(kg·day) (maximum 60 mg) every other day for 4 weeks and then a gradual reduction in dose until drug withdrawal. The children were regularly followed up for 1 year. The two groups were compared in terms of the indices including remission maintenance time and recurrence rate. A Cox regression analysis was used to assess the risk factors for recurrence. RESULTS: Within 3 months after prednisone treatment, the 4-week group had a significantly higher recurrence rate than the 6-week group (P<0.05). After 1-year of follow-up, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the recurrence rate, remission maintenance time, and recurrence frequency (P>0.05). The risk of recurrence increased in children with an onset age of ≥6 years or increased 24-hour urinary protein (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS For the treatment of incipient primary nephrotic syndrome, full-dose prednisone regimen extended from 4 weeks to 6 weeks can reduce recurrence within 3 months. The children with an onset age of ≥6 years or a high level of urinary protein should be taken seriously in clinical practice, and full-dose prednisone treatment for 6 weeks is recommended to reduce the risk of recurrence.
Child ; Glucocorticoids ; Humans ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; Prednisone ; Prospective Studies ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors

Objective: To analyze the clinical epidemiological characteristics including composition of pathogens , clinical characteristics, and disease prognosis acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) in Chinese children. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical and laboratory data of 1 610 children <15 years of age with ABM in 33 tertiary hospitals in China from January 2019 to December 2020. Patients were divided into different groups according to age,<28 days group, 28 days to <3 months group, 3 months to <1 year group, 1-<5 years of age group, 5-<15 years of age group; etiology confirmed group and clinically diagnosed group according to etiology diagnosis. Non-numeric variables were analyzed with the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, while non-normal distrituction numeric variables were compared with nonparametric test. Results: Among 1 610 children with ABM, 955 were male and 650 were female (5 cases were not provided with gender information), and the age of onset was 1.5 (0.5, 5.5) months. There were 588 cases age from <28 days, 462 cases age from 28 days to <3 months, 302 cases age from 3 months to <1 year of age group, 156 cases in the 1-<5 years of age and 101 cases in the 5-<15 years of age. The detection rates were 38.8% (95/245) and 31.5% (70/222) of Escherichia coli and 27.8% (68/245) and 35.1% (78/222) of Streptococcus agalactiae in infants younger than 28 days of age and 28 days to 3 months of age; the detection rates of Streptococcus pneumonia, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus agalactiae were 34.3% (61/178), 14.0% (25/178) and 13.5% (24/178) in the 3 months of age to <1 year of age group; the dominant pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae and the detection rate were 67.9% (74/109) and 44.4% (16/36) in the 1-<5 years of age and 5-<15 years of age . There were 9.7% (19/195) strains of Escherichia coli producing ultra-broad-spectrum β-lactamases. The positive rates of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture and blood culture were 32.2% (515/1 598) and 25.0% (400/1 598), while 38.2% (126/330)and 25.3% (21/83) in CSF metagenomics next generation sequencing and Streptococcus pneumoniae antigen detection. There were 4.3% (32/790) cases of which CSF white blood cell counts were normal in etiology confirmed group. Among 1 610 children with ABM, main intracranial imaging complications were subdural effusion and (or) empyema in 349 cases (21.7%), hydrocephalus in 233 cases (14.5%), brain abscess in 178 cases (11.1%), and other cerebrovascular diseases, including encephalomalacia, cerebral infarction, and encephalatrophy, in 174 cases (10.8%). Among the 166 cases (10.3%) with unfavorable outcome, 32 cases (2.0%) died among whom 24 cases died before 1 year of age, and 37 cases (2.3%) had recurrence among whom 25 cases had recurrence within 3 weeks. The incidences of subdural effusion and (or) empyema, brain abscess and ependymitis in the etiology confirmed group were significantly higher than those in the clinically diagnosed group (26.2% (207/790) vs. 17.3% (142/820), 13.0% (103/790) vs. 9.1% (75/820), 4.6% (36/790) vs. 2.7% (22/820), χ²=18.71, 6.20, 4.07, all P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the unfavorable outcomes, mortility, and recurrence between these 2 groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: The onset age of ABM in children is usually within 1 year of age, especially <3 months. The common pathogens in infants <3 months of age are Escherichia coli and Streptococcus agalactiae, and the dominant pathogen in infant ≥3 months is Streptococcus pneumoniae. Subdural effusion and (or) empyema and hydrocephalus are common complications. ABM should not be excluded even if CSF white blood cell counts is within normal range. Standardized bacteriological examination should be paid more attention to increase the pathogenic detection rate. Non-culture CSF detection methods may facilitate the pathogenic diagnosis.
Adolescent ; Brain Abscess ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Escherichia coli ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Meningitis, Bacterial/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Streptococcus agalactiae ; Streptococcus pneumoniae ; Subdural Effusion ; beta-Lactamases