Erectile dysfunction (ED) is prevalent among men, but its relationship with dietary habits is uncertain. The aim of our study was to assess whether dietary patterns enhance erectile function by reviewing the literature published before August 1, 2022, via PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases. The data compiled included author details; publication dates, countries, treatments, patient numbers, ages, follow-ups, and clinical trial outcomes, such as ED cases, odds ratios (ORs), confidence intervals (CIs), and International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) scores with means and standard deviations. An analysis of 14 studies with 27 389 participants revealed that plant-based diets (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.66-0.75; P < 0.00001), low-fat diets (OR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.13-0.53; P = 0.0002), and alternative diets such as intermittent fasting and organic diets (OR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.36-0.80; P = 0.002) significantly reduced ED risk. High-protein low-fat diets (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.12-1.64; P < 0.00001) and high-carb low-fat diets (HR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.55-1.04; P < 0.00001) improved IIEF-5 scores. Combined diet and exercise interventions decreased the likelihood of ED (OR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.28-0.85; P = 0.01) and increased the IIEF-5 score (OR = 3.40, 95% CI: 1.69-5.11; P < 0.0001). Diets abundant in fruits and vegetables (OR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.96-0.98; P < 0.00001) and nuts (OR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.37-0.80; P = 0.002) were also correlated with lower ED risk. Our meta-analysis underscores a strong dietary-ED association, suggesting that low-fat/Mediterranean diets rich in produce and nuts could benefit ED management.
Humans ; Male ; Erectile Dysfunction/epidemiology* ; Diet ; Diet, Fat-Restricted ; Feeding Behavior ; Penile Erection/physiology* ; Diet, Vegetarian

BACKGROUND: Biomarkers-based prediction of long-term risk of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is scarce. We aim to develop a risk score integrating clinical routine information (C) and plasma biomarkers (B) for predicting long-term risk of ACS patients. METHODS: We included 2729 ACS patients from the OCEA (Observation of cardiovascular events in ACS patients). The earlier admitted 1910 patients were enrolled as development cohort; and the subsequently admitted 819 subjects were treated as validation cohort. We investigated 10-year risk of cardiovascular (CV) death, myocardial infarction (MI) and all cause death in these patients. Potential variables contributing to risk of clinical events were assessed using Cox regression models and a score was derived using main part of these variables. RESULTS: During 16,110 person-years of follow-up, there were 238 CV death/MI in the development cohort. The 7 most important predictors including in the final model were NT-proBNP, D-dimer, GDF-15, peripheral artery disease (PAD), Fibrinogen, ST-segment elevated MI (STEMI), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), termed as CB-ACS score. C-index of the score for predication of cardiovascular events was 0.79 (95% CI: 0.76-0.82) in development cohort and 0.77 (95% CI: 0.76-0.78) in the validation cohort (5832 person-years of follow-up), which outperformed GRACE 2.0 and ABC-ACS risk score. The CB-ACS score was also well calibrated in development and validation cohort (Greenwood-Nam-D'Agostino: P = 0.70 and P = 0.07, respectively). CONCLUSIONS CB-ACS risk score provides a useful tool for long-term prediction of CV events in patients with ACS. This model outperforms GRACE 2.0 and ABC-ACS ischemic risk score.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

Tricellulin, a key tricellular tight junction (TJ) protein, is essential for maintaining the barrier integrity of acinar epithelia against macromolecular passage in salivary glands. This study aims to explore the role and regulatory mechanism of tricellulin in the development of salivary gland hypofunction in Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Employing a multifaceted approach involving patient biopsies, non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice as a SS model, salivary gland acinar cell-specific tricellulin conditional knockout (Tric^CKO) mice, and IFN-γ-stimulated salivary gland epithelial cells, we investigated the role of tricellulin in SS-related hyposalivation. Our data revealed diminished levels of tricellulin in salivary glands of SS patients. Similarly, NOD mice displayed a reduction in tricellulin expression from the onset of the disease, concomitant with hyposecretion and an increase in salivary albumin content. Consistent with these findings, Tric^CKO mice exhibited both hyposecretion and leakage of macromolecular tracers when compared to control animals. Mechanistically, the JAK/STAT1/miR-145 axis was identified as mediating the IFN-γ-induced downregulation of tricellulin. Treatment with AT1001, a TJ sealer, ameliorated epithelial barrier dysfunction, restored tricellulin expression, and consequently alleviated hyposalivation in NOD mice. Importantly, treatment with miR-145 antagomir to specifically recover the expression of tricellulin in NOD mice significantly alleviated hyposalivation and macromolecular leakage. Collectively, we identified that tricellulin deficiency in salivary glands contributed to hyposalivation in SS. Our findings highlight tricellulin as a potential therapeutic target for hyposecretion, particularly in the context of reinforcing epithelial barrier function through preventing leakage of macromolecules in salivary glands.
Sjogren's Syndrome/complications* ; Animals ; Xerostomia/etiology* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred NOD ; MARVEL Domain Containing 2 Protein/metabolism* ; Humans ; Mice, Knockout ; Disease Models, Animal ; Interferon-gamma ; Salivary Glands/metabolism* ; Tight Junctions/metabolism* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Female

This study design of specific identification primers for the ITS2 sequence of F. ussuriensis. The reaction system and conditions were optimized, and PCR-nucleic acid test strips were constructed to realize the visual detection of F. ussuriensis Bark. Through molecular cloning and sequencing technology, we constructed a positive control for F. ussuriensis DNA and formulated quality standards. The established method was evaluated for sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility, and the authenticity of the commercially available samples was identified. Results demonstrated that based on the ITS2 sequences, F. ussuriensis and its mixed forgeries could be distinguished. The PCR products of the authentic F. ussuriensis on test strips showed two bands in the T and C lines, while the pseudo products and negative control showed only one band in the C line, which was consistent with the results of agarose gel electrophoresis. The specificity was 100%, and the sensitivity of the PCR-nucleic acid test strip was up to 0.1 ng·μL^-1, which was 10 times higher than that of the gel electrophoresis assay. 11 out of 16 commercially available samples of F. ussuriensis were qualified, and 5 were unqualified. Collectively, the PCR-nucleic acid test strip method established in this study is specific, rapid, accurate and visualized, which can provide a new technical idea for the detection of F. ussuriensis.

Objective To investigate the effect of dapagliflozin-mediated miR-98-5p on high glucose-induced damage in human renal tubular epithelial cells.Methods Blood samples from patients with diabetic nephropathy(DN)and healthy individuals were collected.The expression of serum miR-98-5p was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR),and kidney injury-related indicators were measured using a biochemical immunoassay analyzer.HK-2 cells were cultured in vitro and randomly divided into control group(5 mmol·L-1 glucose),HG group(30 mmol·L-1 glucose),experimental-L group(30 mmol·L-1 glucose+20 μmol·L-1 dapagliflozin),experimental-H group(30 mmol·L-1 glucose+40 μmol·L-1 dapagliflozin),anti-miR-NC group(transfected with anti-miR-NC+30 mmol·L-1 glucose+40 μmol·L-1 dapagliflozin),and anti-miR-98-5p group(transfected with anti-miR-98-5p+30 mmol·L-1 glucose+40 μmol·L-1 dapagliflozin).Cell viability was evaluated using the cell counting kit 8(CCK-8)assay 24 hours after drug treatment;miR-98-5p expression in cells was detected by RT-qPCR;cell apoptosis rate was measured by flow cytometry,apoptosis-related protein expression was detected by Western blot;and inflammatory cytokine expression was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results The expression levels of miR-98-5p in the serum of DN patients and healthy individuals were 1.00±0.25 and 0.39±0.05,respectively,showing a significant difference between the two groups(P＜0.05).The expression levels of miR-98-5p in the control group,HG group,experimental-H group,anti-miR-NC group,and anti-miR-98-5p group were 1.00±0.09,0.31±0.04,0.72±0.06,0.75±0.07 and 0.22±0.03;the cell survival rates were(100.00±3.36)％,(51.63±5.89)％,(79.46±9.90)％,(82.88±5.71)％and(59.69±7.43)％;apoptosis rates were(3.52±0.20)％,(35.80±3.67)％,(16.43±1.57)％,(15.71±1.42)％and(29.37±2.18)％;tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)levels were(22.46±1.67),(68.37±6.05),(34.45±2.47),(35.11±2.84)and(60.46±3.56)pg·mL-1,respectively.The differences among these indicators were all statistically significant when comparing the HG group to the control group,the experimental-H group to the HG group,and the anti-miR-98-5p group to the anti-miR-NC group(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Dapagliflozin can alleviate high glucose-induced HK-2 cell damage by upregulating the expression of miR-98-5p,inhibiting inflammation,and reducing cell apoptosis.

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of recombinant human anti-severe acute respiratory syn-drome coronavirus 2(anti-SARS-CoV-2)monoclonal antibody injection(F61 injection)in the treatment of patients with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)combined with renal damage.Methods Patients with COVID-19 and renal damage who visited the PLA General Hospital from January to February 2023 were selected.Subjects were randomly divided into two groups.Control group was treated with conventional anti-COVID-19 therapy,while trial group was treated with conventional anti-COVID-19 therapy combined with F61 injection.A 15-day follow-up was conducted after drug administration.Clinical symptoms,laboratory tests,electrocardiogram,and chest CT of pa-tients were performed to analyze the efficacy and safety of F61 injection.Results Twelve subjects(7 in trial group and 5 in control group)were included in study.Neither group had any clinical progression or death cases.The ave-rage time for negative conversion of nucleic acid of SARS-CoV-2 in control group and trial group were 3.2 days and 1.57 days(P=0.046),respectively.The scores of COVID-19 related target symptom in the trial group on the 3rd and 5th day after medication were both lower than those of the control group(both P＜0.05).According to the clinical staging and World Health Organization 10-point graded disease progression scale,both groups of subjects improved but didn't show statistical differences(P＞0.05).For safety,trial group didn't present any infusion-re-lated adverse event.Subjects in both groups demonstrated varying degrees of elevated blood glucose,elevated urine glucose,elevated urobilinogen,positive urine casts,and cardiac arrhythmia,but the differences were not statistica-lly significant(all P＞0.05).Conclusion F61 injection has initially demonstrated safety and clinical benefit in trea-ting patients with COVID-19 combined with renal damage.As the domestically produced drug,it has good clinical accessibility and may provide more options for clinical practice.

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of fourteen bone-setting manipulations and small splint fixation combined with No.8 Orthopedics Prescription(mainly composed of Rehmanniae Radix,Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Persicae Semen,Caulis Akebiae,Carthami Flos,Corydalis Rhizoma,and Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma)on distal radius fracture.Methods A retrospective study was carried out in the analysis of the clinical data of 124 patients with distal radius fractures treated by fourteen bone-setting manipulations and small splint fixation in the Department of Orthopedics,Foshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from September 2021 to September 2023.The patients were divided into an observation group(63 cases)and a control group(61 cases)depending on the medication of No.8 Orthopedics Prescription or not.The control group was treated with fourteen bone-setting manipulations and small splint fixation,while the observation group was treated with fourteen bone-setting manipulations and small splint fixation combined with No.8 Orthopedics Prescription.The two groups were treated for s one month and then were followed up for more than six months.The changes in the range of motion(ROM)of wrist pronation and supination and palmar flexion in the two groups were observed before treatment and three months after treatment.The time for starting wrist function exercise,time for subsiding swelling of the affected limb and fracture healing time were compared between the two groups.After six months of treatment,the wrist function improvement effect of the two groups was evaluated.Results(1)After treatment,the time for starting wrist joint functional exercise,time for subsiding swelling of the affected limb and the time for fracture healing in the observation group were significantly shortened compared with those in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant between the two groups(P＜0.01).(2)After three months of treatment,the ROM of wrist pronation and supination and palmar flexion in the two groups were significantly improved compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the improvement of ROM of wrist pronation and supination and palmar flexion in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group,the differences being statistically significant(P＜0.01).(3)After six months of treatment,the evaluation of the wrist joint function of the two groups showed that the excellent and good rate of the observation group was 55.56％(35/63),and that of the control group was 45.90％(28/61).There was no significant difference in the improvement of wrist function between the two groups(Z=1.075,P=0.282).Conclusion Both methods can achieve satisfactory efficacy in the treatment of distal radius fracture,and the wrist function of the patients has been effectively restored.The treatment of fourteen bone-setting manipulations and small splint fixation combined with No.8 Orthopedics Prescription can significantly shorten the time for subsiding swelling of the affected limb,promote fracture healing and bone regeneration,improve wrist function,and relieve the pain of patients.