Serum folic acid levels and erectile dysfunction: A meta-analysis and systematic review

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between serum folic acid (FA) levels and erectile dysfunction (ED) through a meta-analysis. A research was conducted in MEDLINE via PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE and Web of Science up to 22 November 2020 to identify studies related to FA and ED. Two authors independently screened the literature, evaluated methodological quality and extracted the data. We used RevMan5.3 and STATA 14.0 for meta-analysis. A total of six studies including 1,842 participants were included, and the results showed that the FA levels in the non-ED group were significantly higher than those in the ED group (MD = 3.37, 95% CI 1.49–5.52, p = 0.004). Subgroup analysis indicated that with the increase in ED severity, the difference in FA levels between groups was more obvious (MD: 1.99 vs. 4.63 vs. 5.63). The differences in FA levels between groups seem more significant in the younger group (MD = 4.87, 95% CI 2.58–6.89, p < 0.001) than in the older group (MD = 3.15, 95% CI 2.21–4.08, p < 0.001). In conclusion, FA deficiency is closely related to ED, and the degree of FA deficiency may reflect the severity of ED. In addition, the association seems to be more pronounced in the younger group.     

Alpha-lipoic acid may ameliorate testicular damage by targeting dox-induced altered antioxidant parameters,mitofusin-2 and apoptotic gene expression

In the study, the ameliorating effects of alfa lipoic acid (ALA) against doxorubicin-induced testicular apoptosis, oxidative stress and disrupted mitochondrial fusion were investigated in male rats. Rats were divided into four groups as control, doxorubicin (DOX), DOX + ALA and ALA. A single dose of 15 mg/kg DOX was administered i.p to the DOX and DOX + ALA groups. 50 mg/kg ALA was given to the DOX + ALA and ALA groups by oral gavage every other day. After 28 days, rat testes and serum samples were collected and analysed. Administration of DOX alone caused a decrease in body and relative testicular weights, seminiferous tubule diameter and germinal epithelium thickness, Johnsen's score and serum testosterone levels. DOX treatment led to severe testicular damage such as tubular degeneration, and atrophic tubules. Also, the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were reduced, while the level of malondialdehyde was increased in the testis. The mRNA levels of apoptotic-related genes (CASP3, TP53, BAX, BCL2) and apoptotic index were increased, while mitofusin-2 decreased. DOX caused an increase in CASP3 and a decrease in mitofusin-2 immunoreactivities. Treatment with ALA markedly improved all of DOX-induced biochemical, histochemical and molecular alterations in rat testis. Consequently, ALA has a therapeutic role in ameliorating DOX-induced testicular damage in rats.     

Novel predictive risk factor for Erectile Dysfunction: Serum folic acid

The purpose of this study was to compare the serum Folic Acid (FA) levels in patients with Erectile Dysfunction (ED) and healthy controls and whether levels vary with its severity. The study was carried out on 77 sexually active individuals, out of which 41 complained of ED and 36 were apparently normal. Patients were excluded if they had any diseases known to cause ED. The severity was further categorised based on IIEF-5 scores. Blood serum levels of testosterone, lipid profile, random blood sugar, liver function test, renal function test and FA levels were obtained in each patient. Independent-samples t test of significance was used when comparing between two means. Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) test was used for correlating data. All clinical and biochemical parameters except FA were comparable in both the groups. FA levels were significantly decreased in ED group (5.29 vs. 10.8; p value = .004). Smoking habits were comparable between the groups, and FA levels did not vary among smokers and nonsmokers (p value = .46). Serum FA levels significantly declined with increasing severity of ED (8.28 vs. 5.56 vs. 4.37 vs. 3.5; p value < .001). Thus, decreased FA might possibly be one of the novel risk factors for ED.     

Is there relationship between serum uric acid levels and lower urinary tract symptoms,prostate volume,and PSA in men without cancer? A prospective population-based study

There are conflicting results about uric acid (UA) effect on the prostate. We investigated the relationship between UA and PSA, free PSA, prostate volume and international prostate symptoms score (IPSS) in benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). This study was conducted in BPH men without cancer who were referred for annual health workup (N = 910) from 2017 to 2020. The mean ages were 67.28 ± 9.2 years. UA was positively related to IPSS and PSA (r = 0.210, p = .023 and r = 0.156, p = .041 respectively) and also negatively related to free/total PSA ratio (r = −0.332, p = .01) but not related to prostate volume (r = 0.036, p = .696). After adjustment for age, BMI and prostate volume, there were significant relationships between hyperuricaemia and PSA, free/total PSA ratio, and IPSS (95% CI: 0.254–1.645, OR = 0.647, p = .039; 95% CI: 0.076–0.899, OR = 0.270, p = .033 and 95% CI: 1.011–3.386, OR = 1.851, p = .038 respectively). These results should be considered during the general assessment of the patients with BPH. The findings raise the possible hypothesis of relationship between serum UA with IPSS and PSA which should be investigated by future studies.     

Should oncoplastic breast conserving surgery be used for the treatment of early stage breast cancer? Using the GRADE approach for development of clinical recommendations

IntroductionThe potential advantages of oncoplastic breast conserving surgery (BCS) have not been validated in robust studies that constitute high levels of evidence, despite oncoplastic techniques being widely adopted around the globe. There is hence the need to define the precise role of oncoplastic BCS in the treatment of early breast cancer, with consensual recommendations for clinical practice.MethodsA panel of world-renowned breast specialists was convened to evaluate evidence, express personal viewpoints and establish recommendations for the use of oncoplastic BCS as primary treatment of unifocal early stage breast cancers using the GRADE approach.ResultsAccording to the results of the systematic review of literature, the panelists were asked to comment on the recommendation for use of oncoplastic BCS for treatment of operable breast cancer that is suitable for breast conserving surgery, with the GRADE approach. Based on the voting outcome, the following recommendation emerged as a consensus statement: Oncoplastic breast conserving surgery should be recommended versus standard breast conserving surgery for the treatment of operable breast cancer in adult women who are suitable candidates for breast conserving surgery (with very low certainty of evidence).DiscussionThis review has revealed a low level of evidence for most of the important outcomes in oncoplastic surgery with lack of any randomized data and absence of standard tools for evaluation of clinical outcomes and especially patients’ values.Despite areas of controversy, about one-third (36%) of panel members expressed a strong recommendation in support of oncoplastic BCS. Presumably, this reflects a synthesis of views on the relative complexity of these techniques, associated complications, impact on quality of life and costs.     

城市居家老年人宜老环境自我报告评估指标的构建

目的 构建城市居家老年人宜老环境自我报告评估指标,为了解城市老年人居家环境的质量水平和相关服务需求提供评价工具.方法 以世界卫生组织老年友好城市指南作为理论框架,在文献回顾和质性访谈的基础上形成草稿.采用德尔菲法对20名专家进行2轮咨询.结果 2轮专家咨询问卷有效回收率分别为90.91％、90.00％;第2轮专家咨询的权威系数为0.865,专家意见协调系数为0.305～0.671;最终确定的指标体系包括户外空间和建筑、交通、家庭住宅、社会交往和参与、社区服务和信息与通讯6项一级指标,84项二级指标.结论 城市居家老年人宜老环境自我报告评估指标有较好的专家认可度,可作为评价中国城市居家老年人环境质量的工具.     

麻醉科专科护士岗位胜任力评价指标体系的构建

目的 构建适合我国的麻醉科专科护士岗位胜任力评价指标体系,为麻醉科专科护士培养及评价提供参考.方法 通过文献回顾法、小组讨论法、德尔菲专家函询法以及层次分析法,确定麻醉科专科护士岗位胜任力各级评价指标及权重.结果 麻醉科专科护士岗位胜任力评价指标体系包含专业知识、专业技术、专业能力、管理能力和个人特质5项一级指标和38项二级指标.两轮函询专家积极系数分别为89.47％和94.12％,专家权威系数分别为0.865和0.889,肯德尔协调系数分别为0.182、0.237(均P＜0.01).结论 构建的麻醉科专科护士岗位胜任力评价指标体系,可作为麻醉科专科护士岗位胜任力水平的测评工具,为麻醉科专科护士培训、考核及任用提供参考.