Association between blood lead levels and serum creatinine: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between blood lead levels and serum creatinine.

Methods: In the present study, sample data were derived from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2015-2018 of participants with complete data of blood lead levels and serum creatinine. Multivariate linear regression models were used to examine the association between blood lead levels and serum creatinine.

The Effect of COVID-19 on Male Sex Hormones: A Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Study.

Purpose: To evaluate the possible effects of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (2019-NCOV) on male sex hormones and reproductive ability, and analyze its incidence and risk factors.

Methods: We retrieved from PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Clinical Trails, CNKI, CBM, Wan Fang Database and VIP to collect research on the effects of COVID-19 on the male sex hormone. Our literature search was conducted until April 2022, and two investigators independently screened articles based on inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Histone ubiquitination-related gene CUL4B promotes lung adenocarcinoma progression and cisplatin resistance.

The role of the histone ubiquitination-related gene in the cisplatin resistance of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains an intricate subject. We accessed transcriptome data of both wild type and cisplatin-resistant cells from the GSE108214 dataset, and garnered transcriptome and clinical data of LUAD patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Utilizing the R software, we analyzed these public datasets in depth.

Integrative analysis illustrates the role of PCDH7 in lung cancer development, cisplatin resistance, and immunotherapy resistance: an underlying target.

Cisplatin resistance is a common clinical problem in lung cancer. However, the underlying mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated, highlighting the importance of searching for biological targets. Bioinformatics analysis is completed through downloaded public data (GSE21656, GSE108214, and TCGA) and specific R packages.

Prognostic analysis of uveal melanoma based on the characteristic genes of M2-type macrophages in the tumor microenvironment.

Uveal melanoma arises from stromal melanocytes and is the most prevalent primary intraocular tumor in adults. It poses a significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenge due to its high malignancy and early onset of metastases. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the role of diverse immune cells in tumor cell development and metastasis.

The 100 most-cited publications on Peyronie's disease: a bibliometric analysis and visualization study.

This study aimed to summarize the characteristics of the top 100 most-cited publications on Peyronie's disease (PD) research and to analyse past and current research hotspots and trends. The SCI-E database of the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) provided us with the top 100 most-cited publications in PD research, from which we took the following information: general trend of publication, year of publication, nation/region, institution, journal, author, and keywords. VOSviewer (version 1.

Qiangjing tablets ameliorate asthenozoospermia via mitochondrial ubiquitination and mitophagy mediated by LKB1/AMPK/ULK1 signaling.

Context: Therapeutic effects of Qiangjing tablets (QJT) on sperm vitality and asthenozoospermia (AZS) have been confirmed. However, the mechanism of action remains unclear.

Objective: This study investigates the effects of QJT on AZS and the underlying mechanism of action.

Machine learning identifies characteristics molecules of cancer associated fibroblasts significantly correlated with the prognosis, immunotherapy response and immune microenvironment in lung adenocarcinoma.

Background: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a highly lethal disease with a dramatic pro-fibrocytic response. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have been reported to play a key role in lung adenocarcinoma.

Methods: Marker genes of CAFs were obtained from the Cell Marker website.

The traditional Chinese medicine Qiangjing tablet prevents blood-testis barrier injury induced by CdCl through the PI3K/Akt/Rictor signaling pathway.

Objective: Environmental contaminants such as cadmium (Cd) may have a deleterious impact on sperm and reduce male fertility by compromising the blood-testis barrier (BTB). Hence, the effects of the traditional Chinese medicine Qiangjing tablet (QJP) on sperm quality and BTB alterations induced by Cd in mouse testes were examined.

Methods: Adult KM mice challenged with Cd chloride were examined, QJP was administered to mice as an oral drug by gavage, and the experiments lasted 2 weeks.

Meta-Analysis of Matrix Metalloproteinases in the Risk of Cardiovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Objective: To investigate the risk of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases induced by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) by meta-analysis.

Methods: Relevant literature was searched from Wanfang Medical Center, CNQI, VIP, PubMed, and other domestic and foreign literature databases for the research direction, and the risk of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases induced by MMPs was meta-analyzed using the fixed-effect model and random-effect model.

Results: MMP-1 and MMP-9 were risk factors for cardiovascular diseases by fixed and random-effect model analysis, respectively, while MMP-2 and MMP-9 were risk factors for increased neurodegenerative diseases by random-effect model analysis.

Adult Vaccination as a Protective Factor for Dementia: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of Population-Based Observational Studies.

Background: Common vaccinations may have impacts on dementia risk, but current evidence is inconsistent. We therefore investigated the association between vaccinations and dementia risk by systematic review and meta-analysis approach.

Methods: We conducted an extensive search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science to identify studies that compared the risk of dementia in vaccinated versus unvaccinated populations.

Neuroimaging Studies of Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome.

Evidence shows that chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome hugely impacts the body and mind. The central mechanisms in patients with CP/CPPS resulted in increased attention as neuroimaging techniques developed. This review investigated the study design and major neuroimaging findings in CP/CPPS patients to provide comprehensive evidence.

Novel Mutation Loci Lead to Multiple Morphological Abnormalities of the Sperm Flagella and Literature Review.

The protein encoded by dynein axonemal heavy chain 1 () is a part of dynein, which regulates the function of cilia and sperm flagella. The mutant of causes the deletion of inner dynein arm 3 in the flagellum, leading to multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF) and severe asthenozoospermia. However, instead of asthenozoospermia and MMAF, the result caused by the mutation of remains unknown.

Qiangjing Tablets Regulate Apoptosis and Oxidative Stress Keap/Nrf2 Pathway to Improve the Reproductive Function in Asthenospermia Rats.

Asthenozoospermia (AZS), is a common cause of male infertility. Currently, most drugs for azoospermia lack desirable therapeutic efficiency, therefore developing new drug therapy is important. Qiangjing tablets could enhance renal function and improve sperm quality.

Efficacy of electroacupuncture for the treatment of asthenozoospermia: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Infertility has affected millions of couples aged 15 to 44 years worldwide. Recently, some studies suggest that abnormal semen quality is the main cause of male infertility and asthenozoospermia accounts for 19% of the infertility of men. The situation has brought a huge burden to the patient with asthenozoospermia and society.

Efficacy of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: A protocol for systematic review.

Background: Prostatitis is a common urogenital system disease in men which affects 5% to 9% of adult men worldwide and accounts for approximately 8% of visits to urologists. In the past years, its pathogenesis is complicated and the classification of it is not clear, so the effect of treatment measures is not significant. Recently, the treatment of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, phytotherapy, hormonal therapy, alpha-blockers, anti-anxiolytic, and acupuncture, which provide more choice for the urologist.

Selective dorsal neurotomy in the treatment of premature ejaculation: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Premature ejaculation (PE) affects 8% to 30% of adult men worldwide. Recently, the incidence of PE is on the rise. A series of prior studies suggested that the incidence of PE is related to various biological factors as low testosterone, low serum vitamin D, diabetes, lower urinary tract symptoms, and other psychological factors.

[Effect of Qiangjing Tablets on the MAPK signaling pathway in SD rats with asthenospermia].

Objective: To investigate the effects of Qiangjing Tablets (QJT) on sperm quality and the MAPK signaling pathway in the SD rat model of asthenospermia (AS).

Methods: A total of 100 male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups of equal number, blank control, AS model control, high-dose QJT, medium-dose QJT, and low-dose QJT. All the rats were intragastrically administered ORN at 200 mg/kg/d for establishment of the AS model except those in the blank control group, which were given 1% CMC sodium solution at 1 ml/100 g by gavage.

[Inhibitory effect of Qiangjing Tablets on the Fas/FasL pathway of cell apoptosis in male SD rats with infertility].

Objective: To observe the effects of Qiangjing Tablets (QJT) on the semen quality and Fas/FasL signaling pathway in male SD rats with infertility.

Methods: Models of infertility were made in 50 male SD rats by intragastric administration of Tripterygium (GTW) for 3 weeks, and another 20 rats were taken as blank controls. Then 40 successfully established rat models were randomly divided into four groups, model control, low-dose QJT, medium-dose QJT, and high-dose QJT, the latter three groups treated intragastrically with QJT at 58 mg, 105 mg, and 233 mg per kg of the body weight per day, respectively.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes of azoospermia with different causes: 107 cases report.

This retrospective analysis compared the outcomes of fertilization and pregnancy rates of 107 azoospermia patients treating with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Sperms were obtained by testicular biopsy surgery, with which we used in ICSI subsequently. The outcomes were compared by different kinds of causes leading to azoospermia in the 107 cases.

[Longbishu Capsule combined with mesylate doxazosin: an efficacious therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia].

Objective: To assess the clinical effect and safety of the Chinese medicine Longbishu Capsule combined with mesylate doxazosin in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) of the kidney deficiency and blood stagnation type.

Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, double-simulation control study. We equally assigned 60 men diagnosed with BPH of the kidney deficiency and blood stagnation type to an experimental and a control group, the former treated with mesylate doxazosin plus Longbishu Capsule and the latter with mesylate doxazosin plus placebo.

[Correlation of IPSS with IL-8 and COX-2 levels in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis].

Objective: To investigate the correlation of International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) with the levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the prostate tissue and expressed prostatic secretion (EPS) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) complicated by prostatitis.

Methods: We divided 80 BPH patients to be treated by transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) into a simple BPH group (n = 30) and a BPH with prostatitis group (n = 50) based on the pathologic features. We statistically analyzed IPSS and the levels of IL-8 and COX-2 in EPS before surgery and the IL-8 and COX-2 levels in the prostate tissue after surgery.