Elderly Men Research Articles

Experience of Metronidazole Triple Therapy After Clarithromycin Triple Therapy Failure for Helicobacter pylori Eradication in Korea

Background/Objectives: Bismuth quadruple therapy (BQT) is recommended as the best second-line regimen after failure of first-line clarithromycin triple therapy (CTT) for Helicobacter pylori eradication. However, there are some limitations to this approach, including the lack of an appropriate sequel regimen after failure of BQT and complicated administration. Metronidazole triple therapy (MTT) is simple to administer, but it is not widely recommended. This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of MTT as second-line regimen for H. pylori eradication after failure of CTT. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of the Korean patients with H. pylori infection who underwent second-line treatment after failure of first-line CTT from October 2013 to October 2019. The efficacy of MTT and BQT for H. pylori eradication was compared. Results: The eradication rate in the BQT group tended to be higher than that in the MTT group; however, the difference was not statistically significant (208/233, 89.3% versus 244/284, 85.9%, p = 0.287). Among 40 patients with second-line MTT eradication failure, 21 received the third-line BQT, and 15 showed successful eradication (15/21, 71.4%). In the men 70 years or older, the eradication rate of MTT was lower than that of BQT without statistical significance (75.8% versus 94.1%, p = 0.141). Conclusions: These findings suggested that MTT could be a second-line treatment option, reserving BQT for Helicobacter pylori eradication after first line CTT failure, except in elderly men 70 years or older.

Epidemic characteristics of HIV-infected people among Chinese and Burmese in Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province, 2000-2023

Objective: To analyze the epidemic characteristics and trends of newly reported HIV-infected people among Chinese and Burmese in Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture (Dehong Prefecture) of Yunnan Province, China, from 2000 to 2023, and provide evidence for formµlating AIDS prevention and control measures for the Burmese living in Dehong. Methods: The data were obtained from the Chinese Disease Control and Prevention Information System. The distribution of HIV-infected people with different population characteristics was analyzed, and the Joinpoint regression model was used to analyze the temporal trend of crude detection rate in different genders, ethnicities, and ages. Results: From 2000 to 2023, 24 989 newly HIV infections were reported in Dehong Prefecture, of which 14 594 (58.4%) were Chinese and 10 395 (41.6%) were Burmese. Compared with Chinese, Burmese women (32.9%, 3 416/10 395), those aged 20-29 (40.9%, 4 248/10 395), and Jingpo people (26.7%, 2 773/10 395) accounted for a higher proportion. The new diagnosis rate of Chinese nationals increased from 1.0/10 000 in 2000 to 15.4/10 000 in 2004, and then showed a downward trend, falling to 1.2/10 000 in 2023. Among them, compared with other age groups, Dai and other ethnic groups and women, the new diagnosis rate among 20-49 age group, Jingpo and men were relatively higher, at 1.7/10 000, 2.3/10 000 and 1.3/10 000 respectively. Regarding the method of detection, the Chinese HIV-infected people were mainly detected by key population testing (35.7%), while the Burmese HIV-infected people by key population testing (28.9%) and physical examination for entry-exit personnel (25.3%). The transmission routes of both nationalities were mainly heterosexual transmission, but compared with Chinese HIV-infected persons, the proportion of Burmese infected persons through non-marital non-commercial transmission was relatively higher (66.4% vs. 60.6%). The proportion of Chinese nationals with a first CD4+T lymphocyte (CD4) counts of <200 cells/µl (28.9%) was higher than that of Burmese nationals (19.8%). Conclusions: The rising trend of HIV infection among Chinese and Burmese people in Dehong Prefecture from 2000 to 2023 slowed down. The new diagnosis rate was higher in the 20-49 age group, Jingpo and men. Compared with Burmese HIV-infected people, the proportion of Chinese HIV-infected people with first CD4 counts <200 cells/µl was relatively higher. Comprehensive interventions should be further carried out for Myanmar nationals, and efforts should be made to expand testing for Chinese nationals.

Sexual dysfunction after Rezum therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia: A scoping review for the current insights and findings

AbstractBenign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition among aging men, often leading to lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) of varying severity. Both medical and surgical treatments for BPH can negatively impact sexual function, affecting patients' overall quality of life. This has highlighted the need for minimally invasive interventions that minimize sexual side effects. Rezum, a water vapor therapy, has gained popularity in managing BPH and LUTS due to its proposed potential to preserve sexual function. This scoping review examines the impact of Rezum therapy on sexual function in patients treated for BPH. The review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping reviews. A comprehensive search was performed using the PubMed and Scopus databases up to August 2024. Articles were included if they involved patients treated with Rezum for BPH and reported the effect of Rezum on sexual function using validated scoring tools. A total of 15 studies encompassing 2,425 patients, met the inclusion criteria. Erectile function was assessed in all studies using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scores. Of these, seven studies reported no significant changes in erectile function scores, six demonstrated improvements, and two reported a significant decline. Ejaculatory function was evaluated using the Male Sexual Health Questionnaire (MSHQ). The MSHQ‐Bother score was reported in seven studies, with three indicating improvement and none reporting deterioration. The MSHQ‐Function score was reported in eight studies, with only one study reporting a decline, while the remaining studies found no significant changes. In conclusion, Rezum therapy for managing BPH shows favorable outcomes for sexual function or, at the very least, does not negatively impact it. These findings can guide patient counseling, especially for those seeking to preserve ejaculation. Further research is needed to compare Rezum with other treatment options regarding sexual function.

Vaccine Therapies for Prostate Cancer: Current Status and Future Outlook

Prostate cancer is a prevalent cancer in elderly men, and immunotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment approach in recent years. The aim of immunotherapy is to stimulate the body’s immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. Cancer vaccines that are highly specific, safe, and capable of creating long-lasting immune responses are a key focus in cancer immunotherapy research. Despite progress in clinical trials showing positive results, the practical use of cancer vaccines still encounters various obstacles. The complexity of the immune microenvironment and variations in the immune systems of individual patients have hindered the progress of research on prostate cancer vaccines. This review examines the history and mechanisms of cancer vaccines, summarizes recent clinical research findings, and explores future directions in the development of prostate cancer vaccines.

Sustainable Harvesting Alone Cannot Prevent Decline of the Green Crab Fishery in Portugal

ABSTRACTEstuarine fisheries are of high regional socio‐economic importance worldwide, by providing an important livelihood for many families. The Portuguese green crab (Carcinus maenas) fishery was assessed using a socio‐economic assessment to understand the importance of the fishery and a stock assessment analysis to determine the exploitation status of the fishery during 1960–2020. Fisher knowledge revealed that crab fishing was a family affair that provided a livelihood for hundreds of families directly targeting crabs, with catches exported to Spain during 1960–1990s, and in later years, crab demand increased as bait for octopus fishing. Despite its socio‐economic importance, the fishery was regulated without a scientific basis and economic value of crabs remained similar through time. Annual landings never exceeded sustainable catch rates, but engagement in the crab fishery declined due to low economic value of crabs compared to other fisheries and regulatory hurdles. Consequently, the number of fishermen declined to 20–30 elderly men fishing on the largest estuaries, with the fishery currently on the verge of extinction. Fishers pointed to a reduction in the minimum landing size and enforcement of crab‐specific trap regulations as ways to avert fishery decline. Such changes would stimulate recruitment of new crab fishers, while reducing fishing pressure on other estuarine resources through fisheries diversification.

Exploratory Qualitative Study to Investigate Factors Influencing Men’s Utilization of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services in Kwa-Zulu Natal

Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is essential for men’s health, but a large body of research has indicated that the underutilization of most SRH services by men is a persistent issue that needs to be addressed. Men’s reluctance to access sexual and reproductive health services is one of the factors that leads to high morbidity and mortality rates among men, although their diseases may have been prevented or cured. This study aimed to explore factors that influence the decision of men who resided in men’s hostels and who accessed urology clinics in KwaZulu-Natal to seek help for their sexual and reproductive health issues. An exploratory qualitative approach was adopted using focus group discussions. We interviewed seventy-two men of ages above 15 years. The data were analyzed thematically. The Biomedical Research Ethics Committee (BREC) of UKZN granted ethical clearance (BE 347/19). Of the 72 interviewed men, thirty-three men attended urology clinics in the selected hospitals, and thirty-nine men resided in the hostels around Durban in KZN. Seven themes (lack of awareness of SRH services; participants’ reluctance to access SRH services; influence of culture and religion; lack of financial resources; influence of relationship dynamics; perceived low risk of individual sexual behaviors; and healthcare factors that discourage men from accessing SRH services) emerged from the data that were identified as barriers to SRH service utilization by men, whilst three themes (healthcare enabling factors; access to general information on SRH services; and personal motivational factors) emerged as factors that encouraged the participants to access these services. The participants’ reluctance to access SRH services was attributed to the lack of awareness of available SRH services, the influence of culture and religion, lack of financial resources, relationship dynamics, the perceived low risk of sexual behaviors for individuals, and healthcare workers’ negative attitude towards men requiring SRH services. The availability of healthcare resources, the appointment of more male healthcare workers, and more positive attitudes among healthcare workers will encourage men to utilize SRH services. The exposure of various barriers to SRH service utilization by this investigation warrants urgent attention from the government to impart knowledge about this phenomenon to men.

Yearning for Youth and Vitality: A Plastic Surgeon's View of "The House of the Sleeping Beauties" by Yasunari Kawabata.

The aim of this study was to analyze "The House of the Sleeping Beauties" (れる) by Yasunari Kawabata from the perspectives of plastic surgery, and psychiatry/psychology. The central theme of the novel focuses on aging, desire, and the human connection to beauty and mortality. The protagonist, Eguchi, frequents a brothel where elderly men lie next to young women who are drugged and remain unconscious. This setting highlights the longing for youth and vitality, themes that are prevalent in plastic surgery. From this perspective, the novel offers a somber reflection on the extremes to which individuals might go in an effort to reconnect with their youth, even if it is only symbolic or temporary. Eguchi's journey serves as a metaphor for aging individuals who turn to beauty treatments or cosmetic enhancements in an attempt to regain their lost youth. Unlike the temporary illusion of rejuvenation provided by plastic surgery or anti-aging treatments, the novel highlights the futility and inherent sadness of attempting to recapture what is irretrievably lost. From a psychiatric perspective, the novel may be seen as an exploration of escapism, sexual repression, or unresolved trauma. The setting, characterized by the objectification and infantilization of women, could represent a dissociative mechanism. In this scenario, elderly men project their fantasies and desires onto unconscious women, thereby sidestepping the harsh realities of aging, intimacy, and rejection. In the anti-aging surgery of male patients, it is crucial to recognize their longing for youth and vitality, a sentiment shared by both Kawabata and Eguchi.

Differences in uni-dimensional breathlessness measures and thresholds for clinical response in a randomised controlled trial in people with chronic breathlessness: an exploratory study

IntroductionOptimally measuring improvements in chronic breathlessness in clinical practice and research continues to evolve. The aim of this study was to consider the performance of uni-dimensional measures in chronic breathlessness...

Identification and validation of cigarette smoking-related genes in predicting prostate cancer development through bioinformatic analysis and experiments

The morbidity and mortality rates of prostate cancer (PCa) are high among elderly men worldwide. Several factors, such as heredity, obesity, and environment are associated with the occurrence of PCa. Cigarette smoking, which is also an important factor in the development of PCa, can lead to genetic alterations and consequently promote PCa development. However, the smoking-induced genetic alterations in PCa are unclear. This study aimed to identify the potential smoking-related genes associated with PCa development. The smoking-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) which included lots of PCa datasets. DEGs were subjected to protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis to identify the hub genes. The pathways in which these hub genes were enriched were identified. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset was used to examine the expression of smoking-related genes in PCa samples and estimate their value in predicting tumor progression and prognosis. In total, 110 smoking-related DEGs were got from GSE68135 dataset which included microarray data of PCa patients with smoking or not and 14 smoking-related key genes associated with PCa were identified from PPI network. The expression of the following seven key genes was altered in TCGA PCa patients: EWSR1, SRSF6, COL6A3, FBLN1, DCN, CYP2J2, and PLA2G2A. EWSR1, SRSF6, FBLN1, and CYP2J2 also influenced PCa progression. Additionally, EWSR1 influenced disease-free survival. In the logistic regression model, CYP2J2, which exhibited the highest risk scores, was identified as the risk gene for PCa. We also found one of the smoking-related genes: EWSR1 was truly upregulated in clinical PCa patients and influenced PCa cells invasion and proliferation. This study identified the function of smoking-related genes involved in the progression of PCa.

New Disability in a Cohort Study of Older Men—The Manitoba Follow-Up Study

Background There is a large literature on the prevalence of disability in older men, but less data on the incidence of new disability. Objectives 1. To determine the incidence of moderate-to-severe dis-ability in a prospective cohort study of aging men; and 2. To determine predisposing risk factors for new moderate to severe disability. Design &amp; Setting The Manitoba Follow-up Study is a closed cohort study. In 1948, the initial sample was 3,983 men who qualified for air crew training in the Royal Canadian Air Force. In 2004, there were 796 men who were still alive and responded to the annual questionnaire with no missing data, and who did not have disability. The mean age at that time was 84. Methods We calculated the incidence of new moderate-to-severe dis-ability from 2004 to 2017, calculated the time to disability, and constructed survival analysis models to determine factors which predicted disability. Results The incidence of disability increased with the aging of the cohort and ranged from 4% to 12% per year. In unadjusted models, poor self-rated health (SRH), low life satisfaction, a low score on the Physical Component Score (PCS) of the Short Form–36, and the number of chronic conditions were all associated with new disability. In adjusted models, SRH, the PCS, and the number of chronic conditions were associ-ated with new disability. Conclusions Global measures of well-being, as well as multimorbidity, predict new disability.

Epidemiological investigation of sex hormones and their metabolism-related gene single nucleotide polymorphisms in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia complicated with late-onset hypogonadism: a retrospective cohort study

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common disease in middle-aged and elderly men, and its etiology is not completely clear. Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) is a relatively common disease in the aging process of men. BPH is often accompanied by varying degrees of LOH, and the pathogenesis and progression of the two diseases are related. Sex hormone metabolism-related genes affect sex hormone metabolism, to determine androgen, estrogen, androgen/estrogen ratio, and their single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are common in the population. The relationship between BPH combined with LOH (LOH-BPH) and SNPs in genes related to sex hormone metabolism is still unclear. In this study, the authors hope to clarify the relationship between them through epidemiological investigation. Objective: To investigate the association between LOH-BPH and SNPs of sex hormone metabolism-related genes. Materials and methods: A total of 821 middle-aged and elderly men from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2022, were retrospectively analyzed. According to the diagnosis of LOH-BPH, the patients were divided into LOH-BPH group and non-LOH-BPH group, and the related parameters of the two groups were compared. The parameters included age, total testosterone (tT), estradiol (E2), testosterone/estradiol ratio (T/E), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), parameters associated with metabolic syndrome, parameters related to BPH, the International Index of Erectile Function 5 (IIEF-5) and erectile dysfunction (ED), and SNPs of genes related to sex hormone metabolism. Results: Sixty-eight participants were excluded from this study, and 753 eventually completed the study. ED accounted for 48.21%, LOH-BPH accounted for 41.30%, and non-LOH-BPH accounted for 58.70%. tT decreased with age and was negatively correlated with age (r=−0.68, P&lt;0.0001). E2 increased with age and was positively correlated with age (r=0.61, P=0.032). T/E decreased with age and was negatively correlated with age (r=−0.71, P&lt;0.0001). After adjusting for age, LOH-BPH is significantly correlated with tT (r=−0.754, OR=0.071, 95% CI: 0.0048–0.105, P&lt;0.0001), E2 (r=0.765, OR=3.855, 95% CI: 1.828–5.833, P&lt;0.0001), T/E (r=−0.751, OR=0.000, 95% CI: 0.000–0.000, P&lt;0.0001) and ED (r=0.973, OR=5.02, 95% CI: 4.898–6.578, P=0.001). At the same time, the AA genotype of rs1843090 (r=−0.613, OR=0.052, 95% CI: 0.006–0.44, P=0.007), the CC genotype of rs2279357 (r=0.636, OR=20.963, 95% CI: 2.268–93.793, P=0.004), the GG genotype of rs743572 (r=0.681, OR=7.642, 95% CI: 5.005–11.668, P&lt;0.0001), the AA genotype of rs712221 (r=−0.012, OR=0.468, 95% CI: 0.220–0.881, P=0.018), and the TT genotype of rs700518 (r=0.699, OR=26.04, 95% CI: 16.142–42.008, P&lt;0.0001) were significantly associated with LOH-BPH. Conclusions: The morbidity of LOH-BPH can be associated with SNPs of genes related to sex hormone metabolism.

Association between serum albumin with geriatric nutritional risk index and osteopenia in Chinese elderly men: a nested case-control study.

Malnutrition is associated with a higher risk of osteoporosis. We aim to assess the relationship between serum albumin with geriatric nutritional risk index and osteopenia in Chinese elderly men. This is a nested case-control study from a prospective cohort enrolled 1109 individuals who were followed for seven years. Demographic data, medical history, signs and symptoms, and laboratory parameters were collected and analysed. Nutritional status and Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) were assessed. The nutrition-related indexes predictive value for osteopenia development was analyzed through multivariate Cox regression analysis and by creating a receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), calculating the area under the curve (AUC). Kaplan-Meier (K-M) method was further used to find the nutritional status level in the elderly men. The ALB and GNRI correlated with the risk of osteopenia in Chinese elderly men. After adjusting for all covariates, people with higher ALB level (HR: 0.821; 95% CI: 0.790-0.852) and higher GNRI score (HR: 0.889; 95% CI: 0.869-0.908) had a smaller risk of osteopenia. ROC analysis showed that the AUC for ALB was 0.729 (p<0.05) and for the GNRI score was 0.731 (p<0.05). K-M curve indicated a significant difference in ALB level (p<0.001) and GNRI score (p<0.001) in the respective subgroups. This study found that lower ALB level and lower GNRI score are associated with a higher prevalence of osteopenia among elderly men in China.

Asymptomatic Violaceous Indurated Plaque on the Thigh of an Elderly Man: Challenge.

Asymptomatic Violaceous Indurated Plaque on the Thigh of an Elderly Man: Challenge.

Unravelling the natural history of localised prostate cancer in the post-prostate specific antigen era: implications for clinical management.

Management of localised prostate cancer (PCa) remains controversial in the era of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing. This study aims to describe the natural history of men with PCa being followed up expectantly to evaluate disease mortality. After exclusion, clinical data of 204 patients retrieved from a prospective large PCa registry were reviewed. Competing risk analysis were performed using the Fine-Gray model. The median age was 73 years old with a median follow up of 12.5 years. The median PSA was 8.85 ng/mL and the risk stratification were as follows: low (47.0%), intermediate (31.4%), and high risk (21.6%). There were 19 PCa (9.3%) and 84 non-PCa deaths (41.2%), with overall mortality at 50.5%. Multivariate analysis showed patients with high PSA values [subdistribution hazard ratio (sdHR) 7.13], poorer prostate cancer grade groups (PCGG) (sdHR 16.349), and therefore higher European Association of Urology risk group (sdHR 11.42) had greatly elevated prostate cancer mortality (PCM). Older patients greater than 75 years of age (sdHR 4.52) and high Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI ≥6) scores had higher non-prostate cancer mortality (NPCM) (sdHR 7.87). Subgroup analysis of the high-risk group showed having a lower CCI score (≤3) had a greater risk of PCM than NPCM (sdHR 4.31 vs. 0.22) while the converse is observed for higher CCI scores (1.12 vs. 5.52). Overall PCM remains low in elderly men with conservatively treated PCa. Age and poorer CCI predict NPCM while PSA and PCGG predict PCM. In high-risk PCa group, CCI is a useful tool to determine which patients will benefit from radical treatment.

Epidemiology of hospitalized heart failure in France based on national data over 10years, 2012-2022.

We aim to describe the incidence of HF hospitalization in France in the post-pandemic era, the prevalence of HF cases and patients' characteristics, management and outcomes while focusing on sex, age and socio-economic differences and to analyse time-trends between 2012 and 2022. Based on the French health care database providing medical information for almost the whole French population, patients hospitalized for acute decompensated HF without history of HF in the 5years were identified by the International Classification of Diseases - 10th revision (ICD-10) codes. In 2022, the estimated prevalence of HF was 1.7% in France and has increased until the COVID-19 pandemic and decreased thereafter. The incidence of acute HF decompensation reached 201.4 per 100000 inhabitants and has decreased since 2012 (-1% per year). A significant increase of the HF incidence was found in men aged <45years. Women aged <65years were less likely to be admitted in a cardiac rehabilitation (CR) unit and had higher probability of one-year mortality compared with men of the same age. One-year mortality was significantly increased in patients from the most deprived area among extreme age group only (under 65 and ≥85years). One-year rehospitalization rates have decreased significantly, particularly in men aged <75years. A decrease in ACE/ARBs deliveries was observed in both men and women. Despite the decrease in acute HF decompensation incidence and improvements in the management, the prevalence of HF remains stable in France and prognosis remains poor.

Reducing Exposures to Endocrine Disruptors (REED) study, a personalized at-home intervention program to reduce exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals among a child-bearing age cohort: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundExposures to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have been linked to chronic diseases including breast cancer, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and infertility. Exposure during pregnancy may have a lifelong impact on the fetus. Services are needed to allow individuals to learn about their personal EDC exposures and how to reduce them. Million Marker (MM) aims to crowdsource and scale the biomonitoring of environmental chemicals and provide actionable results to empower individuals to proactively assess, track, and reduce their EDC exposures. In previous research, we developed and tested the first mobile EDC intervention service (mail-in urine testing and exposure report-back) for its efficacy in increasing EH literacy (EHL), willingness to reduce exposures (i.e., readiness to change, RtC), and system usability. After intervention, we found increased EHL, increased RtC in women (but not men), and decreased EDC exposure. However, some participants did not increase their RtC and had difficulty carrying out the intervention on their own. The reasons for these less optimal results were the difficulty in the EHL subject matter—participants still felt ill-prepared to apply their knowledge to making healthier lifestyle changes. Therefore, in this study, we will address these perceived limitations.MethodsWe will test a self-directed online interactive curriculum with live counseling sessions and individualized support modeled after the highly effective Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). Recruiting from the Healthy Nevada Project (HNP), one of the largest population health cohorts in the world, we test the effectiveness of our EDC-specific online intervention curriculum via EHL and RtC surveys and determine changes in EDC exposure before and after intervention in a randomized controlled trial. We will also test for common clinical biomarkers via a commercially available at-home test (Siphox). We will recruit and randomize 300 women and 300 men of reproductive age (total n=600) from HNP. Our target population is men and women of reproductive age (18–44 years old).DiscussionAt the conclusion of this project, we will be well-positioned to scale our services to clinics and the general public, with the eventual aims of FDA approval, insurance coverage, and incorporation into routine clinical care.

Transnational Identity and Humor in Bernardine Evaristo’s Mr Loverman

ABSTRACT Bernardine Evaristo’s Mr Loverman narrates the story of Barry, a closeted homosexual and an elderly Caribbean-born man who has been living in London for 50 years. Barry experiences an identity conflict due to the clash between his sexual orientation and the heteronormative norms of the Caribbean society. His sense of belonging to the Caribbean community constantly shifts because of his sexual identity affiliated with Western nation-states. This unravels his transnational identity since transnational identities are constantly positioned and repositioned in different national and/or cultural spaces. Barry’s humorous perspective, his jokes, and comic anecdotes dominate the narrative while intensifying and complicating his problematic sense of belonging. The constant change of the direction of Barry’s laughter which either targets the Caribbean or the non-heteronormative community enhances his transnational identity and compels the reconsideration of identity categories. In this sense, focusing on humor and Barry’s jokes in Mr Loverman, this study discusses that humor is employed to transgress the concept of identity by drawing attention to Barry’s transnational identity.

Serum IL-6 and TGF-β1 concentrations as diagnostic biomarkers in elderly male patients with osteoporosis.

This research is intended to evaluate the correlations of serum IL-6 and TGF-β1 concentrations with bone density and turnover markers as well as their diagnostic value in elderly male patients with osteoporosis (OP). A retrospective analysis was conducted on 335 elderly men (≥ 60years; 90 with normal bone mass, 120 osteopenia cases, and 125 OP cases). Lumbar spine/femoral neck BMD values were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Correlations of serum IL-6 and TGF-β1 concentrations with bone density and bone turnover markers in OP patients were analyzed utilizing Pearson or Spearman correlation coefficients. Independent influencing factors for OP were identified by logistic multivariate regression analysis. The diagnostic value of serum IL-6 and TGF-β1 was assessed with ROC curves and MedCalc software. Smoking history, drinking history, lumbar spine BMD, femoral neck BMD, PINP, and β-CTX markedly differed among the normal bone mass, osteopenia, and OP groups. Elevated IL-6 and reduced TGF-β1 concentrations were observed in serum samples of OP. Serum IL-6 concentrations was inversely associated with bone density markers but positively lined to bone turnover markers. Conversely, serum TGF-β1 was positively related to bone density markers but negatively associated with bone turnover markers. Smoking history, PINP, and IL-6, were identified as independent risk factors while lumbar spine BMD, femoral neck BMD, and TGF-β1 were independent protective markers for OP. The combined assessment of serum IL-6 and TGF-β1 showed superior diagnostic performance for OP. Serum IL-6 in combination with TGF-β1 exhibits good diagnostic performance for OP. Diagnostic: individual cross-sectional studies with consistently applied reference standard and blinding.

IN SILICO DOCKING AND DYNAMICS OF SELECTED SECONDARY METABOLITES OF ALBIZIA LEBBECK AGAINST ANDROGEN RECEPTOR (AR) FOR THE TREATMENT OF PROSTATE CANCER

Prostate cancer, one of the life-threatening cancers worldwide diagnosed in most elderly men and is influenced by ethnicity, genetic factors, and family history. This article focuses on molecular docking and dynamics simulation for the secondary metabolites (13 compounds) obtained from the methanolic extract of Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth against human androgen receptor which plays a crucial role in the progression of cancer and metastasis. Initially, ADMET properties and bioactivity of the ligands were analyzed followed by molecular docking of these ligands and their interactions with the target protein (Androgen Receptor). The compounds 1, 1, 1-Trifluoroheptadecan-2-one and 1-(5-Methylthiophen-2-yl)-N-[(5-methylthiophen-2-yl) methyl] were observed to have the highest binding affinity of -6.8 kcal/mol and -6.5 kcal/mol respectively when compared against the standard, Darolutamide (FDA approved drug) which had a score of -5.1 kcal/mol were taken into consideration. 1, 1, 1-Trifluoroheptadecan-2-on (FLU) and 1-(5-Methylthiophen-2-yl)-N-[(5-methylthiophen-2-yl) methyl] (UND) along with the protein complex were further proceeded with dynamic simulation. The binding energy of FLU and UND system throughout the simulation was studied with an explicit MM-PBSA comparison and was found to be -99.618+14.446 KJ/mol and -117.833+14.838 KJ/mol, influenced by the van der waals energy which was greater in the UND system i.e.-144.227+13.814 KJ/mol than that of the FLU system i.e.-117.054+11.774 KJ/mol. Both the systems were relatively stable with exemplary flexibility and there were no changes in the protein at the structural level during the dynamic simulation. Both FLU and UND systems could become potential therapeutic drugs with further studies.

Correlation between benign prostatic hyperplasia and comorbidities: a systematic analysis integrating global burden of disease and mendelian randomization study

BackgroundBenign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common chronic condition in elderly men. Observational studies have identified several comorbidities associated with BPH. However, these studies are limited by various confounding factors and do not clearly explain the association between BPH and its comorbidities. We investigated the association between BPH and comorbidities using the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database combined with Mendelian randomization (MR) methods.MethodsThrough an extensive PubMed search, we identified 22 diseases associated with BPH and selected 9 significant comorbidities from the GBD database for a detailed correlation analysis. We also considered socio-economic and environmental influences on BPH. Utilizing the GWAS database, we gathered data on BPH and 20 comorbidities, employing the Linkage Disequilibrium Score Regression (LDSC) method to unearth genetic connections. Causality was determined through both univariable and multivariable bidirectional MR analyses, supplemented by Steiger directionality tests to confirm causation. The study’s integrity was fortified by employing various MR models and conducting rigorous sensitivity analyses. The synthesis of GBD data with LDSC and MR findings offered a nuanced understanding of the BPH-comorbidity nexus. Additionally, we explored the genetic basis and the role of mediating factors between BPH and comorbidities through phenome-wide association studies (PheWAS), colocalization analysis, and mediation MR.ResultsCorrelation analysis of GBD data found associations of prostate cancer, chronic kidney disease and depression with BPH. LDSC results indicated that prostatitis and bladder cancer are related to BPH. Two associations were replicated in bidirectional univariable MR, linking BPH with a higher risk of prostatitis and prostate cancer. conducted sensitivity analyses to confirm the robustness of the results and all Steiger directionality tests were correct. Multiple multivariable MR models validated these results. PheWAS analysis showed that outliers in MR do not significantly impact MR results. Through colocalization analysis, three shared loci between BPH and both prostatitis and prostate cancer were identified. Mediation analysis found that, after adjusting for BPH, fruit consumption was associated with a lower risk of prostatitis, and morning person and chronotype were associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer.ConclusionsThis study uncovered associations between BPH and various comorbidities, emphasizing the causal relationships between BPH, prostatitis, and prostate cancer. Our research provides a new perspective in understanding the comorbid associations of BPH.