American Journal of Men's Health最新文献

Hyperuricemia (HUA) causes vascular endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress, and simultaneously activates the NLRP3 inflammasome, leading to inflammatory reactions and erectile dysfunction (ED). This study aimed to investigate the effects of QYHT (Quyuhuatanerxian decoction) decoction on the NLRP3 inflammasome and explore its potential in treating HUA-induced ED. This study employed four treatment methods: (a) treating HUA-induced ED patients with QYHT and analyzing changes in gut microbiota abundance and fecal metabolites through 16S sequencing; (b) establishing an HUA-induced ED rat model, treating with different doses of QYHT, and examining changes in serum metabolites; (c) conducting fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) therapy; evaluating erectile function, oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and NLRP3 inflammasome activation levels; and (d) exploring key monomeric compounds and potential targets in QYHT through network pharmacology and molecular docking. The treatment with QYHT and FMT increased testosterone levels, reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory marker levels, and inhibited the expressions of NLRP3-related factors. QYHT affected the gut microbiota structure and metabolite levels. The key components were linoleoyl acetate and mandanol, and the target was JAK2. QYHT decoction regulates the distribution of gut microbiota, improves amino acid metabolism, and effectively inhibits the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes. This, in turn, enhances erectile function and reduces oxidative stress and inflammatory response levels, leading to successful treatment of HUA-induced ED.

The literature on health care disparities among U.S. minority men remains limited, and post-pandemic changes in the health care delivery system may uniquely affect this population. We assessed the factors influencing California-based minority men's compliance with routine health checkup. An IRB-approved survey was conducted electronically by convenience sampling between October 2022 and July 2023. Data was collected on demographics, socioeconomic status, health insurance, and routine checkup attendance. Health insurance literacy was assessed by self-reported ability to locate insurance-covered clinics and health care information. The data was analyzed using random forest modeling with both feature importance and SHAP values for interpretability, and logistic regression analysis. A total of 266 male respondents participated. Of these, 60.5% were under 30 years old, and 66.9% identified as Latino/Hispanic.The majority were employed (82.7%), insured (84.9%), and earned less than $50,000 annually (64.5%). While 71.8% were connected to a clinic or hospital, only 50.8% attended routine health checkup, and 6.8% had visited a doctor in the past year. Key factors influencing compliance included zip code, connection to a clinic and the ability to locate a clinic covered by insurance. These findings highlight that half of insured minority men in California under 60 years of age are not attending routine checkups, suggesting significant barriers related to accessibility and health insurance literacy. Addressing these disparities could improve health care utilization and outcomes in this population.

Our aim is to investigate the prevalence of clinically significant prostate cancer (Gleason score 3+4 or higher) on fusion biopsy for Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) 3-5 lesions based on ethnicity. A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent fusion biopsy between 2016 and 2022 at two institutions. The prevalence of Gleason score 3+4 or higher within each ethnic group (Caucasian, African American, and Hispanics) was assessed. Possible correlation between PI-RADS lesion score and race was also assessed. Among the 918 patients included in the analysis, 54% were Caucasian, 29% were African American, and 17% were Hispanic. A total of 1,384 lesions were identified (PI-RADS 3-34%, PI-RADS 4-40%, and PI-RADS 5-26%). The prevalence of clinically significant prostate cancer by PI-RADS score and ethnicity was similar: (PI-RADS 3-Caucasian 13%, African American 13%, and Hispanic 9%, p = .45; PI-RADS 4-Caucasian 42%, African American 34%, and Hispanic 38%, p = .29; PI-RADS 5-Caucasian 63%, African American 64%, and Hispanic 51%, p = .38). In conclusion, the prevalence of clinically significant cancer did not significantly differ across PI-RADS 3-5 among different ethnicities on image-guided fusion biopsy.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between psychosocial factors and andropause symptoms among Japanese men in an internet-based cross-sectional study. We conducted an internet-based cross-sectional study in 2024, named Japanese Men's health and Andropause Related Symptoms (J-MARS) study. Data on demographics, medical history, andropause symptoms, lifestyles (physical activity, insomnia, height, weight, and smoking and drinking habits), and psychological distress were collected from 1,489 men aged 20-69 years who participated in the J-MARS study. Andropause symptoms were measured using the Aging Males' Symptoms (AMS) rating scale, which was included in the analysis. We conducted a multivariate logistic regression analysis, and estimated odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals to examine the associated factors with severe andropause symptoms. Severe andropause symptoms according to the AMS score were noted in 125 men (8.4%). Severe andropause symptoms were associated with former smoking, current smoking, strength training (≥1.0 hr/day), probable insomnia, moderate psychological distress, and severe psychological distress. After excluding 289 participants with cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, cancer, or depression, severe andropause symptoms were associated with age, absence of a spouse, and suspected insomnia in addition to the above factors. Age, insomnia, and psychological distress were also significantly associated with all AMS subdomains (somatic, psychological, and sexual symptoms). Psychological stress, insomnia, and smoking habits are strongly associated with severe andropause symptoms. These findings may be useful for the prevention of andropause and for patient education.

Tonorezos et al.'s recent analysis of U.S. cancer survivorship prevalence provides insightful commentary on the dramatic increase of those surviving the disease over the last 50 years. This growth is reflective of improvements in cancer detection, treatment, and the effects of an aging population. While survival rates have seen a significant increase, more focus is needed on the long term and postsurvivorship health care. What Tonorezos et al.'s piece also indicates is that survivorship trends reveal disparities based on several variables, such as age, sex, and cancer type. Women tend to be diagnosed earlier and have higher survival rates when compared to men, arguably due to more frequent screenings vis-a-vis a sequela of increased utilization of care. Men have higher cancer incidence rates among the aging population, accompanied by lower survival rates, frequently linked to late diagnosis and less utilization of preventive care. Addressing sex-specific disparities is pivotal to developing future treatment plans among cancer survivors. Health care providers must adjust to the multifaceted demands of the population. Public health movements should focus on increasing awareness and promotion of early detection in the male population, taking note of the successful initiatives seen in women's health. It is imperative that these disparities and long-term needs are assimilated into the comprehensive conversation about cancer care to improve outcomes for all survivors.

Identifying novel risk factors for erectile dysfunction (ED) is crucial for developing targeted intervention. This study aimed to investigate the potential impacts of serum trace elements (TEs) concentration on the risk of diabetic ED. A retrospective case-control study was conducted involving 51 patients with diabetic ED and 51 control subjects. Serum levels of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), and calcium (Ca) were measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). While most selected TEs showed no significant differences, Cu levels were notably higher in patients with diabetic ED. In addition, the Cu/Zn ratio (CZr) was significantly elevated in the diabetic ED group compared to controls (1.3 vs. 1.2 mg/L, p < .001), reflecting its potential relevance to oxidative stress. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that CZr exhibited better diagnostic performance for ED than the single parameter. These findings suggest disruptions in Cu homeostasis and a high probability of elevated CZr in diabetic ED. Further studies are warranted to validate our findings and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

This before-and-after design study, which was conducted during Ramadan 2023, aimed to compare salivary flow rate (SFR), potential hydrogen (pH), and electrolyte concentrations before Ramadan (BR), at the end of Ramadan (ER), and after Ramadan (AR). Men aged 20 to 30 years who were fasting during Ramadan were recruited from the University of Monastir (Tunisia). Unstimulated saliva was collected over a 5-minute period between 10 and 11 a.m. at BR, ER, and AR. After recording the SFR, the pH was measured immediately using a pH meter. Concentrations of several salivary electrolytes (e.g., calcium, potassium, sodium, chloride, and phosphate) were determined using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy. Twenty-seven participants completed all three sessions. Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF) caused significant changes only in calcium levels and pH. The mean (M)±standard deviation (SD) salivary calcium concentration decreased during ER compared to BR and AR (0.10 ± 0.08 vs. 0.21 ± 0.18 [p = .041] vs. 0.22 ± 0.20 [p = .026], respectively). The M±SD salivary pH increased during ER compared to BR (6.88 ± 0.23 vs. 6.69 ± 0.35 [p = .049], respectively). To conclude, RIF decreased salivary calcium, increased salivary pH, and did not significantly affect potassium, sodium, chloride, or phosphate. The pH change, although statistically significant, was clinically insignificant, as values remained normal. The lack of reference values for salivary calcium limits assessment of its clinical impact. There is a need for further research on the effects of RIF on saliva secretion.

Public awareness about the connections between men's alcohol use and poor health outcomes, including increased male suicide risk, has led to reduced consumption and increased use of nonalcoholic beverages-most prominently nonalcoholic beer (NAB). Marketed as a healthy substitution option (i.e., periodically switching to an NAB rather than abstaining from alcoholic beer), the rapidly growing NAB sector might be somewhat redemptive, wherein the alcoholic beer industry (as the predominant producers of NAB) is selling harm reduction to men, albeit for profit. The commercial determinants of NAB are, however, complex and have significant implications for legislation and policy. For example, in Canada, NAB is exempt from alcoholic beer excise duty but considered beer for the goods and services and harmonized sales taxes. Coupled with industry production costs and profit margins, these taxes contribute to NAB and alcoholic beer retail price parity. From a public health perspective, there are also concerns about increasing alcoholic beer brand recognition and sales revenue by extending NAB visibility in more places (e.g., supermarkets), contexts (e.g., taking medication), and activities (e.g., driving). The current article highlights (1) the connections between men's alcohol use and health risks, ahead of discussing, (2) the rise of NAB, and mapping (3) NAB legislation and policy implications. We conclude with a discussion about the redemption, revenue, and men's harm reduction potentials, pragmatically arguing the need to both regulate and incentivize NAB. Proposed are promising directions for future research with the goal of reducing men's alcohol use and associated harms.