Association between atherogenic indexes and erectile dysfunction: a cross-sectional analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001-2004.

PURPOSE: Elevated blood lipids are considered a risk factor for atherosclerosis, which can lead to erectile dysfunction. This study aimed to explore the relationship between the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), atherogenic coefficient (AC), Castelli's risk index-I (CRI-I), Castelli's risk index-II (CRI-II), and erectile dysfunction. METHODS: Based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2001-2004, multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between AIP, AC, CRI-I, and CRI-II with ED. Smooth curve fitting was employed to assess the linear association. RESULTS: A total of 1806 male participants with complete data were enrolled in the study. In Model 1, those in the highest tertile of AIP had a 49% increased risk of ED compared to the lowest tertile (OR 1.49; 95% CI 1.15-1.91 p = 0.0021). After adjusting for the variables of age, race, education, body mass index, and poverty income ratio (PIR), significant positive correlations were found between ED and AIP, with each 1-unit increase in AIP associated with a 65% increase in the risk of developing ED (OR 1.65; 95% CI 1.03-2.64 p = 0.0361). CONCLUSIONS: AIP is positively associated with the development of ED in US adults. More prospective cohort studies are needed to confirm the link between AIP and ED.

Comparison of super-mini-PCNL and flexible ureteroscopy for the management of upper urinary tract calculus (1-2 cm) in children.

OBJECTIVES: To retrospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of super-mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy (SMP) and retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) for children with upper urinary tract calculus (1-2 cm). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Children with upper urinary tract calculus (1-2 cm) who underwent the SMP or RIRS were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into two groups: group SMP, 36 patients; and group RIRS, 25 patients. Patients were evaluated with KUB radiography or CT after 1 month. The collected data were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean stone size was 14.18 mm in group SMP, and 14.00 mm in group RIRS (p = 0.812). Group RIRS compared to group SMP showed longer operating time [76.3 vs 53.9 min (p = 0.002)], and postoperative hospital stay [4.2 vs 2.9 days (p = 0.011)]. The overall stone-free rate (SFR) was 94.4% for group SMP, and 60.0% for group RIRS in 1 month after operation (p = 0.001). The re-treatment rate was significantly higher in group RIRS compared to group SMP [20.0% vs 0.0% (p = 0.009)]. The complication rate was 5.6%, and 24.0% for groups SMP, and RIRS, respectively (p = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: SMP was more effective than RIRS to obtain a better SFR, less re-treatment rate, and complication rate in children with upper urinary tract calculus (1-2 cm).

Inhibiting malignant phenotypes of the bladder cancer cells by silencing long noncoding RNA SChLAP1.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play key roles in process of cancer cell growth and apoptosis and have received increasing attention. SChLAP1 is a novel lncRNA that is required for development and progression of prostate cancer. We hypothesized that SChLAP1 also has important biological functions in human bladder cancer which is another type of urological cancer. METHODS: The expression of SChLAP1 in bladder cancer was determined using real-time qPCR. Bladder cancer T24 and 5637 cells were transfected with SChLAP1 siRNA or negative control siRNA. Cell proliferation, apoptosis and migration were determined using CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry analysis and wound healing assay, respectively. RESULTS: SChLAP1 was overexpressed in bladder cancer tissues compared to paired normal bladder tissues. Cell growth arrest, apoptosis induction and migration inhibition were also observed in bladder cancer T24 and 5637 cells after transfection with SChLAP1 siRNA. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that SChLAP1 plays oncogenic roles and can be used as a therapeutic target for treating human bladder cancer.