Erectile dysfunction:

Association between the composite dietary antioxidant index and erectile dysfunction in US men: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common issue among adult males. The Composite Dietary Antioxidant Index (CDAI) reflects anti-inflammatory levels and has been linked to various diseases, but its relationship with ED is unclear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study utilised comprehensive data on clinical factors from the 2001-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). To investigate the link between variables and ED, we used multivariate regression analysis, univariate analysis, and subgroup analysis. The linear relationship between CDAI and ED was investigated by dose-response curve analysis. For sensitivity analysis, propensity score matching (PSM) was utilised to exclude the influence of potential confounders. Finally, we investigated the association between CDAI and ED using threshold effects analysis.

RESULTS

We included in our research a total of 2896 persons with data on CDAI from NHANES 2001-2004. Among these, 2,098 participants were thought to be free of ED, whereas 798 participants had ED. We found that compared to the ED group, men in the non-ED group had higher levels of CDAI (p < 0.0001 before PSM and p = 0.0145 after PSM). Additionally, after adjusting for covariates, it was found that an elevated CDAI was associated with a reduced incidence of ED [OR = 0.65(p = 0.001) before PSM and OR = 0.62(p = 0.002) after PSM]. Subgroup analysis indicated stronger associations in high-risk groups, and dose-response curves confirmed a linear negative correlation between CDAI and ED.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed a negative linear relationship between CDAI and the incidence of ED. The CDAI can be used as an indicator for assessing ED risk and for ED prevention.

I Want You to Want Me: A Qualitative Analysis of Heterosexual Men's Desire to Feel Desired in Intimate Relationships

Current sexual scripts for heterosexual relationships in the Western world stipulate that men should be the ones to initiate sexual activity, push to the next level of physical intimacy, and to desire women (and not be desirable themselves). However, there is building evidence that sexual scripts and gender roles are not only limited, they may be evolving and shifting over time. The purpose of the current study was to explore the degree to which feeling desired is considered important to heterosexual men in intimate relationships as well as how heterosexual men feel desired by their partners. Three hundred men between the ages of 18 and 65 were recruited from the online platform Reddit. Using Thematic Analysis, we determined that the vast majority of men in this study felt that feeling desired was very important to their sexual experiences. Men in this study listed several ways they felt desired, many that fell outside of traditional gender roles such as romantic, non-sexual touch and having women initiate sexual activity. The findings add to a growing body of literature which suggests traditional sexual scripts for heterosexual men may be limiting and not accurate for all men's sexual experiences.

Synthesis and binding studies of 2-arylapomorphines

From codeine, four different 2-aryl substituted apomorphines were synthesised in 6 steps each. Oxidation of codeine with IBX followed by acid catalysed rearrangement gave morphothebaine, which was selectively triflylated at the 2-position and subsequently O-acetylated at the 11-position. The resulting triflate was coupled in a Suzuki-Miyaura type reaction with a series of 4-substituted arylboronic esters which, after deprotection, gave the desired 2-aryl apomorphines. The analogues were tested for affinity towards a range of dopaminergic, serotonergic and adrenergic receptors. 2-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-apomorphine exhibited high affinity for the dopamine D2 receptor. A putative ligand-receptor interaction was put forward.

Sexual Dysfunction After Conventional and Endovascular AAA Repair:Results of the DREAM Trial

PURPOSE

To assess sexual function in the first postoperative year after elective endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and open repair (OR) of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

METHODS

In the Dutch Randomized Endovascular Aneurysm Management (DREAM) trial, 153 patients (141 men; mean age 71 years, range 53-85) were randomly allocated to EVAR (n=77) or OR (n=76). Sexual functioning was evaluated preoperatively and at 5 times in the first postoperative year (3, 6, 13, 26, and 52 weeks) using a questionnaire derived from the Medical Outcomes Study. The proportions of patients reporting sexual dysfunction for any of 5 aspects (interest, pleasure, engagement, orgasm, and erection) and any increase in the magnitude of dysfunction were compared between EVAR and OR.

RESULTS

Preoperatively, the proportion of patients reporting sexual dysfunction in at least 1 aspect was 66% for the OR group and 74% in the EVAR group (p=NS). Surgery had a clear impact on sexual dysfunction. The proportion of patients reporting sexual dysfunction on at least 1 aspect increased to 79% in the OR group and 82% in the EVAR group. The magnitude of sexual dysfunction increased in both groups on all 5 aspects at 3 weeks postoperatively, but this was more pronounced in the OR group (interest: OR p=0.038 vs. EVAR p=0.071; pleasure: OR p=0.009 vs. EVAR p=0.065; engagement: OR p=0.006 vs. EVAR p=0.054; orgasm OR p=0.023 vs. EVAR p=0.112, and erection: OR p=0.046 vs. EVAR p=0.030). At 6 weeks, the OR group still reported a significant increase in 3 aspects (pleasure p=0.031, engagement p=0.010, and orgasm p=0.003), whereas the EVAR group no longer showed a significant difference. From 3 months on, both groups had returned to baseline.

CONCLUSIONS

EVAR and open elective AAA repair both have an impact on sexual function in the early postoperative period. After EVAR, recovery to preoperative levels is faster than after open repair, but at 3 months, sexual dysfunction levels are similar in both groups.