Data on updated hyperuricemia prevalence in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region in China, which is one of the world-class urban agglomerations, is sparse. Overweight/obesity, alcohol consumption, smoking and sedentary behavior are modifiable risk factors (MRFs) for elevated serum uric acid (SUA), but their population attributable fractions (PAFs) for hyperuricemia is still unclear. Using baseline data from the BTH Physical Examination General Population Cohort, we calculated the crude- and adjusted-prevalence of hyperuricemia based on the 30,158 participants aged 18–80 years. Hyperuricemia was defined as SUA >420 μmol/L in men and >360 μmol/L in women, or currently use of uric acid lowering drugs. Overweight/obesity, alcohol consumption, smoking and sedentary behavior were considered as MRFs and their adjusted PAFs were estimated. The prevalence of hyperuricemia was 19.37%, 27.72% in men and 10.69% in women. The PAFs and 95% confidence intervals for overweight, obesity were 16.25% (14.26–18.25%) and 12.08% (11.40–12.77%) in men, 13.95% (12.31–15.59%) and 6.35% (5.97–6.74%) in women, respectively. Alcohol consumption can explain 4.64% (2.72–6.56%) hyperuricemia cases in men, but with no statistical significance in women. Cigarette smoking contributed to 3.15% (1.09–5.21%) cases in men, but a much lower fraction in women (0.85%, 0.49–1.22%). Compared with sedentary time <2 h per day, the PAFs of 2–4 h, 4–6 h, and more than 6 h per day were 3.14% (1.34–4.93%), 6.72% (4.44–8.99%) and 8.04% (4.95–11.13%) in men, respectively. Sedentary time was not found to be associated with hyperuricemia in women. These findings concluded that hyperuricemia is prevalent in this representative Chinese adult general population with substantial sex difference. Four MRFs (overweight/obesity, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking and sedentary behavior) accounted for a notable proportion of hyperuricemia cases. The PAF estimations enable the exploration of the expected proportion of hyperuricemia cases that could be prevented if the MRFs were removed, which warrants the public health significance of life-style intervention.

Background: Growing evidence has demonstrated the important roles of gut microbiota and short chain fatty acids, especially acetate, propionate and butyrate, in the development of obesity and metabolic diseases. To date, the effects of acetate, propionate and butyrate on human adiposity and glucose metabolism remain controversial. This study aimed to explore the associations of systemically acetate, propionate and butyrate with obesity and glucose homeostasis in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity. Methods: A total of 12 patients with T2D and obesity and 8 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals with BMI < 24 kg/m² were enrolled in this study. Height, weight, body composition, blood pressure, biochemical indices, a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test, and plasma acetate, propionate and butyrate were measured at baseline. Then, participants in T2D group were given a weight control therapy, in addition to conventional medication, and all the measurements were repeated 12 months from baseline. The direct segmental multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis was used to assess body composition. Acetate, propionate and butyrate levels were determined by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Results: Butyrate concentration significantly increased from baseline after obvious weight loss (P< 0.05). Correlation analysis showed that propionate was negatively correlated with percent of body fat (PBF) and 2-h plasma glucose (2-h PG) (P< 0.05), and butyrate was negatively associated with body mass index, visceral fat area, PBF and 2-h PG (P< 0.05). No association was found between acetate and obesity. Conclusion: Butyrate and propionate are negatively correlated with obesity and glucose levels in patients with T2D and obesity.

Background: Sexual transmission among men who have sex with men (MSM) is the dominant route of HIV transmission in China. Extensive use of geosocial networking (GSN) smartphone application (app) has dramatically changed the pattern of sexual behaviors and HIV risk among MSM, but data on HIV incidence and the changing risk behaviors of GSN app-using MSM are limited. We aims to assess the HIV incidence and its correlates among gay GSN app-using MSM in China. Methods: We constructed an open cohort which was initiated and maintained using a GSN app to assess the HIV incidence among app-using MSM, recruited from June 2017 to December 2018. MSM completed an online questionnaire on their sociodemographic characteristics, sexual behaviors, recreational drug use and sexually transmitted infections status. Then each man had an HIV test, and those tested negatives were enrolled into the cohort. Participants completed follow-ups with additional HIV tests though the app during the study period, and were censored at HIV seroconversion or study end date. HIV incidence was calculated by dividing the sum of observed HIV seroconversions by the observed person-time. Univariate (Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test) and multivariate (proportional hazards regression) analyses were used to examine correlates of HIV incidence. Results: A total of 6957 HIV negative MSM were enrolled in the open cohort, 37 seroconversions occurred among 1937 men contributing 1065 observed person-years: HIV incidence was 3.47 per 100 person-years [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.37–4.57]. More than five sexual partners [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.65, 95% CI: 1.04–6.67], and sex with HIV positive partners (HR = 3.82, 95% CI: 1.16–12.64) in the preceding six months were positively associated with HIV seroconversion. Consistent condom use for anal sex (HR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.07–0.96), and reporting insertive anal sex only (HR = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.08–0.62) in the preceding six months were protective factors for HIV seroconversion. Conclusions: Tailored interventions targeting app-using MSM are urgently needed given their high risk of HIV. As a new tool for accessing MSM at higher HIV risk, GSN smartphone app could play an important role in HIV research among MSM.

To investigate whether methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) is correlated with sexual dysfunction in heroin-dependent men and to determine the prevalence and risk factors of sexual dysfunction among men on MMT. The study included a retrospective survey and a cross-sectional survey which contained interviews of 293 men who are currently engaged in MMT. The results of the two surveys were compared. For a subset of 43 participants, radioimmunoassay was additionally conducted using retrospective and prospective blood samples to test the levels of plasma testosterone and luteinizing hormone. Other study evaluations were the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15), and Self-rating Depression Scale. Sexual dysfunction in all five IIEF-15 domains (erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction, and overall satisfaction) was strongly associated with long-term use of heroin. A decrease in the severity of sexual dysfunction was associated with MMT initiation. Erectile dysfunction, lack of sexual desire, inability to orgasm, and lack of intercourse satisfaction were significantly correlated with increasing age of the participants. Methadone dose and duration of methadone treatment were not found to be associated with sexual dysfunction. The level of plasma testosterone significantly declined during methadone treatment, but results from multivariate analysis indicated low levels of testosterone were not the main cause of sexual dysfunction. No correlation between reported depression status and sexual function was found. While high levels of sexual dysfunction were reported by heroin-dependent men in our study before and after MMT initiation, MMT appears to be correlated with improved sexual function in the population of the study.

We aim to investigate the joint effect of triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and polygenic risk scores (PRS) of urate transporter genes ABCG2 and SLC2A9 on hyperuricemia. Baseline data from two prospective population-based cohort studies, including 30,453 individuals aged 50 years or older, were used to analyze the association between TyG index and hyperuricemia. A case-control study was then designed from the cohorts to investigate the interaction between genetic predisposition and TyG index on hyperuricemia among 595 matched pairs. PRS was constructed using 14 single nucleotide polymorphisms located in the ABCG2 and SLCA29 genes. In both sexes, higher TyG index levels were correlated with elevated serum urate (SUA) levels (p values in both sexes < 0.001). In men, per unit increase of TyG was associated with a 1.44-fold (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.35-1.55) higher risk of hyperuricemia after adjusted for covariates. In women, this estimate was 1.69 (1.51-1.89). Demonstrated by the restrict cubic spline model, TyG index was both linearly and non-linearly associated with elevated SUA (both p values < 0.001). Association between TyG index and hyperuricemia was stronger among people with higher genetic risk, and vice versa. Compared to people with TyG < 9 and PRS < 2, the odds ratios (ORs) (95% CIs) for hyperuricemia in the TyG <9 but PRS ≥2, TyG ≥9 but PRS < 2, TyG ≥9 and PRS ≥2 groups were 3.30 (1.53-7.14), 3.16 (1.23-8.11) and 7.55 (2.76-20.65), respectively. Additive interaction was also significant, with 57.5% (30.5%-84.4%) of the excess risk attributable to the additive gene-TyG index interaction. The impact of genetic predisposition on hyperuricemia was significantly greater among individuals with a higher TyG index. Over 50% of the increased risk can be attributed to the interaction, indicating a crucial synergy between genetic factors and TyG index when estimating hyperuricemia risk.

Background: The relationship between sleep duration and anthropometric indices are still unclear. This study aimed to explore the association between sleep duration and body mass index (BMI), percentage of body fat (PBF) and visceral fat area (VFA) among Chinese adults, further to explore gender difference in it. Methods: We analyzed part of the baseline data of a cohort study among adult attendees at two health-screening centers in China. Sleep duration was self-reported and categorized into short (< 7 h/day), optimal (7-9 h/day) and long sleep (≥ 9 h/day). BMI, PBF and VFA were assessed by bioelectric impedance analysis. Demographic characteristics, chronic diseases and medication history, physical activity, smoking and alcohol drinking behaviors were measured by an investigator-administrated questionnaire. Results: A total of 9059 adult participants (63.08% were females) were included in the analysis. The participants aged from 19 to 91 years with the mean age of 45.0 ± 14.6 years. Short sleep was independently associated with elevated odds of general obesity (defined using BMI) and visceral obesity (defined using VFA) among the total study population, and gender differences were observed in these associations. Among women, short sleep was associated with 62% increased odds of general obesity (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.24-2.12) and 22% increased odds of visceral obesity (OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.02-1.45). Among men, long sleep duration was associated with 21% decreased odds of visceral obesity (OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.64-0.99). No association was observed between sleep duration and PBF in both sexes. Conclusions: Sleep duration was associated with increased odds of general and visceral obesity, and this association differed between men and women. No association was observed between sleep duration and PBF among either males or females.