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Journal of Family & Reproductive Health Dec 2023Dual oxidases (DUOX1, DUOX2) belong to the NADPH oxidase (NOX) family, which produce H2O2 necessary for thyroid hormone biosynthesis. This study aims to evaluate gene...
OBJECTIVE
Dual oxidases (DUOX1, DUOX2) belong to the NADPH oxidase (NOX) family, which produce H2O2 necessary for thyroid hormone biosynthesis. This study aims to evaluate gene expression for DUOX1, DUOX2 in PCOS patients and its relation with thyroid hormone and magnesium levels.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Totally 88 cases were studied including 24 people with PCOS and hypothyroidism, 44 people with PCOS and normal thyroid function, and 20 hypothyroid patients without PCOS. In comparison 40 healthy controls in the age group of 16-35 years matched for age group and BMI were evaluated. Using Vegaro syringe 5 cc of blood was sampled from all 128 people and after RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis using Real-Time PCR technique, the expression level of DUOX1 and DUOX2 genes was investigated.
RESULTS
The results of hormonal tests showed that there is a significant difference between the level of T4, T3, and TSH hormones in hypothyroid patients with or without PCOS in comparison to the control group. Regarding the level of Mg, the results showed that there is a significant difference between the levels of Mg in PCOS group with or without hypothyroidism in comparison to the control group. Gene expression results showed that the relative changes of DUOX1 gene expression in different groups compared to the control group were significantly reduced P<0.05. In the polycystic group with hypothyroidism, the gene expression level showed a decrease compared to the normo-thyroid polycystic group and the hypothyroid non-PCO group, which was statistically significant P<0.05.
CONCLUSION
According to the results of the present study and the previous studies that have been published in the field of Duox1, it can be assumed that the reduction of Duox1 expression can interfere with the oxidative stress system. Further studies with other molecular techniques may help to understand the exact action mechanism of these genes.
PubMed: 38807627
DOI: 10.18502/jfrh.v17i4.14592 -
Journal of Family & Reproductive Health Dec 2023The first-birth interval after a marriage indicates the reproduction behavior of women and influences the population's birth rates and size. The present study assesses...
OBJECTIVE
The first-birth interval after a marriage indicates the reproduction behavior of women and influences the population's birth rates and size. The present study assesses predictors of the interval between marriage and first childbirth in India.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study employed the Cox proportional hazard model and Kaplan Meier Survival plot based on the data collected from 79,787 ever-married women in the 15-49 age group from the National Family Health Survey 2019-2021.
RESULTS
The median age of marriage to the first birth interval was 23 months in India. The older marriage cohort had longer birth intervals than the younger. The hazard ratios (HR) showed that the risk of first birth after marriage was much higher among women with higher education (HR= 2.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.98-2.11) than women without education. Women in urban areas (HR=1.22, 95% CI = 1.20-1.25) had a higher risk of first birth after marriage earlier than women from rural areas. Women from North-east (HR=1.14, 95% CI=1.10-1.18) and South (HR=1.15, 95% CI=1.12-1.19) had a higher risk of having their first birth earlier after marriage than women in the North region. The women who married within 18-24 years of age had a 69 percent higher likelihood of first birth interval than those women who were married below the age of 18. The risk of first birth after marriage increased as women delayed marriage up to age 25 years and more (HR=3.18, 95% CI=3.02-3.35) than others.
CONCLUSION
The timing of first birth was associated with the age at the first marital union, women's educational attainment, place of residence, region, economic status, exposure to mass media, contraception use, and history of pregnancy termination.
PubMed: 38807621
DOI: 10.18502/jfrh.v17i4.14595 -
Frontiers in Sports and Active Living 2024Recent improvements in elite running performances across all distances have been largely attributed to the introduction of advanced footwear technology (AFT), which...
Recent improvements in elite running performances across all distances have been largely attributed to the introduction of advanced footwear technology (AFT), which features a curved and stiff plate working synergistically with a new generation of midsole foams demonstrating enhanced resilience and compliance. These recent improvements appear to be considerably more pronounced in women's events, highlighted by improvements in road racing world records by an average of 3.7% (range: 2.6%-5.2%) compared to mean progressions of 1.5% (range: 1.3%-1.9%) in the same men's events. Although there is a growing body of research investigating the mechanisms underpinning running performance enhancements derived from AFT, there remains no explanation for potential sex-based differences in their benefits. We overview the currently available evidence and highlight why the recent direction of AFT research provides a barrier to progress by focusing primarily on male athletes. We subsequently provide our perspective on why women may be benefiting from the new generation of shoes more than men, suggest potential mechanisms leading to hypotheses that need to be further investigated in upcoming studies, and finally propose that factors outside of footwear innovation may have concurrently driven the recently observed performance evolutions.
PubMed: 38807616
DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2024.1386627 -
Journal of Biomedical Research May 2024Meiotic resumption in mammalian oocytes involves nucleus and organelle structural changes, notably chromatin configuration transitioning from non-surrounding nucleolus...
Meiotic resumption in mammalian oocytes involves nucleus and organelle structural changes, notably chromatin configuration transitioning from non-surrounding nucleolus (NSN) to surrounding nucleolus (SN) in germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes. Our study found that nuclear speckles, a subnuclear structure mainly composed of serine-arginine (SR) proteins, changed from a diffuse spotted distribution in mouse NSN oocytes to an aggregation pattern in SN oocytes. We further discovered that SRPK1, an enzyme phosphorylating SR proteins, co-localized with NS at SN stage and NSN oocytes failed to convert into SN oocytes after inhibiting the activity of SRPK1. Furthermore, the typical structure of chromatin ring around the nucleolus in SN oocytes collapsed after inhibitor treatment. To explore the underlying mechanism, phosphorylated SR proteins were confirmed to be associated with chromatin by salt extraction experiment, and DNase I assay showed that the accessibility of chromatin enhanced in SN oocytes with SRPK1 inhibited, accompanied by decreased repressive modification on histone and abnormal recurrence of transcriptional signal. In conclusion, our results indicated that SRPK1-regulated phosphorylation on SR proteins was involved in the NSN to SN transition and played an important role in maintaining the condensation nucleus of SN oocytes via interacting with chromatin.
PubMed: 38807375
DOI: 10.7555/JBR.38.20240054 -
BMC Psychology May 2024This review seeks to examine the current state of postpartum social support and psychosocial conditions among women around the world, as well as explore the relationship...
PURPOSE
This review seeks to examine the current state of postpartum social support and psychosocial conditions among women around the world, as well as explore the relationship between these factors. Additionally, it aims to propose a logical framework for enhancing postpartum social support and psychosocial conditions in this population.
METHODS
Following the development of a search strategy, two databases, PubMed and Science Direct, were searched for studies published between January 2019 and May 2023. The search was conducted throughout the entire month of May 2023. The risk of bias in the included cross-sectional studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale, which was adapted for this specific study design. To determine if the main objective of the cross-sectional studies was to investigate the relationship between social support and postpartum psychosocial conditions, a review was conducted based on the AMSTAR checklist, PRISMA checklist and PRISMA flow diagram. Data extraction was performed with the consensus of two authors, and a narrative synthesis approach was chosen for data synthesis, following the guidelines provided by the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD).
RESULTS
Eleven cross-sectional studies were included in the final analysis. Our findings revealed that all reviewed studies provided evidence of a positive association between social support and healthy psychosocial conditions in postpartum period. However, due to the absence of standardized measurement indicators to identify and compare the outcomes of various studies, there was a need to develop a conceptual framework that could enhance our understanding of the postpartum psychosocial condition including anxiety, depression, unfavorable quality of life and social support status up to 24 month after child birth. This framework aimed to incorporate childbirth and motherhood as "stressful events," while considering social support as a crucial "coping resource." Furthermore, it acknowledged empowerment, help-seeking behavior, and peer support as important "coping actions," alongside implementing client-centered interventions. Lastly, it recognized postpartum mental health and optimal quality of life as significant "effects" of these factors.
CONCLUSIONS
The proposed conceptual framework could define postpartum women's health as "the ability to adapt and self-manage."
Topics: Humans; Social Support; Female; Postpartum Period; Adaptation, Psychological; Depression, Postpartum; Cross-Sectional Studies; Pregnancy
PubMed: 38807228
DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-01814-6 -
Journal of Translational Medicine May 2024Substantial evidence embraced the nutrition competence of the Mediterranean diet (MD) as a healthy model for decreasing the risk of chronic diseases and increasing...
BACKGROUND
Substantial evidence embraced the nutrition competence of the Mediterranean diet (MD) as a healthy model for decreasing the risk of chronic diseases and increasing longevity, with the bonus of ensuring environmental sustainability. Measuring adherence to this diet is marginally investigated in the Arabian Gulf region, an area away from the Mediterranean region. The current study aimed to assess the MD adherence among adults in Sharjah/the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and to identify the most influential predictors for MD adherence among the study participants.
METHODS
A cross-sectional study design was employed using a self-reported, web-based electronic questionnaire that questioned sociodemographics, lifestyle factors, and familiarity with the MD. The MD adherence was assessed by the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener validated questionnaire. The adherence level was classified as low for a total score of [0-5], medium [score 6-7], and high (8-13).
RESULTS
The study included 1314 participants (age 25-52 years) comprised 822 (62.6%) females and 492 (37.4%) males. There was a moderate adherence score (5.9 ± 1.9) among the study participants. The food constituent expressed the lowest contribution to the MD was fish (9.3%), followed by fruits (12.3%), and legumes (18.3%). The multivariable linear regression analysis showed an overall significant linear trend for the association between the MD adherence score and physical activity, while nutrition information from dietitians and social media were the most two strongly related predictors for the higher adherence (β = 0.747; 95% CI 0.51-0.98, and β 0.60; 95% CI 0.269-0.93; p < 0.001, respectively). On the other side, being a smoker and from a non-Mediterranean country was associated with lower adherence scores (β = 0.538; 95% CI 0.252-0.82, p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
The findings of the current study showed a moderate adherence, low proportion for high adherence, and a gap in the familiarity with the diet name. Being married, physically active, non-smoker, and getting nutrition information from dietitians and social media were the strongest predictors for higher adherence. It is warranted that public health and nutrition specialists/dietitians to tailor new modern approaches for promoting healthy dietary behaviours consistent with the MD.
Topics: Humans; United Arab Emirates; Diet, Mediterranean; Male; Female; Cross-Sectional Studies; Middle Aged; Adult; Patient Compliance; Surveys and Questionnaires; Life Style; Feeding Behavior
PubMed: 38807139
DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05172-0 -
BMC Public Health May 2024Repeat induced abortion is a serious public health issue that has been linked to adverse maternal health outcomes. However, knowledge about repeat induced abortion and...
Individual and community-level factors associated with repeat induced abortion among women in Ghana: a multivariable complex sample logistic regression analysis of 2017 Ghana maternal health survey.
BACKGROUND
Repeat induced abortion is a serious public health issue that has been linked to adverse maternal health outcomes. However, knowledge about repeat induced abortion and its associated factors among reproductive age women in Ghana is very scarce. The objective of this study is to examine individual and community factors associated with repeat induced abortion in Ghana which would be helpful to design appropriate programmes and policies targeted at improving the sexual and reproductive health of women.
METHODS
We used secondary cross-sectional data from the 2017 Ghana Maternal Health Survey. The study included a weighted sample of 4917 women aged 15-49 years with a history of induced abortion. A multivariable complex sample logistic regression analysis was used to investigate individual and community factors associated with repeat induced abortion among women in Ghana. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was used to measure the association of variables.
RESULTS
Of the 4917 reproductive women with a history of abortion, 34.7% have repeat induced abortion. We find that, compared to women who experience single induced abortion, women who experience repeat abortion are age 25-34 years (AOR:2.16;95%CI = 1.66-2.79) or 35-49 years (AOR:2.95;95%CI:2.18-3.99), have Middle/JHS education (AOR:1.69;95%CI = 1.25-12.27), use contraceptive at the time of conception (AOR:1.48: 95%CI = 1.03-2.14), had sexual debut before 18 years (AOR:1.57; 95%CI: 1.33-1.85) and reside in urban areas (AOR:1.29;95%CI = 1.07-1.57). On the other hand, women who reside in Central (AOR:0.68;95%CI: 0.49-0.93), Northern (AOR:0.46;95%CI:0.24-0.88), Upper West (AOR:0.24; 95%CI: 0.12-0.50) and Upper East (AOR:0.49; 95%CI = 0.24-0.99) regions were less likely to have repeat induced abortion.
CONCLUSION
The study showed that both individual and community level determinants were significantly associated with repeat induced abortion. Based on the findings, it is recommended to promote sexual and reproductive health education and more emphasis should be given to adult, those with early sexual debut, those with Middle/JHS education and those who live in urban centers.
Topics: Humans; Female; Adult; Ghana; Adolescent; Young Adult; Abortion, Induced; Cross-Sectional Studies; Middle Aged; Pregnancy; Logistic Models; Health Surveys; Maternal Health
PubMed: 38807108
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18948-2 -
BMC Pediatrics May 2024Early childhood education offers opportunities for stimulation in multiple developmental domains and its positive impact on long-term outcomes and wellbeing for children...
BACKGROUND
Early childhood education offers opportunities for stimulation in multiple developmental domains and its positive impact on long-term outcomes and wellbeing for children is well documented. Few studies have explored early education in children born very preterm (VPT; <32 weeks of gestation) who are at higher risk of neurodevelopmental disorders and poor educational outcomes than their term-born peers. The purpose of the study is to describe and compare the educational environment of children born VPT in European countries at 5 years of age according to the degree of perinatal risk.
METHODS
Data originated from the population-based Screening to Improve Health In very Preterm infants (SHIPS) cohort of children born VPT in 2011/2012 in 19 regions from 11 European countries. Perinatal data were collected from medical records and the 5-year follow-up was conducted using parental questionnaires. Outcomes at 5 years were participation in early education (any, type, intensity of participation) and receipt of special educational support, which were harmonized across countries.
RESULTS
Out of 6,759 eligible children, 3,687 (54.6%) were followed up at 5 years (mean gestational age 29.3 weeks). At 5 years, almost all children (98.6%) were in an educational program, but type (preschool/primary), attendance (full-time/part-time) and use and type of school support/services differed by country. In some countries, children with high perinatal risk were more likely to be in full-time education than those with low risk (e.g. Estonia: 97.9% vs. 87.1%), while the inverse pattern was observed elsewhere (e.g. Poland: 78.5% vs. 92.8%). Overall, 22.8% of children received special educational support (country range: 12.4-34.4%) with more support received by children with higher perinatal risk. Large variations between countries remained after adjustment for socio-demographic characteristics.
CONCLUSIONS
There are marked variations in approaches to early education for children born VPT in Europe, raising opportunities to explore its impact on their neurodevelopment and well-being.
Topics: Humans; Europe; Female; Child, Preschool; Male; Infant, Extremely Premature; Infant, Newborn; Education, Special; Follow-Up Studies; Cohort Studies; Child Development; Early Intervention, Educational
PubMed: 38807056
DOI: 10.1186/s12887-024-04792-1 -
Supportive Care in Cancer : Official... May 2024This study assesses fertility treatment outcomes in female patients who had undergone successful oocyte retrieval following cancer therapy.
PURPOSE
This study assesses fertility treatment outcomes in female patients who had undergone successful oocyte retrieval following cancer therapy.
METHODS
Between January 2020 and December 2022, we collected fertility treatment data from six participating centres in Spain and Germany. All patients associated with this data had undergone successful oocyte retrieval following cancer treatment.
RESULTS
Women had most frequently been diagnosed with a haematological (41.9%), breast (22.6%) or gynaecological malignancy (12.9%); two thirds (67.7%) had previously received a chemotherapy, half a radiotherapy (53.3%) and 45.2% had undergone surgery. On average, 7 years (range 0-28) had passed between cancer treatment and first ovarian stimulation cycle. Forty-nine ovarian stimulation cycles had been conducted on these 31 women between 2004 and 2021 (mean age at first oocyte collection following treatment: 34.8 ± 5.7 years). On average, 7 oocytes were collected per cycle (range 0-26) and 11 were collected per patient (range 0-51). Out of the 190 oocytes collected for immediate use of artificial reproductive technique, 139 were fertilised at a rate of 73%. Live birth rate per fresh transfer was 45% (9/20); no births were reported following cryotransfer (0/10). Mean values of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) before stimulation declined with time since treatment; however, oocytes were successfully collected from four women with an AMH of <0.5 ng/ml, although no pregnancies were reported. Ten pregnancies were documented; 3 ended in miscarriage. Two twin and 5 single pregnancies resulted in nine live births. On average, children were carried to term.
CONCLUSION
In this small cohort, oocytes were successfully collected after chemotherapy and radiotherapy, despite-in individual cases-low AMH values. Further studies are needed to enrich the database and ultimately provide appropriate counselling to female cancer patients regarding expectations and ART outcome following cancer therapy.
Topics: Humans; Female; Retrospective Studies; Adult; Oocyte Retrieval; Neoplasms; Spain; Germany; Pregnancy; Fertility Preservation; Ovulation Induction; Oocytes
PubMed: 38806697
DOI: 10.1007/s00520-024-08586-0 -
Annals of Family Medicine 2024The COVID-19 pandemic abruptly interrupted breast cancer screening, an essential preventive service in primary care. We aimed to evaluate the pandemic's impact on...
PURPOSE
The COVID-19 pandemic abruptly interrupted breast cancer screening, an essential preventive service in primary care. We aimed to evaluate the pandemic's impact on overall and follow-up breast cancer screening using real-world health records data.
METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of women eligible for breast cancer screening through the study period from January 1, 2017 to February 28, 2022 using TriNetX Research Network data. We examined the temporal trend of monthly screening volume throughout the study period and compared the rate of adherence to follow-up screening within 24 months after the previous screening when the follow-up screening was due in the pre-COVID period vs the COVID period. To account for multiple screenings in the longitudinal data, we applied a logistic regression model using generalized estimating equations with adjustment for individual-level covariates.
RESULTS
Among 1,186,669 screening-eligible women, the monthly screening volume temporarily decreased by 80.6% from February to April 2020 and then rebounded to close to pre-COVID levels by June 2020. Yet, the follow-up screening rate decreased from 78.9% (95% CI, 78.8%-79.0%) in the pre-COVID period to 77.7% (95% CI, 77.6%-77.8%) in the COVID period. Multivariate regression analysis also showed a lower adherence to follow-up screening during the COVID period (odds ratio = 0.86; 0.86-0.87) and a greater pandemic impact among women aged 65 years and older and women of non-Hispanic "other" race (Asian, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander).
CONCLUSIONS
The COVID-19 pandemic had a transient negative effect on breast cancer screening overall and a prolonged negative effect on follow-up screening. It also exacerbated gaps in adherence to follow-up screening, especially among certain vulnerable groups, requiring innovative strategies to address potential health disparities in primary care.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Female; Breast Neoplasms; Early Detection of Cancer; Middle Aged; United States; Retrospective Studies; Aged; SARS-CoV-2; Adult; Mammography; Pandemics; Mass Screening
PubMed: 38806260
DOI: 10.1370/afm.3098