Concentrations In Women Research Articles

HUBUNGAN ASUPAN BESI HEME DAN NON-HEME KADAR FERRITIN PADA CALON PENGANTIN PEREMPUAN DI KOTA PADANG

Women of childbearing age are prone to anemia, especially iron-deficiency anemia. The outcome might be seen in the high maternal mortality rate in the Padang city (16 cases. Serum ferritin can be used as an initial indicator to determine iron deficiency. A decrease in serum ferritin levels can be influenced by iron intake. This study aimed to determine the relationship between heme and non-heme iron intake with ferritin serum concentration in women’s bride candidates in Padang City. This analytical study with a cross-sectional design involved 30 bride candidates, 20-30 years old. Iron intake were collected using the Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (SQ-FFQ), and serum ferritin levels were measured using the Enhanced ChemiLuminescence Immuno Assay (ECLIA) method. Data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient test. The results showed the mean of heme and non-heme iron intake was 2.76 ± 0.90 mg/day and 3.83 ± 0.97 mg/day, respectively, and the mean of serum ferritin levels was 46.27 ± 27.61 ng/ml. The test showed no significant correlation between heme (r=0.094, p=0.622) and non-heme iron (r=-0.179, p=0.345) intake with serum ferritin levels. This study concludes that there is no relationship between heme and non-heme iron intake with serum ferritin levels on bride candidates in Padang City. Therefore, to prevent the incidence of anemia during pregnancy, it is highly recommended for the brides to increase their iron intake from both animal and vegetable sources.

ASCORBIC ACID LEVELS IN PPROM AND ITS MATERNAL AND PERINATAL OUTCOME

Background: Preterm prelabour rupture of membranes is the spontaneous rupture of fetal membranes before 37 completed weeks of gestation and before onset of labour. It complicates approximately 1-5 % of all pregnancies and contributes to one- third of preterm births. The biochemical mechanism in membrane rupture is disturbances in collagen structure and increased oxidative stress. Vitamin C deciency during pregnancy leads to abnormal collagen formation leading to preterm, prelabour rupture of membranes and complications. This study was undertaken to establish the relation between maternal plasma vitamin C concentration in women with PPROM and women without PPROM and to correlate the neonatal morbidity and mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This case control study was conducted in Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, J.J.M Medical College, Davangere. 120 patients were studied, 60 were in study group (patients admitted to labour room with h/o PPROM) and 60 in the control group (patients admitted to labour room at term for delivery). Fasting blood sample was taken to measure the plasma vitamin C levels in both the groups. RESULTS: Plasma vitamin C levels were low in PPROM patients and the concentration decreased as the pregnancy advanced, this proves linear relationship between plasma vitamin C levels and PPROM. The results of this study showed decreased plasma vitamin C levels leading to PPROM, preterm deliveries, increased NICU admissions, increased perinatal morbidity, mortality, maternal anaemia in study group than in control group. CONCLUSION: As vitamin C deciency during pregnancy leads to PPROM, it's supplementation during pregnancy along with iron and calcium in second and third trimester should be made mandatory

Expression of metalloproteinases 2 and 9 and plasma zinc concentrations in women with fibroadenoma.

This study aims to investigate the association between the immunohistochemical expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 and plasma zinc in women with fibroadenoma. This cross-sectional study included 37 premenopausal women with fibroadenoma. Waist circumference and body mass index of the participants were measured. Plasma zinc concentrations were determined using atomic flame absorption spectrophotometry. Fragments of breast tissue were fixed and incubated with primary mouse monoclonal antibodies (monoclonal antibodies matrix metalloproteinase -2 -507 and monoclonal antibodies matrix metalloproteinase -9-439). Semi-quantitative analysis of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 immunoreactivity was performed. Spearman's test and Friedman's test were used for statistical analyses. The p<0.05 were considered statistically significant. The average age of the participants was 32.81±9.51 years. The body mass index and waist circumference values were within the normal range. The mean plasma zinc concentration was 42.73±13.84 µg/dL, with 94.6% inadequacy. A statistically significant difference was found between the positive expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (p=0.0184). There was no significant correlation between the matrix metalloproteinase expression and the plasma zinc levels. Women with fibroadenoma had hypozincemia and positive expression of metalloproteinases.

Plasma Volume Is an Important Determinant in Assessing Metabolic and Iron Biomarkers in Young Women

Abstract Objectives Plasma volume (PV) variations among individuals can affect the concentration of blood biomarkers but this is not often evaluated in assessing nutritional status. We aimed to assess the association between estimated PV, metabolic and iron biomarkers in young obese and normal weight women. Methods Healthy women aged 18–30 y were recruited for the study (n = 47: 25 obese and 22 normal weight). Fasting venous blood samples were obtained to measure serum lipids, comprehensive metabolic panel, iron biomarkers (serum iron, total iron binding capacity, transferrin saturation (%TS), hemoglobin, ferritin and, hepcidin). PV was estimated using Kaplan-Hakim formula: PV = (1-hematocrit) × [a + (b × weight in kg)] where adjustment factors were a = 864, and b = 47.9. Associations between PV and other biomarkers were assessed using Pearson's correlation. Results As expected, PV was higher in obese (3482 (545) mL) than normal weight women (2268 (250) mL). When all subjects were combined PV was negatively correlated with HDL (r = −0.49, P = 0.001), creatinine (r = −0.48, P = 0.001), sodium (r = −0.31, P = 0.034), calcium (r = −0.30, P = 0.044), albumin (r = −0.46, P = 0.001), serum iron (r = −0.34, P = 0.022), and %TS (r = −0.31, P = 0.036) but positively correlated with triglycerides (r = 0.40, P = 0.005), cholesterol/HDLC ratio(r = 0.55, P &amp;lt; 0.001). In normal weight women, PV was not correlated with any of these biomarkers. However, in obese women, there was a strong correlation of PV with creatinine (r = −0.61, P = 0.001), calcium (r = −0.50, P = 0.012), and albumin (r = −0.43, P = 0.030). Conclusions Our results suggest that differences in PV may account for some variations in serum lipids, creatinine, sodium, calcium, albumin, and iron biomarker concentrations in women. This implies that different cutoffs may be needed for defining deficiencies in obesity after correcting for plasma volume. Funding Sources Doris A. Adams Endowed Chair funds at Iowa State University.

Effects of Hormonal Contraception Use on Cognitive Functions in Patients With Bulimia Nervosa.

Background: Growing evidences indicate that sex hormones have an effect on cognitive functions, and that Bulimia Nervosa (BN) is associated with cognitive impairment. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of hormonal contraception (HC) use on four cognitive functions that are impaired in patients with BN.Methods: This retrospective exploratory study included 103 women with a diagnosis of BN based on the DSM-5 criteria. Their age ranged from 15 to 45 years, and 46.6% were taking HC (oral, transdermal, or intrauterine). Cognition was assessed with the d2 test (attention), Iowa gambling task (IGT; decision making), Brixton spatial anticipation test (set shifting), and Rey-Osterrieth complex figure test (central coherence). Data were analyzed with logistic regression models to estimate the adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of HC effect on the neuropsychological test scores.Results: In the multivariate model, HC use was significantly associated with better scores for two d2 test indices: F-score [OR = 0.98, 95% CI = (0.95; 0.99)] and final total score ratio [OR = 0.87, 95% CI = (0.77; 0.99)]. HC was also associated with a better understanding of the IGT explicit rules. No difference between the two groups (HC and non-HC use) was detected for set shifting and central coherence.Conclusions: This exploratory study suggests that HC could have effects on the sustained attention and concentration in women with BN. More studies are needed to confirm these results.

Social support reduces the risk of unintended pregnancy in a low-income population.

To identify individual and interpersonal level associations to pregnancy intention to use as leverage points to build resilience. A cross-sectional, secondary analysis of Medicaid eligible pregnant women in Kentucky (n=309). Sixty-two percent reported their current pregnancy was unintended. Older age, partnered, negative drug screen, and increased social support were associated with decreased odds of unintended pregnancy. For every 1 unit increase of belonging and tangible social support, women were 13% and 14% (respectively) less likely to have an unintended pregnancy (OR=0.87, 95% CI=0.78-0.97, p=.011, OR=0.86, 95% CI=0.77-0.95, p=.005). A positive drug screen was associated with an almost three-fold increase in the odds of unintended pregnancy (OR=2.88, 95% CI=1.49-5.58, p=.002). Public health nurses can play a critical role in reducing unintended pregnancy rates by promoting social support, inclusion, and acceptance. There remains a critical need to identify barriers and facilitators to pregnancy planning for persons who use illicit drugs.

Impact of high-dose folic acid supplementation in pregnancy on biomarkers of folate status and 1-carbon metabolism: An ancillary study of the Folic Acid Clinical Trial (FACT)

Periconceptional folic acid (FA) supplementation is recommended to prevent the occurrence of neural tube defects. Currently, most over-the-counter FA supplements in Canada and the United States contain 1 mg FA and some women are prescribed 5 mg FA/d. High-dose FA is hypothesized to impair 1-carbon metabolism. We aimed to determine folate and 1-carbon metabolism biomarkers in pregnant women exposed to 1 mg or 5 mg FA. This was an ancillary study within the Folic Acid Clinical Trial (FACT), a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, phase III trial designed to assess the efficacy of high-dose FA to prevent preeclampsia. For FACT, women were randomized at 8-16 gestational weeks to receive daily 4.0 mg FA (high dose) or placebo (low dose) plus their usual supplementation (≤1.1 mg). Women were recruited from 3 Canadian FACT centers and provided nonfasting blood samples at 24-26 gestational weeks for measurement of RBC and serum total folate, serum unmetabolized FA (UMFA), tetrahydrofolate (THF), 5-methylTHF, 5-formylTHF, 5,10-methenylTHF, and MeFox (pyrazino-s-triazine derivative of 4α-hydroxy-5-methylTHF, a 5-methylTHF oxidation product); total vitamins B-12 and B-6; and plasma total homocysteine. Group differences were determined using χ2, Fisher exact, and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Nineteen (38%) women received high-dose FA and 31 (62%) received low-dose FA. The median RBC folate concentration was 2701 (IQR: 2243-3032) nmol/L and did not differ between groups. The high-dose group had higher serum total folate (median: 148.4 nmol/L, IQR: 110.4-181.2; P=0.007), UMFA (median: 4.6 nmol/L, IQR: 2.5-33.8; P=0.008), and 5-methylTHF (median: 126.6 nmol/L, IQR: 98.8-158.6; P=0.03) compared with the low-dose group (median: 122.8 nmol/L, IQR: 99.5-136.0; median: 1.9 nmol/L, IQR: 0.9-4.1; median: 108.6 nmol/L, IQR: 96.4-123.2, respectively). Other biomarkers of 1-carbon metabolism did not differ. High-dose FA supplementation in early pregnancy increases maternal serum folate but not RBC folate concentrations, suggesting tissue saturation. Higher UMFA concentrations in women receiving high-dose FA supplements suggest that these doses are supraphysiologic but with no evidence of altered 1-carbon metabolism.

A Rapid Amniotic Fluid Interleukin-6 Assessment for the Identification of Intra-Amniotic Inflammation in Women with Preterm Labor and Intact Membranes

Objectives: A multivariable predictive model has recently been developed with good accuracy to predict spontaneous preterm delivery within 7 days in women with preterm labor (PTL) and intact membranes. However, this model measures amniotic fluid (AF) interleukin (IL)-6 concentrations using the ELISA method, thereby limiting clinical implementation. The main objectives of this study were to validate the automated immunoassay as a quantitative method to measure AF IL-6 in women with PTL and to evaluate the diagnostic performance of AF IL-6 alone and as part of a multivariable predictive model to predict spontaneous delivery in 7 days with this automated method. Study Design: This is a retrospective observational study in women with PTL below 34 weeks who underwent amniocentesis to rule out microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity. Women with clinical signs of chorioamnionitis, cervical length measurement at admission >5th centile, maternal age <18 years, and no consent to perform amniocentesis for this indication were excluded. The local Institutional Review Boards approved the study (HCB/2019/0940). Analysis of AF IL-6 Concentrations: AF IL-6 concentrations were measured using an automated Cobas e602 electrochemiluminescence immunoanalyzer and Human IL-6 Quantikine ELISA kit. Results: Of the entire study group (n = 100), 38 women spontaneously delivered within 7 days after admission. Both laboratory methods showed good agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.937 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.908–0.957); p < 0.001). Diagnostic performance of AF IL-6 to predict spontaneous delivery within 7 days when it was included in the multivariable predictive model showed an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.894 (95% CI 0.799–0.955), sensitivity of 97%, specificity of 74%, positive predictive value of 73%, negative predictive value of 97%, positive likelihood ratio (LR) of 3.7, and negative LR of 0.045. Conclusion: While both analytical methods were comparable for measuring AF IL-6 concentrations in women with PTL, the Cobas immunoanalyzer provided rapid diagnosis of intra-amniotic inflammation within minutes. The predictive model showed a good diagnostic performance to target women at high risk of spontaneous delivery within 7 days.

Endometrial stem/progenitor cells in menstrual blood and peritoneal fluid of women with and without endometriosis

Research questionAre endometrial stem/progenitor cells shed into uterine menstrual blood (UMB) and the peritoneal cavity in women with and without endometriosis during menstruation? DesignWomen with (n = 32) and without endometriosis (n = 29) at laparoscopy (total 61), carried out during the menstrual (n = 41) and non-menstrual phase (n = 20) were recruited. The UMB, peritoneal fluid and peripheral blood were analysed by clonogenicity assay and flow cytometry to quantify the concentrations of endometrial clonogenic cells, SUSD2+ mesenchymal stem cells (eMSC) and N-cadherin+ epithelial progenitor cells (eEPC). ResultsClonogenic endometrial cells, eMSC and eEPC were found in most UMB samples at similar concentrations in women with and without endometriosis. In contrast, 62.5% of women with endometriosis and 75.0% without (controls) had clonogenic cells in peritoneal fluid samples during menses. The eMSC were present in the peritoneal fluid of 76.9% of women with endometriosis and 44.4% without, and eEPC were found in the peritoneal fluid of 60.0% of women with and 25.0% without endometriosis during menses. Median clonogenic, eMSC and eEPC concentrations in peritoneal fluid were not significantly different between groups. More clonogenic cells persisted beyond the menstrual phase in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis (menstrual 119/ml [0–1360/ml] versus non-menstrual 8.5/ml [0–387/ml]; P = 0.277) compared with controls (menstrual 76.5/ml [1–1378/ml] versus non-menstrual 0/ml [0–14/ml]; P = 0.0362). No clonogenic endometrial cells were found in peripheral blood. ConclusionsClonogenic endometrial cells, SUSD2+ eMSC and N-cadherin+ eEPC are present in UMB and the peritoneal fluid of women with and without endometriosis. Further study of the function of these cells may shed light on the cellular origins of endometriosis.

Monitoring of stimulated cycles in assisted reproduction (IVF and ICSI).

Monitoring of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is necessary to detect as well as reducethe incidence and severity of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) whilst achieving the optimal ovarian response needed for assisted reproduction treatment. Traditional monitoring of ovarian hyperstimulation during in vitro fertilisation IVFand ICSItreatment has included transvaginal ultrasonography (TVUS) plus serum estradiol levels. The need for combined monitoring (using TVUS and serum estradiol) during ovarian stimulation in assisted reproduction is controversial. It has been suggested that combined monitoring is time consuming, expensive and inconvenient for women and that simplification of IVF and ICSI therapy by using TVUS only should be considered. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of monitoring controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) in IVF and ICSI cycles in subfertile couples with TVUS only versus TVUS plus serum estradiol concentration, with respect to rates of live birth, pregnancy and OHSS. In this update conducted in March 2020, two review authorssearched the Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility Group's Specialised Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, the National Research Register, and web-based trial registers. There was no language restriction applied. All references in the identified trials and background papers were checked and authors were contacted to identify relevant published and unpublished data. Only randomised controlled trials that compared monitoring with TVUS only versus TVUS plus serum estradiol concentrations in women undergoing COH for IVF and ICSI treatment were included. Two review authors (IK, AW) independently selected the studies, extracted data and assessed risk of bias. We resolved disagreements by discussion. Outcomes data were pooled and summary statistics were presented when appropriate. The quality of the evidence was rated using the GRADE methods. We did not identify any new eligible studies in this update in 2020. The evidence based on the six trials identified in 2014 remained unchanged. They included 781 women undergoing monitoring of COH with either TVUS alone or a combination of TVUS and serum estradiol concentration during IVF or ICSI treatment. None of the six studies reported our primary outcome of live birth rate. Two studies presented pregnancy rate per initiated cycle and per embryo transfer, respectively. Four studies reported pregnancy rate per woman with pooled data; we are uncertain of the effect ofmonitoring with TVUS only versus combined monitoring on clinical pregnancy rate per woman(odds ratio (OR) 1.10; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.79 to 1.54; four studies; N = 617; I² = 5%; low quality evidence). This suggests in women with a 36% chance of clinical pregnancy using monitoring with TVUS plus serum estradiol, the clinical pregnancy rate using TVUS only would be between 31% and 46%. We are uncertain of any effectin the mean number of oocytes retrieved per woman (mean difference (MD) 0.32; 95% CI -0.60 to 1.24; five studies; N = 596; I² = 17%; low quality evidence). We are uncertain whethermonitoring with TVUS only versus combined monitoring affectedthe incidence of OHSS (OR 1.03; 95% CI 0.48 to 2.20; six studies; N = 781; I² = 0%; low quality evidence), suggesting that in women with a 4% chance of OHSS using monitoring with TVUS plus serum estradiol, the OHSS rate monitored by TVUS only would be between 2% and 8%. The cycle cancellation rate was similar in both arms of two studies (0/34 versus 1/31, 1/25 versus 1/25; OR 0.57; 95% CI 0.07 to 4.39; N = 115; I² = 0%; low quality evidence). The evidence was low quality for all comparisons. Limitations included imprecision and potential bias due to unclear randomisation methods, allocation concealment and blinding, as well as differences in treatment protocols. Quality assessment was hampered by the lack of methodological descriptions in several studies. This review update found no new randomised trials. Evidence from the six studies previously identified did not suggest that combined monitoring by TVUS and serum estradiol is more efficacious than monitoring by TVUS alone with regard to clinical pregnancy rates and the incidence of OHSS. The number of oocytes retrieved appeared similar for both monitoring protocols. The data suggest that both these monitoring methods are safe and reliable. However, these results should be interpreted with caution because the overall quality of the evidence was low. Results were compromised by imprecision and poor reporting of study methodology.The choice of one or the other method may depend upon the convenience of its use, and the associated costs.An economic evaluation of the costs involved with the two methods and the views of the women undergoing cycle monitoring would be welcome.

Dietary Inflammatory Index Is Associated With Inflammation in Japanese Men.

Background: Dietary components are known to affect chronic low-grade inflammation status. The dietary inflammatory index (DII®) was developed to measure the potential impact of a diet on an individual's inflammatory status, and it has been validated mainly in Western countries.Objective: This study aimed to examine the validity of the energy-adjusted DII (E-DIITM) using high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) concentration in Japanese men and women.Methods: In total, 6,474 volunteers from a cancer-screening program (3,825 men and 2,649 women) completed a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and their hs-CRP concentrations were evaluated. E-DII scores were calculated on the basis of 30 food parameters derived from the FFQ. Higher E-DII scores reflect a greater pro-inflammatory potential of the diet. The associations between E-DII quartiles and hs-CRP concentration were assessed using regression models adjusted for age, body mass index, smoking status, and amount of physical activity.Results: Mean E-DII in men and women was + 0.62 ± 1.93 and −1.01 ± 2.25, respectively. The proportion of men and women who had hs-CRP concentration >3 mg/L was 4.7 and 3.1%, respectively. A significant positive association was observed between E-DII score and hs-CRP concentration in men; geometric mean of hs-CRP concentration in the lowest and highest E-DII quartiles was 0.56 mg/L and 0.67 mg/L (Ptrend < 0.01), respectively. The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of having an elevated hs-CRP concentration (>3 mg/L) was 1.72 (1.10–2.67) in the highest E-DII quartile (Ptrend = 0.03) in men. However, no association was observed between E-DII score and hs-CRP concentration in women, except in those not taking prescription medications.Conclusions: DII was associated with inflammation status in Japanese men, but the association was limited in Japanese women.

Association between arthritis treatments and ovarian reserve: a prospective study

Research questionHow do anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentrations in women with and without arthritis compare? Is there an association between AMH and arthritis drug regimen? DesignIn this prospective cohort study, AMH was measured at two time points (T0 and T1) in 129 premenopausal women with arthritis. AMH at T0 was compared with that from a bank of serum samples from 198 premenopausal women without arthritis. Primary outcomes were: (i) diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) (AMH <1.1 ng/ml) and (ii) annual rate of AMH decrease. Univariate, multivariable and Firth logistic regression identified variables associated with annual AMH decrease in excess of the 75th percentile. ResultsMedian time between T0 and T1 was 1.72 years. At time T0, median age-adjusted AMH in women with arthritis was significantly lower than that of women without arthritis (median 2.21 ng/ml versus 2.78 ng/ml; P = 0.009). Women with arthritis at highest risk for DOR had a history of tubal sterilization or were over the age of 35. Those with highest odds of having an annual AMH decrease in excess of the 75th percentile (over 28% decrease per year) were those: over the age of 35 or who sought care for infertility. Women with arthritis taking methotrexate alone (OR 0.08, 95% CI 0.01–0.67) or methotrexate plus tumour necrosis factor-alpha antagonists (OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.02–0.89) were less likely to be in the highest quartile of annual AMH decrease than women with arthritis not taking medication. ConclusionsWomen with arthritis had lower AMH than healthy controls. Long-term methotrexate use was not associated with an annual AMH decrease.

Do women like to farm? Evidence of growing burdens of farming on women in rural India

ABSTRACT Drawing on the findings of an extensive questionnaire-based survey conducted in two Indian states of West Bengal and Gujarat, this paper investigates whether the concentration of women's labour contributions to agriculture has improved their autonomy in decision-making. It shows that women's labour burdens have increased without associated benefits, and raises the question of the invisibility of the ‘preparatory work' that women do on and off the farm to support agriculture. The findings lead to the conclusion that for farming in India to thrive and ensure fulfilling lives for women farmers, the policymakers need to address rural women’s discontent.

Effect of Selected Factors on the Serum 25(OH)D Concentration in Women Treated for Breast Cancer.

Maintaining an optimal vitamin D concentration reduces the risk of recurrence and extends survival time in patients after breast cancer treatment. Data on vitamin D deficiency among Polish women after breast cancer therapy are limited. Thus, the aim of the study was the analysis of vitamin D status in post-mastectomy patients, considering such factors as seasons, social habits, vitamin D supplementation and its measurements. The study involved 94 women after breast cancer treatment. Serum vitamin D concentration was measured, and a questionnaire, gathering demographic and clinical data regarding cancer, diet, exposure to sun radiation, and knowledge of recommendations on vitamin D supplementation, was delivered twice, in both winter and in summer. The control group consisted of 94 age-matched women with no oncological history. In women after breast cancer treatment, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) deficiency was much more frequent than in the general population. Only about half of the patients supplemented vitamin D at the beginning of the study. After the first test and the issuing of recommendations on vitamin D supplementation, the percentage of vitamin D supplemented patients increased by about 30% in study groups. The average dose of supplement also increased. None of the women that were not supplementing vitamin D and were tested again in winter had optimal 25(OH)D concentration. It was concluded that vitamin deficiency is common in women treated for breast cancer. Medical advising about vitamin D supplementation and monitoring of 25(OH)D concentration should be improved.

Prognostic role of increased serum homocysteine concentration in preeclampsia

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess homocysteine (Hcy) concentration in women with preeclampsia (PE). Methods: Hcy concentrations were detected by ELISA in 305 pregnancies. Results: Hcy concentration in patients with PE was 16.07 umol/L at 10–14 weeks as compared to 7.19 umol/L in normotensive pregnancies (p < 0.0001). Optimal cutoff level for Hcy in the first trimester of pregnancy was >9.55 umol/L with area under curve of 0.859, sensitivity of 91.67%, specificity of 72.24%. Conclusion: Assessment of serum Hcy concentration may be used as a predictor of PE, with the highest diagnostic utility in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Unexpected interactions between dolutegravir and folate: randomized trial evidence from South Africa.

Objective:Dolutegravir exposure at conception was associated with a preliminary signal of increased infant neural tube defect risk. As low maternal folate levels are linked with neural tube defects, we aimed to assess serum folate concentrations in women starting dolutegravir.Design:We analysed serum folate concentrations from stored plasma among women enrolled in the South African ADVANCE trial.Methods:We compared changes in mean serum folate and occurrence of low serum folate (<14.0 nmol/l) at weeks 0, 12 and 24 across study arms. In ADVANCE, 1053 treatment-naïve participants were randomized to initiate tenofovir–alafenamide/emtricitabine + dolutegravir (TAF/FTC + DTG), tenofovir–disoproxil–fumarate (TDF)/FTC + DTG or TDF/FTC/efavirenz (EFV).Results:Analysis includes 406 females, mean age 31.5 years and baseline CD4+ cell count 356 cells/μl. At baseline, folate concentrations were similar across treatment arms. However, serum folate increased over 12 weeks in the TAF/FTC + DTG arm (+4.0 ± 8.1 nmol/l), while folate concentrations decreased slightly in the TDF/FTC + DTG arm (−1.8 ± 8.9 nmol/l) and decreased in the TDF/FTC/EFV arm (−5.9 ± 8.1 nmol/l). Women taking TDF/FTC/EFV had low folate concentrations at both 12 and 24 weeks compared with the other arms (P < 0.001). Of 26 women who became pregnant on study before week 24, folate concentrations increased between baseline and 12 weeks by a mean 2.4 ± 7.1 nmol/l in the TAF/FTC + DTG arm and 2.3 ± 8.4 nmol/l in the TDF/FTC + DTG arm, but decreased by −3.3 ± 8.1 with TDF/FTC/EFV arm.Conclusion:Unexpectedly, no declines were noted in the dolutegravir-containing arms, and concentrations were considerably higher than in the EFV arm. The possibility that dolutegravir may block cellular uptake of folate warrants investigation.

Gender differences in ultradian serum levels of NGF and BDNF correlate with psychophysical traits in healthy humans.

We aimed at investigating the gender and/or ultradian pattern of serum levels of the Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). Blood samples were collected at the 8.00, 13.00 and 20.00 hours of the day in healthy men and women, and the neurotrophins concentration was measured in the serum by ELISA. A further aim of the study was to evaluate whether or not the NGF/BDNF variations might be related to specific physiological or psychological traits as mood, feeling good and feeling rested, sexual desire and energy. Heart rate and blood pressure were also monitored at the same hours in each enrolled subject. The anxiety (STAI-T and STAI-S score) and sleeping quality were once evaluated in the morning too. We found that serum BDNF increases in men and decreases in women from morning to evening, while NGF shows a similar ultradian profile between men and women, but with higher concentrations in women. Both neurotrophins also show gender-related associations with psychophysiological variables. High NGF levels correlated with a high score for all the psychological variables in men, but with a low score in women. An inverse correlation was found between BDNF and energy and sexual desire in women, while no correlations were found in men. These data disclose that the condition of well-being (or activity/arousal status) is featured by an increasing NGF profile in men and a negative BDNF/NGF trend in women. The clinical relevance of the present data is discussed.

Urinary phthalate metabolites and alternatives and serum sex steroid hormones among pre- and postmenopausal women from NHANES, 2013–16

BackgroundExposure to phthalates is ubiquitous across the United States. While phthalates have anti-androgenic effects in men, there is little research on their potential impacts on sex hormone concentrations in women and that also take into account menopausal status. MethodsCross-sectional data on urinary phthalate metabolites, serum sex hormones, and relevant covariates were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013–14 and 2015–16. Women over the age of 20 who were not pregnant or breastfeeding and had not undergone oophorectomy were included (n = 698 premenopausal, n = 557 postmenopausal). Weighted multivariable linear and Tobit regression models stratified by menopausal status were fit with natural log-transformed phthalate concentrations and sex hormone outcomes adjusting for relevant covariates. ResultsPhthalate metabolites were associated with differences in sex hormone concentrations among postmenopausal women only. Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) was associated with lower serum estradiol and bioavailable testosterone concentrations. Specifically, a doubling of DEHP concentrations was associated with 5.9% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.2%, 11.3%) lower estradiol and 6.2% (95% CI: 0.0%, 12.1%) lower bioavailable testosterone concentrations. In contrast, 1,2-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid di-isononyl ester (DINCH) was associated with higher free testosterone, bioavailable testosterone, and free androgen index. Finally, di-2-ethylhexyl terephthalate (DEHTP) was associated with a higher testosterone-to-estradiol ratio. None of these results retained statistical significance when adjusted for multiple comparisons. ConclusionsDEHP, DINCH, and DEHTP were associated with differences in serum sex hormone concentrations among postmenopausal women, highlighting the need for further research into the safety of these chemicals.

Hypomagnesemia and Its Relationship with Oxidative Stress Markers in Women with Breast Cancer.

Reduced serum magnesium concentrations in women with breast cancer compromises one of the antioxidant defense system involved in the carcinogenesis process. To evaluate parameters of magnesium, the enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase, and its relation with oxidative stress markers in women with breast cancer. A case-control study was conducted, involving 60 women in the age range between 29 and 65years, divided into two groups: women with breast cancer (n = 30) and women without breast cancer (n = 30). Plasma; ionized, erythrocytic, and urinary magnesium intake; plasma concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances; and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase enzyme activity were evaluated. The mean value of the amount of dietary magnesium was below the recommended level in both groups studied, with no statistical difference (p > 0.05). Plasma, ionized, and erythrocyte magnesium concentrations of women with breast cancer were reduced in relation to the control group (p < 0.0001) and inadequate according to the reference values. Urinary excretion was high, with a significant difference between groups (p < 0.0001). The mean concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances was high in the study participants, with no significant statistical difference between the groups (p > 0.05). The mean values of superoxide dismutase enzyme activity were adequate, with no statistically significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05). Women with breast cancer have impaired magnesium homeostasis, characterized by its reduction in diet, plasma, and erythrocytes and its increase in urine.

Analyses of maternal plasma cadmium, lead, and vanadium levels in the diagnosis and severity of late-onset preeclampsia: a prospective and comparative study

Introduction Cadmium, lead, and vanadium, important pollutants produced from anthropogenic activities, have been suggested to be embryotoxic and fetotoxic in many studies. However, the causes of preeclampsia are little known and heavy metals merit further investigation. We tested whether late-onset preeclampsia (L-PrE) was associated with exposure to these metals. Methods This study was designed to determine maternal plasma cadmium, lead, and vanadium concentrations in women with L-PrE (n = 46) compared with those of normotensive women (n = 46). The concentrations of the metals were measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and compared. Results The groups were matched for maternal age, gestational age, and gravidity (p ≥ 0.05). Vanadium concentrations differed between the groups (p = 0.007). In contrast, there were no significant differences in the concentrations of cadmium and lead between the groups (p ≥ 0.05). There was no difference between the concentrations of the metals in patients with mild (n = 23) and severe (n = 23) preeclampsia in L-PrE (p ≥ 0.05). A significant discriminative role of vanadium for the presence of L-PrE, with a cutoff value of 1.84 µg/L, was found in ROC curve analysis. When the patients with and without small-for-gestational-age infants were compared (n = 12, and n = 80, respectively), it was determined that there were no differences between cadmium, lead, and vanadium concentrations (p ≥ 0.05). Conclusion Lower levels of vanadium might be associated with the development of L-PrE. Our findings require further investigation in other populations.