Healthy Asian Women Research Articles

Ocular Sarcoidosis Masquerading as Acute Retinal Necrosis: Two Case Reports.

To report two cases of ocular sarcoidosis (OS) initially presenting as unilateral acute retinitis, which mimicked acute retinal necrosis. Retrospective descriptive case reports. Two middle-aged healthy Asian women experienced progressive vision loss in their left eyes over a one-month period. Anterior uveitis, vitritis, and diffuse peripheral retinal infiltration were observed. Comprehensive diagnostic evaluations were conducted, including blood work-up, viral polymerase chain reaction of anterior chamber paracentesis samples, and chest X-ray, all yielding negative results. Despite prompt initiation of antiviral therapy, retinal infiltrations remained unchanged within the first 10 days. Chest CT imaging revealed multiple lymphadenopathies consistent with sarcoidosis. Case 1 was presumed OS, and case 2 was definite OS based on lung and lymph node biopsy results in accordance with the 2017 revised international workshop on OS (IWOS) criteria. In both cases, the retinal lesions gradually resolved after several weeks of systemic corticosteroids, and the best corrected vision of the affected eye improved to 20/25 at the 12 and 6-month follow-ups, respectively. Acute unilateral retinal infiltration in the peripheral region, exhibiting rapid progression resembling acute retinal necrosis, can be a rare manifestation of OS. Chest CT imaging can provide valuable assistance in the diagnostic process, especially when systemic examinations yield no significant findings.

Almond Consumption Increased UVB Resistance in Healthy Asian Women

Abstract Objectives Almonds are a rich source of phenolic and polyphenolic compounds, which have antioxidant activity. In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that topical application of almond oil and almond skin extract reduces UVB-induced photoaging. Ultraviolet-B (UVB) protection by oral almond consumption has not been previously studied in humans. It was the objective to investigate whether oral almond consumption can increase resistance to UVB radiation and reduce skin aging in healthy Asian women. Methods Thirty-nine female participants (18–45 years) with Fitzpatrick skin type II-IV were randomly assigned to consume either 1.5 oz of almonds or 1.8 oz of pretzels daily for 12 weeks. Minimal erythema dose (MED) was determined using a standardized protocol, which determined the minimal radiation inducing erythema on the inner arm 24 hours following UVB exposure. Facial skin texture was evaluated by two dermatologists using the Clinician's Erythema Assessment scale and Allergan Roughness scale. Facial melanin index, hydration, sebum, and erythema were determined using a cutometer. Results Women who consumed almonds, experienced a significant increase in MED from 415 ± 64 to 487 ± 59 (18.7 ± 19.2%, P = 0.006) from baseline to week 12 compared to women in the pretzel group from 415 ± 67 to 421 ± 67 (1.8 ± 11.1%). The exposure time to reach minimal erythema was also increased significantly in the almond group from 160 ± 23 to 187 ± 25 (17.5 ± 22.2%) compared to the pretzel group from 165 ± 27 to 166 ± 25 (1.7 ± 14%) (p=0.026). There were no differences noted between the groups consuming almonds versus pretzels in Allergan roughness, melanin, hydration, or sebum on facial skin. Conclusions Our findings suggest that daily oral almond consumption may lead to enhanced protection from UVB photodamage by increasing the MED. Protection from other UV radiation was not tested and therefore almond consumption will not replace other methods of sun protection such as application of sunscreen or wearing protective closing. Funding Sources Almond Board of California.

Almond consumption increased UVB resistance in healthy Asian women.

BackgroundAlmonds are a rich source of phenolic and polyphenolic compounds, which have antioxidant activity. In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that topical application of almond oil and almond skin extract reduces UVB‐induced photoaging. Ultraviolet‐B (UVB) protection by oral almond consumption has not been previously studied in humans.ObjectivesTo investigate whether oral almond consumption can increase resistance to UVB radiation and reduce skin aging in healthy Asian women.MethodsThirty‐nine female participants (18‐45 years) with Fitzpatrick skin type II‐IV were randomly assigned to consume either 1.5 oz of almonds or 1.8 oz of pretzels daily for 12 weeks. Minimal erythema dose (MED) was determined using a standardized protocol, which determined the minimal radiation needed to induce erythema on the inner arm following UVB exposure. Facial skin texture was evaluated by two dermatologists using the Clinician's Erythema Assessment scale and Allergan Roughness scale. Facial melanin index, hydration, sebum, and erythema were determined using a cutometer.ResultsThe MED was increased in the subjects consuming almonds compared to the control group consuming pretzels. There were no differences noted between the groups consuming almonds versus pretzels in Allergan roughness, melanin, hydration, or sebum on facial skin.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that daily oral almond consumption may lead to enhanced protection from UV photodamage by increasing the MED.

Gestational Weight Gain among Healthy Pregnant Women from Asia in Comparison with Institute of Medicine (IOM) Guidelines-2009: A Systematic Review.

In 1990, Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommended gestational weight gain (GWG) ranges for women in the United States primarily to improve infant birth weight. Changes in key aspects of reproductive health of women of child bearing age, a rising prevalence of obesity, and noncommunicable diseases prompted the revision of IOM guidelines in 2009. However, there is no such recommendation available for Asian women. This systematic review assesses the utility of IOM-2009 guidelines among Indian and other Asian pregnant women in terms of maternal and fetal outcomes. 624 citations were identified using PubMed and Google Scholar, out of which 13 were included. Prospective/retrospective studies of healthy Asian women with a singleton pregnancy which specifically examined fetal-maternal outcomes relative to IOM-2009 guidelines were included. Results. Majority of pregnant Indian women achieved less GWG than the recommendations whereas a mixed trend was noticed among the other Asian pregnant women. The most common fetal-maternal complications among the excessive GWG women were found to be macrosomia, large for gestational age and caesarean section followed by gestational diabetes and hypertension, whereas low birth weight, small for gestational age and preterm birth, was found to be associated with low GWG women. The findings highlight the need for appropriate GWG limits across the different body mass index levels specifically for Indians and other Asian population. However, there are not enough publications regarding the utility of IOM-2009 guidelines among the Indian and other Asian women. Thus, higher-quality researches are warranted in future to further validate the findings of the present review.

Skin-lightening and anti-ageing effect of a food supplement containing Pinus pinaster extract

Oligomeric proanthocyanidins extracted from the bark of the French maritime pine Pinus pinaster (FMPBE) have been studied for a long time and demonstrated various phytopharmaceutical applications. The objectives of this study were to assess the cutaneous lightening and anti-ageing effects of FMPBE after 56 days of consumption, in healthy Asian women. The cosmetic efficacy of the product was assessed through various biometrological evaluations. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled and cross-over study evidenced the safety and efficacy of the 100 mg FMPBE supplementation from 28 days of intake: in comparison to placebo, the skin on pigmentary spots became significantly lighter and less red, skin on the face was more firm and its surface was less wrinkled. After 56 days of consumption, the skin was additionally significantly more elastic and the yellow constituent of the skin decreased on the normal skin.

Vitamin D and Its Relationship with Markers of Bone Metabolism in Healthy Asian Women

In this study, we aimed to determine the normal ranges of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D(3) (25-OHD(3)), parathyroid hormone (PTH), and the markers of bone turnover, procollagen type 1 N propeptide (P1NP) and C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX), in normal healthy women in Singapore, and to explore the relationship between vitamin D, PTH, and these markers of bone turnover in the women. One hundred and ninety-seven healthy women, aged 25 to 60, were selected from a hospital staff health screening program; 68% were Chinese, 18% Malay, and 14% Indian. P1NP, CTX, and 25-OHD(3) were measured using the Roche Cobas® electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Serum PTH was measured using the Siemens ADVIA Centaur® immunoassay. Sixty-five percent had 25-OHD(3) concentrations <50 nmol/l. Vitamin D insufficiency (25-OHD(3) < 50 nmol/l) was more prevalent in Malays (89%) and Indians (82%) compared to Chinese (56%). There was no correlation between vitamin D and age. PTH positively correlated with age, and Malays and Indians had higher PTH concentrations than Chinese. There was an inverse correlation between PTH and 25-OHD(3), but no threshold of 25-OHD(3) concentrations at which PTH plateaued. The bone turnover markers P1NP and CTX inversely correlated with age but were not different between ethnic groups. CTX and P1NP exhibited good correlation, however, there was no significant correlation between 25-OHD(3) or PTH concentrations and the bone turnover markers P1NP and CTX. Healthy women in Singapore have a high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency. Vitamin D insufficiency was more prevalent in Malays and Indians compared to Chinese.

Application of a High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin I Assay to a Health Screen Cohort of Young Asian Women and Association with Cardiovascular Risk Factors

To the Editor: The Global Task Force for the Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction and the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry recommend the 99th percentile of cardiac troponin as a diagnostic threshold, provided that assay precision can be demonstrated to have a CV of ≤10% at this concentration (1). To determine the 99th percentile, we applied a high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hscTnI) assay (Abbott Diagnostics) to an analysis of a cohort of young, apparently healthy Asian women with low cardiovascular risk, and correlated this result with demographic and clinical characteristics to identify factors associated with higher cTnI concentrations. The cohort was obtained from our hospital staff health-screening program. Fasting serum samples were stored at −70 °C for up to 6 months until analysis. Nonpregnant women 20–65 years of age with no self-reported personal history of heart disease, diabetes, or hypertension were selected for analysis of cTnI concentrations with the Abbott ARCHITECT i 4000 analyzer and a premarket prototype hscTnI assay. Institutional review board approval was obtained for this study (DSRB/2011/01931). SPSS version 19 (SPSS/IBM) was used for statistical analyses. We …

Characterization of Vulvar Skin of Healthy Thai Women: Influence of Sites, Age and Menopause

Although the physiological characteristics of vulvar skin have been characterized in Caucasians, little is known about the vulvar skin of Asian women. This study assessed the moisture content, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and pH of vulvar skin of 99 healthy Asian women residing in Bangkok, aged 20-69 years, during their non-menstrual period, including 39 post-menopausal women. Skin pH was acidic at all sites, and the pH of the vulvar areas was significantly higher than the control sites (inner thigh, inner forearm). Skin moisture was slightly, but significantly, lower around the vulvar area and the thigh than around the forearm. TEWL was significantly higher in vulvar areas than control sites. Ageing and menopause did not cause notable alterations in most properties of vulvar skin. In conclusion, the vulvar skin of Asian women has similar properties to that of Caucasians.

Ceramide 1 and ceramide 3 act synergistically on skin hydration and the transepidermal water loss of sodium lauryl sulfate‐irritated skin

Stratum corneum intercellular lipids, such as ceramides, play an important role in the regulation of skin water barrier homeostasis and water-holding capacity. Aim To evaluate the potential water retention capacity of control emulsion and three oil-in-water (o/w) emulsions containing ceramide 1, ceramide 3, or both. Fifteen healthy Asian women (age, 20-30 years) with healthy skin, pretreated with sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), applied the tested emulsions twice daily over a period of 28 days. Skin hydration and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) values were measured on the indicated days with a Corneometer(R)825 and a TEWAMETER TM210, respectively. The maximum increase in skin humidity was reached after 4 weeks, with values of 21.9 +/- 1.8% and 8.9 +/- 0.9% for emulsion C and control emulsion, respectively. The maximum decrease in TEWL was also reached after 4 weeks, with values of 36.7 +/- 4.7% and 5.1 +/- 0.8% for the same emulsions. It can be concluded that all the tested ceramide-containing emulsions improved skin barrier function when compared with untreated skin. There was some indication that ceramides 1 and 3 contained in emulsion C might exert a beneficial synergistic effect on skin biochemical properties, such as skin hydration and TEWL, and play a key role in the protection mechanism against SLS irritation.

Effect of diet and lifestyle on bone mass in Asian young women

The relationship between bone mineral content (BMC) divided by bone width (BW) and diet and lifestyle in early adulthood were investigated from the view point of preventing osteoporosis at a young age in Asian women. BMC/BW of 161 healthy Asian women aged 19-25 y were measured by single-photon absorptiometry. Current and past dietary habits and physical activity were also studied. BMC/BW varied from 0.21 to 0.48 g/cm2. Bone density correlated well with dietary habit from infancy to the present especially with calcium and past physical activity. These two factors showed additive effects on BMC/BW. In multiple-regression analysis, liking sports, body mass index, no milk intake in childhood, protein intake, frequency of dieting, and skipping meals were contributors to bone density and predictive of 23% of the variability in BMC/BW in the total group. The multiple-regression coefficient was 0.518. Smoking, drinking, and duration of sunbathing might have no effect on BMC/BW in early adulthood.