Hormonal Index Research Articles

Study on the substance basis of the efficacy of eucommiae cortex before and after salt processing for the treatment of kidney-yang deficiency syndrome based on the spectrum-effect relationship

Ethnopharmacological relevanceKidney-Yang deficiency syndrome (KYDS) is one of the common diseases of the elderly and closely related to the ageing of the body, it has a major impact on the quality of life of the patient. Eucommiae Cortex (EC) is the dried bark of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. Which has the effect of tonifying the liver and kidneys, strengthening the muscles and bones. In Traditional Chinese Medicine clinics, EC is commonly used in the treatment of KYDS, but the material basis for the improvement of its efficacy in treating KYDS after salt processing remains unclear. Aim of the studyThis study aimed to find the main active ingredients that could improve the treatment of KYDS efficacy of EC after salt processing. Materials and methodsFirstly, the fingerprints of raw and salt-processed EC were established to determine the common components by using HPLC, and then an experimental study on the treatment of KYDS efficacy was carried out to compare the difference in the efficacy between raw and salt-processed EC. Thirdly, the spectrum-effect relationship of chemical components and pharmacodynamic indexes was established by using Grey Relational Analysis and Entropy Method. Finally, the network pharmacology and molecular docking technique was used to verify the kidney tonifying effect of the active ingredients of EC. ResultsAccording to the results of the analysis of hormonal index levels on the hypothalamic-pituitary-target gland axis and the extent of renal lesions, the therapeutic effect of EC on KYDS was mainly reflected in the regulation of the Adrenocorticotropic hormone, Corticosterone in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and Tri-iodothyronine, Tetra-iodothyronine in the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, moreover the therapeutic effect of salt-processed EC was stronger than that of raw EC. The pharmacologically active ingredients that improved its treatment of KYDS efficacy after salt processing were peak 1 (geniposidic acid), peak 2 (chlorogenic acid), peak 5 (geniposide), peak 6 (genipin), peak 7 (pinoresinol diglucoside) and peak 11 (hyperoside). Meanwhile, the results of network pharmacology and molecular docking showed that the 6 active ingredients could exert kidney tonic effects through multiple signaling pathways by acting on core targets such as AKT1 and PTGS2. ConclusionAs far as we known, this was the first time to establish and compare the spectrum-effect relationship between raw and salt-processed EC, which laid the foundation for the pharmacokinetics studies of EC and provided a reference for future EC studies.

The frequency and clinical significance of DNA polymerase beta (POL\u03b2) expression in breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)

BackgroundThe prediction of clinical behaviour of breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and its progression to invasive disease remains a challenge. Alterations of DNA damage repair mechanisms are associated with invasive breast cancer (BC). This study aims to assess the role of base excision repair (BER) DNA Polymerase Beta (POLβ) in DCIS.MethodsA cohort of DCIS comprising pure DCIS (n = 776) and DCIS coexisting with invasive BC (n = 239) were prepared as tissue microarrays. POLβ protein expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry and correlated with clinicopathological parameters and patient outcome. Preclinically, we investigated the impact of POLβ depletion on stem cell markers in representative DCIS cell line models.ResultsReduced POLβ expression was associated with aggressive DCIS features including high nuclear grade, comedo necrosis, larger tumour size, hormonal receptor negativity, HER2 overexpression and high Ki67 index. Combined low nuclear/low cytoplasmic POLβ expression showed the strongest association with the features’ characteristics of aggressive behaviour. There was a gradual reduction in the POLβ expression from normal breast tissue, to DCIS, with the lowest expression observed in the invasive BC. Low POLβ expression was an independent predictor of recurrence in DCIS patients treated with breast conserving surgery (BCS). POLβ knockdown was associated with a significant increase in cell stemness markers including SOX2, NANOG and OCT4 levels in MCF10-DCIS cell lines.ConclusionLoss of POLβ in DCIS is associated with aggressive behaviour and it can predict recurrence. POLβ expression in DCIS provides an additional feature for patients’ risk stratification for personalised therapy.

Blood parameters as a measure for controlling physical performance of young Algerian cyclists (U23 category)

Background and Study Aim. The use of blood parameters in monitoring athletes is an essential but an unstandardized component of managing athletic preparation. This study aims to describe and evaluate typical measurements and responses observed while monitoring elite cyclist during a training camp. The reported observations might contribute in constituting a scientific support for other practitioners to employ. Material and Methods. 35 elite cyclists from the Algerian National team aged 16 – 23 years participated in this study. Peripheral fasting blood samples were collected in resting after 24 hrs of physical inactivity and outside competitions. Complete blood count (CBC) and hormonal index values (Cortisol, Testosterone, Probnp and TnT) were tested twice before and after the training camp. The statistical data were analysed by the SPSS software version 22.0. Results. The observed rates of change were significant (p<0,01, p<0,05) for most erythrocyte variables, except for leukocyte and platelet distribution levels. Hormonal values recorded for Troponin (↓92,78%, p=0,000) and Cortisol (↓11,85%, p=0,000) remained significantly as an anticipatory response to competition. The responses of the ProBnp and testosterone were not statistically significant and experienced a different response with regards to their kinetics. Conclusion. This study is further support suggesting a viable approach to monitoring physical performance index in elite athletes. The results imply that reducing volume while increasing intensity of training just before competition can enhance performance during short preparation periods.

Biological Stress Reactivity and Introspective Sensitivity: An Exploratory Study.

Reaction to stressful events has an impact on several cognitive processes. High levels of stress can be detrimental to working memory, attention and decision-making. Here, we investigated whether individuals’ reactivity to stress is related to their introspective sensitivity (i.e., how well individuals monitor their own cognitive processes). To this aim, 27 participants (16 women, mean 20 years old) were exposed to a psychosocial stress protocol (trier social stress test, TSST), where individuals were asked to simulate a job interview and perform arithmetic calculations in front of a panel of experts. The salivary cortisol concentration, which is considered a hormonal index of stress reactivity, was collected during the TSST through the enzyme immunoassay DRG cortisol ELISA kit. Based on literature recommendations, we classified participants as responders and non-responders to the TSST. In a second session, through a visual search paradigm, we evaluated the introspective sensitivity of the participants. We evaluated how these individuals (i) monitor their own performance (through a confidence estimation), (ii) monitor their own attentional shifts (through a subjective number of scanned items estimation, SNSI), and (iii) monitor their own response times (through an introspective response time estimation, iRT). We found that individuals with lower biological reactivity to stress are more accurate in estimating their SNSI (p = 0.033) and iRT (p = 0.002), and in evaluating their own performance (p = 0.038) through their confidence. We argue that the effect of stress on introspection is not limited to a particular type of introspective evaluation, but rather consists of a general alteration of the introspective mechanism.

Flipped Classroom as a Teaching Strategy and Community Health Nursing Student’s Engagement, Satisfaction and Achievement

Menstruation is a uniquely female phenomenon and the most important part of the female reproductive cycle. But painful menstrual pain is a common gynecological complain among women. Many factors play a role and affect the menstrual cycle, which includes hormonal changes, psychological factors, genetic factors and body mass index (BMI). Aim: The current study aimed to assess the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and the severity of menstrual pain and to spotlight on the dietary habits of students and its association with the menstrual profile. Methods: Cross-sectional correctional study design was utilized. 177 agreed to participate in the study selected by stratified cluster sampling technique. A semi-structured self- administered questionnaire was used in data collection. Results: The findings revealed that less than one quarter 14.1 % & 17.5% of the study sample were in the extreme range either underweight or overweight, respectively. 79.1% of the study participants had reported pain during menses and 33.5 % of them describe this pain as severe pain. Furthermore, a statistically significant difference was found between BMI and menstrual profile. Conclusion: It can be concluded that BMI had an effect on the menstrual profile. Therefore, special attention should be given to adolescent's nutrition which leads to maintain the normal BMI and regulate the menstrual cycle. Recommendation: Lifestyle modification and nutritional counseling for female students could alleviate menstrual problems, promoting healthy eating habitats and maintaining an optimal BMI can improve menstrual health. Further research in the nutritional pattern in adolescents can be done especially during the menstrual cycle should be implemented.

Assay validation of hair androgens across the menstrual cycle

IntroductionSaliva is a common noninvasive biofluid for measuring stress and sex hormones, yet one pressing limitation is that salivary hormones fluctuate momentarily, daily, and (for girls) across the menstrual cycle. Hair steroid assays are thought to provide a cumulative index which collapses across hormonal variability, potentially eliminating the confound of daily and menstrual cyclicity and thereby reflecting individual differences in average hormone levels. Here we seek to validate a hair bioassay methodology and test whether hair androgens accurately measure long-term, stable androgen levels in emerging adult women across two menstrual cycles. MethodsHair samples were collected at the end of each menstrual cycle for two cycles, and saliva samples were collected in the morning once per week across two menstrual cycles (N = 11 women). Hair samples were segmented by 1 cm for the first 4 cm to reflect the hormone levels of the past four serial months. Hair samples were assayed using commercially-available enzyme-immuno-assays for testosterone and DHEA. ResultsHair androgen concentrations were significantly correlated with averaged saliva hormone levels (DHEA: r = .75, p < .05; Testosterone: r = .67, p < .05). With respect to hair hormone stability, there were significant correlations for almost all the pairs of two 1 cm hair segments collected in two months that corresponded to the same time period. Hair androgens in one segment were significantly correlated with those in next segment. Regarding salivary androgen stability, the intra-class correlation across the weekly saliva samples indicated that for DHEA 59% of the total variance was within person and 41% was between person; and for testosterone 91% of the total variance was between person, and only 9% within person. DiscussionResults suggest that a one-time measure of hair provides a valid and reliable estimate of average steroid levels across two months. Moreover, whereas saliva measures of androgen levels capture week-to-week fluctuations in steroids, hair samples provide information on individual differences in average exposure to steroids, across long periods of time, such as months. Results are encouraging that hair DHEA and testosterone reflects the cumulative hormonal concentration and can be used as a stable hormonal index. Results also indicate that it is feasible to collect the first 3–4 centimeters of hair for studies of stable hormone levels.

Changes in the content of progesterone, insulin and cortisol in treatment course of pregnant women with the threat of preterm labor in chronic stress conditions

Despite the fact that many national and foreign scientific groups are working to address the issue of preterm labor, the rate of miscarriage ranges from 5.0 to 10.0 % without decreasing trend. The aim: to determine the efficacy of progesterone and thiotriazoline combination in the risk of premature birth on the basis of studying the hormonal profile dynamics and perinatal consequences. Materials and methods. Serum progesterone levels as the main hormone of pregnancy, insulin, cortisol were measured in pregnant women with the threat of preterm labor (TPL) and in the umbilical cord blood; insulin-cortisol index was calculated. Pregnant women were divided into two groups: 1 - basic (n = 22), and 2 – comparison group (n = 22). For hormonal disorders correction and pregnancy prolongation patients of basic group with TPL at 22–34 weeks of gestation received preparations of progesterone and thiatriazoline: natural micronized progesterone vaginal suppositories, 100 mg, twice-daily and0.2 g of thiatriazoline rectal suppositories 1 time per day for 10 days. Comparison group patients at the 22–34 weeks of gestation received standard treatment according to approved clinical protocols. Results: Analysis of the progesterone, cortisol and insulin blood serum baseline levels of both pregnant women study groups showed no significant difference. In the basic group the progesterone level during 10 days of treatment decreased from 162.5 ng / ml to 148.8 ng / ml (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference between the progesterone contents before and after treatment in both groups. In pregnant women the insulin level increased from 15.9 μMe / ml to 34.7 μMe / ml (P 0.05). In the comparison group the cortisol level before and after treatment did not change significantly – 536.6 ± 321.6 ng / ml and 546.5 ± 334.2 ng / ml, respectively. There was a significant increase in insulin / cortisol index from 0.027 U.M. to 0.066 U.M. (P < 0.05) in the pregnant women of the basic group after 10 days of treatment. The baseline level of insulin / cortisol index in pregnant women of comparison group, as in the basic group, was 0.027 U.M. After a week of standard therapy it significantly increased up to 0.033 U.M. (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the progesterone level in the umbilical cord blood of both study groups (1 – 1483 ng / ml, 2 – 1662 ng / ml). Insulin content in the umbilical cord blood in the basic group was the lowest (3.78 μMe / ml) and significantly differed from that of comparison group (4.29 μMe / ml) (P < 0.05). The levels of cortisol in the umbilical cord blood did not differ between women of the basic and comparison groups – 264.5 ng / ml versus 305.2 ng / ml. The insulin-cortisol index in all groups was not significantly different. Conclusions. In women with a risk of preterm birth the decrease in insulin and cortisol levels in the umbilical cord blood indicates the physiological adaptation to stress factors during pregnancy and the therapeutic strategy chosen effectiveness. The use of micronized progesterone in combination with antioxidants increases the stress hormonal index in the basic group by 2.5 times, indicating the proposed treatment regimen effectiveness and preventing premature birth.

Maladaptive defense mechanisms are associated with decoupling of testosterone from sexual desire in women of reproductive age

Neuropsychoanalytic theories view maladaptive defense mechanisms as disturbances of brain regions or networks implicated in emotional awareness, which is consistent with maladaptive defenses being automatic processes to cope with stressors by avoiding the awareness of disturbing emotions. Freud proposed that defenses against sexual drives were used in varying degrees with negative consequences on sex life, which is congruent with maladaptive defenses being related to lower desire for vaginal intercourse. The present study examined the relationships between low desire, maladaptive defenses, and decoupling of testosterone (T; a hormonal index of sexual desire) from reported desire. Sixty-eight Portuguese women provided a saliva sample before and 15 minutes after an induction of sexual fantasy, and reported how much sexual desire they felt while fantasizing. Maladaptive defenses were measured by the immature defenses subscale of the Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40). Past month desire was assessed by the desire domain of the Female Sexual Function Index. Luminescence immunoassays were used for determining salivary T. Decoupling of T from desire was calculated by the absolute value of the subtraction of the standardized scores of both measures. In partial correlations controlling for social desirability and oral contraception, maladaptive defenses correlated with discordance between basal T and fantasy-induced desire, discordance between basal T and past month desire, and complaints of low desire. In a backward multiple regression, discordance between T and past month desire explained the association between maladaptive defenses and complaints of low desire. Implications for future neuropsychoanalytic studies of defense mechanisms and libido are discussed.

Dyspareunia and lubrication in premature ovarian failure using hormonal therapy and vaginal health

Objective To evaluate vaginal microbiological and functional aspects in women with and without premature ovarian failure (POF) and the relationship with sexual function.Methods A cross-sectional study of 36 women with POF under hormonal therapy who were age-matched with 36 women with normal gonadal function. The vaginal tropism was assessed through hormonal vaginal cytology, vaginal pH and vaginal health index (VHI). Vaginal flora were assessed by the amine test, bacterioscopy and culture for fungi. Sexual function was evaluated through the questionnaire Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).Results Women in both groups were of similar age and showed similar marital status. The two groups presented vaginal tropic scores according to the VHI but the tropism was worse among women in the POF group. No difference was observed with respect to hormonal cytology and pH. Vaginal flora was similar in both groups. Women with POF showed worse sexual performance with more pain and poorer lubrication than women in the control group. The VHI, the only parameter evaluated showing statistical difference between the groups, did not correlate with the domains of pain and lubrication in the FSFI questionnaire.Conclusion These findings suggest that the use of systemic estrogen among women with POF is not enough to improve complaints of lubrication and pain despite conferring similar tropism and vaginal flora. Other therapeutic options need to be evaluated.

Abstract LB-29: Hormonal risk factors and breast cancer prognosis and survival by PAM50 molecular subtype.

Abstract Background: Lifestyle and reproductive factors known to influence estrogen levels have been associated with breast cancer (BC) risk and prognosis. However, it is unknown whether associations vary by tumor molecular subtype at diagnosis. Methods: A case-cohort study population of 1,439 women with invasive BC was sampled from two prospective cohort studies: LACE (AJCC stage I (≥1 cm), II, IIIA diagnosed 1997-2000), and Pathways (any invasive stage ≥0.5 cm diagnosed 2006-2008). Molecular subtype (luminal A, luminal B, HER2-enriched, basal-like) was determined by RT-PCR of RNA extracted from samples from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded primary tumor blocks and assayed for expression of PAM50 genes. Information on hormone replacement therapy (HRT), oral contraceptive use (OC), reproductive factors (age at menarche, parity, age at first birth, breastfeeding), alcohol intake, and body mass index (BMI) were obtained from baseline participant questionnaires, and an index of lifetime hormonal exposure [low (0-1, reference), medium (2-4), high (5-6)] was created based on their expected influence on circulating estrogen. Specifically, any factor associated with more estrogen exposure was assigned a score of 1 (e.g., HRT yes, OC no, BMI≥25 kg/m2) while less exposure was assigned a score of 0 (e.g., HRT no, OC yes, BMI&amp;lt;25 kg/m2). Tumor and treatment information were obtained from the KPNC Cancer Registry and clinical databases. Recurrence and mortality outcomes were ascertained by questionnaire and electronic medical record review. We estimated hazard ratios (HR) and associated 95% confidence intervals (CI) using Cox proportional hazards regression within subtype, adjusting for covariates such as age at diagnosis, race/ethnicity, stage, surgery, and treatment. Results: There were 370 recurrences and 501 total deaths (269 BC-related) over a median 6.6±3.9 years. In the overall study population, a higher hormonal exposure index was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer death (p for trend=0.02). By molecular subtype, the highest tertile of the hormonal index was associated with both recurrence (HR=3.8; 95% CI: 1.0, 14.5) and BC-specific death (HR=7.3; 95% CI: 1.7, 31.7), compared with a low hormonal index, among the luminal A subtype. In contrast, no associations of the hormonal index with recurrence and BC-specific death were observed in the luminal B, HER2-enriched, or basal-like subtypes (p for homogeneity=0.01). A high hormonal index was not associated with all-cause mortality overall and by subtype. Discussion: Traditional hormonal risk factors for BC showed differing associations with prognosis and survival depending on tumor molecular subtype of the primary BC. Subtypes that are treated similar based on conventional prognostic indicators such as ER status (luminal A and luminal B) may have differing associations between risk factors and prognosis. Funded by NCI R01 CA129059. Citation Format: Marilyn L. Kwan, Carol Sweeney, Laurel A. Habel, Erin Weltzien, Adrienne Castillo, Carole Davis, Rachel E. Factor, Candyce H. Kroenke, Kaylynn Shakespear, Charles P. Quesenberry, Inge J. Stijleman, Philip S. Bernard, Lawrence H. Kushi, Bette J. Caan. Hormonal risk factors and breast cancer prognosis and survival by PAM50 molecular subtype. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-29. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-LB-29

The pursuit of happiness can be lonely.

Few things seem more natural and functional than wanting to be happy. We suggest that, counter to this intuition, valuing happiness may have some surprising negative consequences. Specifically, because striving for personal gains can damage connections with others and because happiness is usually defined in terms of personal positive feelings (a personal gain) in western contexts, striving for happiness might damage people's connections with others and make them lonely. In 2 studies, we provide support for this hypothesis. Study 1 suggests that the more people value happiness, the lonelier they feel on a daily basis (assessed over 2 weeks with diaries). Study 2 provides an experimental manipulation of valuing happiness and demonstrates that inducing people to value happiness leads to relatively greater loneliness, as measured by self-reports and a hormonal index (progesterone). In each study, key potential confounds, such as positive and negative affect, were ruled out. These findings suggest that wanting to be happy can make people lonely.

Pre-treatment hormonal receptor status and Ki67 index predict pathologic complete response to neoadjuvant trastuzumab/taxanes but not disease-free survival in HER2-positive breast cancer patients

Trastuzumab-containing neoadjuvant chemotherapy achieves a pathologic complete response (pCR) rate of about 40 % in HER2-positive breast cancers, and pCR predicts better survival. A cohort of 102 consecutive Chinese HER2-positive stage II/III patients with neoadjuvant trastuzumab/taxanes were retrospectively analyzed, to evaluate the role of hormonal receptor (HR) status and Ki67 index, along with other parameters, in pCR and survival prediction. pCR rate of the cohort was 44.1 % (45/102). Fifty-three patients were HR-positive and 49 were HR-negative. Median Ki67 index was 40 %, and 49 patients had a high Ki67 index (>40 %) whereas 53 had a low Ki67 index (≤40 %). HR status and Ki67 index were confirmed as the only two parameters associated with pCR in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio = 2.952; 95 % CI, 1.227-7.105; P = 0.016 for HR status and hazard ratio = 2.583, 95 % CI 1.107-6.026, P = 0.028 for Ki67 index). Patients with coexisting HR-negative and high Ki67 index had higher pCR rate (69.2 %), compared to those with either HR-negative alone or high Ki67 alone (hazard ratio = 3.038; 95 % CI, 1.102-8.372; P = 0.029), and to those with coexisting HR-positive and low Ki67 index as well (hazard ratio = 7.071; 95 % CI, 2.150-23.253; P = 0.001). In a median follow-up duration of 25.9 months, 11 disease-free survival events (DFS) were recorded. pCR predicted better DFS (log rank P = 0.018) and was the only significant factor in Cox regression analysis (hazard ratio = 0.184; 95 % CI, 0.038-0.893; P = 0.036). Our study indicates that HR status and Ki67 index are predictors for pCR but not for DFS in HER2-positive patients with neoadjuvant trastuzumab/taxanes, which deserves further investigations.

The expression of GATA-3 and FOXA1 in breast cancer: The biomarkers of hormone sensitivity in luminal-type tumors.

599 Background: The assessment of the needs of the adjuvant chemotherapy has been the important problem in luminal type breast cancers. Multigene prognosis assays such as Oncotype Dx and Mammaprint, turned out to be efficient techniques. However, these assays are expensive and have not been prospectively validated. The transcription factors GATA-binding protein 3 (GATA-3) and Forkhead-box protein A1 (FOXA1) function with estrogen receptor α (ERα) in mammary morphogenesis. These transcription factors form an autoregulatory hormonal network that influences estrogen responsiveness and sensitivity to hormonal therapy. Methods: We analyzed GATA-3 and FOXA1 expression in 307 primary breast cancers by immunohistochemistry, to evaluate the association with breast cancer molecular markers, clinicopathological features and patients’ recurrence-free survival. We classified the cases into luminal A and B using hormonal receptors, HER2 and Ki67 index (cut-off value: 14%). Results: 1.GATA-3 expression was positively co...

Abstract P3-11-10: Risk Factors for Pregnancy-Associated Breast Cancer: A Report from the Nigerian Breast Cancer Study

Abstract Background: It is known that pregnancy has a dual effect on breast cancer risk, with increased risk of breast cancer in short term and decreased risk in the long run. Pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC), occurring during pregnancy and several years postpartum, has poor prognosis and is challenging in clinical management. However, risk factors for PABC, except for pregnancy per se, are less understood. Other reproductive factors including age at menarche and age at first live birth may play important roles in the development of PABC. Methods: The study is based on the Nigerian Breast Cancer Study, a case-control study of breast cancer conducted in Ibadan, Nigeria, between 1998 and 2009. In-person interviews were conducted using structured questionnaires to collect detailed epidemiologic data. Pre-menopausal women who were 50 years old or younger were eligible to this analysis. The breast cancer cases were divided in two groups: PABC (diagnosed during pregnancy or within 5 years postpartum) and non-PABC. Polytomous logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), contrasting each group of cases versus controls. Age in 3-year category, ethnicity, education, family history of breast cancer, history of benign breast disease, hormonal contraceptive use, alcohol drinking, height, and body mass index were adjusted in the multivariate models. Results: In total, 1440 women were eligible to this study, including 311 PABC cases, 357 non-PABC cases, and 772 healthy controls. In the multivariate analysis adjusting aforementioned potential confounders, age at menarche was inversely associated with non-PABC (p=0.002, Table 1) but only trend towards significance for PABC (p=0.12). Age at first live birth was associated with lower risk of non-PABC but was associated with elevated risk of PABC. Table 1. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for PABC and non-PABC Conclusions: We found menarche at older age may be protective against all premenopausal breast cancer, but age at first live birth has different role in the development of pregnancy-associated breast cancer and other premenopausal breast cancer in Nigerian women. The findings suggest that the trend towards delayed child-bearing may increase in the occurrence of breast cancer complicated by pregnancy. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-11-10.

Ovarian reserve tests and their utility in predicting response to controlled ovarian stimulation in rhesus monkeys

Controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) is an alternative to natural breeding in nonhuman primates; however, these protocols are costly with no guarantee of success. Toward the objective of predicting COS outcome in rhesus monkeys, this study evaluated three clinically used ovarian reserve tests (ORTs): day 3 (d3) follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) with d3 inhibin B (INHB), the clomiphene citrate challenge test (CCCT), and the exogenous FSH Ovarian Reserve Test. A COS was also performed and response was classified as either successful (COS+) or unsuccessful (COS-) and retrospectively compared with ORT predictions. FSH and INHB were assessed for best hormonal index in conjunction with the aforementioned tests. INHB was consistently more accurate than FSH in all the ORTs used. Overall, a modified version of the CCCT using INHB values yielded the best percentage of correct predictions. This is the first report of ORT evaluation in rhesus monkeys and may provide a useful diagnostic test before costly follicle stimulations, as well as predicting the onset of menopause.

Is there a possibility of intrasystem regulation by hormones produced by the immune cells? Experiments with extremely low concentrations of histamine

The effect of histamine in 10 -9 , 10 -12 , 10 -15 and 10 -18 molar concentrations was studied on the beta-endorphin and triiodothyronine (T 3 ) content of peritoneal immune cells (lymphocytes, monocyte-granulocyte group and mast cells), using immunocytochemical flow cytometric method. The lower concentrations (10 -15 and 10 -18 M) were effective, where endorphin content was significantly lowered and T 3 content was significantly elevated. The results call attention to the extreme sensitivity of histamine receptors in this hormonal index and to the specific response by hormone production to histamine, in the immune cells. The new data support the earlier hypothesis, that there is a hormonal network inside the immune system.

Aggression, gender-typical childhood play, and a prenatal hormonal index

An evaluation was conducted of 134 university students (93 female, 41 male) with the Aggression Questionnaire of Buss and Perry (1992) and a Gender-Typical Play Behavior Questionnaire constructed for this study. Measurements were taken of an index of prenatal androgen activity – finger length ratios – for which gender differences have been reported. Gender differences in aggression and in the finger length ratios were found, in the directions reported in the literature. Correlations between greater current report of aggression and play style more typical of boys during childhood were found in both the male and female samples. This relationship between current level of aggression and gender-typical childhood play across time was notable. Gender-typical finger length ratios were associated with gender-typical patterns of play for several indices. The current findings provide support for the idea that physical aggression, childhood play style, and finger length ratios may reflect prenatal androgenic influence.

Exact profiles of 13CO2 recovery in breath air after per oral administration of [13C]methacetin in two groups of different ages

The aim of this study is to determine if age is a factor influencing the results of a [13C]methacetin breath test (13C-MBT). Two groups of healthy volunteers, each comprising six men and six women, but differing in average age (Y=young, 25.1±0.6 years, MA=middle-aged;, 46.0±2.1 years) orally took 75 mg [13C]methacetin. Samples of expiratory air for 13CO2 measurement were collected up to 48 h after intake of the substrate. A maximum momentary 13CO2 breath exhalation of 37.0±2.6%dose/h was observed at 18 min (median, range: 9–30 min) in the young subjects and of 38.4±2.5%dose/h at 18 min (median, range: 12–30 min) in the middle-age volunteers. The cumulative 13C elimination in expiratory air was statistically significantly higher in the MA compared with the Y group as from 75 min up to 180 min, indicating a greater microsomal metabolic efficiency of the liver in the middle-aged healthy subjects. Gender, use of hormonal contraception, cigarette smoking, or body mass index did not modify the age-related effect on the cumulative 13C elimination in breath air. The study results imply a necessity of composing control groups well matched with regard to the age structure for a proper interpretation of clinical 13C-MBT results.

Hormone profiles, body mass index and aging male symptoms: results of the Androx Vienna Municipality study

Aging in the male is accompanied by steroid hormonal decline, and men may develop symptoms associated with hypogonadism. Increased awareness of ‘andropause’ in recent years has led to greater demand for hormonal assessments, resulting in a rising burden for health economics. We conducted a cross-sectional study to define men at risk for hypogonadism, in whom further hormonal investigation should be performed.We examined 664 blue-collar workers aged 40–60 years at their workplace and determined hormonal status and body mass index (BMI). Men with an abnormal urogenital status and those on medication that might affect endocrine status were excluded from the study. All participants completed the validated Aging Male Symptom (AMS) questionnaire and obtained scores for psychological symptoms, somatovegetative symptoms, and sexual symptoms.Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed a significantly increased risk (represented by the odds ratio) of psychological symptoms for men with low levels of testosterone and/or bioavailable testosterone (BAT). Increased BMI as well as low testosterone levels and/or low BAT levels raised the risk of somatovegetative symptoms. Each decrease of BAT by 1 ng/ml caused an approximately 1.8-fold increase of the risk (odds ratio = 1.832, p = 0.005). Additional independent risk factors were increased age and low luteinizing hormone (LH) level. Men aged 55 years with BMI > 28 kg/m2 and with somatovegetative symptoms and moderate or severe psychological symptoms had a 7.2-fold increase in the risk of a BAT level < 1.5 ng/ml compared to men without these risk factors (p < 0.001). Sensitivity and specificity were 75% and 71%, respectively.The AMS score combined with age and BMI provides an easy and convenient method to identify men with probable androgen deficiency who require hormonal assessment.

Blood flow changes in the ovarian and uterine arteries during the normal menstrual cycle

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to study the hemodynamic changes in the uterine and intraovarian vessels during the normal menstrual cycle and to relate the vascular changes to hormonal index values. STUDY DESIGN: Seven women who had bilateral tubal patency, a normal pelvis on laparoscopy, and regular ovulatory cycles underwent serial transvaginal ultrasonography on menstrual cycle day 2, daily from estimated day of ovulation –6, hourly from estimated day of ovulation –2, or when the mean follicular diameter was >16 mm (whichever was earlier) until 6 hours after follicular rupture and once 7 days after follicular rupture. At each scan uterine and intraovarian blood flow was assessed with transvaginal color Doppler ultrasonography and serum concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, and progesterone assessed by fluoroimmunoassay. RESULTS: In one case there was evidence of a luteinized unruptured follicle and the patient was therefore excluded from analysis. In the other six women there was spontaneous ovulation at a mean of 39 hours after the onset of the luteinizing hormone surge. On the side with the dominant follicle, follicular and ovarian stromal peak systolic blood flow velocity rose significantly during the menstrual cycle with no significant change in pulsatility index. The changes in blood flow velocity correlated significantly with changes in serum follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and progesterone concentrations. There were no significant changes in either blood flow velocity or pulsatility index in the contralateral ovary. Uterine artery time-averaged maximum velocity on the side of the developing ovarian follicle increased during the menstrual cycle with no significant change in the contralateral vessel. Uterine artery pulsatility index on the side of the developing follicle declined during the midluteal phase and was significantly lower than on the contralateral side. The changes in time-averaged maximum velocity correlated with the changes in serum estradiol and progesterone concentrations. CONCLUSION: The vascular changes in the wall of the dominant ovarian follicle and ovarian stroma during the menstrual cycle are consistent with activity of angiogenic-like factors. The decline in uterine artery resistance during the midluteal phase may reflect optimal vascularity for implantation of the blastocyst. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1996;175:625-31.)