Normal Females Research Articles

The Possible Association between Phthalates and Bisphenol A Exposure and Idiopathic Precocious Puberty in Egyptian Girls

BACKGROUND: Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates are utilized in large spectrum of plastics, as polyvinyl chloride as well as personal products, medical equipment, and epoxy resins. Phthalate and bisphenol A are the most common endocrine disrupting chemicals that interrupt the endocrine system and cause developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune disturbances in humans. However, the relation between phthalates and bisphenol A and precocious puberty (PP) in human is still controversial. AIM: Consequently, the present study aimed to detect and investigate the association between exposure to bisphenol A and monobutyl phthalate (MBP) and precocious puberty in Egyptian girls. METHODS: Urine samples were collected from 100 young females. The subjects were divided into two major groups, precocious puberty group consisted of 60 young females diagnosed by an endocrine pediatric specialist and controls consisted of 40 normal young females matched in age and demographic characters. In urine, MBP and bisphenol A (BPA) were measured with high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: The mean concentration of MBP level was 22.758 ± 6.216 for the PP group and 15.283 ± 6.262 for controls with statistical difference between the studied groups (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the mean concentration of BPA was 405.02 ± 223.54 for the PP group and 97.95 ± 55 for controls with significant difference between groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The present study found that idiopathic precocious puberty in young females was associated with high phthalate metabolites and bisphenol A levels in urine.

Correlation between nutritional status and perineal muscular strength in women with urinary uncontinence in the brazilian state of Roraima / Correlação entre o estado nutricional e a força muscular perineal nas mulheres com incontinência urinária no estado brasileiro de Roraima

Introduction: To evaluate the muscular strength of pelvic floor in women with complaints of voiding dysfunction and to associate it with their nutritional state. Specifically, the current work focuses on evaluating the force of contraction of the perineal muscles in women with voiding dysfunction and correlates the degree of muscular contraction of the pelvic floor through biofeedback and manual palpation. Material and Methods: This case-control study presents comparative laboratory tests of nutritional analyses and the degree of muscle contraction of the pelvic floor between the cases and the control groups. Urination disorders were evaluated through urodynamic study and King’s health questionnaires. Results: The force of contraction between normal and urinary incontinent females as measured by Ortiz’s scale was statistically insignificant. Perineal muscle function was negatively correlated with age and positively with perineal contraction while biofeedback was negatively correlated with knee height and globulin level and this difference was statistically significant. The biochemical tests for nutritional analysis were comparable between cases and control indicating no effect on urinary incontinence. Conclusions: The force of urinary contraction is independent of the state of urinary incontinent. With age, the strength of perineal muscle function goes down.

Thyroid Volume Measurements in Normal Adult Females of Gujrat, Pakistan

Thyroid gland volume assessment is considered crucial in a variety of pathological circumstances including thyroiditis, iodine deficiency, and goiter, and may vary with age and weight. Objective: To evaluate the normal adult female’s thyroid volume using ultrasonography. Methods: It is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted at the private healthcare setup of Gujrat Pakistan. After informed consent data was collected over four months. A sample size of 42 patients was calculated via a convenient sampling approach by taking the mean from previous related studies. The data was entered and analyzed by using SPSS version 20. The study included normal adult females and excluded thyroid diseases, neck swelling, and atypical thyroid volumes. Results: This study included 42 females who had a standard thyroid gland. Findings of thyroid volume showed a positive strong correlation between thyroid volume, age, and weight. The mean weight of patients was 67.66±10.3 Kg and the mean age of patients was 42.07±14.5 years. The mean volume of the right lobe of the thyroid was 3.70±0.96ml, mean volume of left lobe of thyroid was 3.51±0.94 ml and mean volume of total thyroid was 7.22±1.90 ml. Paired Sample t-test of right and left thyroid lobes volume was calculated having with the significance of (.000). Conclusions: It is concluded that ultrasound is the preferred approach for the evaluation of thyroid volume. The thyroid volume had a positive strong correlation with weight and age.

The role of the hot foot gene in the fertility of The in vitro fertilization and embryonic development of young adult and old mice as a model for assisted reproductive technology

The hotfoot mutation first occurred in strain of mice C57BL/Ks in 1964. The homozygous (ho/ho) hotfoot mutation show a quick pattern motion that produces a progressive neuromuscular disability of the hind legs. The (ho/ho) is an autosomal recessive mutation affects fertility and neuromuscular system in mice. ObjectiveThis study was implemented to determine the nature and causes of infertility, to ascertain potential value as an animal model due to the presence of similar mutation in human and other mammals. MethodsThe experimental design to evaluate the fertility and sterility of young and old adult female and male hotfoot mice by utilizing the assisted reproduction technology (ART) via the in vitro fertilization, the in vitro embryo development, and the normal matting, the growth of the new born hotfoot mice. ResultsDemonstrated that the young adult and the old hotfoot females produce about similar rate of ova number following superovulation. In addition, they yielded similar rate of embryo development in vitro form 1 cell to the 16 cell stage, morula and blastula stage compared to normal females. The old hotfoot females show better rate in the in vitro fertilization IVF and embryo development 53.6%, and the rate of the degenerating ova (46.4%) compared to the young adult females 38.5%, 61.35, respectively. The hotfoot males show sterility (22%) of the homozygous mutant males compared to phenotypically normal males. Regarding the normal matting, the hotfoot female mating with males had less litter size compared to normal mice mating. ConclusionThe hotfoot gene had a noticeable effect on the in vitro fertilization IVF of young adult compared to old adult hotfoot female, also the body weight growth and litter size of hotfoot less than normal mice.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of G6PD diagnostic test for Plasmodium vivax radical cure in Lao PDR: An economic modelling study.

BackgroundPlasmodium vivax (Pv) infections were 68% of the total malaria burden in Laos in 2019. The parasite causes frequent relapses, which can be prevented by primaquine (PMQ). Testing for glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is recommended before giving PMQ to avoid haemolysis. Because of the risk of haemolysis in G6PD intermediate deficiencies among females, Laos uses the PMQ 14-days regimen only in G6PD normal females. Among G6PD point-of-care tests, qualitative tests cannot differentiate between G6PD normal and intermediate females. Quantitative tests are required to differentiate between G6PD normal and intermediate deficiencies. However, the quantitative test lacks the cost-effectiveness evidence necessary for decision-making for large-scale adoption. This study examined the cost-effectiveness of quantitative G6PD test, with either supervised PMQ treatment or unsupervised PMQ treatment, against the usual unsupervised PMQ 8-weeks strategy. Supervised PMQ 8-weeks strategy without G6PD testing was also compared against the unsupervised PMQ 8-weeks strategy since the former had recently been adopted in malaria high burden villages that had village malaria volunteers. A budget impact analysis was conducted to understand the incremental cost and effect needed for a nationwide scale-up of the chosen strategy.MethodsA decision tree model compared the cost-effectiveness of implementing four strategies at one health facility with an average of 14 Pv cases in one year. The strategies were unsupervised PMQ strategy, supervised PMQ strategy, G6PD test with unsupervised PMQ strategy, and G6PD test with supervised PMQ strategy. Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) was the effect measure. Costs were calculated from a payer perspective, and sensitivity analyses were conducted. One Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita of Laos was set as the cost-effectiveness threshold. Budget impact analysis was conducted using the health facility wise Pv data in Laos in 2020.FindingsSupervised PMQ strategy was extendedly dominated by G6PD test strategies. When compared against the unsupervised PMQ strategy, both G6PD test strategies were more costly but more effective. Their Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratios (ICER) were 96.72US$ for the G6PD test with unsupervised PMQ strategy and 184.86US$ for the G6PD test with supervised PMQ strategy. Both ICERs were lower than one GDP per capita in Laos. Following the sensitivity analysis, low adherence for PMQ 14 days made both G6PD test strategies less cost-effective. The lower the Pv case number reported in a health facility, the higher the ICER was. In the budget impact analysis, the expected budget need was only half a million US$ when the G6PD test rollout was discriminately done depending on the Pv case number reported at the health facilities. Indiscriminate roll out of G6PD test to all health facilities was most expensive with least effect impact.

Relationships of health-related quality of life with subjective noise sensitivity in the subjects with normal hearing

Objective Our aim was to look for the association of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) with subjective noise sensitivity (SNS) in the audiologically and perceptually normal hearing subjects since HRQoL was suggested as a tool during the intervention of the hearing impaired people. Methods The audiological evaluation was first done in the subjects who were enrolled from the previous study in which Weinstein Noise Sensitivity Scale (WNSS) was adapted to Turkish. Then, the Short Form-36 (SF-36) scores were determined and the relationships of WNSS score with the SF-36 scores were analysed in respect to gender, age, audiological variables. Results Of 210, 124 subjects (M:44; F:80) were taken to the study. WNSS score presented no gender difference and correlation with age and audiological variables. It was found that WNSS score was significantly correlated with emotional and mental domains of HRQoL in women and physical and social functioning in men. Role limitations due to physical health, mental health, role limitations due to emotional problems, social functioning, vitality and mental composite scores were significantly lower in the upper SNS subgroup. Conclusion It was revealed that SNS was strongly associated with HRQoL in perceptionally and audiologically normal hearing males and females via different domains. Therefore, in case of using HRQoL in audiological care, our data suggest that SNS should be taken into account.

The association between diabetes and hypertension with the number and extent of weight cycles determined from 6 million participants

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the association between weight cycling and clinical outcomes such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension with differential effects of baseline age and obesity. Nationwide data from 6,132,569 healthy adults who underwent five or more health screenings between 2002 and 2011 were analyzed and followed until December 2019 for type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Weight cycling was defined as a change in body weight followed by another change in the opposite direction. Through the Cox proportional hazards model, the number and degree of weight cycles were positively associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes and hypertension. The hazard ratios (HRs) of weight cycling for type 2 diabetes and hypertension were as high as 1.263 (1.213–1.315) and 1.175 (1.144–1.207) at two or more weight cycles of 10% of body weight (BW), respectively. The association was stronger for females, individuals with normal body weight/BMI, and older individuals. Weight cycling was significantly associated with an increased risk of adverse health outcomes and was stronger in individuals with normal BMI and females, indicating that these people should be informed about the potential risk of weight cycling.

Association of Preeclampsia with Low Platelet Count among Pregnant Females Presenting during Third Trimester

Aim: To determine the association between presenting for antenatal check-up Methods: Study conducted in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Lahore General Hospital of Lahore during 15-5-2019 to 15-11-2019 and consented to participate were considered for the study. 35 were with preeclampsia (Cases) and 35 were without (Control). The data was entered and analyzed using SPSS 25. For categorical data analysis chi square test was used using p-value ≤0.05. 70 Women of age 18-40years, parity of 20 weeks (on LMP) Results: The study results showed that the mean age of the cases group was 29.54±6.284 years whereas the mean age of control group was 28.83±7.213 years. In the present study among cases the low platelets count was noted in 26(74.3%) patients while among control group the low platelets count was found in 17(48.6%) patients. Odds of developing preeclampsia among patients aged below or equals to 30 years was 3.97 [95% CI: 0.95-16.52] whereas among aged >30, was 3.06 [95% CI: 0.68-13.78]. The odds of developing preeclampsia among low platelet count subjects with normal BMI was 3.50 [95% CI; 0.69-17.71] Conclusion: Low platelets count was associated with preeclampsia. It was found that pregnant females with low platelet count has significantly greater odds of developing preeclampsia as compared to normal platelets count females presenting during third trimester of pregnancy. Keywords: Pregnant Female, Low platelet count, Preeclampsia, Pregnancy, Case Control Study

Comparative piRNAs Profiles GiveaClueto Transgenerational Inheritance of Sex-Biased piRNAs in Cynoglossus semilaevis.

Piwi interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are involved in the epigenetic and post-transcriptional gene silencing of retrotransposons in germ line cells, especially in spermatogenesis. There are many related reports on model organisms, such as flies and mice. In fish, however, there are few studies on piRNAs. Cynoglossus semilaevis, a benthic warm water flatfish, with remarkable sexual dimorphism, especially the "pseudo males" with sex reversal, mating with normal females to produce viable offspring, is an ideal material for the study of sex development. Here, sperm piwi-interacting RNAs profiles of Cynoglossus semilaevis were characterized, comparing between male and pseudomale groups. Differential piRNAs were identified with their predicted and annotated targets. Attention was then focused on candidate piRNAs associated with sex development and methylation. We continued to compare the expression levels of 10 candidates differentially expressed piRNAs in F1 spermatozoa. Quantitative RT-PCR demonstrated that five of the ten piRNAs showed sex bias consistent with parental sequencing results, with four significantly higher expression level in sperm of five males offspring than that of pseudomales, while one piRNAs showed the opposite expression profile. The five signature piRNAs (piR-mmu-49600337, piR-mmu-95849, piR-xtr-7474223, piR-xtr-1790334, and piR-mmu-4491546) could be employed as male-specific molecular biomarkers for C. semilaevis. Besides, this study also implied the possibility of transgenerational inheritance of sex-biased piRNAs exiting in sperm of Cynoglossus semilaevis.

A single low dose of primaquine is safe and sufficient to reduce transmission of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes regardless of cytochrome P450 2D6 enzyme activity in Bagamoyo district, Tanzania

BackgroundPrimaquine is a pro-drug and its active metabolite is potent against mature Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes. Primaquine is metabolized by a highly polymorphic cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) enzyme. Mutations in the gene encoding this enzyme may lead to impaired primaquine activity. This study assessed if 0.25 mg/kg single-dose primaquine is safe and sufficient to reduce transmission of gametocytes in individuals with no, reduced, or increased CYP2D6 enzyme activity.MethodsBetween June 2019 and January 2020 children aged 1–10 years, attending at Yombo dispensary, Bagamoyo district, with confirmed microcopy-determined uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria were enrolled in the study. The enrolled patients were treated with a standard artemether-lumefantrine regimen plus 0.25 mg/kg single-dose primaquine and followed up for 28 days for clinical and laboratory assessment. Primaquine was administered with the first dose of artemether-lumefantrine. Safety assessment involved direct questioning and recording of the nature and incidence of clinical signs and symptoms, and measurement of haemoglobin (Hb) concentration. Blood samples collected from 100 patients were used for assessment of post-treatment infectiousness on day 7 using mosquito membrane feeding assays. Molecular methods were used to determine CYP2D6 and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) status. The primary outcome was the safety of 0.25 mg/kg single-dose primaquine based on CYP2D6 status.ResultsIn total, 157 children [median age 6.4 (Interquartile range 4.0–8.2) years] were recruited, of whom 21.0% (33/157) and 12.7% (20/157) had reduced CYP2D6 and deficient G6PD activity, respectively. Day 3 mean absolute Hb concentration reduction was 1.50 g/dL [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10–1.90] and 1.51 g/dL (95% CI 1.31–1.71) in reduced and normal CYP2D6 patients, respectively (t = 0.012, p = 0.990). The day 3 mean absolute Hb concentration reduction in G6PD deficient, G6PD normal and heterozygous female was 1.82 g/dL (95% CI 1.32–2.32), 1.48 g/dL (95% CI 1.30–1.67) and 1.47 g/dL (95% CI 0.76–2.18), respectively (F = 0.838, p = 0.435). Sixteen percent (16/98) of the patients each infected at least one mosquito on day 7, and of these, 10.0% (2/20) and 17.9% (14/78) had reduced and normal CYP2D6 enzyme activity, respectively (x2 = 0.736, p = 0.513).ConclusionSingle-dose 0.25 mg/kg primaquine was safe and sufficient for reducing transmission of P. falciparum gametocytes regardless of CYP2D6 or G6PD status.Trial registration Study registration number: NCT03352843.

The Effect of Renal Transplantation on Female Sexual Function: An Age-Matched Pair Analysis

To evaluate female sexual function (FSF) after renal transplantation (RT) and compare it to an age-matched normal females (control). The study included 100 sexually active RT females in child-bearing period. Sexual function was evaluated with Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). We compared the mean scores of all domains of FSFI to an age-matched sexually active normal females. Also, we compared the current FSFI to the pre-transplant status in 54 married females before RT. Factors affecting the FSF after RT were assessed. In comparison to control group, RT group had statistically significant lower sexual desire (P <.001) with no significant differences as regard arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, pain, and total FSFI score (P >.05). Among RT-females, 83% had normal sexual function, and 83.7% of the control had normal sexual function (P=.8). After RT, the FSFI score increased significantly from 20.7 ± 5.4 to 27.8 ± 3.1 (P <.001), and 85.2% had normal sexual function compared to 22.2% before RT (P <.001) with statistically significant improvement in all domains (P <.001) except for pain score (P=.8). Female circumcision was the only identified factor associated with FSD (P=.02). Successful RT significantly improves female sexual function of ESRD patients. The sexual function after RT is comparable to healthy control except for lower sexual desire.

A rare case of 46,XX gonadal dysgenesis, Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome, pituitary and thyroid hypoplasia.

SummaryMayer–Rokitansky–Kuster–Hauser syndrome is characterized by congenital absence or hypoplasia of the uterus and upper two-thirds of the vagina in both phenotypically and karyotypically normal females with functional ovaries, whereas gonadal dysgenesis is a primary ovarian defect in otherwise normal 46,XX females. An association between these two conditions is extremely rare. We report a 21-year-old female presented with primary amenorrhea and undeveloped secondary sexual characteristics. The karyotype was 46,XX and the hormonal profile revealed hypothyroidism and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Pelvic MRI showed class I Mullerian duct anomaly with ovarian dysgenesis. Ultrasound showed bilateral thyroid hypoplasia and brain MRI suggested anterior pituitary hypoplasia. Levothyroxine and hormone replacement therapy were started.Learning pointsThe simultaneous presentation of 46,XX gonadal dysgenesis, Mayer–Rokitansky–Kuster–Hauser syndrome, hypothyroidism, and pituitary hypoplasia is a Possibility.Extensive evaluation should be made when a patient presents with one or more of these features.The diagnosis imposes a significant psychological burden on patients and adequate counseling should be provided.Hormone replacement therapy remains the only therapeutic option for the development of secondary sexual characteristics and the prevention of osteoporosis.

Characterization, expression and CpG methylation analysis of Dmrt1 and its response to steroid hormone in blotched snakehead (Channa maculata).

Dmrt1 is an important transcriptional regulator that plays critical role in male gonadogenesis, testicular differentiation and development. In this study, Dmrt1 was cloned from blotched snakehead (Channa maculata), which is designated as CmDmrt1. CmDmrt1 encoded a putative protein with 293 amino acids and presented an extremely conserved DM domain. It was nearly expressed in the gonads, and the expression was more than 15 times higher in the testis than in the ovary. 1851bp promoter sequence of CmDmrt1 was characterized and the methylation levels of the CpG sites were analyzed to detect sex-related differences. A significant negative correlation between CmDmrt1 expression and CpG methylation level of its promoter was found in the testis and ovary. During gonadal development, CmDmrt1 transcription displayed strong male-biased expression patterns, increased with the maturation of testis and reached the peak at 195days after hatching (dah), which indicates a significant role of Dmrt1 in spermatogenesis. Steroid treatment could influence CmDmrt1 expression, and long-term 17β-estradiol (E2) treatment could induce the male-to-female secondary sex reversal (SSR), which resulted in the differentiated testis transformed to ovary or ovotestis. Meanwhile, CmDmrt1 expression was down-regulated to fairly low level in the ovary of the SSR XY fish, which was similar to that in normal XX females ovary. Our research illustrates that Dmrt1 is linked to testis differentiation and spermatogenesis in blotched snakehead, providing information for functional studies on sex differentiation and gonadal development of C. maculata, and scientific basis for the production practice of all-male snakehead breeding.

A study of pain perception by cold pressure test in young females during the different phases of menstrual cycle

Background: Menstruation is a cyclic physiological phenomenon showing fluctuations of various Gonadal hormones. Gonadal hormones (estrogen and progesterone) influences pain sensitivity, the former strongly influences nociceptive actions; whereas the latter prevents neuropathic pain some previous study has shown changes in pain sensitivity during menstruation. However, there is only little evidence present on effect of Gonadal hormones on experimental pain Sensitivity. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the present study is to differentiate in Sensation of pain stimulus in terms of - pain threshold, pain tolerance, pain intensity, pain unpleasantness in females with normal menstruation during different phases through using cold presser test. Materials and Methods: A total of 55 normal healthy females were enrolled in the study as per the eligibility criteria. Cold presser test was used as a pain stimulus source. The participants were instructed to hold their least dominant hand in the water bath as long as possible and were requested to inform the first sensation of pain which denoted the participants’ pain threshold. Time from pain threshold to the point where participants could no longer cope with pain and indicate stop, was recorded as pain tolerance. At this point, participants were directed to note pain intensity and unpleasantness on the visual analogue scale. Results: The results showed that high significant pain intensity, pain unpleasantness, and pain tolerance level were highly significant during follicular phase than luteal phase. Conclusion: In our study, we concluded pain perception difference across during different phase of menstruation in the form of high significant pain intensity, pain unpleasantness, and pain tolerance during follicular phase due to the hormonal fluctuation and the differences in autonomic nervous system reactivity these would be the underlying mechanism for these findings.

Understanding the Molecular Basis of Fragile X Syndrome Using Differentiated Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

ObjectivesFragile X syndrome (FXS) has been known as the most common cause of inherited intellectual disability and autism. This disease results from the loss of fragile X mental retardation protein expression due to the expansion of CGG repeats located on the 5’ untranslated region of the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene. Materials & Methods In the present study, the peripheral blood-mesenchymal stem cells (PB-MSCs) of two female full mutation carriers were differentiated into neuronal cells by the suppression of bone morphogenesis pathway signaling. Then, the expression of genes adjacent to CGG repeats expansion, including SLIT and NTRK-like protein 2 (SLITRK2), SLIT and NTRK-like protein 4 (SLITRK4), methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2), and gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor subunit alpha-3 (GABRA3), were evaluated in these cells using SYBR Green real-time polymerase chain reaction. ResultsThe obtained results indicated that the expression of SLITRK2 and SLITRK4 were upregulated and downregulated in the neuron-like cells differentiated from the PB-MSCs of females with FMR1 full mutation, compared to that of the normal females, respectively. Furthermore, the expression of MECP2 and GABRA3 genes were observed to be related to the phenotypic differences observed in the female FMR1 full mutation carriers. Conclusion The observed association of expression of genes located upstream of the FMR1 gene with phenotypic differences in the female carriers could increase the understanding of novel therapeutic targets for patients with mild symptoms of FXS and the patients affected by other FMR1-related disorders.

The Characteristics of Real-time Transvaginal Sono-elastography in Endometrial Cancer.

Background:Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecological cancer among women in developed countries. Sono-elastography is an extended ultrasonographic technique that has been shown to be useful in a wide range of conditions ranging from breast, prostate, and thyroid nodules to chronic liver disease and musculoskeletal conditions. The aim of this study is to compare the sonoelastographic features of endometrial malignancy and normal endometrium.Methods:This case–control observational study was conducted at a single institution. Participants with histologically proven endometrial cancer according to the results from microcurettage or hysteroscopic biopsy and scheduled for total hysterectomy were included as cases, while asymptomatic women scheduled for routine screening ultrasound examination were recruited as controls. Both cases and controls underwent conventional B-mode transvaginal ultrasonography and strain elastography. Demographic, ultrasonographic, and histopathologic findings were analyzed.Results:A total of 29 endometrial cancer patients (cases) and 28 normal females (controls) were included in the analysis. There was no significant difference in the mean age between the two groups, but the mean body weight was significantly higher in the case group (P < 0.001). The strain ratio and elastographic thickness ratio of the endometrium were statistically significantly different between the case and the control group (P ≤ 0.05) due to increased endometrial stiffness in cancer patients as compared to the normal group.Conclusion:Our results suggest that endometrial cancer can result in increased stiffness that is detectable by transvaginal sonoelastography. Sonoelastography may serve as an adjunct to conventional ultrasound in evaluating the endometrium of women with abnormal uterine bleeding.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Risk Factors by Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) and Muscle Activities during Drop Vertical Jump for Overweight Females

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors for anterior cruciate ligament injury using the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) and muscle activity during the drop vertical jump for overweight females.METHODS The body mass index was 18.5-22.9 kg/㎡ for normal weight females and 23-24.9 kg/㎡ for overweight females among 10 participants aged 20-30 years classified into groups of participants without any injury history and those who were right-footed. An automatic heigh-tweight machine, body composition analyzer, diagnostic imaging, electromyography with the LESS, and muscle activity analysis were used for measurements. The difference in muscle activity between the normal weight and overweight females was evaluated by independent t-test.RESULTS Overweight females had a smaller angle of knee bending during the drop vertical landing, leading to a smaller knee curve angle. In addition, they landed with an unbalanced foot touch on the ground inclined backward, thereby breaking the whole body balance. Overweight females had an incorrect posture compared with normal weight females, with higher LESS points. The muscle activity of the rectus femoris was higher than that of the biceps femoris, indicating a higher load on the muscle.CONCLUSIONS Overweight females take more load on the knee joint and cannot absorb the impact force properly. These results suggest a higher risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury in overweight females.

Sonographic Association of Polycystic Ovaries with Ovarian Arterial Pulsatility and Resistive Index

Aim: To evaluate the sonographic association of polycystic ovaries with ovarian arterial pulsatility and resistive index. Methodology: In Al Mustafa Trust Medical Centre Lahore, a comparative analytic study was conducted. 140 patients of age group 17 to 50 were included in this study with convenient sampling technique. All patients were females and 70 were with the history of PCOs and normal. Gray scale Ultrasound and Doppler was used to diagnose the PI and RI in normal and subject. Duration of study: 02- Aug-2021 to 14- Dec-2021 Results: 70 PCOs patients have hyperechoic ovarian stroma and other 70 shows normal echogenicity. In this study different age groups were selected with minimum age was 17 years and maximum age was 50 years. In PCO females the mean RI was 0.7333 and PI was 1.6303 and in normal females the mean RI was 0.8889 and PI was 2.7251. Out of 140 patients the mean volume of right ovary is 9.6557 cm3 and of left ovary is 9.7943 cm3. Our Study was significant at point 0.0001. Conclusion: It is concluded that ovarian Doppler ultrasound is a basic tool in the diagnosis of the PCOS and provide an insight into the pathophysiological state and degree of progression in the affected ovary. Keywords: Polycystic ovary syndrome, Doppler ultrasound

The Biochemical Changes in Bone Profile during Pregnancy

Background: Metabolic processes directly affect the bone skeleton in the human body; especially during pregnancy in females. A bone profile obtained from a blood test can reveal the changes on it. Objectives: The present study aims to estimate the changes that occur in some bone components during pregnancy and whether these changes are physiological or pathological. Patients and methods: Blood samples were collected from 126 females who attend to Al-Hadbaa primary health care center and Al-Khansaa Hospital in Mosul city during the period from January to April 2008. These females classified into two main groups; Group-1 consists of 87 normal pregnant females which are subdivided to 3 subgroups according to their gestational age. Group-2 consists of 39 non-pregnant healthy females (control group). The biochemical parameters measured were: serum calcium, serum albumin, serum inorganic phosphorus (iP), serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and corrected serum calcium, and the measured data for these parameters were analyzed using different statistical methods. Results: The total serum calcium, inorganic phosphorus and serum albumin decreased in pregnant female compared to the control group, while alkaline phosphatase activity was elevated in pregnant females compared to the non-pregnant females. Conclusion: The increasing in ALP during pregnancy is accompanied by decreasing serum calcium in the 2nd trimester and decreasing in iP in the 3rd trimester that could be a pathological changes related to the bone.

Effect of physical activity and BMI SDS on bone metabolism in children and adolescents.

Children with obesity are known to have reduced bone density and are at a higher risk for fractures. This may be caused by decreased physical activity or a metabolic phenomenon. In this study, we evaluated associations of physical activity with bone metabolism in children and adolescents with and without obesity. Results from 574 visits of 397 subjects, 191 girls and 206 boys aged five to 18years (mean: 11.7±2.8) representing 180 children with (mean BMI SDS 2.5±0.4) and 217 without obesity (mean BMI SDS 0.2±1.0) from the LIFE Child study, a population-based cohort of children/adolescents with normal weight and with obesity were analyzed for the impact of their daily physical activity (MET/day, SenseWear Accelerometer) on serum SDS levels for bone formation (alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, procollagen type I N propeptide [P1NP]), bone resorption (beta-crosslaps), and calcium homeostasis (parathormone, OH-25-vitamin D) by a linear regression model adjusted for gender- and age-based differences. For male subjects, BMI SDS significantly influenced the association of physical activity to PTH, vitamin D, and beta-crosslaps SDS levels. A higher physical activity was accompanied by increased PTH but decreased vitamin D SDS levels in children with normal weight. In males with obesity, all levels remained unaltered. In females, BMI SDS significantly impacted the association of physical activity to PTH, vitamin D, P1NP, beta-crosslaps, and osteocalcin SDS levels. In females with obesity, higher physical activity was related to higher SDS levels of vitamin D, P1NP, and beta-crosslaps. In contrast, in normal weight females, only PTH SDS was higher. The effect of daily physical activity on bone metabolic markers and calciotropic hormones depends significantly on gender and BMI SDS. However, higher levels of physical activity were associated with increased bone turnover for female subjects with obesity only. Thus, motivating especially girls with obesity to be physically active may help improve their bone health.