Age In Women Research Articles

Differences in Fibromyalgia Characteristics by Mode of Commute and Age in Women: The Al-Ándalus Project

Objectives: This study aimed to test whether fibromyalgia-related characteristics differ by mode of commute and by age in women with fibromyalgia. Methods: A total of 450 women with fibromyalgia (aged 52.0 ± 8.0 years old) were included. Data on their body composition, socioeconomic factors, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), depressive symptoms, sleep quality, pain-related outcomes, fatigue, and mode of commute, as well as the impact of fibromyalgia on their lives, were obtained. We performed linear regression analyses to test the differences in fibromyalgia-related characteristics between the participants engaged in active/passive modes of commuting. To analyze in depth the differences, a one-way analysis of covariance with Bonferroni’s correction for multiple comparisons was conducted. Results: In the younger group, active commuters presented differences in fibromyalgia-related characteristics (all, p < 0.01): they were less impacted by having fibromyalgia, had lower levels of fatigue, and had a higher HRQoL than passive commuters. We observed no differences in symptoms between active and passive commuters in the older group (all, p > 0.05). Conclusions: The possible positive effect of active commuting on fibromyalgia-related characteristics might be reduced by age and by a decrease in total physical activity. Physical activity programs for women with fibromyalgia focused on improving fibromyalgia-related characteristics should consider active commuting behaviors to increase their effectiveness.

Fatty liver index and somatic composition in subjects receiving medical health checkup.

To elucidate the relationship between fatty liver index (FLI) and somatic composition among health checkup recipients (4533 men and 4877 women). Fat (F) index, fat-free (FF) index, and fat mass to fat-free mass (F-FF) ratio was measured by bioimpedance analysis. Skeletal muscle mass (SMM) loss was defined as FF index <18kg/m2 in men and FF index <15kg/m2 in women. The impact of FLI on the somatic composition (i.e., F index, FF index, and F-FF ratio) was retrospectively investigated. The median age in men and women was 54 and 52years (p<0.0001). The median body mass index in men and women was 23.4 and 21.1kg/m2 (p<0.0001). The prevalence of fatty liver on ultrasonography was 52.5% in men and 22.1% in women. The median FLI in men and women was 25.1 and 6.9 (p<0.0001). Fatty liver index correlated significantly with F index (r>0.5 in all analyses). In all analyses, the decreased SMM group had significantly lower FLI than the nondecreased SMM group. In receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for the SMM decrease, in both genders, area under the ROCs of FLI were all over 0.80 (optimal cut-off point: 19.7 in men and 8.4 in women). The FLI correlated significantly with F-FF ratio (r>0.5 in all analyses). The FLI can be a good indicator of not only fat mass but also FF mass and body composition balance in health checkup subjects. The FLI may not be just a marker of hepatic steatosis.

An Exploration of Locomotor Syndrome among Geriatric Population – A Narrative Review

A locomotor disability in the geriatric population is a physical condition that impairs mobility and movement in older persons. It is frequently caused by age-related causes such as degenerative diseases, osteoarthritis, or neurological abnormalities. This impairment can have a substantial influence on older people's quality of life by limiting their ability to conduct daily activities independently, such as walking, standing, or climbing stairs. Addressing locomotor impairments in older persons is critical for preserving their mobility, independence, and overall well-being, ultimately improving their quality of life as they age.A comprehensive literature search was conducted, which were sourced from PubMed, google scholar, Japanese government websites, springer link, semantic scholar generated significant studies using the keywords like locomotor disability, older population, mobility, quality of life, aging. We included articles which were published from 2005–2024.Locomotive Syndrome (LS) affects a significant portion of the elderly population, with prevalence ranging from 8.4% to 50.3%, increasing with age and higher in women. It shows the correlations with osteoporosis and sarcopenia, suggesting potential shared risk factors or pathways. By this the older people tend to have lower quality of life, particularly concerning spinal alignment and trunk deformity. Exercise interventions, including locomotive training, aerobic exercise, and muscle training, are suggested for LS prevention. Vitamin D supplementation may benefit bone health and fall prevention in older individuals.Locomotor syndrome is a substantial concern, especially in ageing populations, with considerable implications for quality of life. Its prevalence, which is frequently associated with osteoporosis and sarcopenia, highlights the necessity of preventive measures including exercise and vitamin D supplementation. Recognising the impact of LS on mobility and well-being is critical for establishing focused interventions to prevent and manage its progression, thereby improving the overall health and independence of geriatric population.

Short insemination during conventional in vitro fertilization increases embryo quality.

To compare clinical outcomes using short and long co-incubation protocols in sibling oocytes based on embryo morphokinetic outcomes measured by time-lapse incubator with stratification based on a woman's age and sperm quality. Our study included 72 cycles with>6 oocytes retrieved. Sibling oocytes were distributed for two parallel protocols: short (3h; n=421) or long (16-20h; n=434) insemination, using the same amount of spermatozoa from the same prepared sample. Oocytes were then washed and incubated for 5 days. Time-lapse annotations of embryos were performed by experienced embryologists and artificial intelligence-based Known Implantation Data scores for day 3 and day 5 were calculated with EmbryoScope software. Short-insemination group exhibited a higher blastulation rate, better morphokinetic indicators, and higher Known Implantation Data scores on day 3 and day 5 of the utilized embryos. However, the fertilization rate and clinical pregnancy rate per embryo transfer did not differ between experimental groups. A higher rate of abnormal fertilization (>2 pronuclei) after long insemination was recorded in women under 35 years old or with a total motile sperm count above 5 million and above 40% motility after preparation. A higher rate of usable embryos was observed after short insemination with a total motile sperm count above 30 million before preparation or 5 million and over 40% motility after preparation. Our results suggest that a short insemination protocol results in better embryo quality and should be considered as a favorable protocol, especially in young female patients or male patients with high sperm quality.

Prediction of the ideal gestational weight gain for reducing the risk of macrosomia/large for gestational age in women with gestational diabetes mellitus in northern Taiwan

BackgroundAppropriate weight gain reduces the risk of fetal macrosomia and large for gestational age (LGA) in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), especially in the second and third trimester. This study aims to identify the optimal weight g–ain for such women across several pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) categories to lower the risk of macrosomia and LGA. MethodsThis retrospective cohort study enrolled women with GDM in north Taiwan who delivered between January 2012 and July 2022. BMI cut-offs were based on Chinese-specific guidelines and used to classify the participants as underweight (<18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (18.5–24.0 kg/m2), overweight (24.0–28.0 kg/m2), or obese (>28 kg/m2). Receiver operator curve analysis was used to determine the optimum GWG cut-off ranges to predict macrosomia / LGA, and uni- and multivariate analyses were used to analyze risk factors. In addition, a multivariable model predicting macrosomia and LGA in infants was developed. ResultsA total of 963 participants was included in our analysis. Optimal mean weekly rates of GWG in the second and third trimesters were 0.43 kg/week and 0.61 kg/week, respectively, in the underweight and normal weight group, and 0.33 kg/week and 0.32 kg/week, respectively, in the overweight and obesity group. ConclusionThe 2009 IOM guidelines, offering weight gain recommendations for pregnant women, appear to be applicable to Asian women diagnosed with GDM. This indicates that it is essential for such women to maintain an adequate total GWG throughout pregnancy. Physicians should address GWG using the IOM guidelines and trigger intervention when it is required to reduce macrosomia and LGA occurrence.

Characteristics associated with fruit and vegetable consumption in mid aged and older Chinese men and women: a cross-sectional analysis of the first wave of WHO SAGE China.

Adequate fruit and vegetable consumption is essential for healthy ageing and prevention and management of chronic disease. This study aimed to examine characteristics associated with fruit and vegetable consumption in Chinese men and women aged 50 years and over. Data from the first wave of the Chinese cohort (2008-2010) of the WHO's Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) survey was used. Fruit and vegetable consumption was assessed by self-reported typical consumption in serves/day. Characteristics examined were age, education, financial security, home ownership, marital status, social cohesion and rural location. Associations with fruit and vegetable consumption were assessed using multiple linear regression adjusted for confounders and stratified by sex. Overall, women consumed more serves of fruit per day than men (mean (standard deviation): 2·6 (2·2) and 2·2 (2·1) serves/day, respectively) whereas men consumed more serves of vegetables than women (7·2 (4·0) and 6·7 (3·7)). Lower fruit consumption was associated with lower education, lower social participation, income insecurity, renting, being un-partnered and rural residency in men and women, as well as older age in women. Lower vegetable consumption was associated with older age, lower education and urban residency in men and women and lower social participation in men and being unpartnered in women. This study has identified characteristics associated with fruit and vegetable intake in a sample of mid aged and older Chinese men and women. Further research on the interrelationships between these characteristics and fruit and vegetable intake as well as longitudinal relationships is warranted.

Magnitude and Determinants of Postpartum Hemorrhage in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Maternal mortality remains a major challenge in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), accounting for 70% of world's maternal deaths. Hemorrhage is the leading direct cause of maternal mortality worldwide, with postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) responsible for more than two-thirds of hemorrhage-related deaths. This systematic review and meta-analysis integrated data from studies conducted in SSA to provide an accurate estimation of the prevalence of PPH and to identify regional risk variables. Methods: We conducted a search across multiple databases for peer-reviewed articles published between 2013 and 2023. This study included quantitative research employing cross-sectional, case-control, or cohort designs, regardless of sample size, and published in English. This review excluded literature reviews, meta-syntheses, qualitative studies, editorials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. We used MetaXL to estimate the pooled magnitude of PPH in SSA, and employed the Q test, I2 statistic, and funnel plots to assess statistical heterogeneity. Furthermore, we used MetaXL to perform subgroup and sensitivity analyses. Finally, we used IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows (Version 29.0.2.0 Armonk, NY, USA), to estimate the pooled effect size of the factors associated with PPH. Results: 26 methodologically rigorous articles were included in this review and meta-analysis. The pooled magnitude of PPH in SSA was 8.6%. The studies exhibited significant heterogeneity. Individual factors associated with PPH include the woman's age (crude odds ratio [OR] = 4.37, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 3.03–6.29), place of residence (OR = 2.06, 95% CI = 1.51–2.82), and parity (OR = 3.13, 95% CI = 1.38–7.11). Antenatal factors include antenatal care (ANC) attendance (OR = 3.43, 95% CI = 1.12–10.05), antepartum hemorrhage (APH) (OR = 6.83, 95% CI = 3.64–12.80), and twin pregnancy (OR = 8.25, 95% CI = 3.80–17.92). Intrapartum factors include induction of labor (OR = 4.39, 95% CI = 2.01–9.61), and mode of delivery (OR = 2.61, 95% CI = 1.80–3.78). Postpartum factors include previous history of PPH (OR = 10.86, 95% CI = 3.71–31.84), and oxytocin use after delivery (OR = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.09–0.32). Conclusions: The pooled magnitude of PPH in SSA in this study was considerably higher than that in other regions. Therefore, there is a need to strengthen strategies aimed at improving ANC attendance in SSA to ultimately reduce PPH. Additionally, close monitoring of women with risk factors for PPH and the careful use of oxytocin for labor induction are strategies that can also be used to reduce PPH in SSA.

Sex Differences in Fat Distribution and Muscle Fat Infiltration in the Lower Extremity: A Retrospective Diverse-Ethnicity 7T MRI Study in a Research Institute Setting in the USA.

Background: Fat infiltration in skeletal muscle is related to declining muscle strength, whereas excess subcutaneous fat is implicated in the development of metabolic diseases. Methods: Using multi-slice axial T2-weighted (T2w) MR images, this retrospective study characterized muscle fat infiltration (MFI) and fat distribution in the lower extremity of 107 subjects (64M/43F, age 11-79 years) with diverse ethnicities (including White, Black, Latino, and Asian subjects). Results: MRI data analysis shows that MFI, evaluated by the relative intensities of the pixel histogram profile in the calf muscle, tends to increase with both age and BMI. However, statistical significance was found only for the age correlation in women (p < 0.002), and the BMI correlation in men (p = 0.04). Sex disparities were also seen in the fat distribution, which was assessed according to subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT) and the fibula bone marrow cross-sectional area (BMA). SFT tends to decrease with age in men (p < 0.01), whereas SFT tends to increase with BMI only in women (p < 0.01). In contrast, BMA tends to increase with age in women (p < 0.01) and with BMI in men (p = 0.04). Additionally, MFI is positively correlated with BMA but not with SFT, suggesting that compromised bone structure may contribute to fat infiltration in the surrounding skeletal muscle. Conclusions: The findings of this study highlight a sex factor affecting MFI and fat distribution, which may offer valuable insights into effective strategies to prevent and treat MFI in women versus men.

Vascular limitations in blood pressure regulation with age in women: Insights from exercise and acute cardioselective β-blockade.

Younger women rely on altering cardiac output ( ) to regulate blood pressure (BP). In contrast, older women rely more on altering vascular tone. However, evidence suggests that the ability to alter systemic vascular conductance (SVC) is diminished in older women. In the present study, cardioselective β-blockade was utilized to diminish the relative contribution of to BP regulation and thereby evaluate age-related vascular limitations in women at rest and during large muscle dynamic exercise. Younger (n=13, mean age 26.0 years) and older (n=14, mean age 61.8 years) healthy women performed submaximal bouts of semi-recumbent cycling exercise at varying intensities while receiving an intravenous infusion of esmolol, a β1-antagonist, or saline control in a repeated-measures crossover design. was attenuated during esmolol infusion, with greater reductions during exercise (moderate, -1.0 (95% CI, -1.6 to -0.5)L/min, P<0.001; heavy, -2.0 (95% CI, -2.6 to -1.5)L/min, P<0.001) than seated rest (-0.5 (95% CI, -1.1 to 0.0)L/min, P=0.048), and this reduction was not significantly different between age groups (P=0.122). Older women exhibited a greater attenuation in mean arterial pressure (MAP) during esmolol (-7 (95% CI, -9 to -4) mmHg, P<0.001) relative to younger women (-2 (95% CI, -5 to 0) mmHg, P=0.071). These changes coincided with a greater reduction of SVC in the younger women during esmolol (-15 (95% CI, -20 to -10)mL/min/mmHg, P<0.001) compared to older women (-3 (95% CI, -9 to 2)mL/min/mmHg, P=0.242). Together, these findings provide evidence that older, postmenopausal women have a diminished ability to adjust SVC in order to regulate MAP.

Female-age-dependent changes in the lipid fingerprint of the mammalian oocytes.

Can oocyte functionality be assessed by observing changes in their intracytoplasmic lipid droplets (LDs) profiles? Lipid profile changes can reliably be detected in human oocytes; lipid changes are linked with maternal age and impaired developmental competence in a mouse model. In all cellular components, lipid damage is the earliest manifestation of oxidative stress (OS), which leads to a cascade of negative consequences for organelles and DNA. Lipid damage is marked by the accumulation of LDs. We hypothesized that impaired oocyte functionality resulting from aging and associated OS could be assessed by changes in LDs profile, hereafter called lipid fingerprint (LF). To investigate if it is possible to detect differences in oocyte LF, we subjected human GV-stage oocytes to spectroscopic examinations. For this, a total of 48 oocytes derived from 26 young healthy women (under 33 years of age) with no history of infertility, enrolled in an oocyte donation program, were analyzed. Furthermore, 30 GV human oocytes from 12 women were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). To evaluate the effect of oocytes' lipid profile changes on embryo development, a total of 52 C57BL/6 wild-type mice and 125 Gnpat+/- mice were also used. Human oocytes were assessed by label-free cell imaging via coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS). Further confirmation of LF changes was conducted using spontaneous Raman followed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies and TEM. Additionally, to evaluate whether LF changes are associated with developmental competence, mouse oocytes and blastocysts were evaluated using TEM and the lipid dyes BODIPY and Nile Red. Mouse embryonic exosomes were evaluated using flow cytometry, FTIR and FT-Raman spectroscopies. Here we demonstrated progressive changes in the LF of oocytes associated with the woman's age consisting of increased LDs size, area, and number. LF variations in oocytes were detectable also within individual donors. This finding makes LF assessment a promising tool to grade oocytes of the same patient, based on their quality. We next demonstrated age-associated changes in oocytes reflected by lipid peroxidation and composition changes; the accumulation of carotenoids; and alterations of structural properties of lipid bilayers. Finally, using a mouse model, we showed that LF changes in oocytes are negatively associated with the secretion of embryonic exosomes prior to implantation. Deficient exosome secretion disrupts communication between the embryo and the uterus and thus may explain recurrent implantation failures in advanced-age patients. Due to differences in lipid content between different species' oocytes, the developmental impact of lipid oxidation and consequent LF changes may differ across mammalian oocytes. Our findings open the possibility to develop an innovative tool for oocyte assessment and highlight likely functional connections between oocyte LDs and embryonic exosome secretion. By recognizing the role of oocyte LF in shaping the embryo's ability to implant, our original work points to future directions of research relevant to developmental biology and reproductive medicine. This research was funded by National Science Centre of Poland, Grants: 2021/41/B/NZ3/03507 and 2019/35/B/NZ4/03547 (to G.E.P.); 2022/44/C/NZ4/00076 (to M.F.H.) and 2019/35/N/NZ3/03213 (to Ł.G.). M.F.H. is a National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) fellow (GA ULM/2019/1/00097/U/00001). K.F. is a Diamond Grant fellow (Ministry of Education and Science GA 0175/DIA/2019/28). The open-access publication of this article was funded by the Priority Research Area BioS under the program "Excellence Initiative - Research University" at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow. The authors declare no competing interest. N/A.

The impact of concurrent HIV-infection on women with vulvar cancer: Comparison of clinical characteristics and outcome.

HPV-related vulvar cancer is increasing in prevalence, especially in women living with HIV. Treatment of vulva cancer is based on evidence from HPV-independent cancers, which affect older women. The impact of HIV on vulvar cancer characteristics and treatment outcomes needs to be elucidated. A retrospective observational study compared the clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of 92 HIV-positive and 131 HIV-negative women with vulvar cancer at our institution. Using descriptive statistics, HIV-positive and negative patients were compared and Cox regression models were tested for differences in mortality and recurrence. HIV-positive patients were 20 years younger than HIV-negative patients (p < 0.001). More than 50% of patients presented with advanced stage cancer, however this was independent of HIV-status. Although HIV infection was associated with poorer survival (p = 0.022); rates of cure (p = 0.933) and recurrence rates (p = 0.8) were similar in HIV-positive and negative women. Vulvar cancer occurs at a much younger age in women living with HIV. Awareness among HIV-positive women and health care providers would lead to diagnosis of vulvar cancer at an earlier stage. Treatment protocols for HPV-related vulvar cancer should not be altered due to HIV status and should take into consideration the young age of the patients.

Predictors of premarital cohabitation timing among young women in Ethiopia: insights from the 2016 demographic and health survey using a shared frailty model.

Most new HIV infections occur in sub-Saharan Africa due to premarital, likely experiences of abuse, exploitation, intimate partner violence, murder, and suicide. Transient nature of the relationship, cohabiting young females are frequently at risk for poor mental health following disagreements. This study's aim was to predictors of premarital cohabitation timing among young women in Ethiopia. Secondary data from the 2016 Ethiopian Health and Demographic Survey was analyzed. The study comprised a weighted sample of 6,142 young women. A weighted descriptive analysis of graphs, frequency tables, medians, and percentiles was performed to describe the study participants. The Akaike information criteria were used to choose the best-shared frailty model for the data. Final measures of effect size included the adjusted hazard ratio, both of which had a p-value of less than 0.05. Premarital cohabitation was reported to have a median age of 16 years (IQR, 15-18 years). Woman's age (AHR = 0.795; 95% CI: 0.761-0.868) was one of the independent predictors of time to premarital cohabitation. For primary, secondary, and higher education, respectively, 0.733 (95% CI: 0.607, 0.959) and 0.610 (95% CI: 0.589, 0.632) were seen among women who can read and write (AHR = 0.896; 95% CI: 0.872, 0.920). Women with access to the media (AHR = 0.722, 95% CI: 0.510, 0.963). The most important idea is that educational level, access to media, age, and literacy are the most significant factors for the time-to-premarital cohabitation rate.

Gender differences in outcomes of ambulatory and hospitalized patient with obesity hypoventilation syndrome

Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. There is a paucity of data on whether there are gender differences in outcomes. Research Question Is female gender associated with worse outcomes in ambulatory and hospitalized patients with OHS? We performed post hoc analyses on two separate OHS cohorts: 1) stable ambulatory patients from the two Pickwick randomized controlled trials and 2) hospitalized patients with acute-on-chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure from a retrospective international cohort. We first conducted bivariate analyses of baseline characteristics and therapeutics between genders. Variables of interest from these analyses were then grouped into linear mixed effects models, Cox proportional hazards models or logistic regression models to assess the association of gender on various clinical outcomes. The ambulatory prospective cohort included 300 patients (64% female) and the hospitalized retrospective cohort included 1,162 patients (58% female). For both cohorts, women were significantly older and more obese than men. Compared to men, baseline PaCO2 was similar in ambulatory patients, but higher in hospitalized women. In the ambulatory cohort, in unadjusted analysis, women had increased risk of emergency room visits. However, gender was not associated with the composite outcome of emergency room visit, hospitalization, or all-cause mortality in the fully adjusted model. In the hospitalized cohort, positive airway pressure (PAP) prescription was less prevalent in women upon discharge. In unadjusted analysis, hospitalized women had a higher mortality at 3, 6, and 12 months after hospital discharge compared to men. However, after adjusting for age, gender was not associated with mortality. Although the diagnosis of OHS is established at a more advanced age in women, gender is not independently associated with worse clinical outcomes after adjusting for age. Future studies are needed to examine gender-related health disparities in diagnosis and treatment of OHS.

Real-World Effectiveness of Menopausal Hormone Therapy in Preventing Relapse in Women With Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder.

Antipsychotic effectiveness in preventing relapse declines around menopausal age in women with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (SSD). It is not known whether systemic menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) can help to prevent psychosis relapse. A within-subject study design was used to study the effectiveness of MHT in preventing relapse in a Finnish nationwide cohort of women with SSD between 40 and 62 years of age who used MHT during follow-up (1994-2017). Hazard ratios adjusted for age and psychotropic drug use were calculated for psychosis relapse as main outcome and any psychiatric hospitalization as secondary outcome. The study population comprised 3,488 women using MHT. Use of MHT was associated with a 16% lower relapse risk (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]=0.84, 95% CI=0.78-0.90) when compared to non-use. Stratified by age, MHT was associated with decreased relapse risks when used between ages 40-49 (aHR=0.86, 95% CI=0.78-0.95) and ages 50-55 (aHR=0.74, 95% CI=0.66-0.83), but not between ages 56-62 (aHR=1.11, 95% CI=0.91-1.37). Similar effectiveness was found for estrogen alone or combined with fixed or sequential progestogens (aHRs between 0.79 and 0.86), transdermal and oral formulations (aHRs 0.75-0.87), and for most specific formulations (aHRs 0.75-0.85), except tibolone (aHR=1.04, 95% CI=0.75-1.44) and formulations with dydrogesterone (aHR=1.05, 95% CI=0.85-1.30). Similar results were observed with any psychiatric hospitalization as outcome measure. The findings underscore the potential value of MHT in preventing psychosis relapse among women with SSD of menopausal age. These findings translate clinical evidence on the neuroprotective effects of estrogens to real-world settings, encompassing a group of women for whom current antipsychotic treatment options may be insufficient.

No impact of a positive Chlamydia trachomatis serology on live-birth rate after intra-uterine insemination

ObjectiveTo study the impact of a CT serology on intrauterine insemination (IUI) cumulative live-birth rate (cLBR) in women with documented bilateral tubal patency. DesignCohort study SubjectsInfertile women with documented bilateral tubal patency and medical indication of IUI matched on the following criteria: woman's age, number of cycles completed and number of motile sperm inseminated (NMSI). ExposureThis retrospective, observational and monocentric cohort study compared women with positive CT serology matched 1:1 to control women with negative CT serology. Main outcome measuresCumulative LBR, rates of clinical pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, biochemical pregnancy. ResultsA total of 71 women in the CT positive group were matched to 71 women in the negative CT group, leading to compare 136 cycles per group. No statistically significant difference was observed between groups regarding the demographic and medical characteristics of couples. Cumulative LBR per woman was similar in both groups with 32.4% (n = 23) in the negative serology group Vs 25.4% (n = 18) in the positive CT group (NS). The rates of clinical pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, biochemical pregnancy were comparable between the two groups. ConclusionIn a population of infertile women with patent tubes, our study suggests that the serological status for CT has no impact on the IIU cLBR.

Resistance and resilience to tau pathology in Alzheimer's disease: Effects of age, sex, and APOE alleles.

Neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), a hallmark of tau pathology in Alzheimer's disease (AD), accumulate in the aging brain. However, some individuals remain cognitively intact despite high Braak (III-VI) stages, which characterize NFTs' accumulation. We studied resistance and resilience to tau pathology by assessing Braak stages based on apolipoprotein E (APOE) alleles, sex, and age in a sample of 1932 cognitively intact individuals of European ancestry from the Alzheimer's Disease Sequencing Project (ADSP). Resistance, characterized by low (0-II) Braak stages, was observed in men and women younger than 85 years of age. Resilience, indicated by high (III-VI) Braak stages, increased significantly with age in both men and women for each APOE allele. It became more pronounced, with the proportion of high Braak stages exceeding 50% at 85 years and older in women, irrespective of the APOE allele. The identification of factors underlying resistance and resilience against AD-related pathologies is essential for promoting cognitively healthy aging. We investigated cognitive resistance and resilience to tau pathology in Alzheimer's disease (AD).This study included individuals who were not diagnosed with AD.Braak stages 0-II and III-VI were considered as a measure of resistance and resilience, respectively.Resistance was stronger at ages younger than 85 years in non-carriers of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele.Resilience increased with age for each APOE allele independently of sex.At age 85 years and older, high resilience(>50%) was observed in women regardless of the APOE allele.

Relationship Between Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) and Other Influencing Factors with in Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Outcome of Iraqi Infertile Women

The clinical application of Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) measurement has been proposed in the prediction of qualitative and quantitative aspects of assisted reproductive technologies (ART). The aim of this study is to investigate the role of AMH level and other influencing factors in the outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. The study focused on AMH and its association with infertile women undergoing IVF. The population included in this study was 131 infertile women who sought therapy for infertility at Kamal Al-Samarra'ay Specialized Hospital. They were divided into three groups according to the level of AMH hormone; group A (0.5-1.5 ng/mL, n=52), group B (1.6-4 ng/mL, n=70), and group C (&gt; 4 ng/mL, n=9). Data collection was performed by means of a specially designed questionnaire, independent of demographic data. It included questions related to infertility. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 26. Clinical parameters of infertile women, infertility hormones and their relationship with AMH, as well as FMS-like Tyrosine kinase 1 levels, were all investigated. The study findings revealed a significant difference in the concentration of AMH between infertile women (p&lt;0.01). Our analysis further demonstrated that the level of AMH reduces with advancing age in infertile women. Additionally, a positive correlation was observed between the number of oocytes obtained and AMH levels in infertile women. Furthermore, the study found that AMH levels had an effect on clinical pregnancy outcomes. Specifically, the highest success rates for IVF were observed in women with normal AMH levels falling within the ranges of group B (6-4 ng/mL(. Additionally, the study demonstrated significant differences in AMH and TSH levels among infertile groups (p&lt;0.05). Our study concluded that there is a significant correlation between clinical parameters and IVF outcomes, which can provide information for future clinical interventions aimed at improving success rates. Our analysis highlighted the role of FMS-like Tyrosine kinase 1 in infertility, where higher FMS-like Tyrosine kinase 1 levels were associated with higher success rates in IVF. The results indicate that the FMS-like Tyrosine kinase 1 level is a valuable marker for confirming the success or failure of IVF and can help determine the appropriate treatment plan.

Impact of Age on Perioperative Complications After Obliterative Vaginal Surgery.

Obliterative vaginal surgery is often reserved for older patients with prolapse, but the effect of age as an independent risk factor for perioperative complications in this cohort is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to assess the association between age and perioperative complications in women undergoing obliterative vaginal surgery. This was a retrospective cohort study that included 371 patients undergoing colpocleisis between 2010 and 2013 at a single academic medical center. Seventy demographic and clinical variables, including complications within 12 weeks of surgery, were analyzed. The χ2 and Fisher exact tests were used for categorical variables. Student t and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for continuous variables. Univariate logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of perioperative complications, and candidate variables with P < 0.2 were used in multivariate logistic regression. The mean patient age was 75.4 ± 6.4 years (range, 59-94 years). One hundred ten (29.7%) patients experienced at least 1 complication, the most common of which was urinary tract infection (n = 47, 12.7%). In the final multivariable model, only age (odds ratio, 1.05 per year; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.08) remained a significant predictor of perioperative complications. A cut point of age ≥70.5 years maximized sensitivity and specificity for predicting complications. Among women undergoing obliterative vaginal surgery, age is a predictor of perioperative complications. Each increasing year of age increases the complication likelihood by 1.05-fold, such that an 85-year-old woman is 1.05^20 or 2.65 times more likely than a 65-year-old woman to have a complication. A cut point of ≥70.5 years best predicted complications. Despite this association, severe perioperative complications following obliterative surgery are rare.

Accuracy Evaluation of Fetal Foot Length and Correlation with Biparietal Diameter for Ultrasonographic Fetal Age Estimation in Uncomplicated Pregnant Women of Chattogram, Bangladesh

Background: Prediction and visual representation of developmental milestones of a growing fetus is most accurately done by ultrasonography. The present study was aimed to evaluate the correlation and accuracy of fetal foot length with fetal biparietal diameter to estimate fetal gestational age in Bangladeshi uncomplicated pregnant women of Chattogram district. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 200 uncomplicated pregnant women of 15th to 28th weeks of gestation during the period from October 2021 to September 2022 in the Department of Anatomy, Chittagong Medical College, Chattogram. Fetal biometric parameters such as fetal foot length and biparietal diameter were measured by ultrasonography. For statistical analysis, Pearson’s correlation test and correlation-regression analysis was done and p-value was considered significant if it was &lt;0.05 at 95% level of confidence. Results: Pearson’s correlation test showed that gestational age had strong positive and highly significant (p=0.000) correlation with both fetal foot length and biparietal diameter. The relation between gestational age and fetal foot length(r=0.986) is less strong than the relation between gestational age and biparietal diameter(r=0.988). Conclusion: This study revealed relationship between fetal foot length and gestational age regarding accuracy. Ultrasonographic measurement of fetal foot length can be practiced alongside traditional biometric parameters for pregnancy dating in modern medical science. IAHS Medical Journal Vol 6(2), December 2023; 35-39

Association between Age and Miscarriage in an Assisted Reproductive Technology Population: A 10-Year Cohort Study.

Advanced maternal age decreased success of pregnancy rate in the assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment. We aimed to investigate the association between age and miscarriages in women who required ART for conception. A cohort study was conducted using a 10-year sample of 14,898 pregnancy cycles with ART treatment in Xi'an, China. The effects of women's age on miscarriage were assessed using Poisson regression models. The threshold effect between age and miscarriage was explored through curve fitting. Compared with lower than 30 years, the risks of early miscarriage and miscarriage were higher in the older age groups (early miscarriage: [35-37 years: RR=1.48, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.26 to 1.74; ≥38 years: RR=2.25, 95% CI: 1.87 to 2.72]; miscarriage: [35-37 years: RR=1.45, 95%CI: 1.24 to 1.69; ≥38 years: RR=2.17, 95%CI: 1.82 to 2.60]). The nonlinear relationship between age and early miscarriage and miscarriages were observed. The risk of early miscarriage and miscarriage rapidly increased with age after the turning point (age=33 years) (<33 years: [early miscarriage: RR=1.02, 95% CI: 1.00 to 1.04; miscarriage: RR=1.02, 95% CI: 1.00 to 1.03]; ≥33 years: [early miscarriage: RR=1.11, 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.13; miscarriage: RR=1.10, 95% CI: 1.07 to 1.13]). Among pregnancy cycles undergoing ART, advanced age is associated with higher risk of early miscarriage and miscarriage, and nonlinear relationship between age and early miscarriage and miscarriage were found. More attention should be paid to the risk of pregnant women with older than 33 years in ART treatment.