Women Of Different Ages Research Articles

Association of Changes in Relevant Indicators With Cardiovascular Disease and Osteoporosis in Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women

ABSTRACTThe essence of menopause is ovarian failure, decreased estrogen volatility, and deficiency leading to multiple related symptoms and an increased risk of metabolic disease in women, such as cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. This study screened 773 eligible postmenopausal and perimenopausal women from an initial pool of 1187 participants, and various physiological and biochemical indices were measured and analyzed to assess differences across three age groups (40–44 years, 45–49 years, 50–54). We found no significant difference in the rate of cardiovascular disease between postmenopausal and perimenopausal women, while the rate of osteoporosis was higher in postmenopausal women compared to perimenopausal women. The disease of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women was associated with age (p < 0.05). We also found that postmenopausal women and perimenopausal women had significant effects on follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), total cholesterol (TC), lumbar spine BMD (T1), femoral neck BMD, The bone density (T2) of the right femur was significantly affected. There are significant differences in FSH, LH, E2, TC, low‐density lipoprotein (LDL), L2–L4, T1, Neck of femur decrease, and T2 in women of different ages. Furthermore, the correlation analysis between age and E2 and metabolic indicators showed that age has a greater impact on the risk of postmenopausal and perimenopausal females. This study can help further understand the mechanisms of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis in perimenopausal and menopausal women.

Buying and selling in the Balkans: the case of Kosovo

The study analyzes from the anthropological viewpoint the transformation of trade relations, trade transactions, the inclusion of men and women of different ages, representatives of various ethnic groups, religions and strata of society in the circulation of goods and services in the territory of Kosovo/Kosovo and Metohija at the turn of the 20th-21st centuries. From a quiet “province” of the Ottoman Empire, royal Yugoslavia and the SFRY, the historical region has turned into the forefront of confrontation between both Balkan elites and international forces. Leaving aside, as far as possible, the multi-vector discussion regarding the status of the territory/region/state, the author focuses on the social and cultural aspects of the type of activity and economic sphere that directly and acutely affect all residents of the region without exception – be they Albanians, Serbs, Turks, Gorans or Roma, Muslims or Christians, rich, poor or middle class – namely, trade. Growing all over the world, both in the business community and among professional researchers studying culture and society, the interest in corporate anthropology is due to the importance of the ethnic factor in the development strategy of individual states and the global economy, and this involves the collection of empirical data and an attempt to assess the risks of conducting business, trade, scientific and other projects that directly affect people’s lives and influence their social “well-being”.

Assessment of the Readiness, Beliefs, and Practices Regarding Menstruation Among Women in Saudi Arabia.

Menstruation is a natural process that occurs monthly in women. Although menstruation is a fundamental aspect of women's lives, their readiness for and beliefs about menstruation vary. Moreover, their practices during menstruation can be influenced by various factors, including age, education level, mother's education, and field of specialty. This study aimed to explore menstruation-related readiness, beliefs, and practices among women who had experienced menstruation in Saudi Arabia. In addition, the study aimed to evaluate the factors affecting these women's readiness, beliefs, and practices regarding menstruation. This cross-sectional online questionnaire-based study included 3471 women of different ages who had experienced menstruation. The participants were selected using convenience sampling from all regions of Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was distributed between late December 2022 and March 2023 and included questions on demographics and menstruation-related readiness, beliefs, and practices. Of the 3471 participants, 1627 (46.8%) were well prepared for menstruation. In addition, most of the study participants (80.2%) had positive beliefs about menstruation. However, the participants' menstrual practices varied. Over half of the participants (63%) used painkillers and approximately half (54.4%) used herbal medicine during menstruation. This study found that less than half of the participants were ready for menarche. In contrast, most participants displayed positive beliefs concerning menstruation. In terms of practices, the women exhibited certain dietary restrictions during their menstrual period and predominantly favored herbal remedies for pain relief over conventional painkillers. Implementing awareness campaigns and incorporating school education on menstrual readiness and hygiene is needed.

Analysis of anticipatory and compensatory postural adjustment in women of different age groups using surface electromyography.

Postural balance is crucial for daily activities, relying on the coordination of sensory systems. Balance impairment, common in the elderly, is a leading cause of mortality in this population. To analyze balance, methods like postural adjustment analysis using electromyography (EMG) have been developed. With age, women tend to experience reduced mobility and greater muscle loss compared to men. However, few studies have focused on postural adjustments in women of different ages using EMG of the lower limbs during laterolateral and anteroposterior movements. This gap could reveal a decrease in muscle activation time with aging, as activation time is vital for postural adjustments. This study aimed to analyze muscle activation times in women of different ages during postural adjustments. Thirty women were divided into two groups: young and older women. A controlled biaxial force platform was used for static and dynamic balance tests while recording lower limb muscle activity using EMG. Data analysis focused on identifying muscle activation points and analyzing postural adjustment times. Results showed significant differences in muscle activation times between the two groups across various muscles and platform tilt conditions. Younger women had longer muscle activation times than older women, particularly during laterolateral platform inclinations. In anteroposterior movements, older women exhibited longer activation times compared to their laterolateral performance, with fewer differences between the groups. Overall, older women had shorter muscle activation times than younger women, suggesting a potential indicator of imbalance and increased fall risk.

Outcomes of primary transobturator mid-urethral sling surgery in women of different ages

IntroductionOlder age is associated with greater likelihood of urinary incontinence and unmet care needs. It was hypothesized that age might influence clinical and ultrasound outcomes of transobturator mid-urethral sling (TOS) surgery. The aim of this study was to compare 1-year postoperative clinical and ultrasonographic outcomes of TOS surgery among women of different ages. MethodsA retrospective analysis of a cohort of women who underwent primary and isolated TOS surgery for uncomplicated urodynamic stress incontinence was undertaken. All women underwent pre-operative and 1-year postoperative evaluations including clinical interview, pelvic examination, urodynamic studies and introital four-dimensional ultrasound. To be eligible for surgery, women needed to be independent in their daily life, and to have an acceptable level of surgical risk on pre-operative assessment. The primary outcome was the rate of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after surgery. The secondary outcomes comprised postoperative adverse events and ultrasound findings. ResultsIn total, 162, 213, 60 and 29 women aged <51, 51–64, 65–74 and ≥75 years, respectively, were included in this study. At 1-year postoperative assessment, older women were more likely to report SUI and bothersome SUI, while the severity of SUI and postoperative adverse events were similar in older women compared with other age groups. Ultrasound revealed that the sling tended to be looser and higher in older women. ConclusionTOS surgery is effective and safe for women of all ages who are independent in their daily life and who have an acceptable level of surgical risk. The sling tended to be looser and higher in older women.

Художественно-образные зарисовки Л.М. Поздеевой из экспедиций с Н.И. Воробьевым

The article analyses expedition sketches of professional artist Lyudmila Mikhailovna Pozdeeva from the collections of the National Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan and the “Miraskhane” Written Heritage Center of G. Ibragimov Institute of Language, Literature and Art of the Republic of Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, which were made by the master during the expeditions of 1926 and 1927 under the leadership of N. I. Vorobyev. Costume complexes of Tatars of different subethnic and ethnographic groups are analysed. Particular attention is paid to the scientific component of L. M. Pozdeeva’s work, the consistency of the sketches to written sources, museum materials and expedition photographs. The author of the article identified nine watercolours and one graphite pencil sketch, which depict the clothes of men and women of different ages. The pieces were made in the Chelny, Chistopol, Sviyazhsk, and Tetyush cantons, in settlements such as Nizhneye Bishevo, Kainly, Akbulatovo, Stary Tatarsky Adam, Molkeevo, Stary Kurbash, and Bakorchi (Bakrchi). Some images are duplicated by photographs, which became the visual accompaniment to the texts of N.I. Vorobyev’s academic publications. The sketches by L.M. Pozdeeva found by the author of the article fully correspond to the photographic images, which is evidence of the precise reproduction of what she saw during the expeditions. The artist chose different angles of the characters in national clothing, thereby creating not just an ethnographic copy, but an artistic image.

Isolation and Idintification of candida albicans from vagina and Study of some Virulance Factors

197 vaginal swabs were collected from women of different ages. (60) Isolates of Candida albicans (30.4%) were obtained, and the other species of Candida represent (18.27%). Bacterial infections showed (41.11%), and infection with Trichomonas vaginalis was (2.03%). Ten isolates of C. albicans were chosen randomly for farther study which include two virulence factors tendency of adhesion wich showed a percentage of (52%) to(32%) , and the ability to produce phospholipaze enzyme and it’s activity which showed (50%) of the isolates have the ability to produce the enzyme in different degrees .

Facial pore refining by targeting dermal and epidermal functions: Assessment across age and gender.

Conspicuous facial pores are benign but represent a cosmetic concern for men and women. Recent works described dermal and epidermal impairments as clinical causes of enlarged pores. Morphological modifications of skin at the site of pores were associated with collagen density loss, possible alteration of extracellular matrix and abnormal differentiation of keratinocytes. A composition containing mannose-6-phosphate (Active Complex) was designed to address these different aspects of pore enlargement. Invitro and exvivo evaluations were conducted in different models mimicking disturbance of dermal and epidermal functions. The pore refining activity of Active Complex was assessed in two clinical trials studying a Caucasian women cohort and an Asian men cohort. At the dermal level, Active Complex upregulated collagen I and decorin synthesis, and genes encoding collagens I, III, V, VII, XVII; suggesting its ability to favor collagen fiber organization and anchorage. The downregulation of matrix metalloprotease, involved in extracellular matrix degradation, reinforced the protective effect of Active Complex in the dermis. Active Complex down modulated differentiation markers in keratinocytes as well as genes involved in cell renewal. Study of reconstructed human epidermis modeling keratinocyte hyperproliferation revealed that Active Complex mitigated two markers of this state: number of nuclei in the stratum corneum and involucrin expression. Clinical trials confirmed the pore refining activity of Active Complex on men and women of different ages and ethnicities; -24% total skin pore area after 56 days of application on women, and -30.2% on men after 7 days. This work demonstrates the interest to target dermal and epidermal modifications described in conspicuous pore area, especially dermis fiber organization, to address this cosmetic concern.

Impact of Hormone Therapy on Serum Lipids in Transgender People

The term “Transgender” is used to describe individuals whose gender identity is different from their external sexual anatomy at birth. The number of people identifying as transgender has increased in recent years, and consequently, the number of gender affirmation surgeries and the use of hormonal therapies has also increased. A wide range of hormonal therapies has emerged considering the target population, age, and final outcomes, and as such these are becoming increasingly developed and complex in order to be the most appropriate for each individual. However, the side effects of these therapies remain to be fully understood. Therefore, this review aims to assess the impact of hormone therapy, in both transgender men and women of different ages, on the lipid profile. From the studies analyzed, it is possible to conclude that there is a relationship between hormone therapy and the lipid profile, with different outcomes between transgender men and women. There is a reduction in cardiovascular risk for transgender women as opposed to transgender men, in whom cardiovascular risk seems to increase due to lipid changes. It is now necessary to understand the mechanisms involved in order to reduce the consequences of these therapies and promote positive health outcomes.

Young women’s sustainable fashion consumption in China: A qualitative study using the theory of planned behavior

As the second most polluting industry in the world, the fashion industry has a critical impact on the environment. The development of sustainable fashion is conducive to reducing the environmental pollution caused by the fashion industry. China has the largest consumer market in the world, and the Chinese government and major companies have made considerable contributions to the sustainable development of the fashion industry. However, research regarding young women’s attitudes towards this topic remains under-explored. This study interviewed 30 young women of different ages from different places in China. Based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), a semi-structured interview was used as a data collection method, and thematic analysis was adopted for data analysis. This paper discusses young Chinese female consumers’ attitudes towards sustainable fashion and analyzes the motivating factors and hindrance factors affecting the consumption intentions of young Chinese female consumers towards sustainable fashion. The research found that young Chinese female consumers generally hold a positive and supportive attitude towards sustainable fashion. Consumers’ perceptions of sustainable fashion, their self-perceptions, and their level of green awareness all significantly impact their attitudes and purchase intentions toward sustainable fashion. Consumers feel low social pressure, and Chinese society demonstrates a high level of acceptance and praise for sustainable concepts. However, the lack of purchasing channels and choices for sustainable fashion in China and the high cost of sustainable fashion products discourage consumers from making purchases. This study will be beneficial as a reference when the Chinese government makes sustainable policies to guide consumers toward sustainable fashion consumption. This study helps enterprises select target markets in China and formulate sustainable fashion marketing strategies and targeted advertising. This study contributes to increasing consumer awareness of sustainable fashion, as well as providing reference and reflective value when consumers purchase sustainable fashion products. Finally, this study will help promote the development process of sustainable fashion in Chinese society, make contributions to reducing the waste of social resources, promoting the recycling of resources, and improving social conditions, and put forward specific solutions and feasible suggestions for the development of sustainable fashion in Chinese society.

Соціальні особливості безробітних жінок

Unemployment is an urgent problem for Ukraine, especially in the conditions of martial law. In addition to socio-economic, it has a number of social problems that need to be solved. The purpose of the study was to analyze the social characteristics of unemployed women. Research task: analysis of social characteristics of unemployed women (educational level, motivation for leaving the previous job, motivation for acquiring a new position or profession, level of material harassment); analysis of the significance of differences in social characteristics of age groups of unemployed women of different ages. A survey of women who are registered at the Belotserki branch of the Kyiv Regional Employment Center showed that almost all of the respondents have been registered with the employment service for up to 1 year, most of them are middle-aged, with a higher education, and left their previous job due to low wages, so want to receive wages at the level of 10-20 thousand UAH. per month, but at the same time they do not want to acquire a new profession or specialty, but if necessary, they are ready to do it at the expense of the state. Among the interviewed young women, the majority are persons with a professional (vocational and technical) education, who lost their job less than a year ago, are dissatisfied with the offered vacancies due to low wages, want to change their profession at the expense of the state, but claim a salary of 10-20 thousand hryvnias. month. Among the surveyed middle-aged women, almost all of them lost their jobs less than a year ago, among whom there is a predominance of people with higher education, whose main reason for leaving their previous place of employment was dissatisfaction with wages, which is also the main reason for dissatisfaction with the offered vacancies. Most of them claim a salary of 10-20 thousand hryvnias. per month, but only a few want to acquire a new profession at the expense of the state. Among the surveyed women of pre-retirement age, almost all of them lost their jobs less than a year ago, most of them with higher education, who left their previous place of work due to low wages, which is also the main reason for their dissatisfaction with the jobs offered to them. The vast majority of them claim a salary of 10-20 thousand hryvnias. month. Significant differences were found between the age groups of unemployed women according to the following indicators: level of education, reasons for dismissal from the previous place of employment, reason for refusing the offered vacancies, desire to acquire a new profession or specialty. No significant differences were found between the age groups of unemployed women on other indicators: the time that passed after dismissal from work, the level of the desired salary, the level of readiness to acquire a new profession or specialty.

Economic evaluation of GnRH-agonist long protocol and GnRH-antagonist protocol in IVT/ICSI among the Chinese population: using pharmacoeconomic models

ObjectiveThis paper uses health economics methods to discuss the cost-effectiveness value of long protocol and antagonist protocol for in vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer (ET) in the Chinese population.DesignHealth economic...

RISK FACTORS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF PLACENTAL DYSFUNCTION ON THE BACKGROUND OF PREGNANT WOMEN GENITAL INFECTIONS

The progress of perinatology revealed new problems related to the gestational process and antenatal protection of the fetus. Among indicators of perinatal morbidity in modern conditions, one of the leading places occupied by placental dysfunction, the frequency of which, according to the data of domestic and foreign scientists ranges from 36% to 60%. It is known that among the many factors that affect the complicated course of pregnancy and perinatal morbidity, infectious factors in modern conditions occupy one of the leading places. Despite certain achievements in elucidating the etiological factors and pathogenesis of the development of placental dysfunction (PD), the issues of diagnosis and treatment of this pathology in pregnant women need further improvement. Thus, the study of links in the pathogenesis of manifestations of placental dysfunction, which develops during pregnancy in the early stages of gestation against the background of genital infections, is relevant and promising.The purpose. To assess the risk factors for the development of placental dysfunction in pregnant women with genital infections.Material and methods. The retrospective comparative study included 55 women who gave birth after involuntary childbirth according to the regional perinatal center of Chernivtsi, who had signs of placental dysfunction and genital infections during pregnancy during the period 2021-2022.Research results. One of the most important factors affecting the fetoplacental system, which leads to the development of chronic PD (CPD), are infections of the TORCH group. Infections during pregnancy, depending on the gestational period, lead to miscarriage, abortion, stillbirth, malformations of the child, cerebral defects, as well as to acute and chronic neonatal diseases. We conducted a retrospective analysis of risk factors, the frequency and structure of obstetric complications based on the data of 55 birth stories of the regional perinatal center in Chernivtsi for 2021-2022. Manifestations of placental dysfunction against the background of genital infections were studied at different gestational periods. Placental dysfunction occurs at different gestational periods in women of different ages. However, in young people (up to 18 years old) it occurs less often at all stages of gestation, compared to other age categories. A significant number of pregnant women with manifestations of placental dysfunction suffered from infectious diseases in childhood (measles, chicken pox, acute respiratory and viral infections, angina, various disorders of menstrual function (hyperpolymenorrhea, hypomenstrual syndrome, algodysmenorrhea) were quite often observed in pregnant women with manifestations of placental insufficiency. More often, placental dysfunction develops during first births than during repeated births. Cases of stillbirth, spontaneous miscarriages, artificial abortions and ectopic pregnancies often occur in the anamnesis. A number of authors [41] indicate that pregnant women with manifestations of placental insufficiency often experience various complications of the current pregnancy. Modern scientific studies show that almost 80% of pregnant women with genital infections show significant changes in the immune, endocrine and coagulation systems, which lead to a violation of the formation of the fetoplacental complex and a violation of adaptation mechanisms in the mother-placenta-fetus system.Conclusion. Clinical and statistical analysis shows the negative impact of manifestations of genital infections in different gestational periods on the course of pregnancy and the state of the fetus and newborn. The conducted studies on this issue give reason to talk about the need to review the system of obstetric tactics for these pregnant women, and further improvement of medical measures for antenatal protection of the fetus with this complication of pregnancy.

Prevalence and Predictors of Normal-Weight Obesity among Women.

The present study aimed to (a) assess normal-weight obesity (NWO) and general obesity prevalence among women of different ages residing in urban areas, (b) evaluate subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT) in women with NWO, (c) establish SFT cutoff points for distinguishing NWO, and (d) explore eating habits linked to NWO. This cross-sectional study with 184 women aged 18-65 with NWO, normal weight without obesity (NWNO), overweight and general obesity included evaluation of body composition, SFT assessment using 2.5 MHz A-mode ultrasound (ISAK protocol, 7 sites) and lifestyle inquiries. The curvilinear relationship between body fat and BMI rendered BMI an unreliable indicator of adiposity in women with normal weight (BMI < 25 kg/m2). Almost 30% of women with a high body fat percentage (BFP ≥ 30%) were misclassified when BMI was used to measure adiposity. The overall obesity prevalence defined by BFP was almost four times higher than that defined by BMI (56.0 vs. 18.0%, p = 1 × 10-4). Women with NWO, overweight and general obesity shared a similar SFT profile and eating habits, setting them apart from those with NWNO. The mean SFT was the most reliable NWO predictor, with a threshold set at 12 mm equal to the 66th percentile. Mean SFT accurately classified 85% of women with NWO. While age did not significantly affect subcutaneous fat accumulation, total fat levels increased with age (R2 = 0.07 and R2 = 0.19, padj = 0.1 and padj = 9 × 10-4). Higher NWO prevalence in middle-aged women was linked to age-related increase in fat mass and decrease in fat-free mass. Engaging in regular physical activity and reducing snack consumption effectively countered age-related changes in body composition (padj < 0.05). Women under 45 years who consumed sweet bakery items, fast food, and snacks more frequently showed higher BFP and NWO status (padj < 0.05). Prevention strategies should focus on monitoring body composition and promoting healthy behaviors, particularly among young women transitioning into adulthood and women over 45 years.

Oral Health Literacy Status, Knowledge Levels, Beliefs, and Behaviors of Pregnant Women.

Pregnancy may exacerbate the frequency and severity of some dental problems. However, most pregnant women avoid going to the dentist. To examine the oral hygiene and dental care behaviors of women during pregnancy, to measure their knowledge levels, to reveal their oral and dental health literacy status, and their beliefs about treatment. The study was conducted for a period of 1 month with pregnant women over the age of 18 who presented to the obstetrics outpatient clinic and agreed to participate in the study and who had no known anomalies or complications. A survey was completed by face-to-face interviews with 317 pregnant women of different ages and gestational weeks. Participants were asked questions regarding their sociodemographic characteristics, pregnancy characteristics, oral hygiene-related beliefs, behaviors, and knowledge levels. The data obtained in the study were analyzed with SPSS 21.0 program. Since the kurtosis and skewness values were between +3 and -3, parametric tests were used. In total, 317 pregnant women between the ages of 18 and 43 participated in the study. The most common beliefs are listed as; babies receive the necessary calcium from the teeth, antibiotics given during dental treatment harm the baby, and panoramic radiography taken during treatment harms the baby. 91.5% of the participants did not visit the dentist after planning a pregnancy, and 89% of them did not visit the dentist during pregnancy. The most common reason not to visit the dentist is not having a dental problem. The rate of knowing that dental infections during pregnancy will affect the baby is 50.5%. In the present study, it is seen that pregnant women do not have adequate oral hygiene. The reasons were listed as various false beliefs and lack of sufficient knowledge. Health professionals should provide information about oral hygiene to pregnant women and direct them to the dentist.

P-593 Inflammaging in the ovary: focus on foamy cells generation

Abstract Study question Could the dysregulation of the inflammatory response in the aged ovary be associated with foamy cells generation and be ameliorated using an alternative therapeutic treatment? Summary answer Aged ovarian macrophages show an inflammatory profile associated with incorporation of lipid droplets that can be reduced after culture with platelet-rich plasma from fertile women. What is known already The concept of ‘inflammaging’ represents the inflammation associated to aging, which is systemic, chronic and linked to the increase of pro-inflammatory mediators. This microenvironment is associated with the presence of ovarian foamy macrophages, a unique subset with intracytoplasmic lipids accumulation. Here, we investigate the mechanisms underlying the exacerbated inflammatory response during ovarian aging, focusig on the generation of foamy macrophages and their impact in oocyte quality. Since, oocytes develop in the context of ovarian follicles, we obtained follicular fluid (FF) from women with different ages, to investigate ovarian immune microenvironment and their modulation after in vitro platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment. Study design, size, duration Mononuclear cells were recovered from FF from women of different ages and IL-1β production and macrophages and lymphocytes profiles tested by immune-staining and FACS analysis. To test foamy cells generation, we measured surface and intracellular CD68 expression (scavenger receptor involved in lipid accumulation). Immune cells profiles were correlated with clinic parameters as number of oocytes, M2 and atretic follicles. Finally, isolated ovarian macrophages were treated with PRP and modulation of macrophage profile was tested. Participants/materials, setting, methods We studied FF (n = 70) from women from ovodonation (21-29y), with cryopreservation desire (30-35y) and ART indication (36-42y). The San Isidro Ethics Committee, Buenos Aires, Argentina, approved this study. Mononuclear cells were isolated using Ficoll-Hypaque and macrophages profile (IL-1β+, CD68+) and the novel lymphocyte regulatory subpopulation (CD3+CD4-CD8-) tested by flow cytometry. Lipid droplets were measured using BODIPY 493/503 probe. Ovarian macrophages were isolated by adherence and treated with PRP (obtained from fertile women) for 5 days. Main results and the role of chance FF macrophages from aged women (35-42y) showed a significant increase in IL-1β production in comparison with the youngest group (21-29y), that also correlates negatively with the number of M2 oocytes recovered. Focusing on macrophage characterization, FF from aged women displayed an increased frequency of CD68+ macrophages in comparison with young women. Since CD68 shuttles between the cytoplasm and the plasmatic membrane to incorporate lipids, we evaluated lipid accumulation in FF macrophages to generate foamy cells. Interestingly, we found an increase of lipid droplets in FF macrophages from aged women in comparison with the younger group. Therefore, we discriminated surface and intracellular CD68 detection and found higher intracellular CD68 expression in aged macrophages, correlating with lipid droplets accumulation. Then, we isolated ovarian macrophages from aged women and treated with fertile PRP to evaluate its modulatory effects and observed a reduction in the frequency of CD68+IL-1β cells in comparison with those cultures without treatment. Finally, we focused on a novel T lymphocyte regulatory subpopulation, CD3+CD4-CD8- (DNT), that is emerging as effector cells capable of mediating immune tolerance in the female reproductive system. We found that FF from aged women displayed a reduced frequency of DNT, in comparison with FF from younger women. Limitations, reasons for caution The present results were obtained using FF samples from women from different ages. Even though the samples represent the ovarian microenvironment, it is difficult to study the human ovary per se and further studies are necessary to elucidate whether these mechanisms operate similarly in vivo. Wider implications of the findings We demonstrated that dysregulation of the inflammatory response during aging leads to the generation of foamy cells and reduction of DNT cells associated to the regulation of the immune ovarian microenvironment impacting in oocyte quality. In vitro PRP treatment displayed immunomodulatory effects, suggesting its relevance as a potential therapeutic treatment. Trial registration number not applicable

Influence of age, body mass index and gender on sonographic indicators of the liver in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease

Background. The incidence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is increasing along with the increasing prevalence of obesity. There are close relationships between these two pathologies due to the functioning of adipose tissue as an endocrine organ with a complex influence on various metabolic processes. It is known that premenopausal women are less prone to fatty liver disease than men. The aim was to study the influence of gender, body mass index (BMI) and age on sonographic indicators and the degree of liver steatosis in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. Materials and methods. Ninety-two patients with MASLD were included in the study, 48 women and 44 men. Inclusion criterion was metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, exclusion criteria were any non-metabolic factors of chronic diffuse liver disease. Patients were divided into groups by gender and age. Women were divided by age according to the presence and absence of menopause, men were divided into groups below and above 45 years — the conventional age of the beginning of the decline in gonadotropic function. The analysis of structural changes of the liver, namely the assessment of the size, contours, structure, echogenicity, and visualization of blood vessels in the B-mode was carried out with the help of ultrasound examination on Toshiba Xario 660 (Japan). The degree of steatosis was assessed by the controlled attenuation parameter. Results. In men, the right, left and caudate liver lobes were significantly larger (p &lt; 0.05) than in women, which is due to the higher weight of men in the absence of a difference in the BMI. There was no significant difference between men and women in degree of steatosis (p &gt; 0.05). A moderate positive correlation (r = 0.63) was found between BMI and the controlled attenuation parameter; in women, there was no connection between these indicators. Analysis of correlations in women of different ages, divided by the presence of menopause, found that before menopause, there was no dependence of steatosis indicators on BMI, while with the onset of menopause, the coefficient of correlation between these indicators was 0.39 (р &lt; 0.02). Conclusions. No significant difference was found between the frequency of various degrees of steatosis in MASLD according to the controlled attenuation parameter in men and women. There was a dependence of the severity of liver steatosis on the BMI in men, the dependence of steatosis on the body mass index in women was manifested starting from the menopause period, which suggests the protective role of female sex hormones.

Memorializing Women on the Move: A register of migrant women landmarks in Europe.

This dataset was developed by COST Action 19112 Women on the Move (WEMov), which engages in unveiling women migrants' presence and participation in the construction of Europe. The dataset was built as a register of toponyms and monuments in the political and public landscape in Europe - such as street names, school names and parks, as well as statues and memorials - that celebrate women migrants. With the dataset we want to discover how women migrants are remembered and what kind of landmarks present these individuals who have had an episode of migration for a variety of reasons. Moreover, our aim is to make these landmarks and the stories of women migrants visible by presenting the results of the dataset in an interactive map on our website. At the moment, the dataset includes 1000 landmarks. The collection of data was based on voluntary work of scholars and students from over 40 different European countries. We have aimed for broad geographical coverage; however, some areas are better represented than others due the nature of data collection. The collection of data is an ongoing process and therefore the dataset in Nakala repository, to which this data note refers, presents the situation in July 2023. Updated versions of the dataset will be made available in Nakala and we will download new landmarks to our interactive map on a regular basis. The selected landmarks and migrant trajectories feature cross-community or cross-cultural migration. They show both typical and exceptional forms of mobility and present women of different age, profession, social status and migration status. This intersectionality of the project and the dataset highlights not only the richness of these landmarks and their value for scholarship but also the wide spectrum of migrant women and their contribution to society.

Afroqueerness, Heteropatriarchy, and Transnationality: Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah’s The Sex Lives of African Women

In her anthology, The Sex Lives of African Women (2021), Ghanaian writer and blogger Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah includes thirty-two stories of Black African and Afro-descendant women of different ages and sexual orientations to openly discuss queer and identity issues, family and religious dynamics, sexual freedom and pleasure, and abuses and resistance against heteropatriarchal structures. In this paper, I will first introduce Sekyiamah as a newly emerging African voice in the contemporary writing panorama and briefly examine her story collection. Second, I will discuss how gender and sex were conceived in Africa in precolonial times and how queerness and lesbianism are interpreted in the African feminist tradition. Third, I will show how Sekyiamah’s anthology can be read as a transnational Afroqueer archive by discussing some of the stories included in her volume. Significantly, I will draw on Chantal Zabus’s conceptualisation of “margins” (Zabus 31-32) to capture those spaces of free expression, openness, and resistance against colonial, nationalist, and heteropatriarchal power structures from which Afrosporic women express and manifest their often “dissenting” identities, exercise their agency, and fight for their fundamental human rights.

Chromatographic analysis of the amino acid composition of gallstones

Gallstone disease (cholelithiasis) is a multifactorial disease characterised by the formation of gallstones. Studying the composition of gallstones is necessary to understand the mechanism of their formation and to solve many practical issues. At present, it is not clear which protein component is involved in the formation of gallstones and how it is related to their components. The study showed the possibility of qualitative and quantitative determination of amino acids in the composition of gallstones of men and women of different ages using a GC-17A gas chromatograph (Shimadzu). Analysis of the amino acid composition of gallstones includes acid hydrolysis of samples with 6M HCl at 105C° for 12 hours, subsequent purification, obtaining derivatives of isolated amino acids, and their determination by gas chromatography. This technique enables the determination of D- and L-forms of amino acids. Statistical processing of the obtained data was carried out using Statistica 6.0. The study revealed that cholesterol gallstones belonging to women up to 50 years of age have the lowest amino acid content. The amino acid composition of cholesterol gallstones is dominated by glycine and L-forms of serine, alanine, and glutamic acid. Cholesterol gallstones with mineral content are typical for elderly women (over 60 years) and middle-aged men (from 37 years), and have higher amino acid content than cholesterol gallstones. Glycine and the L-forms of leucine, glutamic acid, and asparagic acid are prevalent in these types of gallstones. The highest amino acid content was recorded in pigment gallstones of both men and women over 55 years of age. The amino acid composition of pigment gallstones is dominated by glycine and L-forms of glutamic acid, asparagic acid, leucine, and alanine. In cholesterol gallstones, no D-amino acids were found. In cholesterol gallstones with mineral content and pigmented gallstones, D-aspartic acid was detected. The obtained results allow us to recommend the method of gas chromatography for studying the amino acid composition of gallstones.