Healthy Young Women Research Articles

Sex hormone-mediated change on muscle activation deactivation dynamics in young eumenorrheic women.

The goal of the study was to characterize muscle activation/deactivation dynamics across the menstrual cycle in healthy young women. Twenty-two healthy eumenorrheic women (age: 27.0 ± 4.4years; mean ± SD) were tested every other day for one menstrual cycle. Serum estradiol and progesterone were quantified at the time of testing. Peak torque (PT), time to peak torque (TPT), and half relaxation time (HRT) of soleus muscle twitch were measured. Muscle twitch was elicited by delivering 1ms width electrical pulses to the tibial nerve at an intensity that generated a maximum motor response (S-100) and at supramaximal intensity (S-120; 1.2 × S-100). The analyses were performed for each menstrual cycle phase: 1) the follicular phase to analyze the effect of estradiol while the progesterone concentrations remained at low concentrations; 2) the luteal phase to analyze the effect of progesterone with background estradiol concentrations. In the follicular phase, there was no association of estradiol for PT, TPT, and HRT. In the luteal phase, while estradiol had no association on PT, TPT, and HRT, progesterone expressed a significant association with HRT reduction but no association on PT or TPT. Also, there was a significant estradiol and progesterone interaction for HRT. However, the regression parameters are nearly zero, suggesting that the change in HRT may not have an impact on muscle performance across the menstrual cycle but implications on other women's health conditions with elevated sex hormone concentrations, such as pregnancy, may prove critical.

Lauric and Palmitic Acid-Enriched Diets have Minimal Impact on Serum Lipid and Lipoprotein Concentrations and Glucose Metabolism in Healthy Young Women

Fifteen healthy young women were fed diets enriched to 4% of energy with either palmitic acid (as palm oil) or lauric acid (as coconut oil). A randomized crossover study design was used so that subjects followed the two experimental diets for 4 wk, both preceded by consumption of a baseline diet for 2 wk. The experimental diets differed only with respect to the fatty acid composition: there was a substitution of 4% of energy intake with palmitic acid or lauric acid in the experimental diets for 4% of energy as monoenes in the baseline diet. There were no differences in the concentration of serum total or lipoprotein lipids, apolipoproteins A-I and B, and lipoprotein (a) or plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein activity between the experimental diet periods. The VLDL cholesterol concentration (0.38 ± 0.05 vs. 0.51 ± 0.05 mmol/L, means ± SEM, P = 0.01] and plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein activity [78 ± 5 vs. 88 ± 6 µmol/(h·L), P = 0.007) were greater at the end of the lauric acid diet period than at the end of the preceding baseline diet period. No differences were found in glucose effectiveness, insulin sensitivity index or insulin secretion measured by the intravenous glucose tolerance test (Minimal Model method). In conclusion, in terms of serum lipids, lipoproteins, and glucose metabolism, palmitic acid was equal to lauric acid at 4% of total energy intake exchange, and both of these saturated fatty acids were comparable to a 4% of total energy intake exchange with monoenes in healthy young women.

Abstract P2-03-01: Sarcopenia on baseline imaging is associated with toxicity-related discontinuation of endocrine therapy in women with early-stage hormone-positive breast cancer

Abstract Background Adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) is standard of care in women with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer (BC) with the goal to reduce recurrence. However, early discontinuation of ET occurs in 30-40% of women, largely attributable to toxicity, and leads to increased recurrence risk. There is considerable overlap in risk factors that predict toxicity from ET and chemotherapy, including age, co-morbidities, and geriatric conditions. Baseline low skeletal muscle area (SMA) on chest computed tomography (CT) is a surrogate marker for sarcopenia and predicts for significant toxicity and intolerance to chemotherapy in women with BC. No study has assessed the association of sarcopenia with toxicity-related discontinuation of ET in women with early-stage HR+ BC. Methods This single center retrospective cohort study included consecutive women with Stage 0-II HR+ BC who received ET and adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) from 01/2011-12/2017. Inclusion required a minimum of 5-year clinical follow-up after diagnosis. We used a validated deep learning pipeline to quantify SMA (cm2) at the tenth thoracic (T10) vertebral body on existing RT planning CT. The skeletal muscle index (SMI [cm2/m2] = SMA/(patient height (m))2) was calculated to adjust for patient height. Sarcopenia was defined as SMI< 32.3 cm2/m2, based on a previously validated independent cohort of young healthy women. The primary endpoint was toxicity-related discontinuation of ET less than 60 months after initiation of ET. Secondary endpoints included any NCI CTCAE v5.0 Grade 3-5 toxicity from ET and ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence. We assessed associations between ET discontinuation and SMI (continuous), as well as thoracic sarcopenia (dichotomous), using logistic regression adjusting for baseline characteristics. We used cox proportional hazards regression to assess disease-free survival (DFS), defined as ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence, locoregional recurrence, or distant metastasis adjusting for baseline and treatment characteristics. Results A total of 265 women (median age 67 years) met inclusion criteria. The majority of women had a comorbidity index of 0-1 (89%) and were Caucasian (89%). The median follow-up was 82 months, 5-year overall survival was 96% and 5-year DFS was 94%. Diagnoses included DCIS (12%), IDC (76%), or ILC (12%); most were T1 (69%) or T2 (18%) and N0 (85%), ER-positive (100%), PR-positive (85%), or HER2-negative (9%). Most common ET type was anastrozole (63%), letrozole (16%), and tamoxifen (17%). SMI (continuous) was not associated with older age, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), race, or tumor stage. A total of 64 (24%) women experienced toxicity-related early discontinuation of ET. On multivariate analysis (MVA), lower SMI was associated with increased toxicity-related early discontinuation of ET (Odds Ratio [OR] 0.89 per 1 cm2/m2 SMI, p=0.001) independent of age, CCI, ET type, or receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy. Lower SMI was associated with higher risk of grade 3-5 toxicity from ET (OR 0.89 per 1 unit SMI, p=0.001) independent of age, CCI, ET type, or receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy. On MVA, sarcopenia was associated with higher risk of toxicity-related early discontinuation of ET (OR 2.43, p=0.019). DFS was associated with toxicity-related early discontinuation of ET (HR 8.06, p=0.005), grade 3 histology (HR 1.42, p=0.042), and multifocal disease (HR 2.55, p=0.040), but not age, histology, stage, or lymphovascular invasion (p>.05 for all). Conclusion Low baseline thoracic skeletal muscle is associated with toxicity-related early ET discontinuation in women with early-stage HR+ BC. Further studies should attempt to generalize this association to all HR+ BC who are candidates for ET. High-risk patients may be candidates for aggressive symptom management or alternative adjuvant therapies. Citation Format: Anurag Saraf, Ismail Tahir, Bonnie Hu, Anna-Sophia Dietrich, Paul Erik Tonnesen, Greg Sharp, Gayle Tillman, Florian Fintelmann, Rachel Jimenez. Sarcopenia on baseline imaging is associated with toxicity-related discontinuation of endocrine therapy in women with early-stage hormone-positive breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-03-01.

Effect of Menstrual Pain on Sleep Quality and Anaerobic Performance

This study aimed to examine the effect of menstrual pain on sleep quality and anaerobic performance in women and the relationship between menstrual symptoms, sleep quality, and anaerobic performance. The study consisted of 22 (20.64 ± 1.91 years) healthy young women. The participants were divided into two groups according to their verbal expressions as menstruating with pain (n=11) and menstruating without pain (n=11). The study used a calendar-based counting method reported by women and an ovulation prediction kit to determine urinary LH surge. After the menstrual cycle phases were determined, Wingate anaerobic performance test measurements were applied to the participants in three phases (late follicle, ovulation and mid-luteal phase). Besides, the Pittsburgh sleep quality index was used to determine women’s sleep quality, and the menstrual symptom scale was used to measure menstrual symptoms. Mann-Whitney U test, one of the non-parametric tests, was used in the data analysis. In statistical analysis, the level of significance was accepted as p < 0.05. Spearman correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between menstrual pain, sleep quality and anaerobic performance. As a result, the average sleep quality of the participants was higher than the painless group. Menstrual symptom scale "pain symptoms", and "coping methods" scores and menstrual symptom scale total scores differed between the groups. The study found that the power drop score, one of the anaerobic performance scores, differed between the groups in the mid-luteal phase. As a result of the correlation test, menstrual pain and sleep quality were associated with anaerobic performance.

Remnant Indices for Estimating Postprandial Lipidemia in Young Women

Postprandial hyperglycemia is well established as a major risk factor for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. However, for postprandial hyperlipidemia, no definitive criteria exist, and fasting values of lipids and lipoproteins had limited efficacy for estimating postprandial lipidemia. In the present study, we performed a fat-ingestion test and aimed to propose indices for estimating postprandial lipoprotein metabolism. Methods: Healthy young Japanese women (n=54, age 21.1 ± 1.0 y) with apolipoprotein E phenotype 3/3 were enrolled. They ingested fat cream (OFTT cream™, Jomo, Japan; 1 g/kg as cream, 0.35 g/kg as fat). Venous blood samples were taken before (0 h) and at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 6 h after ingestion. Results: The serum triglyceride (TG) level peaked at 2 h and returned to below baseline at 6 h. The remnant-like particle-TG (RP-TG) level increased at 1 h, peaked at 2 h, and returned to baseline at 6 h. The remnant lipoprotein-cholesterol (RLP-C) level increased at 2 h, peaked at 4 h, and returned to baseline at 6 h. The apolipoprotein B48 level increased at 1 h, peaked at 4 h, and did not return to baseline at 6 h. The apolipoprotein B100 concentration slightly decreased at 2 h and increased at 6 h. TG−RP-TG did not change during 6 h, but RP-TG/TG rose at 2–6 h compared to the fasting value. RP-TG/RLP-C increased at 2–4 h and returned to baseline at 6 h. Conclusion: After fat ingestion, while the concentration of non-remnant TG was stable, remnant TG increased. The content of TG per remnant particle increased up to 2 h and decreased from 2 h to 6 h, and the size became smaller. The remnant indices, RP-TG/TG and RP-TG/RLP-C, may be useful for estimating postprandial lipidemia.

The effect of background music tempo on eating speed and food intake volume within in healthy women.

The effects of the different tempos of background music (BGM) on food intake and eating speed have not been fully studied. The study aimed to investigate the influence of changing the tempo of BGM during meals on food intake and to explore strategies to support appropriate eating behavior. Twenty-six healthy young adult women participated in this study. In the experimental phase, each participant ate a meal under three separate conditions: fast (120% speed), moderate (original, 100% speed), and slow (80% speed) BGM. The same music was used for each condition, and appetite before and after eating, the amount of food consumed, and eating speed were recorded. The results showed that food intake (g, mean ± standard error (SE)) was slow: 317.9 ± 22.2, moderate: 400.7 ± 16.0, and fast: 342.9 ± 22.0. Eating speed (g/s, mean ± SE) was slow: 28.1 ± 2.8, moderate: 34.2 ± 2.7, and fast: 27.2 ± 2.4. The analysis showed that the moderate condition showed greater speed than the fast and slow conditions (slow-fast: p = .008; moderate-slow: p = .012; moderate-fast: p = .004). Moreover, the food intake in the moderate condition was significantly higher than that in the slow and fast conditions (moderate-slow: p < .001; moderate-fast: p < .001), and there was no significant difference between the slow and fast conditions in this regard (p = .077). These results suggest that original tempo BGM led to higher food intake compared to the faster and slower tempo conditions. These findings suggest that listening to music at an original tempo during meals may support appropriate eating behavior.

Limited effect of over-the-counter doses of ibuprofen on mechanisms regulating muscle hypertrophy during resistance training in young adults.

We have previously shown that maximal over-the-counter doses of ibuprofen, compared with low doses of acetylsalicylic acid, reduce muscle hypertrophy in young individuals after 8 wk of resistance training. Because the mechanism behind this effect has not been fully elucidated, we here investigated skeletal muscle molecular responses and myofiber adaptations in response to acute and chronic resistance training with concomitant drug intake. Thirty-one young (aged 18-35 yr) healthy men (n = 17) and women (n = 14) were randomized to receive either ibuprofen (IBU; 1,200 mg daily; n = 15) or acetylsalicylic acid (ASA; 75 mg daily; n = 16) while undergoing 8 wk of knee extension training. Muscle biopsies from the vastus lateralis were obtained before, at week 4 after an acute exercise session, and after 8 wk of resistance training and analyzed for mRNA markers and mTOR signaling, as well as quantification of total RNA content (marker of ribosome biogenesis) and immunohistochemical analysis of muscle fiber size, satellite cell content, myonuclear accretion, and capillarization. There were only two treatment × time interaction in selected molecular markers after acute exercise (atrogin-1 and MuRF1 mRNA), but several exercise effects. Muscle fiber size, satellite cell and myonuclear accretion, and capillarization were not affected by chronic training or drug intake. RNA content increased comparably (∼14%) in both groups. Collectively, these data suggest that established acute and chronic hypertrophy regulators (including mTOR signaling, ribosome biogenesis, satellite cell content, myonuclear accretion, and angiogenesis) were not differentially affected between groups and therefore do not explain the deleterious effects of ibuprofen on muscle hypertrophy in young adults.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Here we show that mTOR signaling, fiber size, ribosome biogenesis, satellite cell content, myonuclear accretion, and angiogenesis were not differentially affected between groups undergoing 8 wk of resistance training with concomitant anti-inflammatory medication (ibuprofen versus low-dose aspirin). Atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 mRNA were more downregulated after acute exercise in the low-dose aspirin group than in the ibuprofen group. Taken together it appears that these established hypertrophy regulators do not explain the previously reported deleterious effects of high doses of ibuprofen on muscle hypertrophy in young adults.

Uptight responses between clenching and forearm raising with factors of visual feedback and maintenance effort in healthy young women: An experimental study on factorial design

BackgroundTo achieve different central preset force levels requires various fine-tuning efforts and may elicit different uptight responses. The mandibular lever system has a distinct regularity in the fine-tuning function of the upper limbs. The purpose of the present study was to detect whether the uptight responses elicited from motivating clenching differ from those induced by motivating forearm raising at different force levels.MethodsTwenty-five healthy females were enrolled in this study. The target was low, medium, and maximum force levels with or without visual feedback and/or maintenance effort. Surface electromyographic (SEMG) activity was recorded from the bilateral anterior temporalis and masseter or left biceps brachii muscle (BicL), and the T-Scan III System synchronously recorded the sensitive force values. The uptight responses and task difficulties were recorded for occlusal and left forearm lifting tasks using a unique visual analogue scale.ResultsThe highest uptight response value was achieved at a low clenching force level with visual feedback requiring no maintenance effort but at a maximum forearm-raising force level with visual feedback and maintenance effort. The SEMG activities of both jaw-closing muscles and BicL were associated with the central preset force level (P < 0.001). However, the maintenance effort only increased the jaw-closing muscles’ SEMG activity at the maximal force level (P < 0.001).ConclusionsClenching at the central preset lower force level with visual feedback is prone to elicit a higher degree of uptight response. The constant need for a low-intensity bite can have a negative effect on an individual's mood.

Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Exposure Enhances Peripheral Circulatory Natural Killer Cells in Healthy Young Women

Mild hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) enhances oxygen absorption in blood, relieving fatigue without causing oxidative stress. The benefits of mild HBO have been recognized in the treatment of lifestyle-related diseases and hypertension, but no research has been conducted on its effects on immunity. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of mild HBO on natural killer (NK) cells and cytokines in healthy young women. This crossover randomized control trial was conducted with 16 healthy young women. Participants were randomly exposed to normobaric oxygen (NBO; 1.0 atmospheres absolute (ATA), 20.8% oxygen) and mild HBO conditions (1.4 ATA, 35-40% oxygen, injected 18L oxygen per minute) in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber for 70 min. Heart rate, parasympathetic activity, NK cell count, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-12p70 and derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) were measured before and after both exposures. In the NBO condition, parasympathetic activity remained unchanged, whereas after mild HBO exposure, parasympathetic activity was significantly increased. NK cells remained unchanged after NBO exposure, while NK cells were increased after exposure to mild HBO. Exposure to mild HBO did not increase d-ROM values, IL-6 and IL-12p70 protein levels. These findings suggest that exposure to mild HBO can be a useful protocol to increase NK cells by regulating parasympathetic activity via increasing oxygen delivery.

Cardiovascular profiles associated with white matter hyperintensities in healthy young women.

Women who experience hypertension in pregnancy have increased risk of both chronic hypertension and dementia. High blood pressure is associated with increased evidence of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) in brain imaging. WMH are disruptions of the white matter of the brain that occur with demyelination and axonal degeneration, are associated with vascular disease, occur more frequently in people with hypertension, and are associated with cognitive impairment. We evaluated the relationship between WMH and subclinical cardiovascular function in healthy young nulliparous women and women with a history of early-onset preeclampsia. Sixty-two reproductive-aged women were assessed during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle after a 3-day sodium/potassium-controlled diet. Half of participants had a history of early-onset preeclampsia, and half were nulliparous. Blood was drawn to assess inflammatory markers. Cardiovascular assessments included tonometric blood pressure monitoring, volume loading to assess vascular compliance, echocardiography to assess cardiac ejection time, brachial pulse wave velocity of the brachial artery, assessing cardiovascular stiffness, and brachial artery flow mediated vasodilation to assess endothelial mediated dilatory response. T2 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) MRI imaging was obtained. Two raters, blinded to cardiovascular assessments and pregnancy history, reviewed MRI scans for evidence of WMH using the Fazekas rating scale. WMHs were detected in 17 women; 45 had normal white matter structure. Participants with Fazekas score>0 had exaggerated response to volume loading compared to women with a Fazekas score of 0 and longer cardiac ejection times. Fazekas scores >0 had lower brachial flow-mediated vasodilation and increased white blood count compared to those with no evidence of WMH. Women with WMH had reduced cardiovascular compliance, and a trend towards decreased endothelial responsiveness compared to those without WMH. These data demonstrated that the relationship between cardiovascular and brain health was detectable in young, healthy, reproductive-aged women, and may play a role in later development of clinical disease. These findings may help identify women who are at risk for cognitive decline and pathological aging.

Effect of Exercise on Arterial Stiffness in Healthy Young, Middle-Aged and Older Women: A Systematic Review.

Arterial stiffness, an age-dependent phenomenon, is improved with exercise, which in turn may prevent cardiovascular diseases in women. However, there is a lack of consolidated information on the impact of exercise on arterial stiffness among healthy women. The aim of this review was to (i) analyse the effect of exercise on arterial stiffness in healthy young, middle-aged, and older women, and (ii) recommend types, intensity, and frequency for each age group. Database searches on PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Scopus were conducted using PRISMA guidelines until September 2022. The keywords were: exercise, women/female, and arterial stiffness. The inclusion criteria were: healthy women, supervised exercise, and arterial stiffness measures. Study quality and bias were assessed using the PEDro scale. Fifty-one papers were classified into young (n = 15), middle-aged (n = 14), and older (n = 22) women. Improvements in arterial stiffness were observed among: young women (Pulse Wave Velocity, PWV: 4.9-6.6 m/s), following an 8-week high-intensity aerobic (3 days/week) or hypoxic high-intensity interval training; middle-aged women (PWV: 5.1-7.9 m/s), aerobic exercise with moderate intensity or stretching exercise at "moderate to heavy" (Borg Scale), 20-30 s per site, 10 s of rest interval for 30 min; and for older women (PWV: 7.9-15.6 m/s), resistance training at light intensity, aerobic exercise at any intensity, or a combination of the two exercises. This review shows that arterial stiffness increases with age in healthy women and has an inverse relationship with exercise intensity. Therefore, when prescribing exercise to improve arterial stiffness, age and arterial stiffness measures should be accounted for.

The Effect of Aerobic Fitness on Psychological, Attentional and Physiological Responses during a Tabata High-Intensity Interval Training Session in Healthy Young Women.

The current study examines the effects of a Tabata high-intensity interval training (HIIT) session on affective, cognitive and physiological indicators in women of different fitness levels. A total of 28 adult women (aged 24.2 ± 1.5 years) completed a 20 m shuttle run test and were then assigned to higher fitness and lower fitness groups (HF and LF, n = 14 each) according to their predicted aerobic power. On a separate occasion, participants completed a 30 min Tabata workout (six 4 min rounds separated by 1 min passive rest). Each round included eight exercises (20 s exercise and 10 s rest). Affective, physiological and cognitive responses were assessed prior to, during and after the protocol. Heart rate and blood lactate concentration increased similarly in both groups over time throughout the workout (p &lt; 0.001). Total Mood Disturbance was higher for LF (111.4 ± 15.7) vs. HF (102.9 ± 11.7) (p = 0.48), vigor showed a level by time interaction of p = 0.006 and Activation-Deactivation Adjective Check List factors deteriorated over time (p &lt; 0.001). The Concentration Grid Test was better overall for HF (10.5 ± 3.6) vs. LF (8.6 ± 3.6) (p = 0.05). The Feeling Scale and Rating of Perceived Exertion worsened similarly in both groups over time (p = 0.002 and p &lt; 0.001, respectively). Positive and negative affect and arousal did not differ between groups or change over time (p &gt; 0.05). These results show that, despite the different levels of aerobic fitness, physiological, metabolic, perceptual and affective responses were similar in the two groups of women during a 30 min Tabata session. This may imply that affective responses during this type of HIIT are independent of aerobic fitness.

A Mid-Cycle Rise in Positive and Drop in Negative Moods among Healthy Young Women: A Pilot Study.

Clinically oriented studies of mood as a function of the menstrual cycle mainly address the negative moods in the premenstrual phase of the cycle. However, a periovulatory increase in positive emotions and motivations related to reproduction has also been noted. Thus, it has been suggested that the drop in mood during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle might be a byproduct of elevated positive moods occurring mid-cycle. The aim of this prospective study was to compare both the positive and negative dimensions of mood across the menstrual cycle. A group of 60 healthy, normally cycling women assessed their mood throughout three phases of their menstrual cycles: the early follicular (low estradiol and progesterone), the late follicular (fertile phase; high estradiol, low progesterone) and the mid-luteal phase (high levels of both estradiol and progesterone). Repeated MANOVA evaluations showed a significant increase in positive (friendly, cheerful, focused, active) and a significant decrease in negative (anxious, depressed, fatigued, hostile) dimensions of mood mid-cycle, i.e., during the late follicular phase (η2 = 0.072−0.174, p < 0.05). Contrary to the widespread belief that negative moods are characteristic of the luteal phase (preceding the onset of the next cycle), the post hoc Bonferroni tests showed that none of the mood dimensions differed between the mid-luteal and early follicular phases of the cycle. The results held when controlling for relationship status and order of testing. This pattern of fluctuations is in accordance with the ovulatory-shift hypothesis, i.e., the notion that the emotions of attraction rise during a short window during which the conception is likely.

Theanine maintains sleep quality in healthy young women by suppressing the increase in caffeine-induced wakefulness after sleep onset.

Energy drinks take advantage of caffeine's effects on wakefulness and performance; however, excessive intake has a negative effect on sleep. Green tea is consumed worldwide and has both a stimulating effect from caffeine and a calming or relaxing effect from theanine. Theanine reduces the excitotoxicity of caffeine. This study evaluated whether theanine improves the sleep quality worsened by caffeine in healthy young women. Sleep latency, sleep time, wake after sleep onset (WASO) time, and the number of WASOs were measured. A crossover study was performed using four treatment groups: theanine (50 mg), caffeine (30 mg), combined theanine and caffeine (TC), and placebo. The sleep stage was determined using electroencephalograms, and cerebral blood flow was measured using near-infrared spectroscopy. The caffeine group showed a significant increase in the WASO time compared with the placebo group; no difference was observed between the theanine or TC group and the placebo group. There were no differences in the sleep-onset latency or number of WASOs between the theanine, caffeine, or TC groups and the placebo group. In combination with theanine, only the caffeine-induced increase in the WASO time was suppressed. Our results suggest that theanine can reduce caffeine's effects on sleep quality.

The relationship between food quality score with inflammatory biomarkers, and antioxidant capacity in young women.

Diet has the potential to decrease oxidative stress and inflammation and this may be beneficial in several diseases. This study investigated the association between food quality score (FQS) with antioxidant and inflammatory properties in 171 apparently healthy young women. This cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated food frequency questionnaire to determine the dietary intake of participants. FQS was calculated by summing all the scores obtained from healthy and unhealthy food groups. The total antioxidant capacity and free radical scavenging activity of serum and urine were quantified using the ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) and α, α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) methods, respectively. Malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured using the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). White blood cell (WBC) and neutrophil counts, mean platelet volume (MPV) and red blood cell distribution width (RDW), were measured. Neutrophil: lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet: lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and RDW: platelet ratio (RPR) were also calculated. A high food quality (rich in fruit and vegetables, nuts, whole grain, and low intake of sweetened beverage, potato chips and fried food from outside the home) was related to lower hematological inflammatory biomarkers including WBC count, RDW, NLR, and PLR. Multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (95% CIs) demonstrated that higher FQS group (third tertile vs. first tertile) was associated with a significant lower levels of urinary FRAP (ORadj =0.82; 95%CI: 0.70 to 0.97), and DPPH. High food quality was associated with reduced of markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in Iranian young girl.

Impaired cardiac mechanical synchrony revealed with increased myocardial work in women with advanced age

BackgroundWhether the synchronous nature of the myocardium is sex-dependent or affected by the aging process remains unknown. This study aimed to determine the influence of sex and age on cardiac mechanical synchrony during controlled hemodynamic stress. MethodsTransthoracic speckle-tracking echocardiography analyses and central hemodynamics were assessed at rest and during moderate- to high-intensity exercise in healthy young (<45 yr) and older (≥45 yr) women (n = 32) and men (n = 34) matched by age, physical activity and exercise capacity. Left ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony (LVMD) was determined as the time to peak standard deviation (TPSD) of longitudinal and transverse strain and strain rates (LSR, TSR). ResultsPhysical activity, aerobic capacity, heart rate, blood pressure and LVMD at rest were similar between women and men in each age group (P > 0.05). The rate pressure product, an index of myocardial work, did not differ between sex and age groups at rest and during exercise at a given percentage of peak heart rate (P > 0.05). A consistent age effect was observed for transverse LVMD (P-for-age ≤ 0.011). Specifically, older women presented with marked increments (≥42 %) in TSR TPSD at all exercise levels compared with younger women (P ≤ 0.005). Sex per se did not generally affect LVMD. ConclusionA prevailing impairment of cardiac mechanical synchrony in the transverse axis of the left ventricle is revealed during conditions of elevated hemodynamic stress in women with advanced age.

The effect of daily peanut consumption on cognitive function and indicators of mental health among healthy young women

Background: Peanuts and tree nuts contain many bioactive compounds that may provide health benefits. There is some evidence to suggest that regular consumption of peanuts and peanut butter may improve cognitive function and mood, however, there are no prior studies examining whether daily intake of dry roasted, skinless peanuts improves cognition. Objective:The objective of this study was to determine the effect of consuming 49 g/day of peanuts for 12 weeks on cognitive function and mental health, compared to consuming a peanut-free diet, among healthy young women. Methods:This was a pre-post test study of 65 women (n = 32 in peanut group, n = 29 in control group). Participants in the peanut group consumed an individually portioned pack of peanuts each day for 12 weeks. Cognitive function was assessed using the CNS Vital Signs computerized neurocognitive test battery. Mental health was assessed using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-42). Differences in endpoints between groups were assessed using ANCOVA tests. Results:There was a significant difference between the two groups in reaction time (6.9 points; p = 0.029), with the control group having a greater increase in scores. There was a significant within-group effect of peanuts on processing speed, with the peanut group increasing scores by 6.3 points (95% CI: 2.7, 9.8). There was no effect of peanut consumption on depression, anxiety, or stress scores. Conclusion:Further research is needed to fully understand the effect of different types of peanut products on cognition. Keywords: cognition, mental health, peanuts, nuts

The influence of the menstrual cup on female pelvic floor muscles variables: a prospective case series

ABSTRACT The aim was to assess and report the effects of menstrual cup on pelvic floor muscles (PFM) function and tone, as well as check the acceptability after a period of three menstrual cycles in healthy young women. The data collected in assessments and reassessments included the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire – Vaginal Symptoms (ICIQ-VS) questionnaire, evaluation of PFM function through PERFECT Scheme, PFM muscle tone, and PFM manometry (Peritron 9300®). A diary regarding the overall colletor acceptability and satisfaction was collected. Ten healthy young women completed the study. There was an improvement in the mean values of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) (p = 0.032), a decrease in the vaginal resting pressure (VRP) (p = 0.05), and an increase in the number of repetitions of sustained muscle contractions (p = 0.042). Seven women reported some discomfort while using the vaginal cup only in the first cycle while three revealed discomfort during the whole experiment. This study provides preliminary case-based evidence that the use of the vaginal cup for a period of three menstrual cycles changes the VRP, MVC, and PFM tone, as well as improves the repetitions of PFM assessed by digital palpation. Moreover, the women reported the use of vaginal cup as a positive experience.

Embolization of uterine artery pseudoaneurysm during pregnancy: case report and review of the literature

Abstract Objectives Uterine artery pseudoaneurysm (UAP) is a rare but sinister complication during pregnancy. Diagnosis can be made by color Doppler ultrasound. Previous abdominal- and obstetric surgery increase the risk for UAP formation. Case presentation We present a case of a 36 year young healthy women, presenting at 27 weeks of gestation with acute lower abdominal pain. UAP was detected by color Doppler ultrasound. An endovascular coil embolization was performed, with good maternal and fetal outcome. Furthermore, a review of the literature looking at UAP embolization in pregnancy was performed. Conclusions UAP is reported to appear as a complication of endometriosis. UAP should be treated by endovascular coil embolization, which is a safe and with almost 100% success rate an effective treatment during pregnancy.

Effects of Aquatic versus Land High-Intensity Interval Training on Acute Cardiometabolic and Perceptive Responses in Healthy Young Women

The effects of aquatic high-intensity interval training (AHIIT) on cardiometabolic and perceptive responses when compared to similar land-based exercise (LHIIT) remain unknown. Here, we aimed to (1) establish a matched intensity between mediums and (2) compare the acute cardiometabolic and perceptive responses to the two interventions in healthy young women. Twenty healthy young women performed a stationary running exercise at a matched exercise intensity. The incremental stages, in terms of percentage of heart rate (HR), maximal oxygen uptake (%VO2max), percentage of oxygen uptake reserve (%VO2R), percentage of heart rate reserve (%HRR), and rate of perceived exertion (RPE), were examined and acute cardiometabolic and perceptive responses were evaluated. The results showed that HR was significantly reduced (AHIIT: W 150 ± 19, R 140 ± 18, LHIIT: W 167 ± 16, R 158 ± 16 p < 0.01) and oxygen pulse (AHIIT: W 12 ± 2, R 10 ± 2, LHIIT: W 11 ± 2, R 9 ± 2 p < 0.05) was significantly increased with AHIIT compared to LHIIT. No significant group differences were observed for the perceptive responses. The comparable results demonstrated by the aquatic and land incremental tests allow precise AHIIT and LHIIT prescriptions. AHIIT had distinct differences in HR and oxygen pulse, despite having no distinct difference from LHIIT for some cardiometabolic and affective responses.