The mare: a 1000-pound guinea pig for study of the ovulatory follicular wave in women

The mare is a good comparative model for study of ovarian follicles in women, owing to striking similarities in follicular waves and the mechanism for selection of a dominant follicle. Commonality in follicle dynamics between mares and women include: (1) a ratio of 2.2:1 (mare:woman) in diameter of the largest follicle at wave emergence when the wave-stimulating FSH surge reaches maximum, in diameter increase of the two largest follicles between emergence and the beginning of deviation between the future dominant and subordinate follicles, in diameter of each of the two largest follicles at the beginning of deviation, and in maximum diameter of the preovulatory follicle; (2) emergence of the future ovulatory follicle before the largest subordinate follicle; (3) a mean interval of 1 day between emergence of individual follicles of the wave; (4) percentage increase in diameter of follicles for the 3 days before deviation; (5) deviation 3 or 4 days after emergence; (6) 25% incidence of a major anovulatory follicular wave emerging before the ovulatory wave; (7) 40% incidence of a predeviation follicle preceding the ovulatory wave; (8) small but significant increase in estradiol and LH before deviation; (9) cooperative roles of FSH and insulin-like growth factor 1 and its proteases in the deviation process; (10) age-related effects on the follicles and oocytes; (11) approximate 37-hour interval between administration of hCG and ovulation; and (12) similar gray-scale and color-Doppler ultrasound changes in the preovulatory follicle. In conclusion, the mare may be the premier nonprimate model for study of follicle dynamics in women.     

Evaluating residual strain throughout the murine female reproductive system

Mounting evidence suggests that cells within soft tissues seek to maintain a preferred biomechanical state. Residual stress is defined as the stress that remains in a tissue when all external loads are removed and contributes to tissue mechanohomeostasis by decreasing the transmural gradient of wall stress. Current computational models of pelvic floor mechanics, however, often do not consider residual stress. Residual strain, a result of residual stress can be quantitatively measured through opening angle experiments. Therefore, the objective of this study is to quantify the regional variations in opening angles along the murine female reproductive system at estrus and diestrus, to quantify residual strain in the maintenance state of sexually mature females. Further, evidence suggests that hydrophilic glycosaminoglycan/proteoglycans are integral to cervical remodeling. Thus, variations in opening angles following hypo-osmotic loading are evaluated. Opening angle experiments were performed along the murine reproductive system in estrus (n = 8) and diestrus (n = 8) and placed in hypo-osmotic solution. Measurements of thickness and volume were also obtained for each group. Differences (p < 0.05) in opening angle were observed with respect to region and loading, however, differences with respect to estrous stage were not significant. Thickness values were significant (p < 0.05) with respect to region only. The effects of both estrous cycle and region resulted in significant differences (p < 0.05) in observed volume. The observed regional differences indicate variation in the stress-free state among the reproductive system which may have implications for future computational models to advance women’s reproductive health.     

Vitamin D deficiency as a risk factor for urinary tract infection in women at reproductive age

Vitamin D deficiency is a pandemic problem and an ever-increasing issue in human nutrition and health. Vitamin D (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D) deficiency causes many health problems such as autoimmune diseases, Crohn’s disease, diabetes, inflammation, asthma, hypertension, and cancer. Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) deficiency has been documented as a persistent problem among adults, children, and elderly persons in most of the countries. Our main objective of this study was to determine the hypothesis that the vitamin D deficiency among women can lead to them developing frequent urinary tract infections. Vitamin D has a potential role in immune regulation and it prevents infections especially urinary tract infections (UTI). Therefore it has positive regulatory role in both acute and recurrent infections especially in women of reproductive ages. As women at this age group have specific differences in their urinary tract and the reproductive organ anatomy, make them more prone for micro-organisms' invasion, The present study was carried out to ascertain certain relation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and UTI in women while contemplating the significance of knowing the risk factors associated with UTI and also finding ways to avoid serious complications. 75 women with (case group) UTI were differentiated with 35 healthy with no UTI (control group) and 40 women with UTI and their serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were checked in a case control study. The women were between at 17–52 years of age. Using ELISA, Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were measured. Analysis and comparison of the results were done among the two groups. Vitamin D mean levels in the case group was considerably lower when in comparison with the control group (11.09 ± 7.571 ng/mL vs. 24.08 ± 11.95 ng/mL, P < 0.001).     

Serum lipid profiles of young Japanese women with iron deficiency without anemia

PurposeWe aimed to evaluate the association between iron deficiency without anemia (IDNA) and serum lipid profiles in young women of around 20 years of age.MethodsThis study included non-anemic (hemoglobin ≥ 12 g/dL) female volunteers aged 18 to 22 years who were not taking mineral/vitamin supplements and living in the metropolitan area of Tokyo, Japan. These volunteers were classified into two groups based on their sFer (serum ferritin) levels: normal group (sFer ≥ 20 ng/mL, n = 36) and IDNA group (sFer < 20 ng/mL, n = 29). Venous blood samples were obtained from the antecubital veins of these volunteers after 10–12-h fasting to measure the hematological and biochemical parameters, including lipid levels and iron status. The results of each group were compared using Student’s t-test or the Mann–Whitney U test (for inhomogeneous variance).ResultsThe serum cholesterol levels varied depending on the iron status in the women. Serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in the IDNA group were significantly higher (P = 0.006) than that in the normal group. However, the levels of total cholesterol (T-CHO), triglycerides (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were not significantly different between the groups. Serum LDL-C levels were positively and significantly correlated with sFer levels in the IDNA group (Kendall’s rank correlation 0.264, P = 0.044), but not in the normal group. The sFer level was not correlated with serum HDL-C in both groups. The reason for the high serum HDL-C levels in young women with IDNA is not yet clear. Compared to the normal group, the frequency of eating bread containing bran was significantly higher (P = 0.031) and that for yogurt was significantly lower (P = 0.040) in the IDNA group. The proportion of the women who were susceptible to infection, which was measured using the Cornell Medical Index, was significantly higher in the IDNA group than in the normal group. Among those susceptible to infection, the serum HDL-C level of the volunteers in the IDNA group was significantly higher than that of the volunteers in the normal group (P = 0.024).ConclusionsOur findings suggest that lipid parameters may be associated with IDNA and susceptibility to infection. Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the changes in the serum cholesterol levels in individuals with IDNA and the clinical significance of these findings.     

DAPK甲基化及HPV感染与维吾尔族妇女宫颈病变的相关性研究

目的:探讨死亡相关蛋白激酶(death associated protein kinase,DAPK)甲基化及人乳头瘤病毒(humanpapillomavirus,HPV)感染与新疆维吾尔族妇女宫颈病变的相关性,为维吾尔族妇女宫颈病变的诊断和治疗提供参考依据.方法:选择新疆维吾尔自治区人民医院2008年至2009年收治的宫颈非癌组织30例、宫颈上皮内瘤变(CIN)Ⅰ 30例、CIN Ⅱ/Ⅲ30例、宫颈鳞癌组织30例患者的组织标本为研究对象,运用MSP法检测宫颈组织中DAPK基因启动子甲基化水平及PCR检测各组织中HPV的感染情况,对二者进行相关性分析.结果:(1)宫颈非癌组织、CINⅠ、CIN Ⅱ/Ⅲ、宫颈鳞癌组织中DAPK基因甲基化的检出率分别为3.33％、10％、36.7％、63.3％,宫颈鳞癌组的甲基化率明显高于其它三组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);(2)四组HPV的阳性率分别为43.3％、56.7％、76.7％、93.3％,宫颈鳞癌组的 HPV感染率明显高于其它三组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),HPV的感染率和宫颈病变程度成正相关(P＜0.05).(3)宫颈病变组织中DAPK基因的甲基化水平与HPV-DNA阳性率呈正相关.结论:DAPK基因启动子的甲基化及HPV感染在新疆维吾尔族妇女宫颈病变尤其是宫颈鳞癌的发生过程中可能起重要作用,二者呈正相关,联合检测二者可能有助于新疆维吾尔族妇女宫颈鳞癌的诊断.     

The great crime recovery: Crimes against women during,and after,the COVID-19 lockdown in Mexico

This paper considers whether the COVID-19 stay-at-home order affected crimes targeting women. To answer this question, we use national municipal-level crime data from Mexico's National Public Security System. The NPSS reports sexual crimes, lapses in alimony, domestic violence, and femicides. Using the NPSS, we track monthly changes in crimes targeting women using an event-study design. Our results show that lapses in alimony, sexual crimes, and domestic violence follow a U-shaped trend. Each crime declined during the stay-at-home order, and then rose back to pre-COVID levels by October. Then, we analyze potential mechanisms for the reduction in crimes against women. We find that infection risk, victim-criminal match, and banning the sale of alcohol are related to higher declines in crime.     

Distinct Patterns of Stromal and Tumor Expression of ROR1 and ROR2 in Histological Subtypes of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

OBJECTIVE: The ROR1 and ROR2 receptor tyrosine kinases have both been implicated in ovarian cancer progression and have been shown to drive migration and invasion. There is an increasing importance of the role of stroma in ovarian cancer metastasis; however, neither ROR1 nor ROR2 expression in tumor or stromal cells has been analyzed in the same clinical cohort. AIM: To determine ROR1 and ROR2 expression in ovarian cancer and surrounding microenvironment and examine associations with clinicopathological characteristics. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry for ROR1 and ROR2 was used to assess receptor expression in a cohort of epithelial ovarian cancer patients (n = 178). Results were analyzed in relation to clinical and histopathological characteristics and survival. Matched patient sample case studies of normal, primary, and metastatic lesions were used to examine ROR expression in relation to ovarian cancer progression. RESULTS: ROR1 and ROR2 are abnormally expressed in malignant ovarian epithelium and stroma. Higher ROR2 tumor expression was found in early-stage, low-grade endometrioid carcinomas. ROR2 stromal expression was highest in the serous subtype. In matched patient case studies, metastatic samples had higher expression of ROR2 in the stroma, and a recurrent sample had the highest expression of ROR2 in both tumor and stroma. CONCLUSION: ROR1 and ROR2 are expressed in tumor-associated stroma in all histological subtypes of ovarian cancer and hold potential as therapeutic targets which may disrupt tumor and stroma interactions.     

Participation of women medical Physicists in European scientific events: The European experience

PurposeThough the number of women scientists is increasing over the years, studies show that they are still under-represented in leadership roles. The purpose of this work is to establish the percentage of women Medical Physicists (wMPs) that have participated in European scientific events and evaluate it as an indication of the current position of women in the field of Medical Physics in Europe and to propose possible ways to encourage their participation.Materials and MethodsData regarding the participants in European scientific events of Medical Physics were collected. The participants were divided into categories according to the program of the events and their gender was identified. The percentage of wMPs in each category was evaluated.ResultsThe participation of wMPs attending courses is greater than 50%. The categories with the greatest participation are “Organizing Committees”, “Chairpersons-Moderators” and “Oral Presentations”. The categories with the lower participation of wMPs are “Scientific Committee”, “Symposiums” and “Invited Speakers”. None of wMPs were represented as “Course Directors”.ConclusionsThe attendance of wMPs in courses is slightly greater than average. However, wMPs do not have an equally important recognition in special invited roles in conferences. They are still under-represented in “Scientific Committees”, “Invited Speakers”, “Symposiums” and “Course directors”. wMPs should be encouraged to participate even more actively in European conferences and the organizing committees should invite more wMPs in special roles. More studies concerning the status of female MPs in each country separately should be encouraged as they will help in understanding the position of wMPS in Europe.     

新疆乌苏市育龄妇女生殖健康现况调查研究

目的:了解新疆乌苏市育龄妇女生殖健康现状,生殖保健知识水平和生殖保健意识,为提高育龄妇女的生殖健康水平提供理论依据。方法:采用单纯随机抽样的方法,选择乌苏市育龄妇女1000名,应用自填问卷并结合妇科各项相应检查进行调查分析。结果:(1)妇科健康情况:52.6%被调查者认为自身目前妇科健康状况一般;仅有14.0%的被调查者没有出现过白带异常、下身瘙痒等症状;而平时对生殖道进行日常护理的人仅占57.4%。(2)妇科常见病患病情况:妇科常见疾病按患病率高低排列分别为阴道炎(70.2%)、痛经(25.5%)、宫颈糜烂/乳腺增生(19.2%、19.1%)、子宫肌瘤(11.9%),各因素对痛经的影响均无统计学意义(P>0.05);各因素对阴道炎的影响均无统计学意义(P>0.05);但不同年龄段有宫颈疾病的患病情况差别有统计学意义(P<0.01),其中40～50岁年龄组患病率最大(65.3%),30岁以下年龄组患病率最低(37.6%);城市患病率(57.7%)高于农村(45.6%),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);小学文化程度患病率(69.0%)高于其他各组差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。(3)求医行为:37.5%的人选择去药店买药,41.5%的人选择就医;对就医单位的选择中,75.3%的人采取就近原则选择医疗单位,9.1%的人则是通过报纸媒体广告选择相关医疗单位;选择就医单位影响因素中42.3%的人认为专家资质较重要,26.3%的人则认为有先进设备较重要。结论:乌苏市育龄妇女生殖健康水平一般,妇女患常见妇科病比率较大的为阴道炎及痛经,其次为宫颈糜烂/乳腺增生,子宫肌瘤,40～50岁、文化程度较低妇女对宫颈其他疾病的患病情况影响较大,妇女生殖保健知识较全面、自我护理较好的妇女患病率较低。乌苏市育龄妇女需要加强生殖健康宣传教育,提高自我保健意识,掌握基本的生殖保健常识,对40～50岁围绝经期妇女要加强体检力度,以降低妇女病发病率,提高妇女健康水平,改善乌苏市各年龄段的妇女生活质量为关键。