Long-term L-thyroxine therapy is associated with decreased hip bone density in premenopausal women

The effect of long-term L-thyroxine (L-T4) therapy on axial skeleton bone density was studied in 31 premenopausal women; the bone densities of these women were compared with the bone densities of 31 age- and weight-matched women without thyroid or bone abnormalities. The women receiving L-T4 therapy had been receiving the medication for a minimum of five years. There was no difference in calcium intake or excretion between the L-T4-treated women and the controls. Women receiving L-T4 had increased serum thyroxine concentrations (134 +/- 5 vs 95 +/- 3 nmol/L [10.4 +/- 0.4 vs 7.4 +/- 0.2 micrograms/dL]), an increased free thyroxine index (9.4 +/- 0.4 vs 6.8 +/- 0.2), and decreased serum thyroid-stimulating hormone concentrations (0.9 +/- 0.2 mU/L vs 2.1 +/- 0.3 mU/L [0.9 +/- 0.2 vs 2.1 +/- 0.3 microU/mL]). Serum triiodothyronine concentrations were normal and were similar in both groups. Women treated with L-T4 had a 12.8% lower bone density at the femoral neck and a 10.1% lower bone density at the femoral trochanter compared with matched controls. In contrast, lumbar spine bone density was similar in the two groups. The data suggest that long-term L-T4 therapy, which is often given at supraphysiologic dosages, may predispose patients to decreased bone density in the hip and may increase the risk of age-related bone loss. It is advisable, therefore, to employ a dosage of L-T4 that is carefully monitored to avoid the long-term use of dosages that are excessive for the thyroid condition being treated.     

Unusual fractures associated with osteoporosis in premenopausal women.

Two premenopausal women (aged 40 and 34 years) and multiple undisplaced, often asymptomatic fractures of the femurs, ribs, metatarsals and other bones. The fractures, which appeared on roentgenograms as transverse radiolucent zones with variable callus formation, healed slowly or not at all despite treatment with calcium and vitamin D. They resembled pseudofractures (Looser's transformation zones) radiologically, but the biochemical and histologic findings were those of idiopathic osteoporosis rather than osteomalacia. Since neither patient had been subjected to unusual stress it was concluded that the fractures had resulted from normal activity in abnormal bone.     

Prostasin gene polymorphism at rs12597511 is associated with severe preeclampsia in Chinese Han women

Background Preeclampsia,characterized by hypertension and proteinuria,is a multifactorial disease associated with shallow invasion of trophoblast cells and inadequate spiral artery remodeling.Trophoblast and tumor cells have similar invasion mechanism.Prostasin is closely related to tumor development,invasion and metastasis and influences blood pressure through activating epithelial sodium channel.The effect of prostasin on the pathogenesis of preeclampsia remains unclear.This study investigated the association of prostasin gene at rs12597511 with severe preeclampsia.Methods A single nucleotide polymorphism,rs12597511,was tested with polymerase chain reaction and restrictionfragment length polymorphism analyses in 179 severe preeclampsia patients and 222 normal pregnant women.Results The frequencies of TC ＋ CC genotypes were significantly higher in severe preeclampsia group compared with in control group （the adjusted odds ratio was 2.030,95% confidence interval 1.195-3.449,P=0.009）.The C allele of rs12597511 was present significantly more often among women with severe preeclampsia （P=0.001）.Genotyping analysis showed that the C allele of rs12597511 could confer a risk for severe preeclampsia.Conclusion The higher frequency of C allele of prostasin gene at rs12597511 is associated with severe preeclampsia.     

母患骨质疏松的女儿呈低峰值骨量吗?

目的研究骨质疏松母亲的女儿峰值骨量是否比正常母亲的女儿更低,并初步探讨导致这一差异的因素。方法从上海市各社区招募401个汉族核心家庭(包括父母双亲和一名20～40岁的健康女儿),用双能X线吸收仪测定腰椎(L1-4)和股骨近端各部位骨密度(BMD),剔除父亲患骨质疏松或骨量减少的家庭,获得126个骨质疏松母亲及其女儿和136个年龄匹配的BMD正常母亲及其女儿。结果骨质疏松母亲的女儿L1-4、股骨颈和大转子各部位BMD值(0.94g/cm2±0.10g/cm2,0.75g/cm2±0.10g/cm2,0.61g/cm2±0.08g/cm2,显著低于正常母亲的女儿(1.00g/cm2±0.11g/cm2,0.80g/cm2±0.11g/cm2,0.66g/cm2±0.09g/cm2,均P<0.001),且体重也显著低于正常母亲的女儿(P<0.05),两组间年龄、身高、月经初潮年龄、牛奶摄入者比例、摄入量等差异均无统计学意义。多因素逐步回归分析显示:体重是影响女儿各部位BMD的最重要因素,分别解释L1-4、股骨颈和大转子BMD值变异的9.4%、16.5%和16.6%。剔除体重因素后,母亲患骨质疏松成为影响女儿BMD的最重要因素,分别解释L1-4、股骨颈和大转子的BMD值变异的5.1%、5.3%和4.2%。结论母患骨质疏松的女儿具有低的峰值骨量,体重是最重要的影响因素,其次为母亲具低的BMD。     

Endometrial pathology associated with infertility among Nigerian women

SUMMARY: One hundred and forty endometrial specimens of women with infertility were examined with oil immersion at X100 magnification for evidence of secretory activity, presence of any inflammatory cells and characteristic features suggestive of specific pathogens. Twenty-three (16.4%) had evidence of chronic endometritis the majority being non-specific. Only two (1.4%) were granulomatous. There was a significant eosinophilic infiltrate in nine cases (6.4%) some numbering up to 55 eosinophils per 5 high power fields (5 hpf). Sensitive immunohistochemical techniques would be needed to correlate findings with specific pathogens for effective treatment.     

广州地区绝经前妇女维生素D受体基因多态性与骨密度无关

目的 研究广州地区绝经前妇女维生素D受体基因多态性的分布及其与骨密度的关系.方法 应用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性等技术检测193例绝经前广州地区妇女维生素D受体基因型,用双能X线骨密度仪测量腰椎、股骨颈、瓦氏三角、大转子等处骨密度.结果 193例测试对象中,维生素D受体基因型分别为bb型120例(62.2%)、Bb型64例(33.2%),BB型9例(4.6%);b等位基因频率为78.76%,B等位基因频率为21.24%.基因分布符合Hardy-Weinberg定律,其基因型与所测量部位的骨密度无关.结论 未观察到绝经前妇女维生素D受体基因型与骨密度有关,维生素D受体基因BsmI多态性还不能作为预测广州地区绝经前妇女是否易患骨质疏松危险性的遗传标志物.     

IL-17多态性与慢性萎缩性胃炎的相关性研究

目的探讨白细胞介素-17A,-17F(IL-17A,-17F)基因多态性与慢性萎缩性胃炎(chronic atrophic gastritis,CAG)的相关性。方法采用病例-对照研究方法,收集经组织学确诊的慢性萎缩性胃炎患者129例和健康对照人群223例,收集外周血标本,提取DNA,运用TaqManMGB探针方法进行多态性检测。同时所有样本经组织快速尿素酶检测(RUT)和血清酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)抗Hp-IgG抗体检测,以测定人群幽门螺杆菌(Helicobater pylori,Hp)感染率。结果IL-17A(rs2275913,G-197A)、IL-17F(rs76378,7488T/C)位点的基因型和等位分布在慢性萎缩性胃炎组和健康献血员正常对照组中差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。IL-17F(rs766748,6400A/G)在慢性萎缩性胃炎组中的等位频率显著高于正常对照组(P=0.004)。与未携带有IL-17F 6400A/GA等位的个体相比,携带有IL-17F 6400A/GA等位的个体显著的增加了慢性萎缩性胃炎的易感性。经非条件Logistic回归校正年龄、性别、Hp感染等因素后,在...     

血浆催乳素水平与绝经前乳腺癌危险性的关系评估

目的:评估血浆催乳素(PRL)水平与绝经前女性乳腺癌危险性的关系.方法:采用放射免疫法测定65例绝经前女性乳腺癌患者(病例组)和65例匹配对照者(对照组)的血浆PRL水平,条件logistic回归分析血浆PRL水平与绝经前乳腺癌危险性的关系.根据肿瘤的临床病理特征对病例组再进行分组,评价血浆PRL水平与乳腺癌各亚组危险性的关系.结果:病例组血浆PRL水平显著高于对照组(P < 0.01).血浆PRL水平上四分位数相比下四分位数的调整OR(95%CI)为1.54(0.84～4.07),趋势P=0.031;PRL与绝经前乳腺癌危险性的关系在雌激素受体阳性的肿瘤中稍增强,但不随肿瘤大小、病理类型、肿瘤分级、淋巴结转移情况而变化.结论:血浆PRL水平与绝经前女性乳腺癌的危险性呈正相关,尤其是雌激素受体阳性的乳腺癌患者.     

中国绝经前女性群体中钙敏受体基因内多态性位点A986S与骨密度和骨大小的关联研究

目的在中国绝经前女性群体中研究钙敏受体基因内多态性位点986Ala/Ser(A986S)与骨密度和骨大小的关联。方法样本为来自上海市区的285例20.0~41.9岁绝经前汉族女性。用双能X射线骨密度仪测量腰椎和髋部骨密度和骨大小。用限制性片段长度多态性方法(PCR-RFLP)分析钙敏受体基因外显子7内的多态性位点986Ala/Ser(A986S)的多态性。有酶切位点基因片段表示为A,无酶切位点表示为S,基因型为AA、AS、SS。结果在中国女性群体中,AS基因型个体很少而缺少SS基因型个体。AA和AS基因型个体间骨密度和骨大小不存在显著性差异。结论钙敏受体在钙的代谢中有显著作用,该基因与骨表型间的关系需要进一步利用有意义的遗传标记来进行研究。     

A986S polymorphism of calcium-sensing receptor gene is not related to bone mineral density or bone size in premenopausal Chinese women]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of a calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) gene missense polymorphism, 986Ala/Ser (A986S), with bone mineral density (BMD) and bone size in healthy Chinese premenopausal women. METHODS: A total of 285 healthy Chinese premenopausal women (20.0 to 41.9 years of age) of Han nationality in the urban area of Shanghai were recruited for this study. The BMD and bone size of the spine and hip were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. All the subjects were genotyped at the CaSR A986S site in exon 7 with polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction enzyme BsaHI digestion. The presence of the restriction fragment site was represented by alanine (A), while its absence by serine (S), rendering the genotypes AA, AS, and SS. RESULTS: The genotype AS was rare and SS absent in these Chinese women, and no significant differences in the BMD or bone size of either the spine or hip were found between the two genotypes. CONCLUSION: Given the important role of the CaSR in calcium metabolism, further studies with useful genetic markers may have better chances to define the association of the CaSR gene with bone phenotype variations.     

Atrial natriuretic peptide gene polymorphism is not associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Background Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy （HCM） is a primary autosomal dominant inheritant myocardial disease with heterogeneity in clinical manifestations, natural history and prognosis. Even carrying an identical gene mutation among family members, a va[iety of clinical phenotypes have been found in patients with HCM. Modifier genes may contribute to the diversity. The plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptides （ANP） were found previously to be elevated in HCM. Our studies suggested that ANP gene promoter polymorphism is associated with left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertension. The present study aimed to determine whether the two SNPs in the ANP gene are associated with HCM Methods We determined the relationships between the ANP gene polymorphism and HCM in 262 HCM patients and 614 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals. All of the subjects were genotyped for -A2843G and A188G polymorphisms. Results The genotype frequency in the -A2843G and A188G polymorphisms of the ANP gene was not significantly different between the HCM patients and controls. The -A2843G and A188G polymorphisms were also not associated with clinical phenotype in cardiomyopathy patients. Conclusions The polymorphisms of the ANP gene are not associated with increasing risk of HCM or clinical phenotypes. The variations of the ANP gene may not serve as a genetic modifier for the development of HCM.     

IL-10 polymorphism is associated with increased incidence of severe sepsis

Objective To investigate whether three biallelic polymorphisms at positions -592, -819 and -1082 in the promoter region of the IL-10 gene are associated with increased incidence of severe sepsis.Methods The IL-10 -592, -819 and -1082 polymorphisms were typed using polymerase chain reaction followed by digestion with the restriction enzymes RsaⅠ, MaeⅢ and MnlⅠ, respectively. Results Patients with severe sepsis were more likely to have IL-10 -1082 allele 1, compared with controls (P&lt;0.05). Genotype distribution of the IL-10 -1082 polymorphism significantly differed between patients and controls (P&lt;0.05). However, the allele frequencies and genotype distribution of the IL-10 -1082 polymorphism did not differ between surviving and dead patients (P&gt;0.05). No significant differences in the genotype distribution and allele frequencies of the IL-10 -592 and IL-10 -819 polymorphisms were observed between patients with severe sepsis and heathy controls, nor between surviving and dead patients (P&gt; 0.05). Conclusions The polymorphism at position -1082 in the promoter region of the IL-10 gene may be associated with susceptibility to severe sepsis. In constrast, the other two highly linked IL-10 polymorphisms are not associated with incidence or the outcome of severe sepsis.     

Clinical and angiographic characteristics of premenopausal women with coronary artery disease

Background Coronary artery disease （CAD） is generally considered as a disease of middle-aged men. It is widely accepted that the risk for CAD of premenopausal women is low because of hormone protection. Based on our clinical experience, more and more premenopausal women suffer from angina and myocardial infarction without adequate concern. Even now, there are still limited detailed data to describe the characteristics, mechanism and prognosis of premenopausal CAD patients. This article aimed to analyze the clinical and angiographic characteristics of premenopausal women with CAD.
Methods A total of 565 premenopausal women and 721 postmenopausal women （56-60 years old） who underwent coronary angiography for the first time from April 2004 to December 2007 were enrolled. The clinical data and coronary angiographic characteristics （presence, localization, length and severity） were compared between the premenopausal and postmenopausal CAD groups.
Results Premenopausal CAD patients presented less frequently with hypertension, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia compared with postmenopausal CAD patients （55.0% vs 66.0%, 15.0% vs 31.5%, 23.9% vs 37.4%, respectively; all P 〈0.05）. Although we found more frequent involvement of single vessel in premenopausal CAD （43.2% vs 26.9%, P=0）, and triple vessels in postmenopausal （56-60 years old） CAD patients （33.8% vs 20.4%, P=0）, much more severe lesions （z90%） at left main （2.9% vs 1.1%, P=0.048） and proximal left anterior descending artery （LAD） （28.2% vs 16.6%, P=0） in the premenopausal CAD group were found.
Conclusion Premenopausal women with chest discomfort are always found to have obvious atherosclerosis, more .inclined to be located at the left main and proximal LAD, which is a strong predictor of an adverse clinical outcome.     

Health insurance and household income associated with mammography utilization among American women, 2000–2008

Background  National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) has provided free or low-cost mammograms to low-income or no health insurance women in all of the states of the United States (US) since 1997. The objective of this study was to understand whether health insurance and annual household income impacted the mammography utilization since the implementation of NBCCEDP, in order to evaluate how the implementation of NBCCEDP impacted mammography utilization among American women.

Methods  Data were from the database of Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) of the CDC in US. Mammography utilization was measured by whether the American woman aged 40 to 64 years had the mammography within the last two years. The chi square test and multivariate Logistic regression were used to evaluate the associations between mammography utilization and health insurance, annual household income, and other factors for any given year.

Results  From 2000 to 2008, the rate of mammography utilization among participants had a steady decrease on the whole from 86.7% to 83.8%. The results showed that the mammography utilization correlated significantly with health insurance and annual household income for any given year. The results also showed that compared with participants who were uninsured, those who were insured had a greater times higher rate of mammography in 2008 than any other year from 2000 to 2008, and compared with participants whose annual household income was below $15 000, those whose annual household income was above $50 000 had a greater times higher rate of mammography in 2008 than in 2004 and 2006.

Conclusions  Health insurance and annual household income impacted the mammography utilization for any given year from 2000 to 2008, and the implementation of NBCCEDP has not achieved its original goal on breast cancer screening.

     

Calcium-sensing receptor gene A986S polymorphism and bone mass in hypertensive women

BACKGROUND: The function of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) is to maintain serum calcium concentration within a narrow physiological range. Two types of mutations have been described: activating that causes hypocalcemia and inactivating, which leads to hypercalcemia. The objective was to assess the effect of CaSR gene A986S polymorphism on the lumbar spine bone mass, calcium metabolism parameters and markers of bone remodeling in hypertensive women. METHODS: The study included 48 patients (mean age 59 +/- 10 years) with mild-to-moderate hypertension, according to JNC VI and who did not present any associated diseases. We determined the following in all patients: Ca, P, Mg, PTHi, 25-vitamin D, 1,25-vitamin D, osteocalcin, deoxypyridinoline in urine, 24-h urine calcium. A bone densitometry of the lumbar spine was also performed. CaSR gene A986S polymorphism was also studied in all patients by PCR. RESULTS: Genotype frequency was 69% for AA, 27% for AS and 4% for SS, with a prevalence of 82% for allele A and 18% for allele S. Patients with a lack of allele S had lower levels of p (3.5 +/- 0.5 vs. 4 +/- 0.4, p = .034). No differences in calcium plasma levels, urinary calcium excretion and bone mass were observed. CONCLUSIONS: We found no clinical significance in the parameters studied of the CaSR gene A986S polymorphism in hypertensive women.     

Icariin associated with exercise therapy is an effective treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis

Background  There are no conclusive studies evaluating the interaction between icariin and exercise for treatment of osteoporosis; the efficacy and safety of this treatment combination remains to be evaluated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of icariin treatment combined with exercise therapy on bone parameters and body weight of ovariectomized rats.

Methods  Ovariectomized rats were used as a model of postmenopausal osteoporosis and were exposed to either icariin treatment, exercise, hormone replacement therapy, or a combination of the above. Untreated, ovariectomized rats and sham operated rats were used as controls. After 3 months of experimental interventions the effects of the treatments on the body and uterine weights, the physical and biomechanical properties of bones, and the expression of the osteoblast-specific gene Osterix (Osx), were assessed.

Results  The weight gain of the ovariectomized rats was greater than that of the treated experimental groups. Uterine weight and serum estradiol levels were significantly greater in sham operated and estrogen-treated ovariectomized rats than in the other groups. Biomechanical parameters were improved significantly in ovariectomized rats treated with exercise alone or treated with exercise and icariin. Osx expression was increased in ovariectomized rats treated with exercise and icariin or treated with just icariin.

Conclusions  Exercise combined with icariin had a synergistic effect in the early prevention of osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats. The effects of icariin and exercise on osteoporosis are worth further exploration.

     

淫羊藿甙联合运动疗法是一种有效的治疗方式用于绝经后骨质疏松症

目的： 这个研究的主要目的是探究淫羊藿甙联合运动疗法对于骨质和去卵巢大鼠的影响。 方法： 去卵巢大鼠被用于绝经后骨质疏松模型,分组接受淫羊藿甙、运动疗法、激素替代疗法、以及淫羊藿甙联合运动疗法。未处理的去卵巢大鼠被用作对照组。3个月的实验间期后,大鼠的体重、卵巢的重量、骨质的物理以及生物学特性,Osx的表达量被检测。 结果：空白组去卵巢大鼠的体重增加量高于实验处理组。卵巢重量和血清雌激素的含量显著高于对照组,激素替代组。生物力学参数在单纯运动疗法组和运动合并淫羊藿甙组得到显著的提高。Osx的表达在运动联合淫羊藿甙组和淫羊藿甙组显著增加。 结论：运动联合淫羊藿甙在对去卵巢大鼠早起预防骨质疏松有显著疗效。淫羊藿甙和运动疗法在骨质疏松方面值得更进一步研究。     

AGTR1基因多态性与糖尿病肾病易感性相关

目的：探讨Ⅰ型血管紧张素Ⅱ受体(angiotensin ⅡtypeⅠreceptor,AGTR1) A1166C 多态性与糖尿病肾病的关系。
方法：用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性技术研究AGTR1多态性在正常对照组(157例)、2型糖尿病非肾病组（141例,糖尿病病程≥10年）、2型糖尿病肾病组（152例）中的基因频率分布。
结果：2型糖尿病肾病组AGTR1 C等位基因频率明显高于正常对照组和2型糖尿病非肾病组(P<0.05),正常对照组与2型糖尿病非肾病组间差异无统计学意义。
结论：AGTR1 A1166C基因多态性与糖尿病肾病相关,即C等位基因携带可能增加糖尿病肾病的发生风险。